Genetically Modified seeds of change
14 July 2010In an extraordinary move announced this week, the EU proposed that decisions on genetically modified (GM) crop cultivation be returned to national jurisdiction, writes Natalie Hamill.
The Blog
A dog’s breakfast or radical reform?
13 July 2010Yesterday, Civitas released a brief commentary on the NHS White Paper published by the Coalition government. I’m happy to repeat congratulations to the Coalition government on moves to introduce greater competition in the NHS by expanding choice and supporting a genuine ‘social market’ through the introduction of meaningful competition law. Recent evidence on the impact… [Read More]
Mancession Blues
12 July 2010The mancession has landed, the papers scribble. The struggle for female liberation has been set on its head by a new ethical dilemma, writes Zenobe Reade. In an era of 40% cuts, who should get the jobs?
Lansley’s plans could set the NHS back by up to 3 years
10 July 2010Moves to transfer commissioning responsibility to GPs could cost the NHS its £20 billion efficiency savings target, and worse The coalition government’s White Paper on the NHS is due to be published next week. It is widely expected to outline plans to hand control of as much as £80 billion of resources in the NHS… [Read More]
You can’t have your cake AND eat it
9 July 2010Picture this: glossy, ruby red cherries perched atop a cloudy mess of marshmallow-white whipped cream, enveloping delicate layers of moist, flourless sponge; between which, a rich double-chocolate fondant temptingly oozes into fingertip-sized pools writes Annaliese Briggs.
A right song and dance
7 July 2010For a high-spirited hour on Saturday evening the citizens of Belgium overcame the political struggles of the last few months in a display of unity across the country, writes Natalie Hamill. On the 3rd July, 12 Belgian cities celebrated the start of Belgium’s 6-month EU Presidency with choreographed public dancing and an ‘I love EU’… [Read More]
Excuse me?
6 July 2010A focus on policy areas related to social inequality highlights fundamental contradictions in the coalition government’s approach, writes Zenobe Reade.
Playing Parents
5 July 2010Penelope Leach meets Sophie Kinsella in Charlie Taylor’s latest psychedelic guide to surviving with terrible teens, Divas & Door Slammers: the secrets to having a better behaved teenager, writes Annaliese Briggs.
Can direct democracy solve the EU’s democratic deficit?
2 July 2010Britain’s recent MPs expenses scandal provided a stark reminder of the need to install effective checks and balances to political power, writes Natalie Hamill. Speaking at a Civitas seminar earlier this week, Daniel Hannan, Conservative MEP, proposed that the increased use of direct democracy could prevent similar abuses of power in the future.
Disquieting truths behind academy ‘improvement’ revealed
Lack of transparency together with a flawed system of equivalence means that the key to rapid ‘improvement’ in some academies has been ‘going soft’, investigation reveals.