Friday 19th June 2015

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 1:08 pm

Bloomberg confirms that the ECB has accepted Athens’ request for more emergency liquidity.

http://www.theguardian.com/business/liv ... 95c10feb59" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Of course.

LadyCentauria · Post by **LadyCentauria** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 1:13 pm

seeingclearly wrote:This made me very sad, that young lives could be played around with for such trivial reasons.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015 ... le-storage" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That is appallingly sad. Will be very interested to hear what sentences (and, 'reparations') the judge imposes. Two lives lost for some arsehole's pride. :spit:

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 1:20 pm

This rapid succession of blog posts all came within five minutes of each other:

ECB grants Greece more emergency liquidity
Journalists in Athens have also heard that Greek banks are getting extra emergency liquidity, to cover the deposits they have been losing.

http://www.theguardian.com/business/liv ... e79a3c8e48" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Efthimia Efthimiou @EfiEfthimiou
ECB sources tell @capitalgr #Greece ELA raised, there's no problem with banks funding, and they expect a positive outcome on Monday (Summit)
1:02 PM - 19 Jun 2015

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

The ECB’s decision is reassuring news for anyone heading to Greece in the days ahead, as it cuts the risk of an immediate banking crisis.
Tourists are already being advised to carry more paper money than normal.
Just in case.

My colleague Miles Brignall explains:
Andrew Brown, from Post Office Travel Money said: “Looking back to the last time that things reached a head in Greece in 2013, the short term impact was a lack of availability of cash at ATMs and a reluctance by shops and restaurants to accept credit or debit cards. With that in mind, we are advising customers travelling to Greece in the coming weeks to be prepared and ensure that they budget carefully, taking enough cash in euros to see them through their holiday.”

Holidaymakers warned to take plenty of cash to Greece

http://www.theguardian.com/business/liv ... e79a3c8e48" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 1:23 pm

ECB got a call from Big Creditors:
"You screw around with my Greek holiday by withholding & I take it out of your assets."

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 1:43 pm

"The EU should go back to its initial principals of solidarity and social justice. Ensuring strict economic measures will lead us nowhere. The so-called problem of Greece is the problem of the whole European Union."

- Alexis Tsipras
less than a half hour ago
http://www.theguardian.com/business/liv ... e79a3c8e51" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 1:47 pm

Edited upon reflection.
I think it best not to add to cattiness in this situation.
I'm more comfortable with myself having retracted a silly post.
If anyone wants to know what I wrote, I'm happy to private message it to you.
I doubt very much it's worth reading, but I did post it & it's fair I be held accountable.
It wasn't a big deal; I didn't like myself much for posting a needlessly sniping post.
Thank you.
xx
cJA

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 2:11 pm

Tsipras Says Greece's Problem Is a European Problem
1:56 PM
June 19, 2015

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras speaks about his nation's debt crisis and the future of the European Union. Tsipras, speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, also discusses the crisis in Ukraine and Greek-Russian relations. (Tsipras's remarks are translated into English. Video Courtesy St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Source: Bloomberg)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/20 ... an-problem" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I haven't watched the entire video I've linked above. I'm uncertain the length of Tsipras' original speech. The video link above is just less than nine minutes.

gilsey · Post by **gilsey** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 2:22 pm

Sometimes I can't understand Paul Mason's blog posts but this one's pretty clear.

Greek crisis: crunch time
http://blogs.channel4.com/paul-mason-bl ... -time/3882" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here’s what I think:

First, the working assumption of the Greek leadership – that Europe would drive a hard but fair bargain that allowed them to rebalance the economy without added austerity – was wrong. They told their voters they could soften austerity but stay in the Eurozone because key people in power had assured them that would happen: the US State Department, the Italian and French prime ministers, and the old Commission.

But there’s a new Commission dominated by the right, and the Italians and the French ran into a block of countries in northern and eastern Europe who – reflecting the views of their own right wing voters – refused to budge.

The “good Euro” Yanis Varoufakis thought he could create has not, so far happened.

- See more at: http://blogs.channel4.com/paul-mason-bl ... MhbAo.dpuf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Swarthlander · Post by **Swarthlander** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 2:31 pm

MPs from Ukip, Labour and the Conservatives have united to kick-start the campaign for Britain to leave the European Union.

The cross-party group of seven eurosceptic MPs, which includes former Tory Cabinet minister Owen Paterson, has been formed in order to ensure the Out campaign in the referendum is properly organised and co-ordinated....

...The group includes three veteran Labour MPs - Kate Hoey, Kelvin Hopkins and Graham Stringer,

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 31130.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good afternoon.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 2:59 pm

Rowena Mason ‏@rowenamason 1m1 minute ago
An unsacking! Ukip: "Suzanne Evans has not been sacked as a UKIP spokesman. The email seen by the BBC was issued without proper authority"

Sam Macrory ‏@sammacrory 2m2 minutes ago
Having perfected the art of the un-resignation, Ukip have moved on to un-sackings. Suzanne Evans is back after yesterday's @daily_politics

It's another loopy day at the Ukip office.

Of course Farage must lead the Out campaign. He's just so good at uniting and supporting a team.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 3:04 pm

HuffPostUK Politics ‏@HuffPostUKPol 50m50 minutes ago
EXCLUSIVE: Tom Watson: Tony Blair Was A 'Genius' And Labour Needs To Speak To Ukip Supporters http://huff.to/1H39UJn" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I haven't read it yet. Don't agree with him about the first statement ... but I do agree with the second. I presume this is his pitch for the deputy leadership. Wonder who he's hoping is elected leader?

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 3:19 pm

Ben Page, Ipsos MORI ‏@benatipsosmori 4h4 hours ago
George Osborne has soared to his highest level of popularity since 2010, among highest for any Cons chancellor http://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics ... 31462.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; …

I choose not to believe that poll - it's just too depressing.

It's like the public deciding they love Mr Jelly from Psychoville.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 3:21 pm

Two years after paywall move, The Sun to make strategy change towards free online content
http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/two-years ... ne-content" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ian Dunt retweeted
Nadia Gilani ‏@nadiagilani 5h5 hours ago
We all sort of knew The Sun paywall wasn't gonna work didn't we?http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/two-years ... ne-content …

SpinningHugo · Post by **SpinningHugo** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 3:26 pm

gilsey wrote:Sometimes I can't understand Paul Mason's blog posts but this one's pretty clear.

Greek crisis: crunch time
http://blogs.channel4.com/paul-mason-bl ... -time/3882" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Here’s what I think:

First, the working assumption of the Greek leadership – that Europe would drive a hard but fair bargain that allowed them to rebalance the economy without added austerity – was wrong. They told their voters they could soften austerity but stay in the Eurozone because key people in power had assured them that would happen: the US State Department, the Italian and French prime ministers, and the old Commission.

But there’s a new Commission dominated by the right, and the Italians and the French ran into a block of countries in northern and eastern Europe who – reflecting the views of their own right wing voters – refused to budge.

The “good Euro” Yanis Varoufakis thought he could create has not, so far happened.

- See more at: http://blogs.channel4.com/paul-mason-bl ... MhbAo.dpuf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Then as now the Germans decide.

Why anyone but an idiot would think what Mason attributes to Syriza is a mystery.

I think Greece has been treated badly, but Tsipras meeting Putin at the same time as the deadline for these negotiations are hit shows that Syriza is not a serious party.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 3:27 pm

Russia and Greece signed a deal Friday to build an extension of a prospective gas pipeline that would carry Russian gas to Europe through Turkey.
Russia promised Greece hundreds of millions of dollars in transit payments yearly if it agreed to build the pipeline.
Construction of the pipeline is expected to start next year and be completed in 2019.

Putin's spokesman said it was too early to comment on possible loans.
"To consider such a question, you first have to hear some kind of proposals or initiatives from our Greek partners," Dmitry Peskov told journalists.
"The most important things for us are investment projects and trade with Greece.
If financial support is needed, we will consider this question," he said.
"To discuss this abstractly, without having any appeals or proposals, would be shortsighted."

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras traveled to Russia as his country struggles to reach a deal with its creditors for new loans it needs to avoid defaulting on debt payments at the end of the month.
Without the bailout, Greece could be headed for bankruptcy or an exit from the euro.
Tsipras's visit has given rise to speculation that the Greeks may be seeking Russian loans.
He meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin later Friday.

All in a single, short article linked below.
The last quote led the story.
A twisted, inflammatory piece.
It's no wonder people wander around with half-truths & no truths in their head.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_ar ... 015_551252" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 3:43 pm

SpinningHugo wrote:
gilsey wrote:Sometimes I can't understand Paul Mason's blog posts but this one's pretty clear.

Greek crisis: crunch time
http://blogs.channel4.com/paul-mason-bl ... -time/3882" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Here’s what I think:

First, the working assumption of the Greek leadership – that Europe would drive a hard but fair bargain that allowed them to rebalance the economy without added austerity – was wrong. They told their voters they could soften austerity but stay in the Eurozone because key people in power had assured them that would happen: the US State Department, the Italian and French prime ministers, and the old Commission.

But there’s a new Commission dominated by the right, and the Italians and the French ran into a block of countries in northern and eastern Europe who – reflecting the views of their own right wing voters – refused to budge.

The “good Euro” Yanis Varoufakis thought he could create has not, so far happened.

- See more at: http://blogs.channel4.com/paul-mason-bl ... MhbAo.dpuf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Then as now the Germans decide.

Why anyone but an idiot would think what Mason attributes to Syriza is a mystery.

I think Greece has been treated badly, but Tsipras meeting Putin at the same time as the deadline for these negotiations are hit shows that Syriza is not a serious party.

OMG, Syriza is totally serious.
It's an annual gig - everyone was soooo looking forward to it.

ST. PETERSBURG INTERNATIONAL
ECONOMIC FORUM
JUNE 18–20, 2015

http://rbth.co.uk/spief_2015" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Even Tony Blair showed up!
You love Tony Blair.

Tony Blair urges the Russian government to reform public sector governance
June 19, 2015 Alexei Lossan, RBTH

Okay, I grant you it's a risqué conference to make an appearance.

15:55 June 19, 2015
EU extends Russia sanctions until June 23, 2016

But Russia & Greece agreed to build a pipeline together, according to another publication I've linked here today.
Please check if it's correct though because so much info is floating around, checking sources has never been more pertinent than now.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 3:52 pm

@SpinningHugo
In all seriousness, I don't agree with you.
Attending this event doesn't undermine Syriza's integrity.

http://flythenest.org/viewtopic.php?p=57491#p57491" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 3:58 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
HuffPostUK Politics ‏@HuffPostUKPol 50m50 minutes ago
EXCLUSIVE: Tom Watson: Tony Blair Was A 'Genius' And Labour Needs To Speak To Ukip Supporters http://huff.to/1H39UJn" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I haven't read it yet. Don't agree with him about the first statement ... but I do agree with the second. I presume this is his pitch for the deputy leadership. Wonder who he's hoping is elected leader?

The only reason I look on Tom Watson kindly is he's not afraid of Murdoch. It'll get right up Murdochs nose if he gets deputy...

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 4:11 pm

http://touchstoneblog.org.uk/2015/06/pu ... um=twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Public sector net debt reaches £1½ trillion, nearly £200bn more than planned, and stuck for years at over 75% of GDP

he (Osborne)was horrified that under the plans of the previous Labour government debt was set to peak as high as 74.4% of GDP in 2014-15. His plan was set to have debt peaking lower and sooner, at 70.3% of GDP in 2013-14 and then beginning to improve.

But instead debt has been above the Labour peak in every year starting with 2012-13, and is expected to remain so even until 2018-19 when it will be 74.8%.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 4:37 pm

HindleA wrote:http://www.theguardian.com/social-care- ... are_btn_tw

Profession in shock as the College of Social Work forced to close

In a strategic review with the Department for Education (DfE) and the Department for Health, the college made the case for taking on responsibility for other key functions, such as post-qualifying training, in line with the responsibilities of other professional bodies. The government rejected these proposals, and awarded the accreditation of the new approved child and family practitioner role to KPMG and Morning Lane Associates instead.

I'd missed this posting earlier.
Outrageous.
I'm dismayed.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 4:49 pm

Two local council byelections yesterday:

Christchurch DC - another vacancy held over from last month saw an easy Tory hold of both seats in a two member ward where they defeated the sole opposition (a single Labour candidate) by over 2 to 1 in 2011. This time round their share was down as UKIP intervened and took nearly a quarter of the vote, but Labour saw their share more than halved since the last contest meaning a small pro-Tory swing overall. The real interest here though was arguably in the continued absence of the LibDems, who nearly won here in 2003 but were well beaten four years later and haven't bothered since then. This was of course the site of one of their most famous Westminster by-election wins back in 1993 but their decline since then has been pretty remorseless and they are effectively extinct locally now, with no district councillors.

Mole Valley DC - rather better for the LibDems here however, as they triumphed in a double election caused by the death of an incumbent councillor after the UKIP winner here last year had resigned - they gained that seat as well as easily holding the other one, taking just over half the vote overall. Until 2014 this ward had voted LibDem in every election since at least 2002, but UKIP pulled off one of their more surprising wins on Euro election day then - the LibDems dropping to third behind the Tories in a fairly close 3-way finish. This time round the UKIP share plummeted by nearly 20 points and they dropped to a poor third behind the Tories who improved slightly on last time but were still easily beaten (they had been a much closer second in 2010 and 2011 as well as 2014) Greens 4th and last, their 6% very little changed on a year ago - Labour sat this one out after normally taking the wooden spoon spot in recent years.

Two contests again next week, including the last of the deferred elections from 7 May.

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 4:55 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
Two years after paywall move, The Sun to make strategy change towards free online content
http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/two-years ... ne-content" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ian Dunt retweeted
Nadia Gilani ‏@nadiagilani 5h5 hours ago
We all sort of knew The Sun paywall wasn't gonna work didn't we?http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/two-years ... ne-content …

I'd prefer the Times one to come down.

That is at least effective unlike the risible attempt at one that the Telegraph have which can be broken using Chrome Incognito.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 5:31 pm

ohsocynical wrote:
rebeccariots2 wrote:
HuffPostUK Politics ‏@HuffPostUKPol 50m50 minutes ago
EXCLUSIVE: Tom Watson: Tony Blair Was A 'Genius' And Labour Needs To Speak To Ukip Supporters http://huff.to/1H39UJn" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I haven't read it yet. Don't agree with him about the first statement ... but I do agree with the second. I presume this is his pitch for the deputy leadership. Wonder who he's hoping is elected leader?
The only reason I look on Tom Watson kindly is he's not afraid of Murdoch. It'll get right up Murdochs nose if he gets deputy...

That's pretty much my litmus test too, Ohso.

gilsey · Post by **gilsey** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 5:34 pm

HindleA wrote:http://touchstoneblog.org.uk/2015/06/pu ... um=twitter

Public sector net debt reaches £1½ trillion, nearly £200bn more than planned, and stuck for years at over 75% of GDP

he (Osborne)was horrified that under the plans of the previous Labour government debt was set to peak as high as 74.4% of GDP in 2014-15. His plan was set to have debt peaking lower and sooner, at 70.3% of GDP in 2013-14 and then beginning to improve.

But instead debt has been above the Labour peak in every year starting with 2012-13, and is expected to remain so even until 2018-19 when it will be 74.8%.

Goes well with this, doesn't it.

Quote:
Ben Page, Ipsos MORI ‏@benatipsosmori 4h4 hours ago
George Osborne has soared to his highest level of popularity since 2010, among highest for any Cons chancellor http://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... 31462.html …

Who was it who said that it was impossible to underestimate the intelligence of the general public?

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 6:41 pm

Sod off, BBC.

Main 6 o'clock broadcast had good old Jeremy Hunt wanting to open doctor surgeries for 7 days a week. Two areas were featured. Sleepy old rural doctor said no need. "But it's a different story in our cities". Interview with patient who had it in her area- it was good.

Hunt wanted to do this more. His "side of the bargain" would be to recruit more doctors and improve the "incentives" to become GPs.

WTF?!!

The same Hunt has banged on for years about how the current GP contract was too cushy. He's now going to make it more generous? How does that work?

Reference in passing to some areas not having many GPs at all. Not connected at all with Hunt or areas with enough for 7 day service.

Pitiful. Pitiful.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 6:54 pm

HindleA wrote:Apparently,"hard workers" who wish to seek medical intervention all work office hours and are desperate to access this on their weekends off.Must be true Twunt says so.

Nice to see you back.

This story on the 6 o'clock news irritated me deeply, see above. No explanation of who you'd see at weekends, assuming your GP was working Mon-Fri. Or indeed whether areas with a shortage of doctors would prefer an extra "Mon-Fri" GP who they could get to know properly.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 7:14 pm

Nice bit of symbolism here. Nuneaton, of those Con held Midlands marginals, now looking at massive further education cuts.

http://www.nuneaton-news.co.uk/Cuts-for ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Awful news for the area though. It's only the symbolism I'm liking. Perhaps the academy chain making the cuts (it's not their fault, FE has been slashed) kept it quiet till after the election?

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 7:14 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:
HindleA wrote:Apparently,"hard workers" who wish to seek medical intervention all work office hours and are desperate to access this on their weekends off.Must be true Twunt says so.
Nice to see you back.

This story on the 6 o'clock news irritated me deeply, see above. No explanation of who you'd see at weekends, assuming your GP was working Mon-Fri. Or indeed whether areas with a shortage of doctors would prefer an extra "Mon-Fri" GP who they could get to know properly.

Yes, the "GP open 7 days a week" and "expect to see your own GP" rules - how does that work again?

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 7:20 pm

Nicky Morgan in nationalization shock!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-33198707" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ofsted is ditching 1,200 school and college inspectors after assessing them as not good enough to judge schools.

The move by England's education inspectorate is part of its plan to improve quality and consistency, and bring inspections in-house.

Ofsted had been using about 3,000 additional inspectors, contracted through inspection service providers.

Sensible in itself. But you might wonder whether it was wise to give these inspectors such power over the destiny of schools in the first place.

Mike "The Sheriff" Wilshaw ought to be sacked over this revelation.

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 7:25 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:Nicky Morgan in nationalization shock!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-33198707" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ofsted is ditching 1,200 school and college inspectors after assessing them as not good enough to judge schools.

The move by England's education inspectorate is part of its plan to improve quality and consistency, and bring inspections in-house.

Ofsted had been using about 3,000 additional inspectors, contracted through inspection service providers.
Sensible in itself. But you might wonder whether it was wise to give these inspectors such power over the destiny of schools in the first place.

Mike "The Sheriff" Wilshaw ought to be sacked over this revelation.

This was trailed a while back - to be fair to Wilshaw I think the idea about using private sector companies goes back to pre-2010.

Good to see them admit that outsourcing doesn't work though. I remember thinking at the time "may this be the first of many"

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 7:25 pm

RogerOThornhill wrote:
Tubby Isaacs wrote:
HindleA wrote:Apparently,"hard workers" who wish to seek medical intervention all work office hours and are desperate to access this on their weekends off.Must be true Twunt says so.
Nice to see you back.

This story on the 6 o'clock news irritated me deeply, see above. No explanation of who you'd see at weekends, assuming your GP was working Mon-Fri. Or indeed whether areas with a shortage of doctors would prefer an extra "Mon-Fri" GP who they could get to know properly.
Yes, the "GP open 7 days a week" and "expect to see your own GP" rules - how does that work again?

Hunt's new "incentives", perhaps.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 7:54 pm

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/20 ... und-corner" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"I'll be a prisoner in my own home" - the cruellest cut of all is just around the corner
The Independent Living Fund has transformed the lives of the disabled people who use it. But now it's under threat.

http://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/co ... overnment/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Councils apologise over ILF delays and confusion, but blame government

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 8:09 pm

Goodnight, everyone.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 8:12 pm

Goodnight.PorFavor

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 8:14 pm

@TubbyIsaacs

Rarely watch the BBC news these days,happened to today.As you say pitiful.

Edited to correct spelling mistake,even though I had just read the word in question.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 8:17 pm

Adam Boulton retweeted
Chris Howard ‏@howardcj 36m36 minutes ago
Martin Luther King III to @adamboultonSKY: "I do not believe in the death penalty, even for this heinous crime" #CharlestonShooting

Robert Hutton retweeted
Helen Lewis ‏@helenlewis 40m40 minutes ago
Helen Lewis retweeted Sky News Tonight
This is absolutely astonishing. Victim's daughter tells the Charleston shooter she forgives him at bail hearing.

What wonderful people.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 8:32 pm

PorFavor wrote:Goodnight, everyone.

Goodnight, PorFavor

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 9:23 pm

HindleA wrote:@TubbyIsaacs

Rarely watch the BBC news these days,happened to today.As you say pitiful.

I'm in the same boat. Dreadful. Though I gather coverage of the Welsh NHS is rather different...

Mark Drakeford would be being asked whether he was withholding cancer drugs just for a laugh.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 9:24 pm

Andy Burnham MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding to NHS England figures showing hospital A&Es have missed the A&E target for 100 consecutive weeks, said:

“There could be no clearer sign of the Tories’ failure on the NHS than the fact that hospital A&Es have now missed the Government’s own four-hour waiting-time target for 100 weeks in a row. David Cameron promised he wouldn’t return to the days when people waited for hours on end to be seen in A&E, and this latest data confirms he has broken that promise. The Tories caused this A&E crisis by making it harder to see a GP and stripping back social care services – damaging mistakes that have seen the numbers going into hospital soar and left A&Es overwhelmed. Rather than re-announcing GP policies to try to distract from their failure on A&E, David Cameron and Jeremy Hunt should be working to get standards back on track.”

http://press.labour.org.uk/post/1219098 ... et-for-100" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I've neglected checking & reading LabourPress for awhile.
I find out Labour really are trying to communicate.
I'm not likely to find anything out from news headlines though.
The deficit crap splattered on the G's headlines regarding Chancellor Jeff is enough to make me sick.
You lying bastard Tories & the press adoring them - peoples' lives at stake.
The ideologically driven idiot without a day's work behind him...
I'm weary.
The debt info is correct below - Labour.
Where are the headlines about Chancellor Jeff's debt levels in mainstream media?
Nowhere.

Chris Leslie, Labour’s shadow Chancellor, responding to today’s update on the public sector finances, said:

"George Osborne can’t sweep today’s £1.5 trillion landmark of national debt under the carpet in the hope people will forget his broken promise on the deficit. The reason borrowing continues to add to our national debt is a failure to create a more productive economy, with higher living standards and better wages to generate more buoyant revenues."

http://press.labour.org.uk/post/1219114 ... 5-trillion" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 9:32 pm

RogerOThornhill wrote:
Tubby Isaacs wrote:Nicky Morgan in nationalization shock!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-33198707" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ofsted is ditching 1,200 school and college inspectors after assessing them as not good enough to judge schools.

The move by England's education inspectorate is part of its plan to improve quality and consistency, and bring inspections in-house.

Ofsted had been using about 3,000 additional inspectors, contracted through inspection service providers.
Sensible in itself. But you might wonder whether it was wise to give these inspectors such power over the destiny of schools in the first place.

Mike "The Sheriff" Wilshaw ought to be sacked over this revelation.
This was trailed a while back - to be fair to Wilshaw I think the idea about using private sector companies goes back to pre-2010.

Good to see them admit that outsourcing doesn't work though. I remember thinking at the time "may this be the first of many"

Do you know much about these external inspectors? There have been some awful conflicts of interest reported, but was there perhaps a sound(ish) idea there of using people also involved, boot on the other foot, as school leaders as well as inspectors? Are they really going to get a crack team of people working just for Ofsted?

Wilshaw constantly upped the stakes with Ofsted. If you're doing that, you surely make sure standards are reasonably consistent. He's now discarding 40% of his inspectors as not being up to the job. These people have finished careers in the past 5 years.

Do you see a privatisation of Ofsted's admin coming?

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 9:43 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:
Do you know much about these external inspectors? There have been some awful conflicts of interest reported, but was there perhaps a sound(ish) idea there of using people also involved, boot on the other foot, as school leaders as well as inspectors? Are they really going to get a crack team of people working just for Ofsted?

Wilshaw constantly upped the stakes with Ofsted. If you're doing that, you surely make sure standards are reasonably consistent. He's now discarding 40% of his inspectors as not being up to the job. These people have finished careers in the past 5 years.

Do you see a privatisation of Ofsted's admin coming?

I think it's only 40% of the inspectors currently working for outside companies that have applied to now work directly for Ofsted that they've rejected.

The issue of where does it leave inspections in the past has been mentioned elsewhere - think the fact that they're all reviewed at Ofsted HO might save them from schools appealing against judgements.

From a well-known critic of Ofsted.

Andrew Old ‏@oldandrewuk 15h15 hours ago
About time:
https://www.tes.co.uk/news/school-news/ ... inspectors" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; … It's a disgrace that private companies were involved. And how much unaccountable power AIs had.

Puts Quaestor in a bit of fix - always wanted HMIs back...but getting rid of outsourcing must offend his inner Tory.

danesclose · Post by **danesclose** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 9:45 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
Adam Boulton retweeted
Chris Howard ‏@howardcj 36m36 minutes ago
Martin Luther King III to @adamboultonSKY: "I do not believe in the death penalty, even for this heinous crime" #CharlestonShooting

Robert Hutton retweeted
Helen Lewis ‏@helenlewis 40m40 minutes ago
Helen Lewis retweeted Sky News Tonight
This is absolutely astonishing. Victim's daughter tells the Charleston shooter she forgives him at bail hearing.
What wonderful people.

They would say that they are being Christian - love the sinner, hate the sin

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 10:02 pm

Coherent organisation of DWP data is non-existent.
Honestly, I didn't go looking for trouble.

Statistics
Official statistics are produced impartially and free from political influence.
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I would have thought official statistics are impartial & without 'political influence' by the very definition I was taught about statistical research.
Having floundered around on the UKgov website trying to find data on IDS' handiwork, I realised the data provided is largely 'experimental'.
Many data sets are from years ago.
It's difficult to navigate.
And the webpages have no end of joyful news about everyone in work.
'Real wage growth highest in 7 years'
Right.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/real ... in-7-years" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.gov.uk/government/collectio ... statistics" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.gov.uk/government/collectio ... sal-credit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.gov.uk/government/collectio ... sal-credit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 10:07 pm

RogerOThornhill wrote:
Tubby Isaacs wrote:
Do you know much about these external inspectors? There have been some awful conflicts of interest reported, but was there perhaps a sound(ish) idea there of using people also involved, boot on the other foot, as school leaders as well as inspectors? Are they really going to get a crack team of people working just for Ofsted?

Wilshaw constantly upped the stakes with Ofsted. If you're doing that, you surely make sure standards are reasonably consistent. He's now discarding 40% of his inspectors as not being up to the job. These people have finished careers in the past 5 years.

Do you see a privatisation of Ofsted's admin coming?
I think it's only 40% of the inspectors currently working for outside companies that have applied to now work directly for Ofsted that they've rejected.

The issue of where does it leave inspections in the past has been mentioned elsewhere - think the fact that they're all reviewed at Ofsted HO might save them from schools appealing against judgements.

From a well-known critic of Ofsted.

Andrew Old ‏@oldandrewuk 15h15 hours ago
About time:
https://www.tes.co.uk/news/school-news/ ... inspectors" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; … It's a disgrace that private companies were involved. And how much unaccountable power AIs had.

Puts Quaestor in a bit of fix - always wanted HMIs back...but getting rid of outsourcing must offend his inner Tory.

Is'Ofsted: good and outstanding schools at record high' dated 16 June 2015 still true?
Or will new inspections be required?

https://www.tes.co.uk/news/school-news/ ... ecord-high" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 10:10 pm

RogerOThornhill wrote:
Tubby Isaacs wrote:
Do you know much about these external inspectors? There have been some awful conflicts of interest reported, but was there perhaps a sound(ish) idea there of using people also involved, boot on the other foot, as school leaders as well as inspectors? Are they really going to get a crack team of people working just for Ofsted?

Wilshaw constantly upped the stakes with Ofsted. If you're doing that, you surely make sure standards are reasonably consistent. He's now discarding 40% of his inspectors as not being up to the job. These people have finished careers in the past 5 years.

Do you see a privatisation of Ofsted's admin coming?
I think it's only 40% of the inspectors currently working for outside companies that have applied to now work directly for Ofsted that they've rejected.

The issue of where does it leave inspections in the past has been mentioned elsewhere - think the fact that they're all reviewed at Ofsted HO might save them from schools appealing against judgements.

From a well-known critic of Ofsted.

Andrew Old ‏@oldandrewuk 15h15 hours ago
About time:
https://www.tes.co.uk/news/school-news/ ... inspectors" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; … It's a disgrace that private companies were involved. And how much unaccountable power AIs had.

Puts Quaestor in a bit of fix - always wanted HMIs back...but getting rid of outsourcing must offend his inner Tory.

I wonder if the slow publication of many reports was down to HQ being worried about the competence of inspectors. It's a sensible control, but there must have been many flawed inspections that have slipped through and all but ended careers.

Marklu is on good form.

I note Wilshaw doesn't seem to be making too much of the rather surprising news that 40% of these outside people have (in effect) failed the application for their old jobs. He's off at a conference, complaining about the BBC making teaching look more chaotic than it is in programmes like Tough Young Teachers. Too cowardly to criticize Gove.

Wilshaw is like some ambitious, jumped up head. Forget the day job, I'm off at a conference.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 10:15 pm

citizenJA wrote:
will new inspections be required?

https://www.tes.co.uk/news/school-news/ ... ecord-high" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ha ha.

If Labour were in charge, it would be an issue...

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 10:15 pm

Lord Ashdown: progressive parties in Britain should work together
Former Lib Dem leader says political centre and left should cooperate to counter threat to UK’s social cohesion, national unity and place in Europe
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... k-together" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 10:17 pm

@CitizenJA

The tabulation tool.

http://tabulation-tool.dwp.gov.uk/100pc/tabtool.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and Stat-Explore
https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 10:19 pm

Jeremy Hunt denies coalition created shortage of GPs

He will also commit to ensuing that general practice, which has seen its share of the NHS £110bn budget fall to just 8.3%, receives more money, but only if GPs change the way they work and embrace seven-day patient access.

However, family doctors’ leaders have criticised the plans as containing too much rhetoric and not enough action to relieve the growing strains on their surgeries. “To address this crisis in GP recruitment and retention, and to re-establish general practice as a profession that is rewarding and appealing, we stand ready to work with the government to move beyond fine rhetoric and bring forward practical solutions that give GPs the time and tools they need to stabilise general practice. We need action now, not just aspiration for the future,” said Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chair of the British Medical Association’s GPs committee.

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015 ... -workloads" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Jeremy Hunt denies coalition created shortage of GPs

Junt, you're shrill & defensive.
Offering cash incentives?
Demanding GPs 'change the way they work'?
Say what, now?

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Fri 19 Jun, 2015 10:20 pm

HindleA wrote:@CitizenJA

The tabulation tool.

http://tabulation-tool.dwp.gov.uk/100pc/tabtool.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Oh, wow.
It's a whole new world, HindleA!
Thank you.