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Rich nations are 'betraying' Africa
The world's richest nations will today be told by Gordon Brown to stop backsliding on their pledges to double aid to Africa by 2010. The Prime Minister will risk a clash with world leaders at next week's G8 summit in Japan over their failure to honour pledges to boost aid made three years ago.
Mr Brown is backing Bob Geldolf, who warned yesterday that high energy prices are starving the super-poor in Africa. The prominent aid campaigner and the Prime Minister fear that Japan, France, Italy and Canada are using the global economic downturn as an excuse to scale back their aid payments to the world's poorest countries. The world's richest nations will today be told by Gordon Brown to stop backsliding on their pledges to double aid to Africa by 2010. T... more -
Gordon Brown to lose voting rights under Conservatives
If the Conservatives where to get in power at Westminister they would hope to obtain a strangle hold on English issues by reducing voting power for Scottish MPs and hence disabling much of the labour heartland. The new-regulations would be brought in to overcome what they say to be a "dangerous" threat to the countries constitution, as English laws can be passed without a majority of English MPs. However the new proposals would strip many key figures in the labour party including current Prime Minister Gordon Brown of their vote. Under a Conservative government it would mean complete control of these issues with know accounatability through parliment and a future Labour government could find itself in power but without the numbers needed to pass any laws in England. If the Conservatives where to get in power at Westminister they would hope to obtain a strangle hold on English issues by reducing vot... more
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Backlogs threaten Government targets for renewable energy
Ambitious plans to erect more than 10,000 wind turbines across Britain and around the coast by 2020 are at risk of being derailed by a critical supply bottleneck.
The German engineering giant Siemens, which is one of the leading wind turbine manufacturers, admitted yesterday that it had a four-year backlog of orders for its largest machines. "Supply is indeed tight, relative to demand," a spokesman said. Ambitious plans to erect more than 10,000 wind turbines across Britain and around the coast by 2020 are at risk of being derailed by a... more -
7,000 more wind turbines for Great Britain
"In the next 12 years, 7,000 wind turbines will spring up across the hills and around the coasts of Britain, in a £60bn renewable energy programme outlined by Gordon Brown. They will be the highly visible symbols of what the Prime Minister called "the most drastic change in our energy policy since the advent of nuclear power" – a shift to producing at least a third of UK electricity from carbon-free renewable sources, compared to under 5 per cent today.
The aim, set out in a consultation document that will lead to a formal new strategy, is to cut down the greenhouse gas emissions from conventional power stations that are causing climate change, reduce Britain's reliance on foreign energy supplies, and meet the demanding climate target agreed by EU leaders last year, of providing 20 per cent of Europe's total energy use from renewable sources by 2020 ..."
"In the next 12 years, 7,000 wind turbines will spring up across the hills and around the coasts of Britain, in a £60bn renewable ener... more -
Green energy plan 'will force more families into fuel poverty
By James Kirkup and Paul Ecclestone
More families will be driven into fuel poverty as a push to generate more electricity from "green" sources like wind, wave and solar power sharply increases household fuel bills, the Government has said.
Electricity bills could rise by 13 per cent and gas prices could go up by as much as 37 per cent as consumers are made to pay more to subsidise green energy production, ministers said in a new Renewable Energy Strategy.
The move away from fossil fuels is likely to cause an increase in energy bills
At current levels, green tariffs make up around 14 per cent of average domestic electricity bills and 3 per cent of average gas bills.
Those tariffs will have to increase as ministers bid to wean Britain off fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal.
"Our policies to encourage renewable energy deployment in line with our 2020 goals will add further to energy bills," the strategy paper says. "Reflecting some of the costs of tackling climate change through energy prices means that prices more closely reflect the true social, economic and environmental costs of climate change."
By 2020, the document estimates that the full raft of new green energy proposals could increase domestic electricity bills by between 10 per cent and 13 per cent.
Gas bills could rise by 18 per cent to 37 per cent. Petrol prices could go up by 4 per cent. Campaigners say that 4 million households are currently in fuel poverty, having to spend 10 per cent or more of their total income on electricity and gas.
The Renewable Energy Strategy says: "It is likely that the measures we need to use to increase renewable energy will add to the challenges we face in combating fuel poverty."
Government officials said that the fuel bill increases were based on the assumption that world oil prices will average around $70, roughly half their current level.
Were oil prices to stay above that level, the added cost of green energy would be smaller, because of the savings involved in cutting oil use.
John Hutton, the Industry Secretary, said the fuel bill increases were "reasonable and modest" while the cost of doing nothing to cut greenhouse gas emissions would be high.
"Is the era of cheap energy over? We all know it is, and that presents us with some pretty stark choices we have to make," he said. "This is the time to make a decisive shift to a low-carbon economy."
Alan Duncan, the Conservative shadow business secretary, endorsed the Government's plan, but said ministers should go further.
He said: "After a series of painful and reluctant U-turns, it seems like the Government is at last coming round to our vision of a greener Britain."
The shift to green power will mean 7,000 more wind turbines being built -often in the face of local opposition - across the countryside and around the coastline.
The renewable energy strategy was presented by Gordon Brown, who pledged to break Britain's dependence on oil and to convert the country to a greener way of life.
The Prime Minister said the government's commitment to a target of producing 15 per cent of the country's energy from renewable sources by 2020 amounted to a green revolution in the making.
"It will be the most dramatic change in our energy policy since the advent of nuclear power," he told an energy conference in London.
Meeting the 15 per cent target will cost the UK economy between £5 billion and £6 billion a year, according to Mr Hutton's department.
The Government published its energy strategy as Lord Stern, the former Treasury economist who called on the world to spend 1 per cent of its wealth fighting climate change said the price of averting environmental disaster had now doubled to 2 per cent.
By James Kirkup and Paul Ecclestone ... more -
Bush and Brown issue Iran warning
LONDON, England (CNN) -- "Britain and Europe are to agree tough new sanctions against Iran, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Monday following talks with U.S. President George W. Bush after which he also announced additional troops for Afghanistan.
Brown said new measures against Iran, including a freeze on overseas assets of the country's biggest bank, would be continued if the Islamic regime failed to address concerns over its nuclear ambitions.
"Action will start today in new phase of sanctions on oil and gas. We will take any necessary action so that Iran is aware of the choice it needs to make," Brown said.
Bush said he has not ruled out the use of force to end Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program, but added that he preferred to resolve the dispute diplomatically."
LONDON, England (CNN) -- "Britain and Europe are to agree tough new sanctions against Iran, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Monday fo... more -
Britain to tighten Iran sanctions, send more troops to Afghanistan
Bush and Brown talked about International affairs including Iran, and Afghanistan. It seems Bush and Brown have much in common.
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LONDON — After talks with President Bush, Prime Minister Gordon Brown promised tougher measures in Iran and Afghanistan, saying that Britain would freeze the assets of Iran’s biggest bank and increase its troop strength in Afghanistan.
Appearing with Mr. Bush at a new conference, he sought to speak directly to the Iranian people, saying that Tehran’s refusal to resolve international concerns over its nuclear activities would only lead to further isolation.
“Our message today to the Iranian people is that you do not have to pursue the path of confrontation,” he said during a press conference with Mr. Bush.
End of Excerpt
Source: New York Times Bush and Brown talked about International affairs including Iran, and Afghanistan. It seems Bush and Brown have much in common. ... more -
Bush arrives in the UK
Would it be fair to say that he's hardly the most popular of men and yet he gets to sit down and talk with the Queen over dinner in Buckingham Palace. To save face maybe the Queen will talk about baseball or western films, I'm sure that bringing up the Iraq war would me improper and impolite.
He's also meeting Gordon Brown to hold talks about Iran's nuclear program and the global fuel crisis. Can you guess what sort of thing he will be saying? Would it be fair to say that he's hardly the most popular of men and yet he gets to sit down and talk with the Queen over dinner in Bu... more -
Comic Turn?
All good super heroes have their sidekicks - Batman has Robin, Superman has, ummm his mum. And now Captain Britain is fighting off an invasion by the evil Skrulls with the help of a very special friend. All good super heroes have their sidekicks - Batman has Robin, Superman has, ummm his mum. And now Captain Britain is fighting off an... more
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Brown wins terrorism 42-day detention plan
The controversial plans to allow terrorism suspects to be held for 42 days instead of 28 days were narrowly approved yesterday evening.
The government won by nine votes, with 315 MPs backing its position and 306 MPs voting against it.
Much has been said about the controversial plans, with human rights claiming it is unreasonable and some MPs claiming it's necessary.
Sky News sums up why Gordon is so keen to rock the vote:
"Although Mr Brown has insisted the clash with rebels is not a vote of confidence in his leadership, defeat on 42 days would be a devastating blow to his authority."
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,91211-1318664,00... The controversial plans to allow terrorism suspects to be held for 42 days instead of 28 days were narrowly approved yesterday evening... more -
The most important Prime Minister's Questions in over 2 years
Yesterday's Prime Ministers Questions session was one of the most pivotal in 5 years.
You will see why in the first 2 minutes, followed by a 10 minute discussion about green taxes on new cars.
I urge everyone who wants to see what a real policy debate looks like to at least watch the first 15 minutes of this.
Yesterday's Prime Ministers Questions session was one of the most pivotal in 5 years. ... more -
Top celebrities and politicians come together for green shoot in London
Gordon, Tony and Boris led CEO and celebrity support in new viral sensation supporting climate change.
Shoot the Company are leading the way in green filmmaking with their new viral created to celebrate the anniversary of Together (www.together.com) the UK’s biggest climate change campaign. The London-based production company made the commitment to produce the video with the lowest possible carbon footprint.
Shoot the Company shot the video in just two weeks, travelling between locations on public transport and using natural light to illuminate their handy work. The company minimised energy output by pooling resources and crews with contributors such as Sky and The Premier League.
The innovative project brought together celebrities as well as leading figures in business and politics to urge public action on climate change. The filmmakers worked together with the campaign to secure the support of celebrities and politicians including Gordon Brown, Tony Blair, Boris Johnson, Claudia Schiffer, June Sarpong and David James.
The star-studded video can be viewed at www.together.com/togetherwecan and has already amassed over 150,000 views in the first week of its release. Tom Hillier, Director of Shoot the Company explains the importance of their green filmmaking credentials:
“The Together campaign is all about small actions making a big difference and we were committed to that ethos. This shoot certainly kept us fit – we kept our crew to a minimum and lugged the kit across London and beyond on public transport. All the talent involved were very genial and generous with their time.”
Tom Gribbin, Campaign Manager of Together adds:
"The dedication and vision of Shoot the Company was instrumental in the success of the viral. Their green credentials were an important part of our selection process and they did a remarkable job ensuring that their commitment to minimise their carbon footprint was met. We are exploring an American adaptation following the success of the UK viral to launch our ground-breaking campaign on the other side of the Atlantic next month featuring well known US figures and celebrities.”
Gordon, Tony and Boris led CEO and celebrity support in new viral sensation supporting climate change. ... more -
Knife crime is supposedly a 'fashion thing'
In the run-up to Gordon Brown's plans to bring tougher sentences for anyone over the age of sixteen caught carrying a knife, Sky News have reportedly spoken to two gang members who claim that the latest spate of stabbings is just a 'fashion.'
Speaking to a reporter, the dialogue between the two gang members offers a shocking insight into the culture.
Here's a selection of what they said:
"If you kill someone that just makes you bigger or something,"
"It's a fashion thing at the moment for everyone to be killing everyone."
Although they claim that neither of them carry a knife, they know plenty of people who do:
"We used to, but not anymore. It's stupid. Our friends have gone to jail for doing things they shouldn't have."
For more on Gordon Brown's proposals on strengthening knife crime prosecutions, the BBC has a good article here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7436141.stm
In the run-up to Gordon Brown's plans to bring tougher sentences for anyone over the age of sixteen caught carrying a knife, Sky News ... more -
£64bn NHS privatisation plan revealed
A secret plan to privatise an entire tier of the NHS in England was revealed prematurely yesterday when the Department of Health asked multinational firms to manage services worth up to £64bn.
The department's commercial directorate placed an advertisement in the EU official journal inviting companies to begin "a competitive dialogue" about how they could take over the purchasing of healthcare for millions of NHS patients.
The advertisement should not have appeared until after ministers announced the policy next month.
Unison called on the TUC to convene an emergency meeting to respond to the government's "fundamental breach of trust". Frank Dobson, the former health secretary, said: "If this is not privatisation of the health service, I don't know what is. It is about putting multinational companies in the driving seat of the NHS."
Lord Warner, the health minister, defended the policy in a statement to the Guardian at 3.46pm yesterday but had changed tack at 6.05pm. He said he was withdrawing the advertisement to correct "a drafting error", but insisted the contracting out of NHS management would go ahead.
The advertisement asked firms to show how they could benefit patients if they took over responsibility for buying healthcare from NHS hospitals, private clinics and charities. The plan would give private firms responsibility for deciding which treatments and services would be made available to patients - and whether NHS or private hospitals would provide them.
Under the present system, this commissioning work is handled by local NHS managers employed by primary care trusts. Under the new system, the PCTs would contract out the commissioning to big healthcare management consortiums with greater purchasing muscle.
Contenders for the contracts are likely to include big US companies such as United Health and Kaiser Permanente. They may be joined by British insurers such as Bupa and PPP and their EU rivals.
The advertisement, in the Official Journal of the European Union, said the NHS was making a "step change from a service provider to a commissioning-led organisation". The PCTs would be able to contract out procurement, financial management and human resources. Initially there would be a four-year framework agreement covering the whole of England, but the value would depend on how many PCTs agreed to the scheme. It was not clear last night how much pressure there would be on them to do so.
Karen Jennings, head of health at the public service union Unison, said: "This is such a fundamental breach of trust that we are asking the TUC to get together a meeting of all health unions to thrash out a strategy. It is a contract to privatise the whole of primary care across the UK.
"There is a real danger that contracts will be awarded to the bidder promising the largest savings. It is a fundamental change in Labour party policy. It is a disgrace that jobs of health visitors, community midwives, occupational therapists and district nurses are under threat or may be transferred to the private sector."
Lord Warner said: "The government has no plans to privatise the NHS." He added that the contract advertised in the official journal would give PCTs access to expert help to improve commissioning of services, without going through expensive and time-consuming local tenders
A secret plan to privatise an entire tier of the NHS in England was revealed prematurely yesterday when the Department of Health asked... more -
Gordon Brown fights alien menace
In the Marvel comic book Captain Britain and MI13, he is helping protect the planet from an evil, green-skinned race known as The Skrulls.
The Prime Minister is seen discussing the invasion with super hero Captain Britain and operatives of MI13, a fictional British intelligence agency. In the Marvel comic book Captain Britain and MI13, he is helping protect the planet from an evil, green-skinned race known as The Skru... more -
Brown pushing for support on terror detainees
Gordon Brown is yet again pushing his backbenchers to support his controversial plans that would allow terror suspects to be detained for 42 days without charge.
In a defiant stand of ground, Mr. Brown has refused to back down saying that although the extension from 28 days was the "right way to protect national security, that he will "stick to the principles" he has set out and do the right thing, which he describes as "protecting the security of all and the liberties of each."
MPs are set to vote next week on the controversial counter-terrorism proposals. Gordon Brown is yet again pushing his backbenchers to support his controversial plans that would allow terror suspects to be detained ... more -
Brown wants to detain terror suspects up to 42 days without charge
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is urging his backbenchers to support plans to allow the police to detain terror suspects for 42 days without charge.
Writing in the Times, he said the extension from 28 days was the "right way to protect national security".
But he faces opposition from about 50 of his own MPs, in addition to Lib Dems and Conservatives, amid fears that a change would infringe civil liberties. Prime Minister Gordon Brown is urging his backbenchers to support plans to allow the police to detain terror suspects for 42 days with... more -
British PM phones voters at home
Gordon Brown routinely telephones voters at home to talk about Labour policy, Downing Street has confirmed.
Press reports said the prime minister asked the No 10 switchboard to put him through to people who had written or e-mailed with concerns. Gordon Brown routinely telephones voters at home to talk about Labour policy, Downing Street has confirmed. ... more -
Graphic ads to highlight knife problem to be made
A £3m advertising campaign devised by teenagers to warn young people of the physical and emotional consequences of knife crime is to be launched today by the Home Office.
The campaign, which will run over the next three years, will feature national radio, website and mobile phone adverts as well as print and "viral ads" to be distributed via social networking sites such as Bebo and mobile phones.
The radio commercials feature teenagers talking about the emotional impact of a knife attack on their boyfriends and girlfriends while promotional postcards feature a thumbless hand, with the message: "If you carry a knife you're more likely to get stabbed yourself."
The campaign concept was devised by a group of young people who also scripted and recorded the radio adverts. The 18 teenagers from England and Wales took part in a creative summit in April to share ideas on how to make their peers think twice about carrying a blade.
One of those who took part, Khadijah Murchison, aged 18, from Bristol, said: "All the young people that went to the creative summit have been affected by knife crime, so to share our experiences and come up with ideas and adverts that will help reduce knife crime was great. Hopefully it will make a real difference."
The creative summit followed discussions between the Home Office and 70 teenagers which aimed to gain an understanding of young people's experience of knife crime and possession and what motivated them to carry a blade.
The ads are to be supplemented by a series aimed at mothers encouraging them to talk about knives with their children, and to offer them support.
Home Office minister Vernon Coaker said: "We know that many young people carry a knife because they are fearful and these adverts tell powerful stories about the dangers of going down that path. People have got to get the message that if they carry a knife there's more chance of it being used against them."
The radio ads will run on Kiss FM, Choice FM, Galaxy and Trent FM from Monday. They can also be heard at itdoesnthavetohappen.co.uk. A £3m advertising campaign devised by teenagers to warn young people of the physical and emotional consequences of knife crime is to b... more -
U.K. house prices falling at fastest rate since 1991
The decline in the housing market accelerated this month with prices falling at their fastest rate since the recession of the early 1990s.
Nationwide reported this morning that UK house prices fell by 2.5% in May compared with April. This is the biggest month-on-month decline since the building society started tracking the market in 1991, and much worse than had been expected.
At £173,583, the average home is worth 4.4% less than in May 2007 – the biggest annual drop since December 1992.
House prices have now been falling for the last seven months, but analysts were startled by the extent of the downturn over the last few weeks.
"The 2.5% plunge in house prices in May reported by Nationwide is a real shock and will fuel concern that we are now headed for a sharp correction in house prices," warned Howard Archer of Global Insight.
Archer believes that prices will fall by 7% this year and 9% in 2009.
"Mortgage approvals for house purchases remain at historically low levels, agreed sales are falling, buyer interest is continuing to decline, it is taking longer to sell a house and sellers are achieving a falling percentage of their asking price," he argued.
And Alan Clarke, economist at BNP Paribas, warned that "the news just keeps getting worse".
Fionnuala Earley, Nationwide's chief economist, said that tighter lending conditions, following the credit crunch, were making it harder for potential buyers to get a mortgage.
Recent negative weak economic news added to the "gathering momentum of negative sentiment about the housing market", she added.
The long housing boom that began in the mid-1990s means that house prices are still 5% higher than two years ago, and 10% higher than May 2005.
Nationwide also argues that the recent cooling of mortgage availability could be beneficial in the long term.
"While this is frustrating for those in that position, more stringent underwriting criteria should ultimately lead to fewer overstretched borrowers and hence a more stable and sustainable market," Earley said.
Nationwide's figures sent shares in Britain's housebuilders sliding this morning, with Taylor Wimpey dropping nearly 4%. Like most of its rivals, Taylor Wimpey warned earlier this month that it saw a sharp drop in activity in April. Some builders, such as Redrow, have begun cutting staff as they brace themselves for a prolonged downturn. The decline in the housing market accelerated this month with prices falling at their fastest rate since the recession of the early 19... more
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Gordon Brown
