Wednesday 4th March 2015

[ohsocynical]

About MAXIMUS
MAXIMUS is a leading operator of government health and human services programs in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Saudi Arabia. The Company delivers business process services to improve the cost effectiveness, efficiency and quality of government-sponsored benefit programs, such as Medicaid, Medicare, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Health Insurance BC (British Columbia), as well as welfare-to-work and child support programs around the globe. The Company's primary customer base includes federal, provincial, state, county and municipal governments. Operating under its founding mission of Helping Government Serve the People®, MAXIMUS has approximately 8,800 employees worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.maximus.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

CANADA
MAXIMUSdelivers outstanding customer service to more than four million British Columbians through innovative document management services, contact centre management, eHealth information technology solutions, and medical and pharmaceutical claims services. We provide child support services through the Family Maintenance and Support Programme and operate the Medical Services Plan and PharmaCare programmes on behalf of the Ministry of Health Services.

KINGDOM of SAUDI ARABIA
Together with our local partner company Noryan Corporation, we help jobseekers find employment through our specialised case management services. We are a trusted partner in helping Saudi nationals find quality employment and we are working to increase youth employment across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

UNITED STATES
Operating under our founding mission of Helping Government Serve the People®, MAXIMUS operates crucial government benefits programmes through a wide range of administrative services, case management and customer contact centres. MAXIMUS strives to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and quality of government programmes, such as the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, Medicare, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as welfare-to-work and child support maintenance programmes, while simultaneously delivering world-class customer service to programme participants.

AUSTRALIA
Our primary focus in Australia is connecting jobseekers with employers through a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet the needs of both. As a top-rated provider under the Star Ratings programme, we bring proven expertise in employment and related health and human services, most notably supporting the Job Services Australia and Disability Employment Services programmes. We also provide services to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship

2013.
MAXIMUS Acquires UK-Based Company Health Management Limited
Acquisition Brings Independent Health Assessment Capabilities to the Company’s Business Portfolio in the United Kingdom

And if anyone missed it, there's a link on yesterdays board for a Australian TV expose into fraudulently obtaining government money by companies including Maximus.

Creepy.

The bit I've bolded, can anyone explain why any govt would pay a company to do that? Is it just a neo-liberal fashion?
In the real world, businesses and govts have job vacancies, people are born, educated, go out and look for jobs. How much taxpayers money is pissed up the wall to intermediaries?

Did you manage to find the link on yesterdays board? It's an expose of the benefits system in AU. They have the same problem as over here. Not nearly enough jobs to go around.

The providers, including Maximus, are running job centres for getting people back into work plus providing job training for those that need a skill. Pretty much like over here.
They get a fee for getting someone into work and an even bigger fee if the applicant is classed as not very employable. So they tend to put people into that last category and then to keep their numbers up, forge signatures and falsely fill in the applicants work application forms. They are getting away with billions of dollars of tax payers money.

And like us they have politicians responsible for that area, who swear there's nothing amiss when they're questioned about it.

[mbc1955]

I accept your arguments, and your vote is a matter for your own decision, but what is your expectation of the result following your casting of your vote for the candidate/party you choose?

Do you want to see the Conservatives continue in power under Cameron and Osborne?

I'm disabled. The difference isn't going to make much difference. Many of us are going to die prematurely whether its Labour or tories in charge. http://wowpetition.com/calums-list/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Some already have...
Living in fear of the future isn't going to change for the disabled or the sanctioned under Labour or tories. We're still screwed. More of us will die, more of us will experience worsening health. I'll fightback for as long as I'm still alive, but I'm not sure how long I can continue fighting for. The only 2 differences are - the NHS will be better under labour and even less people will fight for and with the disabled - as things will be better for more of you, leaving us fighting alone.
I should also mention that in my area, it is very likely that Labour will get in - the tories cannot win here, so my vote doesn't actually help the tories, I know of a disabled person who is voting labour, not because he believes labour is much better, just because in his area getting the tory out is priority. Area is also important - it can push you into voting tactically for the least worst. I'm not really in that situation, as the sitting lib dem MP is useless, and local election results have shown libs are finished here (I'm trying to help with that by telling people about his voting history - eg for NHS bill).

Thank you for your reply, and everyone else for their comments on this post, and I'm sorry to be so long in responding, but I had to go out.

I've long since simplified this coming Election in my mind to a simple either/or: either Cameron, Osborne et al continue to govern or they don't. The outcome of that decision will affect the country for the rest of my lifetime.

I'm not disabled, though I do have type 2 diabetes. My ex-wife has fibromyalgia: we may no longer be in contact but I worry for her. I don't have quite the same personal concerns as many of you when it comes to who forms the next government but, leaving aside the issue of the greater good, if this administration continues unchecked, if it gets boosted by winning in the face of everything it has done, sooner or later there will be a list with my name on. But that's by-the-by.

Your circumstances demonstrate that this Election isn't the binary thing I've turned it into. There are instances of such all over the country. I could vote for a minority party in my ward if I chose (though the odds are more on us having UKIP rather than the Greens) and Labour (Andrew Gwynne) will still get in. But I'm voting Labour to ensure that, even if my vote is meaningless electorally, it is one more token of validity for a Labour(-dominated) government in the event of the probable tight income.

Because overall, there is only one alternative to another Conservative government. And having helped to put this one into power in 2010 by voting Lib Dem (even in a losing constituency), I have to vote where it will do the most to prevent that ever happening again.

And I will more than likely ask this question again between now and May 7. I make no apology for it.

[Tubby Isaacs]

I find it from Private Eye that Osborne who's made a lot of closing loopholes on Stamp Duty has benefited from such a loophole involving a trust.

cf coverage of this with Ed Miliband's mum and her house.

Still nobody's stuck a microphone in Cameron's face saying he simply must have known about Oxfordshire abuse.

[rebeccariots2]

ManCityCouncil ‏@ManCityCouncil 19m19 minutes ago
Want to know more about GM Devolution? @SirRichardLeese will be holding a Twitter session on 11 Mar to answer your questions #DevoMancQT

Ahem (cough to cover the awkward silence). Followed by apologies in advance.

[rebeccariots2]

Kate Devlin ‏@_katedevlin 2m2 minutes ago
Latest #Ashcroft polls released soon will include seat of David Mundell - the only Tory MP in Scotland...

I had been wondering if I had dreamed the pre announcement of some more Ashcroft polls coming today ... supposedly at 4.30pm. Looks like I didn't - but it's yet another unnecessary tweak of the clothes - just get em off Ashcroft. Let's see it all.

[rebeccariots2]

Tom Greatrex ‏@tomgreatrexmp 5m5 minutes ago
Tory backbenchers laughing about people on zero hours contracts during debate powerful reminder why need a change of govt in 63 days #ge2015

Have we ever had a government which so openly displayed its contempt for the general public?

[citizenJA]

Sir Gerald Howarth (Aldershot) (Con):
As we approach the general election, may I urge my right hon. Friend to abandon his natural reticence and remind the British people that the last Labour Prime Minister destroyed the public finances, ran up a massive £156 billion budget deficit, plundered the pension funds and sold off the gold at a ridiculously low price, whereas under my right hon. Friend’s stewardship and five years of hard graft the United Kingdom now has the fastest growing economy in the G7, with average wages rising in real terms for the first time since 2007? What we need is, as my right hon. Friend said, a Conservative Government.

"Incomes for those of working age remain below pre-crisis levels. After adjusting for group-specific inflation, median income for young adults (aged 22 to 30) is projected to be 7.6% lower in 2014–15 than in 2007–08, and it is estimated to be 2.5% lower for those aged 31 to 59."

http://www.ifs.org.uk/publications/7616

[rebeccariots2]

Robin Brant ‏@robindbrant 1m1 minute ago
Here we go with latest @LordAshcroft polls on #ge2015 incl. Scottish seats

He's holding an 'event' to announce them apparently.

[RogerOThornhill]

For those who remember the hapless Annaliese Briggs' time in charge of Pmilico Primary where everyone apart from Toby Young could see from a long way off that it was a stupid idea appointing a HT who had never even been a class teacher let alone in a leadership or management position, it appears she has a new job this leaving...guess where...Policy Exchange.

http://schoolsweek.co.uk/edition-20-ann ... militello/

Annaliese Briggs has been appointed the new curriculum development manager at Floreat Education.

Ms Briggs, 29, joins following a year as a Policy Exchange research fellow.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my year,” she says. “As a trained primary school teacher, I was really pleased to be able to focus on the future of primary school improvement in this country.”

Ms Briggs studied English literature at Queen Mary, University of London, where she stayed on to complete a masters in early
20th-century literature.

She gained her PGCE with Wandsworth school-centred initial teacher training.

In her new position, Ms Briggs will develop a knowledge and virtue curriculum for Floreat’s primary schools.

Strangely enough (or not), no mention of her time as a HT...

Floreat is the one being run by James O’Shaughnessy - ex-Cameron policy bod at No 10 and previous advocate of profit-making schools. Oh, and he was at Policy Exchange too. Fancy that...

Jobs for the right wing chaps and gals...

[rebeccariots2]

Ed Miliband ‏@Ed_Miliband 4m4 minutes ago
David Cameron said he would do the live TV debate with me if it happens earlier than planned. I will do it anytime, anyplace, anywhere.

Drat - now I've got that 'song' in my head ... it's Camtini.

[RogerOThornhill]

From the above, there seems to be a new maxim which used to run - those who can't teach, teach gym (W.Allen IIRC) - it's now those who can't teach end up as curricululm development managers...

[rebeccariots2]

From Sparrow's blog:

Sky and Channel 4 have offered to move the date of the proposed TV debate between David Cameron and Ed Miliband following Cameron telling MPs at PMQs that he objected to it being held on 30 April. A Downing Street source said a few minutes ago that they could not comment because they had not yet received the offer. (I told them they should read this blog!)

What a prize idiot Cameron is ... it gets ever more ridiculous. Next excuse? He won't know what to wear?

[yahyah]

Sky News get it spectacularly wrong

[rebeccariots2]

Robin Brant ‏@robindbrant 4m4 minutes ago
Only 19% say feeling effects of recovery, 40% say aren't and don't expect to acc to @LordAshcroft poll

[rebeccariots2]

Robin Brant ‏@robindbrant 9s9 seconds ago
Polls suggest @David_Cameron 'needs to weaponise himself' acc to @LordAshcroft if @Conservatives are to win #ge2015

Strewth - what a horrible thought. Could he be more offensive? I suppose he could take the condom off his head.

[rebeccariots2]

Craig Woodhouse ‏@craigawoodhouse 2m2 minutes ago
The Lib Dem PPB currently on TV is really weird. Looks like loads of people refused to let the cameraman into their homes.

Craig Woodhouse ‏@craigawoodhouse 2m2 minutes ago
Also, the Lib Dem PPB hashtag is #opendoors. Is that wise on a day when immigration is on the agenda?

[yahyah]

Captions anyone ?

[LadyCentauria]

Robin Brant ‏@robindbrant 9s9 seconds ago
Polls suggest @David_Cameron 'needs to weaponise himself' acc to @LordAshcroft if @Conservatives are to win #ge2015

Strewth - what a horrible thought. Could he be more offensive? I suppose he could take the condom off his head.

Could I hold the trigger-release, please? Qualifications: I haven't got a very good grip so he'd probably go off long before the election – I'd try to make sure that he was in company with IDS at the time I let go

[rebeccariots2]

These are just superb - BTL on Sparrow's blog,

Voetstoots 2h ago
Sky and C4 willing to change the dates of debate between Miliband and Cameron. Whats the betting that which ever date Miliband comes up with dodgy Dave will make some excuse for not taking part.

baggins45 Voetstoots 2h ago
That the debates, a week before the election, were for some unexplained reason at the wrong time was his worst excuse so far.

What a lame brain

Bill Edmunds Voetstoots 2h ago
Dave is having his hair done that day and can't appear until it is back from the cleaners.

bovinescatology Bill Edmunds 2h ago
He could also be suffering from Prime Ministerial Tension that day, depending on what time of the month it is..

That last is my favourite. Sorry gals / sisters.

[LadyCentauria]

Captions anyone ?

"That chap in the fancy hat's moustache is really weird!"

[rebeccariots2]

Robin Brant ‏@robindbrant 4m4 minutes ago
.@LordAshcroft has polled in 4 @Conservatives (over lab) marginals, says too close to call in 3 of 4.

Britain Elects ‏@britainelects 4m4 minutes ago
Labour are ahead by 1% in High Peak and Norwich North. Tories ahead by 1% in Colne Valley, 6% in Vale of Glamorgan.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Ashcroft polls awful.

[rebeccariots2]

Kate Devlin ‏@_katedevlin 2m2 minutes ago
But some good news for Labour as #Ashcroftpolls predicts that @jimmurphymp keeps his seat

[rearofthestore]

I live in High Peak Constituency which has been polled in Ashcroft's Marginal Poll.

Mike Smithson ‏@MSmithsonPB 1m1 minute ago

Colne Valley—1% TORY lead High Peak—1% LAB Norwich N—1% LAB Vale of Glamorgan—6% TORY

Given the make up of the High Peak Council which is Labour controlled and is almost identical to constituency really surprised the lead is just 1% but any win will be good.

[ephemerid]

So the debates.

1. Cameron expresses the view that he doesn't really like them.
2. Plans are made with Ofcom and the broadcasters.
2. Formats announced, and they're just like last time.
3. Cameron decides that Ofcom should have included the Greens.
4. Arguments ensue; Ofcom sticks to it's analysis of major parties.
5. Broadcasters decide to include the Greens.
6. Cameron thinks the nationalist and NI parties must be in if the Greens are.
7. Broadcasters dream up a new plan including the nationalist parties but not the NI parties.
8. Cameron is not impressed with the DUP not being included.
9. Broadcasters have had enough and set the dates for the debates.
10. Shapps is wheeled out to explain that Cameron is still "keen".
11. Cameron decides the debates should be held before the main campaign.
12. Broadcasters decide that they will negotiate.
13. Conservative representatives fail to show up for the negotiations.
14. Conservative representatives fail to show up a second time.
15. Cameron refuses to answer Miliband at PMQs.
16. Broadcasters talk about changing the date.

This is where we are now. We still don't know if Dodgy Dave will deign to attend.

All the way through this, Miliband says he will do any debate with anyone the broadcasters choose at any time. Martini-style, Mrs.Riots.

So why, given this catalogue of craven swerving, do some commentators insist that it is Ed who is scared of Cameron/Nigel/whoever?

This country is mad.

[ohsocynical]

Captions anyone ?

Okay, which one of you farted.....

[Tubby Isaacs]

Watch all the money hit those marginals now, after the rules were changed.

We're fucked.

[citizenJA]

I live in High Peak Constituency which has been polled in Ashcroft's Marginal Poll.

Mike Smithson ‏@MSmithsonPB 1m1 minute ago

Colne Valley—1% TORY lead High Peak—1% LAB Norwich N—1% LAB Vale of Glamorgan—6% TORY

Given the make up of the High Peak Council which is Labour controlled and is almost identical to constituency really surprised the lead is just 1% but any win will be good.

All that weighting to force a Tory lead suppresses the truth in the raw data collected.

[rebeccariots2]

Ashcroft polls awful.

That doesn't look good - to say the least - Tubby. But will wait to see a bit of unpicking by other commentators before I retire to bed with a cold flannel over my eyes.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Ah, Mike Smithson now saying LAB and CON equal in seats.

Think LAB will pick up few the SNP are winning at the moment. So maybe not that bad.

[rebeccariots2]

Kate McCann ‏@KateEMcCann 5m5 minutes ago
Ashcroft snapshot shows BOTH Labour and the Tories on 272 seats in the Commons if all his predictions ring true.

[rebeccariots2]

James Chapman (Mail) ‏@jameschappers 1m1 minute ago
.@LordAshcroft polling suggests Gordon Brown's seat of Kirkcaldy to fall to SNP with jawdropping 28.5% swing. Like Tories losing Richmond

[TheGrimSqueaker]

Re. the Labour/non Labour vote question. Obviously I make no secret of my allegiances, but I am not doing this simply through blind partisanship * but with careful thought. Miliband took a party that should, in the normal run of things, have been tearing itself apart after a bruising electoral drubbing and not only kept it together, but has actually got it to the point where it is genuinely electable; to do that he had to make accommodations within his party, keeping some of the Blairites in the fold as a necessary evil, and will have to continue to do that until he is through the door of Number 10, if the electorate so will it. I'm not always comfortable with some of these accommodations and compromises, but I have grown to trust & respect Ed more and more; Ephe, I've said to you before that he may well prove to be more radical in Government than he is allowed to show at present and I still hope that - this is a man with a Marxist father who learned, quite literally, at the foot of Tony Benn.

Why hasn't Miliband made any comment about the Manchester NHS thing? Because Andy Burnham has, powerfully, and you don't employ a dog and bark yourself. Frankly Burnham is, to me, another damned good reason to vote Labour on May 7th; his passion & intelligence are obvious, he has shown an ability to learn from mistakes his own and others (I don't just mean politically, his work for the Hillsborough cause has been inspirational), has shown he won't duck a fight (Rhyming Slang is plainly terrified of him now) and has shown himself to be a man of real vision. I have, as you can expect, a particular love for the NHS at the moment and want others to be able to receive the same care I have in the future; I can see that happening under anything else than a DoH lead by Andy Burnham.

Ephe and others. I don't get Reeves and Green either, although I suspect some of it may be media distortion; it is also possible that they are simply having to work within the narrative framework set by that evil bastard Odious, which has convinced so many that anybody in a wheelchair is obviously putting it on. I fervently hope that things will change post-May but I will also to continue to fight, in my own limited way, to bring that change; I will do that through badgering the Party, through continuing to offer what little emotional support I can to you guys & others I know, and by trying to educate others to the realities of the situation.

There is a lot of rising talent in the Labour Party, not everybody in the 2010 intake was a Reeves or Umunna; we also got Owen Smith, Liz Kendall, Michael Dugher, Stella Creasey, Gloria de Piero, Dan Jarvis and Tristram Hunt; 'Hunty' may not always have been a shining star in his current brief (although I think he has done better than many give him credit for) but I'd lay good money he is behind the devolution to the regions plans, which means they are done properly not on the back of a fag packet like Gideon's Manchester bs that should, thankfully, expire naturally within weeks.

So I acknowledge that at the moment it looks like the proverbial curate's egg, but I work on the basis that we will be presented with a far more palatable dish in 64 days time.



* Something I have been accused of here, at the Other Place and elsewhere. The fact that the people making those comments are often doing so from positions so entrenched that you can barely see the tops of their heads is, to say the least, more than a little ironic.

[rebeccariots2]

Mike Smithson @MSmithsonPB · 2m 2 minutes ago
In quite a few Ashcroft LAB - CON marginals LAB in front with all giving voting intention. CON holding on greater certainty to vote

[RogerOThornhill]

Captions anyone ?

"There are even people going round saying that Theresa May could make a decent Prime Minister!"

[rearofthestore]

So Labour actually ahead before Ashcroft adjustments in many seats!

Mike Smithson ‏@MSmithsonPB 29s29 seconds ago

In quite a few Ashcroft LAB - CON marginals LAB in front with all giving voting intention. CON holding on greater certainty to vote
0 replies 0 retweets 0 favorites

Snap RR2

[LadyCentauria]

TGS: Do you mean at the foot of Tony Benn?

[rebeccariots2]

Robin Brant ‏@robindbrant 54s55 seconds ago
.@LordAshcroft says 'who don't we want elected' will be key question for some in #ge2015

[TheGrimSqueaker]

TGS: Do you mean at the foot of Tony Benn?

I do indeed, and have corrected my error, thank you. In my defence I am obviously a little under par at the moment.

Speaking of which, can I assure people that my comment about not being missed due to the rowing was only a joke, and was not meant with any malice. I have been very touched by the good wishes I have received from people here (either in public or via Twitter DM), they were all appreciated; as I suggested in my rambling diatribe above, it is important that we all pull together and support each other, and you folks have done that magnificently.

[thatchersorphan]

LABOUR WILL:
• Integrate physical health, mental health and social care
services so we can give people a personal care plan and single
point of contact for those with the greatest needs.

Hopefully that will help you.

http://b.3cdn.net/labouruk/414e1ab67632 ... 6bflfq.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I am neither sick, disabled or unemployed, that has never stopped me fighting for those less fortunate. And never will.

On the last point, so did I, when I was working, and not as disabled as now (I've always had some health issues) But those who are politically aware/informed enough to fight have always been few, look at the size of protests supporting the disabled even compared to the much cuter badgers.

The pdf doesn't really go into the details. I've been looking for a blog or article I read on an ILF user's view of it - part of it was we need something now, for the interim since ILF is going and council funds aren't ring-fenced. It also made some other points, including the massive underfunding of social care and mental health (will there be pressure to take from the physical health budget?) and yes I know labour are injecting more cash, but will other govts in future - if I come across it again I'll post it here.

I did come across some other links whilst looking that have a bit more detail on labours plan.
http://www.nhsconfed.org/health-topics/ ... -year-plan" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.hsj.co.uk/news/labour-reveal ... MivEyzR_m5" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/commis ... 47.article" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The first link is the best one.

[citizenJA]

Robin Brant ‏@robindbrant 54s55 seconds ago
.@LordAshcroft says 'who don't we want elected' will be key question for some in #ge2015

Hey, Ashcroft, I may give that result a read!

[Eric_WLothian]

Ah, Mike Smithson now saying LAB and CON equal in seats.

Think LAB will pick up few the SNP are winning at the moment. So maybe not that bad.

Can't see this helping the SNP prospects:

THE SCOTTISH Government has narrowly survived a Holyrood showdown on the so-called ‘super ID database’.

...By the virtue of simply being born your details could be accessible by Quality Meat Scotland or even the Botanic Gardens - we would not be in control of our own information,” Mr Rennie said.

...About 120 public bodies would be able to see certain data on the NHS Central Register (NHSCR), including HMRC for tax purposes. Everyone born in Scotland or registered with a GP north of the border has a Unique Citizen Reference number held in the NHSCR.

So-called Scottish Ministers obviously have little respect for the intelligence of the Scottish electorate:

Mr Swinney said the only change being made to the information on the register, which has existed since the 1950s, is the addition of individuals’ postcode.

The SNP faithful will no doubt overlook the fact that, although the data may not be changed, it will be made available to a whole new range of organisations.

[rebeccariots2]

Ah, Mike Smithson now saying LAB and CON equal in seats.

Think LAB will pick up few the SNP are winning at the moment. So maybe not that bad.

Can't see this helping the SNP prospects:

THE SCOTTISH Government has narrowly survived a Holyrood showdown on the so-called ‘super ID database’.

...By the virtue of simply being born your details could be accessible by Quality Meat Scotland or even the Botanic Gardens - we would not be in control of our own information,” Mr Rennie said.

...About 120 public bodies would be able to see certain data on the NHS Central Register (NHSCR), including HMRC for tax purposes. Everyone born in Scotland or registered with a GP north of the border has a Unique Citizen Reference number held in the NHSCR.

So-called Scottish Ministers obviously have little respect for the intelligence of the Scottish electorate:

Mr Swinney said the only change being made to the information on the register, which has existed since the 1950s, is the addition of individuals’ postcode.

The SNP faithful will no doubt overlook the fact that, although the data may not be changed, it will be made available to a whole new range of organisations.

Is there a link for this Eric?

[ephemerid]

TGS: Do you mean at the foot of Tony Benn?

I do indeed, and have corrected my error, thank you. In my defence I am obviously a little under par at the moment.

Speaking of which, can I assure people that my comment about not being missed due to the rowing was only a joke, and was not meant with any malice. I have been very touched by the good wishes I have received from people here (either in public or via Twitter DM), they were all appreciated; as I suggested in my rambling diatribe above, it is important that we all pull together and support each other, and you folks have done that magnificently.

Thanks for this and the last post, TGS.

I'll vote Labour, but unless I feel that what you hope for re. Ed being more radical if he gets into office is happening, and the party gets behind those of us who have suffered most under this vile government, I may not stay a member.

Hope your golden heart is suffused with lots of healthy blood via your nice new stents....have a hug. No. have two.

[AngryAsWell]

LABOUR WILL:
• Integrate physical health, mental health and social care
services so we can give people a personal care plan and single
point of contact for those with the greatest needs.

Hopefully that will help you.

http://b.3cdn.net/labouruk/414e1ab67632 ... 6bflfq.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I am neither sick, disabled or unemployed, that has never stopped me fighting for those less fortunate. And never will.

On the last point, so did I, when I was working, and not as disabled as now (I've always had some health issues) But those who are politically aware/informed enough to fight have always been few, look at the size of protests supporting the disabled even compared to the much cuter badgers.

The pdf doesn't really go into the details. I've been looking for a blog or article I read on an ILF user's view of it - part of it was we need something now, for the interim since ILF is going and council funds aren't ring-fenced. It also made some other points, including the massive underfunding of social care and mental health (will there be pressure to take from the physical health budget?) and yes I know labour are injecting more cash, but will other govts in future - if I come across it again I'll post it here.

I did come across some other links whilst looking that have a bit more detail on labours plan.
http://www.nhsconfed.org/health-topics/ ... -year-plan" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.hsj.co.uk/news/labour-reveal ... MivEyzR_m5" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/commis ... 47.article" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The first link is the best one.

The full 10 year plan is in our Features & Analysis section
Labour’s 10 year Health Plan
http://flythenest.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=379" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pretty much as per your first link but with a bit more details
HTH

[rebeccariots2]

Mike Smithson @MSmithsonPB · 16m 16 minutes ago
My guess is that named candidates polling in Scotland would produce less good numbers for SNP.

Why is he saying this? Does he mean Charlie Kennedy (for example) is a popular and well known MP who will sway more people to saying they will vote him back in rather than an anonymous question re voting for the Lib Dem party? And I suppose there might actually be some SNP candidates who aren't necessarily going to be the most popular / uncontroversial of people.

[Eric_WLothian]

Ah, Mike Smithson now saying LAB and CON equal in seats.

Think LAB will pick up few the SNP are winning at the moment. So maybe not that bad.

Can't see this helping the SNP prospects:

THE SCOTTISH Government has narrowly survived a Holyrood showdown on the so-called ‘super ID database’.

...By the virtue of simply being born your details could be accessible by Quality Meat Scotland or even the Botanic Gardens - we would not be in control of our own information,” Mr Rennie said.

...About 120 public bodies would be able to see certain data on the NHS Central Register (NHSCR), including HMRC for tax purposes. Everyone born in Scotland or registered with a GP north of the border has a Unique Citizen Reference number held in the NHSCR.

So-called Scottish Ministers obviously have little respect for the intelligence of the Scottish electorate:

Mr Swinney said the only change being made to the information on the register, which has existed since the 1950s, is the addition of individuals’ postcode.

The SNP faithful will no doubt overlook the fact that, although the data may not be changed, it will be made available to a whole new range of organisations.

Is there a link for this Eric?

Oops - sorry I left it out

http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/t ... -1-3708227

[AngryAsWell]

Maternity leave minister returns to help SNP avoid ID database defeat
Aileen Campbell helps the Scottish Government triumph by 64 votes to 61 in a knife-edge vote on proposals that critics claim create ID cards "by the back door".
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... efeat.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

...and
Scottish Government survives ‘super ID database’ vote
http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/t ... -1-3708227" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TechnicalEphemera]

Maternity leave minister returns to help SNP avoid ID database defeat
Aileen Campbell helps the Scottish Government triumph by 64 votes to 61 in a knife-edge vote on proposals that critics claim create ID cards "by the back door".
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... efeat.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

...and
Scottish Government survives ‘super ID database’ vote
http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/t ... -1-3708227" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Those SNP dudes are actually pretty scary when you get down to it. Nationalists with a bit of control freak thrown in. Authoritarianism is only just around the corner.

[Eric_WLothian]

Shortly to arrive in the bookshop remainders bin near you "The Dream Shall Never Die: 100 Days That Changed Scotland Forever" by Alex Salmond. (No doubt to be filed, like the white paper, under 'fiction').

http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/books ... -1-3708359

Some good alternative titles suggested btl. I particularly like "Mein Banff"