Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd April 2016

seeingclearly · Post by **seeingclearly** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 1:36 am

I don't mind reasonable red tape which derives from the stuff that used to hold important documents together, so they didn't go astray, still might for all I know. It is underrated these days, but something is needed to hold things together, imagine if you took a million personal documents, medical records or employment records and jumbled everything together, who could put things together again, yet an equivalent is happening. I shan't go on too much about lost expertise, you know my thoughts, but it is all part of the sensible red tape that underpins societal coherence. Faux red tape for the sake of appearance without any underlying coherence is what is being foisted on us.

btw, on a personal note family member 'won' lowest possible PIP on appeal, around 20 quid, which is less than the esa cut which will come in next year, too low to qualify for the small disability premium lost this time last year, AND the whole process starts again this time next year. Tbh I dare not mention the realities I see on the horizon. With not enough to pay for basics who knows where this will end. Well, no, actually I do know, and it terrifies me. So much for PIP providing a safety net, it is a positive menace. The back payments btw are gone before they get there, DWP made a 'mistake' and overpaid, and utility companies will take the rest. In the meantime CPNs, GP just writes scripts, and specialists have disappeared, as has CAB. To say I am angry is understating it, we waited years for mental health services to kick in, have had three years of stability and another of utter anxiety in 25 years. I suppose we should be grateful, but it is hard to be when I know what the cumulative effect will inevitably be, and realistically at my age that I may not be there to help. I am pretty hazy on next level of appeal, and on success rates.

utopiandreams · Post by **utopiandreams** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 1:53 am

@seeingclearly

There is a world of difference between gathered and experiential standards or good practice versus dogmatic or impossible qualifying criteria.

seeingclearly · Post by **seeingclearly** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 2:06 am

Yes, we had an object lesson in that, UD.
It is no life hovering in less than credible hope.
For myself I want little but for those I am responsible for bearing I want credible hope.

On other matters, rhetorical schmetorical.
Who else have they annoyed?

Lonewolfie · Post by **Lonewolfie** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 8:44 am

Morfternoon...

Quickly dropping in to link this....

The coffee and the restaurants are better – but the essentials of life are harder to find than ever: a good life and an honest place; a solid, modest home big enough to house a small family in a peaceful, orderly landscape; good local schools open to all who need them; reasonably paid secure work for this generation and the next; competent government and wise laws.
These have become luxuries, unattainable for millions who once took them for granted.
And now the remains of our steel industry are vanishing, not because nothing can be done (any determined government could save it if it really wanted to) but because we’re all still worshipping that free-market dogma that captivated us 30 years ago.
I never thought I’d yearn for the National Coal Board or British Steel or, good heavens, British Leyland. But I do begin to feel I was fooled into thinking that what was coming next would be any better. At this rate it may soon be much, much worse.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/artic ... itain.html

As ever apologies if it's already been linked...personally, I'd add Local Authorities, Council Housing, the Fire Service, the Health Service, the Prison Service, the Probation Service, the Police Service, the Civil Service etc etc...and it's 30 years too late...but better late than never. The end (of the Murkydochian-Thatcherite-Reagunite unhuman attack on society) is nigh...but then again, I live in Hope (just north of Peterborough) so will always be optimistic for the future, however bad the present.

Incompetent management and lack of capital investment was always the problem, not the highly skilled workforce...so they gave the hoorays more power..what could possibly go wrong? Oh wait - there it is, writ large, right in front of us....step forward Clouncy, Gidiot and the Monsters of Murkydochia....not forgetting that nice Mr Wippingfail, Facebook friend of Rebukakakakaka.

It's always been my gripe that we've never had any (viable) justification/evidence of success of the 'privatisation' agenda - y'know, with actual figures - just 'business knows best' and 'public services are bad' - 'cos services for the public, by the public, accountable to the public just can't be allowed...and nationalisation can't possibly work here 'cos it's bad, I tell you (good when done in Germany, the US, France, China and they come over here and are handed our industrial soul on a gold platter)...and, like a scratched record, what about the North Sea Oil revenues?...and don't get me started on Pensions 'reform'....

Sorry also for being a bit of an early-morning Ranty McRantface (on which note, surely the research vessel will never been known as anything other than Boaty McBoatface, no matter what they eventually decide to call it?) and, as ever, my thanks to everyone here.

ttfn

ephemerid · Post by **ephemerid** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 8:53 am

Our Glorious Ronsealed Pig-Poking Fishpointer General That C*nt Cameron has been spreading largesse abroad.

After his foray into war in Libya, where he had lots of jolly photo-opps with the grateful people he rescued from Gaddafi, he has decided to help them out with some aid.
Never mind that his bestie pal Obama says Cameron has taken his "eye off the ball" and Libya is now "a shit show", or that the Israelis call it his "biggest mistake".

Everything is fine and dandy because Slimy Dave is spending £50,000 on "aid" for the 2.4 Million Libyans in need of humanitarian aid.
And not just any old humanitarian aid, either - not boring old food or medicine, no; that £50,000 will pay for an "adviser".

The Foreign Affairs Select Committee have been waiting for a month for Cameron to respond to an invitation to appear before their Libya enquiry.

Don't panic, chaps! Dave's sending an adviser!

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 9:38 am

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016 ... r-benefits" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Disabled artists use their skills to highlight ‘shoddy and cruel’ treatment over benefits

ephemerid · Post by **ephemerid** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 9:39 am

Front page of the Observer - NHS England has 70,000 fewer staff than it had last September.
15,000 fewer nursing/midwifery staff and 3,000 fewer doctors.
Most of the rest have been transferred to private organisations or private "support" (????)

The DOH spokesthing says there are "22,000 extra clinical staff including 7,400 additional doctors and 10,600 additional nurses".

This doesn't make any sense at all.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 9:47 am

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

The dogmas destroying UK steel also inhibit future economic growth
Will Hutton

seeingclearly · Post by **seeingclearly** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 10:10 am

Their numbercrunching skills are mindblowing. If they aren't quakiing in their overpriced shoes they ought to be by now.

utopiandreams · Post by **utopiandreams** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 10:12 am

seeingclearly wrote:... On other matters, rhetorical schmetorical...

Not where i read it, seeingclearly, Thyssenkrupp, Tata in Talks on European Steel Tie-Up (http://www.wsj.com/articles/thyssenkrup ... 1459502224), but largely the same content.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 10:14 am

http://press.labour.org.uk/post/1421687 ... le-of-more" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Labour Press
New figures reveal a funding blackhole of more than £1 billion in Tories’ plan for forced academisation - Lucy Powell

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-35945542" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

utopiandreams · Post by **utopiandreams** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 10:23 am

We all knew that Tories don't like to give things away for free.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 10:26 am

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/artic ... itain.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

PETER HITCHENS: Privatisation! Free trade! Shares for all! The great con that ruined Britain

seeingclearly · Post by **seeingclearly** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 10:28 am

utopiandreams wrote:
seeingclearly wrote:... On other matters, rhetorical schmetorical...
Not where i read it, seeingclearly, Thyssenkrupp, Tata in Talks on European Steel Tie-Up (http://www.wsj.com/articles/thyssenkrup ... 1459502224), but largely the same content.

In agreement with you there, UD, looks like a stitchup, no?

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 10:32 am

http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/new ... 2016_04_02" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

New welfare secretary to sack disability assessment firms

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 10:41 am

A bit of good news on the face of it - but will whatever takes their place be any better?

seeingclearly · Post by **seeingclearly** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 10:50 am

HindleA wrote:http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/new ... 2016_04_02

New welfare secretary to sack disability assessment firms

They hold multiple contracts. Are they sackable?
They don't write the contracts the government did.
Last time the offending company seamlessly morphed.

ephemerid · Post by **ephemerid** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 11:18 am

HindleA wrote:http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/new ... 2016_04_02

New welfare secretary to sack disability assessment firms

Thanks, A.

I can't get past the first few paras due to paywall - but the bit I read says he has also had a crisis meeting on Universal Credit, asking officials to be honest about the problems.

Not so very long ago, I said that I suspected Crabb (or whoever) would look at UC, declare it all a mess, then privatise its administration.
I doubt they'd abandon it altogether - unless, of course, Cameron wants to ruin IDS' political career forever.....

I also think that the assessment companies will get another chance - provided they meet new targets. I'll be a target, most likely, There is no way things will get better for claimants.

If I am completely wrong, and Crabb is St.Stephen the Rescuer, there will be a cynical motive behind it. Like, "hey, we've listened" and you can bet your booties that anything they do that is positive will be for political gain one way or another.
Crabb, of course, has yet to show any sign that he won't be adding to the £100,000 already spent counter-appealing on his constituents' several successful appeal judgements which say they do not have to pay any bedroom tax.

Crabb will do whatever he's ordered to do; he will paint himself, whatever he does, as someone who really, really, like, cares - after all, he is theonlycabinetministerbroughtupbyasinglemumonbenefits(TM) and he is theonlycabinetministerwhoknowswhatitslike(TM)

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 11:44 am

PAC recent report advocated more competition.Stuck in ideological mindset IMHO.

Willow904 · Post by **Willow904** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 11:52 am

ephemerid wrote:
HindleA wrote:http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/new ... 2016_04_02

New welfare secretary to sack disability assessment firms

Thanks, A.

I can't get past the first few paras due to paywall - but the bit I read says he has also had a crisis meeting on Universal Credit, asking officials to be honest about the problems.

Not so very long ago, I said that I suspected Crabb (or whoever) would look at UC, declare it all a mess, then privatise its administration.
I doubt they'd abandon it altogether - unless, of course, Cameron wants to ruin IDS' political career forever.....

I also think that the assessment companies will get another chance - provided they meet new targets. I'll be a target, most likely, There is no way things will get better for claimants.

If I am completely wrong, and Crabb is St.Stephen the Rescuer, there will be a cynical motive behind it. Like, "hey, we've listened" and you can bet your booties that anything they do that is positive will be for political gain one way or another.
Crabb, of course, has yet to show any sign that he won't be adding to the £100,000 already spent counter-appealing on his constituents' several successful appeal judgements which say they do not have to pay any bedroom tax.

Crabb will do whatever he's ordered to do; he will paint himself, whatever he does, as someone who really, really, like, cares - after all, he is theonlycabinetministerbroughtupbyasinglemumonbenefits(TM) and he is theonlycabinetministerwhoknowswhatitslike(TM)

Well, his mum does, I guess. But many years ago, now, when the benefit system was much more accessible than it is now.

Political speaking, scrapping Universal credit would be an embarrassment for Cameron, as he tried and failed to move IDS twice. Although he might not recognise that and hope to pin the failure solely on IDS. Certain IDS has helped him by keeping a lot of the failures of the roll-out under wraps. Cameron could try to claim ignorance of the car crash, but I doubt he'd get away with it. He has a history of changing faces rather than policy - look at education and health - so if he did decide to abandon UC it would be testament to just how much IDS has stuffed up.

tinybgoat · Post by **tinybgoat** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 11:53 am

http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall ... 8394d265c0

Good article on why blast furnaces are undesirable,
- don't seem to be able to cut & paste from it.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 12:02 pm

Posted on Bracknell Labour.
I didn't know about the CMS charging and then taking a percentage.

From April 2016 if you become a single parent with more than 2 children then hb will be limited to 2 and in 2017 family element gone So the parent left with the children will lose £17.50 a week in rent Why do this government keep punishing the single parents who are raising children alone? the CMS now charges the resident parent to go after the non resident parent for maintenance and then charges the resident parent a % off what they get, taking from the children Do they not see that single parents have a hard enough time working, arranging childcare, putting a roof over their children's head and raising them alone without being constantly punished for it!

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 12:13 pm

https://www.actionforme.org.uk/news/bbc ... Gs.twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

BBC Panorama on disability benefits: can you help?

Noted "postponed"

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 12:41 pm

HindleA wrote:https://www.actionforme.org.uk/news/bbc ... Gs.twitter

BBC Panorama on disability benefits: can you help?

Noted "postponed"

Yes - no reason given and very open-ended "rescheduling".

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 12:43 pm

Good morfternoon.

tinybgoat · Post by **tinybgoat** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 1:48 pm

The publication of the worst figures since the war should set alarm bells ringing. This is the deficit the austerity chancellor should have been concerned about

http://www.theguardian.com/business/201 ... isis-grows

.. But this government’s obsession with the wrong deficit has exacerbated a long-term problem, and brought things to a head. And the very idea of allowing such a strategic industry as steel to go down – quite apart from the social implications in south Wales – beggars belief.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 1:53 pm

PoliticsHome ‏@politicshome 27m27 minutes ago
BREAKING: @johnmcdonnellMP calls for @sajidjavid to resign after Port Talbot revelation - http://polho.me/1SvH2cA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Business Secretary revealed this morning he had known for "a few weeks" that Tata had been looking at shutting the site in south Wales, putting at risk the jobs of 4,000 steelworkers.

He came under fire for being on a ministerial visit to Australia - coupled with a family holiday - as the news broke earlier this week, while no government representative was in Mumbai for the Tata board meeting to discuss the company's British steel operations.
Although Mr Javid said he had been working on plans for Port Talbot for several weeks, he admitted the Government "had not anticipated" the strength of the Indian company's announcement, particularly regarding the possible timescale for closing the plant.

He told the Andrew Marr Show this morning: "A few weeks ago Tata had informed us that they were reviewing their entire steel business in the UK and with regards to Port Talbot itself they were actually considering closing it.

"When they made their announcement we didn't anticipate they would go that far with the news. The strength of their announcement and how far they went, particularly in terms of timing, was much further than we expected. And that's why I turned around; I came straight back and my first visit was to Port Talbot."

Shadow Chancellor Mr McDonnell said he was "shocked" by Mr Javid's interview and called for David Cameron to sack him...

The government inaction gets to feel even more deliberate IMO.

tinybgoat · Post by **tinybgoat** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 2:02 pm

Some of the following doesn't quite gel with governments arguing against tariffs,
saying it would increase costs to car manufacturers & others.
Would be interesting to know how much chinese steel is used in cars & how much this actually adds to cost.

Port Talbot closure would tear hole in UK manufacturing supply chain

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN0X0099

Five carmakers built almost 99 percent of Britain's 1.6 million cars last year and all source steel from Port Talbot, with some already looking for alternatives should the site shut.

Rollo Reid, technical director and grandson of the founder of REIDsteel, one of Britain's largest steel construction companies which sources almost 90 percent of its steel from Tata, worries that if Port Talbot closes, prices will rise.
"There will be one less competitor and when the other European ones go out of business, there will be less competitors and then the price will go up and we'll be completely within the hands of the Chinese."

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 2:04 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
PoliticsHome ‏@politicshome 27m27 minutes ago
BREAKING: @johnmcdonnellMP calls for @sajidjavid to resign after Port Talbot revelation - http://polho.me/1SvH2cA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Business Secretary revealed this morning he had known for "a few weeks" that Tata had been looking at shutting the site in south Wales, putting at risk the jobs of 4,000 steelworkers.

He came under fire for being on a ministerial visit to Australia - coupled with a family holiday - as the news broke earlier this week, while no government representative was in Mumbai for the Tata board meeting to discuss the company's British steel operations.
Although Mr Javid said he had been working on plans for Port Talbot for several weeks, he admitted the Government "had not anticipated" the strength of the Indian company's announcement, particularly regarding the possible timescale for closing the plant.

He told the Andrew Marr Show this morning: "A few weeks ago Tata had informed us that they were reviewing their entire steel business in the UK and with regards to Port Talbot itself they were actually considering closing it.

"When they made their announcement we didn't anticipate they would go that far with the news. The strength of their announcement and how far they went, particularly in terms of timing, was much further than we expected. And that's why I turned around; I came straight back and my first visit was to Port Talbot."

Shadow Chancellor Mr McDonnell said he was "shocked" by Mr Javid's interview and called for David Cameron to sack him...
The government inaction gets to feel even more deliberate IMO.

I saw that interview this morning - it was execrable. And he should have said:

"I came straight back as soon as I could manage to be on time for a flight. Unfortunately, these days you just can't get the staff, and the driver has been firmly dealt with. As for the meeting in Mumbai - well, I just wasn't expecting the Spanish Inquisition. Stephen Kinnock should have alerted me. So, you see, that's all Labour's fault, too."

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 2:25 pm

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... conference" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sajid Javid spurned Welsh steel crisis talks to attend US conference

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 2:40 pm

HindleA wrote:http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... conference

Sajid Javid spurned Welsh steel crisis talks to attend US conference

The government doesn't really care about the steel industry. Their only regret is that, PR-wise, it's not panning out too well at the moment. I'm actually a bit surprised that they've allowed themselves to be so compromised in that respect with all their errors of omission (as distinct from deliberate commission), if you follow my meaning. I still harbour concern that Tata will suddenly, and literally, pull the plug.

Edited to add -

And I (literally) do mean "literally" - rather than using the word in the way that seems to be currently in vogue (as in "I literally got wet when it poured with rain as I was walking down the road"). Whinge ends.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 4:05 pm

PorFavor wrote:
HindleA wrote:http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... conference

Sajid Javid spurned Welsh steel crisis talks to attend US conference
The government doesn't really care about the steel industry. Their only regret is that, PR-wise, it's not panning out too well at the moment. I'm actually a bit surprised that they've allowed themselves to be so compromised in that respect with all their errors of omission (as distinct from deliberate commission), if you follow my meaning. I still harbour concern that Tata will suddenly, and literally, pull the plug.

Edited to add -

And I (literally) do mean "literally" - rather than using the word in the way that seems to be currently in vogue (as in "I literally got wet when it poured with rain as I was walking down the road"). Whinge ends.

It's pretty clear the government isn't going to do anything except lie. Tata must know it.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 4:22 pm

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/th ... ut-7680615" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thousands of widows will see benefits cut under Universal Credit

In a further blow, the Universal Credit also changes the rules on the bedroom tax for bereaved parents.

At the moment they have to start paying for the spare room created by a death in the family after 12 months.

Under the Universal Credit they will have to start paying after three months.

The Department for Work and Pensions told MPs that widowed parents affected by the changes should stop claiming the WPA.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 4:28 pm

“It is wholly unsatisfactory that the poorest WPA claimants are set to suffer a net loss under Universal Credit. This problem has been described as a technicality and we can only assume it was unanticipated."

Crap

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 4:31 pm

I am waiting for other "unanticipated" consequences noticed,including the one I corresponded with the DWP over some years ago.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 4:44 pm

Under the Universal Credit the Widowed Parent’s Allowance will be deducted from their overall claim.

And because the WPA is treated as taxable income they will have to pay tax on the amount they receive - leaving thousands of widows and widowers worse off.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/th ... ar_twitter

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 4:47 pm

HindleA...

Snap. Fiendish isn't it.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 5:01 pm

Not including many benefits in UC has resulted in many such interactional consequences.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 5:25 pm

HindleA wrote:I didn't know PCC remit has been extended to fire services.

Sorry for not catching this yesterday. This is an important post.

Councillor George Adamson - Labour's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) candidate for Staffordshire - Election Day 5 May 2016
Adamson is currently leader of Cannock Chase district council and former police officer, over 17 years in the Black Country

My spouse and I met him at our local Labour party meeting down the road a few days ago. Some of the attendees
had canvassed earlier and a half dozen of us were at the meeting to talk with Adamson. We were a small group.
I learned a lot.

Adamson's utter dismay with the current Staffordshire Tory PCC, Matthew Ellis, is wholly justified. Thousands
of front line police officers are gone already, those retiring won't be replaced, domestic violence is up though
enforcement is abysmal. It's likely Tory policy will be to combine fire with police, a dangerous and incoherent
idea displaying an ignorance of both fire and police services. Centralising what police forces remain and selling
off police station property is likely if Ellis is re-elected.

Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner voter turnout was the lowest in the country.
Less than 12% voter turnout

Adamson is an experienced, intelligence man with excellent leadership skills. I didn't realise I'd like him as
much I do. He knows how to do the job. He wants community based policing, visible, regularly patrolling
and maintaining relationships with the people is vital to ensure safety.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 5:26 pm

Toughest time ever for Cannock Chase Council says leader as he campaigns with Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell

Cannock Chase Council faces its ‘most difficult and challenging period ever’ according to its leader, as its budget
for the next financial year was unanimously passed.
- February 19, 2016

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2016 ... mcdonnell/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Jeremy Corbyn MP
✔
‎@jeremycorbyn
.@andyburnhammp & I with George Adamson - @UKLabour's Staffordshire Police & Crime Commissioner candidate
1:32 PM - 25 Feb 2016

" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Jeremy Corbyn in the West Midlands: Tory cuts threatening people's safety, says Labour leader

Jeremy Corbyn is putting frontline community policing at the heart of Labour's police and crime
commissioner (PCC) election campaign saying "reckless" Tory cuts are threatening people's safety
& security

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/crim ... ur-leader/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 5:35 pm

The Conservative party - a bunch of snollygosters!!

Snollygoster. Someone, especially a politician who acts for personal gain instead of consistent, respectable principles.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 5:45 pm

HindleA wrote:http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/new ... 2016_04_02

New welfare secretary to sack disability assessment firms

Hey, that's a great thing! Good!

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 6:00 pm

DAN HODGES: The autopilot's gone, Captain Cameron! And this EU vote is bringing you DOWN | Daily Mail Online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/artic ... -DOWN.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Rosemary Golding
‏@RosemaryGolding Rosemary Golding Retweeted Samuel Miller
Well blow me down -that's a turn-up for the book. Dodgy Dave has temporarily replaced JC as Hodges' main target!

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 6:06 pm

Good grief.(cricket)

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 6:11 pm

Is it just my laptop ? The way the Guardian is displayed has changed.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 6:12 pm

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016 ... -wollaston" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Jeremy Hunt’s tactics in junior doctors’ dispute attacked by senior Tory
Sarah Wollaston says health secretary misrepresented evidence to win support in pursuit of ‘unachievable’ seven-day NHS

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 6:17 pm

ohsocynical wrote:DAN HODGES: The autopilot's gone, Captain Cameron! And this EU vote is bringing you DOWN | Daily Mail Online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/artic ... -DOWN.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Rosemary Golding
‏@RosemaryGolding Rosemary Golding Retweeted Samuel Miller
Well blow me down -that's a turn-up for the book. Dodgy Dave has temporarily replaced JC as Hodges' main target!

Is he employing a ghost-writer? That was actually a coherent piece of written English, even setting aside the fact that it wasn't an anti-Corbyn rant (although I notice that he still has a "thing" about Ed Miliband).

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 6:25 pm

http://www.theguardian.com/business/201 ... p_WhatsApp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Police issue security warning over Santander cashpoints

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 6:28 pm

PorFavor wrote:
HindleA wrote:http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... conference

Sajid Javid spurned Welsh steel crisis talks to attend US conference
The government doesn't really care about the steel industry. Their only regret is that, PR-wise, it's not panning out too well at the moment. I'm actually a bit surprised that they've allowed themselves to be so compromised in that respect with all their errors of omission (as distinct from deliberate commission), if you follow my meaning. I still harbour concern that Tata will suddenly, and literally, pull the plug.

Edited to add -

And I (literally) do mean "literally" - rather than using the word in the way that seems to be currently in vogue (as in "I literally got wet when it poured with rain as I was walking down the road"). Whinge ends.

What are Tory government going to do if Tata literally leave industrial waste on the floor and
leave the country for good, for example?

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Sun 03 Apr, 2016 6:38 pm

Labour’s four point plan to rescue the UK steel industry
Today Labour announces its four point plan to stabilise the steel industry and provide security for steel workers.
John McDonnell, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, commenting on the launch of Labour’s four point plan, said:

“The Tories are in total disarray and have failed to get to grips with the steel crisis.
Steelworkers and the industry can’t afford to wait for them to get their act together, so
Labour is getting the ball rolling. This plan is a good starting place for a framework by
which we can hopefully get cross-party agreement to find a solution to stabilise the
industry and secure the workforce.”
Labour’s four point plan:
1. Stabilise the industry and provide security for steelworkers.
2. Create a level playing field for steel - initiate a review into tackling costs hitting the sector from high business rates and energy costs.
3. Fast-track key infrastructure projects requiring large amounts of steel
4. Engage with the workforce, management and customers to turn around the industry, laying out a strategy for the steel industry in the 21st century.

April 3, 2016 (2:40 pm)

http://press.labour.org.uk/post/1421764 ... e-uk-steel

Over to you, Tories!
Tories in government
Tories responsible
For 6 years
What are Tory government doing?
Nothing to help people or the UK