Not so much Stalin as Mr Bean: Gordon Brown is made to play the fool in stage farce
"The House is punch drunk after a solid ten days of crisis non-management. There are almost too many to keep track of and the Labour-donor sleaze scandal is so complicated that it makes a bowl of spaghetti look straightforward. "
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article2963664.ece
Thursday, 29 November 2007
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
Value of PFI deals 'is uncertain'
Does any of this sound familiar?
The government's private finance initiative has not offered the taxpayer value for money, according to a committee of MPs.
In a report published on Tuesday, the Commons public accounts committee said public authorities often failed to secure a good deal on contracts with private firms.
There are some 800 PFI contracts worth £155bn up to 2032, but the MPs said that the managing of some projects had "got worse" since it last reported on the issue four years ago.
Committee chairman Edward Leigh said he was "very concerned" that public authorities were cutting essential services "to keep the PFI contracts affordable".
"If the public sector is to get value for money from the deals, then the market must be truly competitive," he added.
"What we find instead is that a third of recent projects attracted only two viable bids. This may well become an even bigger problem than it is at present."
With an average three-year tendering period, Leigh said the "costs of making a bid are driven up", resulting in schemes being delayed and the market interest weakened.
He warned that a lack of "PFI expertise among the public sector procurement teams is resulting in poor negotiating with bidders who often have the whip hand".
"The public sector must not be placed in this vulnerable position," Leigh said.
"PFI deals were supposed to give us certainty about the long-term costs of providing public services. The reality is different."
The government's private finance initiative has not offered the taxpayer value for money, according to a committee of MPs.
In a report published on Tuesday, the Commons public accounts committee said public authorities often failed to secure a good deal on contracts with private firms.
There are some 800 PFI contracts worth £155bn up to 2032, but the MPs said that the managing of some projects had "got worse" since it last reported on the issue four years ago.
Committee chairman Edward Leigh said he was "very concerned" that public authorities were cutting essential services "to keep the PFI contracts affordable".
"If the public sector is to get value for money from the deals, then the market must be truly competitive," he added.
"What we find instead is that a third of recent projects attracted only two viable bids. This may well become an even bigger problem than it is at present."
With an average three-year tendering period, Leigh said the "costs of making a bid are driven up", resulting in schemes being delayed and the market interest weakened.
He warned that a lack of "PFI expertise among the public sector procurement teams is resulting in poor negotiating with bidders who often have the whip hand".
"The public sector must not be placed in this vulnerable position," Leigh said.
"PFI deals were supposed to give us certainty about the long-term costs of providing public services. The reality is different."
Sell off Victorian jails built on prime land.
The Sunday Times has reported that Nick Nerbert, the conservative shadow justice secretary is expected to disclose conservative proposals to sell off victorian prisons currently residing on prime inner city land. The report suggests that £350m could be netted to help pay for modern more specialist prisons.
In his speach Nick Herbert says
"Policy Exchange's research has shown that there is huge potential for remodelling the current prison estate and selling off some of the oldest Victorian prisons in inner city, high value locations, either building on a new site or rebuilding on the same site (with a smaller footprint) a modern prison that is cheaper to maintain."
I realise that Maidstone Prison is 'listed' but this policy has, to use the new vernacular 'legs' for Maidstone. While we must wait for the details, one can not but think that this might suit Maidstone very nicely. Afterall Maidstone Prison occupies a huge site and can hardly be the best use for this prime land.
In his speach Nick Herbert says
"Policy Exchange's research has shown that there is huge potential for remodelling the current prison estate and selling off some of the oldest Victorian prisons in inner city, high value locations, either building on a new site or rebuilding on the same site (with a smaller footprint) a modern prison that is cheaper to maintain."
I realise that Maidstone Prison is 'listed' but this policy has, to use the new vernacular 'legs' for Maidstone. While we must wait for the details, one can not but think that this might suit Maidstone very nicely. Afterall Maidstone Prison occupies a huge site and can hardly be the best use for this prime land.
Monday, 26 November 2007
Lib Dems hit by MEP defection to Conservatives
Sajjad Karim, who represents the North West Region, said of the Lib Dems “I’m afraid that the Liberal Democrats have lost their way and are no longer a serious force in politics.”
Labour Party boss quits over donations cover up
The BBC reports today further party donation irregularities,
Labour general secretary Peter Watt has resigned following the revelation that a property developer made donations to the party via two colleagues. David Abrahams gave over £400,000 through associates.
Mr Watt told a meeting of officers of Labour's National Executive Committee he had known about the arrangement.
Under the law, those making donations on behalf of others must give details of who is providing the money.
He added: "I was aware of arrangements whereby David Abrahams gave gifts to business associates and a solicitor who were permissible donors and who in turn passed them on to the Labour Party.
While Mr Watt is reported to have said "Consistent with my own and the party's commitment to the highest standards in public life, it is with great sadness I have decided to resign my position as general secretary with immediate effect."
Surely common sense would have enabled him to see that passing money through associates was not consistent with high standards in public life.
Labour general secretary Peter Watt has resigned following the revelation that a property developer made donations to the party via two colleagues. David Abrahams gave over £400,000 through associates.
Mr Watt told a meeting of officers of Labour's National Executive Committee he had known about the arrangement.
Under the law, those making donations on behalf of others must give details of who is providing the money.
He added: "I was aware of arrangements whereby David Abrahams gave gifts to business associates and a solicitor who were permissible donors and who in turn passed them on to the Labour Party.
While Mr Watt is reported to have said "Consistent with my own and the party's commitment to the highest standards in public life, it is with great sadness I have decided to resign my position as general secretary with immediate effect."
Surely common sense would have enabled him to see that passing money through associates was not consistent with high standards in public life.
Sunday, 25 November 2007
6 More Discs Lost
As the police search buildings belonging to TNT as they hunt for the two missing 24m data discs, the HMRC as admitted that another 6 disks have gone missing having apparently been posted on the 24th Oct from a tax credit office in Preston to Whitehall.
These discs contained recordings of telephone conversations between a tax credit claimant and the HMRC.
This rather effectively demonstrates that the ‘two discs’ episode is not the isolated incident that Darling and Brown would prefer us to believe and the balance of probability now resides firmly in the camp of those who suggest that the security of personal data is not held high by the HMRC, (an understatement if ever there was one) this is a cultural reality rather than singular incompetence.
These discs contained recordings of telephone conversations between a tax credit claimant and the HMRC.
This rather effectively demonstrates that the ‘two discs’ episode is not the isolated incident that Darling and Brown would prefer us to believe and the balance of probability now resides firmly in the camp of those who suggest that the security of personal data is not held high by the HMRC, (an understatement if ever there was one) this is a cultural reality rather than singular incompetence.
Saturday, 24 November 2007
Tax Freedom Day 2007 is 1 June
The Tax Freedom Day calculation shows just how far into each year we spend working for the Treasury, before we earn any money for our selves.
Does it really seem right that on average we are all working a full 5 months before we earn any for our selves?
You will not be surprised to discover that Tax Freedom Day is getting later and later under Brown, it is now a full week later than just back to 2002. A whole extra week working for Brown.
As a nation have we really had value for money for this extra weeks work?
The Tax Freedom Calculation is determined by taking the Net Nation income and then calculating how much is siphoned off in the direct and numerous indirect stealth taxes.
More on this subject of how the calculations are made can be found on the Adam Smith Institute website (http://www.adamsmith.org/wrapper/)
Does it really seem right that on average we are all working a full 5 months before we earn any for our selves?
You will not be surprised to discover that Tax Freedom Day is getting later and later under Brown, it is now a full week later than just back to 2002. A whole extra week working for Brown.
As a nation have we really had value for money for this extra weeks work?
The Tax Freedom Calculation is determined by taking the Net Nation income and then calculating how much is siphoned off in the direct and numerous indirect stealth taxes.
More on this subject of how the calculations are made can be found on the Adam Smith Institute website (http://www.adamsmith.org/wrapper/)
Friday, 23 November 2007
NHS to underspends by £1.8bn
The NHS is predicting a massive £1.8bn underspend this financial year. This is 2% of the total NHS budget and comes at time when inflation is running at 4.2% (RPI inflation rose to 4.2 per cent in October 2007, www.statistics.gov.uk) and the DoH as just instructed the NHS pay review body that staff should get no more than a 2 per cent rise.
The Department of Health can justifiably be accussed of bust and boom health economics espcially since only 2 years ago the NHS was over £500m in the red.
For the area covered by the South East Coast Strategic Health Authority (SHA) this amounts to £60m.
The Department of Health can justifiably be accussed of bust and boom health economics espcially since only 2 years ago the NHS was over £500m in the red.
For the area covered by the South East Coast Strategic Health Authority (SHA) this amounts to £60m.
National Audit Office (NAO) critical of governments privatisation of the defence firm Qinetiq
While the report states that the taxpayers could have gained ‘more money’ from the deal, perhaps tens of millions more.
“The value of the shares of the top 10 managers was £107 million at the time of the flotation, from an initial investment of £537,250.” This is a cool 19,990 % return on their investment, nice work if you can get it.
“we consider that the returns in this case exceeded what was necessary to incentivise management to deliver this growth in the value of the business.”
“The value of the shares of the top 10 managers was £107 million at the time of the flotation, from an initial investment of £537,250.” This is a cool 19,990 % return on their investment, nice work if you can get it.
“we consider that the returns in this case exceeded what was necessary to incentivise management to deliver this growth in the value of the business.”
13th year in a row The EU Audtors unable to sign off accounts
Reporting back - Richard Ashworth MEP, November 2007
Court of Auditors report
Even before the European Union's Court of Auditors delivered its verdict on the EU's accounts on Monday night, it was easy to predict what its contents might be. For the thirteenth year in a row, the EU's auditors were unable to give a positive statement of assurance for the EU's 2006 accounts.
Trust in the integrity of the accounting procedures is a vital foundation stone of any democracy. If the people don't have confidence in the integrity of the governing institutions of Europe then we have all the credibility of a banana republic. I would like to explain in a little more depth why the auditors came to their decision, and some of the steps I have been working towards that will enable us to move closer to ending this annual debacle.
Firstly, there is the issue of inadequacy of internal controls and the regularity of the transactions the EU conducts. The court makes reference to administrative errors, misapplication of funding and the failure to follow correct budgetary procedures. While the auditors rarely make reference to fraud, they are absolutely right to say that inadequate fiscal discipline and controls inevitably leave the Commission vulnerable to corruption.
But the comments above are usually as far as the Court can go – because they can only comment on the transactions they can see, and that’s a mere 26 percent of them. 74 percent – the overwhelming majority – of transactions are carried out by the national governments and their agencies. For example, in the UK a large amount of EU money is spent by Defra. If you’re one of the farmers I recently met still waiting for their 2005 CAP payment, you will not be filled with confidence! The Court of Auditors is unable to scrutinise these accounts and, while that does not mean each of them are cooking the books, it does create a lack of transparency and accountability.
Cast your mind back to 2005, when EU leaders agreed to the seven year budget deal. The European Parliament threatened to block the whole budget unless the national governments promised to provide the parliament with evidence of self-certification for the transactions each member state carries out on behalf of the EU.
Frustrated with the glacial pace at which the Commission and Council of Ministers were moving on this matter, I put down a parliamentary question in September demanding to know what progress has been made. The response was far from encouraging. Reading between the lines, the earliest a system of self-certification could be up and running would be 2010 but, because the auditors work two years in arrears, that would mean 2012 would be the earliest we might see a positive declaration of assurance. That is simply not acceptable. Although the bulk of the criticism for this ongoing debacle rests with the governments, we must never forget that the buck stops with the Commission. Thirteen failures in a row is NOT acceptable, the Commission MUST attach far greater urgency to solving this problem.
Court of Auditors report
Even before the European Union's Court of Auditors delivered its verdict on the EU's accounts on Monday night, it was easy to predict what its contents might be. For the thirteenth year in a row, the EU's auditors were unable to give a positive statement of assurance for the EU's 2006 accounts.
Trust in the integrity of the accounting procedures is a vital foundation stone of any democracy. If the people don't have confidence in the integrity of the governing institutions of Europe then we have all the credibility of a banana republic. I would like to explain in a little more depth why the auditors came to their decision, and some of the steps I have been working towards that will enable us to move closer to ending this annual debacle.
Firstly, there is the issue of inadequacy of internal controls and the regularity of the transactions the EU conducts. The court makes reference to administrative errors, misapplication of funding and the failure to follow correct budgetary procedures. While the auditors rarely make reference to fraud, they are absolutely right to say that inadequate fiscal discipline and controls inevitably leave the Commission vulnerable to corruption.
But the comments above are usually as far as the Court can go – because they can only comment on the transactions they can see, and that’s a mere 26 percent of them. 74 percent – the overwhelming majority – of transactions are carried out by the national governments and their agencies. For example, in the UK a large amount of EU money is spent by Defra. If you’re one of the farmers I recently met still waiting for their 2005 CAP payment, you will not be filled with confidence! The Court of Auditors is unable to scrutinise these accounts and, while that does not mean each of them are cooking the books, it does create a lack of transparency and accountability.
Cast your mind back to 2005, when EU leaders agreed to the seven year budget deal. The European Parliament threatened to block the whole budget unless the national governments promised to provide the parliament with evidence of self-certification for the transactions each member state carries out on behalf of the EU.
Frustrated with the glacial pace at which the Commission and Council of Ministers were moving on this matter, I put down a parliamentary question in September demanding to know what progress has been made. The response was far from encouraging. Reading between the lines, the earliest a system of self-certification could be up and running would be 2010 but, because the auditors work two years in arrears, that would mean 2012 would be the earliest we might see a positive declaration of assurance. That is simply not acceptable. Although the bulk of the criticism for this ongoing debacle rests with the governments, we must never forget that the buck stops with the Commission. Thirteen failures in a row is NOT acceptable, the Commission MUST attach far greater urgency to solving this problem.
Thursday, 22 November 2007
Brown slated by five former defence chiefs in The Lords
Admiral Lord Boyce was highly critical of Brown’s decision to give the defence secretary a second job as secretary for Scotland.
"It is seen as an insult by our sailors, our soldiers and our airmen on the front line.
And I know because I have reason to speak to them a lot. And it is certainly a demonstration of the disinterest and some might say contempt that the prime minister and his government has for our armed forces.
And it shows an appalling lack of judgement at a time when our people are being killed and they are being maimed."
Another former defence chief, General Lord Guthrie, said Mr Brown had been "unsympathetic" to the military.
Lord Guthrie said: "In my experience... he [Gordon Brown] was a most unsympathetic chancellor of the exchequer as far as defence was concerned - and the only senior Cabinet minister who avoided coming to the Ministry of Defence to be briefed by our staff on our problems."
General Sir Richard Dannatt also raised the issue of the strain placed on resources by operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"It is seen as an insult by our sailors, our soldiers and our airmen on the front line.
And I know because I have reason to speak to them a lot. And it is certainly a demonstration of the disinterest and some might say contempt that the prime minister and his government has for our armed forces.
And it shows an appalling lack of judgement at a time when our people are being killed and they are being maimed."
Another former defence chief, General Lord Guthrie, said Mr Brown had been "unsympathetic" to the military.
Lord Guthrie said: "In my experience... he [Gordon Brown] was a most unsympathetic chancellor of the exchequer as far as defence was concerned - and the only senior Cabinet minister who avoided coming to the Ministry of Defence to be briefed by our staff on our problems."
General Sir Richard Dannatt also raised the issue of the strain placed on resources by operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
E-mails reveal data check warning
The BBC has revealed today that
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officials were warned to ensure CDs containing benefit details of 25 million people were delivered "as safely as possible".
One email sent by an NAO official on 2 October, 16 days before the data went missing. It said: "Please could you ensure that the CDs are delivered to NAO as safely as possible due to their content."
But another e-mail from the same day, from an HMRC official, appears to suggest officials were concerned about the cost implications of stripping sensitive data from the files.
It says: "I must stress we must make use of data we hold and not over burden the business by asking them to run additional data scans/filters that may incur a cost to the department".
Another message, dated 13 March from an NAO official, with all names blanked out, says: "I do not need the address, bank or parent details in this download - are these removable"
Shadow chancellor George Osborne said: "These emails conclusively show that senior officials at HMRC were involved in the decision to send sensitive information to the NAO, and that the NAO explicitly requested that the disks be sent 'as safely as possible due to their content'.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officials were warned to ensure CDs containing benefit details of 25 million people were delivered "as safely as possible".
One email sent by an NAO official on 2 October, 16 days before the data went missing. It said: "Please could you ensure that the CDs are delivered to NAO as safely as possible due to their content."
But another e-mail from the same day, from an HMRC official, appears to suggest officials were concerned about the cost implications of stripping sensitive data from the files.
It says: "I must stress we must make use of data we hold and not over burden the business by asking them to run additional data scans/filters that may incur a cost to the department".
Another message, dated 13 March from an NAO official, with all names blanked out, says: "I do not need the address, bank or parent details in this download - are these removable"
Shadow chancellor George Osborne said: "These emails conclusively show that senior officials at HMRC were involved in the decision to send sensitive information to the NAO, and that the NAO explicitly requested that the disks be sent 'as safely as possible due to their content'.
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
No evidence to support extension to detention without charge beyond 28 days
Sir Ken MacDonald the director of public prosecutions has told MPs that "Our experience has been that 28 days has suited us quite nicely."
He added: "Our experience so far has been that we have managed - and managed reasonably comfortably.
"Of course it's always possible to set up hypothetical situations in which it could become extremely challenging - and it's for Parliament to decide whether it wants to proceed on the basis of hypotheticals - rather than the evidence we have received so far,"
It also turns out that the Labour Ex-Attorney General Lord Goldsmith had not supported the last attempt to extend detention to 90 days in 2005 and would have voted against it in the House of Lords had it not been voted down in the House of Commons. “I didn't see any evidence during my time to indicate that longer than 28 days was necessary.”
He added: "Our experience so far has been that we have managed - and managed reasonably comfortably.
"Of course it's always possible to set up hypothetical situations in which it could become extremely challenging - and it's for Parliament to decide whether it wants to proceed on the basis of hypotheticals - rather than the evidence we have received so far,"
It also turns out that the Labour Ex-Attorney General Lord Goldsmith had not supported the last attempt to extend detention to 90 days in 2005 and would have voted against it in the House of Lords had it not been voted down in the House of Commons. “I didn't see any evidence during my time to indicate that longer than 28 days was necessary.”
Too Little Too Late
In the wake of the largest data security breach this country has known, Brown orders spot checks of all government departments.
Of course what is now needed is a change in the culture, this can only be brought about by a change in the Government.
Who in there right mind can have any confidence in this shambolic government to act on their behalf?
Of course what is now needed is a change in the culture, this can only be brought about by a change in the Government.
Who in there right mind can have any confidence in this shambolic government to act on their behalf?
Gordon Brown Fails to Protect 25m
Catastrophic Tuesday
As the full weight of the long and far reaching significance of the data protection failure becomes apparent, it only takes seconds to find who is actually to blame for this, a certain Gordon Brown. For it is he who preformed the shotgun wedding on HM Customs & Excise and Revenue in 2005. This cost-cutting exercise has now bitten back.
While all the papers ran front page today with this I think the FT summed it well.
"Mr Brown’s administration has failed in one of the first duties of government: to protect its citizens. Never mind breaches of data protection laws. Fraudsters armed with details of bank accounts, national insurance numbers, and the names of almost every child in the country could wreak identity theft havoc on an un-dreamed-of scale."
As the full weight of the long and far reaching significance of the data protection failure becomes apparent, it only takes seconds to find who is actually to blame for this, a certain Gordon Brown. For it is he who preformed the shotgun wedding on HM Customs & Excise and Revenue in 2005. This cost-cutting exercise has now bitten back.
While all the papers ran front page today with this I think the FT summed it well.
"Mr Brown’s administration has failed in one of the first duties of government: to protect its citizens. Never mind breaches of data protection laws. Fraudsters armed with details of bank accounts, national insurance numbers, and the names of almost every child in the country could wreak identity theft havoc on an un-dreamed-of scale."
Tuesday, 20 November 2007
Northern Rock Up
A few words from George Osborne Shadow chancellor
“This is not about the commercial interests that the Prime Minister spoke about last week, but about the public interest and the £900 that has been pledged on behalf of every taxpayer in Britain. The Chancellor talks about the Government’s liabilities being secured against £100 billion of Northern Rock assets, but he does not say that many of the assets are already promised to other creditors. Will he confirm that the free assets at Northern Rock could be closer to £40 billion and that total Government liabilities, through both the facility and the deposit guarantee, might now be approaching the total of the available assets, putting the taxpayer further at risk.”
“This is not about the commercial interests that the Prime Minister spoke about last week, but about the public interest and the £900 that has been pledged on behalf of every taxpayer in Britain. The Chancellor talks about the Government’s liabilities being secured against £100 billion of Northern Rock assets, but he does not say that many of the assets are already promised to other creditors. Will he confirm that the free assets at Northern Rock could be closer to £40 billion and that total Government liabilities, through both the facility and the deposit guarantee, might now be approaching the total of the available assets, putting the taxpayer further at risk.”
10 Day Cover Up Over Unprecedented Data Protection Disaster
Computer discs that contained the personal details of all families in the UK with a child under 16 have gone missing in the post.
The data on them includes names, addresses, date of birth, National Insurance numbers and bank details of 25m people effecting 7.25m families.
This can only be described as a "catastrophic" failure; in fact words can but fail to describe the actions of HMRC staff as the computer discs were posted in standard mail. Who would do this?
Darling apologised for what he described as an "extremely serious failure on the part of HMRC to protect sensitive personal data entrusted to it in breach of its own guidelines".
The BBC reports that the data was sent on 18 October and senior management at HMRC were told it was missing on 8 November and the chancellor on 10 November, while the Chancellor kept quite for 10 days.
This is the same man and government that the British Tax payer has no choice but to trust to get the £40Bn back just lent to Northern Rock.
Just image what damage this lot could do with the Data on an ID card system!
The data on them includes names, addresses, date of birth, National Insurance numbers and bank details of 25m people effecting 7.25m families.
This can only be described as a "catastrophic" failure; in fact words can but fail to describe the actions of HMRC staff as the computer discs were posted in standard mail. Who would do this?
Darling apologised for what he described as an "extremely serious failure on the part of HMRC to protect sensitive personal data entrusted to it in breach of its own guidelines".
The BBC reports that the data was sent on 18 October and senior management at HMRC were told it was missing on 8 November and the chancellor on 10 November, while the Chancellor kept quite for 10 days.
This is the same man and government that the British Tax payer has no choice but to trust to get the £40Bn back just lent to Northern Rock.
Just image what damage this lot could do with the Data on an ID card system!
Conservatives Education Green Paper in Summary
Practical steps, employing common sense principles
"We believe that ensuring every child has an excellent education is the principal role the state can play in making opportunity more equal."
1. Immediate action driving urgent improvement
Improve discipline and behaviour in schools, shifting the balance of power in the classroom back in favour of the teacher.
Get every child who is capable of doing so reading by the age of six, so that every minute in the classroom thereafter is productive.
Reform the testing regime in primary schools to reduce bureaucracy and focus on every pupil’s real needs.
Deliver more teaching by ability which stretches the strongest and nurtures the weakest. Reform the schools inspection procedure to ensure there is tougher, more effective and more searching scrutiny of under-performance.
Champion excellence in the comprehensive sector by evangelising for the best professional practice in the state system, and more generously rewarding those who deliver for the poorest.
2. The supply-side revolution
Provide over 220,000 new school places. That would meet the demand from every parent who lost their appeal for their first choice school in our most deprived boroughs.
Allow educational charities, philanthropists, livery companies, existing school federations, not for profit trusts, co operatives and groups of parents to set up new schools in the state sector and access equivalent public funding to existing state schools.
Ensure funding for deprivation goes direct to the pupils most in need rather than being diverted by bureaucracies.
Divert more resources to pupils who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring they get the earliest possible opportunity to choose the best schools and enjoy the best teaching. Make it easier to establish the extended schooling (from summer schools through Saturday schooling to homework clubs and breakfast clubs) which drives up achievement, especially among the poorest.
Remove those obstacles in terms of centralised bureaucracy, local authority restrictions and planning rules – which prevent new schools being established. Allow smaller schools and more intimate learning environments to be established to respond to parental demands.
"We believe that ensuring every child has an excellent education is the principal role the state can play in making opportunity more equal."
1. Immediate action driving urgent improvement
Improve discipline and behaviour in schools, shifting the balance of power in the classroom back in favour of the teacher.
Get every child who is capable of doing so reading by the age of six, so that every minute in the classroom thereafter is productive.
Reform the testing regime in primary schools to reduce bureaucracy and focus on every pupil’s real needs.
Deliver more teaching by ability which stretches the strongest and nurtures the weakest. Reform the schools inspection procedure to ensure there is tougher, more effective and more searching scrutiny of under-performance.
Champion excellence in the comprehensive sector by evangelising for the best professional practice in the state system, and more generously rewarding those who deliver for the poorest.
2. The supply-side revolution
Provide over 220,000 new school places. That would meet the demand from every parent who lost their appeal for their first choice school in our most deprived boroughs.
Allow educational charities, philanthropists, livery companies, existing school federations, not for profit trusts, co operatives and groups of parents to set up new schools in the state sector and access equivalent public funding to existing state schools.
Ensure funding for deprivation goes direct to the pupils most in need rather than being diverted by bureaucracies.
Divert more resources to pupils who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring they get the earliest possible opportunity to choose the best schools and enjoy the best teaching. Make it easier to establish the extended schooling (from summer schools through Saturday schooling to homework clubs and breakfast clubs) which drives up achievement, especially among the poorest.
Remove those obstacles in terms of centralised bureaucracy, local authority restrictions and planning rules – which prevent new schools being established. Allow smaller schools and more intimate learning environments to be established to respond to parental demands.
Education, Let Teachers Teach How They Know Best
Raising the bar, closing the gap.
David Cameron has today promised 220,000 extra school places as part of Conservative plans to raise school standards and make opportunity more equal.
Speaking at the launch of 'Raising the bar, closing the gap', the Conservative Green Paper on education, David said, "It's time for a revolution in the supply of education in this country."
Michael Gove, the Shadow Children's Secretary, set out plans to tackle educational under-achievement in the immediate term through policies such as more teaching by ability and giving teachers more power.
And he laid out plans to increase the number of good school places through a long-term programme that:
- Allows educational charities, co-operatives and parents to set up new schools
- Diverts more resources to pupils who come from disadvantaged backgrounds
- Removes obstacles which prevent new schools being established
David Cameron has today promised 220,000 extra school places as part of Conservative plans to raise school standards and make opportunity more equal.
Speaking at the launch of 'Raising the bar, closing the gap', the Conservative Green Paper on education, David said, "It's time for a revolution in the supply of education in this country."
Michael Gove, the Shadow Children's Secretary, set out plans to tackle educational under-achievement in the immediate term through policies such as more teaching by ability and giving teachers more power.
And he laid out plans to increase the number of good school places through a long-term programme that:
- Allows educational charities, co-operatives and parents to set up new schools
- Diverts more resources to pupils who come from disadvantaged backgrounds
- Removes obstacles which prevent new schools being established
Six Months Of Non-Delivery
Despite the Conservative Party securing the largest number of Councillors in May 2007, the Liberal Democrats took control of Maidstone Borough Council by forming a coalition with Labour and the Independents.
Hell bent on taking control rather than acting in the best interests of our Borough, this coalition of mismatched ideas, priorities and people has led to virtual paralysis in the delivery of services to the people of Maidstone. The LibDems point to their decision to introduce a new recycling service as their single major achievement but at what cost and what about other important council services?
Since May, major frontline services have been cut, others are threatened and they have been unable to guarantee that our Council Tax will not rise significantly next year to pay for their mismanagement of council services.
The Conservative Group has reviewed progress of the Lib Dem coalition since May and believes it is right for our Borough to be made aware of their failures:
Park and Ride GONE
PCSO’s funding threatened by LibDems
NO grip on planning
Lack of clarity and ambiguity over concessionary fares as Labour propose to centralise the process
NO PLAN for 07/08 municipal year
Ruling group CANCELS Council meetings claiming that there is no business to be transacted!
BIN SNOOPERS to monitor your waste
Maidstone Conservative Group’s conclusion is that:
Pensioners will suffer from the closure of the Park and Ride in South Ward and the South of Maidstone; they will be hardest hit from a cut in concessionary fares and we will see an increased fear of crime because of the potential threat to PCSOs.
For a group desperate to cling to power in a coalition which brought together a group of people whose only interest was power, the result has been inertia. The people of Maidstone are suffering from their lack of leadership, lack of direction, lack of vision and lack of budgetary control.
Hell bent on taking control rather than acting in the best interests of our Borough, this coalition of mismatched ideas, priorities and people has led to virtual paralysis in the delivery of services to the people of Maidstone. The LibDems point to their decision to introduce a new recycling service as their single major achievement but at what cost and what about other important council services?
Since May, major frontline services have been cut, others are threatened and they have been unable to guarantee that our Council Tax will not rise significantly next year to pay for their mismanagement of council services.
The Conservative Group has reviewed progress of the Lib Dem coalition since May and believes it is right for our Borough to be made aware of their failures:
Park and Ride GONE
PCSO’s funding threatened by LibDems
NO grip on planning
Lack of clarity and ambiguity over concessionary fares as Labour propose to centralise the process
NO PLAN for 07/08 municipal year
Ruling group CANCELS Council meetings claiming that there is no business to be transacted!
BIN SNOOPERS to monitor your waste
Maidstone Conservative Group’s conclusion is that:
Pensioners will suffer from the closure of the Park and Ride in South Ward and the South of Maidstone; they will be hardest hit from a cut in concessionary fares and we will see an increased fear of crime because of the potential threat to PCSOs.
For a group desperate to cling to power in a coalition which brought together a group of people whose only interest was power, the result has been inertia. The people of Maidstone are suffering from their lack of leadership, lack of direction, lack of vision and lack of budgetary control.
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
Lord West security advisor performs hand brake turn.
The junior minister Lord West brought into the government by Brown as security advisor has been force to perform a hand brake turn to avoid a head on collision with his new master Comrade Brown. Not something that Lord West would have been used to doing in a battle ship.
One moment Lord West was not in favour of extending detention without charge and then after a few minutes with Brown he had changed his mind. Who is advising who on security?
One moment Lord West was not in favour of extending detention without charge and then after a few minutes with Brown he had changed his mind. Who is advising who on security?
Monday, 12 November 2007
Broom sweeping through MTW Trust Board.
At the Hospital Rally tonight, interim Chief Executive for the Trust announced that three Non-executive Directors have resigned today, with two others not seeking reappointment at the end of the month.
Though not before time, at least now this paves the way for a representative board to be established.
Though not before time, at least now this paves the way for a representative board to be established.
Maidstone is Resolved
After a minutes silence for the victims of C.diff, the very well attended rally on Maidstone Hospital services voted unanimously for the following resolutions;
1. Fit for Purpose
Our NHS trusts to provide highest hygiene standards, nursing and management to ensure patient safety to cover all services in a Maidstone General District Hospital, which must now regain public confidence.
2. Watchdog
This rally supports a KCC proposal to set up a Maidstone area ‘Health Watch’ – an independent route for registering concerns about Maidstone health services.
3. Dissolve Trust
Maidstone and Tunbridge Well NHS Trust to be dissolved and a more appropriate trust area formed with fair Maidstone representation on the board, top management and among clinical directors.
4. A&E
Full A&E to be retained at Maidstone hospital including all emergency surgery (apart from specialised trauma). Chronic pain unit to return immediately.
5. Maternity
Proposals to remove maternity unit, paediatrics and Special Care baby Unit from Maidstone Hospital to be abandoned. Gynaecology to be repatriated.
6. Stroke Unit.
Reinstatement of promise – a specialised Maidstone stroke unit.
1. Fit for Purpose
Our NHS trusts to provide highest hygiene standards, nursing and management to ensure patient safety to cover all services in a Maidstone General District Hospital, which must now regain public confidence.
2. Watchdog
This rally supports a KCC proposal to set up a Maidstone area ‘Health Watch’ – an independent route for registering concerns about Maidstone health services.
3. Dissolve Trust
Maidstone and Tunbridge Well NHS Trust to be dissolved and a more appropriate trust area formed with fair Maidstone representation on the board, top management and among clinical directors.
4. A&E
Full A&E to be retained at Maidstone hospital including all emergency surgery (apart from specialised trauma). Chronic pain unit to return immediately.
5. Maternity
Proposals to remove maternity unit, paediatrics and Special Care baby Unit from Maidstone Hospital to be abandoned. Gynaecology to be repatriated.
6. Stroke Unit.
Reinstatement of promise – a specialised Maidstone stroke unit.
Sunday, 11 November 2007
Remembrance Day
The Kohima Epitaph
“When you go home tell them of us and say,
for your tomorrow we gave our today”
“When you go home tell them of us and say,
for your tomorrow we gave our today”
Constitutional Renewal Bill(draft)
This Bill is actually quite promising;
This draft bill is suggesting Parliament should have some form of say on whether the Country should go to war, this should of course actually be a vote, we shall have to wait and see just what the final Bill says, This is currently described as a consultation.
The next significant point is that there should be a statutory mechanism by which treaties can be brought before Parliament, All in favour of this one as well, pity it will not go as far as referenda!
“To rebalance power between Parliament and Government, and give Parliament more ability to hold Government to account;” This is some Brown/ Labour posturing seeking to differential Comrade Brown from Ex-President Blair.
“To reinvigorate our democracy, with people proud to participate in decision-making at every level; and to clarify the role of Government, both central and local.” The simplest way to do this would be to call an election that would reinvigorate our democracy.
Further details on this bill can be viewed on http://www.commonsleader.gov.uk/output/Page2171.asp
This draft bill is suggesting Parliament should have some form of say on whether the Country should go to war, this should of course actually be a vote, we shall have to wait and see just what the final Bill says, This is currently described as a consultation.
The next significant point is that there should be a statutory mechanism by which treaties can be brought before Parliament, All in favour of this one as well, pity it will not go as far as referenda!
“To rebalance power between Parliament and Government, and give Parliament more ability to hold Government to account;” This is some Brown/ Labour posturing seeking to differential Comrade Brown from Ex-President Blair.
“To reinvigorate our democracy, with people proud to participate in decision-making at every level; and to clarify the role of Government, both central and local.” The simplest way to do this would be to call an election that would reinvigorate our democracy.
Further details on this bill can be viewed on http://www.commonsleader.gov.uk/output/Page2171.asp
Friday, 9 November 2007
£5.6bn estimated cost for ID cards
Birmingham Post: The introduction of identity cards and biometric passports will cost more than £5.6 billion over the next 10 years, according to a Government estimate.
Under the Identity Card Act, all foreign nationals in the UK are required to carry biometric ID cards from 2008, and all UK passport applicants will be issued with them from 2010.
The Home Office's Identity and Passport Service (IPS) acknowledged that, as with any cost estimates covering a 10-year forward period, there are "uncertainties" over the eventual cost of the scheme.
Mark Wallace, of the Taxpayers' Alliance campaign for lower taxes, said: "Biometric ID cards and the national database that will go with them are a vastly expensive project. Even the quite conservative Home Office predictions see the taxpayer bearing a heavy burden for the scheme, assuming there are no problems.
"In practice, we know that Government computer projects almost always come in hugely over budget, years after deadlines and regularly suffer severe technical problems. The financial threat to the taxpayer posed by ID cards is just as concerning as the civil liberties implications."
tpa.typepad.com/media/2007/11/birmingham-po-1.html
Under the Identity Card Act, all foreign nationals in the UK are required to carry biometric ID cards from 2008, and all UK passport applicants will be issued with them from 2010.
The Home Office's Identity and Passport Service (IPS) acknowledged that, as with any cost estimates covering a 10-year forward period, there are "uncertainties" over the eventual cost of the scheme.
Mark Wallace, of the Taxpayers' Alliance campaign for lower taxes, said: "Biometric ID cards and the national database that will go with them are a vastly expensive project. Even the quite conservative Home Office predictions see the taxpayer bearing a heavy burden for the scheme, assuming there are no problems.
"In practice, we know that Government computer projects almost always come in hugely over budget, years after deadlines and regularly suffer severe technical problems. The financial threat to the taxpayer posed by ID cards is just as concerning as the civil liberties implications."
tpa.typepad.com/media/2007/11/birmingham-po-1.html
Thursday, 8 November 2007
Queen's Speech, Brown's plans, good if you want to build an off shore wind farm perhaps
He is the full list of Bills in the Queen's speech, unless I am missing something there is little actually new or visionary here, but then with Brown at the helm what can we expect? Brown the Borrower strikes again, Brown the Taxer, a number of Brown the Developer Bill's and Brown the Confused over Pensions, was it not he who raided the countries pension schemes, erh yes of course, so it was! And then there is Brown the Educator who has no idea what to do with the disaffected youth the Labour Party has created during its reign. Here is a clue, its called aspiration.
Apprenticeships (draft) Bill
Applying in England, this bill is likely to give 16 to 18-year-olds an entitlement to an apprenticeship, in an effort to reduce the number of young people not in education, training or employment.
Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill
Sets out provisions which clarify the legal and regulatory position of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, ahead of a restructuring of the company which built the link. Applies to whole UK.
Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill
This bill, applying to England, Wales and Scotland, will set up the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission to replace the Child Support Agency. The government says it will have tougher powers to force absent parents to pay for their children. It will also set up a scheme to pay a lump sum to people suffering from the asbestos-related disease mesothelioma, who are not yet eligible for compensation. Applies to England, Scotland and Wales.
Children and Young Persons Bill
Gives councils powers to organise children's care in different ways and ensure children do not move schools in Years 10 and 11, except in exceptional circumstances. Says young people should not be "forced out of care before they are ready" and calls for higher standards for those children placed in care. Applies to England and Wales.
Citizenship and Immigration (draft) Bill
Will "take forward any recommendations" from the review of citizenship by former Attorney General Lord Goldsmith.
Climate Change Bill
This bill creates a legal framework to reduce the UK's carbon dioxide emissions up to 2050 and beyond. It will propose statutory targets to reduce UK carbon dioxide emissions by at least 60% by 2050 and between 26 and 32% by 2020 - as compared with 1990's emissions. Provides for pilot schemes by councils to cut household waste. Much of the bill applies to the whole UK.
Constitutional Renewal (draft) Bill
Promises to "rebalance power" between Parliament and the government and give MPs more clout to hold the government to account. Subject to more consultation, the bill will propose giving Parliament powers to ratify treaties and decide whether troops should be deployed. It will also incorporate the findings of the ongoing consultation on judicial appointments and the handling of protests in Parliament Square. Most of the bill applies to the whole UK.
Counter-Terrorism Bill
Would enable post-charge questioning of terrorist suspects and the drawing of "adverse inferences" from refusals to say something which is later relied on in court. The bill would ensure the police and intelligence services can make full use of DNA and convicted terrorists provide police with personal information when they are released from prison. Convicted terrorists would be banned from travelling overseas. Applies to whole UK.
Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill
Includes jailing non-dangerous criminals who breach the terms of their release for 28 days only - rather than automatically serving out the rest of their sentence. The bill will also introduce Violent Offenders Orders, which are post-sentence restrictions on violent offenders, and a new immigration status for people convicted of terrorism or serious offences. It would ban the possession of "extreme" pornographic images available on the internet and not covered by the Obscene Publications Act. The government also says it would amend the law on self-defence to ensure people who act with "reasonable force" to protect themselves, others and their property are "fully protected" under the law. It largely relates to England and Wales, although some provisions will extend to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Crossrail Bill
Gives necessary powers to build Crossrail, a railway stretching east to west across London. Carried over from the previous parliamentary session - having been introduced in February 2005.
Cultural Property (Armed Conflicts) (draft) Bill
Would allow the UK to ratify the 1954 Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property, providing a series of protections for cultural artefacts during wars.
Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Bill
Allows the government to use money held in bank and building society accounts which have not been used for 15 years to provide more youth facilities. Applies to the whole UK.
EC Finance Bill
This bill will amend the European Communities Act 1972 - to change the way the UK finances the annual EC budget. It allows the UK to make payments direct from the government's own bank account - the Consolidated Fund.
Education and Skills Bill
Gives the power to England and Wales for all 16 to 18-year-olds to be required to stay in some form of education or training by 2015. Also places a duty on employers to release young people for the equivalent of one day's training a week, while parents and local authorities have a duty to make sure young people participate.
Employment Bill
Promises clearer and stronger enforcement of employment law and to bring in measures to resolve disputes more quickly. Applies to England, Scotland and Wales.
Energy Bill
This bill aims to provide greater incentives for renewable energy generation and to make it easier for private firms to invest in offshore gas supply infrastructure, in "carbon capture" research and provisions on nuclear waste and decommissioning financing. Applies to whole UK.
EU Reform Treaty Bill
Would bring into UK law the EU Reform Treaty, which is due to be signed by EU heads of government in December.
Health and Social Care Bill
Would establish the Care Quality Commission to inspect and intervene in failing hospitals. This combines the functions of the existing Healthcare Commission, the Commission for Social Care Inspection and the Mental Health Act Commission. The bill would also bolster professional regulation.
Heritage Protection Draft Bill
Proposes a "unified" heritage protection system, removing "unhelpful distinctions" between schemes such as listing and scheduling. Applies to England and Wales with some parts applying to Northern Ireland.
Housing and Regeneration Bill
This merges the Housing Corporation, which distributes funds to housing associations to build new social housing, and English Partnerships, which plans housing projects in new growth areas.
It will also implement the recommendations of the Cave Review of Social Housing Regulation and respond to the implications of the recent ECHR ruling on gypsies and travellers. Applies to England and Wales.
Human Tissues and Embryos Bill
Would ensure the creation and use of all human embryos outside the body is regulated. The bill also proposes a ban on selecting the sex of babies for non-medical reasons and would recognise same-sex couples as legal parents of children conceived through the use of donated sperm, eggs or embryos. Applies to the whole UK, although there are some provisions involving the changes to legal parenthood in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Local Transport Bill
Would give local authorities "greater freedom and choice" to set their transport policies, including more "freedom and flexibility" to set up local road-pricing schemes. Applies to England and Wales, with some provisions extending to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Marine (draft) Bill
Proposes a new system of planning for marine and offshore developments. Proposed for whole of UK.
Marine Navigation and Port Safety (draft) Bill
Proposes giving lighthouse authorities more powers to operate a modern service and clarifies the existing framework for port safety. Applies to the whole UK.
National Insurance Contributions Bill
Would harmonise the upper earnings limit (UEL) for national insurance contributions with the higher rate income tax threshold. The UEL will rise in phases, to match the higher rate income tax threshold by April 2009. The measure would extend across the UK.
Pensions Bill
Would mean eligible workers are automatically enrolled into a pension scheme, with a minimum employer contribution introduced. Applies to England, Scotland and Wales.
Planning Reform Bill
Calls for the establishment of a new separate planning system for major infrastructure projects and simplifying the planning system for minor home improvements. In many cases formal planning permission will no longer be required. Applies to England.
Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill
Aims to "reduce unnecessary burdens" placed on business by local authority regulations. Applies to whole UK.
Sale of Student Loans Bill
This bill, applying to England and Wales, covers the proposal to sell the student loan book, announced by Gordon Brown in the 2007 Budget, which is expected to raise £6bn over three years.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7080446.stm
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