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Monday, 27 May 2013

Environment synopticity

http://m.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/may/26/green-campaigners-attack-government-climate-change

Thursday, 23 May 2013

Mark Sanford wins South Carolina election in dramatic political comeback | World news | guardian.co.uk

Mark Sanford wins South Carolina election in dramatic political comeback | World news | guardian.co.uk:

'via Blog this'

MPs reject 'Boris Island' in favour of third Heathrow runway - Telegraph

MPs reject 'Boris Island' in favour of third Heathrow runway - Telegraph: "Transport Select Committee "

'via Blog this'

Unit 3 Synopticity: Help us end child poverty in the UK | Child Poverty Action Group

Help us end child poverty in the UK | Child Poverty Action Group:

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Griff Rhys Jones's letter in response to Jeremy Leggett on renewable energy | Environment | guardian.co.uk

Griff Rhys Jones's letter in response to Jeremy Leggett on renewable energy | Environment | guardian.co.uk:

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Shale gas investments 'could be worth £4bn a year to UK economy' | Environment | guardian.co.uk

Shale gas investments 'could be worth £4bn a year to UK economy' | Environment | guardian.co.uk:

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Green deal: MPs blast government for failure to quantify success | Environment | guardian.co.uk

Green deal: MPs blast government for failure to quantify success | Environment | guardian.co.uk:

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Monday, 20 May 2013

How is the benefits system being reformed under the Coalition? Excellent, easy to understand summary May 2013

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21706978

Universal Credit: Q&A

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11735673

Welfare synopticity: How far are benefit cuts damaging to the economy?

If you are retaking unit 3 - read this. It summarises many of the different viewpoints on benefits.  It is critical of the Coalition (hardly suprising as it is the New Statesman), but from interesting and unusual perspectives. It manages to be critical of both benefits and cutting benefits.

e.g.
Unemployment benefits play a crucial role in allowing people time to search, not just for any job, but for the right job – one that puts their skills and experience to the best use. Not only is this good for the jobseeker but it benefits the employer and makes the economy more productive. Higher benefits for skilled workers also facilitate a more flexible workforce. By cushioning the social consequences of redundancy, they oil the wheels of economic change.

Transport Committee calls for expansion at Heathrow - News from Parliament - UK Parliament

Transport Committee calls for expansion at Heathrow - News from Parliament - UK Parliament:

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April 2013: NHS reforms: From today the Coalition has put the NHS up for grabs - Telegraph

NHS reforms: From today the Coalition has put the NHS up for grabs - Telegraph: "What was now clear was that the regulations effectively forced CCGs to put all services out to tender to the private sector and forbade them to favour the NHS as the provider.
After a public outcry and criticism from the House of Lords at the way the Government had slipped in the Section 75 regulations at the eleventh hour, Hunt had them hastily rewritten. But most experts agree that there was no meaningful change. GPs are allowed to keep some services within the NHS, but only in particular circumstances, such as when no private sector provider comes forward to bid. Everything else is up for grabs. It will take time for this change to slowly spread throughout our healthcare system, but it will."

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Friday, 10 May 2013

Benghazi probe is more than just an attack against Hillary Clinton | James Antle | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk

Benghazi probe is more than just an attack against Hillary Clinton | James Antle | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk: "Did the White House want to avoid any perception that a terrorist attack, launched on the anniversary of 9/11, was mishandled as President Obama was running for reelection? Was there too light a military footprint because the earlier campaign for regime change in Libya was sold to the American people as requiring no boots on the ground? Who even knew what, when?"

'via Blog this'

Wednesday, 8 May 2013

How powerful are US parties?

Good example here of how parties have less power over politicians in US (although this wasn't a Congressional election)


He won in spite of the Republican party withdrawing funding for his campaign, embarrassed by the transgressions and apparently believing he was not going to win. But angry local Republicans stepped in to fill the gap.

http://m.guardiannews.com/world/2013/may/08/mark-sanford-south-carolina-election