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Proposal in finance bill to give HMRC additional powers - part 2
In the latest Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) webcast, John Whiting talks to John Cullinane about the issues surrounding HMRC powers.
www.tax.org.uk In the latest Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) webcast, John Whiting talks to John Cullinane about the issues surrounding HMRC p... more -
Second batch of secret documents found on UK train
No coincidence here. Sounds like a shy whistle-blower.
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Top-secret al-Qaeda documents casually left on train
"Top-secret documents containing the latest government intelligence assessment on al-Qaeda have been left on a train in London.
A passenger on the train from Waterloo to Surrey spotted the orange cardboard envelope lying abandoned on a seat and handed the documents to the BBC.
A full-scale search had been launched by the Metropolitan Police.
Just seven pages long but classified as "UK Top Secret", the latest government intelligence assessment on al-Qaeda is so sensitive that every document is numbered and marked "for UK/US/Canadian and Australian eyes only", BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said."
You want us to believe that you can keep sensitive data about your citizens in the highest of security and yet you repeatedly demonstrate the contrary with breaches like this. "Top-secret documents containing the latest government intelligence assessment on al-Qaeda have been left on a train in London. ... more -
Plans to halve child poverty by 2010 look unlikely
Figures set to be released on Tuesday will demonstrate that the UK government is nowhere near achieving its aim to halve child poverty by 2010. Ministers have insisted the target will not be abandoned. The Child Poverty Action Group estimates the total number of households to be at around 2.9m: the government needs to cut that figure to 1.7m households in 2 years' time if it is to meet its target.
The numbers are expected to show a small rise in the number of children living in poverty, which includes households with an income of 60% or less of UK average earnings. Around £3bn is needed to meet the target.
Nearly 700,000 of the children in poverty are disabled, with six in 10 mothers of disabled children in work.
But polling shows only marginal political support for the idea of eradicating child poverty: 41% of respondents thought there was very little real child poverty in Britain today. Figures set to be released on Tuesday will demonstrate that the UK government is nowhere near achieving its aim to halve child poverty... more -
UK Government 'reviewing' Mugabe's honorary knighthood
The government is "reviewing" Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's honorary knighthood, a spokesman said Monday, amid reports that the first steps had been taken to revoke the title.
Earlier on Monday, Channel 4 News television reported, without citing its sources, that the first steps had been taken to strip Mugabe of the knighthood.
The government is "reviewing" Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's honorary knighthood, a spokesman said Monday, amid reports that the... more -
Local authorities use anti-terror laws to spy on residents
Town hall snoopers used controversial anti-terror powers to delve into the phone and email records of thousands of people last year.
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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 says "economy is sole focus"
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he understands people's fears over the economy and insisted that keeping it on track was his "sole focus". Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he understands people's fears over the economy and insisted that keeping it on track was his "sol... more
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Expenses of party leaders revealed
Tony Blair claimed £116 to pay for his TV licence, Gordon Brown claimed £2,000 for cleaning and ex-Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott £4,000 for food in the space of a year, newly released details of MPs' expenses have shown.
Tony Blair claimed £116 to pay for his TV licence, Gordon Brown claimed £2,000 for cleaning and ex-Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott... more -
UK government report slams Tibetan bloodshed
Following the turmoil in Tibet over the last week, the UK government has reportedly launched a 'fierce' attack on China's continuing "violation" of human rights.
According to Sky, the Foreign Office's human rights annual report states that there has been a "disappointing" lack of progress towards a peaceful settlement in China and that people are regularly "harassed" because of their religious beliefs.
With it going to explain: "We continue to make clear our view that the best way to improve the situation in Tibet is through meaningful dialogue between the Chinese authorities and the Dalai Lama and his representatives, without pre-conditions, to achieve a long-term peaceful solution."
Following the turmoil in Tibet over the last week, the UK government has reportedly launched a 'fierce' attack on China's continuing "... more -
Embryo voting allowed by Brown
Gordon Brown today revealed Labour MPs will be allowed a free vote on some controversial aspects of new embryology laws, even though he had been under increasing pressure from
church leaders opposed to the proposals to allow MPs to follow their consciences.
Mr. Brown also insisted that MPs would be expected to support the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill as a whole and not block its progress:
"The Bill itself cannot be subject to a free vote because there are so many other changes we believe are necessary as part of building up the research framework in our country."
He also claimed the government planned to ban so-called "designer babies," as well as beginning "to ban in a large number of instances, experimentation with animal embryos".
What's your thoughts on MPs being allowed a free vote on the proposals?
Gordon Brown today revealed Labour MPs will be allowed a free vote on some controversial aspects of new embryology laws, even though h... more -
UK PM to meet with Dalai Lama
It is being reported that Gordon Brown will meet with the Dalai Lama when he visits Great Britain later this year, in a move that some believe could 'poison the relations' with the Chinese government.
According to reports, Mr. Brown had been reluctant to commit himself to a meeting with the spiritual leader, following accusations that he is partly resposible for the current crisis in Lhasa.
But speaking today, the PM told fellow MPs that he will definitely meet with "the Dalai Lama when he is in London," and that he had "urged Wen Jiabao, the Chinese premier, to hold talks with the spiritual leader over the future of Tibet."
Do you think that a meeting between the exiled spiritual leader and the PM will have a hugely detrimental effect on British and Chinese relations? It is being reported that Gordon Brown will meet with the Dalai Lama when he visits Great Britain later this year, in a move that some... more -
Has the government got the bottle?
This year's budget increased the price of alcohol, supposedly in response to binge drinking. But is the government overlooking the big problem: knock-down booze prices in the supermarket? This year's budget increased the price of alcohol, supposedly in response to binge drinking. But is the government overlooking the big... more
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Bob Spink sacked after row over private life
A Tory MP has been sacked by the party following a split with his local constituency association over his private life.
Bob Spink, a Right-winger, had the whip withdrawn hours after he threatened to resign, complaining that the party was not doing enough to protect him from repeated attempts by his local association to deselect him as its MP.
A Tory MP has been sacked by the party following a split with his local constituency association over his private life. ... more -
The UK Budget
Alistair Darling's terrifying ordeal is over, he delivered the budget in the house of commons with hardly any signs of terror showing through his strong political front. The news is that cigarettes will now cost you 11p more than they used to starting at 6 O'clock. Beer has gone up 4p a pint and a bottle of wine will now cost you 14p more than it used to.
The troops in Afghanistan and Iraq are to get an extra £2bn, including £900m on military equipment. Darling also stated that Labour intend to completely eradicate child poverty from the United Kingdom, a total of 600,000 children in relative poverty and 150,000 in absolute poverty. Alistair Darling's terrifying ordeal is over, he delivered the budget in the house of commons with hardly any signs of terror showing ... more -
Budget 2008
Alistair Darling launches wave of 'sin taxes' Alcoholic drinks and cars will become sharply more expensive after Alistair Darling used his first Budget for an assault of so-called "sin taxes".
...I run my car on poo. He taxes me for no reason, on that.
Alistair Darling launches wave of 'sin taxes' Alcoholic drinks and cars will become sharply more expensive after Alistair Darling used... more -
99% of Britain want death penalty
This is sick. The real title was 99% Want Death Penalty! And they went "!" as they are demanding it. The pictures real, they like the thought of it, they claim it puts fear back in the brut's faces.
"Above all, we will send a clear message to the criminals that show no respect whatsoever for the law, the community, or to their victims and their families. We will put the fear and respect back into the law of this once Great Nation."
Take a look at the party link and tell what you think, what ever the opinion This is sick. The real title was 99% Want Death Penalty! And they went "!" as they are demanding it. The pictures real, they like the ... more -
How To Hide The Truth
On September 13, 1971 Lloyd's bank in London was robbed. The safe deposit boxes containing gold, jewels and potentially very sensitive and incriminating documents were stolen. For three straight days the robbery was in the news. The fourth day it was gone. Supposedly a "D-Notice" was slapped on the UK news media, preventing them from saying any more. In this Current Question Saffron Burrows explains what a D-Notice is and why it might have been issued.
Saffron stars in "The Bank Job," the film based on the real life events of the aforementioned bank robbery, which is out on DVD now. On September 13, 1971 Lloyd's bank in London was robbed. The safe deposit boxes containing gold, jewels and potentially very sensitiv... more -
Parliament rooftop protest ends
Climate protesters caused the week's second serious security breach by climbing onto the roof of the Houses of Parliament for three hours today. The protest came as an embarrassment to the government as security was supposedly tightened in response to the terrorist threat and past demonstrations.
Despite the Houses of Parliament being one of Britain's most prominent terrorist targets, the protesters, from the climate campaign group Plane Stupid, were able to walk into Parliament as visitors, before walking through the building, taking a lift and climbing out onto the roof.
They then unfurled two huge banners, one saying "No third runway", and the other, "BAA headquarters" - a reference to the airport's operator.
As police tried to talk them down, the protesters made paper airplanes and threw them off the roof. One of the roof protesters said: "I am stood on the roof of Parliament because the democratic process had been corrupted." Climate protesters caused the week's second serious security breach by climbing onto the roof of the Houses of Parliament for three ho... more -
'Secret' government Iraq war minutes to be made public
The UK's information watchdog has ordered the government to release minutes of meetings in which the legal justification for the UK going to war in Iraq was discussed.
The minutes had not previously made available as they had been claimed to have discussions on "the formulation of government policy and ministerial communications," which are classified topics. But speaking today, the office of Information Commissioner Richard Thomas said of the documents requested release:
"The public interest in disclosing the cabinet minutes in this particular case outweighs the public interest in withholding the information."
The minutes won't be a 'bare-all' expose of the conversations, Richard Thomas is backing the government's request to withhold references , after they claimed that if shown, the references "would be likely to have a detrimental effect on international relations."
Wonder how Gordon Brown's feeling now?
The UK's information watchdog has ordered the government to release minutes of meetings in which the legal justification for the UK go... more
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