That's News realises that things are tough for many people, now. So we have decided to publish vouchers for taking to retailers or using on line in this article. There's everything from software to designer clothes, so there should be something for everyone.
In a bid to keep bargain-hungry Brits up to date with the latest and very best online discount codes and printable vouchers, www.MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, the UK’s leading and most successful discount voucher site, issues a fortnightly update on the best deals available online. This update highlights the best printable coupons, whilst the top online discounts are also listed.
The return to nice weather always encourages people to change their wardrobe, hence the number of fashion discount codes released below. It has also prompted florists and gift sites to release discounts, perhaps in a bid to catch people thinking ahead to weddings.
As usual, the bar and restaurant vouchers feature heavily as Brits aim to enjoy themselves throughout the recession.
Printable vouchers can be redeemed upon production in a shop, store or restaurant, and often entitle the user to great deals and discounts from some of the UK’s biggest household names. They are free to use, and the top printable vouchers are detailed below, along with the hottest online voucher codes.
www.MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, the UK’s leading discount voucher website, which attracted 8.5 million unique visits in December of last year alone, collates all the best up-to-date discounts across the internet into one easy-to-use place. Throughout the recession, millions more people have been accessing the site in a bid to save on purchases, helping it become the 4th fastest growing website in the UK according to Nielson Online.
PRINTABLE VOUCHERS
Retailer GAP
Details Save 30% off at Gap when using this Printable Voucher starts 23rd April
Expiry 4/5/09
Link http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-30-off-at-Gap-whe...
Retailer Legoland Windsor
Details Free Entry to Legoland Windsor if your Name is Bob or Wendy using this Printable Voucher
Expiry 4/5/09
Link http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Free-Entry-to-Legoland...
Here are the hottest discount codes online, redeemable at online checkout:
Retailer Mankind
Details Save 7.5% off all orders from Mankind when using this Exclusive Voucher Code
Code MVCVIP
Expiry 4/5/09
Link http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-7-5-off-all-order...
Retailer Gone Digging
Details Save 15% off all Gifts from Gone Digging when using this Exclusive Promotional Code
Code MVCFD
Expiry 30/6/09
Link http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-15-off-all-Gifts-...
Retailer Symantec
Details Save 15% off Norton’s Top Products from Symantec when using this Voucher Code
Code 0669ek
Expiry 30/6/09
Link http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-10-off-Top-Sellin...
Retailer Lingerie Express
Details Save 10% off our all Corsets from Lingerie Express when using this Voucher Code
Code STC10
Expiry 5/6/09
Link http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-10-off-our-all-Co...
Retailer EA Store
Details Save 25% off all orders from EA Store when using this Exclusive Voucher Code
Code MyVoucherCodes.co.uk25%
Expiry 30/4/09
Link http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-25-off-all-orders...
Retailer Pure Footwear
Details Save 15% off all orders plus Free UK Mainland Delivery from Pure Footwear when using this Voucher Code
Code AK25
Expiry 31/5/09
Link http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-15-off-all-orders...
Retailer Fragrance Zone
Details Save 6% off all orders from Fragrance Zone when using this Exclusive Coupon Code
Code mvc6
Expiry 31/12/09
Link http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-6-off-all-orders-...
Retailer House of Fraser
Details Save £10 off New England Football Kit plus Free Delivery from House of Fraser when using this Promotional Code
Code ENGLAND09
Expiry 15/5/09
Link http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-10-off-New-Englan...
Retailer Boxfresh
Details Save 20% off Last Chance to Buy Items from Boxfresh when using this Voucher Code
Code last
Expiry 31/5/09
Link http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-20-off-Last-Chanc...
Retailer Oasis
Details Save 25% all New Odille Lingerie and Nightwear Range from Oasis when using this Promotional Code
Code odille09bz
Expiry 31/5/09
Link http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-25-all-New-Odille...
Retailer Glasses Direct
Details Save 10% off all orders from Glasses Direct when using this Promo Code
Code spring2009
Expiry 4/5/09
Link http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-10-off-all-orders...
Retailer Healthy Direct
Details Save 20% off all orders over £35 from Healthy Direct when using this Exclusive Voucher Code
Code MyVoucher04
Expiry 1/5/09
Link http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/discounts/healthydirect.co.u...
LINK – www.myvouchercodes.co.uk
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Fuel Duty bombshell
He was dubbed “Dracula” by the Freight Transport Association for sucking dry the lifeblood of the haulage industry by reviving the fuel tax escalator.
Hot on the heels of the most recent 2p rise in fuel duty, he announced another 2p hike in September, following by a rise of 1p above inflation next April, and each following April for the next four years.
While the British Chambers of Commerce warned he had shown “scant disregard” for beleaguered haulage companies, and the AA calling it a “body blow”, fleet operators are now looking for every avenue to protect their profit margins.
Increasing numbers are now turning to TruckProtect’s innovative anti-siphon device the InstantFit NECK-IT to guard against the growing problem of fuel theft which can cost companies thousands of pounds a year.
TruckProtect’s Chief Executive Russell Fowler said: “Raising fuel duty above inflation every year will only increase pressure on already hard-pressed fleet operators who are working on very tight margins.
“Companies are already struggling to make profits so keeping control of costs will become ever more important and the theft of fuel could prove disastrous.
“By investing a small amount of money in an InstantFit NECK-IT anti-siphon device they can protect themselves against both organised gangs who drain tanks dry and opportunistic “skimming” of fuel from the top of the tank.”
Fleet operators can also benefit from another of TruckProtect’s products which helps boost fuel economy and reduce servicing bills by keeping their diesel clean.
Fuel sludging is a growing problem and so TruckProtect range has introduced EcoFuelKleanz to its portfolio of products.
Suitable for trucks, vans and buses, this unique and simple fuel conditioning system provides an innovative green solution to eliminate the fuel sludging problems that often beset modern vehicles, particularly ones which run on the increasingly popular biodiesel..
The units need no power or maintenance and can be quickly fitted into the fuel line of all commercial vehicles, where the strong but controlled magnetic field acts on diesel or biofuels to improve fuel quality, increase engine protection and performance, and reduce emissions. It will not only help increase fuel filter life hugely, but will also prevent blocked and corroded injectors
The InstantFit NECK-IT is the most popular anti-siphon device on the market, with more than 100,000 units sold to date. Highly effective, it is easy to fit, has no moving parts, and, critically, can cope with filling speeds of up to 120 ltr/min without splashback. Operators can easily transfer it from one vehicle to another and, as it requires no drilling or gluing, it does not damage trucks.
Truck manufacturer Scania was so impressed it has taken on a line of InstantFit NECK-IT which is branded with the Scania logo and commercial vehicle manufacturer DAF has added it to its list of Truck Related Parts which customers can order direct from DAF dealers.
Following its success in Britain, the InstantFit NECK-IT is proving popular in the Continent and the United States. There are models to fit Mercedes, Volvo, Renault and Iveco trucks, a large number of diesel vans, buses and even public service vehicles such as roadsweepers and American trucks including Peterbilt, Kenworth and Freightliner.
Recruitment firm calls for more support for workers
A recruitment specialist has backed calls for the government to offer more support to workers facing redundancy or reduced hours.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) is calling on the government to provide subsidies to workers' pay.
The organisations believe that the radical measure, which they argue would "help stem" the rise in job losses, should be introduced "as soon as possible".
Recruitment specialist ATA Selection has echoed the calls stating that the government should look at preventative measures while staff are still in employment, not once they are made redundant.
There is widespread concern over the huge number of job losses predicted, with a further reported 320,000 jobs set to be culled during the coming three months as companies respond to the recession, but believes more can be done by the government.
Andrew Hardaker, Managing Director, ATA Selection said: "ATA Selection welcomes the subsidy approach as an initiative to keep skilled workers in the UK employed.
"Remaining in employment improves a worker's self-esteem and maintains their skills base.
"The government must safeguard the future of our manufacturing industry by acting now to safeguard jobs.”
"It is extremely important that the workforce does not become de-motivated."
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber has said that wage subsidy schemes are already working well across Europe and said he wanted similar systems introduced in the UK.
Mr. Barber said: "The European schemes are preventing many thousands of unnecessary job losses. The Government must provide support for UK businesses and workers too."
The FSB said employers would welcome the move because it would enable them to retain key staff and enable them to prepare for the revival in the economy.
National Chairman John Wright said: "It should be regarded as a national investment which will eventually pay for itself."
The last time Britain operated a wage subsidy scheme was in the late 1970s, when companies that were laying off more than ten staff were offered a subsidy of £20 a week for up to 12 months for each job saved.
ATA Selection is one of the UK's leading recruitment specialists, with 45 years of experience. It has 10 branches throughout the UK and handles more than 300 new vacancies every week.
It can provide a complete recruitment service to clients, whether they are looking for permanent or fixed contract/temporary staff.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) is calling on the government to provide subsidies to workers' pay.
The organisations believe that the radical measure, which they argue would "help stem" the rise in job losses, should be introduced "as soon as possible".
Recruitment specialist ATA Selection has echoed the calls stating that the government should look at preventative measures while staff are still in employment, not once they are made redundant.
There is widespread concern over the huge number of job losses predicted, with a further reported 320,000 jobs set to be culled during the coming three months as companies respond to the recession, but believes more can be done by the government.
Andrew Hardaker, Managing Director, ATA Selection said: "ATA Selection welcomes the subsidy approach as an initiative to keep skilled workers in the UK employed.
"Remaining in employment improves a worker's self-esteem and maintains their skills base.
"The government must safeguard the future of our manufacturing industry by acting now to safeguard jobs.”
"It is extremely important that the workforce does not become de-motivated."
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber has said that wage subsidy schemes are already working well across Europe and said he wanted similar systems introduced in the UK.
Mr. Barber said: "The European schemes are preventing many thousands of unnecessary job losses. The Government must provide support for UK businesses and workers too."
The FSB said employers would welcome the move because it would enable them to retain key staff and enable them to prepare for the revival in the economy.
National Chairman John Wright said: "It should be regarded as a national investment which will eventually pay for itself."
The last time Britain operated a wage subsidy scheme was in the late 1970s, when companies that were laying off more than ten staff were offered a subsidy of £20 a week for up to 12 months for each job saved.
ATA Selection is one of the UK's leading recruitment specialists, with 45 years of experience. It has 10 branches throughout the UK and handles more than 300 new vacancies every week.
It can provide a complete recruitment service to clients, whether they are looking for permanent or fixed contract/temporary staff.
Attack on crowd watching Dutch royal visit
At least four people were killed and many more injured.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=azXFi6_ES8x8&refer=home
Beware Tax Refund Phishing Scam
Equifax highlights increase in fraudsters targeting SMEs and self-employed
London, April 2009 - With April marking the start of the new tax year, there appears to have been a new wave of email phishing scams targeting tax payers who fill out self-assessment forms. The warning of this risk, which is particularly great for the self-employed and SME's, comes from leading ID fraud expert, Equifax.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has updated its website, highlighting a high number of new phishing emails being sent claiming that recipients are eligible for a tax refund. And Neil Munroe, External Affairs Director, Equifax, is urging anyone who fills in a self-assessment form to be on the look out for phishing scams, which are being used to steal User IDs and passwords.
"Fraudsters seem to be targeting tax payers around key deadlines and they are using the very enticing promise of tax refunds! Many of these emails can look very convincing for people who don't know what to look for. But the crucial thing to remember is that HMRC would always notify individuals of tax refunds by post, rather than email or telephone. A fraudulent email often has an embedded link, taking the recipient to a fake website, where they are encouraged to reveal bank or credit card details but anyone who provides their details risks their accounts being emptied and fraudsters maxing out their credit cards.
"Phishing scams are becoming more and more sophisticated, in order to fool the unsuspecting. Indeed, with APACS, the UK payments association, reporting in March that online banking fraud losses had increased by a staggering 132% year on year, it is essential that tax payers recognise the threat of fraud and learn how to recognise a fake email. HMRC is also warning people about a rise in fraudulent telephone calls, asking for passwords and secure information. So make sure you know who you are talking to and always check before responding to emails."
EQUIFAX'S TOP TIPS ON SPOTTING A PHISHING SCAM
* Organisations like HMRC never ask for personal details via email
* Tax refunds are always notified by post
* Check for the padlock symbol in the bottom right hand corner of your web browser when you log on to HMRC Online Services
* Look for your name at the top of the email - fraudulent emails won't address you personally
* Links may take you to a website that looks genuine, but is probably fake
* Never give out personal information
* Delete phishing emails immediately
* If you have been a victim tell your bank immediately
* Sign up for a service like Equifax Credit Watch to alert you of any fraudulent activity
A Welsh-Brummie writes: Sion Simon, please just shut up! (Comment piece)
As someone who was born in Birmingham of Welsh stock, can I please say this: Sion Simon, why don't you grow up and shut up? Wales and Birmingham are both heartily sick of your juvenile antics.
Your stupid David Cameron spoof (unfunny as it was) was bad enough, but now you leap from the gutter in to the sewer with an attack on someone who has certainly never done you any harm. Accusing Susan Boyle of causing Swine Flu might have seemed like the zenith of humour to you, but it wasn't. It was the nadir. And your own personal nadir, too. Sion 'Nadir' Simon does have a certain ring to it. Albeit a rather hollow ring...
You have shown yourself to be crass, sexist and misogynistic. I think leafy Erdington deserves someone better than you as the MP.
Yes, Sion Simon apologised. Whoopee, wave the flags. Any fool can weep copious crocodile tears of regret... "I apologise wholeheartedly for any distress or embarrassment caused, boo-hoo, I am really, truly sorry, cross my heart, blah blah blah, etc."
However the lesson that Mr Sion Simon needs to learn is this: "Don't do it in the first place, then you will have nothing to be pretend to be sorry for."
Oops! Cheats never prosper?" Labour MPs might kill themselves" fear
The following story appears in the Daily Mail online edition:
"Three Labour MPs are said to be terrified that the release of their expenses claims will expose them as adulterers and financial cheats.
Four ministers are also understood to have warned party whips they might have to resign for abusing the system, when MPs' receipts are published before the summer recess in July.
"The three unnamed backbenchers are said to have been placed on 'suicide watch' by Labour whips, who fear they might break down when the details of their excesses come out" writes the Daily Mail.
Four ministers are also understood to have warned party whips they might have to resign for abusing the system, when MPs' receipts are published before the summer recess in July.
"The three unnamed backbenchers are said to have been placed on 'suicide watch' by Labour whips, who fear they might break down when the details of their excesses come out" writes the Daily Mail.
Shorn of the hyperbole that is ritually inserted into every Daily Mail story (even the weather forecast!) things do seem grim for some Labour MPs. And probably for some MPs from other parties, too.
"The Mail understands that Labour whips are prepared to step in to arrange secret counselling for the MPs." Will this be Derek Draper's new role within the Labour Party? Official secret psychotherapist? Even though he is under a rather large cloud himself, regarding Drapergate?
Only time will tell.
Maritime And Coastguard Agency (National) (MCA) 68 year old man injures leg on yacht propeller after fall
Holyhead Coastguard have been co-ordinating the recovery to hospital of a man in his 60s from Moelfre who, after falling from his dinghy, suffered lacerations to his leg after coming into contact with the propeller of a nearby yacht who came to assist him.
Earlier yesterday afternoon, the man who had been in his dinghy in Red Wharf Bay, opposite the Ship Inn, on Anglesey, had been seen to fall into the water and a nearby yacht went to assist. During the recovery the man's right leg was badly lacerated with a significant loss of blood and the yacht crew raised the alarm with the Coastguard. An ambulance was immediately called. An air ambulance was also sent to the scene.
The Moelfre Coastguard Rescue Team also attended and the Police and Marine Accident Investigation Branch have been informed. The weather on scene this afternoon is south easterly 5, dry and with good visibility.
Barry Priddis, Holyhead Coastguard Watch manager said this afternoon "It seems that the man had fallen into the water and the crew of the yacht had gone to assist, but the wind and tide dragged him to the back of the yacht where he came into contact with the propeller. The injured man then swam the 50 metres to the shoreline before getting assistance. We wish him a speedy recovery. The assisting yacht is due back to harbour at Holyhead around 7.00 pm this evening, and our Coastguard team will meet with the crew to obtain further details."
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Gordon's rat problem. An open letter from Southport author, Pat Regan
Author of 'Dirty Politics', Pat Regan, attacks bureaucratic insanity behind the UK's rat population explosion
UK Government - taking us back to the Dark Ages and putting our communities at risk
The UK's increasing rat population is threatening our families but still dictatorial council authorities press on regardless with the hated 2-week waste collection fiasco
The UK Government's so-called Alternate Weekly Collection (AWC) scheme is largely based on sham science and wholly unsubstantiated fears about global warming. They 'think' that they can somehow help to control the climate, via decreased carbon emissions, by enforcing their AWC on us all.
Labour's two-week (possibly to be increased to 4-week) waste collection flop is leading to a significant explosion in the UK's rat population. Recycling, composting and the glaring flaws in the AWC are all contributing to increased risk for UK families. Rats carry significant diseases that can and 'do' kill.
You are now more likely to be faced with high health-risk vermin, either in your garden or house, than you were before the crazy AWC was introduced by bully boy councils.
According to the latest National Pest Technician Association (NPTA) survey the rodent population of Britain is booming with local councils receiving more than half a million complaints about them in the past year. This proves that the rat population is at its highest level since the first study some nine years ago.
The examination reported 378,000 anti-rat treatments in the year - up 44% on the year before - and more than 147,000 anti-mice treatments, up 39%.
One of the most unpleasantly hit regions in the UK is Flamborough, East Yorkshire, which is experiencing an epidemic of rats running out of control. Citizens in the area reported seeing rodents in numerous streets.
Tourists were urged not to let the huge rat infestation deter them from visiting the popular seaside village.
The Guardian reported (March 2009) that a resident called Julie Sanders said:
"It's like the Pied Piper tale up here. I've been sat talking on the phone, watching out of my window as they've run along my garden wall. We've been asked by the council not to put food out for the birds because the rats eat it. They act like gangs. They really do swarm."
Lancashire press concerns as Preston becomes 'Rat City!'
Apparently Lancashire is in urgent need of a "Pied Piper" Figure too.
The
The Lancs paper stated at that time:
"The number of rodents lurking in streets, gardens, workplaces – and sometimes even in homes – has risen to a record high over the past few years. Last year, staff were called to deal with 1,141 rat treatments at Preston homes, compared to 1,080 in 2005, 670 in 2004 and 790 in 2003."
In April 2008 the Lancs Evening Post again reported on rat increase problems at a popular Preston park. One witness claimed seeing up to 50 rats on one visit. A Preston Council spokesman told the newspaper: "We have ongoing measures in place to control rats within the city's parks. We have not been made aware of this outbreak, but investigations are under way and the necessary measures will be taken to tackle it if required.
Preston Council appeared to have failed in this promise as the following report clearly substantiates
Killer Vermin infesting Preston claim by traders
27th February 2009 saw Lancashire Evening Post reporter,
Ben Robinson, explaining that rats were are on the increase within the Preston city centre. Claims within this recent article included:Complaints about rats to environmental health chiefs had rocketed by 140 to 1,340 in the past year.
Shoppers witnessing rats running into the busiest shops.
Rats found dead outside busy shops.
Pest experts in Penwortham, near Preston, said city centre businesses are facing a "potential killer".
Mice complaints also rose, by 131 to 1,004.
Traders warned that killer vermin are infesting Preston.
Pest control experts have also warned that Preston is also facing the outbreak of a new breed of mice which are more difficult to kill. It is called the 'West Midlands Resistant Mouse' because it was first found there. Experts say that mouse poison it is usually put on grain but this new breed of mice will not t eat it. Controllers are relying on trapping yet these new mice are rather trap shy.
In July 2007 the Liverpool Echo run a story entitled
'Please get rid of this plague of rats'
Apparently, families living in a condemned area of Liverpool were being overrun with rats as they waited to be relocated into new premises.
The New Forest area is also apparently seeing rat problems.
The Bournemouth Echo reported (17th April 2009) - 'Ringwood family living in fear of rats'
The newspaper stated - 'A local mum claims she is sharing her Ringwood hostel home with rats. Carla Weeks is so scared of the rodents she has not used the loo in her home in Parsonage Barn Lane for a week since first spotting one.'
In January 2009 the Hounslow Chronicle reported that an infestation of fearless rats was:
"threatening to engulf Feltham town centre unless town hall environment chiefs act, according to residents."
Hounslow Council's own website informs of the dangers of rat infestations and lectures about the: 'obligation of owners or occupiers to control rats and mice on their property'.
One horrified local resident was quoted in the report saying:
"I shudder to think what it's like at night. I even saw two eating what looked like human vomit today."
January 2009 also saw South Northamptonshire Council facing an increase in the rat population and apparently speculating that this vermin boom was a result of, yes you've guessed it, "climate change." This ludicrous allegation has prompted that council to apparently consider charging residents for disposing of the pests.
Currently, South Northamptonshire Council provides a free pest control service for the elimination of rats, and responds to more than nine out of 10 call-outs within two days. A report suggested that 'milder winters' have seen an increase in the rat population of the area. This is rather bizarre claim when one considers that Britain was faced with a massive freeze, including ice and snow back in the latter months of 2008.
No – regardless of the typical and unfounded climate alarmist' claims, AWC-related issues are much more likely to be the genuine cause of the disconcerting rat boom. The rat population has shown a 39 % increase since 1999 leaving the UK health department more than a little apprehensive.
If Gordon Brown and the despotic councils that follow the AWC- lead fail to bring back more hygienic weekly collections what else are we to do to protect our families? Will UK residents perhaps be issued with suburban rat-traps, rodent poison, free prescriptions to deal with salmonella and Weil's disease etc, or even air rifles if we are to deal with the Governments mess ourselves?
Yet more hidden costs to UK families, thanks to enforced AWC policy
My fellow campaigner against AWC insanity, Doretta Cocks tells, me:
"A contributory factor is also that many councils have scrapped free treatments for mice and rats. If residents find out they have to pay up to £70 a time they will often resort to buying rat poison and trying to treat the problem themselves. This poses a real threat to children, pets and other wildlife who may take the bait."
Doretta added:
"The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health has urged local authorities NOT to impose fees for these services but their warnings have been ignored."
Cutting costs is clearly of greater importance than public or environmental safety to many belligerent council authorities today. What exactly are we paying them for?
Fortnightly rubbish collections, compulsory recycling policy and composting bins are said to be the cause of the increasing brown rat population. This latter claim was presented according to a report on the influential 'Bio-Medicine' website.
John Davison of the National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA) said: "It's a grave problem." He added: "The way this is growing it is going to give rise to some kind of public health risk."
Rats and other vermin are increasing thanks to the insane AWCs and the boffins behind it along with their trained political allies have the nerve to blame climate change for their own major failings. Can anyone take these idiots seriously?
A nice hot summer may prove exceptionally interesting in the UK with regards to the AWCs.
The trusting populace of the UK is being governed by cranks, egotists and fools who will never accept the fact that their 2-week collection system has serious flaws and ramifications for us all. Now we have Mother Nature giving us some pretty serious hints about all this madness in the form of a growing rat population. What more will it take to wake up the senseless authorities that reside behind the AWC?
Will we have to suffer with the Black Death or similar before they finally get the massage about the Nation's health, which they are placing in serious jeopardy today?
Its official! AWC system is creating health risk to UK families say pest experts
The National Pest Technician Association were quoted in the Telegraph (Feb.09) advising that the scrapping of weekly bin collections meant more rubbish was now being left outside in bins for longer, attracting more rats. The association also warned that rat and mice infestations were expected to become more common in the recession as additional properties become empty. Dictatorial councils have been cutting weekly collections and moving to AWCs to allegedly try to reduce the amount of rubbish they send to landfill. Recent statistics (Feb, 09) indicate that 166 councils have now chopped weekly collections, up from 140 in April 2007.
Caroline Spelman MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, was reported in the Telegraph saying: "Labour's cuts to bin collection, driven by Whitehall bureaucrats, are harming the local environment and public health."
It appears to be quite logical that recent vermin booms, reported by pest control experts in this field, are now a direct result of the Government's self-righteous policies, related to frequency and size of bin collections.
AWC is taking us back to a dangerous period before common sense clicked in and weekly collections were first instigated.
Politics don't get much dirtier than when public health is sacrificed at the altar of bureaucratic self-righteousness.
Pat Regan
How the press see Gordon Brown.. There's even one positive story.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6188555.ece
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/benedict_brogan/blog/2009/04/28/gordon_browns_rage http://blog.heritage.org/2009/04/29/gordon-brown-launches-another-assault-on-britain%E2%80%99s-defenses/ http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/site/article/6617/ http://financialadvice.co.uk/news/8/pensions/10434/Pension-loophole-could-cost-the-Treasury-millions.html http://eyrepeninsula.yourguide.com.au/news/world/world/general/now-brown-is-rudds-best-bud/1474947.aspx http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1173209/Brown-plans-conscript-youths-charity-work.html http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/Victims-seek-Ghadaffi-meeting.5216394.jp http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=17788 http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23682368-details/Blunkett+U-turn:+Scrap+5billion+ID+card+scheme/article.do http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/3565866/its-all-over-now-gordon-brown.thtml http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1173690/I-person-marriage-Blair-Brown-Lord-Mandelson-claims.html http://www.cnplus.co.uk/sectors/education/gordon-brown-to-meet-college-principal-over-delays/5200973.article http://www.cnplus.co.uk/sectors/education/gordon-brown-to-meet-college-principal-over-delays/5200973.article http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/amber/The-New-Nasty-Party.5211276.jp http://business.scotsman.com/business/Peter-MacMahon39s-Business-Blog-Gordon.5204039.jp http://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/news/MP-presents-a-39whisky39-fundraiser.5213446.jpJack Jones and his wife were KGB/Comintern agents
Former KBG senion officer Oleg Gordievsky has confirmed that Jack Jones and his wife were both KGB/Comintern agents. In the case of his wife from the 1930s onwards:
Three arrests in suspected pyramid scheme investigation
The OFT is continuing its criminal investigation into a suspected unlawful pyramid scheme operating in the South West of England and South Wales by carrying out further raids in the Bristol area today.
OFT officers executed entry warrants at home addresses in Bristol and East Harptree accompanied by police, who arrested three women alleged to be involved in the establishment, operation and promotion of the suspected pyramid scheme. The OFT also served notices at a number of other addresses requiring individuals and businesses to produce documents relevant to the investigation.
The OFT is working closely with Avon and Somerset Police and South West England Scambusters and these raids are connected to arrests carried out in January and earlier this month.
The scheme appears to be aimed at women, with each participant promising to enlist two more members. The OFT estimates that up to £18 million may have passed through the scheme since May 2008 with thousands of consumers paying up to £3000 each to join.
The OFT is asking anyone with information regarding any suspected pyramid schemes to contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or visit
www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.Are Google and Ebay Profiting from Sale of Illegal Goods?
Since March 11th 2008 retailers have been prohibited from selling novelty lighters. Novelty lighters are defined as being appealing to children in terms of their shape e.g. toys, or because of sound, lights or other entertaining features.
According to research carried out by the UK Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform there was an average of 5 deaths every year between 1999 and 2003 that were caused by children under the age of nine playing with lighters.
Although ebay and Google are not supplying these items directly to consumers, they are promoting their sale with ebay profiting from commission and Google from advertising revenue on its search pages.
According to Google’s advertising standards, users of their advertising system, Adwords, are not allowed to advertise products that contravene applicable laws and regulations in any country in which the ads are displayed. And Google shop search users must not upload products or information promoting illegal goods.
Ebay provides guidance to sellers and lists prohibited goods, but this currently excludes novelty lighters.
This comes shortly after e-bay attracted criticism over the sale of knives and other dangerous and counterfeit items such as Nintendo DS’s.
Organisations with the financial resources and brand profile of ebay and Google have a social responsibility to set a good example and proactively prevent the sale of dangerous and illegal products such as novelty lighters.
Catriona Bright, What Consumer (whatconsumer.co.uk) founder, commented: “These novelty lighters attract children and have been directly linked to deaths and injuries. I hope that both Google and ebay move swiftly to remove these items from their respective systems”
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP wins compensation for widow of cyclist
Law firm Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP has won substantial compensation for the widow of a cyclist killed in a fatal collision with an HGV. The driver of the HGV collided with the cyclist, Stephen Ferguson, despite the fact that Mr Ferguson was directly in front of his vehicle.
In April 2007, Mr Ferguson, a father of three from Dulwich in South East London was cycling to work when he approached a set of traffic lights on red. Passing a stationary HGV, he positioned himself in front of it, ready to cycle off when the lights went green. The driver, whose HGV was missing a nearside mirror, failed to see Mr Ferguson in front of his vehicle and when the lights changed, moved off, driving over Mr Ferguson and his bicycle, killing him instantly.
Mr Ferguson's widow Emma instructed Field Fisher Waterhouse's personal injury partner, Jill Greenfield and associate, Mark Bowman to represent her in a claim against Hendricks Lovell Limited, the haulage company which employed the driver of the HGV.
Hendricks denied causing the road traffic accident but during investigations it was established that the driver had his radio on, had an open newspaper on the passenger seat and was missing one of his mirrors. Hendricks finally agreed to pay substantial financial compensation to Emma Ferguson and her three young children, now aged six, four and one.
Mark Bowman, solicitor at Field Fisher Waterhouse commented: "This tragic case highlights the danger that HGVs pose to cyclists and why they must be fitted with the correct mirrors. More needs to be done to ensure that cycling in London is safe and that these accidents happen far less."
Emma Ferguson said: "I would like to thank Field Fisher Waterhouse for all their amazing work. This will make a real difference to the children's future. I am, and I know Stephen would be, very grateful to them for that."
(EDITOR: It might also mean that nipping in front of other vehicles if you are a cyclist at traffic lights is best avoided)
In April 2007, Mr Ferguson, a father of three from Dulwich in South East London was cycling to work when he approached a set of traffic lights on red. Passing a stationary HGV, he positioned himself in front of it, ready to cycle off when the lights went green. The driver, whose HGV was missing a nearside mirror, failed to see Mr Ferguson in front of his vehicle and when the lights changed, moved off, driving over Mr Ferguson and his bicycle, killing him instantly.
Mr Ferguson's widow Emma instructed Field Fisher Waterhouse's personal injury partner, Jill Greenfield and associate, Mark Bowman to represent her in a claim against Hendricks Lovell Limited, the haulage company which employed the driver of the HGV.
Hendricks denied causing the road traffic accident but during investigations it was established that the driver had his radio on, had an open newspaper on the passenger seat and was missing one of his mirrors. Hendricks finally agreed to pay substantial financial compensation to Emma Ferguson and her three young children, now aged six, four and one.
Mark Bowman, solicitor at Field Fisher Waterhouse commented: "This tragic case highlights the danger that HGVs pose to cyclists and why they must be fitted with the correct mirrors. More needs to be done to ensure that cycling in London is safe and that these accidents happen far less."
Emma Ferguson said: "I would like to thank Field Fisher Waterhouse for all their amazing work. This will make a real difference to the children's future. I am, and I know Stephen would be, very grateful to them for that."
(EDITOR: It might also mean that nipping in front of other vehicles if you are a cyclist at traffic lights is best avoided)
Petition for the prime minister falters
A petition asking Gordon Brown to remain as Prime Minister has, after tow days, garnered a remarkable 7 vote as of 22.37 on Tuesday April 27th. However, it seems some of even those names are joke names. Vaal Ewes being one of them.
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/support-the-PM/
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/support-the-PM/
New Foreign Office Advice: Do NOT travel to Mexico
The following is an official Foreign and Commonwealth Office Release
Travel Summary
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 4 (evidence of increased human to human transmission). See the WHO website at
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html for further details.We are now advising against all but essential travel to Mexico.
Routine Consular and all Visa Services at the Embassy in Mexico City have been suspended until further notice. British Nationals in Mexico, who have an urgent consular issue should call the Embassy on (01 55) 5242 8500 for assistance.
British nationals resident in or visiting Mexico may wish to consider whether they should remain in Mexico at this time.
British Nationals should continue to follow local advice on precautions to take to avoid exposure to the influenza.
Cases of swine influenza have been reported in Mexico City and a number of other locations across the country. Travellers should consult a doctor immediately if they show signs of flu-like symptoms.
The Mexican Secretariat of Health has advised people to avoid large crowds, shaking hands and kissing people as a greeting. Maintaining a distance of at least six feet from other persons and frequent hand washing may decrease the risk of exposure. The Mexicans have closed educational establishments across the country. Museums and other public venues and events have been closed or postponed.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Swine Flu hits UK
Two suspected cases of swine flu in Scotland have been confirmed as positive and both individuals are now recovering at Monklands Hospital in Lanarkshire.
In addition, a further seven people from the contact group of the infected people are displaying mild symptoms and are undergoing tests.
Deputy First Minister and Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "I can confirm that tests have demonstrated conclusively that the two Scottish cases of suspected swine flu are positive.
"However, I am pleased to say both patients are recovering well. In addition, there are currently a further seven people among the 22 who have been in contact with the two infected people, who have now developed mild symptoms and are being appropriately cared for.
"I would reiterate that the threat to the public remains low and that the precautionary actions we have taken over the last two days have been important in allowing us to respond appropriately and give us the best prospect of disrupting the spread of the virus.
"However, this is a developing situation which we continue to monitor very closely, in conjunction with our colleagues in other parts of the UK and the World Health Organisation.
"We remain very encouraged by the fact that, outside Mexico, everyone who has contracted swine flu has experienced mild symptoms only."
The Scottish Government is in close contact with Scottish NHS boards who are well prepared to respond to any further suspected cases.
As part of its pandemic flu preparations, the Scottish Government has significant stockpiles of two antiviral drugs - Tamiflu and Relenza - both of which have been effective in treating cases of the H1N1 strain of swine flu in other countries.
The Scottish Government has encouraged people to take simple infection control precautions, such as hand washing and covering their mouth when they cough or sneeze.
Anyone who develops flu-like symptoms or who has recently returned from one of the affected areas and is worried about their health should contact NHS 24 08454 24 24 24 or their GP.
Training exercise turns into rescue for Arnside Coastguard rescue team
At 3 o' clock yesterday afternoon (Saturday) a training exercise turned into a successful rescue for Arnside Coastguard Rescue Team when a member of the team was taken ill during the exercise on the Kent Estuary.
The Arnside Team were undertaking training with their new Rescue Water Craft, due to come into service during the summer season, when one of their colleagues became unwell and was deemed in need of medical attention. The area in which they were training was approximately 600 metres away from the nearest road, and so the Rescue Water Craft they were using for the training was deployed to collect a rescue stretcher and medical supplies, and the casualty was carried by the team to a waiting ambulance from North West Ambulance Service.
Richard Hackwell, HM Coastguard Technical Rescue Consultant was assisting with the training, along with Ben Granata of K38 UK.
The Arnside Team were undertaking training with their new Rescue Water Craft, due to come into service during the summer season, when one of their colleagues became unwell and was deemed in need of medical attention. The area in which they were training was approximately 600 metres away from the nearest road, and so the Rescue Water Craft they were using for the training was deployed to collect a rescue stretcher and medical supplies, and the casualty was carried by the team to a waiting ambulance from North West Ambulance Service.
Richard Hackwell, HM Coastguard Technical Rescue Consultant was assisting with the training, along with Ben Granata of K38 UK.
Richard said: "Rescue Water Craft are increasingly being used for safety and rescue in a wide variety of water conditions, with the team being trained in their use yesterday afternoon. The team performed well, effectively utilising the new craft and demonstrating its capabilities in the challenging operating conditions of the Kent Estuary. The craft certainly proved its worth and was crucial to yesterday afternoon's rescue, and I'm confident it will be an invaluable asset in the busy summer months."
Chris Turner, Fylde Sector Manager, HM Coastguard added: "With many more people choosing to holiday in the UK this year we are prepared for a busy summer, and the new Rescue Water Craft will enhance our ability to deliver search and rescue around the coast. If you are visiting the coast this summer and you spot anyone in danger, always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard."
Sunday, April 26, 2009
An open challenge to Green Party Members (Contains video)
This video clearly shows a member of the German Green Party (a member of the European Green Party Group in the European Parliament http://www.greens-efa.org/index.htm) so eager to evade a member of the press that she runs straight into a wall so eager is she to run away.
Why was she eager to run away? Because the TV crew found her about to sign in for her daily attendance allowance only to leave parliament with her bags as soon as she had signed in for the day.
When challenged about her behaviour she blustered about the "impertinence" of the journalist daring to question her! What utter arrogance from this MEP! It is clear that at least this Green Party group member is only concerned about getting her snout into the trough. So it would seem that a vote for any Green Party candidate in the European Elections is likely to be a wasted vote.
Does the European Parliament Green Party Group -or any officials from any national European Green Party- consider that MEPs are justified in claiming money for an attendance allowance when they have not the slightest intention of attending any part of the working day they are claiming for?
Please use the facility to comment on this story, if you wish. Anyone else who wishes to comment, please do so.
The video was from the excellent site: Plato Says:
Why was she eager to run away? Because the TV crew found her about to sign in for her daily attendance allowance only to leave parliament with her bags as soon as she had signed in for the day.
When challenged about her behaviour she blustered about the "impertinence" of the journalist daring to question her! What utter arrogance from this MEP! It is clear that at least this Green Party group member is only concerned about getting her snout into the trough. So it would seem that a vote for any Green Party candidate in the European Elections is likely to be a wasted vote.
Does the European Parliament Green Party Group -or any officials from any national European Green Party- consider that MEPs are justified in claiming money for an attendance allowance when they have not the slightest intention of attending any part of the working day they are claiming for?
Please use the facility to comment on this story, if you wish. Anyone else who wishes to comment, please do so.
The video was from the excellent site: Plato Says:
http://plato-says.blogspot.com/2009/04/eu-gravy-train.html
Smeargate or Drapergate: What the papers say
This is just what some of the press is saying
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/apr/26/letters-psychotherapy-mental-health
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/apr/19/derek-draper-psychotherapy
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8018647.stm
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1173608/Tory-MP-sues-McBride-smear-emails.html
http://uk.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUKTRE53O2E820090425
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/daniel_finkelstein/article6160228.ece
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Drapergate and Smeargate over? No chance! Round three! Ding! Ding!
Apparently it was decided that smearing the good name of a female Conservative MP was acceptable to many people in the Labour Party. Including the Feminist sisterhood who, rather like the priest and the Levite, passed by on the other side of the road and left Nadine under attack from the Labour boot boys. Odd how their feminism is like a cloak that they can put on or pull off whenever the mood takes them.
If Gordon Brown believed or even hoped that the dreadful Drapergate or Smeargate story was all over and kicked in to the long grass for ever, he was obviously not counting on the reaction of Nadine Dorries, MP.
Nadine has posted the following on her blog:
If Gordon Brown believed or even hoped that the dreadful Drapergate or Smeargate story was all over and kicked in to the long grass for ever, he was obviously not counting on the reaction of Nadine Dorries, MP.
Nadine has posted the following on her blog:
"I have instructed and proceeded with legal action. Obviously, I am not going to say anything at all at this stage, other than that."
http://blog.dorries.org/Blogs/2009/Apr/25#25
All I can say is: Anyone being sued by Nadine has got it coming to them.
That's News awaits these and other future developments with interest.
More negative comments on Brown's Big Budget
Lee Watts, Managing Director of Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward, comments on the 2009 Budget statement: “We welcome the extended holiday that the Government has chosen to grant on the payment of stamp duty on properties purchased for £175,000 or less, but in reality, it’s more of a long weekend.
“Stamp duty is an obstacle for many buyers, particularly struggling first timers who find getting a foot on the property ladder in London more difficult than most. However, it is important to remember that, even in a struggling economy, there are very few properties available within London under the £175,000 threshold, so first time buyers in the capital won’t really benefit. Less than 5% of the properties that we are currently selling would benefit from the stamp duty break that is being offered.
“The Chancellor could have chosen to rework the levels of Stamp Duty entirely, but in the absence of cuts across the board, this extended holiday will offer some relief to the market.”
“Stamp duty is an obstacle for many buyers, particularly struggling first timers who find getting a foot on the property ladder in London more difficult than most. However, it is important to remember that, even in a struggling economy, there are very few properties available within London under the £175,000 threshold, so first time buyers in the capital won’t really benefit. Less than 5% of the properties that we are currently selling would benefit from the stamp duty break that is being offered.
“The Chancellor could have chosen to rework the levels of Stamp Duty entirely, but in the absence of cuts across the board, this extended holiday will offer some relief to the market.”
Scrap The Scrap Scheme Argues Motorpoint
Motorpoint is calling on the Government to abandon the car scrappage scheme before it even begins.
The UK’s leading car supermarket group believes the car scrappage system is nothing more than a clever ruse by the car manufacturers to offset recent price hikes at the taxpayers’ expense.
The Chancellor Alistair Darling unveiled details of the scheme in Wednesday’s Budget. Under the proposals, drivers scrapping cars which are 10 years or older will receive £1,000 from the manufacturer (match funded by the Government) towards the cost of a new vehicle.
However, few consumers realise that the funding only applies to a brand new, unregistered vehicle at list price, and that with the list price of popular cars such as the Ford Focus having risen by as much £1,200 in recent months, the tax payer is effectively subsiding the contribution from manufacturers through their dealer networks.
Says David Shelton, Managing Director of Motorpoint: “Like everyone we were delighted the Government had decided to take action to support the UK car industry.
“When the exact detail of the scheme was published, it quickly became apparent it was nothing short of collusion between the Government and the manufacturer with the consumer being left to pick the bill.
“We launched Motorpoint just over a decade ago determined to end the so-called ‘Rip off Britain’ car buying culture by wrestling control away from the manufacturers and their dealer networks when it came to buying new and nearly new vehicles.”
Adds David: “Unfortunately, the car scrappage scheme would appear to be a return to the bad old days, creating a manufacturer only administered scheme which benefits only them and their dealers and does nothing for the average motorist.”
“We would strongly advise anyone considering buying a new car to bring their old car to Motorpoint instead and save themselves a lot more than £2,000 on a fantastic range of makes and models."
The UK’s leading car supermarket group believes the car scrappage system is nothing more than a clever ruse by the car manufacturers to offset recent price hikes at the taxpayers’ expense.
The Chancellor Alistair Darling unveiled details of the scheme in Wednesday’s Budget. Under the proposals, drivers scrapping cars which are 10 years or older will receive £1,000 from the manufacturer (match funded by the Government) towards the cost of a new vehicle.
However, few consumers realise that the funding only applies to a brand new, unregistered vehicle at list price, and that with the list price of popular cars such as the Ford Focus having risen by as much £1,200 in recent months, the tax payer is effectively subsiding the contribution from manufacturers through their dealer networks.
Says David Shelton, Managing Director of Motorpoint: “Like everyone we were delighted the Government had decided to take action to support the UK car industry.
“When the exact detail of the scheme was published, it quickly became apparent it was nothing short of collusion between the Government and the manufacturer with the consumer being left to pick the bill.
“We launched Motorpoint just over a decade ago determined to end the so-called ‘Rip off Britain’ car buying culture by wrestling control away from the manufacturers and their dealer networks when it came to buying new and nearly new vehicles.”
Adds David: “Unfortunately, the car scrappage scheme would appear to be a return to the bad old days, creating a manufacturer only administered scheme which benefits only them and their dealers and does nothing for the average motorist.”
“We would strongly advise anyone considering buying a new car to bring their old car to Motorpoint instead and save themselves a lot more than £2,000 on a fantastic range of makes and models."
An argument as to why this whole mess was not -entirely- Derek Draper's fault
"'An argument as to why this whole mess was not entirely Derek Draper's fault?'" What is he going on about?" I hear you ask.
Derek Draper has form for not only being a spinner but also for employing some rather dubious practices in the promotion of the wishes of his employer/party.
So who in their right mind would employ Derek Draper to spearhead Labour's net presence only a year or so before a General Election? And more to the point, why did Gordon Brown not step in and ask that Derek Draper not be allowed to set up a rapid rebuttal team, which in the main concentrated on sending libellous and/or childish comments to blogs they felt to be the enemy? And not be allowed to set up an attack blog? And another attack blog, this one to be even more vile than the first?
One must assume from the fact that this was allowed to happen that Gordon Brown, the cabinet and party HQ were actually quite comfortable about the whole scheme. That they approved of plans to smear the wives and husbands of opposition politicians. Or to spread hurtful untrue rumours about the allegedly fragile mental health of one of them. As I have pointed out before, one of the people behind this plan was supposed to be a mental health professional. It was his duty to say: "That's a bad idea and I condemn you for it" rather than welcoming it as a "brilliant idea."
I am quite sure that if one of Derek Draper's clients with mental health issues reported that someone was spreading such rumours about them, that Draper's reaction would not have been to describe it as: "a brilliant idea."
So, how can I argue that this whole mess was not entirely Derek Draper's fault? Let's visit our old friend, Mr Analogy:
If you owned an off license, would you put a confirmed and desperately ill alcoholic brother or sister in charge of it? If you owned a sweet shop and you had a niece or a nephew who had a serious problem with chocolate -to the extent that they weighed 21 stone- would you make them the manager of your sweet shop? Of course you wouldn't! And your friends and relatives would be appalled and furious with you (quite rightly!) for having done so.
Derek Draper seems to be a seriously and deeply flawed man. He is probably -in his private life- a very nice and charming person. But his public persona has shown him to be, well, just look back on the archived posts here, at Order-Order, Dizzy Thinks and Plato, for example, to see for yourself.
But who in their right mind would choose someone as seriously and deeply flawed as Derek Draper to run a dirty tricks campaign? Oh... Who in their right mind would have done this? Perhaps that's the problem? Nobody in their right mind would have.
Derek Draper has form for not only being a spinner but also for employing some rather dubious practices in the promotion of the wishes of his employer/party.
So who in their right mind would employ Derek Draper to spearhead Labour's net presence only a year or so before a General Election? And more to the point, why did Gordon Brown not step in and ask that Derek Draper not be allowed to set up a rapid rebuttal team, which in the main concentrated on sending libellous and/or childish comments to blogs they felt to be the enemy? And not be allowed to set up an attack blog? And another attack blog, this one to be even more vile than the first?
One must assume from the fact that this was allowed to happen that Gordon Brown, the cabinet and party HQ were actually quite comfortable about the whole scheme. That they approved of plans to smear the wives and husbands of opposition politicians. Or to spread hurtful untrue rumours about the allegedly fragile mental health of one of them. As I have pointed out before, one of the people behind this plan was supposed to be a mental health professional. It was his duty to say: "That's a bad idea and I condemn you for it" rather than welcoming it as a "brilliant idea."
I am quite sure that if one of Derek Draper's clients with mental health issues reported that someone was spreading such rumours about them, that Draper's reaction would not have been to describe it as: "a brilliant idea."
So, how can I argue that this whole mess was not entirely Derek Draper's fault? Let's visit our old friend, Mr Analogy:
If you owned an off license, would you put a confirmed and desperately ill alcoholic brother or sister in charge of it? If you owned a sweet shop and you had a niece or a nephew who had a serious problem with chocolate -to the extent that they weighed 21 stone- would you make them the manager of your sweet shop? Of course you wouldn't! And your friends and relatives would be appalled and furious with you (quite rightly!) for having done so.
Derek Draper seems to be a seriously and deeply flawed man. He is probably -in his private life- a very nice and charming person. But his public persona has shown him to be, well, just look back on the archived posts here, at Order-Order, Dizzy Thinks and Plato, for example, to see for yourself.
But who in their right mind would choose someone as seriously and deeply flawed as Derek Draper to run a dirty tricks campaign? Oh... Who in their right mind would have done this? Perhaps that's the problem? Nobody in their right mind would have.
Friday, April 24, 2009
"Please go!" Thousands sign petition for Prime Minister to quit (UPDATE)
Thousands of people have already signed a petition for the Prime Minister of Britain, Gordon Brown, to resign as Prime Minister.
The petition is on the official government website, Number 10.
The address of the petition is http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/please-go/
"There are many reasons why we might want Brown to resign, but rather than having lots of narrow petitions on this topic (most of which have been rejected), I wanted one for all of us," explained the petitioner, Kalvis Jansons.
Hat tip to Guido at Www.order-order.com
UPDTE: As at 22.03 this evening (Sunday) the total number of signatories stands at 10,058.
The petition is on the official government website, Number 10.
The address of the petition is http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/please-go/
"There are many reasons why we might want Brown to resign, but rather than having lots of narrow petitions on this topic (most of which have been rejected), I wanted one for all of us," explained the petitioner, Kalvis Jansons.
Hat tip to Guido at Www.order-order.com
UPDTE: As at 22.03 this evening (Sunday) the total number of signatories stands at 10,058.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Word of mouth primary method of finding work for freelancers in the South of England
Word of mouth recommendation is the primary way that freelancers in the South of England source work, according to research from advice and networking website www.FreelanceAdvisor.co.uk.
86% of freelancers surveyed in the region said they won new work mainly from existing clients and contacts. In contrast, only 6% used online marketing or networking at trade events as their primary method, with 8% preferring to make cold calls to unknown prospects.
Over half – 54% - of the total sample said they found it fairly easy to get regular work, but 35% stated it was either not very easy or difficult. 11% were most confident, claiming they found work very easy to source.
When questioned about the current economic climate, FreelanceAdvisor.co.uk found that 55% of freelancers were concerned about how widespread uncertainty will affect their income. As a result, 39% of these are increasing time spent on securing work, for example calling current clients, while almost a third (31%) are actively cold calling to drum up new projects. 29% are increasing marketing activity to promote their services via email or leaflets.
Overall, 23% remained firm they were not worried about their income going up or down in the face of economic uncertainty, while 21% were unsure.
According to the Office for National Statistics, the average number of self-employed people in Great Britain is 9%. The number of those choosing to work for themselves in the South East and South West of England is higher than the national average, at 11% and 11.3% respectively. Cities such as Brighton, where FreelanceAdvisor.co.uk is headquartered registers 11.1%.
When asked why they decided to become freelancers, the survey revealed that the ability to manage their own time, along with being their own boss, were the most popular reasons. 15% said they became freelancers because they had been made redundant, and 10% felt that being a freelancer was safer as a ‘job for life’ no longer exists.
“The main gripe about the freelancing lifestyle was consistency of work – 70% of the people we questioned agreed,” said FreelanceAdvisor.co.uk Founder Darren Fell. “However, half of the total sample said a lack of work hadn’t made them consider going back to full time employment. Mass redundancies and the current climate indicate that the number of freelancers will continue to grow - the website will help ease the transition for those making the jump from employee to freelancer, and indeed those already freelancing to make the most of their skills and help them network.”
FreelanceAdvisor.co.uk, which aims to unite the UK’s surging community of self-employed as growing uncertainty forces people to look at their skillsets and consider working for themselves, discovered that 72% of freelancers worked from home. Of these, just over half (53%) said they were ‘OK’ at separating work and home life, with 42% saying their work and homelife was blurred. Only 6% claimed to be very good at separating the two.
42% of those surveyed had been freelancing for five years or more, with 37% working for themselves for one to four years. A fifth were just starting out.
Respondents worked across multiple industries. The top three were digital media (46%), IT (40%) and design (32%). A further 20% of freelancers in the South of England worked in television/film, gaming, mobile and media.
A quarter of the 70 freelancers who took part in the survey said they earned between £15,000 and £25,000 per year. 27% earned between £25,000 and £40,000. Almost a third (30%) claimed they billed over £40,000.
86% of freelancers surveyed in the region said they won new work mainly from existing clients and contacts. In contrast, only 6% used online marketing or networking at trade events as their primary method, with 8% preferring to make cold calls to unknown prospects.
Over half – 54% - of the total sample said they found it fairly easy to get regular work, but 35% stated it was either not very easy or difficult. 11% were most confident, claiming they found work very easy to source.
When questioned about the current economic climate, FreelanceAdvisor.co.uk found that 55% of freelancers were concerned about how widespread uncertainty will affect their income. As a result, 39% of these are increasing time spent on securing work, for example calling current clients, while almost a third (31%) are actively cold calling to drum up new projects. 29% are increasing marketing activity to promote their services via email or leaflets.
Overall, 23% remained firm they were not worried about their income going up or down in the face of economic uncertainty, while 21% were unsure.
According to the Office for National Statistics, the average number of self-employed people in Great Britain is 9%. The number of those choosing to work for themselves in the South East and South West of England is higher than the national average, at 11% and 11.3% respectively. Cities such as Brighton, where FreelanceAdvisor.co.uk is headquartered registers 11.1%.
When asked why they decided to become freelancers, the survey revealed that the ability to manage their own time, along with being their own boss, were the most popular reasons. 15% said they became freelancers because they had been made redundant, and 10% felt that being a freelancer was safer as a ‘job for life’ no longer exists.
“The main gripe about the freelancing lifestyle was consistency of work – 70% of the people we questioned agreed,” said FreelanceAdvisor.co.uk Founder Darren Fell. “However, half of the total sample said a lack of work hadn’t made them consider going back to full time employment. Mass redundancies and the current climate indicate that the number of freelancers will continue to grow - the website will help ease the transition for those making the jump from employee to freelancer, and indeed those already freelancing to make the most of their skills and help them network.”
FreelanceAdvisor.co.uk, which aims to unite the UK’s surging community of self-employed as growing uncertainty forces people to look at their skillsets and consider working for themselves, discovered that 72% of freelancers worked from home. Of these, just over half (53%) said they were ‘OK’ at separating work and home life, with 42% saying their work and homelife was blurred. Only 6% claimed to be very good at separating the two.
42% of those surveyed had been freelancing for five years or more, with 37% working for themselves for one to four years. A fifth were just starting out.
Respondents worked across multiple industries. The top three were digital media (46%), IT (40%) and design (32%). A further 20% of freelancers in the South of England worked in television/film, gaming, mobile and media.
A quarter of the 70 freelancers who took part in the survey said they earned between £15,000 and £25,000 per year. 27% earned between £25,000 and £40,000. Almost a third (30%) claimed they billed over £40,000.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The Budget, 2009. Even the Caribbean dislikes it
The Budget speech in full:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/bud_bud09_speech.htm
Reactions to the Budget
FUEL, TOBACCO, and alcohol bear the brunt of tax increases for 2009
- Even drowning your sorrows is more expensive under this Chancellor -
As the Chancellor has set out the Government’s plan to rein in public finances over the medium term, the most immediate increases in taxation are increases in duties for fuel, tobacco, and alcohol duty. Alcohol and tobacco duty rates will see a rise of 2 per cent immediately. Fuel duty is set to increase by 2 pence per litre on 1st September 2009, followed by a 1 pence per litre rise above indexation every following April up to 2013, effectively re-introducing the fuel duty escalator.
Patrick King, Tax Principal at MacIntyre Hudson, the accountancy firm, comments: “This Budget should have outlined a credible path to rectify the ballooning Government deficit. It was also going to be a budget for jobs, a budget for those innocently suffering the former excesses of others. Yet the most immediate tax increases, in duties for fuel, alcohol and tobacco, will undoubtedly hit those on lower incomes the hardest.
“With the economy in this state, you might think you need a drink, but even drowning your sorrows is more expensive under this Chancellor!”
And from Bibby Financial Services:
Following the Budget announcement this afternoon, Edward Rimmer - chief executive of Bibby Financial Services in the UK & Ireland - has issued the following statement:
"The measures announced in today's Budget should go some way to giving small and medium-sized businesses in the UK financial respite during what Darling has described as 'the most serious global economic turmoil for over 60 years'.
"While Darling's measures seek to ease the burden of ongoing cashflow problems for the UK business community - something we know to be a primary concern from our own market research - the issue of late payment was not addressed and remains a major concern for struggling businesses across the country.
"The existing credit insurance scheme which the Government has pledged to assist, will certainly benefit businesses. However, as claims in the credit insurance market last year reached record levels, there is a danger that these claims will exceed premiums paid, leaving insurers in a vulnerable position. Should this trend continue through 2009, the Government could well have another black hole on their hands which has to be filled by the taxpayer.
"As with any Government intervention for small and medium-sized businesses, Darling needs to ensure these measures are more easily accessible and understandable. Otherwise, as with many other initiatives to date, there will be considerable confusion and most importantly a barrier to access for SMEs. The feedback we receive from the small and medium-sized businesses we work with, is that they have a basic awareness of such initiatives but no idea how to go about getting benefit, and therefore
don’t bother."
The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF) representing 8,000 motor sector businesses
that sell service and repair new and used vehicles, comments on today's
budget:
Vehicle Scrappage Scheme - Good for consumers and business The introduction of a vehicle scrappage scheme for cars aged ten years and over as announced in the Budget will boost the new car market, encourage consumers to get back into car showrooms, and reduce the likelihood of employee downsizing in this sector.'
Paul Williams
RMIF Chairman
Capital Allowances doubled - Incentive for business The doubling of the first year capital allowance to 40 per cent for this will be an incentive for business to make capital investment. The measure will be particularly welcomed by commercial vehicle dealers who have been hard hit by the recession and have seen sales fall by nearly 50 per cent.
Sue Robinson
RMIF Director
VAT - Government urged to be cautious
The Government will be increasing VAT again in January 2010. However, we urge caution when the time comes to increase the VAT rate. If done prematurely, it could kill off any chance of recovery.
Sue Robinson
RMIF Director
Fuel Duty - Government hits lower paid hardest Yet again the government is set to hit the lower paid hardest with the fuel duty rise of two pence per litre in September and the reintroduction of the fuel duty escalator in 2010.
Sue Robinson RMIF Director
Initial Budget response from Neville Briggs, managing director, CFC Solutions
"The 5% Company Car Taxation band shift, the increase in fuel duty and the rises in Vehicle Excise Duty are all continuations of existing Government policy and come as no surprise. The vast majority of fleets now have policies in place that are steering drivers towards cars that use less fuel and pump out less CO2, and these changes are designed through a combination of carrot and stick to incentivise their continuation.
"In the longer term, the target of reducing CO2 emissions by 35% by 2010 is ambitious, and I believe that the Government may well look to fleets to lead the way in making some of the radical changes in vehicle type and use that will be required to meet this aim. What forms that will take remains to be seen."
Caribbeans attack 'anti-Caribbean' aspect of budget
“I though it was worth letting you know how shocked we are about this for the Caribbean. The region is being penalised and travellers will now have to pay more in tax to go to the Caribbean than Hawaii. If you can work with this and there's anything you can add about this problem the CTO would hugely appreciate it,” said a spokesman.
Statement from Minister Harold Lovell, chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation
Minister Harold Lovell, chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), speaking on behalf of the many Caribbean governments said, "Our countries' economies are hugely dependent on tourism. But the British government plans to place us in a more expensive tax category compared to the whole of the USA. This puts us at a considerable disadvantage. To suggest this is a green tax and that the environmental impact of flying to California or Hawaii is less then flying to the Caribbean is patently untrue. Our holidaymakers and the overseas friends and relatives of Caribbean nationals who live in Britain are being heavily penalised and our countries call on Britain to do the right thing and change this injustice."
As the world’s most tourism-dependent region, the Caribbean is determined to treat this matter with great urgency. The CTO is also supporting appeals made by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association and the British travel industry to change the tax plans.
CAMRA- ‘Beer tax rise means more misery for pub goers'
Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Executive, said “It is disappointing that the Chancellor has ignored widespread public concern about the plight of Britain’s pubs and decided to press ahead with an increase which will result in yet more valued community pubs closing down. Well-run community pubs are already struggling as a result of last year’s 18% increase in beer duty and the recession. This further beer duty increase will push more valued pubs over the edge resulting in job losses, reduced Government tax revenue and many more deprived of their favourite local pub.”
“Well-run pubs provide an enjoyable and affordable night out in a safe and supervised environment and this duty increase will simply fuel irresponsible drinking of cheap discount alcohol in people’s homes, public parks and on the streets.”
Iain Dale on the Budget
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
CAMRA says- 'Stop this beer tax 'insanity''
"British drinkers are being singled out for the biggest beer tax increases ever imposed," says Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Executive.
18% beer tax increase by Government in 2008 has forced publicans to up real ale prices by an inflation-busting 5.5%, new research from CAMRA shows
- Britain's drinkers have paid over 3 billion pounds in beer excise duty since March 2008 Budget
- 70,000 people sign up to Axe the Beer Tax campaign. 25,000 have contacted their MP to call for a freeze in beer taxation and abandonment of plans for annual above inflation beer tax hikes
CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has spoken out at its distaste for further beer tax increases in this year's Budget as its board of Directors converged upon one of Britain's most historic breweries.
On Friday April 17th, CAMRA's National Executive members gave a rallying call at Harveys brewery in Lewes, East Sussex, in advance of CAMRA's national AGM, and Chancellor Alistair Darling's Budget on April 22nd.
At their annual Conference over one thousand CAMRA members overwhelmingly endorsed a call to freeze excise duties and scrap the beer tax escalator as new research shows the heightening effect taxation is having on beer prices at the bar.
CAMRA's 2009 Prices Survey shows that-
- The pub price of a pint of real ale has increased by 5.5% since February 2008
- The East Midlands has been hardest hit, with real ale prices increasing by 9.1% since February 2008
Britain's independent freehouse pubs are the worst suffering pubs, increasing real ale prices by 6.2% in the last year
Speaking of the new research, Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Executive, said: "Both the publican and the pub-goer are suffering at the hands of disproportionate increases in beer taxation. Beer prices across the board are increasing way above the rate of inflation and the Government must act now to give well-run community pubs a break."
Benner continues: "In addition to the 18% increase in beer tax last year, the Government appear committed to punishing responsible pub-goers with a 2% above inflation rise in beer tax year after year. A decision to abandon this unfair, inflation-busting tax escalator and freeze beer tax are key remedies for preventing what has previously been described as a 'bloodbath' of pub closures across the land."
Monday, April 20, 2009
Online recruitment has fallen for 10 weeks - to an all-time low
The Alljobs Online Recruitment Index has now hit a record low, since records began in August 2000.
The volume of advertised vacancies in the UK is an accurate reflection of the economic climate, and never more so than now.
At only 759.06, the Index represents only 32% of its peak figure of 2,356.55, in August 2007. Also, compared with its level only 12 months ago, the Index has plummeted by almost 60%. This is a dramatic reflection of the current serious difficulties in the recruitment sector. Having enjoyed years of continuous growth, and record highs, the Index is now at its all time lowest figure for this time of year. From the beginning of January, Alljobs have seen unusual volatility in the index, which usually rises steadily in the first quarter of each year. Modest growth in January has been matched with eleven straight weeks of falls from late February to April.
http://www.alljobsuk.com/recindex.shtml
The Alljobs Online Recruitment Index is a unique industry indicator. In order to more accurately reflect the ebb and flow of the online recruitment advertising sector, they use the published volumes of active job adverts from leading jobsites to generate a composite figure. With a baseline of 1,000 from when the Index began in August 2000, they are able to reflect the peaks and troughs of the sector, and compare year on year. By analysing this more accurate indicator, they are able to be informed more clearly of the seasonal shifts, and relative market confidence of advertisers who use the UKs major job sites.
The 10 major job boards monitored are:
CV-Library Fish4jobs Jobserve The IT Job Board Jobsite Jobsearch Monster Reed Totaljobs Just Engineers
www.AlljobsUK.com is a UK-based online recruitment, with a database of every recruitment agency, employer and job board advertising vacancies.
www.AlljobsUK.com is the sister site of www.1job.co.uk, a UK Job Search Engine.
The volume of advertised vacancies in the UK is an accurate reflection of the economic climate, and never more so than now.
At only 759.06, the Index represents only 32% of its peak figure of 2,356.55, in August 2007. Also, compared with its level only 12 months ago, the Index has plummeted by almost 60%. This is a dramatic reflection of the current serious difficulties in the recruitment sector. Having enjoyed years of continuous growth, and record highs, the Index is now at its all time lowest figure for this time of year. From the beginning of January, Alljobs have seen unusual volatility in the index, which usually rises steadily in the first quarter of each year. Modest growth in January has been matched with eleven straight weeks of falls from late February to April.
http://www.alljobsuk.com/recindex.shtml
The Alljobs Online Recruitment Index is a unique industry indicator. In order to more accurately reflect the ebb and flow of the online recruitment advertising sector, they use the published volumes of active job adverts from leading jobsites to generate a composite figure. With a baseline of 1,000 from when the Index began in August 2000, they are able to reflect the peaks and troughs of the sector, and compare year on year. By analysing this more accurate indicator, they are able to be informed more clearly of the seasonal shifts, and relative market confidence of advertisers who use the UKs major job sites.
The 10 major job boards monitored are:
CV-Library Fish4jobs Jobserve The IT Job Board Jobsite Jobsearch Monster Reed Totaljobs Just Engineers
www.AlljobsUK.com is a UK-based online recruitment, with a database of every recruitment agency, employer and job board advertising vacancies.
www.AlljobsUK.com is the sister site of www.1job.co.uk, a UK Job Search Engine.
The Knights Are Back in Town - St George’s Day at Old Spitalfields Market (Thursday 23 April)
Old Spitalfields Market is challenging you to a duel this St George’s Day. To celebrate the English dragon-slaying patron saint, the market will be hosting a traditional English medieval battle, complete with armoured knights. Battle will commence on Thursday 23 April at 1pm.
The medieval battle is part of Old Spitalfields Market’s celebration of all things English for St George’s Day, from 11.30am until 3pm. As well as armoured knights, there will be traditional English dancers to entertain the crowd and stilt walkers to admire. Face painting will keep the little ones amused whilst a bar serving traditional English beverages, such as Bombardier, will be keeping the grown ups entertained. Providing a soundtrack to the day will be music from The Dukes featuring Bob Henrit from The Kinks, Del Man Del, Sean Dillon and the Pearly Kings.
So be sure to come along to Old Spitalfields Market to revel in the excitement this St George’s Day! One of the fine mounted knights will be riding down Bishopsgate from 11.30am, so if you see him on your way, be sure to challenge him to a duel…if you think you are up to it!
Guido has another scoop from inside Labour
When is an independent initiative NOT an independent initiative? When it's a Labour independent initiative!
Guido has friends within the Labour Party. How many? Who can say? Though even if it is only one, it's a safe bet this is more than Gordon Brown has...
Why are they giving Guido this information? In an attempt to save the Labour Party, perhaps? Though it might be a bit too late for that... Still, only time will tell.
Guido has friends within the Labour Party. How many? Who can say? Though even if it is only one, it's a safe bet this is more than Gordon Brown has...
Why are they giving Guido this information? In an attempt to save the Labour Party, perhaps? Though it might be a bit too late for that... Still, only time will tell.
File under: "They never learn, do they?"
The Labour Party have tried to have Guido Fawkes banned from the BBC:
What on earth is wrong with these people?
The RURAL TV and Country Channel Partnership goes from Strength to Strength in the face of the Global Economic Downturn
Despite the global economic downturn the Oxfordshire based Country Channel (
www.countrychannel.tv) is undergoing sustained growth and rapid expansion. Significant American investment, from Rural Media Group, Inc., combined with the birth of a new partnership with RURAL TV, signals changing times for The Country Channel.In partnership with Rural Media Group, Inc., The Country Channel has helped to launch ‘RURAL TV’, the world’s first 24-hour international television channel dedicated to crossing borders with farming, equine, rural lifestyle, and traditional country music entertainment programming. The partnership between RURAL TV and The Country Channel will see the successful Oxfordshire based company become the primary source of British programming not only for RURAL TV, but for ‘Rural Media Group, Inc.’ worldwide. The Country Channel’s broadcasts are made up of high quality programming spanning 48 different topic areas from five major strands: Farming, Lifestyle, Recreation, Wildlife and Animals, Equestrian and Country Pursuits.
All Country Channel programming will continue to be broadcast on the popular free-to-view internet based Country Channel (
www.countrychannel.tv) with selected programming shown for eight hours per day, during peak viewing times, on RURAL TV (Sky 279 and Freesat 403). The Country Channel Brand will represent the UK brand and serve local UK communities nationwide. RURAL TV (international), on the other hand, has become the Country Channel’s major international TV partner which will see Country Channel programming beamed to than 60 million homes a week in Europe and the US.RURAL TV underwent a successful debut on Sky 279 and Freesat 403 in March 2009, and is now distributing Country Channel programming across the globe. Country Channel productions are currently broadcast on RURAL TV for eight hours a day, including peak viewing times between 8pm-10pm Monday-Friday. The highly successful Country Channel will continue to air on the free-to-view advanced web-based broadcasting platform which has just been re-designed with Microsoft Silverlight Technology.
Paul Aitken, CEO of The Country Channel, is thrilled by the new partnership, "RURAL TV and The Country Channel have much in common and will complement each others content to give audiences on both sides of the Atlantic a wider view of rural and country life throughout the world. Patrick Gottsch (Founder and President of Rural Media Group, Inc. & RURAL TV) and I both share a passion for the countryside and all that is sustained by the land – from food production to lifestyle and recreation. Between the two of us we’ll have it covered." Paul’s enthusiasm for the partnership is echoed by Gottsch, who said "We have found the perfect broadcast partners for the UK with the people at The Country Channel." Gottsch continued, "Paul and Alison Aitken share our passion for the rural way of life. It’s going to be a great partnership."
From its launch by David Cameron in June 2006, The Country Channel has gone from strength to strength and grown, from what was originally only a passionate vision, into one of the most watched specialist Internet TV stations on the planet. With continued and sustained growth on the horizon and the formation of the new partnership between RURAL TV and The Country Channel, the future looks very bright for the Oxfordshire based channel.
Aviation Safety Threatened by Poor Regulatory Culture
Aviation Safety Threatened by Poor Regulatory Culture
Despite numerous warnings from engineers that aviation safety is being
compromised by declining standards, regulators have always maintained that everything is under control, until now.
The Civil Aviation Authority's Director of European and International Strategy has apparently suggested that safety levels in the USA are now better than in Europe. Yet, as recently as only January 2006 his boss was dismissing safety concerns by proudly informing the Government Transport Select Committee that "the United Kingdom has a safety record second to none within Europe and twice as good as the United States."
This dramatic turnaround in fortunes is not surprising to some. With aviation standards dropping faster than Bank share prices, commercial aviation is currently witnessing the same "do nothing" response from aviation regulators as we have already seen from the financial sector regulator.
Government support for "self regulation" or "light touch regulation" needs to cease immediately because just like the banking sector, the aviation industry is just not responsible enough to regulate itself.
There are parallels to be drawn from the recent revelations about the "light touch" regulatory approach and a lack of focus from the FSA. The FSA are now admitting that they made mistakes particularly by not assessing the risk related to the business model as a whole. This same flawed approach is still in use within aviation due to the regulator being completely pre-occupied about procedures being in place whilst ignoring the real time situation being faced by aviation safety professionals.
Commercial greed has to a large extent driven standards down as airlines claim it's become ever more difficult to operate at a profit. However, regulators continue to turn a blind eye to industry cutting right back to the bone on maintenance and other services whilst remaining silent about ticket prices being sold for as little as GBP1.
It will be interesting to observe if aviation can stop the downward trend before disaster comparable with the current economic situation takes a hold.
The financial sector may eventually recover those lost billions of pounds incurred due to its own stupidity but how will airlines replace lost lives due to an ever increasing number of accidents?
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Job Losses ‘Could Be Eclipsed’ In 2009 Thanks To Government Policy, Says FTA
Government indifference to the logistics sector is exacerbating the impact of the recession. This is the damning verdict of the Freight Transport Association (FTA) today as it released figures showing a marked increase in redundancies within the sector in the first quarter of 2009.
According to a poll of its members, almost half have already made redundancies this year, with a further third considering job losses in the second quarter. While the economic downturn is undoubtedly a factor, two fuel duty increases in just five months have reduced business resilience and cost people their jobs.
With the Budget just days away, there is increasing alarm within the business community that the Chancellor will once again raise fuel duty in order to fill Treasury coffers. Such action, FTA warns, will push businesses into administration and make job losses inevitable.
According to a poll of its members, almost half have already made redundancies this year, with a further third considering job losses in the second quarter. While the economic downturn is undoubtedly a factor, two fuel duty increases in just five months have reduced business resilience and cost people their jobs.
With the Budget just days away, there is increasing alarm within the business community that the Chancellor will once again raise fuel duty in order to fill Treasury coffers. Such action, FTA warns, will push businesses into administration and make job losses inevitable.
FTA chief executive Theo de Pencier said: “Fuel duty increases may seem like an easy option to bring funds into the Treasury, but they come at a huge cost. Last year alone, insolvency in the logistics sector doubled, with the result that the number of HGV drivers claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance went up by an extraordinary 236 per cent. What our members are telling us is that those numbers could be eclipsed this year, yet the Government seems utterly indifferent to the damage.”
Last month, FTA launched the Every Penny Counts campaign, urging the Government to rethink its plans to increase both fuel duty and the fees levied by the Department for Transport’s executive agencies. Despite widespread support from within Parliament, including the Government’s own backbenches, these calls were ignored.
De Pencier concluded: “The Government can no longer put its head in the sand about the impact successive rises in fuel duty is having on UK jobs. Balancing the Treasury books is not simply an economic exercise and logistics jobs and businesses should not be seen as collateral damage.”
Smeargate/Drapergate This story is still running. And whatever happened to Feminism in the Labour Party?
Well, who'd have thought it? The Smeargate/Drapergate story is now entering its second week and, despite the perceived 'wisdom' it shows little sign of abating.
The story -broken by Guido Fawkes (www.order-order.com) and added to by others, including Iain Dale (www.iaindale.com) shows how certain leading figures in the Labour Party conspired to spread malicious lies about Tory politicians and their wives.
Pretending people are mentally ill (apparently approved by a leading psychotherapist, so that must be an OK thing to do, one must presume?) pretending that people are racists when they are not, pretending that people have been sexually unfaithful.
The attacks on women by the conspirators is mind-numbingly crass and shows how shallow the Labour Party's commitment to equality for women really is. I.E., not very much, really, or else leading Labour female politicians like Smith, Harman, Cooper, etc., would have leapt to the defence of the Tory women who have been abused by the male-dominated oligarchy that is New Labour. It appears that "the sisterhood" only exists if you are a self-serving Labour female politician. Anyone else? You are fair game for attacks by misogynistic fools in the Labour Party, it might seem to some uncharitable observers.
It's possible that this might not have made such a big story except that one of the people wrongly described as a racist was Guido Fawkes. As has previously been pointed out elsewhere, this was not only untrue, but especially hurtful to Guido Fawkes and his family. And Mr Fawkes is not, in any case, a member of the Tory Party. They also tried to label Iain Dale as racist, an equally absurd allegation.
The result was the poking of a wasps' nest with a sharp stick and has resulted in several people (Draper, McBride, etc.,) becoming quite badly stung. Well, that's just too bad. Their activities bring to mind several maxims such as: “If you can't do the time, don't do the crime” “If you hadn't have started this, none of this would have happened” and “Well, you asked for that, didn't you?”
Incidentally, the allegations of racism against Guido Fawkes relate to several comments placed in the comment section of his blog, but not written by Guido Fawkes himself. Some cynics have wondered if at least some of the racist comments might not have been left by people who wanted to have some ammunition to fire at Guido Fawkes. If so, then their plans failed in quite a spectacular way. For the blogs of Guido Fawkes and Ian Dale, already very popular, have received tremendous boosts in readers to their blogs.
Guido has promised more revelations over the next couple of days and we await these with great interest. How long can Gordon Brown cling to power? Anyone running a book on this?
Friday, April 17, 2009
Mayor's statement on Ian Tomlinson
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “People in London and across the country have been deeply disturbed by the death of Ian Tomlinson.
“Our first thoughts must be with his family as they mourn his loss.
“No one can doubt that the Metropolitan Police faced a huge challenge in securing the G20 summit.
“The police do an excellent job of making safe the 4,500 events and demonstrations that take place in London every year.
“But there must now be a fast and transparent conclusion to the IPCC investigation, with the full and urgent cooperation of all involved.
“Sir Paul Stephenson has rightly called in the IPCC and asked the HMIC to review the policing of demonstrations of this kind.
“It is vital that everyone takes care not to prejudice either the ongoing IPCC investigation or indeed any future criminal proceedings that may arise.
“The Metropolitan Police receive and deserve the overwhelming support of the people of London, but the family of Ian Tomlinson need answers, and so do Londoners”.
Heaven Knows, he's miserable now: Tom Watson is miserable
Acording to Guido, Tom Watson is miserable. Oh, how sad, what a pity, never mind!
Tom Watson is miserable
Tom Watson is miserable
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Is this Derek Draper's Zaphod Beeblebrox moment?
Fans of Hitch-hikers' Guide to the Galaxy will know of the quirk character of Zaphod Beeblebrox. Zaphod is the only person to survive the Total Perspective Vortex with his mind completely intact.
One of the side effects of the Total Perspective Vortex is to show a person what they really are. How utterly, utterly pointless they are.
However, when Draper, sorry, I mean Beeblebrox, comes out of the Total Perspective Vortex he is utterly unphased by the experience. Zaphod Beeblebrox is, in his mind, the most important person in the universe so can do whatever he likes.
He was also voted the worst dressed sentient being in the universe, so there's another link with Derek Draper, there.
It does seem incongruous that someone with the apparently troubled life of Derek Draper can write and publish a book with chapter titles like:
Understanding your inner world, finding direction, Telling the truth, Remembering right, Techno-stress, Avoiding depression, accepting unhappiness, being your own worst enemy and crying shame.
Indeed, popular blogger Dizzy (www.dizzythinks.net) uses the expression: “Physician heal thyself” in regard to Derek Draper.
But if Derek Draper thinks he is like Zaphod Beeblebrox, the most perfect person in his own universe, then nothing that Derek Draper thinks, does or says could ever be wrong. After all, if someone occupies there own individual universe, they would effectively be their own God, the only arbiter and determiner of what is right or wrong. And that's probably a potentially very dangerous place to be.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Russell Jones and Walker announces positive news in sofa injury case
Russell Jones and Walker reports positive news for majority of claimants who have suffered because of sofas containing the irritant Dimethyl Fumarate.
Richard Langton of Russell Jones and Walker, the solicitor who is leading the sofa rash group litigation against the retailers who sold sofas containing the irritant Dimethyl Fumarate said:
"The positive news is that the majority of claimants will be able to expect compensation within the next few months. All parties concerned will be meeting before 1st June 2009 to establish an assessment process for calculating the amount of compensation that individual claimants will receive and this represents the final stages in establishing liability."
However, it has transpired that in an unprecedented move, Zurich, the insurers for Land of Leather, may not in fact be looking to pay out compensation for these skin injury claims for undisclosed reasons. Zurich now have 21 days to confirm their position after which time RJW will be able to update as to whether claimants should be able to expect the rash compensation payments. Russell Jones and Walker is concerned that it has taken Zurich over a year to reveal this decision and that hundreds of people may not receive the claims they are entitled to.
Richard Langton commented, "Should this be the case, we will be doing whatever we can to secure compensation for those people who purchased affected sofas from Land of Leather, and will continue to try and confirm compensation for all the deserving victims of the sofa rash claims, related illness and injuries".
Richard Langton of Russell Jones and Walker, the solicitor who is leading the sofa rash group litigation against the retailers who sold sofas containing the irritant Dimethyl Fumarate said:
"The positive news is that the majority of claimants will be able to expect compensation within the next few months. All parties concerned will be meeting before 1st June 2009 to establish an assessment process for calculating the amount of compensation that individual claimants will receive and this represents the final stages in establishing liability."
However, it has transpired that in an unprecedented move, Zurich, the insurers for Land of Leather, may not in fact be looking to pay out compensation for these skin injury claims for undisclosed reasons. Zurich now have 21 days to confirm their position after which time RJW will be able to update as to whether claimants should be able to expect the rash compensation payments. Russell Jones and Walker is concerned that it has taken Zurich over a year to reveal this decision and that hundreds of people may not receive the claims they are entitled to.
Richard Langton commented, "Should this be the case, we will be doing whatever we can to secure compensation for those people who purchased affected sofas from Land of Leather, and will continue to try and confirm compensation for all the deserving victims of the sofa rash claims, related illness and injuries".
The Lobby’s Shameful Complicity in McPoison’s Reign of Terror: By Guido Fawkes
This story on the Guido Fawkes Order, Order blog is a must read
Guido Fawkes on "The Lobby’s Shameful Complicity in McPoison’s Reign of Terror"
Guido Fawkes on "The Lobby’s Shameful Complicity in McPoison’s Reign of Terror"
"It's nothing to do with us guv! Honest!" Says Labour Party
The following story is at Iain Dale:
Read it and marvel!
Nothing to do with us, guv! Says Labour Party
Nice story Iain!
Read it and marvel!
Nothing to do with us, guv! Says Labour Party
Nice story Iain!
Axe the Beer Tax - Campaign Update - Thursday 19th, Wednesday, 15th April 2009
7 days to save the pub - lobby the chancellor before it's too late!
The Chancellor, Alistair Darling, delivers his Budget next Wednesday. So there are just seven days for you to help save the British pub.
The campaign to axe plans to increase tax next week has received enormous public support. About 25,000 emails have been sent to MPs and over 70,000 members of the public have given their support to the campaign via the Axe the Beer Tax - Save the Pub website, facebook and twitter.
Your support to date has been fantastic. Yet we would like you to do one more thing to help British pubs - to email the Chancellor directly before it's too late.
By sending Mr Darling a message from www.axethebeertax.com you can help make the Chancellor think twice before piling even more taxes on the British pub next week.
But hurry, time is running out. Thank you again for all your help.
Axe the Beer Tax
Purnell puts forward controversial welfare reforms
“Just as families suffering from drug addiction are being helped to conquer their problems, so the benefits system can better help alcoholics get sober and back to work,” said Secretary of State for Work and Pensions James Purnell.
The Government will commission new research, along with an internal review by the Departments of Health and for Work and Pensions, to explore how we can make the benefits system work effectively for alcoholics, following the changes already being made to support drug addicts and require them to take up that support.
The new measures build on the current welfare programme which provides real help for those who need it to get off benefits and back into work, even in the current economic downturn.
Speaking to families at the Dewsbury Moor Community Centre, James Purnell committed to looking at what more government can do to help families suffering from the blight of alcoholism, saying: "We are providing real help for people looking for work and support for all those who need it to get off benefits - whatever the barriers preventing them. We need to look through the eyes of the person defeated by an addiction that keeps them out of work and on the outside of the community and give them the help they need.
"We have introduced a new policy that will mean heroin and crack addicts get treatment in return for benefits. We will actually help them rather than simply handing them money which ends up in pockets of drug dealers.
"But we can't abandon anyone to long periods on benefits without help to overcome problems. So that's why we are going to look at the arrangements for alcoholics on benefits, just as we did for problem drug users, so that people get the help they need to get sober, to get their life back and get back to work."
James Purnell also talked to people about their experiences of the recession and the pressure unemployment can put on the family, saying: "I have listened to lots of people here today who have told me how they see their community. Some were getting by or doing well. Some are finding things really tough because they or someone in their family has lost their job in this downturn. Some were struggling long before this downturn arrived. But everyone I met wanted to do the right thing.
"We know couples don't marry for money, but often they do split up because of money worries. Ed Balls, the Children, Schools and Families Secretary, is already working with counselling and advice groups to examine how the Government can work with the voluntary sector to provide more help.
"And my own department will be agreeing a national partnership between Relate, the relationship counselling service, and Jobcentre Plus to help families under stress - a partnership that will be open to all families, not just married ones."
(EDITOR: Carrot or stick? Many people will be concerned about the implications of this. For example, if an addict has their benefits removed, what of their family? Will the addict be expected to vacate the family home so that their family will be able to receive benefits? How will this work in practice? Like many of the schemes introduced by this government it is couched in reasonable terms, but will this be like the fiasco over the Working Family Tax Scheme which saw “hard working families” having to pay back more than they received in Tax benefits in the first place?)
Coastguards Warn of Dangers of Cliffs After Another Man Falls 300-feet
Coastguards are warning people to stay away from cliff edges after two similar incidents have resulted in the deaths of two men.
Portland Coastguard sent the Coastguard Rescue helicopter and the Beer Coastguard Rescue Team to search for a man who fell over cliffs at Seaton yesterday afternoon. The Coastguard operations room received a call from ambulance control at 2.55 pm yesterday reporting that a Polish man had fallen down the 300-foot cliffs.
By the time the helicopter arrived on scene the man had been found by ambulance paramedics. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Coastguard teams helped the paramedics to prepare the body ready for removal from the scene. It later transpired that he had been posing for a photograph.
Dover Coastguard also coordinated a similar incident earlier in the afternoon after they received a call from Kent Police at 1.45 reporting that a foreign speaker had called and asked for help for his friend who had fallen and slipped down the cliffs. Three Coastguard Rescue Teams were sent to the scene. The teams located him at the foot of the three-hundred-foot cliffs a short time later. A doctor from the air ambulance pronounced the man dead at the scene.
Maddy Davey, Portland Coastguard Watch Manager says: "The 39 year old Polish man was posing for a photograph whilst holding on to a tuft of grass at the top of the cliffs. The grass gave way and he was seen by some tourists on scene to fall down the sheer face of the cliffs and land in bushes at the bottom. Please do not stray away from cliff paths and do not go near the edges of cliffs. Often, despite appearances, they can be unstable and crumbly, as well as being slippery when wet. Wherever you are in the country, please enjoy the coastline, but stay away from cliff edges."
£5.5m seized from criminals gives cash boost to Police
Police forces across England and Wales are to receive a £5.5 million cash boost from assets seized from criminals, the Home Office announced today.
Criminal assets confiscated by police forces and other asset recovery agencies between October and December 2008 totalled £31.8 million, half of which is to be shared between police, prosecutors, courts and other agencies.
A total of £5.5 million will be given to police forces in England and Wales, compared with £5.14 million paid out in the same quarter last year.
Since the Proceeds of Crime Act came into effect in 2003, £530.5 million has been seized. An incentive scheme introduced in 2006 allows the police and recovery agencies to retain half of all cash they seize from criminals.
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: "This scheme is a great benefit for policing. Taking money from criminals makes crime far less profitable for them. At the same time, that money is ploughed directly back into the police force that seized it so they can use for their fight against crime in their area.
"Recovering more than £31million from criminals in the space of three months is a great achievement and I want to thank the police and other partners for their hard work in seizing the money and undermining criminal gangs."
Five injured after boat lands heavily in the water
Milford Haven Coastguard co-ordinated assistance to five people who were all injured in a large rigid water jet powered passenger carrying vessel, the `Ocean Ranger', which came off a wave and landed heavily in the sea off the coast of south west Wales.
The vessel run by 'Thousand Island Expeditions' is an MCA coded vessel capable of carrying 12 passengers, and was carrying 11 passengers at the time of the incident.
The incident occurred off St Justinian's, around a mile and a half from St Davids. Rescue helicopter, R 169, took the most seriously injured person to Withybush hospital after winching the individual from the scene, who was suffering from serious back injuries. After the vessel made its way back to St Justinian's, a further two individuals were taken by an air ambulance to the same hospital, both of whom were also suffering from back injuries.
Two further people were taken by land ambulances, also to Withybush hospital, possibly with bruised or broken ribs.
St Davids Coastguard Rescue Team were also mobilised and they assisted in getting the passengers off the vessel and communications shoreside.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch have been informed and MCA surveyors will visit the craft today.
Body recovered from base of cliffs
At five minutes to three yesterday afternoon, Holyhead Coastguard were contacted by North Wales Police informing them of a despondent man at South Stack, Anglesey.
Holyhead Coastguard rescue team were called out to the incident as well as a trained police negotiator. A rescue helicopter from RAF Valley was also scrambled and Holyhead RNLI inshore lifeboat was also requested to launch.
Upon arriving on scene at the incident, the man was seen to be at the top of the cliff at North Stack.
Before rescuers could make an attempt to save the man, he threw himself off the cliff.
Barry Priddis, Watch Manager, Holyhead Coastguard said: “After receiving a request for assistance from North Wales Police, we sent rescue teams to the area.
“In this particular incident, unfortunately they were unable to do anything to save the man and his body was recovered by the helicopter assisted by the lifeboat crew.”
Red Rag website set up from House of Commons
Iain Dale reports that the Times has an interesting scoop. The Labour attack blog, The Red Rag,was set up from the House of Commons. And used a fake name -Ollie Cromwell- in order to register the site. The use of a fake name would render the registration as invalid and the matter is being investigated by the authorities that regulate the Internet.
http://iaindale.blogspot.com/2009/04/red-rag-was-registered-to-house-of.html
As I said previously, this story will run and run. And more is coming out and more will come out.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Bishop's piece for sale
A fine and unusual Portuguese bronze mortar, made by Bartolomeu Da Costa, in Lisbon, in 1778, is one of the star lots in Bonhams next sale of Antique Arms and Armour on April 22 in Knightsbridge. The weapon has a 64 cm. barrel with a 15.4 cm. bore and is estimated to sell for £18,000 to £20,000.
Cast in three stages and decorated in relief with dolphin handle mouldings, the rear section bears in relief the crowned Royal arms of Portugal and the inscription ('Made to the order of the Kingdom's Artillery Commander, Manuel Gomes do Carvalho e Silva, Lisbon Royal Arsenal. 1778.').
It is believed to have come from Downhil, Co. Antrim, N. Ireland, which was demolished in 1950, leaving only the ruins and the Mussenden Temple, built in 1783. The ruins and the Temple have been in the care of the National Trust since 1980. Downhill was one of the creations of Frederick Augustus Hervey (1730-1803), known as the Earl-Bishop, Bishop of Cloyne (1767-68), Bishop of Derry (1768-1803), fifth Lord Howard de Walden, and fourth Earl of Bristol.
The Earl-Bishop is best remembered for his passionate love of building, collecting works of art, and travelling - the Hotels Bristol all over the Continent are named after him. Known as clever, cultured and at times philanthropic, but licentious, eccentric and ostentatious, he gave fresh point to the saying that God created men, women and Herveys.
He was a friend and admirer of Canova, and would no doubt have been attracted to the sculptural quality of this mortar. However his collections were confiscated by the French in Italy in 1798 and he himself imprisoned in Milan as a suspected spy. Never to return to England after his release, he continued to travel in Italy and died outdoors on the road to Albano in 1803, and was buried in Ickworth church.
David Williams Director of Antique Arms and Armour at Bonhams says “not only is this a beautifully crafted weapon but is also of great interest due to its fascinating provenance having been owned by one of the most colourful characters to emerge from Ireland.”
The designer and maker of the cannon, Bartolomeu da Costa (1731-1801) was a founder of exceptional skill and the best-known Portuguese gun founder of his time. He was in charge of the artillery foundries, and directed the Royal Arsenal (Arcenal do Exercito) in Lisbon, attaining the rank of Lieutenant-General. As well as supervising the production of many fine guns, he is especially noted for the famous full-sized equestrian statue of King Joseph I (1750-1777), which is said to be cast in a single piece of bronze, a unique achievement.
Bonhams sale of Antique Arms and Armour on April 22nd includes many examples of the armourer’s craft and comprises European and Eastern armour and edges weapons, flintlock and percussion rifles, guns, pistols and revolvers, Japanese weapons, accessories, and books (including the Henk L. Visser Library, Part II) up to the late 19th century.
Cast in three stages and decorated in relief with dolphin handle mouldings, the rear section bears in relief the crowned Royal arms of Portugal and the inscription ('Made to the order of the Kingdom's Artillery Commander, Manuel Gomes do Carvalho e Silva, Lisbon Royal Arsenal. 1778.').
It is believed to have come from Downhil, Co. Antrim, N. Ireland, which was demolished in 1950, leaving only the ruins and the Mussenden Temple, built in 1783. The ruins and the Temple have been in the care of the National Trust since 1980. Downhill was one of the creations of Frederick Augustus Hervey (1730-1803), known as the Earl-Bishop, Bishop of Cloyne (1767-68), Bishop of Derry (1768-1803), fifth Lord Howard de Walden, and fourth Earl of Bristol.
The Earl-Bishop is best remembered for his passionate love of building, collecting works of art, and travelling - the Hotels Bristol all over the Continent are named after him. Known as clever, cultured and at times philanthropic, but licentious, eccentric and ostentatious, he gave fresh point to the saying that God created men, women and Herveys.
He was a friend and admirer of Canova, and would no doubt have been attracted to the sculptural quality of this mortar. However his collections were confiscated by the French in Italy in 1798 and he himself imprisoned in Milan as a suspected spy. Never to return to England after his release, he continued to travel in Italy and died outdoors on the road to Albano in 1803, and was buried in Ickworth church.
David Williams Director of Antique Arms and Armour at Bonhams says “not only is this a beautifully crafted weapon but is also of great interest due to its fascinating provenance having been owned by one of the most colourful characters to emerge from Ireland.”
The designer and maker of the cannon, Bartolomeu da Costa (1731-1801) was a founder of exceptional skill and the best-known Portuguese gun founder of his time. He was in charge of the artillery foundries, and directed the Royal Arsenal (Arcenal do Exercito) in Lisbon, attaining the rank of Lieutenant-General. As well as supervising the production of many fine guns, he is especially noted for the famous full-sized equestrian statue of King Joseph I (1750-1777), which is said to be cast in a single piece of bronze, a unique achievement.
Bonhams sale of Antique Arms and Armour on April 22nd includes many examples of the armourer’s craft and comprises European and Eastern armour and edges weapons, flintlock and percussion rifles, guns, pistols and revolvers, Japanese weapons, accessories, and books (including the Henk L. Visser Library, Part II) up to the late 19th century.
Does Foreign Aid Really Work?
That's the question posed by Roger C. Riddell in his book of the same title. He points out that foreign aid is now a $100bn business and that it is expanding at an ever greater speed than ever before. Riddell questions if it works, or if it is even required at all.
It is described as essential reading by experts in the field.
Riddell poses some interesting and uncomfortable questions.
What is the real purpose of foreign aid? Who is it designed to help? Does it help or does it hinder the very people that it is intended to help?
Are there some kinds of foreign aid that are good, are there some kinds of foreign aid that are bad?
Are there too many people making a good living from foreign aid?
It also covers the history of foreign aid and shows where it started and to what it has now developed.
It might make uncomfortable reading for some, but it is vital that they read it.
It is published in hardback by the Oxford University Press and costs £18.99.
It is described as essential reading by experts in the field.
Riddell poses some interesting and uncomfortable questions.
What is the real purpose of foreign aid? Who is it designed to help? Does it help or does it hinder the very people that it is intended to help?
Are there some kinds of foreign aid that are good, are there some kinds of foreign aid that are bad?
Are there too many people making a good living from foreign aid?
It also covers the history of foreign aid and shows where it started and to what it has now developed.
It might make uncomfortable reading for some, but it is vital that they read it.
It is published in hardback by the Oxford University Press and costs £18.99.
Sailors Katie Miller and Hannah Jenner join forces
Both Katie and Hannah have single handed aspirations for the coming years, but this year will see them team up together onboard bluQube for a selection of high profile double handed races.
Katie recently announced the title sponsorship of her project by accounting software company bluQube¸ in the run up to her entry into the OSTAR this year. Together, the girls will compete in a selection of RORC double handed races, with the major event this year being the RORC Rolex Fastnet Race.
Hannah Jenner, 28, most recently tasted success as skipper of the Clipper yacht Glasgow Scotland with Style, finishing 3rd overall and accumulating podium positions on seven races. Fresh from the Clipper Round The World Race, Hannah now has solo sailing ambitions; her next stop the Velux 5 Oceans in 2010.
Combining Katie’s shorted handed and solo experience with Hannah’s extensive pool of ocean racing knowledge, the girls should prove to be a formidable duo.
Commenting on the partnership, Hannah said, “I am very excited to be sailing with Katie. She has already proven herself as one to watch on the solo racing scene and I am looking forward to learning from her impressive single handed experience.”
For the next week, Katie and Hannah will be based at Dean and Reddyhoff’s new Portland Marina, where they will train onboard in a variety of conditions in preparation for their upcoming races.
Katie commented, “I am thrilled that Hannah has agreed to team up with me onboard bluQube. This is a fantastic opportunity to combine our knowledge and really push the boat and ourselves to the next level. I know we are both going to have a fantastic time.”
To find out more about Katie and Hannah’s respective campaigns you can view their websites at: www.katiemillerracing.com and www.hannahjenner.com
For more information about bluQube accounting software, please visit www.bluqube.co.uk
Katie recently announced the title sponsorship of her project by accounting software company bluQube¸ in the run up to her entry into the OSTAR this year. Together, the girls will compete in a selection of RORC double handed races, with the major event this year being the RORC Rolex Fastnet Race.
Hannah Jenner, 28, most recently tasted success as skipper of the Clipper yacht Glasgow Scotland with Style, finishing 3rd overall and accumulating podium positions on seven races. Fresh from the Clipper Round The World Race, Hannah now has solo sailing ambitions; her next stop the Velux 5 Oceans in 2010.
Combining Katie’s shorted handed and solo experience with Hannah’s extensive pool of ocean racing knowledge, the girls should prove to be a formidable duo.
Commenting on the partnership, Hannah said, “I am very excited to be sailing with Katie. She has already proven herself as one to watch on the solo racing scene and I am looking forward to learning from her impressive single handed experience.”
For the next week, Katie and Hannah will be based at Dean and Reddyhoff’s new Portland Marina, where they will train onboard in a variety of conditions in preparation for their upcoming races.
Katie commented, “I am thrilled that Hannah has agreed to team up with me onboard bluQube. This is a fantastic opportunity to combine our knowledge and really push the boat and ourselves to the next level. I know we are both going to have a fantastic time.”
To find out more about Katie and Hannah’s respective campaigns you can view their websites at: www.katiemillerracing.com and www.hannahjenner.com
For more information about bluQube accounting software, please visit www.bluqube.co.uk
Empty shops revival plan a waste of time and money?
Temporarily converting empty shops into social enterprises, local art displays or learning centres will help communities prevent high streets declining said Communities Secretary Hazel Blears today.
Ms Blears is chairing a seminar in Stockport with Culture Secretary Andy Burnham on tackling 'recession in the high street' with councils, business leaders, landlords and town centre managers.
The Government is also announcing new measures and up to £3million to help communities find creative ways to reduce the negative impact empty shops have on the high street - vital for town centre and business confidence.
The new provisions including special planning application waivers, standard interim-use leases, and temporarily leasing shops to councils will allow empty shops to get makeovers for use as cultural, community or learning services.
In the West Midlands, an empty building on Lichfield Street in Wolverhampton is being turned into a youth cafe - an alcohol-free facility for young people to meet, relax and access reasonably priced snacks and drinks. Funding has been secured from Wolverhampton City Council for the project, which will be run by a body of local young people with the support of an adult management committee. The cafe, which is in a listed building, is due to be ready by early summer.
Other examples from across the country include an empty shop in Dewsbury recently converted into a police and community centre, enabling local people to get fire or crime prevention advice and information on Sure Start, 'community safety rangers', and housing. Chorley in Lancashire, also plan to set up a semi-permanent exhibition because of how popular turning empty shops into craft exhibitions, informal learning, and summer music workshops have proved.
Many successful start-up businesses have also begun this way. For example Neal's Yard Remedies, the international cosmetics company was started by Romy Fraser in a disused warehouse in Covent Garden in 1981.
Councils can also use licensing powers positively to permit things like farmers markets that bring local produce to the high street. North Lincolnshire District Council started a monthly market that revitalised the high street at weekends.
These measures are being published in a practical guide Looking after our Town Centres, which identifies the best ways and steps that communities can take to keep town centres thriving.
The Government will introduce new rules soon to give existing shops that serve the community such as local post offices and pubs extra protections. These steps are part of wider action to help business during the downturn.
Hazel Blears said: "Town centres are the heartbeat of every community and businesses are the foundation so it is vital that they remain vibrant places for people to meet and shop throughout the downturn.
"Empty shops can be eyesores or crime magnets. Our ideas for reviving town centres will give communities the know how to temporarily transform vacant premises into something innovative for the community - a social enterprise, a showroom for local artists or an information centre - and stop the high street being boarded up.
"Our town centre first planning rules and business rate deferments are also helping small businesses in more direct ways during this difficult time.
Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said: "Culture and creativity are part of the answer to tough economic times. Liverpool's success as European Capital of Culture showed what culture can do to build people and places and create a sense of confidence and pride. I believe that, now more than ever, we should play to our strengths as a creative nation.
"Nobody wants to see town centres fade and decay. By transforming otherwise empty town centre premises into hubs for culture and creativity, we can regenerate both the physical space itself and the hope and ambition of all those that have a stake in them. And in the longer term, by giving people the opportunity to develop we stand a good chance of creating something of lasting benefit, not just for those individuals but also for our economy as we move out of this recession."
Skills Secretary John Denham added: “We want to make sure that our town and city centres continue to be vibrant and at the heart of our communities. In our recent White Paper, the 'Learning Revolution' Government laid out how it will continue to support informal adult learning which we know has benefits beyond the pleasure of learning in its self.
"We don't want to see space such as unused shops on our high streets go to waste, especially when we know that people can put that space to good use for meeting up and learning for fun. Today's revival plan will give our communities the tools they need to reinvigorate unused space"
(EDITOR: So, the plan is to do nothing to really improve the retail sectors of our cities, towns and villages, but to allow them to continue declining, but to remain pretty as they decay? This sounds like painting over a rotting tooth and hoping that nobody notices the decay and pain until it is too late to do anything about it. It is possible to argue that this is a waste of time and money.)
Schillings to brief on the danger of "Whistleblowers"
Law firm Schillings: "dedicated to protecting the reputations of international corporations, brands and celebrities," has announced the new conference programme for the upcoming 'PR, Communications and the Law - Annual Briefing 2009' at the Paramount Club, Centre Point in London on 28th April.
The event will take the form of a breakfast briefing and will cover the subjects of what should drive communications strategies and corporate reputation management.
Joining Rod Christie-Miller, Partner at Schillings, to help lead the briefing will be Dr Kevin Money, Associate Professor at Henley Business School and Director of The John Madejski Centre for Reputation.
Dr Kevin Money will cover the subject of motivational drives and organizational theories. An understanding of these drives (the drive to acquire, learn, bond and protect) and how they may change during times of economic uncertainty - can provide a competitive edge to anyone shaping communications strategies.
Recent research suggests that in an economic downturn, the drive to protect is likely to assume greater importance in our lives, and Kevin will explore how that drive is likely to be the biggest driver of reputation.
Rod will then take over to present a talk on the important subject of reputation management. In the sphere of reputation management, the unconscious drive to protect is borne out by the very real threats that corporates now face.
Over the coming year, the three key threats for people working in PR and communications are liable to be:
- Responding to leaks and whistleblowers
- Tax gaps and the Board
- Protecting the corporate reputation during high-profile employment disputes
Rod will explain how despite these new threats, the potential to protect reputations via a combined PR and legal approach is actually stronger than ever.
The briefing will finish off with a round of questions to the panel.
The event will take the form of a breakfast briefing and will cover the subjects of what should drive communications strategies and corporate reputation management.
Joining Rod Christie-Miller, Partner at Schillings, to help lead the briefing will be Dr Kevin Money, Associate Professor at Henley Business School and Director of The John Madejski Centre for Reputation.
Dr Kevin Money will cover the subject of motivational drives and organizational theories. An understanding of these drives (the drive to acquire, learn, bond and protect) and how they may change during times of economic uncertainty - can provide a competitive edge to anyone shaping communications strategies.
Recent research suggests that in an economic downturn, the drive to protect is likely to assume greater importance in our lives, and Kevin will explore how that drive is likely to be the biggest driver of reputation.
Rod will then take over to present a talk on the important subject of reputation management. In the sphere of reputation management, the unconscious drive to protect is borne out by the very real threats that corporates now face.
Over the coming year, the three key threats for people working in PR and communications are liable to be:
- Responding to leaks and whistleblowers
- Tax gaps and the Board
- Protecting the corporate reputation during high-profile employment disputes
Rod will explain how despite these new threats, the potential to protect reputations via a combined PR and legal approach is actually stronger than ever.
The briefing will finish off with a round of questions to the panel.
Red Rag to a Bull?
As Dizzy has pointed out, the Red Rag website does exist. (http://dizzythinks.net)
The address is theredrag.co.uk and the registration details are that it was registered by Ollie Cromwell and registered on 4th November 2008.
As "Ollie Cromwell" (yeah... right) is a private individual the contact details including address are not included.
However, as Red Rag is alleged to be an official Labour Party attack blog, how can it be considered to be a private individual who is the Registrant? Ah, yes. Untraceable! "It wasn't me, you understand! A big boy registered it, then he ran away."
The address is theredrag.co.uk and the registration details are that it was registered by Ollie Cromwell and registered on 4th November 2008.
As "Ollie Cromwell" (yeah... right) is a private individual the contact details including address are not included.
However, as Red Rag is alleged to be an official Labour Party attack blog, how can it be considered to be a private individual who is the Registrant? Ah, yes. Untraceable! "It wasn't me, you understand! A big boy registered it, then he ran away."
Will Draper resign? Probably not
Derek Draper will probably not resign. This sorry tale will limp on and on, causing more damage the longer it rumbles on. (Mixed metaphors (c) That's News!)
They thought having Labourlist as an arms length operation would be a good wheeze.
But they forgot one important fact. At arms length can mean out of control. Like Draper and Labourlist, perhaps?
There's one possible way that Derek Draper might be encouraged to stand down from Labourlist. Pressure applied via Unite, the union funding the site. Or, perhaps the dark arts of spin might be turned on Derek Draper, himself. Attacker becoming attackee? And from his own side? Now, that would be interesting to see.
They thought having Labourlist as an arms length operation would be a good wheeze.
But they forgot one important fact. At arms length can mean out of control. Like Draper and Labourlist, perhaps?
There's one possible way that Derek Draper might be encouraged to stand down from Labourlist. Pressure applied via Unite, the union funding the site. Or, perhaps the dark arts of spin might be turned on Derek Draper, himself. Attacker becoming attackee? And from his own side? Now, that would be interesting to see.
Smeargate/Drapergate: This story will run and run
Day four and this story is still running. The reputation of the Daily Telegraph lies in ruins, having gone squealing to the Labour Prime Minister warning him that a scandal surrounding his chief advisers was about to break.
This is one curious aspect of this entire story. I mean, 20 years ago, even 5 years go, could you have imagined this happening? The Torygraph being so deeply in bed with not only a Labour government, but the most repressive government that I can remember? I was born in the late 1950s so have seen several governments of all types and hues come and go.
There will be updates to this story throughout the day.
This is one curious aspect of this entire story. I mean, 20 years ago, even 5 years go, could you have imagined this happening? The Torygraph being so deeply in bed with not only a Labour government, but the most repressive government that I can remember? I was born in the late 1950s so have seen several governments of all types and hues come and go.
There will be updates to this story throughout the day.
Monday, April 13, 2009
A flawed defence of Draper, Brown and the rest
To those who say: "Oh, but this is so unfair! Brown and Watson could not have been expected to know what McBride and Draper were up to!"
Well, no, actually, you are wrong. Very wrong.
They should have known what was happening, some of it by the chap at the next desk in the same office.
That they didn't know is, in itself, grounds for resignation. I mean, what a fantastic headline!:
"Out of control civil servants run libel campaign. Senior ministers in the same office and the Prime Minister knew nothing."
Well, no, actually, you are wrong. Very wrong.
They should have known what was happening, some of it by the chap at the next desk in the same office.
That they didn't know is, in itself, grounds for resignation. I mean, what a fantastic headline!:
"Out of control civil servants run libel campaign. Senior ministers in the same office and the Prime Minister knew nothing."
TweetMinster launches a “Social Bloomberg for UK Politics”
TweetMinster.co.uk, the service that allows people to follow MPs and UK politics using Twitter, has announced the release of a new desktop application, the “TweetMinster Wire”, which will let people track, follow and engage around UK politics in real time by using the power of Twitter.
TweetMinster, www.tweetminster.co.uk, a service that promotes better communications between voters and Members of Parliament, has today released a new desktop application called the TweetMinster Wire that will let people track, follow and engage around UK politics and the issues that matter in real time by using the power of Twitter directly from their desktop.
The TweetMinster Wire pulls together politically relevant conversations from Twitter and allows people to follow and access the Twitter streams of:
• Members of Parliament
• Prospective Parliamentary Candidates
• All major parties
• Parliament and Government Departments
• Downing Street
• Relevant conversations – TweetMinster’s secret sauce to capture content of relevance.
The TweetMinster Wire acts as a Twitter client letting people participate within these conversations and also to post, reply and direct message friends and followers, and thereby aims to foster a community around UK politics.
The application also integrates TweetMinster Search allowing people to search through the conversations of politicians and filter these by party and politician, and includes a tool to compare the occurrence of topics and trends overtime within a dynamic graph. And by using the Guardian’s recently launched Open Platform API context is added to the graphs by accompanying tracked topics with news. For example users will be able to see why a topic peaked on a specific day by seeing its references within those days’ articles.
Alberto Nardelli, Co-founder of TweetMinster said: “We’re truly excited to be launching the TweetMinster Wire. By using the power of Twitter the application aims to foster an unprecedented community around politics in the UK and at the same time provides professionals and politicians with tools to engage, track and analyse political conversations in real time. You can think of it as a “social Bloomberg for UK politics” that aims to improve political communications by empowering voters, politicians and professionals that operate in the sector.”
TweetMinster also announced that it will soon release a series of premium services for the Wire alongside ongoing enhancements.
The TweetMinster Wire is free and can be downloaded at: www.tweetminster.co.uk
TweetMinster, www.tweetminster.co.uk, a service that promotes better communications between voters and Members of Parliament, has today released a new desktop application called the TweetMinster Wire that will let people track, follow and engage around UK politics and the issues that matter in real time by using the power of Twitter directly from their desktop.
The TweetMinster Wire pulls together politically relevant conversations from Twitter and allows people to follow and access the Twitter streams of:
• Members of Parliament
• Prospective Parliamentary Candidates
• All major parties
• Parliament and Government Departments
• Downing Street
• Relevant conversations – TweetMinster’s secret sauce to capture content of relevance.
The TweetMinster Wire acts as a Twitter client letting people participate within these conversations and also to post, reply and direct message friends and followers, and thereby aims to foster a community around UK politics.
The application also integrates TweetMinster Search allowing people to search through the conversations of politicians and filter these by party and politician, and includes a tool to compare the occurrence of topics and trends overtime within a dynamic graph. And by using the Guardian’s recently launched Open Platform API context is added to the graphs by accompanying tracked topics with news. For example users will be able to see why a topic peaked on a specific day by seeing its references within those days’ articles.
Alberto Nardelli, Co-founder of TweetMinster said: “We’re truly excited to be launching the TweetMinster Wire. By using the power of Twitter the application aims to foster an unprecedented community around politics in the UK and at the same time provides professionals and politicians with tools to engage, track and analyse political conversations in real time. You can think of it as a “social Bloomberg for UK politics” that aims to improve political communications by empowering voters, politicians and professionals that operate in the sector.”
TweetMinster also announced that it will soon release a series of premium services for the Wire alongside ongoing enhancements.
The TweetMinster Wire is free and can be downloaded at: www.tweetminster.co.uk
Accident Advice Helpline to focus advertising on accidents at work
The Accident Advice Helpline has announced they are to focus their marketing campaign around accidents at work in an effort to support the Health and Safety Executive.
Following recent government publicity of the work carried out by the HSE, Accident Advice Helpline has allocated additional advertising budget to help get the message out to the public that if they are injured at work through no fault of their own then their employer is liable for damages and that the AAH is there to help. Included in the advertising are television spots where Accident Advice Helpline clients - such as Steve Hubber, who claimed £3,677 after receiving serious leg injuries at work - talk about their compensation claim experience with the company.
The Health and Safety Statistics Report 2007/08 released by the HSE revealed that 6 million working days were lost because of workplace injury and Accident Advice Helpline is joining them in their drive for improved health and safety in the workplace.
David Carter, the spokesperson for Accident Advice Helpline, said: "We are in constant contact with innocent victims who have suffered painful injuries, so we fully support and recognise the value the HSE brings by helping to reduce the number of preventable accidents from happening.
"By implementing their suggestions and providing specialist training for undertaking injury inducing tasks such as lifting or operating dangerous machinery they are making workplaces across Britain much safer. Even a simple look around the office to ensure there are no potential hazards could prevent a serious injury."
People who are considering claiming work accident compensation can visit the Accident Advice Helpline website for more information, to read case studies and to use the 30-second 'How much is your claim worth?' calculator. AAH also provides 24 hour phone assistance offering free legal advice.
FACT FILE:
Accident Advice Helpline was established in 2000 following the removal of legal aid to accident victims with personal injury cases. The company was founded to provide access to justice for accident victims and, since its creation, has helped thousands of people claim compensation against the responsible parties.
Working on a no win no fee basis, the injury compensation specialist is the UKs leading company of its kind and prides itself on quick and effective claims processing with high quality service and an admirable success rate. The level of customer satisfaction Accident Advice Helpline is known for is characterised by television star Esther Rantzen's continued support for the company, which she has steadily provided since 2003.
Following recent government publicity of the work carried out by the HSE, Accident Advice Helpline has allocated additional advertising budget to help get the message out to the public that if they are injured at work through no fault of their own then their employer is liable for damages and that the AAH is there to help. Included in the advertising are television spots where Accident Advice Helpline clients - such as Steve Hubber, who claimed £3,677 after receiving serious leg injuries at work - talk about their compensation claim experience with the company.
The Health and Safety Statistics Report 2007/08 released by the HSE revealed that 6 million working days were lost because of workplace injury and Accident Advice Helpline is joining them in their drive for improved health and safety in the workplace.
David Carter, the spokesperson for Accident Advice Helpline, said: "We are in constant contact with innocent victims who have suffered painful injuries, so we fully support and recognise the value the HSE brings by helping to reduce the number of preventable accidents from happening.
"By implementing their suggestions and providing specialist training for undertaking injury inducing tasks such as lifting or operating dangerous machinery they are making workplaces across Britain much safer. Even a simple look around the office to ensure there are no potential hazards could prevent a serious injury."
People who are considering claiming work accident compensation can visit the Accident Advice Helpline website for more information, to read case studies and to use the 30-second 'How much is your claim worth?' calculator. AAH also provides 24 hour phone assistance offering free legal advice.
FACT FILE:
Accident Advice Helpline was established in 2000 following the removal of legal aid to accident victims with personal injury cases. The company was founded to provide access to justice for accident victims and, since its creation, has helped thousands of people claim compensation against the responsible parties.
Working on a no win no fee basis, the injury compensation specialist is the UKs leading company of its kind and prides itself on quick and effective claims processing with high quality service and an admirable success rate. The level of customer satisfaction Accident Advice Helpline is known for is characterised by television star Esther Rantzen's continued support for the company, which she has steadily provided since 2003.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Massive own goal for Labour?
It has become clear that a Labour Party smear campaign made up of invented stories to besmirch the names and reputations of prominent Tory MPs and supporters, was thwarted when a 'disgusted' insider leaked the e-mails to a well known blogger, Guido Fawkes.
A Downing Street spokesman defended the situation by saying: "The author of these emails has apologised for their juvenile and inappropriate nature and for the embarrassment caused."
This has been denied by several sources including Fawkes and Iain Dale.
You can follow developments at these blogs/websites:
Friday, April 10, 2009
New Voucher codes to save you money
In a bid to keep bargain-hungry Brits up to date with the latest and very best online discount codes and printable vouchers, the UK's leading and most successful discount voucher site, www.MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, issues a fortnightly update on the best deals available online. This update highlights the best printable coupons, whilst the top online discounts are also listed.
It's the Easter holidays and many retailers are stepping out to shout about their great deals on kids' shoes, including Barratts and Kickers below.
The return to nice weather always encourages people to change their wardrobe, hence the number of fashion discount codes released below. It has also prompted florists and gift sites to release discounts, perhaps in a bid to catch people thinking ahead to weddings.
As usual, the bar and restaurant vouchers feature heavily as Brits aim to enjoy themselves throughout the recession.
Printable vouchers can be redeemed upon production in a shop, store or restaurant, and often entitle the user to great deals and discounts from some of the UK's biggest household names. They are free to use, and the top printable vouchers are detailed below, along with the hottest online voucher codes.
www.MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, the UK's leading discount voucher website, which attracted 8.5 million unique visits in December of last year alone, collates all the best up-to-date discounts across the internet into one easy-to-use place. Throughout the recession, millions more people have been accessing the site in a bid to save on purchases, helping it become the 4th fastest growing website in the UK according to Nielson Online.
Here are the top printable vouchers for the week ending 29th March:
PRINTABLE VOUCHERS
Retailer - Johnsons The Cleaners
Details - Save up to 20% off at Johnsons The Cleaners using this Printable Voucher
Expiry - Ongoing
http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-up-to-20-off-at-J...
Retailer - Brandon Tool Hire
Details - Get £5 off any single hire item From Brandon Hire When Using This Printable
Expiry - 31st May 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Get-5-off-any-single-h...
Retailer - Slug & Lettuce
Details - Buy One Get One Free Baileys at Slug & Lettuce using this Printable Voucher
Expiry - 16th April 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Buy-One-Get-One-Free-B...
Retailer - Pitcher and Piano
Details - £5 Lunch Offer at Piano and Pitcher using this Printable Voucher
Expiry - 1st may 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/5-Lunch-Offer-at-Piano...
Retailer - La Tasca
Details - Save 50% off your Total Food Bill at la Tasca when using this Printable Voucher
Expiry - 19th April 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-50-off-your-Total...
Retailer - Dulux Decorator Centres
Details - Get 20% Off Everything From Dulux Decorator Centres When Using This Printable Voucher
Expiry - 30th April 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Get-20-Off-Everything-...
Here are the hottest discount codes online, redeemable at online checkout:
Retailer - Ellie Gray – sports clothing
Details - 10% off the new Spring Summer Ellie Gray range from Ellie Gray when using this Discount Code
Code - 9SAW
Expiry - 1st July 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/10-off-the-new-Spring-...
Retailer - Gardening Direct
Details - Save 10% all Bedding Plants at Gardening Direct when using this Voucher Code
Code - GS9WSAVE
Expiry - 1st May 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-10-all-Bedding-Pl...
Retailer - Barratts Shoes
Details - 10% Off All Orders From Barratts Shoes When Using This Exclusive Voucher Code
Code - MVC10B
Expiry - 16th April 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/10-Off-All-Orders-From...
Retailer - Drinkstuff – gifts and gadgets
Details - Save 10% off all orders from Drinkstuff when using this Exclusive Discount Code
Code - MVC10
Expiry - Ongoing
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-10-off-all-orders...
Retailer - Bunches - florist
Details - Save 10% off all orders from Bunches when using this Promotion Code
Code - AWAPR
Expiry - 1st May 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-10-off-all-orders...
Retailer - Confetti – wedding store
Details - Save 10% off all orders from Confetti when using this Exclusive Voucher Code
Code - MVC0409
Expiry - 1st May 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-10-off-all-orders...
Retailer - Kickers - footwear
Details - Save 10% off all orders from Kickers when using this Exclusive Voucher Code
Code - mvc
Expiry - Ongoing
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-10-off-all-orders...
Retailer - Boxfresh – fashion and footwear
Details - Free Standard Shipping on all orders over £50 from Boxfresh when using this Exclusive Voucher Code
Code - FSMVC
Expiry - Ongoing
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Free-Standard-Shipping...
Retailer - Imogen Stone – Online florist and luxury gift store
Details - Save 10% off all orders over £35 from Imogen Stone when using this Exclusive Promotional Code
Code - MVC10
Expiry - Ongoing
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-10-off-all-orders...
Retailer - Blue Inc – fashionable clothing
Details - Save 10% off all orders from Blue Inc when using this Exclusive Promotion Code
Code - myvouchercodes
Expiry - 31st December 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-10-off-all-orders...
Retailer - Big Red Warehouse – children's furniture
Details - Save 10% off all orders at Big Red Warehouse when using this Exclusive Promotion Code
Code - MYVOUCHER
Expiry - 30th April 09
Link http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-10-off-all-orders...
Retailer - Viners - Cookware
Details - Save 20% off all orders from Viners when using this Promotional Code
Code - Easter
Expiry - 14th April 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-20-off-all-orders...
LINK – www.myvouchercodes.co.uk
It's the Easter holidays and many retailers are stepping out to shout about their great deals on kids' shoes, including Barratts and Kickers below.
The return to nice weather always encourages people to change their wardrobe, hence the number of fashion discount codes released below. It has also prompted florists and gift sites to release discounts, perhaps in a bid to catch people thinking ahead to weddings.
As usual, the bar and restaurant vouchers feature heavily as Brits aim to enjoy themselves throughout the recession.
Printable vouchers can be redeemed upon production in a shop, store or restaurant, and often entitle the user to great deals and discounts from some of the UK's biggest household names. They are free to use, and the top printable vouchers are detailed below, along with the hottest online voucher codes.
www.MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, the UK's leading discount voucher website, which attracted 8.5 million unique visits in December of last year alone, collates all the best up-to-date discounts across the internet into one easy-to-use place. Throughout the recession, millions more people have been accessing the site in a bid to save on purchases, helping it become the 4th fastest growing website in the UK according to Nielson Online.
Here are the top printable vouchers for the week ending 29th March:
PRINTABLE VOUCHERS
Retailer - Johnsons The Cleaners
Details - Save up to 20% off at Johnsons The Cleaners using this Printable Voucher
Expiry - Ongoing
http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-up-to-20-off-at-J...
Retailer - Brandon Tool Hire
Details - Get £5 off any single hire item From Brandon Hire When Using This Printable
Expiry - 31st May 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Get-5-off-any-single-h...
Retailer - Slug & Lettuce
Details - Buy One Get One Free Baileys at Slug & Lettuce using this Printable Voucher
Expiry - 16th April 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Buy-One-Get-One-Free-B...
Retailer - Pitcher and Piano
Details - £5 Lunch Offer at Piano and Pitcher using this Printable Voucher
Expiry - 1st may 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/5-Lunch-Offer-at-Piano...
Retailer - La Tasca
Details - Save 50% off your Total Food Bill at la Tasca when using this Printable Voucher
Expiry - 19th April 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-50-off-your-Total...
Retailer - Dulux Decorator Centres
Details - Get 20% Off Everything From Dulux Decorator Centres When Using This Printable Voucher
Expiry - 30th April 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Get-20-Off-Everything-...
Here are the hottest discount codes online, redeemable at online checkout:
Retailer - Ellie Gray – sports clothing
Details - 10% off the new Spring Summer Ellie Gray range from Ellie Gray when using this Discount Code
Code - 9SAW
Expiry - 1st July 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/10-off-the-new-Spring-...
Retailer - Gardening Direct
Details - Save 10% all Bedding Plants at Gardening Direct when using this Voucher Code
Code - GS9WSAVE
Expiry - 1st May 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-10-all-Bedding-Pl...
Retailer - Barratts Shoes
Details - 10% Off All Orders From Barratts Shoes When Using This Exclusive Voucher Code
Code - MVC10B
Expiry - 16th April 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/10-Off-All-Orders-From...
Retailer - Drinkstuff – gifts and gadgets
Details - Save 10% off all orders from Drinkstuff when using this Exclusive Discount Code
Code - MVC10
Expiry - Ongoing
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-10-off-all-orders...
Retailer - Bunches - florist
Details - Save 10% off all orders from Bunches when using this Promotion Code
Code - AWAPR
Expiry - 1st May 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-10-off-all-orders...
Retailer - Confetti – wedding store
Details - Save 10% off all orders from Confetti when using this Exclusive Voucher Code
Code - MVC0409
Expiry - 1st May 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-10-off-all-orders...
Retailer - Kickers - footwear
Details - Save 10% off all orders from Kickers when using this Exclusive Voucher Code
Code - mvc
Expiry - Ongoing
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-10-off-all-orders...
Retailer - Boxfresh – fashion and footwear
Details - Free Standard Shipping on all orders over £50 from Boxfresh when using this Exclusive Voucher Code
Code - FSMVC
Expiry - Ongoing
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Free-Standard-Shipping...
Retailer - Imogen Stone – Online florist and luxury gift store
Details - Save 10% off all orders over £35 from Imogen Stone when using this Exclusive Promotional Code
Code - MVC10
Expiry - Ongoing
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-10-off-all-orders...
Retailer - Blue Inc – fashionable clothing
Details - Save 10% off all orders from Blue Inc when using this Exclusive Promotion Code
Code - myvouchercodes
Expiry - 31st December 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-10-off-all-orders...
Retailer - Big Red Warehouse – children's furniture
Details - Save 10% off all orders at Big Red Warehouse when using this Exclusive Promotion Code
Code - MYVOUCHER
Expiry - 30th April 09
Link http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-10-off-all-orders...
Retailer - Viners - Cookware
Details - Save 20% off all orders from Viners when using this Promotional Code
Code - Easter
Expiry - 14th April 09
Link - http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/codes/Save-20-off-all-orders...
LINK – www.myvouchercodes.co.uk
Payback time! £500,000 confiscation order sought by British Transport Police
British Transport Police is seeking confiscation of half a million pounds following the conviction of five men for offences relating to theft and handling of stolen copper and lead.
In January 2009, David Dutton, 61, from Romford, Essex, who runs L.T. Mumford, a scrap dealers in Barking, admitted four counts of possession of criminal property. At Basildon Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday, 7 April), he was given a 16 month gaol sentence.
Four other defendants, brothers Sam Price, 25 from Dunstable, John Price, 25 from Leighton Buzzard and Hope Price, 23 from Dunstable, together with William Eastwood, 65 from Basildon, entered guilty pleas for supplying Mr Dutton with stolen metal and various counts of possession of criminal property. The Price brothers were each given a six month sentence suspended for 18 months. William Eastwood was ordered to do 120 hours community service.
The main charges against David Dutton and the Price brothers relate to 53 boxes of cable stolen from an electronics company in High Wycombe in early October 2007. Just hours after the burglary, the cable was sold by the Prices to David Dutton at L T Mumford’s yard.
During the investigation, over £40,000 in cash was seized and BTP is now starting proceedings to confiscate around £500,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
‘The investigation that led to these convictions was complex,’ commented Detective Inspector Karl Skrzypiec. ‘We undertook covert surveillance and there was close cooperation between a number of agencies. Metal and cable theft and dealing in stolen metals is a significant problem for the rail industry, telecommunications providers and utilities. Apart from the economic loss, there are real consequences for businesses and communities. For us and Network Rail, the loss of cable on the rail network is a major disruption factor.’
BTP officers first visited L T Mumford in March 2007 when the owner was warned about dealing in stolen metals. In spite of that warning, Mr Dutton continued to trade in stolen cable and BTP officers mounted covert observations of the yard in October 2007.
As a result of that, a vehicle driven by Sam Price, in which Hope and John Price were passengers, was stopped and all three arrested. A lorry, driven by William Eastwood, was also stopped and he was found with £4,000 in cash in his possession believed to be the proceeds of the sale of stolen BT cable. A search warrant was executed at the yard in October during which quantities of suspected stolen metals were seized.
FACT FILE:
Metal theft has become an increasing issue following large price rises for copper and other metal on world markets. In 2006 BTP recorded 1,183 crimes; this rose to 1,886 in 2007 and 2,249 in 2008. Metal theft is estimated to cost Britain around £360m a year.
British Transport Police has taken the lead in tackling metal theft and chairs the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Conductive Metal Thefts Working Group.
In January 2009 Home Office Minister Alan Campbell announced the setting up of a new National Metal Theft Crime Unit run by ACPO and BTP and jointly funded by the Home Office and the Energy Networks Association. The Unit is being piloted to help target rogue scrap metal dealers handling stolen metal.
BTP has planned and participated in a number of multi-agency operations since January 2008, including a European Day of Action (22 April 2008), ACPO National Days of Action (28 January, 7 and 8 July 2008) as well as regional operations.
Operation Drum is BTP’s response to cable theft on the rail system and is a multi-stranded initiative that includes overt, covert and intelligence led operations. The operation is supported by dedicated teams of officers in London and the north east.
IPCC to independently investigate the case of Ian Tomlinson
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is to independently investigate the alleged assault by police on Ian Tomlinson shortly before his death. The investigation will also look into whether that contact may have contributed to his death.
"As with all our investigations, the level of our involvement remains under constant review and when new evidence comes to light, we will always reassess," said an IPCC official.
The case was referred to the IPCC on the evening of Wednesday 1 April 2009. IPCC investigators were deployed and initially carried out an assessment into the circumstances of his death. Over the course of the next few days IPCC investigators and City of London Police, under IPCC direction, examined CCTV, statements and police records and spoke to independent witnesses. IPCC investigators have also met Mr Tomlinson’s family on a daily basis since the weekend.
Initial accounts from independent witnesses stated that there had been no contact between the police and Mr Tomlinson when he collapsed. However, on Friday afternoon, other witnesses began to come forward, who saw him in the Royal Exchange area. They stated that Mr Tomlinson did have contact with police officers. This would have been a few minutes before he collapsed.
Over the weekend IPCC investigators and City of London police spoke to further witnesses who confirmed that an earlier incident had taken place in the Royal Exchange area.
A formal decision was taken on Monday 6 April, that the IPCC would manage the City of London Police investigation. This was a continuation of IPCC activity since the referral. IPCC investigators were directing the investigation, which included directing its scope and lines of enquiry. In a statement announcing the managed investigation on Monday, the IPCC said that decision would be kept under review.
The IPCC issued an appeal for witnesses on Monday 6 April, with a dedicated IPCC phone line and email address for anyone with information to call. Several more witnesses came forward as a result of this. Mr Tomlinson’s family reiterated the appeal for witnesses in a statement and interviews with the media on Tuesday 7 April. This was facilitated by the IPCC.
Yesterday evening, the IPCC was made aware of some footage of the incident running on a national newspaper's website. This was the first time we were made aware of the footage. An IPCC investigator immediately contacted the newspaper and collected the footage from them last night.
This morning, IPCC investigators have been analysing that footage and, in light of this new evidence, a decision has been taken that this investigation will now be fully independent. This means that the IPCC will now use its own full team of investigators. To ensure that there is no loss of effectiveness, some specialist resources from City of London police will continue to be used to carry out forensic and analytical research for our investigation.
Given this new evidence, the IPCC will request a second post-mortem.
IPCC Deputy Chair Deborah Glass said: “People are rightly concerned about this tragic death and this footage is clearly disturbing.
“We have been heavily involved in this investigation from day one, directing the City of London Police’s investigation and liaising with Mr Tomlinson’s family. In light of new information which we became aware of yesterday evening, we have now taken the decision to independently investigate.
“City of London Police have dedicated a full team of investigators under our direction and this has been enormously helpful in progressing the investigation so far.
“People have been calling for a criminal investigation. I want to stress that, from the outset of all our investigations, we consider whether criminal offences have been committed. This is a criminal investigation and we will, of course, be discussing it with the Crown Prosecution Service.
“At the moment the investigation is focused on identifying the officers in the footage. Several have already come forward and all efforts are being made to trace those who haven’t.
“We continue to appeal for more information, including any other video footage. Clearly there were a lot of people in the area when this incident happened and we still need people to contact us with any information or images they have of Mr Tomlinson.”
Anybody who saw Mr Tomlinson in Royal Exchange Square is asked to contact the IPCC on 0800-096 9071 or email Tomlinson@ipcc.gov.uk.
(EDITOR: In common with many media outlets, That's News carried a story based on an official release from the Police that officers who had tended to Mr Tomlinson when he had been found lying in the street, protesters had pelted the officers with bottles. It seems that this information from the police may not be accurate. It is claimed that only one bottle was thrown. Still, one might argue, that was one bottle too many, under the circumstances. That's News will await developments with interest.)
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Quick out
Statement: chair of MPA Boris Johnson "It is with deep regret that that at 7.30 am this morning I accepted the resignation of AC Bob Quick. Bob understands fully that the security breach which occurred yesterday was a serious issue for which he has taken personal responsibility. Bob has had a long and distinguished career and has made a huge contribution to British policing, particularly in the last year developing the national counter terrorism capability."
Injured walker airlifted from Isle of Mull
At 3.45pm Clyde Coastguard were contacted by ambulance control reporting that a female walker with an injured leg needed assistance on a coastal path between Carsaig and Lochbuie.
Clyde Coastguard called out Coastguard Rescue Teams from Craigmuir, Knock and Ross of Mull and requested the Royal Naval Rescue Helicopter from Prestwick which was on training exercise in the area and was diverted to the scene.
The crew of the rescue helicopter were able to reach the injured woman and she has been airlifted to Lorne and The Isles Hospital on the Isle of Mull. The woman is reported to be a holiday maker who had been walking with her three children and partner who made the call for help.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Why Aid for Africa is bad: By an African economic expert
Oops! A moment of truth on a political website
Apparently the relevant page on the Labour website has gone, but how about this for an inadvertent display of honesty in a party political website?My thanks to Iain Dale for this item.
Search for missing windsurfer off Eyemouth
A major search is underway this evening off the Scottish coast at Eyemouth for a missing windsurfer.
Forth Coastguard was contacted at 6.05pm by a member of the public reporting that a male windsurfer was overdue and had last been seen two hours earlier between Thornton Loch and Cove. Forth Coastguard immediately launched an air and sea search involving RNLI lifeboats from Dunbar, Eyemouth and St Abbs, Coastguard Rescue Teams from Eyemouth and St Abbs and Rescue Helicopter 131 from RAF Boulmer.
A windsurf board has been located and search teams continue to look for the missing man who was not found with his board.
Weather conditions in the area are winds from force 5 and up to 7 at times with moderate to rough seas.
The missing man, in his 30s and from Berwickshire set off to windsurf from Thornton Loch and failed to return to shore.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Vandals in £134,000 conspiracy sentenced
A group of graffiti vandals were sentenced on Friday for their part in a conspiracy to commit in excess of £134,000 in damage following a three year campaign of criminal damage and disruption to train services.
Darren Leung-Kwok, Richard Wilson and Craig Norton were sentenced in Southwark Crown Court on Friday for their part in a conspiracy to commit criminal damage on trains between April 2005 and April 2008. They had pleaded guilty to the offences. Two of the group have been jailed for a total of three years.
A fourth member of the group, Fahad Ali, has pleaded guilty to the conspiracy but will not be sentenced until July.
The court was told during their campaign of damage, the quartet was responsible for causing £134,000 damage to trains and depots in the Croydon area.
British Transport Police Graffiti Unit PC Ian Garden said the group was arrested following an in-depth investigation by officers who were able to link the group to a graffiti crew calling themselves the HMS crew.
Outside the court PC Garden said: "This group was involved in a sustained campaign to commit criminal damage. Over a three year period they targeted trains running on the Victoria to Croydon and London Bridge to Croydon lines by scrawling tags both outside and inside the carriages.
"In one incident, Darren is caught on CCTV wearing a t-shirt with his name emblazoned on the front. In amongst thousands of images of graffiti seized during house searches police also found photos showing the Ali posing in t-shirt with all his tags drawn on it.
"They broke in to train depots and risked their lives by trespassing on the tracks to spray their tags on trains and would later wait at stations to film the damage."
PC Garden said while the vandals saw the tagging as some form of kudos, the damage caused a massive disruption to members of the travelling public.
"This group not only defaced the outside of trains, but also scrawled their tags on the inside of trains, attacking lighting fixtures, seats, doors and windows. Numerous carriages and trains have had to be taken out of service to be cleaned and repaired after this group wrecked havoc.
"In a show of what can only be described as utter contempt for the travelling public, the group would often scrawl messages to commuters on the outside of trains including one which stated: 'sorry if this has caused your journey a delay J. '
"This shows they were aware of the inconvenience they were causing to the public, but they continued on regardless. The sentencing today will no doubt bring a sigh of relief to those members of the public who had their journeys blighted by this group.
"BTP takes a dim view of this type of behaviour and we will seek out those individuals or groups who are determined to commit criminal damage on the railways and cause disruption to services. You will be found and you will be dealt with by the courts."
The sentences were:
Darren Leung-Kwok, 19, of Ruskin Rd, Croydon received a six month suspended sentence. He also received a five year ABSO preventing him from entering railway depots and carrying graffiti paraphernalia. Leung-Kwok was associated with the tags "Range" and "HMS Crew".
Richard Wilson, 19, of Chaldon Way, Coulsdon received an 18 month jail term. He also received a five year ABSO preventing him from entering railway depots and carrying graffiti paraphernalia. Wilson was associated with the tags "two time", "two", "2 time", "kaps", "nuta", "nuts" and "HMS crew".
Craig Norton, 18, of Linton Glade, Croydon received an 18 month jail term. He also received a five year ABSO preventing him from entering railway depots and carrying graffiti paraphernalia. Norton was associated with the tags "sends" and "HMS crew".
Fahad Ali, 18, of Limes Rd, Croydon has pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and is due to be sentenced in July. Ali was associated with the tags "dyva", "dyver", "aved" and "HMS".
Sunday, April 05, 2009
New help for unemployed and businesses
From today, Monday 6 April, businesses will be able to take advantage of up to £2500 recruitment and 'on the job' training subsidies, as an incentive to take on people who've been looking for work for six months or more. The subsidy is worth £1000 and the company can, depending on location, access up to £1500 worth of in-work training.
The recruitment and training subsidy, or 'golden hello', is part of a package of measures announced by the Prime Minister in January, designed to give even more support to people who've been claiming Jobseeker's Allowance for six months.
The other elements of the package include more support for people who want to set up their own business; access to 75,000 new work-focused training opportunities; and the opportunity to do work-focused volunteering.
James Purnell, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: "The impact of the global recession is being felt here at home, and finding a job is not easy. We are investing £2bn to help people get back into work as quickly as possible.
"Today businesses can take advantage of the new recruitment subsidy, where we will provide up to £2500 as an incentive to take on someone who has been claiming unemployment benefit for six months. This includes a subsidy of £1000 and depending on their location they will also have the opportunity to access up to £1500's worth of in-work training to give that person the right skills for the job.
"This is just part of a range of measures coming in today to give people all the support we can - from CV writing and job searching to skills checks and training opportunities - to make sure that where it happens unemployment is short and people can quickly find their way back to supporting themselves and their families."
John Denham, Secretary of State for Skills, said: "It's very important that people struggling the most to find work will get extra support to improve their skills to help them gain employment. We know that people whose skills are up to date are more likely to find a good job, and that employers with well trained staff do better than those that don't invest in the skills of their workforce.
"That's why we are doing everything we can to boost training opportunities to help people through this tough time and help prepare for the upturn when it comes."
As well as the enhanced offer for jobseekers reaching the six month point, more help available from day one of unemployment also comes on stream today. It includes greater support for job searching, CV writing, help with skills, interview preparation and access to more Local Employment Partnership vacancies.
Eight reasons you should drop your boyfriend immediately
by Durk Dugan 
Abuse Is One Reason
Mr. L. Rx and Mr. P. L. Ayer are successful pick up artists who give advice to men about picking up women.
But now these “gurus for men” have decided to start helping the “fairer” sex by giving advice to women about men. On their popular website, DatingToRelating.com, women can learn what men do to trick women, and how to bust a player who is lying and cheating on them.
Besides information on how men lie and cheat, Mr. L. Rx tells women what to watch out for and avoid in their selection of men. Here are Mr. L. Rx’s eight “No Brainers” for women from his website:
1) If a man ever hits you or slaps you or even threatens you in a rough way - leave him immediately.
2) If a man tries to move into YOUR apartment because he doesn’t have a job or a place to stay - drop him immediately. Men are supposed to be the providers. Don’t ever support a man. It may seem cool for a while but in the long run you will regret it.
3) If a man plays with you like you are one of his buddies - drop him instantly. If he can’t make the distinction between men and women, he is a real idiot.
4) If a man doesn’t have any men friends or his men friends are a bunch of jerks - drop him immediately. There is a reason men (or good men) don’t like him.
5) If a guy is jealous or possessive for no reason - drop him now! When people are jealous or paranoid for no reason at all, they are projecting their own moral code on you. They are saying, “If I were in that situation I would be cheating on her, so I know she is cheating on me.” Want to know if a guy would ever cheat on you? This is your biggest clue.
6) If a guy wants a committed relationship after one date - run for the hills!!! This guy is nuts! And even if he is not acting like it now, you’ll find out the hard way sooner or later if you continue with him.
7) If a guy walks up to you on the street and tells you how hot you are – well just mosey on away… then run for the hills!
8) And of course, if he is married or in a relationship, drop him the minute you find out. This is the biggest “no brainer” of all. If he cheats on her, he will cheat on you. Don’t buy into his sad story of how bad she treats him and what a great guy he is. He is a liar and a cheat. Don’t find out the hard way. Just drop him.
For more information on men, women, and relationships visit www.DatingToRelating.com.
AssociatedNews.USDo political "Big Ideas work?"
Iain Dale has posted on his blog about a debate he took part in with Peter Hitchen and Ed Vaizey. It was part of the Oxford Literary Festival and the theme of the debate was 'What is the Tories' Big Idea?'.
Iain is not convinced that "Big Ideas" work. This link takes you to the post on Iain's website:
Iain Dale on the Big Idea
I agree with Iain. A "Big Idea" an be a siren song. And and can draw politicians on to some very dangerous rocks.
If you have a "Big Idea" you are allowing yourself to be a hostage to fortune. If you trumpet your "Big Idea" and it turns out to be nothing but a damp squib that the public dismisses, what then?
Rather than one "Big Idea" surely it would be better to have a large number of smaller ideas, that are interlocking? "Big Ideas" rarely have any real meaning outside the group promoting the big idea.
Oddly enough, "Big Ideas" rarely impact on people's lives. Small ideas, however, often do.
Iain is not convinced that "Big Ideas" work. This link takes you to the post on Iain's website:
Iain Dale on the Big Idea
I agree with Iain. A "Big Idea" an be a siren song. And and can draw politicians on to some very dangerous rocks.
If you have a "Big Idea" you are allowing yourself to be a hostage to fortune. If you trumpet your "Big Idea" and it turns out to be nothing but a damp squib that the public dismisses, what then?
Rather than one "Big Idea" surely it would be better to have a large number of smaller ideas, that are interlocking? "Big Ideas" rarely have any real meaning outside the group promoting the big idea.
Oddly enough, "Big Ideas" rarely impact on people's lives. Small ideas, however, often do.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Prime Focus London Grades Keira Knightley’s Woman’s Aid Appeal
Prime Focus London’s Tareq Kubaisi has graded the latest hard-hitting appeal from Woman’s Aid. The high-profile spot sees Hollywood actress Keira Knightley reunited with Atonement director, Joe Wright, to raise awareness of domestic violence. The spot is part of a national campaign which launched last night on TV, in cinemas and online, in conjunction with a print campaign.
In the harrowing two-minute spot, created by agency Grey and produced by Dab Hand Media, Knightley plays an actress returning home from a day on set when she’s confronted by her angry partner. It seems that this is all part of a scripted drama, until the male actor punches her to the ground and repeatedly kicks her as she struggles on the floor. The camera zooms out to reveal an empty film set with nobody around to hear her cries for help, culminating in the tagline ‘Isn’t it time someone called cut?’
Tareq Kubaisi, PFL’s CEO of Telecine, has worked on many projects with Joe Wright over the years and was pleased to provide the grade on such an important piece. “Joe is a classic filmmaker so he’s not looking for the latest weird grade, he wants it to enhance the story, rather than overpower it. Everything is very naturally lit, these guys have gone into it with a particular vision and you make sure you help that out rather than ride roughshod over it.”
Tareq adds: “It had to look cinematic, so I kept it very filmic in style. I had to make sure her skin tone was clear throughout and that the spots of blood looked the correct shade. You trade those things off with each other so it looks realistic but it’s still visible. I found the piece incredibly shocking and very uncomfortable to work on; it was not easy to watch time after time.”
Woman’s Aid is the UK’s key national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children. They support a network of over 500 domestic and sexual violence services across the UK.
In the harrowing two-minute spot, created by agency Grey and produced by Dab Hand Media, Knightley plays an actress returning home from a day on set when she’s confronted by her angry partner. It seems that this is all part of a scripted drama, until the male actor punches her to the ground and repeatedly kicks her as she struggles on the floor. The camera zooms out to reveal an empty film set with nobody around to hear her cries for help, culminating in the tagline ‘Isn’t it time someone called cut?’
Tareq Kubaisi, PFL’s CEO of Telecine, has worked on many projects with Joe Wright over the years and was pleased to provide the grade on such an important piece. “Joe is a classic filmmaker so he’s not looking for the latest weird grade, he wants it to enhance the story, rather than overpower it. Everything is very naturally lit, these guys have gone into it with a particular vision and you make sure you help that out rather than ride roughshod over it.”
Tareq adds: “It had to look cinematic, so I kept it very filmic in style. I had to make sure her skin tone was clear throughout and that the spots of blood looked the correct shade. You trade those things off with each other so it looks realistic but it’s still visible. I found the piece incredibly shocking and very uncomfortable to work on; it was not easy to watch time after time.”
Woman’s Aid is the UK’s key national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children. They support a network of over 500 domestic and sexual violence services across the UK.
DIY economic planning. Wiki-style G20 for the people
we20.org launch a publicly produced G20 roadmap to economic recovery – wikipedia style planning.
we20.org, a new website, is allowing people anywhere to host their own G20 style meetings. This timely initiative was launched in the run up to the London G20 Summit and amid concern about violence as protestors take to the streets of London. we20 is offering people a refreshing approach; large scale community involvement in planning economic recovery, using the power of the internet and face to face meetings.
People visiting we20.org can organise their own meeting to make action plans to fix their economy. Plans are voted on at we20.org and the top we20 plans have the chance of appearing on the official G20 London Summit website official G20 London Summit website.
Lord Malloch-Brown, the UK's Foreign Office G20 Minister, has given his encouragement and advice to we20 meetings through this we20 YouTube video. we20’s twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn Communities are growing fast.
Visitors to we20.org can either find or set up a meeting to discuss a local, national or global challenge; or read and vote on plans from other we20 meetings. Each we20 user gets 20 votes to award to the best recovery plans. Early we20 meetings have produced a shop-sharing plan to help shop-keepers, an idea to create a CO2 monitoring website and a plan from Sweden to change the global economic system. The organisers of we20 hope they can help we20 Plans become reality as we20 develops in the future.
There are we20 meetings being added all the time and meetings are pledged in USA, Australia, Sweden, Belgium, Germany, Sudan, Thailand, Nigeria and a number are taking place in the UK including meetings of media industry, local government, students and healthcare workers. There is a flagship we20 event at London’s Nesta on Monday 30th of January. we20 hopes thousands of we20 meetings will take place around the world this year with a goal of 1,000 to take place by the end of April.
Who is the team behind we20?
we20 has been produced by volunteers in London who want to help people through the recession. The idea for we20 was hatched on 6 January this year. Everything you see at we20.org has been built since then for £0 so far. The current website is only the start of we20 which its organisers hope will grow to be a public engagement platform alongside the G20.
we20 is independent and neutral.
Quote: Paul Massey, an internet lawyer, is one of the volunteers organising we20 in his spare time. He said; "The initiative is called we20. It’s a neat idea which helps people organise their own G20 meetings of up to 20 people. There is speculation about what the London G20 Summit will achieve but we have already seen we20 meetings produce some great action plans to fix the economy. we20 sees the Summit as a rallying call for everyone to work together to pull ourselves out of this economic mess.
We have learned a lot from Barack Obama’s use of the internet in his election campaign. He demonstrated how everyone can get involved in making change happen by connecting on the internet and then meeting face to face. we20 involves community face to face meetings to produce economic plans relevant to the people actually there. The we20 meetings hosted by Chain Reaction in London, Stoke and across the UK are a great example. The we20 initiative and the website we have made for nothing proves what you can achieve with a great team.
we20 is set up so that people's we20 meetings and recovery plans are directed towards, local, national or global challenges. For example, we20 plans may cover global issues such as the IMF, World Bank or climate change or local economic issues such as response to redundancies, or plans for local shops, sports teams or growers’ initiatives. we20 is driven by volunteers and word of mouth and we are constantly amazed by the support we are receiving from across the board."
After the G20 Summit…
After the G20 Summit, we20 will assess its impact in consultation with members, continue to encourage the implementation of we20 plans and work towards future goals including the United Nations Copenhagen Climate Change Summit. we20 seeks to develop collaborative partnerships to help implement appropriate local plans. we20 hopes to strengthen the policies produced by the G20 through ensuring transparency and good governance. Whatever comes out of the London G20 Summit, we20 looks set to stay as a force of community empowerment for the longer term.
Mayor of London promises action on empty housing
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has pledged to invest £22 million into renovating over 1,300 derelict or empty homes in London and turn them into family homes.
Britain has had a shortage of property for decades and to get house price inflation under control, at least 240,000 new homes are reportedly required each year.
However, the housing crisis has now turned critical and instead of 240,000 being built, it has been predicted that there will only be 80,000. As construction has fallen off as a result of the credit crunch, the number of new homes continues to dwindle further.
Boris has stepped in with a pledge to try to combat the problem. At the end of last year, Halifax compiled a report using data from the Department for Communities & Local Government and its own database, and discovered that there are more than a quarter of a million empty properties in the UK.
With the balance of supply and demand so out of kilter, it seems obvious that here is one solution to help ease the problem – bring those empty homes back into use.
This time last year, Boris promised to build 50,000 more affordable homes by 2011 and renovate 84,205 empty properties to help low-income Londoners off waiting lists.
Fast forward to this year and his new pledge would mean that he is on ‘course to meet his manifesto pledge to invest a total of £60 million new funding to bring over 3,400 empty homes back into use by 2011.’
Once the homes have been renovated under the programme, many of them will be turned into much needed affordable family homes.
Boris’ ambitious aim is to reduce the proportion of long-term empty homes in the capital to just one per cent. He said, “In the last housing market downturn of the 1990s, the number of empty homes soared. Leaving homes empty when so many people are seeking housing is unacceptable and abandoned buildings can blight neighbourhoods, attracting vandalism and creating local eyesores.
“Today’s package delivers an unprecedented level of funding to tackle the capital’s empty homes, more than tripling the previous budget.
“Working with London’s boroughs, this investment will help to significantly improve London's housing stock,” he added.
Britain has had a shortage of property for decades and to get house price inflation under control, at least 240,000 new homes are reportedly required each year.
However, the housing crisis has now turned critical and instead of 240,000 being built, it has been predicted that there will only be 80,000. As construction has fallen off as a result of the credit crunch, the number of new homes continues to dwindle further.
Boris has stepped in with a pledge to try to combat the problem. At the end of last year, Halifax compiled a report using data from the Department for Communities & Local Government and its own database, and discovered that there are more than a quarter of a million empty properties in the UK.
With the balance of supply and demand so out of kilter, it seems obvious that here is one solution to help ease the problem – bring those empty homes back into use.
This time last year, Boris promised to build 50,000 more affordable homes by 2011 and renovate 84,205 empty properties to help low-income Londoners off waiting lists.
Fast forward to this year and his new pledge would mean that he is on ‘course to meet his manifesto pledge to invest a total of £60 million new funding to bring over 3,400 empty homes back into use by 2011.’
Once the homes have been renovated under the programme, many of them will be turned into much needed affordable family homes.
Boris’ ambitious aim is to reduce the proportion of long-term empty homes in the capital to just one per cent. He said, “In the last housing market downturn of the 1990s, the number of empty homes soared. Leaving homes empty when so many people are seeking housing is unacceptable and abandoned buildings can blight neighbourhoods, attracting vandalism and creating local eyesores.
“Today’s package delivers an unprecedented level of funding to tackle the capital’s empty homes, more than tripling the previous budget.
“Working with London’s boroughs, this investment will help to significantly improve London's housing stock,” he added.
Grand National. Find out who is running adnd who is favourite
Grand National runners and riders for the 2009 race are now available at the Grand National Guide site.
For each of the grand national runners you can see their jockey, form details, racing colours (so you know which one to chear on!) and their latest grand national odds
The site has free bets and the best promotions. Find out which bookmaker will pay you if your horse finishes in the first 6 home and how you can get a guaranteed no lose bet on the Grand National!
The site also has the grand national tips from the experts. They have spent hours studying the form so that you dont have to. There is even a computerised Grand National winner predictor tool which successfully found the winner of last years race!
Or you can find a horse to back depending on your star sign, where you live, your favourite colour or just take a lucky dip! Visit Grand National Guide now to pick your horse.
For details on the history of the grand national visit grand national world.
For each of the grand national runners you can see their jockey, form details, racing colours (so you know which one to chear on!) and their latest grand national odds
The site has free bets and the best promotions. Find out which bookmaker will pay you if your horse finishes in the first 6 home and how you can get a guaranteed no lose bet on the Grand National!
The site also has the grand national tips from the experts. They have spent hours studying the form so that you dont have to. There is even a computerised Grand National winner predictor tool which successfully found the winner of last years race!
Or you can find a horse to back depending on your star sign, where you live, your favourite colour or just take a lucky dip! Visit Grand National Guide now to pick your horse.
For details on the history of the grand national visit grand national world.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Statement on the Progress of the London G20 Summit
Iain Murray
Director of Projects and Analysis
Competitive Enterprise Institute
Washington, D.C., April 2, 2009—Today’s communiqué from the leaders of the G20 – a motley collection of democracies and dictatorships – has some good points, but in general it represents a new version of what economist Friedrich Hayek called “the fatal conceit.” It believes that government has all the answers, and demonstrates that the world's leading governments recognize few boundaries. As such, not only does the communiqué promise far more than it can deliver – something the voters in G20 democracies should remember – but it may also impede global economic recovery.
The communiqué holds that, “We start from the belief that prosperity is indivisible; that growth, to be sustained, has to be shared” and to “do whatever is necessary.” In clause after clause, this pro-government rather than pro-prosperity declaration embraces new burdens on a limping financial sector in the form of expanded global regulation, and effectively requires that all look toward government before acting in the future. At no point does the communiqué recognize that government action can and does distort market action to the point of significant harm.
The only “growth” being sustained in today’s political environment – and further embraced here – is the open-ended stimulus culture that has already led to an orgy of “sharing” of citizens’ wealth; in a world increasingly at ease with the word “trillion,” we are not suffering from a lack of sharing. The “unprecedented fiscal expansion” is not, as British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said, an injection of new money (except for some sales of gold reserves) but mostly a redistribution of existing taxpayer money to politically-favored recipients.
An effective communiqu̩ would have acknowledged that wealth is not automatic, that it must be created before it can grow and expand Рor be shared. Individuals acting together in voluntary enterprise form the foundation of wealth creation and job growth, but that is nowhere articulated here. Leadership would require the G20 representatives to explain precisely how they plan to unravel tax and regulatory barriers to the creation of new wealth, infrastructure, jobs and new financial innovations. Instead, the document stands as yet another open-ended promise for redistribution of a shrinking pie, and aggressive new political dominance of economic life.
This is not to say that the communiqué is wholly bad. Even as they seek to increase the reach of government by a massive expansion of the International Monetary Fund (by its own figures, the IMF budget is now greater than the GDP of all but 16 countries), the G20 leaders had no choice but to recognize the harmful effects of protectionism. The sections lauding free trade are welcome, and stand as a rebuke to Congressional leaders who have introduced protectionist language in recent bills. If there is one glimmer of hope in the G20 communiqué, it is that the vitality of trade may counteract the dead hand of government control.
Fishermen rescued from sinking boat
At 12:55 pm today Belfast Coastguard received a 999 called from the JENEMI, a 10 metre fishing boat that had lost all power and was sinking about approximately eight miles east of the entrance to Strangford Lough.
The Portaferry Coastguard Rescue Team and Portaferry RNLI Inshore Lifeboats were called to assist the two crew members. Unfortunately the JENEMI sank quickly and the crew had to take to their life-raft, from where they were rescued and brought ashore by the RNLI lifeboat.
Alan Pritchard, Watch Manager at Belfast Coastguard said: "It's fortunate that the crew of the JENEMI had a life-raft that they could use when they needed to abandon ship.
"I'd recommend all small fishing boats to carry life-rafts and or emergency beacons so that in the event of an emergency at sea the crew can safely abandon ship and will be located quickly".
The Portaferry Coastguard Rescue Team and Portaferry RNLI Inshore Lifeboats were called to assist the two crew members. Unfortunately the JENEMI sank quickly and the crew had to take to their life-raft, from where they were rescued and brought ashore by the RNLI lifeboat.
Alan Pritchard, Watch Manager at Belfast Coastguard said: "It's fortunate that the crew of the JENEMI had a life-raft that they could use when they needed to abandon ship.
"I'd recommend all small fishing boats to carry life-rafts and or emergency beacons so that in the event of an emergency at sea the crew can safely abandon ship and will be located quickly".
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Rules we hate at work
The UK’s leading recruitment scoring website reveals the rules people hate to obey at work and it seems British workers are a hard lot to please. Internet policies, ‘the customer is always right’ policy, dress code and having no rules to follow at all each make it to the Top 5 rules Britons really hate.
It’s no surprise that 94% of Brits admit they hate being told what to do, but the UK’s leading recruitment scoring website has uncovered the rules Britons hate to follow at work, including internet policies, scheduled lunch breaks, dress code and surprisingly more than 1 in 10 Britons get annoyed with having no rules to follow at all.
www.HireScores.com studied 1,017 Britons and found that 34% hate their work’s no internet rule but surprisingly 30% admit they know why this rule is in place and 23% confess that their productivity levels would probably decrease if they could use the internet at work.
Interestingly, the idea of the customer always being right annoys 1 in 6 Britons, all of which admit that being polite to rude people is not a rule they should have to follow.
In comparison, 12% of Brionts hate having no or very few rules at work, making 3% feel as though they are surrounded by chaos and 9% frustrated when they are working hard and others are running riot.
The rules that Britons hate to follow at work, starting with the worst are as follows;
1) Internet policy – No internet at works drives 34% of us mad
2) Dress Code 19%
3) ‘Customer is always right’ rule 16%
4) Scheduled lunch breaks 15%
5) No Rules – everyone runs wild 12%
Other rules Britons hate to follow included scheduled toilet breaks and their works’ call answering procedure.
Lisette Howlett, Managing Director of HireScores.com comments on these findings;
“It seems we all have rules we hate to follow. Unfortunately whilst it may make us feel like our freedoms are being curtailed, there is generally a reason behind the rules being put in place. The trick, however, is to explain that reason to employees and also check out from time to time if it still applies or if something else might work just as well.
“Giving people choice is invariably the best option for an employer. For example, asking a team if they want their breaks on a formal rota or if they want to manage it themselves can work better than simply imposing a rule. Explaining that the dress code is about customer perception rather than just being picky might make it feel less onerous.
“It’s interesting to see how many people think negatively about having no results at all. Not only does it make people feel uneasy and unsure about their own progression but it inevitably frustrates those people who are still dedicating their day to actual work whilst others around them get away with doing very little. The key to a satisfied and motivated workforce is finding a happy medium.”
For further information visit www.HireScores.com
It’s no surprise that 94% of Brits admit they hate being told what to do, but the UK’s leading recruitment scoring website has uncovered the rules Britons hate to follow at work, including internet policies, scheduled lunch breaks, dress code and surprisingly more than 1 in 10 Britons get annoyed with having no rules to follow at all.
www.HireScores.com studied 1,017 Britons and found that 34% hate their work’s no internet rule but surprisingly 30% admit they know why this rule is in place and 23% confess that their productivity levels would probably decrease if they could use the internet at work.
Interestingly, the idea of the customer always being right annoys 1 in 6 Britons, all of which admit that being polite to rude people is not a rule they should have to follow.
In comparison, 12% of Brionts hate having no or very few rules at work, making 3% feel as though they are surrounded by chaos and 9% frustrated when they are working hard and others are running riot.
The rules that Britons hate to follow at work, starting with the worst are as follows;
1) Internet policy – No internet at works drives 34% of us mad
2) Dress Code 19%
3) ‘Customer is always right’ rule 16%
4) Scheduled lunch breaks 15%
5) No Rules – everyone runs wild 12%
Other rules Britons hate to follow included scheduled toilet breaks and their works’ call answering procedure.
Lisette Howlett, Managing Director of HireScores.com comments on these findings;
“It seems we all have rules we hate to follow. Unfortunately whilst it may make us feel like our freedoms are being curtailed, there is generally a reason behind the rules being put in place. The trick, however, is to explain that reason to employees and also check out from time to time if it still applies or if something else might work just as well.
“Giving people choice is invariably the best option for an employer. For example, asking a team if they want their breaks on a formal rota or if they want to manage it themselves can work better than simply imposing a rule. Explaining that the dress code is about customer perception rather than just being picky might make it feel less onerous.
“It’s interesting to see how many people think negatively about having no results at all. Not only does it make people feel uneasy and unsure about their own progression but it inevitably frustrates those people who are still dedicating their day to actual work whilst others around them get away with doing very little. The key to a satisfied and motivated workforce is finding a happy medium.”
For further information visit www.HireScores.com
Topshop announce opening of flagship store in New York City
New York City is waiting in anticipation for the launch of Topshop/Topman's debut American outlet, due to open on Broadway April 2nd. US-based fans of the brand will now be able to browse the store's high-fashion high-street collections in their very own flagship store, making transatlantic pilgrimages to the Oxford Circus destination a tale of urban folklore.
Alongside the mainline collections, American customers will be able to choose from all the key collaborations currently available in the UK.
The latest Kate Moss Topshop collection for SS09 will launch on 2nd April, to coincide with the New York store launch, and will include four special pieces featuring prints from the Liberty design archive.
Continuing Topshop's ongoing support of innovative British designers, new capsule collections by Preen, Jonathan Saunders and Richard Nicoll will also be available for the store's New York-based customers, together with Topshop Unique, the store's now famous design-led collection which currently shows on schedule at London Fashion Week. Following at the end of the month, Topshop will also introduce a new collection by Barbara Hulanicki, which will feature modern, feminine pieces inspired by Hulanicki's 1960s BIBA heritage.
At 11.00am on 2nd April the doors will be thrown open for the first time by Sir Philip and Lady Green and the store's special guest, Kate Moss.
Once in-store, those who spend $100 or more will receive a free limited edition T-shirt emblazoned with a Union Jack crown motif, there'll be a Style Studio on the shop floor serving scones and jam and helping with customers' style dilemmas, and customers will be able to enjoy complimentary pampering from Make Up For Ever, Valley and Woodley & Bunny. Also everyone will be invited to enter a competition to win an all-expenses-paid trip to London Fashion Week.
The new store will be equally as exciting on the outside as the inside. The windows will be designed and conceptualised by celebrated British illustrator Jo Ratcliffe, whose work has been included in British Vogue, The Guardian and GQ. Jo's windows will incorporate iconography reflecting the two worlds of fashion and the great British aristocracy.
Famous for its high level of customer service, Topshop will also be bringing its complimentary Style Advisor service to New York, providing customers with expert guidance on dresses, fashion leggings, hotpants, new trends, Topshop must-haves and insider knowledge to suit personal styles. Whether it's a wardrobe update, advice on the perfect party outfit or simply hassle free shopping, customers can sit back and relax in the VIP shopping suite while the Style Advisors do all the legwork.
From 11.00am on opening day through to 7.00pm on Saturday, customers and VIP shoppers can enjoy music provided by the great and good of New York's nightlife, including The Rapture, Andrew Andrew, The Misshapes, James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem), The Whip and Late of the Pier.
For those unable to make it to New York, Topshop.com will be offering free shipping for a week from 2nd April. With 300 new products hitting the site each week, editorial features providing fashion forecasts and styling tips, along with Topshop's blog Inside-Out reporting on up-to-the-minute news and events, there's no need for anyone to miss out.
Alongside the mainline collections, American customers will be able to choose from all the key collaborations currently available in the UK.
The latest Kate Moss Topshop collection for SS09 will launch on 2nd April, to coincide with the New York store launch, and will include four special pieces featuring prints from the Liberty design archive.
Continuing Topshop's ongoing support of innovative British designers, new capsule collections by Preen, Jonathan Saunders and Richard Nicoll will also be available for the store's New York-based customers, together with Topshop Unique, the store's now famous design-led collection which currently shows on schedule at London Fashion Week. Following at the end of the month, Topshop will also introduce a new collection by Barbara Hulanicki, which will feature modern, feminine pieces inspired by Hulanicki's 1960s BIBA heritage.
At 11.00am on 2nd April the doors will be thrown open for the first time by Sir Philip and Lady Green and the store's special guest, Kate Moss.
Once in-store, those who spend $100 or more will receive a free limited edition T-shirt emblazoned with a Union Jack crown motif, there'll be a Style Studio on the shop floor serving scones and jam and helping with customers' style dilemmas, and customers will be able to enjoy complimentary pampering from Make Up For Ever, Valley and Woodley & Bunny. Also everyone will be invited to enter a competition to win an all-expenses-paid trip to London Fashion Week.
The new store will be equally as exciting on the outside as the inside. The windows will be designed and conceptualised by celebrated British illustrator Jo Ratcliffe, whose work has been included in British Vogue, The Guardian and GQ. Jo's windows will incorporate iconography reflecting the two worlds of fashion and the great British aristocracy.
Famous for its high level of customer service, Topshop will also be bringing its complimentary Style Advisor service to New York, providing customers with expert guidance on dresses, fashion leggings, hotpants, new trends, Topshop must-haves and insider knowledge to suit personal styles. Whether it's a wardrobe update, advice on the perfect party outfit or simply hassle free shopping, customers can sit back and relax in the VIP shopping suite while the Style Advisors do all the legwork.
From 11.00am on opening day through to 7.00pm on Saturday, customers and VIP shoppers can enjoy music provided by the great and good of New York's nightlife, including The Rapture, Andrew Andrew, The Misshapes, James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem), The Whip and Late of the Pier.
For those unable to make it to New York, Topshop.com will be offering free shipping for a week from 2nd April. With 300 new products hitting the site each week, editorial features providing fashion forecasts and styling tips, along with Topshop's blog Inside-Out reporting on up-to-the-minute news and events, there's no need for anyone to miss out.
Police medics attacked by demonstrators?
Worrying press reports claim that as police first aiders attempted to treat a man who had collapsed in the street, some G20 protesters attacked the officers. One report carried by ITN is quoted as saying: "Officers moved the man behind a police cordon and attempted to resuscitate him before he was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police said they had to move the man after protesters hurled bottles at them." (http://itn.co.uk/news/b7c8e005fcc8ec53ec5dce27db09252d.html)
One must wonder what the protesters would have done had they managed to drive the police officers away from the fallen man. Hung him from a lamppost? Or, having realised their mistake, would they have dialled 999?
One must wonder what the protesters would have done had they managed to drive the police officers away from the fallen man. Hung him from a lamppost? Or, having realised their mistake, would they have dialled 999?
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Anyone involved in making our communities safer should come to Leeds this June
That's the message from the organisers of the 14th annual National Community Safety Network (NCSN) conference, which takes place on the 9th and 10th June at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds.
NCSN has unveiled a packed conference, programme comprising top international speakers and the industry's leading lights alongside seminars and workshops that will give anyone working in community safety the opportunity to air their views, share their knowledge, network and hear the latest thinking from industry leaders and other community safety experts.
The annual conference, supported by Leeds City Council and Safer Leeds, brings together people from all over the world with a common interest in promoting safer communities. Over 350 people attended last year's event, representing a range of sectors including fire, police, ambulance, housing, security, drugs, alcohol, gun crime, violent crime and youth work professionals.
Former deputy assistant commissioner, Brian Paddick, is this year’s MC. He will introduce a packed programme of speakers, workshops, debates, master classes and networking opportunities, providing the perfect forum for sharing expertise and thinking across a range of cross cutting issues that can make a real difference to communities throughout the UK.
Jane Mowat, Chair, of the National Community Safety Network says, “Community safety moves further and further up the agenda every year, and there is a huge amount of work going into making our communities safer.
“The conference, brings these people together to share their experiences, thinking and expertise with people across other sectors whose goals are the same. Our aim is to integrate the vast amount of work that is going into making our communities safer, learning from others to improve community safety across the board.
“I'm particularly excited about the international element to this year's conference. We will be joined by Margaret Shaw, director of analysis and exchange at the International Centre for the Prevention of Crime in Montreal; and Elizabeth Johnson, deputy director at the European Forum for Urban Safety (EFUS). They will be sharing their experiences and encouraging joint international working.”
“I'm also thrilled to welcome one of the UK's most influential housing professionals, Dr Tom Manion, current chief executive of Irwell Valley Housing Association. He'll be joined by Adam Crawford, Professor of Criminology at the University of Leeds to bring neighbourhood happiness to the agenda and explore the relationship between research, policy and practice in the fields of community safety as well as the regulation of anti-social behaviour.”
Throughout the conference, delegates will have plenty of opportunities to voice their opinions on the topics that really matter. A variety of master classes have been developed specifically to facilitate debate between academics and practitioners on the latest theories and address issues including 'Graffiti – Public Art or Vandalism?', as well as offender management and Leeds’ award-winning ‘Weapons Awareness’ programme.
Says Jane Mowat, “I would urge anyone involved in community safety to make time to come to the conference, – our feedback shows that the people who do come benefit hugely from their involvement, taking away useful contacts, knowledge and practical support that they can apply in their day-to-day work.”
Delegates can register online for the complete two-day programme or choose from a selection of events at:
http://www.community-safety.net/conference2009/reg.htm
- ENDS -
For more information, contact project manager Chris Wilson on 01904 757036 / email cwilson@tailormadeconferences.co.uk.
Note to editors:
The NCSN is the leading practitioner-led organisation supporting those involved in promoting community safety/crime reduction throughout the United Kingdom.
Currently the NCSN supports and represents over 400 members in the public, private and voluntary sectors, all with a common interest in promoting safer communities.
Key speaker biographies:
Brian Paddick
Conference MC
Previous roles have included Borough Commander for Merton, Deputy Assistant Commissioner for 32 London Boroughs, and the national lead for the police service on disability and mental health issues. He has performed many high-profile roles, including police spokesperson for the Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales and after the London bombings on 7 July 2005, where he worked closely with the Muslim community.
Dr Tom Manion
Chief Executive
Irwell Valley Housing Association
Keynote Speaker Day 1
Dr. Tom Manion is the Chief Executive of Irwell Valley Housing Association. Under his tenure Irwell Valley has collected over 20 awards including the Outstanding Achievement in Housing in the United Kingdom - the highest professional accolade from the Chartered Institute of Housing. Tom has previously been named by The Independent newspaper as one of the top ten influential people in housing in the UK and The Guardian who cited him as one of the Top ten innovators in the UK, describing him as 'a charismatic pioneer'. A charismatic and inspirational speaker, Tom is not to be missed.
Adam Crawford
Professor of Criminology
University of Leeds
Keynote Speaker Day 1
Adam Crawford is Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice and Director of the Centre for Criminal Justice Studies at the University of Leeds. His publications include The Local Governance of Crime (1997), Crime Prevention and Community Safety (1998), Crime and Insecurity (2002) and Plural Policing (2005). His latest book is an edited collection entitled Crime Prevention Policies in Comparative Perspectives which brings together contributions from leading European commentators to assess the development of crime prevention and community safety over the last two decades.
Margaret Shaw
Director of Analysis and Exchange
International Centre for the Prevention of Crime, Montreal, Canada
Keynote Speaker Day 2
Margaret Shaw is the Director of Analysis and Exchange at The International Centre for the Prevention of Crime, Montreal, Canada. Much of her recent work has included studies of women's imprisonment offending and victimization, as well as restorative justice, community corrections and criminal policy. Her international experience at ICPC includes contribution to the Expert Group Meeting on the UN Guidelines for Crime Prevention (2002); an Expert Group Meeting on youth at risk in Africa (2002); work with the Programme Network Institutes of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
Elizabeth Johnson
Deputy Director
European Forum for Urban Safety.
Keynote Speaker Day 2
Elizabeth Johnson is the Deputy Director of the European Forum for Urban safety (EFUS). This is a network and think tank gathering more than 300 local authorities: it endeavors to enhance safety policies based on a balance between prevention, repression and solidarity, and to consolidate the role of cities and local representatives in local safety policy partnerships throughout Europe. She has focused her work on providing support to intercity cooperation, collaborating with European instances and intergovernmental organizations and studying thematic areas such as at risk youth and unaccompanied minors.
NCSN has unveiled a packed conference, programme comprising top international speakers and the industry's leading lights alongside seminars and workshops that will give anyone working in community safety the opportunity to air their views, share their knowledge, network and hear the latest thinking from industry leaders and other community safety experts.
The annual conference, supported by Leeds City Council and Safer Leeds, brings together people from all over the world with a common interest in promoting safer communities. Over 350 people attended last year's event, representing a range of sectors including fire, police, ambulance, housing, security, drugs, alcohol, gun crime, violent crime and youth work professionals.
Former deputy assistant commissioner, Brian Paddick, is this year’s MC. He will introduce a packed programme of speakers, workshops, debates, master classes and networking opportunities, providing the perfect forum for sharing expertise and thinking across a range of cross cutting issues that can make a real difference to communities throughout the UK.
Jane Mowat, Chair, of the National Community Safety Network says, “Community safety moves further and further up the agenda every year, and there is a huge amount of work going into making our communities safer.
“The conference, brings these people together to share their experiences, thinking and expertise with people across other sectors whose goals are the same. Our aim is to integrate the vast amount of work that is going into making our communities safer, learning from others to improve community safety across the board.
“I'm particularly excited about the international element to this year's conference. We will be joined by Margaret Shaw, director of analysis and exchange at the International Centre for the Prevention of Crime in Montreal; and Elizabeth Johnson, deputy director at the European Forum for Urban Safety (EFUS). They will be sharing their experiences and encouraging joint international working.”
“I'm also thrilled to welcome one of the UK's most influential housing professionals, Dr Tom Manion, current chief executive of Irwell Valley Housing Association. He'll be joined by Adam Crawford, Professor of Criminology at the University of Leeds to bring neighbourhood happiness to the agenda and explore the relationship between research, policy and practice in the fields of community safety as well as the regulation of anti-social behaviour.”
Throughout the conference, delegates will have plenty of opportunities to voice their opinions on the topics that really matter. A variety of master classes have been developed specifically to facilitate debate between academics and practitioners on the latest theories and address issues including 'Graffiti – Public Art or Vandalism?', as well as offender management and Leeds’ award-winning ‘Weapons Awareness’ programme.
Says Jane Mowat, “I would urge anyone involved in community safety to make time to come to the conference, – our feedback shows that the people who do come benefit hugely from their involvement, taking away useful contacts, knowledge and practical support that they can apply in their day-to-day work.”
Delegates can register online for the complete two-day programme or choose from a selection of events at:
http://www.community-safety.net/conference2009/reg.htm
- ENDS -
For more information, contact project manager Chris Wilson on 01904 757036 / email cwilson@tailormadeconferences.co.uk.
Note to editors:
The NCSN is the leading practitioner-led organisation supporting those involved in promoting community safety/crime reduction throughout the United Kingdom.
Currently the NCSN supports and represents over 400 members in the public, private and voluntary sectors, all with a common interest in promoting safer communities.
Key speaker biographies:
Brian Paddick
Conference MC
Previous roles have included Borough Commander for Merton, Deputy Assistant Commissioner for 32 London Boroughs, and the national lead for the police service on disability and mental health issues. He has performed many high-profile roles, including police spokesperson for the Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales and after the London bombings on 7 July 2005, where he worked closely with the Muslim community.
Dr Tom Manion
Chief Executive
Irwell Valley Housing Association
Keynote Speaker Day 1
Dr. Tom Manion is the Chief Executive of Irwell Valley Housing Association. Under his tenure Irwell Valley has collected over 20 awards including the Outstanding Achievement in Housing in the United Kingdom - the highest professional accolade from the Chartered Institute of Housing. Tom has previously been named by The Independent newspaper as one of the top ten influential people in housing in the UK and The Guardian who cited him as one of the Top ten innovators in the UK, describing him as 'a charismatic pioneer'. A charismatic and inspirational speaker, Tom is not to be missed.
Adam Crawford
Professor of Criminology
University of Leeds
Keynote Speaker Day 1
Adam Crawford is Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice and Director of the Centre for Criminal Justice Studies at the University of Leeds. His publications include The Local Governance of Crime (1997), Crime Prevention and Community Safety (1998), Crime and Insecurity (2002) and Plural Policing (2005). His latest book is an edited collection entitled Crime Prevention Policies in Comparative Perspectives which brings together contributions from leading European commentators to assess the development of crime prevention and community safety over the last two decades.
Margaret Shaw
Director of Analysis and Exchange
International Centre for the Prevention of Crime, Montreal, Canada
Keynote Speaker Day 2
Margaret Shaw is the Director of Analysis and Exchange at The International Centre for the Prevention of Crime, Montreal, Canada. Much of her recent work has included studies of women's imprisonment offending and victimization, as well as restorative justice, community corrections and criminal policy. Her international experience at ICPC includes contribution to the Expert Group Meeting on the UN Guidelines for Crime Prevention (2002); an Expert Group Meeting on youth at risk in Africa (2002); work with the Programme Network Institutes of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
Elizabeth Johnson
Deputy Director
European Forum for Urban Safety.
Keynote Speaker Day 2
Elizabeth Johnson is the Deputy Director of the European Forum for Urban safety (EFUS). This is a network and think tank gathering more than 300 local authorities: it endeavors to enhance safety policies based on a balance between prevention, repression and solidarity, and to consolidate the role of cities and local representatives in local safety policy partnerships throughout Europe. She has focused her work on providing support to intercity cooperation, collaborating with European instances and intergovernmental organizations and studying thematic areas such as at risk youth and unaccompanied minors.
Call for cash for jobs from Brown
A recruitment specialist has backed calls for the government to offer more support to workers facing redundancy or reduced hours.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) is calling on the government to provide subsidies to workers' pay.
The organisations believe that the radical measure, which they argue would "help stem" the rise in job losses, should be introduced "as soon as possible".
Recruitment specialist ATA Selection has echoed the calls stating that the government should look at preventative measures while staff are still in employment, not once they are made redundant.
There is widespread concern over the huge number of job losses predicted, with a further reported 320,000 jobs set to be culled during the coming three months as companies respond to the recession, but believes more can be done by the government.
Andrew Hardaker, Managing Director, ATA Selection said: "ATA Selection welcomes the subsidy approach as an initiative to keep skilled workers in the UK employed.
"Remaining in employment improves a worker's self-esteem and maintains their skills base.
"The government must safeguard the future of our manufacturing industry by acting now to safeguard jobs.”
"It is extremely important that the workforce does not become de-motivated."
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber has said that wage subsidy schemes are already working well across Europe and said he wanted similar systems introduced in the UK.
Mr. Barber said: "The European schemes are preventing many thousands of unnecessary job losses. The Government must provide support for UK businesses and workers too."
The FSB said employers would welcome the move because it would enable them to retain key staff and enable them to prepare for the revival in the economy.
National Chairman John Wright said: "It should be regarded as a national investment which will eventually pay for itself."
The last time Britain operated a wage subsidy scheme was in the late 1970s, when companies that were laying off more than ten staff were offered a subsidy of £20 a week for up to 12 months for each job saved.
ATA Selection is one of the UK's leading recruitment specialists, with 45 years of experience. It has 10 branches throughout the UK and handles more than 300 new vacancies every week.
It can provide a complete recruitment service to clients, whether they are looking for permanent or fixed contract/temporary staff.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) is calling on the government to provide subsidies to workers' pay.
The organisations believe that the radical measure, which they argue would "help stem" the rise in job losses, should be introduced "as soon as possible".
Recruitment specialist ATA Selection has echoed the calls stating that the government should look at preventative measures while staff are still in employment, not once they are made redundant.
There is widespread concern over the huge number of job losses predicted, with a further reported 320,000 jobs set to be culled during the coming three months as companies respond to the recession, but believes more can be done by the government.
Andrew Hardaker, Managing Director, ATA Selection said: "ATA Selection welcomes the subsidy approach as an initiative to keep skilled workers in the UK employed.
"Remaining in employment improves a worker's self-esteem and maintains their skills base.
"The government must safeguard the future of our manufacturing industry by acting now to safeguard jobs.”
"It is extremely important that the workforce does not become de-motivated."
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber has said that wage subsidy schemes are already working well across Europe and said he wanted similar systems introduced in the UK.
Mr. Barber said: "The European schemes are preventing many thousands of unnecessary job losses. The Government must provide support for UK businesses and workers too."
The FSB said employers would welcome the move because it would enable them to retain key staff and enable them to prepare for the revival in the economy.
National Chairman John Wright said: "It should be regarded as a national investment which will eventually pay for itself."
The last time Britain operated a wage subsidy scheme was in the late 1970s, when companies that were laying off more than ten staff were offered a subsidy of £20 a week for up to 12 months for each job saved.
ATA Selection is one of the UK's leading recruitment specialists, with 45 years of experience. It has 10 branches throughout the UK and handles more than 300 new vacancies every week.
It can provide a complete recruitment service to clients, whether they are looking for permanent or fixed contract/temporary staff.
Twitter Easter Egg Hunt – Win 7 Nights in Amsterdam!
UK-based Budget accommodation provider, HostelBookers.com, is launching a Twitter Easter egg hunt around Europe – using the popular social networking tool, Twitter.
This will be the first big competition in the travel industry based around Twitter; between Monday 6 and Thursday 9 April a HostelBookers Easter egg will backpack around four European cities, alluding to its whereabouts by offering budget travel tips for the destinations it will visit.
From Twitter, the egg’s journey will be fed across all HostelBookers’ social media channels, including Facebook, Bebo, Flickr and HostelBloggers.com, enabling users of all networking sites to participate in the competition.
Followers of the tips and images which will be added to the HostelBookers Twitter page each day can guess which four cities the egg has visited each day, entering their answer on the HostelBookers’ competition page by 12pm (midday) on Friday 10 April. A winner will be picked at random from the correct entries to receive the excellent prize – a week’s accommodation for two in a top Amsterdam hostel, St. Christopher’s Inn - The Winston.
David Smith, Chief Operating Officer at HostelBookers, said: “HostelBookers has been working with Twitter and social networking for over a year – we feel it is important to communicate with our customers in ways that they genuinely use for their everyday communication.
“It is fun and exciting for HostelBookers to be the first organisation to run a competition focused on Twitter, especially as its fast becoming a very relevant tool for travellers and backpackers across the world.”
Although followers will need to enter the competition at the end of the egg’s travels, there’s an added bonus for Twitter enthusiasts keeping track of the hunt each day; HostelBookers will buy a drink for the first person to join the egg in the bar where it’s finishing off its day of travelling…
Follow the Twitter Easter egg hunt on their blog!
What Does Google Say About You?
Job-Job.co.uk, the recruitment search-engine, has today announced that 22% of employers will use the internet to research the “secret life” of a candidate before an interview - in order to guarantee that as a potential employer, they know as much as possible about who could be joining their team.
With marketing job searches on the rise and positions becoming increasingly sought after, savvy employers are using every means available to them, in order to best ensure that the successful candidate holds the right credentials, both listed on their CV and also on their online profile, in fact, several employers have commented that by using the internet as a means of discovering more about a potential candidate, the results can be far more telling compared with relying only on what is presented in a CV and how questions are handled during the interview process.
Popular social networking sites such as Facebook, YouTube and MySpace can often provide employers with a far more honest picture of an individual, as at the touch of a button, employers have instant access to the personal antics of the unsuspecting job seeker, including photographs, videos and personal comments.
The current economic climate dictates that brand management jobs are becoming more valued and sought after, and, as a result of this Brand Management jobs London are now deemed especially valuable, due in no small part to the fact that Britain’s capital is at the hub of the fast-paced marketing industry with many of the world’s top companies based there.
Candidates seeking marketing jobs should be aware that to be successfully employed in sectors such as brand management and communications then it is important to view yourself as a “brand” that you present to the world and manage in the most appropriate way – after all, anyone could be looking you up online.
For more information or to search for the job that’s right for you, visit www.job-job.co.uk.
With marketing job searches on the rise and positions becoming increasingly sought after, savvy employers are using every means available to them, in order to best ensure that the successful candidate holds the right credentials, both listed on their CV and also on their online profile, in fact, several employers have commented that by using the internet as a means of discovering more about a potential candidate, the results can be far more telling compared with relying only on what is presented in a CV and how questions are handled during the interview process.
Popular social networking sites such as Facebook, YouTube and MySpace can often provide employers with a far more honest picture of an individual, as at the touch of a button, employers have instant access to the personal antics of the unsuspecting job seeker, including photographs, videos and personal comments.
The current economic climate dictates that brand management jobs are becoming more valued and sought after, and, as a result of this Brand Management jobs London are now deemed especially valuable, due in no small part to the fact that Britain’s capital is at the hub of the fast-paced marketing industry with many of the world’s top companies based there.
Candidates seeking marketing jobs should be aware that to be successfully employed in sectors such as brand management and communications then it is important to view yourself as a “brand” that you present to the world and manage in the most appropriate way – after all, anyone could be looking you up online.
For more information or to search for the job that’s right for you, visit www.job-job.co.uk.
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