Justice should be its own incentive
30 January 2014Payment by results for probation has shocked even the Howard League into thinking of victims.
The Blog
The Fate of the Union: Obama’s legacy and the US ‘cost of living’ crisis
29 January 2014The common complaint of politics is that there is no longer any difference between the choices of party realistically on offer. I have never really thought much of that opinion, even while Labour was New and Cameron was a moderniser. The dividing line on inequality, for example, was always there. One believed something could be… [Read More]
2016: Independent Scots are Europe’s worst benefits tourists
27 January 2014In the Burns Night spirit, let’s assume Scotland votes for independence. Let’s assume further – despite warnings to the contrary – that Scotland joins the EU painlessly. To Westminster, the Scots are now ‘foreigners’.
Ofsted vs English education
By Dr David G Green The head of Ofsted, Sir Michael Wilshaw, believes that supporters of Michael Gove are running a ‘dirty tricks campaign’ against him. In the Sunday Times, Sir Michael claimed that his critics were annoyed because Ofsted had criticised two free schools: the Al-Madinah in Derby and the Discovery New School in West Sussex. Civitas,… [Read More]
EU sets out 2030 energy targets
24 January 2014The European Commission has set out its plans for climate and energy policy until 2030. The long term 2030 proposals, which aim to keep Europe at the forefront of global climate negotiations, as well as provide more clarity for investors in low-carbon technology, have seen a mixed reaction from member states, business leaders and environmentalists.
Who can afford a nicer house than their parental home?
23 January 2014Adults live with their parents because ordinary houses have become affordable to only a few.
A day of good news for the Government: GDP, unemployment and trade – all on the up
22 January 2014There are a number of positive signs for the UK economy this week. The first is GDP growth, which is now forecast by the IMF to reach 2.4% in 2014 and 2.2% in 2015, indicating a renewed momentum from the dreary 0.3% seen in 2012 and 1.7% in 2013. The UK is now set to… [Read More]
Ukraine: violent protest for right to nonviolent protest
20 January 2014Removing the right to peaceful demonstrations in Kiev has removed the last constraint that held back Ukrainian opposition activists. Now damned if they do, damned if they don’t, the level of hostility and destruction in Ukraine’s capital has escalated severely.
MEPs object to Malta putting its citizenship up for sale
17 January 2014MEPs have voted against Malta’s controversial scheme to sell Maltese citizenship for €650,000. The scheme is designed to attract wealthy foreigners from countries such as Russia and China, in order to boost the small island’s economy. Malta joined the EU in 2004; it is part of the Schengen area (and has a visa waiver agreement… [Read More]
Police Recorded Crime statistics need some honest effort
16 January 2014The UK Statistics Authority has withdrawn its designation of ‘National Statistics’ from statistics derived from Police Recorded Crime. It is an exaggeration to describe the designation as a ‘gold-standard’. The report itself explains : Designation as National Statistics should not be interpreted to mean that the statistics are always correct.