Showing posts with label Westminster. Show all posts
First offender fitted with stay-sober ankle tag
First offender fitted with stay-sober ankle tag
‘Ankle tags that detect if someone has consumed alcohol will be fitted to offenders as part of a scheme designed to cut down on violent drink-fuelled crime.
The “sobriety tags”, which will be worn around the clock, will enforce abstinence by measuring a person’s perspiration every 30 minutes and testing to see if it contains alcohol.
If any trace is found, an alert will be sent to the offender’s probation officer and they can then be recalled to court, where they could face sanctions such as a fine or be re-sentenced.’
British taxpayers help fund £20billion EU handout to struggling Portugal
British taxpayers help fund £20billion EU handout to struggling Portugal
‘Fury erupted today after the EU gifted cash-strapped Portugal a £20 billion handout to help boost its crumbling economy.
Most of the money will be spent on training and education in a bid to cut rampant unemployment and revive Portuguese economic fortunes by the end of the decade.
Critics warned it means British taxpayers’ will be effectively forking out up to £2.7 billion over the next seven years to help prop up one of Europe’s basket case nations.’
Prescott condemned over Gaza ‘concentration camp’ description
Prescott condemned over Gaza ‘concentration camp’ description
‘Lord Prescott’s description of Gaza as a “concentration camp” has been condemned on all sides of the political spectrum.
The former Deputy Prime Minister also wrote in his Sunday Mirror column that it was impossible not to view Israel’s actions in Gaza as war crimes and compared the Israelis to Nazis.
“What happened to the Jewish people at the hands of the Nazis is appalling. But you would think those atrocities would give Israelis a unique sense of perspective and empathy with the victims of a ghetto,” he wrote.
Labour Friends of Israel director Jennifer Gerber said Lord Prescott’s comments were “provocative, factually ignorant and profoundly offensive,” and urged him to retract.’
Tory MPs’ visit to Israel condemned as bad timing
Tory MPs’ visit to Israel condemned as bad timing
‘A group of Conservative MPs this week embarked on a visit to a military facility in Israel amid the continuing violence that has claimed the lives of about 1,270 Palestinians and 56 Israelis.
The MPs are touring the country as David Cameron called for an “unconditional, immediate, humanitarian ceasefire” and Philip Hammond, the defence secretary, warned Israel that its actions risk undermining western support.
On Tuesday, the parliamentarians went to a briefing at the Iron Dome missile defence system that shoots down Hamas rockets after one of the heaviest nights of shelling of Gaza.’
Just TWO UK climate committee MPs contradict IPCC: The two with science degrees
Just TWO UK climate committee MPs contradict IPCC: The two with science degrees
‘The UK’s Parliamentary climate change select committee has just issued a written endorsement of the latest, alarmist UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report. However, two MPs – the two most scientifically qualified on the committee – have strongly disagreed with this position.
The IPCC’s latest AR5 report takes a firmly alarmist position on carbon and climate change, predicting massively accelerated global warming and attendant sea level rises, crop failures and other global disasters unless human emissions of greenhouse gases – particularly carbon dioxide – are sharply curbed. The UK parliamentary committee report just out now firmly endorses this.
But not all the committee’s members are convinced.’
The inconvenient truth Cameron ignored in his ‘crackdown’ on immigrant benefits… Britain spends £5billion a year on tax credits for migrants
The inconvenient truth Cameron ignored in his ‘crackdown’ on immigrant benefits… Britain spends £5billion a year on tax credits for migrants
‘Official figures show that 415,000 foreign nationals are benefiting from the perk, worth the equivalent of almost £100million every week. The bill dwarfs the total savings achieved by David Cameron’s latest crackdown on out-of-work welfare payments to migrants, which was unveiled amid great fanfare on Tuesday. These proposals, which include limiting access to jobseekers allowance to a period of three months, will reduce the benefits bill by just £100million a year. David Cameron is pictured top talking to immigration enforcement officers on Tuesday.’
David Cameron announces immigration benefits crackdown
David Cameron announces immigration benefits crackdown
‘David Cameron is to announce tough action on immigration that will halve the amount of time foreigners can claim benefits in the UK.
The Coalition will introduce laws to ensure that European Union migrants can only claim out-of-work benefits for three months, Mr Cameron says in an article for The Telegraph.
The Prime Minister also pledges to stop more than 500,000 British jobs being advertised across the EU and announces tough new curbs on colleges offering visas to “bogus” students.’
Conservative MP David Ruffley to step down following domestic violence revelations
Conservative MP David Ruffley to step down following domestic violence revelations
‘A Conservative MP who received a police caution for assaulting his ex-partner today announced he will step down at the next election.
David Ruffley, the former shadow police minister, blamed his decision on the “unrelenting orchestrated intrusion into my private life”.
Mr Ruffley had been summoned to a meeting of his local party in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, on Thursday to discuss the incident.’
Benefit sanctions hit most vulnerable people the hardest, report says
Benefit sanctions hit most vulnerable people the hardest, report says
Picture displayed by Street Democracy UK
Systematic problems in the way the government administers and imposes benefit sanctions, including disproportionate burdens on the most vulnerable, are revealed in a report commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions.
The report found the way in which the DWP communicated with claimants was legalistic, unclear and confusing. The most vulnerable claimants were often left at a loss as to why benefits were stopped and frequently not informed by the DWP about hardship payments to which they were entitled, it said.
It also revealed serious flaws in how sanctions were imposed, with Work Programme providers required to send participants for sanctions when they knew they had done nothing wrong, leaving "claimants … sent from pillar to post".
The independent report was written for the DWP by Matthew Oakley, a respected welfare expert who is widely acknowledged as one of the leading thinkers on welfare on the centre right and as a result his criticisms, couched in careful language, are all the more damaging for a government that has consistently said the sanction regime is fair.
His main recommendations, which have been accepted by ministers, are:
His main recommendations, which have been accepted by ministers, are:
- All correspondence with claimants, including its style and content, should be reviewed
- Claimants must be given personalised information about why they have been referred
- Clear information must be given about the appeals process and access to hardship payments
- A guide to benefit sanctions must be easily accessible in hard copy and online
- Claimants who need particular help in understanding letters must be identified and spoken to
- People should get information through their "preferred channel"
- Procedures should be reviewed to ensure people have a clear understanding of their responsibilities
The DWP responded to the report by saying it would be updating the way it talked to benefit claimants, setting up a specialist team to look at all communications, including claimant letters, and working more closely with local authorities and advice centres to simplify the system.
Read Matthew Oakley’s full report on the government website here
British embassy convoy attacked in Libya’s Tripoli
British embassy convoy attacked in Libya’s Tripoli
‘A British embassy convoy in Tripoli came under fire on Sunday in an attempted carjacking but no one was hurt, a spokesman for London’s mission in Libya said.
“Early this morning a British embassy convoy was subject to an attempted carjacking. Shots were fired at our vehicles but they managed to drive on and leave the area,” spokesman Bob Phillipson said.
“All embassy personnel are safe and accounted for and there were no injuries,” he said.’
UK Government will drip feed VIP paedophile revelations over decades to avoid mass civil unrest
UK Government will drip feed VIP paedophile revelations over decades to avoid mass civil unrest
‘The British government plans to strictly control the release of ‘establishment’ paedophile revelations over a period of decades in order to avoid mass civil unrest, according to a Westminster source.
It is further claimed that many cases will never be disclosed due to the severity of the offences that took place, and also the high profile status of those involved.
Even politicians such as Simon Danczuk and Tom Watson, who have pushed for transparency, are all too aware of the dangers that mass disclosure may bring.’
Margaret Thatcher ‘Told Of Sir Peter Morrison Paedophile Claims’ But Promoted Him Anyway
Margaret Thatcher ‘Told Of Sir Peter Morrison Paedophile Claims’ But Promoted Him Anyway
‘Margaret Thatcher was told about alleged sex parties with under-age boys held by one of her closest aides claims her former personal bodyguard.
Barry Strevens, who worked as the prime minister’s personal bodyguard, said that he passed on allegations about her confidant Sir Peter Morrison.
The former senior police officer said that Lady Thatcher appointed Sir Peter deputy party chairman of the Conservatives despite learning of the rumours.’
‘Cover-up to protect politicians after abuse claims’
‘Cover-up to protect politicians after abuse claims’
‘There was a cover-up to protect politicians’ reputations following allegations of abuse at a children’s home, it has been claimed.
Nigel Goldie, former assistant director of social services at Lambeth Council, said it appeared “high level decisions” were made not to explore allegations against public figures.
Mr Goldie told the BBC: “People were protecting one another.”‘
Britain Admits Selling $12 Billion in Weapons to Israel
Britain Admits Selling $12 Billion in Weapons to Israel
‘Data published in a new report from the House of Commons in London states the value of all British military exports to Israel currently being processed comes to £7.9 billion ($12.1 billion).
This data was supplied by Vince Cable, Britain’s business secretary, who oversees the weapons trade.
I had to do a double-take when reading this information as until now Britain has indicated that the value of its arms sales to Israel are measured in millions, rather than billions.’
Cameron’s Big Society in tatters as charity watchdog launches investigation into claims of Government funding misuse
Cameron’s Big Society in tatters as charity watchdog launches investigation into claims of Government funding misuse
‘David Cameron’s flagship Big Society Network is being investigated by the Charity Commission over allegations that it misused government funding and made inappropriate payments to its directors – including a Tory donor.
The organisation, which was launched by the Prime Minister in 2010, was given at least £2.5 million of National Lottery funding and public-sector grants despite having no record of charitable activity.
The Independent has learnt that it has now been wound up, having used much of the money on projects that came nowhere near delivering on their promised objectives.’
Rothschild Zionist Cameron claims export licenses allowing UK arms sales to Russia don’t breach embargo
Rothschild Zionist Cameron claims export licenses allowing UK arms sales to Russia don’t breach embargo
‘UK Prime Minister David Cameron says Britain has not breached an embargo by selling military equipment to Russia, following MP demands to clarify the government’s position on UK-Russian arms deals.
The embargo was enacted “with immediate effect” on March 18 by then-Foreign Secretary William Hague.
Heated criticism of British arms deals with Russia emerged after a group of MPs revealed over 200 licenses allowing the sale of British military equipment to the Russian Federation. These revelations surfaced in a report published on Wednesday, conducted by four separate House of Commons committees.’
Police to investigate whether their own officers and politicians tried to ‘cover-up’ alleged abuse at school linked to Cyril Smith
Police to investigate whether their own officers and politicians tried to ‘cover-up’ alleged abuse at school linked to Cyril Smith
‘Police are set to launch a criminal investigation into an alleged cover-up of child abuse at a school linked to Sir Cyril Smith.
The Lib Dem politician, who died aged 82 in 2010, is alleged to have used his status to sexually abuse scores of young boys with impunity at Knowl View School in Rochdale.
But despite repeated complaints by his victims and previous police inquiries, he and others have never been prosecuted.’
Israel asks Nick Clegg to take ‘forceful action’ against MP who endorsed rocket attacks
Israel asks Nick Clegg to take ‘forceful action’ against MP who endorsed rocket attacks
‘Nick Clegg faces growing calls to suspend an MP who said he would be prepared to fire a Hamas rocket at Israeli civilians.
David Ward, the MP for Bradford East, provoked widespread anger amongst Jews in Britain and overseas after he wrote on Twitter: “The big question is – if I lived in #Gaza would I fire a rocket? – probably yes”.
He added: “Ich bin ein #palestinian – the West must make up its mind – which side is it on?”
Asked about the comments this morning, Mr Ward said his critics “jump straight on the anti-Semitism bandwagon”.’
Asked about the comments this morning, Mr Ward said his critics “jump straight on the anti-Semitism bandwagon”.’
The Tory donor whose firm is one of Britain’s biggest tax avoiders – with HMRC’s blessing
The Tory donor whose firm is one of Britain’s biggest tax avoiders – with HMRC’s blessing
‘One of the Tories’ biggest donors and a major contributor to the Scottish “No” campaign runs a vast oil-trading company which has potentially avoided UK corporate taxes on billions of pounds of profit with the blessing of the tax man.
Ian Taylor is one of Britain’s richest men due to the massive profits of the oil-trading giant Vitol which he runs as chief executive. He has donated £500,000 to the Better Together campaign on Scottish independence and has given the Conservative party £550,000 since 2006.’