Monday 14th August 2017

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 7:02 am

Morning

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-40886282" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Vulnerable children not in crisis are 'left in limbo'

https://www.theguardian.com/society/201 ... rity-warns" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 9:06 am

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... ts#history" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Research and analysis
Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) brokerage results

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 9:08 am

http://www.24housing.co.uk/news/the-oth ... evictions/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The hidden cost of gentrification is laid bare by a study showing how the opening of a new Waitrose is closely linked to a rise in evictions of private tenants in the local area.

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 10:02 am

Morning all.

Peter Walker‏Verified account @peterwalker99 2m2 minutes ago
More
I'm told by someone who should know that the trust behind London's Garden Bridge is about to announce it is closing.

Boris's Folly is officially dead then?

Excellent news.

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 10:27 am

Re the above - announcement at 10:30am - what's the betting they blame Sadiq Khan and don't mention Boris at all?

gilsey · Post by **gilsey** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 10:27 am

Have we had this? Private Eye re probation.
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 10:54 am

RogerOThornhill wrote:Morning all.

Peter Walker‏Verified account @peterwalker99 2m2 minutes ago
More
I'm told by someone who should know that the trust behind London's Garden Bridge is about to announce it is closing.
Boris's Folly is officially dead then?

Excellent news.

Result, indeed

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 10:57 am

Yep. here's the tweet and the link to the statement. It is indeed all Sadiq's fault for not backing it.

" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Replies seem to be very happy though...

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 11:06 am

RogerOThornhill wrote:Yep. here's the tweet and the link to the statement. It is indeed all Sadiq's fault for not backing it.

" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Replies seem to be very happy though...

I feel for Joanna Lumley, though. If I recall correctly, she said that she'd be very disappointed not to be able to go to cocktail parties on the bridge of an evening (when the bridge was going to be closed to the public).

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 11:07 am

Good morfternoon.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 11:10 am

ISTR that SK got a lot of stick after last year's election for not saying it should be cancelled immediately. Another instance where "playing the long game" has worked?

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 11:37 am

And here she is - mentioned in despatches -

London garden bridge project scrapped

Charity announces closure of Thames bridge project due to lack of support from the mayor, Sadiq Khan

The charity set up to build a garden bridge across the Thames has scrapped the project, ending a long-running saga involving two London mayors and the actor Joanna Lumley. (Guardian - my emphasis)

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/201 ... sadiq-khan

howsillyofme1 · Post by **howsillyofme1** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 12:20 pm

Morning

When Johnson became MoL one of the first things he did was to start investigating Lee Jasper in forensic detail in a naked attempt to smear Livingstone

One thing I expect now is a forensic examination of the accounts of this project and the involvement of the MoL and his cronies - one thing the right do very well is launch investigations into their opponents at the drop of a hat

Here is a clear case for understanding what happened about the loss of that money - especially when we are being told that everyone has to accept lower public spending

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 12:57 pm

http://barristerblogger.com/2017/08/14/ ... rewer-day/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 1:01 pm

London Evening Osborne

https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comm ... 1.html?amp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 1:06 pm

HindleA wrote:London Evening Osborne

https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comm ... 1.html?amp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I mean, even if he *was* "to blame" the response of a huge number of Londoners will be "GOOD".

Why is Gidiot under the impression that this massive white elephant was hugely popular?

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 4:30 pm

https://www.theguardian.com/social-care ... egislation" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 5:10 pm

Quiet today here, innit?

So, lets try and get a discussion going shall we.........Sarah Champion.

I know people aren't comfortable with either what she did or the underlying issue that prompted it. But its extremely important, so........

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 5:57 pm

A view

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/areeq-c ... 50700.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 6:11 pm

http://www.anthonygold.co.uk/latest/blo ... s-dickens/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

" Is Sir James Munby the modern day Charles Dickens?"

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 6:20 pm

HindleA wrote:A view

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/areeq-c ... 50700.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There you go, I think that is too simplistic (even though I thoroughly understand, and sympathise with, why people are annoyed with her)

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 6:22 pm

Naz Shah on the same

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/new ... 6.html?amp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 6:33 pm

PaulfromYorkshire wrote:Naz Shah on the same

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/new ... 6.html?amp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yes, that's a better piece.

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 6:33 pm

AnatolyKasparov wrote:
PaulfromYorkshire wrote:Naz Shah on the same

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/new ... 6.html?amp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Yes, that's a better piece.

Quite brave too in talking about how the issue affects her own family.

Good for her.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 7:20 pm

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

Shell and Exxon face censure over claim gas was 'cleanest fossil fuel'
Dutch advertising watchdog’s ruling prompts company to change line to ‘least polluting fossil fuel’ as campaigners welcome action over ‘misleading’ ad

SpinningHugo · Post by **SpinningHugo** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 7:35 pm

AnatolyKasparov wrote:Quiet today here, innit?

So, lets try and get a discussion going shall we.........Sarah Champion.

I know people aren't comfortable with either what she did or the underlying issue that prompted it. But its extremely important, so........

Where Champion chose to publish was as important as anything else.

A grossly cynical pitch for Ukip votes by Labour

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 8:31 pm

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultat ... ion-scheme" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

British Steel Pension Scheme Analyzing feedback.from consultation

Added an update following the announcement by The Pensions Regulator. The government continues to work closely with the interested parties to ensure the best outcome for pension scheme members. We want to keep all options open while the detail of that is worked through.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 8:32 pm

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... ls-and-las" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Guidance
School census 2017 to 2018: guide for schools and LAs

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 8:34 pm

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... -and-error" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Policy paper
Penalties for social security fraud and error

(Fraud and error equivalence)

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 8:43 pm

SpinningHugo wrote:
AnatolyKasparov wrote:Quiet today here, innit?

So, lets try and get a discussion going shall we.........Sarah Champion.

I know people aren't comfortable with either what she did or the underlying issue that prompted it. But its extremely important, so........

Where Champion chose to publish was as important as anything else.

A grossly cynical pitch for Ukip votes by Labour

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 8:44 pm

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistic ... asons-data" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Statistical data set
Driving test failure reasons data

Never failed one myself,probably because I never took it.I have enough trouble trying to get myself about without knocking into things/people.

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 8:48 pm

More of a Roger thing this

http://feweek.co.uk/2017/08/14/rejected ... arndirect/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

rejected-appeal-looks-like-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-learndirect

Angela Rayner seems pleased!

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 8:51 pm

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

Martin Rowson on Donald Trump and the US's far right

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 9:21 pm

PaulfromYorkshire wrote:More of a Roger thing this

http://feweek.co.uk/2017/08/14/rejected ... arndirect/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

rejected-appeal-looks-like-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-learndirect

Angela Rayner seems pleased!

the article at the end of this gives more details about ownership.

http://feweek.co.uk/2017/08/14/exclusiv ... nadequate/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This once publicly-owned company is the largest FE provider in the UK.

According to Education and Skills Funding Agency records for 2016/17 allocations, Learndirect has a total allocation of £157 million, of which 71 sub-contractors held £45.8 million of contracts in July.

It was previously owned by the UFI Charitable Trust, but in October 2011, the business was sold in a management buyout backed by Lloyds TSB Development Capital (LDC) for £36,309,000.

The vehicle used to acquire it was Pimco 2909, which had been incorporated the previous month by Sarah Jones, then the chief executive of Learndirect.

The acquisition was funded by a £40.2 million loan from LDC.

In the four full years since the acquisition, Learndirect went from a company with £36 million in the bank and a net asset position of £11.2 million, to one with just £5 million in the bank and a net asset position of £7.2 million.

Over the same period, £5.5 million was paid in net interest and £20.25 million was paid in dividends.

The FT, which is running its own report into Learndirect’s finances in tandem with FE Week, asked why 84 per cent of the cash generated by the business is being spent on interest payments, fees and dividends, particularly given the declining strength of the balance sheet?

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 9:22 pm

RogerOThornhill wrote:
PaulfromYorkshire wrote:More of a Roger thing this

http://feweek.co.uk/2017/08/14/rejected ... arndirect/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

rejected-appeal-looks-like-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-learndirect

Angela Rayner seems pleased!
the article at the end of this gives more details about ownership.

http://feweek.co.uk/2017/08/14/exclusiv ... nadequate/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This once publicly-owned company is the largest FE provider in the UK.

According to Education and Skills Funding Agency records for 2016/17 allocations, Learndirect has a total allocation of £157 million, of which 71 sub-contractors held £45.8 million of contracts in July.

It was previously owned by the UFI Charitable Trust, but in October 2011, the business was sold in a management buyout backed by Lloyds TSB Development Capital (LDC) for £36,309,000.

The vehicle used to acquire it was Pimco 2909, which had been incorporated the previous month by Sarah Jones, then the chief executive of Learndirect.

The acquisition was funded by a £40.2 million loan from LDC.

In the four full years since the acquisition, Learndirect went from a company with £36 million in the bank and a net asset position of £11.2 million, to one with just £5 million in the bank and a net asset position of £7.2 million.

Over the same period, £5.5 million was paid in net interest and £20.25 million was paid in dividends.

The FT, which is running its own report into Learndirect’s finances in tandem with FE Week, asked why 84 per cent of the cash generated by the business is being spent on interest payments, fees and dividends, particularly given the declining strength of the balance sheet?

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 9:33 pm

(

)

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 9:39 pm

http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/boo ... dern-media" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Power and the Story: fact, fabrication and the shaping of the modern media

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 9:42 pm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-40887949" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 10:32 pm

http://press.labour.org.uk/post/1641887 ... oposals-on" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Labour Press
Latest incoherent and inadequate proposals on customs arrangements are designed to gloss over Cabinet divisions

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 10:35 pm

HindleA wrote:http://press.labour.org.uk/post/1641887 ... oposals-on

Labour Press
Latest incoherent and inadequate proposals on customs arrangements are designed to gloss over Cabinet divisions

Faisal Islam‏Verified account @faisalislam 13m13 minutes ago
More
On Sunday, Fox/Hammond: no temporary membership of the Customs Union.
On Monday, Davis floats membership of a temporary Customs Union.

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 10:37 pm

HindleA wrote:http://press.labour.org.uk/post/1641887 ... oposals-on

Labour Press
Latest incoherent and inadequate proposals on customs arrangements are designed to gloss over Cabinet divisions

Good to see Starmer back.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 10:41 pm

remrats

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 10:43 pm

RogerOThornhill wrote:
HindleA wrote:http://press.labour.org.uk/post/1641887 ... oposals-on

Labour Press
Latest incoherent and inadequate proposals on customs arrangements are designed to gloss over Cabinet divisions

Faisal Islam‏Verified account @faisalislam 13m13 minutes ago
More
On Sunday, Fox/Hammond: no temporary membership of the Customs Union.
On Monday, Davis floats membership of a temporary Customs Union.

Ah - but I'm sure they'll say that there's a difference between temporary membership of the Customs Union and a temporary Customs Union . . .

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 10:47 pm

OK can we disentangle this?

Writing exclusively in City A.M., Davis said that new customs arrangements will need to “facilitate the freest and most frictionless possible trade in goods between the UK and the EU”.

In a move aimed at comforting businesses concerned about uncertainty, DexEU also said the government would seek to negotiate an interim period with the EU in order to avoid “unnecessary disruption”.

“That would be a strong indicator to all of our businesses and citizens that politicians on both sides are serious about finding a constructive outcome that works for all involved. Doing so is our shared duty,” Davis said.

“The united desire to avoid unnecessary disruption or a disorderly exit for the United Kingdom from the European Union is a strong foundation for the negotiations.”

The paper, and in particular the interim proposal, has been welcomed by business groups.

Allie Renison, head of EU and trade policy at the Institute of Directors, said: “There will be a great sigh of relief amongst businesses in the UK to see the government taking a pragmatic approach to transition as we look at how best to Brexit.

“Replicating as far as possible our current customs arrangements with the EU for this interim period is crucial to allow necessary time to develop long term solutions – particularly for the Irish border.

“We look forward to finally engaging on the detail of both short- and long-term negotiating options with our own Government and crucially, the EU.”

Miles Celic, chief executive of TheCityUK, said: “An interim customs period with the EU to allow businesses the time to adjust once a new customs relationship is agreed is vital to ensuring a smooth and orderly Brexit. This is a key concern for the customers and clients our industry serves.”

Davis also said that he wants a customs agreement that will create a “stronger, fairer and more prosperous UK” and ensure that there is no return to Ireland-Northern Ireland borders. To achieve this, he is willing to take two approaches: creating a “highly streamlined customs arrangement”, reducing and removing barriers to trade; or launching a “new customs partnership with the EU, based on aligning our customs approaches”.

From City AM

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 10:47 pm

HindleA wrote:remrats

notlob

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 10:50 pm

Test 2

2. Does it deliver the “exact same benefits” as we currently have as members of the Single Market and Customs Union?

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 10:57 pm

The last phrase in the City AM quote

“new customs partnership with the EU, based on aligning our customs approaches”

could essentially mean

"the same customs partnership we already have in the EU but we pretend it's new"

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 10:59 pm

"BBC political correspondent Ben Wright said the UK government was "straining to show that it does have a route-map for Brexit".
He said ministers were also attempting to "subtly" put the issue onto the negotiating table sooner than Brussels wants.
EU negotiators have previously said they want to settle the UK "divorce bill" with the EU and the issue of the movement of people before discussing trade.
"They want to hustle EU negotiators into talking about trade much sooner than Brussels intends,"

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 11:06 pm

http://www.advocacymonitor.com/ncil-sta ... ttesville/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 14 Aug, 2017 11:07 pm

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/c ... e-10984862" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;