Friday 27th Feb 2015

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 2:35 pm

General election 2015
Polling projection methodology from the G & May2015

Polling projections have SNP taking a minimum of 39 seats - most project more.
I'm uncertain of this projection.

http://may2015.com/category/seat-calculator/

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... ethodology

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 4:17 pm

To hit the LibDems, Labour give £2 billion to graduates earning 32%+ above the average wage
http://www.libdemvoice.org/to-hit-the-l ... 44820.html

Another classic LDV headline there - solipsism at it's most blatant. This policy move by Labour could only be about hitting the Lib Dems - nothing to do with trying to improve the situation for younger people and the long term debt created by the current fees payment system.

And this is an excellent one liner BTL:

g 27th Feb '15 - 3:20pm
Well, at least the Lib Dems are consistent between 2010 and now in opposing a maximum fee of £6,000.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 4:41 pm

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

The DWP needs reform – denying my deaf, blind daughter benefits shows this
Laura Jolliffe

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 4:48 pm

Isabel Hardman ‏@IsabelHardman 4m4 minutes ago Margate, England
Farage introducing Harriet Yeo as his defector. Former Labour NEC chair, defection announced before conference.

Now that is pathetic.

What a chump. Paraded like a trophy - but she doesn't really rate as a third or fourth place medal ... more of a hasn't been.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 4:51 pm

Isabel Hardman ‏@IsabelHardman 2m2 minutes ago Margate, England
Yeo says that on some issues she is so far to the right she makes "Iain Duncan Smith look cuddly". Quite a slogan there.

Q.E.D.

LadyCentauria · Post by **LadyCentauria** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 5:09 pm

citizenJA wrote:http://www.ippr.org/nicks-blog/student- ... ation-debt

Student politics: The future of tuition fees and higher education debt
Nick Pearce
Published Thu 26 Feb 2015

Please let me know your thoughts.

He says that if he had two billion to spend he'd put it into early-years education and childcare rather than higher education – but that shouldn't be, and isn't, an either/or choice. Labour has a separate offer, there. But, otherwise, a fair article. I was interested to see the shocking increase in the level of household debt taken up by university loan repayments in the USA since the recession – from the lowest debt item to the highest apart from mortgage repayments. The thing that struck me the most, and sent me off to find out more, is that the number of part-time students, here, has plummeted and there are far fewer mature students, too. 'Something' will have to be done about that, 'though I'm not sure what that would be.

I read, somewhere, that the average cost of a part-time degree course has risen from £910 per year in 2010 to somewhere around £2,750 now. That's a near tripling whereas full-time courses have risen by 'only' a third, so no wonder the number of OU students, alone, has dropped dramatically and helped send the OU from profit or break-even into significant losses.

Times Higher Education has this:

The Open University has lost more than a quarter of its total student numbers over the past five years amid a national collapse in part-time study, leaving the institution wrestling with a £17 million deficit.

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/n ... 93.article

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 5:24 pm

Peter Dominiczak ‏@peterdominiczak 1m1 minute ago
So, Nigel Farage uses his speech to deny rumours that he's dying. Most people don't seem to have been aware of the rumours. They are now.

Is this a reverse sympathy bid? Sorry - very cynical of me - but the UKIP drama just keeps on creating ever more extreme storylines.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 5:25 pm

http://schoolsweek.co.uk/exclusive-god- ... worksheet/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Durham Free School will close at the end of this term – and Schools Week can exclusively reveal a science teacher told pupils “God has designed the solar system”.

The school, which opened in September 2013, was sent a letter on Wednesday afternoon by regional schools commissioner Janet Renou informing it of education secretary Nicky Morgan’s decision to terminate its funding agreement.

Schools Week has discovered David Hagon, a teacher at the school, in September asked year 7 pupils to complete a worksheet as part of their science homework that stated God was responsible for the design of the solar system.

The worksheet (pictured) said: “Only the Earth has life on it. God has designed the solar system so that the Earth can support life.”

Any school, academy or free school that is found to teach creationism as a scientific fact would be in breach of the law and its funding agreement.

Spacedone · Post by **Spacedone** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 5:25 pm

Bizarre how there seems to be a concerted effort on Twitter from certain sections of the media against Labour proposing to reduce the cost of higher education by a third.

The argument that it only helps middle-to-high earners because everyone else will have their debts written off is frankly nonsense IMO. Does anyone seriously think that anyone will have their debt written off?

LadyCentauria · Post by **LadyCentauria** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 5:27 pm

Mr Spock (Leonard Nimoy) has died of end-stage COPD at the age of 83

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 5:43 pm

LadyCentauria wrote:Mr Spock (Leonard Nimoy) has died of end-stage COPD at the age of 83

Just heard that news.

I think Chris Hadfield has nailed it.

Chris Hadfield ‏@Cmdr_Hadfield · 4m4 minutes ago
Leonard, you lived long and prospered, and were an inspiration to me and to millions. Rest in peace.

Edited to add - Mr Nimoy nailed it too, with his final tweet

Leonard Nimoy ✔ @TheRealNimoy
Follow
A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 5:47 pm

http://www.irwinmitchell.com/newsandmed ... im-twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Green Light For Judicial Review Into Cuts To Disabled Student Support

Irwin Mitchell’s specialist public lawyers have been granted permission to proceed with a judicial review of proposals from the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to limit the support offered by the Disabled Student Allowance (DSA).

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 5:55 pm

LadyCentauria wrote:
citizenJA wrote:http://www.ippr.org/nicks-blog/student- ... ation-debt

Student politics: The future of tuition fees and higher education debt
Nick Pearce
Published Thu 26 Feb 2015

Please let me know your thoughts.
He says that if he had two billion to spend he'd put it into early-years education and childcare rather than higher education – but that shouldn't be, and isn't, an either/or choice. Labour has a separate offer, there. But, otherwise, a fair article. I was interested to see the shocking increase in the level of household debt taken up by university loan repayments in the USA since the recession – from the lowest debt item to the highest apart from mortgage repayments. The thing that struck me the most, and sent me off to find out more, is that the number of part-time students, here, has plummeted and there are far fewer mature students, too. 'Something' will have to be done about that, 'though I'm not sure what that would be.

I read, somewhere, that the average cost of a part-time degree course has risen from £910 per year in 2010 to somewhere around £2,750 now. That's a near tripling whereas full-time courses have risen by 'only' a third, so no wonder the number of OU students, alone, has dropped dramatically and helped send the OU from profit or break-even into significant losses.

Times Higher Education has this:
The Open University has lost more than a quarter of its total student numbers over the past five years amid a national collapse in part-time study, leaving the institution wrestling with a £17 million deficit.
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/n ... 93.article

Well written, thank you.
I'm impressed with the Labour party's joined up thinking...you're very right about not having to choose either/or.
It's appalling to me for people who wish to return to study in order to update their skills to be priced out of obtaining that knowledge.
No country interested in the well-being of the people can afford to neglect any segment of the population.
The generational diversion is nothing more than that - a diversion.

daydreamer · Post by **daydreamer** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 5:56 pm

LadyCentauria wrote:Mr Spock (Leonard Nimoy) has died of end-stage COPD at the age of 83

So sad, rest in peace Leonard.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 6:01 pm

Spacedone wrote:Bizarre how there seems to be a concerted effort on Twitter from certain sections of the media against Labour proposing to reduce the cost of higher education by a third.

The argument that it only helps middle-to-high earners because everyone else will have their debts written off is frankly nonsense IMO. Does anyone seriously think that anyone will have their debt written off?

No, that's not part of any policy I've read. I'm unsurprised Labour is being attacked regarding their policy announcement. It gives the lie to other possibilities available but not chosen by current government.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 6:01 pm

I happened to have got my degree via both fulltime and the Open University,I much preferred the latter(especially the Summer Schools -ahem)It took me some years but at a pace that fitted in to circumstance.

ephemerid · Post by **ephemerid** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 6:59 pm

Re - Lady C's post on the OU.....

My daughter's doing a PPE with OU, and she says a lot of people have dropped out. Some of them are people who decided to study while they were unemployed; but of course, they can't study on a course they've paid for themselves or spend time studying which renders them unavailable for work or workfare. Same sort of rules as apply to volunteering (the real sort)

I wonder if that has had much impact?

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 7:28 pm

ephemerid wrote:Re - Lady C's post on the OU.....

My daughter's doing a PPE with OU, and she says a lot of people have dropped out. Some of them are people who decided to study while they were unemployed; but of course, they can't study on a course they've paid for themselves or spend time studying which renders them unavailable for work or workfare. Same sort of rules as apply to volunteering (the real sort)

I wonder if that has had much impact?

No words to properly express what I feel about this. The OU - one of the big success stories of our society - along with the NHS. Something properly empowering and enabling - and, dare I say it, 'aspirational' - which this lot of ******s are managing to destroy pdq.

I know I'm coming from a perspective of someone who believes in education for education's sake, and lifelong learning, and the value of community education ... and has fond memories of initiatives funded by the Workers Education Association ... I must be some sort of vile socialist ....

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 7:44 pm

Tax structure allowed McDonald’s to divert revenue for years, costing European countries over €1 billion in lost taxes between 2009 and 2013.

http://www.waronwant.org/news/press-rel ... mcdonalds-

Another company that dodges their taxes.

mikems · Post by **mikems** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 7:50 pm

Re : student loans. I'm one of he unlucky ones who has had their loans flogged off to a loan company and they most certainly do refer to credit ratings agencies.

The Student Loan Company never did this, but the law itself apparently allowed for it and these new holders of the debt are interpreting the rules in a much tighter way, presumably so they have tradeable data for their 'partners' - i.e. other loan companies they have agreements with to share data. Despite assurances at the time that nothing like this could conceivably happen, of course.

It could be challenged in law as a change in custom and practice as experienced by the debtors, but there is no legal aid for trivialities like that when tories are coining it in via their front companies.

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 7:51 pm

Goodnight, everyone.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 7:52 pm

RR2

I agree about the OU.It also crushes boundaries,on one course I studied with a general, a youngster just out of care and a ninety year old lady doing a dissertation on the Jam.

Post by **refitman** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 7:53 pm

PorFavor wrote:Goodnight, everyone.

Night PF.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 7:55 pm

This is an interesting site. I didn't know Next were one of the worst offenders for low pay and zero hour contracts.

http://www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 7:56 pm

PorFavor wrote:Goodnight, everyone.

Night PF

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 7:58 pm

So - Mr Riots sees it violet and dark blue.

I see it white and gold.

He was right pissed off when I told him that the majority of those seeing it white and gold are younger - and a majority seeing it blue and black are over 60s.

He goes out into our half built porch to shore something up overnight - hits his head hard on a piece of timber laid across temporarily - and shouts out **CK. As I help him back in he says 'I'm alright but my rods and cones might have been shifted - let me look at that dress again'.

LadyCentauria · Post by **LadyCentauria** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 7:58 pm

@RobertSnozers: It was (originally) said that having a student loan wouldn't be taken into consideration in mortgage applications/awards. I don't know whether or not that has changed, although the interest rate on loans seems to have done. The thing that might well affect graduates now is the 'affordability test' of being able to manage the repayments if interest rates rose by, what is it, 5% (?) Someone else might know.

@ephe: I think that will have had a fair impact but I haven't seen any really detailed figures – the articles I looked at concentrated on lower first-year enrolment figures rather than people dropping out of courses. It's as daft to prevent people from studying, whilst unemployed, as it is to stop people from volunteering. Both add something useful to employment prospects, after all. Many years ago, all the JobCentre required was a promise to give up (or reschedule) courses or volunteering sessions in favour of work if you were offered a job. And that was actually being offered a real job, not being offered an 'opportunity' which just means the possibility of an interview, or yet another c.v. writing 'course' or similar. Heavens, you could even change your signing day if it clashed with a lecture or exams! Thinking about it, forcing people to quit a part-time OU course (which you do in your own time) is ludicrous as you can as easily spend 35 hours a week job-hunting as you can 35 hours a week working – which is exactly what the OU was set up for: fitting study around full- or part-time work! Here's wishing your daughter all success

Aside from education matters, did anyone see the marvelous performance of Springtime for Hitler outside the UKIP Conference in Margate today? Tank rolling down the street, then all-singing, all-dancing, high-kicking, preview of a local drama company's forthcoming production. Just saw it on Channel 4 News

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 8:01 pm

LadyCentauria wrote:
Aside from education matters, did anyone see the marvelous performance of Springtime for Hitler outside the UKIP Conference in Margate today? Tank rolling down the street, then all-singing, all-dancing, high-kicking, preview of a local drama company's forthcoming production. Just saw it on Channel 4 News

Perfect synchronicity Lady C - just purrfeck.

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 8:04 pm

Night PF.

rebeccariots2 wrote:So - Mr Riots sees it violet and dark blue.

I see it white and gold.

He was right pissed off when I told him that the majority of those seeing it white and gold are younger - and a majority seeing it blue and black are over 60s.

He goes out into our half built porch to shore something up overnight - hits his head hard on a piece of timber laid across temporarily - and shouts out **CK. As I help him back in he says 'I'm alright but my rods and cones might have been shifted - let me look at that dress again'.

As has been pointed out elsewhere, there is only one blue & gold that matters today!

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 8:07 pm

Who is this Labour rep on Any Questions?

frightful_oik · Post by **frightful_oik** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 8:12 pm

The UKIP bloke on AQ is a treasure.

Post by **refitman** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 8:15 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:Who is this Labour rep on Any Questions?

Emma Reynolds (Wolves NE), according to the R4 website.

Not going well?

Post by **refitman** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 8:16 pm

frightful_oik wrote:The UKIP bloke on AQ is a treasure.

He's the one that called for @UkipTrumpton to be banned.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 8:22 pm

refitman wrote:
frightful_oik wrote:The UKIP bloke on AQ is a treasure.
He's the one that called for @UkipTrumpton to be banned.

Variable. Not so great on education - getting rapturous applause on immigration.

LadyCentauria · Post by **LadyCentauria** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 8:23 pm

mikems wrote:Re : student loans. I'm one of he unlucky ones who has had their loans flogged off to a loan company and they most certainly do refer to credit ratings agencies.

The Student Loan Company never did this, but the law itself apparently allowed for it and these new holders of the debt are interpreting the rules in a much tighter way, presumably so they have tradeable data for their 'partners' - i.e. other loan companies they have agreements with to share data. Despite assurances at the time that nothing like this could conceivably happen, of course.

It could be challenged in law as a change in custom and practice as experienced by the debtors, but there is no legal aid for trivialities like that when tories are coining it in via their front companies.

Really sorry to hear that, @mikems. The loans should never have been transferred or traded when you were given assurances that it wouldn't happen! In fact, the whole tuition fees business should never have happened. Another way should have been found to expand university places...

Spacedone · Post by **Spacedone** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 8:26 pm

Chris Howard ‏@howardcj 4 mins4 minutes ago

"No ifs, no buts, no doubts, no Nick Clegg": Ed Miliband promises @faisalislam he won't renege on his tuition fees pledge #SkyNewsTonight

frightful_oik · Post by **frightful_oik** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 8:37 pm

frightful_oik wrote:The UKIP bloke on AQ is a treasure.

That wasn't meant as a compliment by the way.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 8:46 pm

frightful_oik wrote:
frightful_oik wrote:The UKIP bloke on AQ is a treasure.
That wasn't meant as a compliment by the way.

No additional explanation needed - he defines himself as he speaks .... or rather declaims!

Treasure indeed. Absolute treasure on housing ... I would say.

mikems · Post by **mikems** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 8:50 pm

The thing the Morning Star lacks online is a daily politics blog. The sort of thing many here would like FTN to become...Just a thought.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 9:19 pm

The Daily Record ‏@Daily_Record 2h2 hours ago
General Election 2015: Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy is to stand as Westminster MP again http://dlyr.ec/1akSM5" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Eric_WLothian · Post by **Eric_WLothian** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 9:42 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
The Daily Record ‏@Daily_Record 2h2 hours ago
General Election 2015: Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy is to stand as Westminster MP again http://dlyr.ec/1akSM5" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Salmond was an MP and MSP simultaneously for a time. Nothing to stop the Labour Party putting Jim Murphy at the top of the 'list' for Holyrood and getting him in.

No doubt the Nats will make a big noise but I don't see a real problem.

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 10:08 pm

Eric_WLothian wrote:
rebeccariots2 wrote:
The Daily Record ‏@Daily_Record 2h2 hours ago
General Election 2015: Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy is to stand as Westminster MP again http://dlyr.ec/1akSM5" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Salmond was an MP and MSP simultaneously for a time. Nothing to stop the Labour Party putting Jim Murphy at the top of the 'list' for Holyrood and getting him in.

No doubt the Nats will make a big noise but I don't see a real problem.

Not really a runner though after this week's "MPs should only have one job" theme, surely?

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 10:09 pm

Govt.response to th Litchfield WCA review

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... iew-year-5" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And their response to Gray review of PIP assessments

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

diGriz · Post by **diGriz** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 10:10 pm

No long-term future for BBC licence fee, MPs say
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31623659

To be honest I think the bias over the last few years towards the tories have killed off any left-wing support for keeping the BBC.

With the exception of House of Fools (and this series isn't quite as good as the first) I don't watch much of their output. At least nothing I can't catch on Dave sometime in the future.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 10:15 pm

Brilliant Rowson cartoon.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... are_btn_tw

mbc1955 · Post by **mbc1955** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 10:18 pm

ohsocynical wrote:Brilliant Rowson cartoon.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... are_btn_tw

He is, as usual, excoriatingly accurate.

Eric_WLothian · Post by **Eric_WLothian** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 10:20 pm

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
Eric_WLothian wrote:
rebeccariots2 wrote:
Salmond was an MP and MSP simultaneously for a time. Nothing to stop the Labour Party putting Jim Murphy at the top of the 'list' for Holyrood and getting him in.

No doubt the Nats will make a big noise but I don't see a real problem.
Not really a runner though after this week's "MPs should only have one job" theme, surely?

True - but the Record is saying

JIM Murphy is to stand again as a Westminster MP in his East Renfrewshire constituency despite a pledge to get into the Scottish Parliament as soon as possible.

I don't see any conflict between standing at the GE and getting into the Scottish Parliament asap (ie 2016 Scottish elections). Even if an MSP were to stand down, I'm sure he won't want to fight a Scottish by-election while GE campaigning is in full swing. He can resign his Westminster seat after the SE rather than taking a year off.

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 10:35 pm

Eric_WLothian wrote:
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
Eric_WLothian wrote: Salmond was an MP and MSP simultaneously for a time. Nothing to stop the Labour Party putting Jim Murphy at the top of the 'list' for Holyrood and getting him in.

No doubt the Nats will make a big noise but I don't see a real problem.
Not really a runner though after this week's "MPs should only have one job" theme, surely?
True - but the Record is saying
JIM Murphy is to stand again as a Westminster MP in his East Renfrewshire constituency despite a pledge to get into the Scottish Parliament as soon as possible.
I don't see any conflict between standing at the GE and getting into the Scottish Parliament asap (ie 2016 Scottish elections). Even if an MSP were to stand down, I'm sure he won't want to fight a Scottish by-election while GE campaigning is in full swing. He can resign his Westminster seat after the SE rather than taking a year off.

While I get the logic of what you are saying, I still have reservations. One of the big criticisms raised against Boris during the last Mayoral campaign, certainly one I discussed more than once btl on Dave Hill''s blog, was that we were going to end up with a part time Mayor just filling time until he moved on to higher things; and that same criticism will be raised, rightly imo, by opponents in his own constituency as well as the wider political platform. Not saying he shouldn't do it, just saying it opens him to all sorts of attacks.

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 10:38 pm

Thought so...

Revealed: MP's selfie queen wife says it's her brother who raped her... and he hits back claiming it's an outrageous falsehood

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... ehood.html

It was the age...too much of a coincidence.

LadyCentauria · Post by **LadyCentauria** » Fri 27 Feb, 2015 10:44 pm

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
Eric_WLothian wrote:
rebeccariots2 wrote:
Salmond was an MP and MSP simultaneously for a time. Nothing to stop the Labour Party putting Jim Murphy at the top of the 'list' for Holyrood and getting him in.

No doubt the Nats will make a big noise but I don't see a real problem.
Not really a runner though after this week's "MPs should only have one job" theme, surely?

It's a crackers article. Why on earth would anyone really imagine that a sitting MSP would give up their seat and call a by-election so that someone else, even the new leader of their party, could try to win it? It was never a starter and he did always say he'd be a candidate for Westminster in May, if his constituency party wanted him, then a candidate for a Scottish seat 'as soon as possible' – which I've always taken as in 2016 unless someone died or something so a vacancy came up. Surely, he'll give up his Westminster seat if elected to the Scottish Parliament but why on earth do it beforehand?