The industry that keeps on giving
Not everything on Picking Losers is about the bad side of government. For example, here is a heart warming tale of giving and kindness from the corporate hospitality boxes at Wimbledon. Spotted this week, lurking behind a bowl of…
Policy Announcements, Friday 06 July
Government The government has announced an extra £13.7m to help schools improve the behaviour of pupils. Children, schools and families secretary Ed Balls unveiled the funds, which will be delivered through the social and emotional aspects…
The Chinless Blunder stumbles on
Two excellent Camoronisms spotted yesterday: Tim Worstall picked up Dave's ignorant currying of favour with the music industry. Hoping for some "Cool Britannia" credit at the next election? Or just dumb? Snafu at Not Proud of Britain…
Review of the Papers, Friday 06 July
Government The giant oil company Chevron has provided an all-expenses-paid day out at Wimbledon for Jim Campbell, the civil servant in charge of regulating Britain's oil and gas industry, including responsibility for pollution and oil…
The slow death of British rationalism
This isn't new or amusing, but it is important. We hear all the time about the lowering of educational standards (JG posted on it only yesterday), but it is rare to find it set out so clearly and chillingly as in an open letter to the AQA…
We don't need no education
Education, education, education. In ten years the Labour government has managed to erode away the reputation of the top British universities so much so that, according to Professor Alison Richard, vice-chancellor of Cambridge, Britain's…
The stick or the carrot?
The carrot or the stick? Tax or tax relief? Which is the best way to tackle climate change? Well, not surprisingly, business would rather take the carrot. So much so, in fact, that a report by Pricewaterhouse Coopers suggests that the…
Review of the Papers, Thursday 05 July
Government A survey of British business has delivered a damning verdict on the Government's environmental policies. The study, carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers, concludes that "current economic policy instruments to reduce the…
The end is nigh for Johnson
Alan Johnson, aka the Fonz, has officially started the NHS game. He said yesterday "-The reality on the ground is that there is a gloomy mood. There has been an awful lot of change in a short period. Staff feel overwhelmed by it. They feel…
Ministerial responsibilities - who's doing what?
So what have Government Ministers been doing for the last week? Almost five working days after they were appointed, there are many junior Ministers who seemingly do not yet know what they are supposed to be doing. Only a handful of…
Policy Announcements, Thursday 05 July
Government The government has announced a major reform of the student support system. New universities secretary John Denham told MPs on Thursday that maintenance grants would be "substantially" increased to include two thirds of those in…
