Thursday 25th May 2017

Post by **refitman** » Thu 25 May, 2017 7:10 am

Morning all.

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Thu 25 May, 2017 7:28 am

Morning all.

Into school early for an all-morning meeting but just saw this.

Matt Zarb-Cousin‏Verified account @mattzarb 15m15 minutes ago
More
Govt is spending taxpayers' money on legal fees to stop the release of Andrew Lansley's diary in the run up to the Healh & Social Care Act

Was it this one or the last one that was supposed to be the most transparent government ever?

Edit - to use the right style this time.

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Thu 25 May, 2017 8:12 am

Good morfternoon.

08:06
The BBC is reporting that, following the leaks to US media, UK counter-terrorism officials have stopped sharing intelligence with their American counterparts:

Dominic Casciani (@BBCDomC)

BREAKING: The BBC has learnt that police have stopped passing on information about #Manchester bombing to the US following leaks.
May 25, 2017
(Politics Live, Guardian)

Edited to attribute quote

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Thu 25 May, 2017 8:58 am

RogerOThornhill wrote:Morning all.

Into school early for an all-morning meeting but just saw this.

Matt Zarb-Cousin‏Verified account @matt ... l Care Act

Was it this one or the last one that was supposed to be the most transparent government ever?

Sunlight is the best disinfectant?

If you've got nothing to hide, yada yada yada.

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Thu 25 May, 2017 9:43 am

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/ ... eport-says" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Majority of Britons think minorities threaten UK culture, report says

Which is to say that the majority of Brits know nothing about the massively diverse origins of either themselves or their culture. Starting with language.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 9:49 am

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... are_btn_tw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 10:21 am

https://www.theguardian.com/business/li ... iness-live" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Growth revised down to .2

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 10:34 am

PorFavor wrote:Good morfternoon.
08:06
The BBC is reporting that, following the leaks to US media, UK counter-terrorism officials have stopped sharing intelligence with their American counterparts:

Dominic Casciani (@BBCDomC)

BREAKING: The BBC has learnt that police have stopped passing on information about #Manchester bombing to the US following leaks.
May 25, 2017
(Politics Live, Guardian)
Edited to attribute quote

Will the special relationship be okay?

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 10:35 am

Good-morning, everyone

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 10:39 am

I've no problem relinquishing custody of that nuclear weapon thingy to the US, what say you all?

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Thu 25 May, 2017 10:40 am

citizenJA wrote:
PorFavor wrote:Good morfternoon.
08:06
The BBC is reporting that, following the leaks to US media, UK counter-terrorism officials have stopped sharing intelligence with their American counterparts:

Dominic Casciani (@BBCDomC)

BREAKING: The BBC has learnt that police have stopped passing on information about #Manchester bombing to the US following leaks.
May 25, 2017
(Politics Live, Guardian)
Edited to attribute quote
Will the special relationship be okay?

Well, it seems like a bit of a token gesture on the part of the police who, presumably, will still be sharing information with UK security services who, in turn, will continue to share information with US counterparts. It will be interesting to see what Theresa May does and says when she meets Donald Trump.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 10:47 am

Please excuse me if the levity I've used is inappropriate

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 10:49 am

UK economic data looking mighty weak

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Thu 25 May, 2017 10:49 am

Theresa May tells Police Federation: stop scaremongering over cuts – video

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/vid ... cuts-video" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Well, well, well.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Thu 25 May, 2017 11:05 am

This mornings papers aren't great reading for the government, are they?

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Thu 25 May, 2017 11:08 am

AnatolyKasparov wrote:This mornings papers aren't great reading for the government, are they?

I haven't seen them. Who is the best person to summarise them on the twitter?

Edit I see suttonNick but nothing particularly bad for the government?

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Thu 25 May, 2017 12:33 pm

Well, quite a lot of "what did they know?" type questions being asked I think.

At the very least, not the adoring Falklands-style coverage that the PM might have hoped for?

Willow904 · Post by **Willow904** » Thu 25 May, 2017 12:42 pm

https://www.theguardian.com/business/li ... iness-live" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The TUC has published analysis this morning (Thursday) showing that unsecured debt per UK household will reach a record high this year of £13,900. This exceeds the pre-crisis peak of £13,300 in 2007.

A slowdown in growth, prices rising faster than wages - the impact of Brexit is starting to make itself felt.

Edited to make the point I was posting to make

- 7 years of economic mismanagement means we are woefully unprepared for an economic downturn (see comment on household debt above). It's likely to hit us pretty hard.

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Thu 25 May, 2017 12:44 pm

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 54796.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Fears for economy as number of EU migrants leaving Brexit Britain surges

Business groups warned that a sharp fall in net migration last year, driven by a dramatic increase in EU nationals fleeing the UK, meant employers risk "losing key members of staff in positions that cannot easily be replaced".

The Office for National Statistics estimated long-term net migration to be 248,000 in 2016, down a "statistically significant" 84,000 from 2015.

Modern Britain.

Willow904 · Post by **Willow904** » Thu 25 May, 2017 12:51 pm

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/educa ... 53311.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Conservatives admit they don't know how much school breakfasts pledge will cost

They forgot about the staff costs, didn't they? They just figured "breakfast cheaper than lunch" = savings. Idiots.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Thu 25 May, 2017 12:51 pm

Professor Michael Clarke saying "this could have been prevented". Wow - he's generally a very sober and serious commentator.

(and a tutor of mine at Newcastle Uni, back in the day)

The government had better hope that sentiment doesn't take hold widely......

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Thu 25 May, 2017 2:47 pm

Just to break the silence -

BBC TV News correspondent (John Sopel?) opining that Theresa May may not get the opportunity, today, of having a word in Donald Trump's ear. It may well have to be tomorrow.

As an aside - the BBC is habitually now referring to Donald Trump as "Donald" Trump and not "President" Trump. Is that a usual way of referring to a US President? I can't remember.

Edited to add -

John Sopel, if it was indeed he, also said that Donald Trump may well play the "comrades against adversity" card (my words) with regard to an out of control press and "enemies within". Again - all my words.

Edited again - numerous typos

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Thu 25 May, 2017 2:53 pm

We're in a general election campaign. Off course its exactly the right time to discuss cuts in police numbers. It's not "playing politics" or "not the time" Rudd.

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Thu 25 May, 2017 2:56 pm

StephenDolan wrote:We're in a general election campaign. Off course its exactly the right time to discuss cuts in police numbers. It's not "playing politics" or "not the time" Rudd.

Everything now will be portrayed as "playing politics" (stupid phrase - although it often seems to have the desired effect).

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Thu 25 May, 2017 2:59 pm

Iain Martin - NO!

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 3:14 pm

https://www.leighday.co.uk/News/News-20 ... unlawfully" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Court of Appeal finds Theresa May acted unlawfully in denying refugees access to UK

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Thu 25 May, 2017 4:17 pm

AnatolyKasparov wrote:Iain Martin - NO!

I know, disgraceful. I'm waiting for Fallon to pop up and have a cozy chat with Humphrys along those lines.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Thu 25 May, 2017 4:25 pm

StephenDolan wrote:
AnatolyKasparov wrote:Iain Martin - NO!
I know, disgraceful. I'm waiting for Fallon to pop up and have a cozy chat with Humphrys along those lines.

Questioning patriotism is one things, just about within the rules even if snide and underhand.

Saying that Corbyn shed "crocodile tears" over this event is genuinely disgraceful, and if there is any justice he - like KT Hopkins - would be ostracised for it.

But, just like her, he won't be.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 7:03 pm

I don't trust Theresa May much
It doesn't make for a secure relationship between us as citizen and elected representative, you know?

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 7:11 pm

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/201 ... te-of-mind" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ben Carson, tasked with helping the poor, believes poverty is 'a state of mind'
Experts decry comments as latest example he is unfit to lead department of housing and urban development, targeted for $6.2bn in cuts in Trump’s budget

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Thu 25 May, 2017 7:13 pm

StephenDolan wrote:We're in a general election campaign. Off course its exactly the right time to discuss cuts in police numbers. It's not "playing politics" or "not the time" Rudd.

I have no doubt some "senior Tories" would have liked to suspend any election campaigning at all until June 8......

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 7:19 pm

http://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/ac ... -activity/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Activists ‘horrified’ by universal credit rules forcing sick claimants into work activity

(cESA outwith/alongside UC)

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 7:25 pm

AnatolyKasparov wrote:
StephenDolan wrote:We're in a general election campaign. Off course its exactly the right time to discuss cuts in police numbers. It's not "playing politics" or "not the time" Rudd.
I have no doubt some "senior Tories" would have liked to suspend any election campaigning at all until June 8......

Yes, I get that impression too.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 8:10 pm

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... ter-attack" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Theresa May plans anti-extremism drive if Tories win election
Prime minister is expected to revive ideas set out when she was home secretary in wake of Manchester attack

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 8:11 pm

"outlaw non-violent extremism in Britain for the first time."

"sustained effort to change cultural and social norms amongst certain sections of the population."

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 8:19 pm

https://www.theguardian.com/business/20 ... settlement" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

RBS shareholders refuse to settle in effort to force Goodwin to take stand

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 8:28 pm

I'm calling it an early night, everyone
Have a good night, everyone
love,
cJA

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 8:40 pm

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/201 ... eals-court" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Block on Trump travel ban upheld by federal appeals court

https://www.aclu.org/legal-document/int ... mp-opinion" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 8:53 pm

http://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/el ... ed-people/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news ... ing-system" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"Paying for care in your own home - income
Councils can charge for care provided in the home but must leave you a basic level of income, known as the ‘minimum income guarantee’

For example:

a single person age 25 or over might be left with £91.40 a week to live on.
a single person, over pension credit age might be left with £189.00 a week to live on.
You can view a full list in section 10 of our Care Act Guide

When considering your income, a council can take into account your:

disability living allowance (DLA) care component
personal independence payment (PIP) daily living component
attendance allowance
constant attendance allowance
exceptionally severe disablement allowance.
DLA or PIP mobility component, the war pensioner’s mobility supplement and armed forces independence payment are disregarded.

If you are working your earnings are also disregarded.

Councils may also disregard any 'Disability Related Expenditure', such as the costs of extra heat, specialist clothing, or diet."

FWIW It was half DLA care M per week,default,here.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 9:11 pm

I note the Lancet report mentioned the importance of cash benefits,Dilnot opposed their abolition,the Government did consult on AA abolition hidden in 100% business retention but decided against it,but as to the future,who knows.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 10:00 pm

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/201 ... io-striker" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ivanka's own goal: first daughter mistakes Lazio star Chinaglia for a saint

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 10:05 pm

https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... or-cycling" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Manifesto guide: which party will do the most for cycling

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Thu 25 May, 2017 10:09 pm

Well.

Britain Elects‏ @britainelects 7m7 minutes ago
More
Westminster voting intention:

CON: 43% (-1)
LAB: 38% (+3)
LDEM: 10% (+1)
UKIP: 4% (+1)

(via @YouGov / 24 - 25 May)

which means...

George Eaton‏Verified account @georgeeaton 8m8 minutes ago
More
George Eaton Retweeted Sam Coates Times
Hung parliament territory.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Thu 25 May, 2017 10:36 pm

Oh to be a fly on the wall of the next Crosby chat to May.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 11:04 pm

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... -extremism" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Theresa May calls on tech firms to lead fight against online extremism

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 25 May, 2017 11:09 pm

[youtube]5BWJOETwIGc[/youtube]

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Fri 26 May, 2017 1:47 am

http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolic ... the-state/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The political economy of the Conservative Manifesto: a hallucinatory celebration of the state

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Fri 26 May, 2017 1:53 am

"Ruth Dixon and Christopher Hood find that reported administration costs in the UK have risen by 40 per cent in constant prices over the last thirty years despite a third of the civil service being cut over the same period, whilst total public spending has doubled. Running costs were driven up most in the outsourced areas and failures of service, complaints, and judicial challenges have soared. Government has attempted to resolve these self-inflicted market failures with regulatory oversight to codify tasks – consider teaching or medical care – un-codifiable in their most important aspects. Bureaucratic monitoring at levels un-dreamed of in the 1970s has joined informational and structural fragmentation, professional demoralisation and increased costs. After a sabbatical in the Cabinet Office in 2005 Matthew Flinders reported that UK central government had lost the capacity to operate ‘meta-governance’ over state authority owing to the disintegrating character of reform.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Fri 26 May, 2017 1:55 am

"The 2017 Conservative Manifesto presumes a state that is ready to answer the ambitious challenges that the Party has set itself. It presumes a state that is not beset by cuts of nearly 40 per cent to local authority income since 2010; that we are not in the midst of an unprecedented staff retention crisis across the NHS, social care and education; that the state is not characterised by a poorly regulated porosity to private businesses and a revolving door in employment between politicians, civil servants and corporations that drives public distrust in the political elite. It ignores the uncoupling of rising administrative costs from improvements in capacity and service quality"

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Fri 26 May, 2017 1:57 am

Would a 2017 Conservative government end the use of private finance initiatives or increase them in the name of sound public finances? Would it reverse or reduce public sector outsourcing anywhere, or continue to use it in the predominantly anti-competitive conditions of contracts characterised by unequal information and strategic oversight between the buyer and seller and limited practical possibilities for market exit (e.g. in a contracts for prison services)? Would a new Conservative government introduce a lobby register or an Advisory Committee on Business Appointments that are fit for purpose? When the Manifesto promises “strong local institutions” to renew the economy beyond London is that a commitment to rebuild local government?

The Conservative leadership is waving Disraeli’s hat but it is still wearing Milton Friedman’s trousers.