Heron's Eye 30/10/08

Throwing out the rulebook 30/10/08
“Alistair Darling and George Osborne gave opposing explanations yesterday for why government borrowing is on the rise. In last night's Mais lecture, the chancellor told a simple story: extraordinary times require extraordinary measures - and what could be more extraordinary than a historic banking crisis? By breaking targets on public debt, the government was being not profligate, but pragmatic. Labour was "spinning a virtuous strategy out of extra borrowing", retorted his Conservative shadow, when really the public finances had been in a mess for years.” [Guardian]

Labour launches attack on George Osborne's economic competence 30/10/08
“Labour today launched an all-out assault on George Osborne, the shadow chancellor, by releasing a dossier that accused him of a lack of judgment (pdf) on the global financial crisis and "schoolboy errors" in his spending plans.

The document highlighted Osborne's early opposition to the nationalisation of Northern Rock and Bradford & Bingley, his support for a Tory report advocating the deregulation of the mortgage market, and his pledges on fuel duty and hospital beds.” [Guardian]

Swinney's still got a real fight on his hands 30/10/08
Ian Swanson assesses the difficulties that the SNP are facing in attempting to introduce the local income tax in Scotland. [Scotsman]

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Heron's Eye: 28/10/08

The toilet roll of reason and the burger box of justice 28/10/08
Through examining the day’s Parliamentary debates, Simon Hoggart humorously highlights some of the hyperbole connected with crime and punishment. [Guardian]

Alex Salmond hints at concessions on local income tax plan 28/10/08
“Alex Salmond has signalled a significant switch in economic policy as his plans for a new local income tax for all wage earners came under sustained attack from Alistair Darling.

The first minister said during campaigning in the Glenrothes byelection yesterday that his government was considering major concessions to win over critics of proposals to replace the council tax with a new 3p in the pound income tax for local services.” [Guardian]

I think I made a mistake, admits Osborne 28/10/08
“George Osborne attempted yesterday to draw a line under the row over his contacts with a Russian billionaire when he admitted he had made a mistake in discussing a donation from Oleg Deripaska during his summer holiday in Corfu.” [Guardian]

Brown and Sarkozy unite in call for increased IMF funds 28/10/08
“Gordon Brown tonight received the backing of French president Nicolas Sarkozy for a substantial increase in the resources available to the International Monetary Fund to stop the "financial contagion" from spreading around the world.” [Guardian]

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Grimsdale's Ire: 21/10/08

The government must sort out council tax 08/10/08
Chris Leslie and Sunder Katwala write on the need for Labour to grab the mantle of council tax reform, in order to avoid being outmanoeuvred by recent Conservative taxation policy. [Guardian]

Wealth gap narrows faster in UK than other developed countries 21/10/08
“The gap between rich and poor since 2000 has narrowed faster in the UK than any other developed nation, according to a major international study released today. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development said the decline of inequality in Britain between 2000 and 2005 was "remarkable"” [Guardian]

Straight to the specialist: Johnson cuts GP referrals 21/10/08
“Patients with back pain will be able to access free treatment from NHS physiotherapists without having to go through a GP, under plans to be unveiled today by the health secretary, Alan Johnson. In a substantial extension of patient choice, he also wants to give people an opportunity to book appointments with speech therapists, dietitians, podiatrists and other health professionals.” [Guardian]

Lloyds chief tells staff: you'll still get bonuses 21/10/08
“The chief executive of Lloyds TSB, one of the banks participating in the £37bn bank bail-out, has promised staff they will receive bonuses this year despite Gordon Brown's promise of a crackdown on bankers' pay following the investment by taxpayers. Eric Daniels has told employees that the historic government intervention will not change the behaviour of Lloyds, which is in the throes of the rescue takeover of HBOS brokered by the prime minister.” [Guardian]

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