To Austerity and Beyond!!!!

Ouch. Thanks George.
BBC News - George Osborne: Public sector pay rises capped at 1%

Carbon capture safe after all?

Government moves to calm carbon capture funding fears http://gu.com/p/33kke

Why the 80s are so controversial - and it's not the music

No one should want to go back to the 80s – not even the Tories | Andrew Rawnsley http://gu.com/p/33k7y

Atilla the Hen

The impending release of The Iron Lady has thrown up a few 'legacy of Thatcher' type articles including THIS ONE from the Telegraph which runs counter to the theory that Thatcher's influence can be seen everywhere, by arguing that what's needed is more Thatcherism.

2009 saw the 30th anniversary of her first election victory as Conservative leader. THIS one claims that Thatcher's aim - a more moral society - was undermined by her methods.

Reassuringly predictable articles from The Telegraph and the New Statesman.

The Big Boris Idea

At the launch of a report on Britain's airport capacity, the Mayor of London warned that Britain faces a period of economic stagnation unless a new international airport is built in south-east England. The Government has ruled out expansion of London's existing airports, but Boris Johnson has lobbied for a new hub airport in the Thames Estuary claiming "the prize would be immense" for London if it were given the go ahead. Environmental groups also oppose the new airport, which is estimated to cost between £40-50 billion. Mr Johnson said: "There's no doubt that to do nothing will lead to economic stagnation. The Government must now grasp the nettle and begin serious plans for the multi-runway solution." He added that developing the Thames Estuary airport, sometines referred to as 'Boris Island', should be viewed as a pillar in the Government's plan for economic growth. FULL ARTICLE HERE.

Climategate 2?

Leaked climate-change e-mails: Climategate, part two | The Economist

Climate Conference

This latest round of UN climate talks is coming up. Will it be as problematic as the last one?

Anti HS2

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jun/30/high-speed-train-nimby-sceptic?mobile-redirect=false

High Speed Silver Lining

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/nov/08/high-speed-rail-project-boost-economy?mobile-redirect=false

Revolting Liberal Democrats

Solar energy and renewables revolt.

Bojo - neo A Po

Boris Johnson says build new airport or face economic stagnation http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/nov/21/new-airport-economic-stagnation-boris-johnson

Blood on the tracks

Tory outcry set to divert high-speed rail line - Home News - UK - The Independent

Prince Philip has problem with wind

Wind farms are useless, says Duke - Telegraph

Pump up the Jam

Good way to start the new topic this and some nice links with Unit 1 direct democracy and pressure groups if you happen to be retaking. Is the fuel price campaign run by ordinary motorists or by vested interests?  I'm always interested to hear people define themselves by their mode of transport - do pedestrians have campaign groups about the cost of shoes? Article here.

UnSure Start

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/nov/13/sure-start-cuts-threat?mobile-redirect=false

National Wealth Service?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/nov/10/private-firm-run-nhs-hospital?mobile-redirect=false
A private business is to take over the management of

Why is the introduction of more competition into the NHS controversial?

***Remember, the NHS is not being privatised, but some people fear it might be in the future***

Just been looking at your short answer questions. Thought I'd share some of my reading prep with you:

• http://www.guardian.co.uk/public-leaders-network/2011/may/18/nhs-reform-why-competition-works
• http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8823053/More-NHS-competition-would-cut-death-rate.html
• http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/competition-has-not-made-nhs-better-say-experts-2368099.html
• http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/jul/19/nhs-services-open-to-competition

Interesting one HERE on how local governments say academies drain a disproportionate amount of money away from LEA maintained schools (effectively saying converting to academies are a smokescreen for more stringent local government cuts). Well, they would say that eh, Mr. Gove?

A fair few mentions of Kent LEA too, who are none too happy apparently.

Kent also calculates that the overfunding of academies is so acute that, if 30% of its schools were to convert to academy status, payments to them would leave it with no budget at all for services to support the remaining 70%.