Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
PTO ????????????????
6.09 SNAP !
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DTb94aNU0AIutbL.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
6.09 SNAP !
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DTb94aNU0AIutbL.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Local Enterprise Partnerships and previous NAO work...
Central government in England has sought for many years to stimulate economic growth and rebalance it between different regions. Key to the plans for local economic growth are (Local Enterprise Partnerships) LEPs. These are business-led partnerships between the private sector and local authorities. They were established to steer growth strategically in local communities following the abolition of the Regional Development Agencies in 2010.
The government awarded £7.3 billion to LEPs through the first two rounds of Growth Deals in 2014 and 2015. In early 2017, it announced that it would award a further £1.8 billion through a third round of Growth Deals. This brought the total allocation to £9.1 billion, with the remaining £2.9 billion of the Local Growth Fund being awarded via separate funds.
...since their formation in 2010 LEPs have taken on increased responsibility for significant amounts of central government funding. We also found that:
• LEPs were not as transparent to the public as we would expect, especially given that they are now responsible for significant amounts of taxpayers’ money;
• the Department had not tested the implementation of assurance frameworks; and
• some LEPs did not fully comply with the Department’s national framework requirements, for example, at the time of the report, 16% had not published a conflict of interest policy and 42% had not published a register of interests.
The Department for Communities and Local Government (the Department) has taken a ‘light touch’ approach to working with Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) because its intention was to devolve funding decisions to local areas. The Local Enterprise Partnership National Assurance Framework (the national framework) is designed to be ‘light touch’ and the Department relies on practices and standards designed to ensure that LEPs spend their funding with regularity and propriety and that they achieve value for money.
...the framework does not set out how the accountable body and statutory officer should fulfil their roles in terms of the level of detail required. In addition, the national framework does not set out what a Section 151 officer should do if they have concerns about the way an LEP is operating, nor how they should escalate any concerns they may have.
The Department does not have the same intervention powers for LEPs as it does for local government. As LEPs are private bodies, the Department’s powers do not extend to them and so the government’s ability to respond to failure is limited. The government’s main sanction over LEPs is to put conditions on funding, or to withhold it.
Our remit under the National Audit Act 1983 (as amended) does not extend to scrutinising the activities of individual Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), but GCGP LEP has cooperated with this work.
https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploa ... ership.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General
Department for Communities and Local Government
29 NOVEMBER 2017
https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploa ... ership.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesig ... n-pictures" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The Great British seaside – in pictures
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesig ... n-pictures" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
@tc2
The Great British seaside – in pictures
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Time cover brings to mind Bonfire of the Vanities.
LET'S FACE IT I'M JUST 'KIN' SEETHIN'
Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
What do 'profit warnings' mean, please?
'we're warning you, we need more profit than this...'
'we're warning you, we need more profit than this...'
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
A quick search for "Carillion pensions" turns up this from July
Carillion under pressure to inject funds amid growing pension concerns
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/201 ... -concerns/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Carillion under pressure to inject funds amid growing pension concerns
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/201 ... -concerns/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
@cja Lower than expected/loss
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
SpinningHugo wrote:Tricky. Both are now complete disasters, but to what extent is that cuts and to what extent outsourcing?Tubby Isaacs wrote:Plus, is it right to outsource at all?howsillyofme1 wrote:Just as the 1950-70 were dogmatic nationalizing years, we are now in the 'free market delivers all' dogma - my standard view is that we are handing massive amounts of taxpayer money to private companies (many paying no tax in the UK) of foreign Governments because of this dogma
The question is do they deliver value.....ie cost and quality......not just cost
This is a bit subjective, but to me Probation and Prisons ought not to be outsourced at all.
I strongly believe in whatever works. It is true that most reformers seemed to think that every problem could be solved by creating a market, but we're not really that crude any longer
Some outsourcing (eg road building) has always worked well. It depends. Without strong evidence one way or the other, my conservative instinct is to leave things alone.
wow, a post I can agree with - apart from the 'we're really not that crude any linger' - I still think the free marketeers are in the ascendancy with this Government
Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Their website says they're doing okayCarillion, which has debts of about £1.5bn and a pension fund shortfall of almost £600m, is proposing that the banks swap their debts for majority equity stakes in the business.
But a more urgent sticking point, the Observer understands, is the need for a £300m cash injection to keep the business afloat. With the banks balking at stumping up more cash, there is speculation that the government may have to step in to guarantee Carillion’s short term future.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/20 ... -carillion" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
I don't think any debate about private outsourcing of public services in the UK would be complete without looking at water. It would be at the top of my list, way before trains (I'd put buses before trains as well) in terms of looking at to renationalise:
http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2010/09/02 ... ing-water/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2010/09/02 ... ing-water/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
With the lack of a competition element and complex financial arrangements to reduce tax/inflate payments to shareholders - privatised water seems to underperform public provision in a pretty stark and uniform manner. They charge more and invest less. I challenge anyone to find an actual benefit. Indeed, there is so little obvious benefit that only England, Chile and a few US cities have ever felt the need to privatise water.However, when the non-profit water advocacy group Food and Water Watch looked at average water rates charged by utilities in California, Illinois, Wisconsin, and New York, it found that private utilities charged consumers “significantly higher water rates” than public ones did—as much as 50 percent more.
"Fall seven times, get up eight" - Japanese proverb
Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Willow --- it's actually widespread in France and Germany for a start, thence the years' long movements to take it back into municipal/regional ownership !!Willow904 wrote:I don't think any debate about private outsourcing of public services in the UK would be complete without looking at water. It would be at the top of my list, way before trains (I'd put buses before trains as well) in terms of looking at to renationalise:
http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2010/09/02 ... ing-water/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
With the lack of a competition element and complex financial arrangements to reduce tax/inflate payments to shareholders - privatised water seems to underperform public provision in a pretty stark and uniform manner. They charge more and invest less. I challenge anyone to find an actual benefit. Indeed, there is so little obvious benefit that only England, Chile and a few US cities have ever felt the need to privatise water.However, when the non-profit water advocacy group Food and Water Watch looked at average water rates charged by utilities in California, Illinois, Wisconsin, and New York, it found that private utilities charged consumers “significantly higher water rates” than public ones did—as much as 50 percent more.
Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
With special thanks to Chris Grayling.Carillion crisis looms for government as time runs out for refinancing deal
Opposition parties demand to know why ministers such as Chris Grayling continued to hand contracts to failing contractor (Guardian)
https://www.theguardian.com/business/20 ... -carillion
Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
My wife's uncle was for decades Maire of a large town near Caen, and every year the privatising pirates worked on him to subcontract the water supply to them . And every year he'd share the champagne and other bribes with the staff !
My supply is now Veolia, and every few months I get scary letters encouraging me to pay for insurance in the event of expensive -to-repair leaks arising in the piping .on my land .
Unscrupulous swine.
My supply is now Veolia, and every few months I get scary letters encouraging me to pay for insurance in the event of expensive -to-repair leaks arising in the piping .on my land .
Unscrupulous swine.
Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
remnants of feudal power structures
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
I had Veolia in Tower Hamlets. They were very good.
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
I can't see that should be too much of a problem. 1/3 of a small section of HS2.PorFavor wrote:With special thanks to Chris Grayling.Carillion crisis looms for government as time runs out for refinancing deal
Opposition parties demand to know why ministers such as Chris Grayling continued to hand contracts to failing contractor (Guardian)
https://www.theguardian.com/business/20 ... -carillion
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
False missile alert causes panic in Hawaii. http://fxn.ws/2mAZKcS" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Theresa May mocked for suggesting Tories to thank for credit card charge ban imposed by EU
The Government obliged to adopt new rules that were devised by European Parliament and spearheaded by left-wing parties
Lizzy Buchan Political Correspondent @LizzyBuchan 31 m
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 57521.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The Government obliged to adopt new rules that were devised by European Parliament and spearheaded by left-wing parties
Lizzy Buchan Political Correspondent @LizzyBuchan 31 m
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 57521.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Although places like Germany and France outsource to private companies, they still own all the infrastructure. It's usually leased out over a set period, a bit like our rail franchises (part of why I wouldn't prioritise rail renationalisation, as the government already has quite a bit of control over how our railways are run) or run through other public-private partnerships of some kind. Thatcher actually sold all our water services off, lock, stock and barrel. Our water supply is literally owned by international investment groups. That's really not that usual.frog222 wrote:Willow --- it's actually widespread in France and Germany for a start, thence the years' long movements to take it back into municipal/regional ownership !!Willow904 wrote:I don't think any debate about private outsourcing of public services in the UK would be complete without looking at water. It would be at the top of my list, way before trains (I'd put buses before trains as well) in terms of looking at to renationalise:
http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2010/09/02 ... ing-water/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
With the lack of a competition element and complex financial arrangements to reduce tax/inflate payments to shareholders - privatised water seems to underperform public provision in a pretty stark and uniform manner. They charge more and invest less. I challenge anyone to find an actual benefit. Indeed, there is so little obvious benefit that only England, Chile and a few US cities have ever felt the need to privatise water.However, when the non-profit water advocacy group Food and Water Watch looked at average water rates charged by utilities in California, Illinois, Wisconsin, and New York, it found that private utilities charged consumers “significantly higher water rates” than public ones did—as much as 50 percent more.
Edited to add, looking back at my original comment I see I missed out a "fully", hence your confusion. I meant only England, Chile and some US cities have fully privatised water. Renationalisation of water would therefore be much more radical than renationalising rail and I personally think it's the single most important nationalisation you can do as it would effect every one (bar Scotland, which sensibly didn't privatise.)
Last edited by Willow904 on Sat 13 Jan, 2018 8:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Fall seven times, get up eight" - Japanese proverb
Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
="Willow904"]
""" It's usually leased out over a set period, """
Without wanting to spend all evening on it, the leases were very long , and it took many years and much effort to get out of them !
Although places like Germany and France outsource to private companies, they still own all the infrastructure. It's usually leased out over a set period, a bit like our rail franchises (part of why I wouldn't prioritise rail renationalisation, as the government already has quite a bit of control over how our railways are run) or run through other public-private partnerships of some kind. Thatcher actually sold all our water services off, lock, stock and barrel. Our water supply is literally owned by international investment groups. That's really not that usual.frog222 wrote:Willow --- it's actually widespread in France and Germany for a start, thence the years' long movements to take it back into municipal/regional ownership !!Willow904 wrote:I don't think any debate about private outsourcing of public services in the UK would be complete without looking at water. It would be at the top of my list, way before trains (I'd put buses before trains as well) in terms of looking at to renationalise:
http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2010/09/02 ... ing-water/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
With the lack of a competition element and complex financial arrangements to reduce tax/inflate payments to shareholders - privatised water seems to underperform public provision in a pretty stark and uniform manner. They charge more and invest less. I challenge anyone to find an actual benefit. Indeed, there is so little obvious benefit that only England, Chile and a few US cities have ever felt the need to privatise water.However, when the non-profit water advocacy group Food and Water Watch looked at average water rates charged by utilities in California, Illinois, Wisconsin, and New York, it found that private utilities charged consumers “significantly higher water rates” than public ones did—as much as 50 percent more.
""" It's usually leased out over a set period, """
Without wanting to spend all evening on it, the leases were very long , and it took many years and much effort to get out of them !
Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
'a leader in environmental solutions'Tubby Isaacs wrote:I had Veolia in Tower Hamlets. They were very good.
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
WayHey Tubby! Does that mean you are coming round to stopping HS2 ? (Tongue-in-cheek. Only kidding)Tubby Isaacs wrote:I can't see that should be too much of a problem. 1/3 of a small section of HS2.PorFavor wrote:With special thanks to Chris Grayling.Carillion crisis looms for government as time runs out for refinancing deal
Opposition parties demand to know why ministers such as Chris Grayling continued to hand contracts to failing contractor (Guardian)
https://www.theguardian.com/business/20 ... -carillion
Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Yes, sorry, didn't mean to downplay the private sector involvement elsewhere - see my above comment and edit. The point is, the contracts, however long, are at least still contracts. England will have to buy back its water infrastructure in its entirety. I'm not even sure how that's done. It's bound to be expensive. Thatcher really sold us out and I remain very angry about it, as you can probably tell!frog222 wrote:="Willow904"]Although places like Germany and France outsource to private companies, they still own all the infrastructure. It's usually leased out over a set period, a bit like our rail franchises (part of why I wouldn't prioritise rail renationalisation, as the government already has quite a bit of control over how our railways are run) or run through other public-private partnerships of some kind. Thatcher actually sold all our water services off, lock, stock and barrel. Our water supply is literally owned by international investment groups. That's really not that usual.frog222 wrote: Willow --- it's actually widespread in France and Germany for a start, thence the years' long movements to take it back into municipal/regional ownership !!
""" It's usually leased out over a set period, """
Without wanting to spend all evening on it, the leases were very long , and it took many years and much effort to get out of them !
"Fall seven times, get up eight" - Japanese proverb
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
The IndependentVerified account
@Independent
French hospital promises surgeries for NHS patients delayed by the winter crisis
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/healt ... 57446.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
@Independent
French hospital promises surgeries for NHS patients delayed by the winter crisis
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/healt ... 57446.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Brexit talks latest: EU to target UK tax haven territories as trade negotiations begin
Exclusive: European Commission official vows to 'go after' British territories
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 56201.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Exclusive: European Commission official vows to 'go after' British territories
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 56201.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
AAW -- I've heard both good and bad tales on crossing the channel for operations . But then, it's a lottery within each country too !AngryAsWell wrote:The IndependentVerified account
@Independent
French hospital promises surgeries for NHS patients delayed by the winter crisis
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/healt ... 57446.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Britain Elects
@britainelects
Westminster voting intention:
CON: 40% (+1)
LAB: 40% (-1)
LDEM: 6% (-1)
via @OpiniumResearch, fieldwork this week
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
@britainelects
Westminster voting intention:
CON: 40% (+1)
LAB: 40% (-1)
LDEM: 6% (-1)
via @OpiniumResearch, fieldwork this week
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-42676774" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Austria: Protests in Vienna over far-right in coalition
Austria: Protests in Vienna over far-right in coalition
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Jesus. These people leading us to disaster really are an incredible bunch of lightweights.AngryAsWell wrote:Theresa May mocked for suggesting Tories to thank for credit card charge ban imposed by EU
The Government obliged to adopt new rules that were devised by European Parliament and spearheaded by left-wing parties
Lizzy Buchan Political Correspondent @LizzyBuchan 31 m
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 57521.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
LET'S FACE IT I'M JUST 'KIN' SEETHIN'
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Don't worry. Hammond's going to tell them they mustn't.AngryAsWell wrote:Brexit talks latest: EU to target UK tax haven territories as trade negotiations begin
Exclusive: European Commission official vows to 'go after' British territories
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 56201.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
LET'S FACE IT I'M JUST 'KIN' SEETHIN'
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Four local council byelections this week:
Lancashire CC/Wyre DC - the first of two "double headers" saw two Tory holds in what has been a normally safe area for them, the county division had its first election on present boundaries last year and it saw a very easy Tory win with over 70% of the vote. This time round the Tories still won comfortably, but their share dropped to 60% and Labour polled over half that themselves for a swing in their favour of over 12% overall. As was the case last May, the Greens were the only other party to stand and their share of 8% was slightly down on then. The district ward, which has returned three Tories at every election from 1999 onwards, saw a closer result as the Tories beat Labour by just 55-45 in a straight fight - a swing of about 10% since the last contest in 2015 that was also a two party contest. Labour picked up one seat out of 3 here in the 1990s, but this is easily the closest that they have come since then.
Kent CC/Thanet DC - the second election "pair" this time also saw two Tory holds, and rather more comfortably than further north. The county division was again set up in its present form last year as a double member seat, but had been represented previously by two separate divisions that covered a very similar area - these voted Tory in 2005 and 2009 but went UKIP in 2013, which was a big pointer to them taking Thanet district two years later which they duly did. However the Tories came back to easily win the new division last May with just over half the vote, and they consolidated their grip now with a 5 point increase. Labour moved into a clear second with their own increase (but were still under 20%) whilst the LibDems also increased slightly. UKIP's fall meanwhile continued as their share halved to 8% and they were relegated to 4th, last placed Greens on 4% which was also down. As for the district ward, the Tories have not had it all their own way here in recent years - 1 of the three seats has gone Independent in every election since 2003 with them topping the poll each time since 2007 (and also winning a previous 2009 by-election) and in 2015 UKIP snatched another Tory seat to leave things 1Ind/1C/1UKIP. UKIP did not even stand this time, however, and in their absence and also that of the leading Independent's clear personal vote the Tories too advantage to increase their vote by 20% and win comfortably with almost half the total poll. LibDems stood for only the second time here this millennium - the previous occasion was in 2009 - and they improved significantly on that to come second with a quarter of the vote. Labour third with a clear increase, leapfrogging the Greens who lost almost two thirds of their vote three years ago. The Independent standing this time had been (by some distance) the less successful then, and they dropped further to 4% and last now.
Four contests again next week.
Lancashire CC/Wyre DC - the first of two "double headers" saw two Tory holds in what has been a normally safe area for them, the county division had its first election on present boundaries last year and it saw a very easy Tory win with over 70% of the vote. This time round the Tories still won comfortably, but their share dropped to 60% and Labour polled over half that themselves for a swing in their favour of over 12% overall. As was the case last May, the Greens were the only other party to stand and their share of 8% was slightly down on then. The district ward, which has returned three Tories at every election from 1999 onwards, saw a closer result as the Tories beat Labour by just 55-45 in a straight fight - a swing of about 10% since the last contest in 2015 that was also a two party contest. Labour picked up one seat out of 3 here in the 1990s, but this is easily the closest that they have come since then.
Kent CC/Thanet DC - the second election "pair" this time also saw two Tory holds, and rather more comfortably than further north. The county division was again set up in its present form last year as a double member seat, but had been represented previously by two separate divisions that covered a very similar area - these voted Tory in 2005 and 2009 but went UKIP in 2013, which was a big pointer to them taking Thanet district two years later which they duly did. However the Tories came back to easily win the new division last May with just over half the vote, and they consolidated their grip now with a 5 point increase. Labour moved into a clear second with their own increase (but were still under 20%) whilst the LibDems also increased slightly. UKIP's fall meanwhile continued as their share halved to 8% and they were relegated to 4th, last placed Greens on 4% which was also down. As for the district ward, the Tories have not had it all their own way here in recent years - 1 of the three seats has gone Independent in every election since 2003 with them topping the poll each time since 2007 (and also winning a previous 2009 by-election) and in 2015 UKIP snatched another Tory seat to leave things 1Ind/1C/1UKIP. UKIP did not even stand this time, however, and in their absence and also that of the leading Independent's clear personal vote the Tories too advantage to increase their vote by 20% and win comfortably with almost half the total poll. LibDems stood for only the second time here this millennium - the previous occasion was in 2009 - and they improved significantly on that to come second with a quarter of the vote. Labour third with a clear increase, leapfrogging the Greens who lost almost two thirds of their vote three years ago. The Independent standing this time had been (by some distance) the less successful then, and they dropped further to 4% and last now.
Four contests again next week.
"IS TONTY BLAIR BEHIND THIS???!!!!111???!!!"
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
I'm sure our hospitals are a lottery as well at the moment.frog222 wrote:AAW -- I've heard both good and bad tales on crossing the channel for operations . But then, it's a lottery within each country too !AngryAsWell wrote:The IndependentVerified account
@Independent
French hospital promises surgeries for NHS patients delayed by the winter crisis
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/healt ... 57446.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I just think that given the atmosphere between UK and EU countries right now that it's a lovely, friendly gesture from the French.
Unless they are being sarcastic.
Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
More sterling work AK.
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Thank youAnatolyKasparov wrote:Four local council byelections this week:
Lancashire CC/Wyre DC - the first of two "double headers" saw two Tory holds in what has been a normally safe area for them, the county division had its first election on present boundaries last year and it saw a very easy Tory win with over 70% of the vote. This time round the Tories still won comfortably, but their share dropped to 60% and Labour polled over half that themselves for a swing in their favour of over 12% overall. As was the case last May, the Greens were the only other party to stand and their share of 8% was slightly down on then. The district ward, which has returned three Tories at every election from 1999 onwards, saw a closer result as the Tories beat Labour by just 55-45 in a straight fight - a swing of about 10% since the last contest in 2015 that was also a two party contest. Labour picked up one seat out of 3 here in the 1990s, but this is easily the closest that they have come since then.
Kent CC/Thanet DC - the second election "pair" this time also saw two Tory holds, and rather more comfortably than further north. The county division was again set up in its present form last year as a double member seat, but had been represented previously by two separate divisions that covered a very similar area - these voted Tory in 2005 and 2009 but went UKIP in 2013, which was a big pointer to them taking Thanet district two years later which they duly did. However the Tories came back to easily win the new division last May with just over half the vote, and they consolidated their grip now with a 5 point increase. Labour moved into a clear second with their own increase (but were still under 20%) whilst the LibDems also increased slightly. UKIP's fall meanwhile continued as their share halved to 8% and they were relegated to 4th, last placed Greens on 4% which was also down. As for the district ward, the Tories have not had it all their own way here in recent years - 1 of the three seats has gone Independent in every election since 2003 with them topping the poll each time since 2007 (and also winning a previous 2009 by-election) and in 2015 UKIP snatched another Tory seat to leave things 1Ind/1C/1UKIP. UKIP did not even stand this time, however, and in their absence and also that of the leading Independent's clear personal vote the Tories too advantage to increase their vote by 20% and win comfortably with almost half the total poll. LibDems stood for only the second time here this millennium - the previous occasion was in 2009 - and they improved significantly on that to come second with a quarter of the vote. Labour third with a clear increase, leapfrogging the Greens who lost almost two thirds of their vote three years ago. The Independent standing this time had been (by some distance) the less successful then, and they dropped further to 4% and last now.
Four contests again next week.
Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Pssst "" Meanwhile EU states including Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, Portugal and Greece are all countries with a higher than global average exposure to citizens and firms stashing wealth offshore."""tinyclanger2 wrote:Don't worry. Hammond's going to tell them they mustn't.AngryAsWell wrote:Brexit talks latest: EU to target UK tax haven territories as trade negotiations begin
Exclusive: European Commission official vows to 'go after' British territories
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 56201.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Please note the absence of LUX and NL ... very hypocritical ! ( to a lesser extent Malta, Gibraltar Cyprus and other s-holes for Organised Crime .)
Of course the principle of attacking tax havens is absolutely right, and very necessary .
Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
AAW 9.43 -- "" I'm sure our hospitals are a lottery as well at the moment.
I just think that given the atmosphere between UK and EU countries right now that it's a lovely, friendly gesture from the French.
Unless they are being sarcastic ""
Nope, it's just bizness ! We definitely have more capacity than you in most specialities , so it makes sense .
I just think that given the atmosphere between UK and EU countries right now that it's a lovely, friendly gesture from the French.
Unless they are being sarcastic ""
Nope, it's just bizness ! We definitely have more capacity than you in most specialities , so it makes sense .
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Tides Of History
@labour_history
#OTD 1893. The Independent @UKLabour party forms, after 120 delegates meet at the Labour Institute in Bradford.
By creating a national political party, the group aim to represent working class people and build a socialist society.
Keir Hardie is elected as chairman.
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
@labour_history
#OTD 1893. The Independent @UKLabour party forms, after 120 delegates meet at the Labour Institute in Bradford.
By creating a national political party, the group aim to represent working class people and build a socialist society.
Keir Hardie is elected as chairman.
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
https://www.theguardian.com/law/2018/ja ... an-charter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"Brexit bill leaves a hole in UK human rights"
"Brexit bill leaves a hole in UK human rights"
Among others, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) , Amnesty International, Liberty, the Fawcett Society and National Aids Trust warn that the bill, which is returning to the House of Commons on 16 January, “will not protect people’s rights in the UK as the government promised”. They say: “This is in large part because the bill removes the EU charter of fundamental rights from our law.”
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Public health budget to be slashed by 5% over next two years
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/home/financ ... 39.article" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/home/financ ... 39.article" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
tinyclanger2 wrote:Don't worry. Hammond's going to tell them they mustn't.AngryAsWell wrote:Brexit talks latest: EU to target UK tax haven territories as trade negotiations begin
Exclusive: European Commission official vows to 'go after' British territories
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 56201.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Back to apostrophe Bone ....
Peter Bone: MP who warned gays would destroy marriage leaves wife for woman 20 years younger
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/01/13/pe ... content=BB" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Peter Bone: MP who warned gays would destroy marriage leaves wife for woman 20 years younger
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/01/13/pe ... content=BB" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Fwiiw, and as I've said on here before, I agree.Willow904 wrote:I don't think any debate about private outsourcing of public services in the UK would be complete without looking at water. It would be at the top of my list, way before trains (I'd put buses before trains as well) in terms of looking at to renationalise:
http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2010/09/02 ... ing-water/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
With the lack of a competition element and complex financial arrangements to reduce tax/inflate payments to shareholders - privatised water seems to underperform public provision in a pretty stark and uniform manner. They charge more and invest less. I challenge anyone to find an actual benefit. Indeed, there is so little obvious benefit that only England, Chile and a few US cities have ever felt the need to privatise water.However, when the non-profit water advocacy group Food and Water Watch looked at average water rates charged by utilities in California, Illinois, Wisconsin, and New York, it found that private utilities charged consumers “significantly higher water rates” than public ones did—as much as 50 percent more.
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Henry Bolton OBE Verified account
@_HenryBolton
‘Let's go to WAR!' Ukip leader calls on Brexiteers to FIGHT to save Brexit
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Oh dear... anyone got a Dad's Army Photo?
@_HenryBolton
‘Let's go to WAR!' Ukip leader calls on Brexiteers to FIGHT to save Brexit
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Oh dear... anyone got a Dad's Army Photo?
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Joel Benjamin
@Gian_TCatt
Here you go, cabal of UK banks including Barclays, Santander, Lloyds, RBS & HSBC now demand Government bail out Carillion [i.e. them] https://www.ft.com/content/e9f0f06c-f7b ... um=twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; … #PFI
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
@Gian_TCatt
Here you go, cabal of UK banks including Barclays, Santander, Lloyds, RBS & HSBC now demand Government bail out Carillion [i.e. them] https://www.ft.com/content/e9f0f06c-f7b ... um=twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; … #PFI
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Tory ministers in stunning U-turn as they will now back Labour bill to force landlords to make properties safe
The Government has finally decided to take action after the Sunday Mirror and Labour teamed up last week to expose the plight of millions in unsafe homes
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/t ... s-11848040" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The Government has finally decided to take action after the Sunday Mirror and Labour teamed up last week to expose the plight of millions in unsafe homes
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/t ... s-11848040" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
+AngryAsWell wrote:Henry Bolton OBE Verified account
@_HenryBolton
‘Let's go to WAR!' Ukip leader calls on Brexiteers to FIGHT to save Brexit
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Oh dear... anyone got a Dad's Army Photo?
Don't forget that Sir Lord Nigel Farridge said he was going to don Khaki , pick up his rifle , and ER do ... something !
Be Afraid of Far Right nail-bombers targeting pubs, mosques and of course synagogues .
Have I missed out any forrin menaces ?
Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
dumb Indiana Jones wannabe
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Bistro's, you missed bistro, you know, all them forrin food muck purveyorsfrog222 wrote:+AngryAsWell wrote:Henry Bolton OBE Verified account
@_HenryBolton
‘Let's go to WAR!' Ukip leader calls on Brexiteers to FIGHT to save Brexit
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Oh dear... anyone got a Dad's Army Photo?
Don't forget that Sir Lord Nigel Farridge said he was going to don Khaki , pick up his rifle , and ER do ... something !
Be Afraid of Far Right nail-bombers targeting pubs, mosques and of course synagogues .
Have I missed out any forrin menaces ?
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Re: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th January 2018
Hugo Dixon: Industry has to push for an honest Brexit
https://www.standard.co.uk/business/hug ... 37576.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.standard.co.uk/business/hug ... 37576.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;