tagged w/ Coalition Government
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On October 20th 2010 the coalition government announced the most extreme cuts in the public sector for sixty years. On November 22nd 2010 SOAS students occupied a University room in protest against the cuts. On November 24th the students were served with a court notice at 1200. The court case was at 14.30. After the case the students have a meeting where Jeremy Corbyn MP speaks.
On November 24th the students lost their case. Instead negotiations started with SOAS management. On December 30th SOAS students joined a national protest in London. The following day students, supported by staff voted to remain in occupation. Afterwards Tariq Ali spoke to them.
That night they were told the coalition government would vote on education cuts on December 9th 2010. Protests are planned across the country.
This version includes Nick Clegg talking about education and disadvantaged children, more about the court case and the occupation, Jeremy Corbyn MP, music, student protests, and Tariq Ali.
'We will come out rain, snow and shine, and whatever the police do to us, we will stand and be united'. SOAS student.On October 20th 2010 the coalition government announced the most extreme cuts in the... more
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With budgets looming it was promised money for the NHS and Aid agencies would be protected from cuts. Though the Independent states over the 9 months the NHS has lost 15,000 jobs with wards and services being planned or have already been to be shut down.
The article also states aid agencies are preparing for a cut in funding could flat line in two years.
There are fears the cuts in the NHS could cause strain with social care cuts and the aging baby boomers.
"Extra demands on the NHS include a mini baby boom and an ageing population. Managers have also been warned that if local councils, as expected, cut back on their social care budget, then hospitals will be forced to look after many more people who would otherwise be cared for at home." -Independent
The article goes on to other department cut prediction like Justice department cutting back on prison, legal aid and closure of family courts. While it highlights the defence budget cuts were reduced for 10% cuts to 8.%.
"Today, 11am: Alan Johnson to set out new details of Labour's economic policy
Tomorrow, 3.30pm: David Cameron to reveal results of the Strategic Defence and Security Review
Wednesday, 12.30pm: George Osborne to unveil Spending Review details, including departmental cuts of £83bn "-IndependentWith budgets looming it was promised money for the NHS and Aid agencies would be... more
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With the Coalition government stating it is taking a tough attitude towards tax avoidance, the biggest Conservative donor Lord Ashcroft said he would become a full UK taxpayer. The new rules would have meant Ashcroft would have to give up his peerage or start paying tax on his worldwide assets and earnings.
Though BBC's Panorama claims Ashcroft moved a £17m stake in his company Impellam to a trust fund for his children, the transaction took place a day before the new tax laws for members of the House of Lords were put into action.
According to the Guardian the tax taken in would have been £3.4m
"Tax lawyer Richard Frimston told Panorama that Lord Ashcroft would have faced a hefty inheritance tax bill under the new legislation if he had made the change one day later.
[...]
The billionaire businessman has not broken any rules by using the family trust, but his actions appear to conflict with the coalition government's stance on tax avoidance.With the Coalition government stating it is taking a tough attitude towards tax... more
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With recess over, it sounds like one of the plans up for debate is the referendum on changing the voting system for future elections.
"MPs will debate a bill paving the way for a referendum on 5 May 2011 on changing to an alternative vote system."-BBC
The issue of a new system appeared after the last election, with some protests during negotiations which stated the current system is not balanced and relies on key marginals. The referendum was favoured by the Liberal Democrats and became a part of the coalition deal to form the current Government.
So far Labour mainly opposes the sections about changing contingency boundaries and the Conservatives mainly opposing the change to the current system.
"The coalition says it is unfair that some MPs need almost twice as many votes to get elected as others as their constituencies are much larger in terms of registered voters.
Labour say the proposals to "equalise" constituency sizes - as well as cutting their number by 650 to 600 - will disproportionately hurt Labour-supporting areas and is equivalent to "gerrymandering".
The coalition has accused Labour of "opposition for opposition' s sake"."-BBCWith recess over, it sounds like one of the plans up for debate is the referendum on... more
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The UK coalition government’s solution to apathy, an overbearing state and idle, disrespectful youth is national community service. A pilot scheme for young volunteers in Hackney is now underway and proving popular among those taking part.The UK coalition government’s solution to apathy, an overbearing state and idle,... more
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It's reported by the Guardian, the Child Benefits for the middle class will face reduction in plans "to bring the £164bn deficit under control."-Guardian
As the coalition settles down, news of the future cuts appeared in today's newspapers, letting journalists go back to the normal political routine (since they've spent the last few days outside the negotiation progress)
According to the paper, all departments (excluding the ringfenced) spent the last month finding 15% cuts to reduce spending. One reported plan from the Treasury is to reduce the benefits for the middle class like child benefits.
It's suggested the cuts could strain the coalition relationship because the Liberal Democrats would be against cuts that will slice welfare for the poor.
"He urged colleagues to pursue "a distinctive path" to ensure the poor did not suffer when spending cuts are speeded up, as promised by Osborne."-The GuardianIt's reported by the Guardian, the Child Benefits for the middle class will face... more
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The coalition proposed its first plans to reform parliament, which would see the development of a fixed term parliament. However, it's reported MPs on both sides are unhappy over plans for a 55% vote requirement to dissolve for parliament.
According to Newsnight, this would change the rules from needing a majority to a super majority vote. While also suggesting the Lib Dems placed in the 50% number while the Conservatives argued for 55%.
The MPs who support the plans say the super majority is needed to secure the plans for a permanent 5 year parliament. However those criticizing the plans say it's about keeping the current government in power for longer.
"Former Labour lord chancellor Lord Falconer said he backed the idea of fixed-term parliaments, but warned the present proposals risked leaving an impotent "zombie" government in power."-Guardian
Newsnight segment: http://bbc.co.uk/i/sfwp1/The coalition proposed its first plans to reform parliament, which would see the... more
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Today there was a joint press conference with the new PM David Cameron and Deputy PM Nick Clegg. The two parties talked about the new coalition between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives and answered press questions. (video is part two)
There was a strange moment when a journalist reminded Cameron of a past comment when he said Nick Clegg after being asked what his favourite joke was. Clegg's reaction was to do a mock 'that's it I'm off' joke, very weird and gigglesome. (9:00 minutes in).
It's clear the question of how long the two parities can make a coalition work will remain, but hey it's the first day lets feel a little bit hopeful for a few hours.
"Mr Clegg admitted both party leaders were taking "big risks" but said it would be a "new politics": "It's a new kind of government, a radical, reforming government where it needs to be and a source of reassurance and stability at a time of great uncertainty in our country too.""-BBCToday there was a joint press conference with the new PM David Cameron and Deputy PM... more
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