Grimsdale's Ire: 29/10/08

Grants for 'middle-income' students to be cut 29/10/08
“The amount of student support available for children of middle-income parents will be cut next year, the universities secretary confirmed today.

Growth in student numbers will also be cut next year to "no more than 10,000" after the government miscalculated increases in the bill for higher education, as revealed by the Guardian.” [Guardian]

On the right track 29/10/08
“He was born in Jamaica, grew up in a deprived inner-city neighbourhood of Birmingham, and has first-hand experience of racial hatred and rejection. He left school without qualifications, was booted out of the army for being too lippy, and latterly has found out just how hard it is to make a living as a farmer in modern-day Britain.

It is not surprising, then, that Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones comes chock-full of opinions. He fumes about social exclusion; he is angry at how black people have been let down by the middle classes; he is hugely critical of corporate Britain, particularly the ever-more powerful supermarkets; and he has little time for the world of finance and banking.

What may be more surprising and interesting is that Emmanuel-Jones is thriving in the Conservative party. He has been invited for tea with David Cameron - despite labelling him a "toff" - and was given a prominent place for the leader's speech at the Tory conference. Most surprising of all, he has become a darling of the Wiltshire blue-rinse set and is to fight the newly minted seat of Chippenham for the Conservatives at the next general election.” [Guardian]

White working class need help in recession, says Phillips 29/10/08
“Special measures are needed to help the true losers from the economic recession - the poorer, white working class - if an anti-migrant backlash is to be avoided, the head of Britain's equality and human rights commission, Trevor Phillips, warned yesterday.

He said that historically ethnic minority groups and women were worst hit in an economic slowdown.

But it had to be recognised today that in some parts of the country "the colour of disadvantage isn't black or brown. It is white."” [Guardian]

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Heron's Eye: 29/10/08

Osborne escapes investigation into donation discussions 29/10/08
“George Osborne will escape a parliamentary investigation into his decision to discuss a possible donation from the Russian billionaire, Oleg Deripaska, the parliamentary standards watchdog said yesterday.

Extinguishing the hopes of Gordon Brown and Labour backbenchers for an investigation into the shadow chancellor's holiday activities, the parliamentary standards commissioner dismissed a complaint that was lodged anonymously. The other body that could conduct such an inquiry - the Electoral Commission - has already said that it will not be investigating the meetings in Corfu.” [Guardian]

Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand suspended by BBC 29/10/08
“The BBC today suspended Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand until an investigation into their prank calls to actor Andrew Sachs has been completed, in an attempt to quell the mounting furore over the "Sachsgate" affair.” [Guardian]

The BBC should admit its mistakes more quickly 29/10/08
Michael White analyses the BBC’s public relations strategies and tactics. [Guardian]

Banking crisis: What questions should the authorities be made to answer? 29/10/08
Jill Treanor on Alistair Darling, Mervyn King and Lord Turner before the Treasury select committee of MPs he chairs on Monday to seek a public explanation to how the taxpayer has ended up needing to pump £37bn into the high street banks. [Guardian]

The markets are clear: Britain is mutton dressed up as lamb
Larry Elliott paints an informative and depressing picture of the British economy. [Guardian]

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Heron's Eye: 29/10/08

Downturn will not hamper public transport projects, says Geoff Hoon 29/10/08
“Geoff Hoon, the recently appointed transport secretary, said today that the economic downturn should not have an effect on delivering public transport projects.

And he said that Britain's railway system had become, "in parts, the envy of Europe".” [Guardian]

Mandelson hails thaw in relations with Moscow 29/10/08
“Lord Mandelson hailed a thaw in relations between Britain and Russia today as he wound up a four-day visit to Moscow.

Diplomatic spats that poisoned ties between the two countries in the last two years seemed to be swept under the carpet as the business secretary lauded a new climate of partnership.” [Guardian]

Bigger databases increase risks, says watchdog 29/10/08
“The proliferation of ever larger centralised databases is increasing the risk of people's personal data being lost or abused, the government's official privacy watchdog claims today.

The warning from the information commissioner, Richard Thomas, comes as he discloses that reported data losses have soared in the past year.” [Guardian]

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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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In The Loop: 28/10/08

Cost of crash: $2,800,000,000,000 28/10/08
“Autumn's market mayhem has left the world's financial institutions nursing losses of $2.8tn, the Bank of England said today, as it called for fundamental reform of the global banking system to prevent a repeat of turmoil "arguably" unprecedented since the outbreak of the first world war.” [Guardian]

£100m road to electric motoring ... police, post office and politicians step off the gas 28/10/08
“A new generation of electric public service vehicles, including postal vans, police vehicles and ministerial limousines is to be introduced as part of a government initiative to speed up the introduction of low-emission technology on Britain's roads.” [Guardian]

MPs hit out at government over motorist project 28/10/08
"The government's commissioning of a £385m telecommunications contract to help motorists beat jams on motorways took nearly three times as long as planned and cost five times more than expected, a committee of MPs says today." [Guardian]

Hats off to the new recruits 28/10/08
"Whitehall catches up with government policy by welcoming the first government apprentices" [Guardian]

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Grimsdale's Ire: 28/10/08

The toilet roll of reason and the burger box of justice 28/10/08
Simon Hoggart takes a light hearted look at how crime and punishment is being questioned in the House of Commons. [Guardian]

Tory thinkers offer lesson in equality 28/10/08
Polly Curtis describes an influential new Policy Exchange report on reforming schools funding. [Guardian]

There's cynicism at the heart of the communities agenda 28/10/08
David Clements makes a concerned critique of the Sustainable Communities Act, suggesting that its motive may be to build political legitimacy rather than promote democracy. [Guardian]

Unions prepare big pay demands to offset food and fuel price rises 28/10/08
“Substantial pay rises are being sought to compensate for sharp increases in energy and food prices, the union-funded Labour Research Department warned last night.” [Guardian]

Child support changes could hit 25% of lone parents, warns charity 28/10/08
"Changes to the way lone parents receive child support could see a quarter falling through the system, a charity warned on the day government reforms come into effect. From this week, separating couples on benefits - who make up 70% of child support claimants - will be encouraged to reach their own arrangements voluntarily, leaving the government's new Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission to concentrate on those cases where people repeatedly refuse to pay maintenance or regularly default." [Guardian]

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In The Loop: 27/10/08

Government encourages car companies to make motoring greener 27/10/08
“Car manufacturers are being encouraged to participate in a £10m scheme to make motoring greener and create thousands of jobs

Geoff Hoon, the transport secretary, has today invited car manufacturers to bid to take part in an initiative to run electric car and ultra-low carbon vehicle demonstration projects, overseen by the Technology Strategy Board." [Guardian]

Call for clampdown on rogue online ticket sellers 27/10/08
"Ticketing websites have called on the government to crack down on rogue online operators after a spate of high-profile examples of consumers being ripped off.

Andy Burnham, the culture secretary, is believed to be close to launching an industry consultation based around proposals first floated this year in response to concerns about the booming online market in tickets for concerts and sporting events." [Guardian]

Pay rises and Christmas parties cancelled as companies cut costs 26/10/08
“Almost four in five British businesses are cutting back on everything from hiring new staff to paying for the office Christmas party, as they batten down the hatches for a deep recession.” [Guardian]

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Grimsdale's Ire: 27/10/08

Minister bows to calls on climate change bill 27/10/08
The government is to announce tomorrow that it will include rapidly growing aviation and shipping emissions in Britain's commitment to curb its carbon footprint by 80% by 2050. [Guardian]

More councils expected to ban speed cameras 23/10/08
“Several more local authorities are expected to ban speed cameras over the next year, following the lead of Swindon council, which announced it was scrapping them last night.” [Guardian]

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Heron's Eye 27/10/08

Government must be bold to deal with recession 24/10/08
MP John McFall lays out a possible solution to ensure an equitable injection into the economy. [Guardian]

Borrowing more is responsible, says Gordon Brown 27/10/08
“Gordon Brown insisted today that increasing borrowing to shore up the economy was the "responsible" thing to do.” [Guardian] [Guardian]

MP's anger as state bears cost of any Sellafield disaster 27/10/08
“Taxpayers have been left with unlimited liability amounting to billions of pounds should there be a repeat of a nuclear accident at Sellafield under a deal signed with a US-led consortium which takes over the decommissioning of the waste facility from November 24. The indemnity even covers accidents and leaks that are the consortium's fault.” [Guardian]

Woolas dropped from TV panel after gaffes
“Immigration minister Phil Woolas has been axed by the government from a high-profile television appearance, days after making a series of gaffes. Woolas, who controversially called for population curbs and predicted the disestablishment of the Church of England, had been due to appear on tonight's Question Time on BBC1. A Home Office spokesman confirmed the change of plan but insisted the decision had been taken on the basis of the most topical subject matter.” [Guardian]

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Heron's Eye 27/10/08

Political hypocrisy - don't you hate it? 27/10/08
Michael White analyses the Machiavellian positions that politicians take to appear honest and compares it with historical politicians from the past. [Guardian]

Tories face call to repay Rothschild £1m loan
“The Conservative party faced demands last night to repay a huge loan from a member of the Rothschild banking family made through a company set up with the sole purpose of protecting her anonymity.” [Guardian]

Survey shows George Osborne affair has tarnished Tories 27/10/08
Deborah Summers on how the Oleg Deripaska affair appears to have impacted on the Conservative part’s image. [Guardian]

Darling 'misguided' on recession strategy 27/10/08
“A group of economists has attacked the government's Keynesian strategy to spend its way out of the recession as "misguided and discredited". Further big increases in public-sector spending would make the state's role so dominant it would stunt the private sector's recovery, they say in a letter in yesterday's Sunday Telegraph.”[Guardian]

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