Music News Bulletin - 16/01/09

Legal free music service We7 has signed a deal with leading independent music label group, Beggars.
"The deal will allow We7 users access to around 20,000 tracks from Beggars’ catalogue. The tracks will be available on demand, for free, ad-funded streaming and users will also be able to buy them from the We7 online store in high-quality MP3 format.

We7 has music from all four major labels as well as hundreds of independents through deals with distributors including PIAS, The Orchard, Finetunes, InGrooves, Iris and Believe, with individual labels and now Beggars Group.

"Discussions with Beggars, and Simon Wheeler in particular, on digital music in the early days of We7, were both illuminating and significant to the development of our business,” says We7 CEO Steve Purdham. “As such, it is a great honour, to be able to sign a deal with such an influential label group, and to be able to offer our users access to their incredible music catalogue."" [MusicWeek]

One Little Indian/FatCat sign deal with PIAS
"One Little Indian and FatCat records are pleased to announce finalising a new deal with PIAS, who will be taking on UK-wide distribution for all new releases and back catalogue.

Renowned indie institution One Little Indian is currently home to Icelandic leftfield superstar Björk, collaborative ‘The Fireman’ project from Beatles legend Paul McCartney and cult producer Youth. Also of note is acclaimed singer-songwriter Jesse Malin, who has recorded with QOTSA front man Josh Homme and Bruce Springsteen amongst others.-
Since its inception in 1985 One Little Indian has always prided itself on working with artists it feels deserve a wider audience; musicians who make music for the simple pleasure of doing so – passionate about their craft and refreshingly free of pretence." [RecordOfTheDay]

New State ties up distribution deal
"Label group New State Entertainment has become the latest former Pinnacle client to sign a new distribution deal, putting pen to paper with EMI. The deal will cover the company’s physical distribution in the UK. New State will continue to handle its own label digital distribution and New State Digital aggregation business. New State co-director Tim Binns explains, “When Pinnacle went into administration it was a real shock and we had to move fast to tie up a deal for our 2009 and beyond release schedule." [MusicWeek]

Stock crisis for indie labels in warehouse war: “Unlawful” legal threat by Pinnacle creditor denies labels half their stock
"Independent label bosses pulling their hair out in frustration at the slowness of repatriating their stock from Pinnacle have been hit with another shock, after a warehouse landlord threatened to withhold millions of pounds worth of product because he is a major creditor of Pinnacle.

The move is a terrible blow for some companies, who are reporting that as much as half their stock is still held in Pinnacle’s four warehouses, more than a month after the distributor collapsed. Just before Pinnacle went under it held around 8m units of stock, with the majority thought to be at its Teardrop Centre in Swanley, Kent. However, it is now understood the landlord of that complex is owed £50,000 by the distributor and has attempted to put a lien on the stock until payment is made." [MusicWeek]

Anger at more Pinnacle delays and landlord stock claims

"With numerous indie labels increasingly frustrated that they have CDs they could and should be selling locked in the warehouses of defunct distributor Pinnacle, there is anger at the news the landlords of one of those warehouses are trying to claim ownership of some of their stock in lieu of fifty grand of rent they are owed by the collapsed firm.

Many labels are still having to wait to get CDs back, even though they technically own the stock. There are both legal and logistical reasons for the delays - one big problem is that staff who knew their way around the warehouses are long gone so even when labels have permission to get their CDs it's hard for the skeleton staff who remain at Pinnacle bases to find them." [CMUDaily]

In The Loop: 14/01/09

Blue sky thinking to revitalise affordable homes market
"Ministers are looking at detailed plans for a multibillion-pound infrastructure fund to kickstart the stricken housing market. Against the worst conditions for housebuilding for more than 30 years, senior Whitehall officials are drawing up a groundbreaking scheme that would see the public sector inject equity into social housing developments in an attempt to "lever in" insurance and pension funds investment.

The idea is to create a huge cash pool that would see up to £6 of private capital invested by institutions for every pound of government money to dramatically increase the number of affordable homes built in Britain." [Guardian]

Mandelson unveils £20bn plan to free up credit for businesses
"The business secretary, Lord Mandelson, today unveiled a £20bn package of measures to support British businesses as the recession gathers pace, by bolstering the availability of credit from the banking sector.

The government is also bringing in Mervyn Davies, one of Britain's leading bankers, to replace Digby Jones as trade minister. Lord Jones left the government in the last reshuffle." [Guardian]

Quarter of local authorities freeze recruitment due to credit crunch
"Nearly a quarter of local authorities in England have frozen recruitment and more than one in eight have axed jobs in response to a decline in income caused by the credit crunch, the Local Government Association (LGA) said today.

A survey of 154 council chief executives found that 34 have already frozen recruitment as a result of the economic slowdown (22%) and 20 have shed jobs (13%.)" [Guardian]

Thames estuary airport would have 'disastrous' environmental impact, London mayor Boris Johnson told
"Boris Johnson was today warned of "disastrous" environmental consequences if his plans for a new airport on the Thames estuary went ahead.

The Conservative London mayor, who is opposed to a proposed third runway at Heathrow, is pushing the case for a third London airport on the Thames estuary." [Guardian]

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EU Council Monitor - 05/12/08

Putting small businesses first
"The vast majority of businesses in the European Union are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with no more than 250 employees. They are the ones providing most new jobs. Finding themselves increasingly affected by the present financial crisis and economic downturn, they are soon to qualify for a package of special measures.

Having made SMEs' needs a permanent priority for the European Union, the Competitiveness Council on 1 December 2008 adopted some conclusions including specific steps to improve financing arrangements, simplify the environment and facilitate market access for SMEs.
The conclusions (in French) are available here." [Europa]

Competitiveness Council - Conclusions
The complete set of conclusions can be found on the link [Europa]

Small Business Act will "have a significant positive effect on the environment for SMEs"
"SMEs are crucial to Europe's economy, providing over 100 million jobs. In view of the current financial market crisis, the European Council must confirm that it will formally approve the Small Business Act and make its provisions binding, say MEPs in a resolution put forward by the EPP-ED and Socialist groups. The resolution was adopted with 614 votes in favour, 11 against and 9 abstentions.

Formerly approving the SBA will "ensure the necessary high visibility", while making its provisions binding will "have a significant positive effect on the environment for SMEs". [EuroParl]

First “European sessions on innovation”
"On 9 December 2008 in Paris, the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union is to hold the first “European sessions on innovation”, with the participation of the President of the French Republic and President of the European Council, Nicolas Sarkozy, as a prelude to The European Year of Innovation in 2009." [UE2008]

In the Loop: 31/09/08

Petrol price to drivers still not falling as fast as a barrel of oil 31/10/08
“The price of petrol at the pump is not falling as fast as the price of oil from peak levels over the summer, according to Guardian analysis.

The average pump price is falling by about a penny every five days but still has 5.8p a litre to drop if it is to catch up with recent sharp declines in the price of oil.” [Guardian]

Barclays raises more than £7bn from Middle East investors 31/10/08
“Barclays is raising up to £7.3bn from Middle East investors, who could end up owning more than a third of the UK's second largest bank. The move allows the bank to strengthen its balance sheet without taking help from the taxpayer.

The cash injection is coming from the royal families of Abu Dhabi and Qatar, who have both agreed to pump billions into Barclays to bolster its capital ratios. The Qataris, who already own a significant shareholding in Barclays, are providing up to £2.3bn. Once the deal goes through they will own up to 15.5% of the bank.” [Guardian]

People-power a step closer in energy bill 31/10/08
“The prospect of households with wind turbines and solar panels being able to sell power back to the national grid has come a step closer after the government tabled an amendment to a bill that would allow people to generate enough power to serve a community of more than 1,000 people.

The government said 10 days ago it was keen to get the proposal into the energy bill after facing down opposition from power companies concerned that allowing individuals and communities the chance to profit from energy creation significantly altered the market. The measure will be debated in the Lords next week.” [Guardian]

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Grimsdale's Ire: 30/10/08

Gordon Brown urges banks to keep lending 30/10/08
“Gordon Brown today called on the banks to keep lending to small businesses despite the global credit crunch.

The prime minister welcomed a commitment by the European Investment Bank to make £4bn available to provide finance to firms in the UK.” [Guardian]

Alistair Darling urges banks to use £4bn from European Investment Bank 30/10/08
“Alistair Darling today urged the banks to use a £4bn package of support from the European Investment Bank to help small and medium-sized businesses through the credit crunch.” [Guardian]

Card demand 30/10/08
“Gordon Brown yesterday demanded that lenders who provide store and credit cards must change their rules to make it more difficult to repossess homes. The prime minister's intervention came after Shelter warned that up to 5,000 homes repossessed last year - out of a total of 27,100 - were from people who took out "second-charge" loans. These can be people who take out a loan against their home to pay off cards. The Treasury wants the Finance and Leasing Association, which covers the £11bn "second-charge" market, to draw up a code of practice in line with that adopted by the Council of Mortgage Lenders, which stipulates that a lender should take a debtor to court to repossess a property only if they have exhausted other options.” [Guardian]

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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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EU Parliament Monitor - 24/10/08

MEPs approve new EU trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton (UK)
"The European Parliament voted 538 in favour, 40 against and 63 abstentions in favour of new EU trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton from the UK. Baroness Ashton faced a hearing at the European Parliament on Monday. She has been nominated to replace Peter Mandelson as Trade Commissioner following his appointment to the British government. MEPs questioned Baroness Ashton on the future of the Doha Round, the financial crisis, bilateral trade negotiations - and on her own experience.

Baroness Ashton will be Commissioner until the end of the current Commission's mandate - 31 October 2009." [Europa]

Summary of the hearing of Catherine Ashton (United Kingdom), Commissioner-designate for Trade
"Commissioner-designate Catherine Ashton faced a hearing at the European Parliament on Monday. She has been nominated to replace Peter Mandelson as Trade Commissioner following his appointment to the British government. MEPs questioned Baroness Ashton on the future of the Doha Round, the financial crisis, bilateral trade negotiations - and on her own experience. The outcome will be considered on Tuesday by the Conference of Presidents, with the full Parliament due to vote on Wednesday." [Europa]

Ashton wins emphatic endorsement from MEPs
MEPs back the new trade commissioner; Ashton wants better co-ordination of trade policy.
Members of the European Parliament yesterday (22 October) endorsed the appointment of Catherine Ashton as the European commissioner for trade. MEPs voted 538 in favour, 40 against, with 63 abstentions during their meeting in Strasbourg. From there, Ashton went directly to Geneva for a dinner with Pascal Lamy, the director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO), to discuss the prospects of reviving the Doha round of world trade talks.
Ashton had told MEPs on Monday evening (20 October), at a scrutiny hearing, that she would be assuring Lamy that “the WTO and pursuing a successful Doha round remain absolutely central to Europe's trade policy”. [EuropeanVoice]

EU parliament formally approves new trade commissioner
"MEPs have formally endorsed the appointment of Catherine Ashton as the EU’s new trade commissioner.
Deputies meeting in Strasbourg on Wednesday voted 538 in favour of her appointment, with 40 against and 63 abstentions. She replaces Peter Mandelson, who stepped down after four years in the job to become the new business secretary in the UK. Ashton faced a hearing in parliament on Monday in which is she is generally thought to have given a good account of her grasp of the notoriously difficult trade portfolio.She was also questioned on the future of the Doha round, the financial crisis and bilateral trade negotiations.

The conference of presidents, or group leaders, endorsed her appointment on Tuesday ahead of today’s vote by the full parliament." [TheParliament]

Alliance of Civilisations: Jorge Sampaio addresses MEPs
"Building bridges and altering misguided perceptions of other cultures are crucial in a globalised world, according Jorge Sampaio, UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations and a former President of Portugal, who addressed a formal sitting of the EP on Wednesday on the subject of cultural diversity, in a speech given as part of the EP's series of guest speeches for Year of Intercultural Dialogue.

In his introduction, the President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering, stressed the shared outlook between the UN Alliance of Civilisations and the EP, with their emphasis on the importance of cultural interaction, and argued that there was a need in the modern world for practical not just symbolic steps on this front, such as the many projects the EP had supported in the context of Year of Intercultural Dialogue.

At the start of his address, Mr Sampaio read out a short statement on behalf of the UN Secretary General, which said that "Like many other regions of the world, Europe faces multiple challenges in promoting intercultural dialogue. Migration, economic uncertainty and political tensions are putting strains on relations between different cultural, ethnic and religious groups. But it is precisely in your region, where constructive contacts over the centuries have allowed humanity to take major leaps forward, that opportunities for reconciliation and cooperation exist." Ultimately, "Cross-cultural tolerance, dialogue, respect and understanding must be pillars of the better world we are trying to build."" [Europa]

Row flares over EU commission's link with business group
"A furious row has flared over allegations of an “intimate” relationship between the commission’s trade directorate and the organisation representing European SMEs. It follows claims by a left-wing Swedish MEP of a possible conflict of interest between the influential directorate and Businesseurope. GUE/NGL member Jens Holm sets out his allegations in a letter to new EU trade commissioner Catherine Ashton.

But Philippe De Buck, director general of Businesseurope, hit back on Thursday, telling this website, “What is the problem?
“Yes, we have a close relationship with DG trade – they need us but, equally, we need them. I make no secret of that.
“However, I want to stress that all dealings between my organisation and the commission are done openly, publicly and transparently, and I object to these comments,” said De Buck, formerly the organisation’s secretary general." [TheParliament]

Click here to read the European Parliament Monitor

Heron's Eye: 21/10/08

Three men in a boat (to say nothing of the media mogul) 21/10/08
Michael White examines the rumours behind the allegations that Peter Mandelson and George Osbourne have been courting the Russian aluminium tycoon Oleg Deripaska, politely widening the net of intrigue in the world of schmoozing to discuss Rupert Murdoch. [Guardian]

Seven things you might not know about Gordon Brown's reshuffle 09/10/08
Andrew Sparrow provides interesting observations on Gordon Brown’s recent cabinet reshuffle. [Guardian]

Two key Blairites say government could have done more to avert financial crisis 21/10/08
Andrew Sparrow shines light on evaluations from key Blairites on how (and how well) the Government has effected the financial crisis. [Guardian]

Amid the rubble of global finance, a blueprint for Bretton Woods II 21/10/08
Jeffrey Sachs on the need for a Bretton Woods II and how it should look beyond financial regulation and address world development goals and environmental issues. [Guardian]

Wasteful job creation schemes 21/10/08
The Guardian letters page, providing differing interpretations on the benefits of full employment. [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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In The Loop: 21/10/08

Jam yesterday, debt today 21/10/08
Ashley Seager puts the level of current and future national debt into perspective. [Guardian]

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