I mentioned this report last week. I spent some time on it this weekend but at 140 pages could not get through it all and the NAO NHS IT report.
However, here are its principle recommendations which seem reasonably ok to me ...
Recommendations
1. Evidence. Government should ensure that development of the IP [Intellectual Proprerty] System is driven as far as possible by objective evidence. Policy should balance measurable economic objectives against social goals and potential benefits for rights holders against impacts on consumers and other interests. These concerns will be of particular importance in assessing future claims to extend rights or in determining desirable limits to rights.te
2. International priorities. The UK should resolutely pursue its international interests in IP, particularly with respect to emerging economies such as China and India, based upon positions grounded in economic evidence. It should attach the highest immediate priority to achieving a unified EU patent court and EU patent system, which promises significant economic benefits to UK business. The UK should work to make the Patent Cooperation Treaty a more effective vehicle for international processing of patent applications.
3. Copyright licensing.
• In order to boost UK firms’ access to transparent, contestable and global digital markets, the UK should establish a cross sectoral Digital Copyright Exchange. Government should appoint a senior figure to oversee its design and implementation by the end of 2012. A range of incentives and disincentives will be needed to encourage rights holders and others to take part. Governance should reflect the interests of participants, working to an agreed code of practice.
• The UK should support moves by the European Commission to establish a framework for cross border copyright licensing, with clear benefits to the UK as a major exporter of copyright works. Collecting societies should be required by law to adopt codes of practice, approved by the IPO and the UK competition authorities, to ensure that they operate in a way that is consistent with the further development of efficient, open markets.
4. Orphan works. The Government should legislate to enable licensing of orphan works. This should establish extended collective licensing for mass licensing of orphan works, and a clearance procedure for use of individual works. In both cases, a work should only be treated as an orphan if it cannot be found by search of the databases involved in the proposed Digital Copyright Exchange.
5. Limits to copyright. Government should firmly resist over regulation of activities which do not prejudice the central objective of copyright, namely the provision of incentives to creators. Government should deliver copyright exceptions at national level to realise all the opportunities within the EU framework, including format shifting, parody, non-commercial research, and library archiving. The UK should also promote at EU level an exception to support text and data analytics. The UK should give a lead at EU level to develop a further copyright exception designed to build into the EU framework adaptability to new technologies. This would be designed to allow uses enabled by technology of works in ways which do not directly trade on the underlying creative and expressive purpose of the work. The Government should also legislate to ensure that these and other copyright exceptions are protected from override by contract.
6. Patent thickets and other obstructions to innovation. In order to limit the effects of these barriers to innovation, the Government should:
• take a leading role in promoting international efforts to cut backlogs and manage the boom in
patent applications by further extending “work sharing” with patent offices in other countries;
• work to ensure patents are not extended into sectors, such as non-technical computer
programs and business methods, which they do not currently cover, without clear evidence of
benefit;
• investigate ways of limiting adverse consequences of patent thickets, including by working with international partners to establish a patent fee structure set by reference to innovation and growth goals rather than solely by reference to patent office running costs. The structure of patent renewal fees might be adjusted to encourage patentees to assess more carefully the value of maintaining lower value patents, so reducing the density of patent thickets.
7. The design industry. The role of IP in supporting this important branch of the creative economy has been neglected. In the next 12 months, the IPO should conduct an evidence based assessment of the relationship between design rights and innovation, with a view to establishing a firmer basis for evaluating policy at the UK and European level. The assessment should include exploration with design interests of whether access to the proposed Digital Copyright Exchange would help creators protect and market their designs and help users better achieve legally compliant access to designs.
8. Enforcement of IP rights. The Government should pursue an integrated approach based upon
enforcement, education and, crucially, measures to strengthen and grow legitimate markets in
copyright and other IP protected fields. When the enforcement regime set out in the DEA becomes operational next year its impact should be carefully monitored and compared with experience in other countries, in order to provide the insight needed to adjust enforcement mechanisms as market conditions evolve. This is urgent and Ofcom should not wait until then to establish its benchmarks and begin building data on trends. In order to support rights holders in enforcing their rights the Government should introduce a small claims track for low monetary value IP claims in the Patents County Court.
9. Small firm access to IP advice. The IPO should draw up plans to improve accessibility of the IP system to smaller companies who will benefit from it. This should involve access to lower cost providers of integrated IP legal and commercial advice.
10. An IP system responsive to change. The IPO should be given the necessary powers and mandate in law to ensure that it focuses on its central task of ensuring that the UK’s IP system promotes innovation and growth through efficient, contestable markets. It should be empowered to issue statutory opinions where these will help clarify copyright law. As an element of improved transparency and adaptability, Government should ensure that by the end of 2013, the IPO publishes an assessment of the impact of those measures advocated in this review which have been accepted by Government.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Ants
Every morning as I wait for Morais to give me a lift to work and watch a chain of ants walking up and down a pillar from his upstairs to their nest under the ground. As they march backwards and forwards they meet each other and seemingly give each other a peck on the cheek ... I can only assume this is some kind of mechanism to give each other a navigation signal that they are on the right path.
Yesterday I found this quote from boingboing when it was a paper "zine" rather than a website:
"I look at a little ant as a machine, and I look at a computer as a kind of plant and to do that will help us to harness this new complexity in the machines we're making. And it may also help us understand the biology we already have."
Kevin Kelly editor of Wired in 1995
Yesterday I found this quote from boingboing when it was a paper "zine" rather than a website:
"I look at a little ant as a machine, and I look at a computer as a kind of plant and to do that will help us to harness this new complexity in the machines we're making. And it may also help us understand the biology we already have."
Kevin Kelly editor of Wired in 1995
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Liver
This was a horrrible food at school dinners when I was a kid but I have suddenly found an incredible delight for it (along with kidneys, heart, brains, sweetmeats).
Liver marinated in red wine done with onions and garlic in olive oil and butter is a delight!
So I say to Morais today I'm going to buy some liver for the weekend and he (also a fan of such morsels) asks "Pig . cow ... or human?"
I replied "Any! Come on even human has to taste similar!"
Then boingboing shows me this.
"Police in Russia have arrested a man who admitted eating an acquaintance's liver, after following a trail of severed body parts—limbs, a head—across Moscow. When they found him, he was eating the liver with potatoes. (Reuters)"
Liver marinated in red wine done with onions and garlic in olive oil and butter is a delight!
So I say to Morais today I'm going to buy some liver for the weekend and he (also a fan of such morsels) asks "Pig . cow ... or human?"
I replied "Any! Come on even human has to taste similar!"
Then boingboing shows me this.
"Police in Russia have arrested a man who admitted eating an acquaintance's liver, after following a trail of severed body parts—limbs, a head—across Moscow. When they found him, he was eating the liver with potatoes. (Reuters)"
Friday, May 20, 2011
NHS reform is a Stunt
See this about the current government's plans for the NHS and its "consultation".
Dichloroacetate
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Another Damning Report
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Save Our NHS
Just received this from 38 Degrees:
Dear Angus,
Today, GPs issued a stark warning about Andrew Lansley's NHS plans. They warned we're "moving headlong" towards a more US-style health system based on "an insurance-type model" [1]. That'd be the end of the NHS as we know it - we can't let that happen.
GPs, nurses and patients' groups all know that protecting our health service is a matter of life and death. [2] But they can't save the NHS on their own. Hundreds of thousands of us need to work together to push the politicians to rethink their dangerous plans.
Over 265,000 of us have signed the Save Our NHS petition so far. In the next few weeks, we need to deliver the petition to hundreds of MPs. The bigger the petition, the bigger the impact we will have when it lands on politicians' desks. Can you help us get past 300,000 signatures this week?
Please can you forward this email to your friends and ask them to sign the Save the NHS petition? They can sign by clicking here:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/NHS-petition
On Facebook? Click here to share the petition on your profile:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/NHS-facebook-share
On Twitter? Click to tweet a link to the petition:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/NHS-twitter-share
Our campaign has already helped push the government to announce a pause in their plans for the NHS. But there is a risk they will try to push ahead with minimal changes. We need to keep the pressure up, and that means keeping the petition growing.
We know that when we work together behind a growing petition we can transform things. When over 500,000 of us signed the Save Our Forests petition we forced the government to back away from their plans to privatise the forests. Now we need to convince our MPs that we won't let them press ahead with these dangerous plans.
Please forward this email to your friends now and ask them to sign the Save Our NHS petition at:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/NHS-petition
Thanks for getting involved,
Johnny, David, Hannah, Becky, Cian and the 38 Degrees team
Dear Angus,
Today, GPs issued a stark warning about Andrew Lansley's NHS plans. They warned we're "moving headlong" towards a more US-style health system based on "an insurance-type model" [1]. That'd be the end of the NHS as we know it - we can't let that happen.
GPs, nurses and patients' groups all know that protecting our health service is a matter of life and death. [2] But they can't save the NHS on their own. Hundreds of thousands of us need to work together to push the politicians to rethink their dangerous plans.
Over 265,000 of us have signed the Save Our NHS petition so far. In the next few weeks, we need to deliver the petition to hundreds of MPs. The bigger the petition, the bigger the impact we will have when it lands on politicians' desks. Can you help us get past 300,000 signatures this week?
Please can you forward this email to your friends and ask them to sign the Save the NHS petition? They can sign by clicking here:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/
On Facebook? Click here to share the petition on your profile:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/
On Twitter? Click to tweet a link to the petition:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/
Our campaign has already helped push the government to announce a pause in their plans for the NHS. But there is a risk they will try to push ahead with minimal changes. We need to keep the pressure up, and that means keeping the petition growing.
We know that when we work together behind a growing petition we can transform things. When over 500,000 of us signed the Save Our Forests petition we forced the government to back away from their plans to privatise the forests. Now we need to convince our MPs that we won't let them press ahead with these dangerous plans.
Please forward this email to your friends now and ask them to sign the Save Our NHS petition at:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/
Thanks for getting involved,
Johnny, David, Hannah, Becky, Cian and the 38 Degrees team
Friday, May 6, 2011
Bin Laden Hagiography
The US military may have dumped Bin Laden's corpse into the ocean so that his tomb does not become a shrine, and refuses to release photos of his corpse claiming it would be a security risk, but the conspiracy theories (particularly concerning the relationship between Pakistani and US security services) and folklore are beginning to blossom.
I particularly liked this ...
"Osama Bin Laden had some interesting items sewn into his clothes, according to CNN.
Osama bin Laden had 500 Euros (about $745) in cash and two telephone numbers sewn into his clothing when he was killed, a source present at a classified briefing on the operation Tuesday told CNN Wednesday.
The numbers, an official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, were for a Pizza Hut and a 24-hour taxicab service in Highbury, North London."
So was he planning an attack on a north London pizzeria with a minicab courier or did he just have culinary nostalgia from his days studying in the UK?
boingboing reported previously this explanation:
"By various reports, we are now learning that marijuana grew along the outside walls of Osama bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Was the Al Qaeda mastermind a stoner? He and his buds were said to have "bought a lot of food," and frequently placed bulk orders for Coke and Pepsi with a local grocer— so there's that. And, those glazed and distant eyes. But I doubt it: if ever there were a persona more harsh than mellow, it was this fellow.
And, oh, alright: truth is, it's not unusual to find patches of wild cannabis growing in this region."
Although I am not entirely in sympathy with Bin Laden and his philosophy, it is good to hear that he was supporting Hemp History Week.
Munchies? Can someone give me contacts for pizzerias in Attarabad?
I particularly liked this ...
"Osama Bin Laden had some interesting items sewn into his clothes, according to CNN.
Osama bin Laden had 500 Euros (about $745) in cash and two telephone numbers sewn into his clothing when he was killed, a source present at a classified briefing on the operation Tuesday told CNN Wednesday.
The numbers, an official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, were for a Pizza Hut and a 24-hour taxicab service in Highbury, North London."
So was he planning an attack on a north London pizzeria with a minicab courier or did he just have culinary nostalgia from his days studying in the UK?
boingboing reported previously this explanation:
"By various reports, we are now learning that marijuana grew along the outside walls of Osama bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Was the Al Qaeda mastermind a stoner? He and his buds were said to have "bought a lot of food," and frequently placed bulk orders for Coke and Pepsi with a local grocer— so there's that. And, those glazed and distant eyes. But I doubt it: if ever there were a persona more harsh than mellow, it was this fellow.
And, oh, alright: truth is, it's not unusual to find patches of wild cannabis growing in this region."
Although I am not entirely in sympathy with Bin Laden and his philosophy, it is good to hear that he was supporting Hemp History Week.
Munchies? Can someone give me contacts for pizzerias in Attarabad?
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Media Piracy in Emerging Economies II
Cory Doctorow of boingboing informs us in his Guardian column that Joe Karaganis, lead author and editor of the Media Piracy in Emerging Economies report we discussed in our last post, is now on a lobbying tour.
It is somewhat of a shame this does not seem to include the emerging economies the report discusses. However, I guess he needs to go where the power and money brokers are.
It is somewhat of a shame this does not seem to include the emerging economies the report discusses. However, I guess he needs to go where the power and money brokers are.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Media Piracy in Emerging Economies
See this report.
To me this is as an important an issue as the manufacture of drugs against HIV in the "3rd World".
I know my friends and colleagues throughout Africa are downloading music, films and software using every which means they can. We cannot afford the prices that Europe or the See this report.
To me this is as an important an issue as the manufacture of drugs against HIV in the "3rd World".
I know my friends and colleagues throughout Africa are downloading music, films and software using every which means they can. We cannot afford the prices that Europe or North America fork out on music, paper or software.
When I get round to reading it all, I'll probably post some more.
A shame that at 440 pages long we cannot afford the paper or ink to print it!
To me this is as an important an issue as the manufacture of drugs against HIV in the "3rd World".
I know my friends and colleagues throughout Africa are downloading music, films and software using every which means they can. We cannot afford the prices that Europe or the See this report.
To me this is as an important an issue as the manufacture of drugs against HIV in the "3rd World".
I know my friends and colleagues throughout Africa are downloading music, films and software using every which means they can. We cannot afford the prices that Europe or North America fork out on music, paper or software.
When I get round to reading it all, I'll probably post some more.
A shame that at 440 pages long we cannot afford the paper or ink to print it!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Dearest Madalena
You were very kind about me taking the piss in my post yesterday ... so much so I had the whole office laughing!
Why?
Because if Kezia looked up at my colleague Americo, she wouldn't see a double-chin, she'd see a big fat belly!
And talking to Madalena right now ... it seems she showed her entire office!
So I shouldn't feel so bad after all. I respect people who can take the piss out of themselves!
Why?
Because if Kezia looked up at my colleague Americo, she wouldn't see a double-chin, she'd see a big fat belly!
And talking to Madalena right now ... it seems she showed her entire office!
So I shouldn't feel so bad after all. I respect people who can take the piss out of themselves!
Monday, April 18, 2011
"Kettling of G20 protesters by police was illegal, high court rules"
... is a headline on the 14 April's Guardian website about police kettling tactics during demonstrations at the G20 summit on 1 April 2009 and "during which Ian Tomlinson, a bystander [on his way home from work], died after being struck by an officer."
The inquest into Ian Tomlinson's death continues but this ruling, although not ruling out the use of kettling in certain situations, does condemn it on this occasion.
The inquest into Ian Tomlinson's death continues but this ruling, although not ruling out the use of kettling in certain situations, does condemn it on this occasion.
Adults are Ugly
Somewhere (boingboing?) I read that small children generally consider adults as ugly owing to the angle of their visual perspective when regarding an adult i.e. upwards with an excellent view of our double chins etc!
Well this photo of my, in fact quite beautiful, friend Madalena with Kezia at the latters birthday party last week exemplifies this perfectly!
Sorry Madalena! I myself am hardly photogenic!
Well this photo of my, in fact quite beautiful, friend Madalena with Kezia at the latters birthday party last week exemplifies this perfectly!
Sorry Madalena! I myself am hardly photogenic!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Giv - with Warm Olive Oil
The advertising agency for Giv soap never ceases to amaze me ... "Warm olive oil is rich in protein & natural oil ingredients, making your skin healthy and shimmering. With exotic perfume for an exotic personality." Hints here of the effects of Daly's Skin Shimmer. Now we all know olive oil is good for you. Why warm, as opposed to cool, olive oil has an additional quality I really don't know. And the ingredients list olive oil "extract", whatever that is. However, what is really interesting about this soap is its colour. The last time I bought Marseillaise olive oil soap, it was, as you would expect, olive green in colour. Not so with Giv ... see below.
Is this a new variety of olive?
And I am now really mystified as to which variety of Giv their model is using - a different one each day? She must be elegant, exotic, energetic, refreshing etc etc all at the same time! Sounds like the woman of my dreams!
Is this a new variety of olive?
And I am now really mystified as to which variety of Giv their model is using - a different one each day? She must be elegant, exotic, energetic, refreshing etc etc all at the same time! Sounds like the woman of my dreams!
Laurie Penny - Lies in London
Laurie Penny's New Statesman piece on the police actions in Trafalgar Square after the TUC-organised March for the Alternative has generated 600 or so comments, many of them critical about both the protestors behaviour and her own standards of journalism.
Too many to read unless you're one of the increasing unemployed and can afford a good Internet link ... but this, from Kitty Wildmoor, struck me as apt given my age:
"I am an adult of 44 years and I was there in trafalgar square, with my friends in their 30s and 40s. We were there because we wanted to be counted with the younger protestors, demonstrating that we are all in it together, and having our photos taken for the intelligence services' photo album. We are not deserting you, but the reality for many of my friends of similar age is that they have young kids and could not bring them into that situation. But there are many many of us 'adults' who are absolutely standing square with you in spirit and principle."
So she is old enough to remember the miners' strike of the 1980s when my sister-in-law on a picket line at a mine got her hip broken by a picket-breaking truck.
Too many to read unless you're one of the increasing unemployed and can afford a good Internet link ... but this, from Kitty Wildmoor, struck me as apt given my age:
"I am an adult of 44 years and I was there in trafalgar square, with my friends in their 30s and 40s. We were there because we wanted to be counted with the younger protestors, demonstrating that we are all in it together, and having our photos taken for the intelligence services' photo album. We are not deserting you, but the reality for many of my friends of similar age is that they have young kids and could not bring them into that situation. But there are many many of us 'adults' who are absolutely standing square with you in spirit and principle."
So she is old enough to remember the miners' strike of the 1980s when my sister-in-law on a picket line at a mine got her hip broken by a picket-breaking truck.
Bradley Manning's Nationality
It appears Bradley Manning, the US soldier who leaked thousands of US government diplomatic cables to Wikileaks, is in fact of dual nationality, US and British, owing to the fact his mother is British.
I first read this on boingboing last week - and was amazed by all the comments showing erroneous knowledge of UK nationality law.
Bradley's father is 100% US nationality, his mother has UK nationality (and II assume US nationality by marriage). Under UK law Bradley has UK nationality.
Why? A child born to a UK mother is automatically of UK nationality, wherever s/he was born. Not so, the child of a UK father with a foreign mother. As a UK Citizen and father to a child with a non-UK (and for that matter non-EU) mother to pass my UK nationality to my child I have to be "married" to the mother. Hardly proof of genetic fathership but I guess it will do.
To pass on my UK nationality to our daughter Kezia I had to marry her mother. When Kezia came down with leukaemia, although she did not have a UK passport, the nearest UK embassy was satisfied she was a UK citizen on presentation of her birth certificate and mine and Nanda's marriage certificate. She (and her mother) was duly issued with an emergency travel document.
To be a UK national/citizen you do not need to have a UK passport. Hence the UK has recognised Bradley Manning's UK citizenship and is correctly making representaions to the US government expressing concern about his detention and requesting consular access.
Why it has taken so long I don't know - I can only assume that Bradley's mum, supporters and legal advice were unaware of UK nationality law.
I first read this on boingboing last week - and was amazed by all the comments showing erroneous knowledge of UK nationality law.
Bradley's father is 100% US nationality, his mother has UK nationality (and II assume US nationality by marriage). Under UK law Bradley has UK nationality.
Why? A child born to a UK mother is automatically of UK nationality, wherever s/he was born. Not so, the child of a UK father with a foreign mother. As a UK Citizen and father to a child with a non-UK (and for that matter non-EU) mother to pass my UK nationality to my child I have to be "married" to the mother. Hardly proof of genetic fathership but I guess it will do.
To pass on my UK nationality to our daughter Kezia I had to marry her mother. When Kezia came down with leukaemia, although she did not have a UK passport, the nearest UK embassy was satisfied she was a UK citizen on presentation of her birth certificate and mine and Nanda's marriage certificate. She (and her mother) was duly issued with an emergency travel document.
To be a UK national/citizen you do not need to have a UK passport. Hence the UK has recognised Bradley Manning's UK citizenship and is correctly making representaions to the US government expressing concern about his detention and requesting consular access.
Why it has taken so long I don't know - I can only assume that Bradley's mum, supporters and legal advice were unaware of UK nationality law.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Kettling - Lies in London
In the days before the massive Trade Union Congress' anti-cuts demo, March for the Alternative in London on 26 March, the UK Parliament's Joint Human Rights Committee published a report in which the police came under heavy criticism of their "containment" strategies (popularly known as "kettling") whereby groups of demonstrators considered by the poice as "troublemakers" are surrounded by a cordon of police for hours and hours without arrest, without food and water, without access to public toilets (oh come on the government is shutting them down anyway!). And the innocent public passer-by, shopping on a Saturday morning, gets caught in the Kettle as well.
I recently wrote about the new Internet web-application Sukey which aims to frustrate the police kettling strategy by informing demonstrators on their mobile phones of everything from the location of police concentrations to the location of public toilets. It relies on live information provided by the public.
The TUC Anti-Cuts demonstration, with c. 300,000 participants or more, seems to have passed off relatively peacefully. To such an extent, that media coverage (certainly from afar) seemed to be somewhat pauce.
However, there was "trouble" under the eyes of Lord Nelson and his Lions in Trafalgar Square which was ascribed by the police and authorities and the mainstream media to around 150 troublemakers, hooligans, anarchists etc including members of the Anti Cuts Protests organisation.
To quote from boingboing (in turn quoting the New Statesman's journalist Laurie Penny):
"Up to half a million people marched peacefully on London last week to protest cuts to public services, but local media coverage dwelled almost entirely on stories of mindless violence and criminality. In a follow-up to an earlier article published at the New Statesman, Laurie Penny wonders why the press is so eager to echo official accounts — and so eager to attack critics of the police."
Link here.
Earlier it was reported ...
"Forget what you've seen on the BBC and Sky about yesterday's protest/"riot" in Trafalgar Square; the New Statesman's Laurie Penny was on the barricades (and apparently, there was a moment when the barricades were on her), and she's seen something altogether different from what the mainstream coverage depicts. If you read only one account of the protests, make it this one (and you should really read more than one!).
Laurie Penny reports "Minutes after the fights begin in Trafalgar square, so does the backlash. Radio broadcasters imply that anyone who left the pre-ordained march route is a hooligan, and police chiefs rush to assure the public that this "mindless violence" has "nothing to do with protest."
The young people being battered in Trafalgar square, however, are neither mindless nor violent. In front of the lines, a teenage girl is crying and shaking after being shoved to the ground. "I'm not moving, I'm not moving," she mutters, her face smeared with tears and makeup. "I've been on every protest, I won't let this government destroy our future without a fight. I won't stand back, I'm not moving." A police officer charges, smacking her with his baton as she flings up her hands.
The cops cram us further back into the square, pushing people off the plinths where they have tried to scramble for safety. By now there are about 150 young people left in the square, and only one trained medic, who has just been batoned in the face; his friends hold him up as he blacks out, and carry him to the police lines, but they won't let him leave. By the makeshift fire, I meet the young man whose attempted arrest started all this. "I feel responsible," he said, "I never wanted any of this. None of us did"
What really happened in Trafalgar Square?"
bonigboingl ink here, New Statesman link here.
I hope Sukey can push out an international edition as soon as possible to help the citizens of the Middle-East.
I look forward to seeing reports on the nationwide "All Together for the NHS" demos on Friday 1 April. Watch this space.
Update Monday morning: nothing on the BBC.
I recently wrote about the new Internet web-application Sukey which aims to frustrate the police kettling strategy by informing demonstrators on their mobile phones of everything from the location of police concentrations to the location of public toilets. It relies on live information provided by the public.
The TUC Anti-Cuts demonstration, with c. 300,000 participants or more, seems to have passed off relatively peacefully. To such an extent, that media coverage (certainly from afar) seemed to be somewhat pauce.
However, there was "trouble" under the eyes of Lord Nelson and his Lions in Trafalgar Square which was ascribed by the police and authorities and the mainstream media to around 150 troublemakers, hooligans, anarchists etc including members of the Anti Cuts Protests organisation.
To quote from boingboing (in turn quoting the New Statesman's journalist Laurie Penny):
"Up to half a million people marched peacefully on London last week to protest cuts to public services, but local media coverage dwelled almost entirely on stories of mindless violence and criminality. In a follow-up to an earlier article published at the New Statesman, Laurie Penny wonders why the press is so eager to echo official accounts — and so eager to attack critics of the police."
Link here.
Earlier it was reported ...
"Forget what you've seen on the BBC and Sky about yesterday's protest/"riot" in Trafalgar Square; the New Statesman's Laurie Penny was on the barricades (and apparently, there was a moment when the barricades were on her), and she's seen something altogether different from what the mainstream coverage depicts. If you read only one account of the protests, make it this one (and you should really read more than one!).
Laurie Penny reports "Minutes after the fights begin in Trafalgar square, so does the backlash. Radio broadcasters imply that anyone who left the pre-ordained march route is a hooligan, and police chiefs rush to assure the public that this "mindless violence" has "nothing to do with protest."
The young people being battered in Trafalgar square, however, are neither mindless nor violent. In front of the lines, a teenage girl is crying and shaking after being shoved to the ground. "I'm not moving, I'm not moving," she mutters, her face smeared with tears and makeup. "I've been on every protest, I won't let this government destroy our future without a fight. I won't stand back, I'm not moving." A police officer charges, smacking her with his baton as she flings up her hands.
The cops cram us further back into the square, pushing people off the plinths where they have tried to scramble for safety. By now there are about 150 young people left in the square, and only one trained medic, who has just been batoned in the face; his friends hold him up as he blacks out, and carry him to the police lines, but they won't let him leave. By the makeshift fire, I meet the young man whose attempted arrest started all this. "I feel responsible," he said, "I never wanted any of this. None of us did"
What really happened in Trafalgar Square?"
bonigboingl ink here, New Statesman link here.
I hope Sukey can push out an international edition as soon as possible to help the citizens of the Middle-East.
I look forward to seeing reports on the nationwide "All Together for the NHS" demos on Friday 1 April. Watch this space.
Update Monday morning: nothing on the BBC.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
All Together for the NHS
Demos tomorrow, Friday 1 April, in many constituencies throughout the UK.
Details here at FalseEconomy.
Details here at FalseEconomy.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Giv - with Soy Bean Extract
I asked Morais what is Soy Bean Extract and, of course, he replied "Stupid - cooking oil!" Obvious, huh? I would add to this soy sauce etc etc.We all know that soya beans are packed with protein and good for you ... but did you know this about soya bean soap?
"Soy bean extract is well-known for its benefit to make skin bright and smooth. With classic perfume for an elegant personality."
Morais noted that Give with Soy Bean Extract also contains coconut oil and palm oil - it should be triply good for frying my eggs!
As Giv with Pearl Extract and Giv with Curcuma didn't quite "do it" for me, I'm giving the latest variety a trial-run.
I'm a bit disappointed that Giv Soya and Giv Curcuma use the same model on their packaging - which does she use?
Monday, March 21, 2011
Reconfiguring Hospital Services - Lessons from South East London
The King's Fund, a UK "watchdog" NGO, specialisng in health service consultancy and often used by the last government to adjudicate in health service "reforms" (i.e. closing hospital services etc), has recently published the above report. The report focuses on the current government's proposals to shake-up (again) the structure of the UK's National Health Service established by the Labour Party's governments of recent years.The main focus of the report is government plans to make economies of scale through the "rationalisation" of District General Hospitals and the restructuring of the entire health service bureaucracy through the Health and Social Services Bill currently before Parliament. However, it makes note of the government's plans for the role of General Practioners (family doctors). I quote ... all square brackets are mine.
"The coalition government’s decision to transfer commissioning responsibility from PCTs [Primary Care Trusts] to smaller GP consortia will further weaken commissioning levers to effect service improvement across trust boundaries in emergency and network services. GP consortia will have even less expertise and commissioning experience than PCTs; information asymmetries will be even more pronounced; and understanding of how to shape the‘quasi-market’ will be even less developed. Since GP consortia will be much smaller than PCT joint commissioning groups, and SHAs [Strategic Health Authorties - an even larger bureaucratic unit within the NHS] are to be scrapped, it is unlikely that GP consortia will be successful in driving major service improvement in emergency and network services."
"Recent successes in stroke and trauma services highlight the potential of strong commissioning to markedly improve patient outcomes in ways that are cost-effective, especially in emergency and network services. This raises the important question of whether strategic planning of non-elective and emergency services to deliver best practice
care for all patients is to take place in future. If so, who will be responsible for making it happen? Since, for the reasons given above, GP consortia are unlikely to be able to fulfil this role, the new NHS Commissioning Board will need to be given the statutory powers and the capability to perform it effectively; and its powers will need to extend to
all hospital providers, not just financially challenged trusts. If the NHS Commissioning Board is not given appropriate powers, then the system will gravitate closer to a pure ‘market forces’ model – with the adverse consequences noted above."
It seems the GPs are not to receive extra compensation for their new responsibilities ... especially given the criticism and "flak" they have received about their salary levels over the last few years. Indeed, the current government is proposing to raise their statutory retirement age from 65 to 68 years!
Three score and ten - now I have two years to live!
"The coalition government’s decision to transfer commissioning responsibility from PCTs [Primary Care Trusts] to smaller GP consortia will further weaken commissioning levers to effect service improvement across trust boundaries in emergency and network services. GP consortia will have even less expertise and commissioning experience than PCTs; information asymmetries will be even more pronounced; and understanding of how to shape the‘quasi-market’ will be even less developed. Since GP consortia will be much smaller than PCT joint commissioning groups, and SHAs [Strategic Health Authorties - an even larger bureaucratic unit within the NHS] are to be scrapped, it is unlikely that GP consortia will be successful in driving major service improvement in emergency and network services."
"Recent successes in stroke and trauma services highlight the potential of strong commissioning to markedly improve patient outcomes in ways that are cost-effective, especially in emergency and network services. This raises the important question of whether strategic planning of non-elective and emergency services to deliver best practice
care for all patients is to take place in future. If so, who will be responsible for making it happen? Since, for the reasons given above, GP consortia are unlikely to be able to fulfil this role, the new NHS Commissioning Board will need to be given the statutory powers and the capability to perform it effectively; and its powers will need to extend to
all hospital providers, not just financially challenged trusts. If the NHS Commissioning Board is not given appropriate powers, then the system will gravitate closer to a pure ‘market forces’ model – with the adverse consequences noted above."
It seems the GPs are not to receive extra compensation for their new responsibilities ... especially given the criticism and "flak" they have received about their salary levels over the last few years. Indeed, the current government is proposing to raise their statutory retirement age from 65 to 68 years!
Three score and ten - now I have two years to live!
Coals to Newcastle
Since the beginning of February I have been coordinating the start-up of the educational component of the Indian Pan-African e-Network in São Tomé e PrÃncipe. A very worthwhile initiative involving all members of the African Union and also including tele-medicine whereby African medical personnel can consult with and receive training from their Indian colleagues. A shining example of how the South can cooperate with the South! Examples such as this are, as yet, few and far between ... but I am sure they will grow.
As part of the agreement between the AU and India, each African country receives an Indian technician - we received ours, Deepak, on Tuesday and I met him on Wednesday. Seemingly a really nice guy - so much so that I invited him to lunch on Saturday knowing that our country is not famous for its hospitality!
On Wednesday night he phoned me ... "How do I cook rice?" !!!!
South - South Culinary Cooperation!
As part of the agreement between the AU and India, each African country receives an Indian technician - we received ours, Deepak, on Tuesday and I met him on Wednesday. Seemingly a really nice guy - so much so that I invited him to lunch on Saturday knowing that our country is not famous for its hospitality!
On Wednesday night he phoned me ... "How do I cook rice?" !!!!
South - South Culinary Cooperation!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Quackery
... or "Mr Morais' Patent Dermatologicgal Lotion". This product claims to clear up a whole range of skin problems - heat and sweat rashes, acne, spots and a whole lot more as well as promising, like my favourite soap products Giv, Lux and Santex, general cleansing properties that will leave your skin ... well, just SO.
Now this blog, since its beginning, has been a vehement opponent of quack medicine. Since, on Day 1 of Kezia's treatment, her consultant warned us of the dangers of of the quackery regarding leukaemia treatment out here on the Internet, I have become aware of the amount of quackery bullshit out there regarding any complaint you can think of.
However, "Mr Morais' Patent Dermatologicgal Lotion" is different and I have personal faith in it (especially since I saw the immdediate effect of Daly's Skin Shimmer last week). Mr Morais, the lotion's inventor, is a personal friend of mine and is someone in whom I have total confidence and I believe vice versa. Last week he confided in me the lotion's secret ingredient ...
Duck Dung!
Quack Quack ... contact me if you're interested!
Now this blog, since its beginning, has been a vehement opponent of quack medicine. Since, on Day 1 of Kezia's treatment, her consultant warned us of the dangers of of the quackery regarding leukaemia treatment out here on the Internet, I have become aware of the amount of quackery bullshit out there regarding any complaint you can think of.
However, "Mr Morais' Patent Dermatologicgal Lotion" is different and I have personal faith in it (especially since I saw the immdediate effect of Daly's Skin Shimmer last week). Mr Morais, the lotion's inventor, is a personal friend of mine and is someone in whom I have total confidence and I believe vice versa. Last week he confided in me the lotion's secret ingredient ...
Duck Dung!
Quack Quack ... contact me if you're interested!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Daly Skin Shimmer
Following on from my previous posts (here and here and here) on soap advertisements, I now discover Tess Daly Beauty's Daly Skin Shimmer. Giv soap's publicity writer cannot come anywhere near this copy:"When I want to pull out all the stops, this is the product I reach for, it really is over the top glamour and sex appeal at its best! The body oil gives an unbelievable sheen and the soft glitter particles leave a high shimmer glow that's addictive!"
My boss' ex-spouse (in the UK) sent him a few tubes in an effort to seduce him into a second honeymoon in the Canaries! He hasn't fallen for it but we applied some to our colleague Americo who was unable to wash it off and went home fearful of how his wife would react!
Moreover, it's on sale in Marks and Spencers!
Update: We gather it works ... but not quite in the way Americo expected! When he got home last night it certainly raised passions ... "Where the hell have you been?" etc etc!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Ravens II - Abstract Art
From boingboing:
"A study reported on in Psychology Today set out to determine whether people could distinguish abstract art from paintings done by monkeys (as well as children and other animals, like elephants). Turns out, most people can usually tell the stuff done by artists from the stuff done by your five-year-old."
Interesting ... I would like to ask readers to decide which is Kezia Gasscoigne's and which is Don van Vliet's depictions of Ravens.
"A study reported on in Psychology Today set out to determine whether people could distinguish abstract art from paintings done by monkeys (as well as children and other animals, like elephants). Turns out, most people can usually tell the stuff done by artists from the stuff done by your five-year-old."
Interesting ... I would like to ask readers to decide which is Kezia Gasscoigne's and which is Don van Vliet's depictions of Ravens.
Friday, March 4, 2011
GIV - with Curcuma
I previously posted about Giv soap with Pearl Extract promising me Refreshing Beauty and Lux with Youthful Essence - neither seemed to work. So now I am trying Giv with Toning Curcuma "with an energizing perfume for an energetic personality". Let's see if this one works!
GPs aren't happy either
"Nearly two-thirds of GPs believe their lives will be worse off and their jobs under threat because of the Government’s plans for GP commissioning, according to Pulse analysis of a major BMA poll."
Hmm ... as I thought. The Pulse article is here.British Medical Association press release here. Full poll results here.
Except they aren't -because you have to be a registered member of the BMA i.e. a registered doctor - shoot yourself in the foot!. Fuck you BMA! You want public sympathy? Then help Joe and Jane Public out!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Reconfiguation
I thought reconfiguration is something I do to my computer - you know like moving from Windows to Linux. But it also happens in other areas of life. I guess you could call the current events in the Middle East and North Africa a "reconfiguration".
Now it applies to the NHS ... from the BBC:
"Changing hospitals - and in some cases closing parts of them - is the elephant in the room no-one dares talk about.
Now it applies to the NHS ... from the BBC:
"Changing hospitals - and in some cases closing parts of them - is the elephant in the room no-one dares talk about.
It is just too controversial. Hospitals are the visible face of the NHS and unsurprisingly people feel great affection for them. So when a particular unit is under threat they start to protest.
This has left many [politicians I guess] worried about putting the case for change - hence the ambiguous phrase the NHS uses to describe the process, reconfiguration."
The King's Fund, a health care think tank, that previously supported the previous government's shake-ups in the Greater Manchester area, is now warning against the current government's plans for the NHS with the intent of giving them more control/power of commissioning and reducing the role of hospitals in NHS decision-making. See the report.
The new NHS chief, Sir David Nicholson, (the new bogey man?) has warned
"Private sector take-overs, mergers and more community-based care may be needed to ensure all hospitals survive the shake-up of the NHS, the head of the health service says.
Sir David Nicholson told the BBC the combination of reforms and squeeze on spending meant some hospitals would find the future "difficult".
He said he did not expect any hospitals in England to close completely.
But said some would needed to adapt and change to remain competitive."
This begs the question of whether he will he be paying GPs more for their new responsibilities?
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Shirley Nolan
Shirley Nolan was the mother of Anthony Nolan, and founder of the Anthony Nolan Trust, the UK's foremost non-government bone marrow donor registry. Anthony died from Wiskott Aldridge Syndrome in 1979 through lack of a donor and Shirley died in 2002 after coming down with Parkinson's Disease.
See this link.
See this link.
Teenage and Young Adult cancer treatment consultation
The UK Department of Health is conducting the following until 11 April:
Draft teenagers and young adults cancer measures for the Manual for cancer Services: a consultation
Monday, February 28, 2011
Captain Beefheart's 10 Commandments of Guitar Playing
1. Listen to the birds
That's where all the music comes from. Birds know everything about how it should sound and where that sound should come from. And watch hummingbirds. They fly really fast, but a lot of times they aren't going anywhere.
2. Your guitar is not really a guitar
Your guitar is a divining rod. Use it to find spirits in the other world and bring them over. A guitar is also a fishing rod. If you're good, you'll land a big one.
3. Practice in front of a bush
Wait until the moon is out, then go outside, eat a multi-grained bread and play your guitar to a bush. If the bush doesn't shake, eat another piece of bread.
4. Walk with the devil
Old Delta blues players referred to guitar amplifiers as the "devil box." And they were right. You have to be an equal opportunity employer in terms of who you're brining over from the other side. Electricity attracts devils and demons. Other instruments attract other spirits. An acoustic guitar attracts Casper. A mandolin attracts Wendy. But an electric guitar attracts Beelzebub.
5. If you're guilty of thinking, you're out
If your brain is part of the process, you're missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something that is fur bearing.
6. Never point your guitar at anyone
Your instrument has more clout than lightning. Just hit a big chord then run outside to hear it. But make sure you are not standing in an open field.
7. Always carry a church key
That's your key-man clause. Like One String Sam. He's one. He was a Detroit street musician who played in the fifties on a homemade instrument. His song "I Need a Hundred Dollars" is warm pie. Another key to the church is Hubert Sumlin, Howlin' Wolf's guitar player. He just stands there like the Statue of Liberty — making you want to look up her dress the whole time to see how he's doing it.
8. Don't wipe the sweat off your instrument
You need that stink on there. Then you have to get that stink onto your music.
9. Keep your guitar in a dark place
When you're not playing your guitar, cover it and keep it in a dark place. If you don't play your guitar for more than a day, be sure you put a saucer of water in with it.
10. You gotta have a hood for your engine
Keep that hat on. A hat is a pressure cooker. If you have a roof on your house, the hot air can't escape. Even a lima bean has to have a piece of wet paper around it to make it grow.
That's where all the music comes from. Birds know everything about how it should sound and where that sound should come from. And watch hummingbirds. They fly really fast, but a lot of times they aren't going anywhere.
2. Your guitar is not really a guitar
Your guitar is a divining rod. Use it to find spirits in the other world and bring them over. A guitar is also a fishing rod. If you're good, you'll land a big one.
3. Practice in front of a bush
Wait until the moon is out, then go outside, eat a multi-grained bread and play your guitar to a bush. If the bush doesn't shake, eat another piece of bread.
4. Walk with the devil
Old Delta blues players referred to guitar amplifiers as the "devil box." And they were right. You have to be an equal opportunity employer in terms of who you're brining over from the other side. Electricity attracts devils and demons. Other instruments attract other spirits. An acoustic guitar attracts Casper. A mandolin attracts Wendy. But an electric guitar attracts Beelzebub.
5. If you're guilty of thinking, you're out
If your brain is part of the process, you're missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something that is fur bearing.
6. Never point your guitar at anyone
Your instrument has more clout than lightning. Just hit a big chord then run outside to hear it. But make sure you are not standing in an open field.
7. Always carry a church key
That's your key-man clause. Like One String Sam. He's one. He was a Detroit street musician who played in the fifties on a homemade instrument. His song "I Need a Hundred Dollars" is warm pie. Another key to the church is Hubert Sumlin, Howlin' Wolf's guitar player. He just stands there like the Statue of Liberty — making you want to look up her dress the whole time to see how he's doing it.
8. Don't wipe the sweat off your instrument
You need that stink on there. Then you have to get that stink onto your music.
9. Keep your guitar in a dark place
When you're not playing your guitar, cover it and keep it in a dark place. If you don't play your guitar for more than a day, be sure you put a saucer of water in with it.
10. You gotta have a hood for your engine
Keep that hat on. A hat is a pressure cooker. If you have a roof on your house, the hot air can't escape. Even a lima bean has to have a piece of wet paper around it to make it grow.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
False Economy - Health Cuts II
False Economy is officially launched today after having been in Beta for a while. It celebrates the event with this news, which I will quote in full.
"False Economy, which formally launches today, can reveal that more than 50,000 NHS staff posts are set for the axe, destroying government claims that the NHS is in safe hands.
Health secretary Andrew Lansley said in April 2010 of possible NHS job cuts under Labour: “They will cut the number of nurses, the number of doctors and the number of hospital beds. It does not get more frontline than that.”
David Cameron then famously claimed before the election that he would “cut the deficit, not the NHS”.
However less than 10 months into the coalition government, the reality couldn’t be more different, with NHS cuts across the country including:
- East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, which expects to shed 1,013 full-time equivalent staff from 2010-15, including almost 50 doctors and dental staff, and 270 nurses, midwives and health visitors.
- Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which is cutting 682 full-time equivalent posts between 2010 and 2013. 110 posts have already gone.
- University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust, who are currently forecasting a reduction of 1,349 full-time posts from 2011-15, which is 22.5 per cent of its entire staff.
- Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, who expect to cut 461 full-time posts by 2015 – a 16 per cent reduction, including a 12 per cent cut in nurses, midwives and health visitors.
- Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, which is cutting 1,755 full-time posts in 2010-11 – nearly a nine per cent net reduction in one year, including 120 doctors and dentists, and 620 nurses.
- Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, who plan to shed 1,115 full-time posts from 2011-14, mainly through natural turnover.
The total confirmed, planned and potential NHS staff cuts across the country currently stands at just over 53,150 posts – and that’s before a host of trusts are expected to announce staff cuts over the next four months, including all Wales’ health boards.
The national total is already twice the previous estimate of 27,000 job cuts, published by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) last November.
The cuts in mental health trusts are particularly acute, with cuts of over 15 per cent at the following NHS Trusts; Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership, Derbyshire Mental Health Services, Mersey Care, and Kent and Medway and Social Care Partnership Trust.
Our figures have been collated for the most part from NHS trusts themselves under the Freedom of Information Act but also include figures sourced by the RCN Frontline First campaign, as well as press reports and foundation trusts’ annual plans published by the national regulator Monitor.
The figures are, where possible, given as full-time equivalents, net of any recruitment of new staff. They include the 4,000 job cuts recently predicted by Northern Irish health minister Michael McGimpsey over the next four years, plus 3,000 job cuts previously announced by NHS trusts that are now subject to revision.
While most of the cuts are likely to be achieved through natural wastage rather than compulsory redundancies, it is hard to see how 20 per cent staff cuts – such as those planned by Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust – can be achieved without directly impacting on patient care.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: “False Economy’s new research on NHS job cuts gives the lie to government claims that the NHS was safe in their hands. Not only are they reorganising the NHS in a way that strips out many of its founding principles, but also insisting on immediate cuts that will certainly harm frontline services. To echo Andrew Lansley, it does not get much more frontline than that.”
For a live feed on the NHS cuts from False Economy ...Monday, February 21, 2011
False Economy - Whistleblowing
On Friday I posted the personal experience of a typical mid-level civil servant in local government in a typically depressed high unemployment town in the north of England. S/he is given the unfortunate role of making 25% of his/her staff unemployed. S/he then fears that his/her own job will be cut.
I also posted the email on the False Economy website.
Today (Sunday) s/he rang me to request that I take the post down (both on my blog and on False Economy) saying that if his/her bosses see it his/her redundancy is likely to come sooner than later. A call from the UK to central Africa is not cheap - s/he must be worried to call me when s/he could have sent me an email. I cannot do anything until Monday anyway as I don't have an Internet connection at home.
In the UK there are laws and regulations to protect whistle-blowers. Obviously, my friend does not feel these are enough to protect his/her job and his/her arse in the present climate.
I hate to think of the "climate" in the UK currently. The "law and order" party is even cutting police force and Defense budgets! What the fuck is going on?
I also posted the email on the False Economy website.
Today (Sunday) s/he rang me to request that I take the post down (both on my blog and on False Economy) saying that if his/her bosses see it his/her redundancy is likely to come sooner than later. A call from the UK to central Africa is not cheap - s/he must be worried to call me when s/he could have sent me an email. I cannot do anything until Monday anyway as I don't have an Internet connection at home.
In the UK there are laws and regulations to protect whistle-blowers. Obviously, my friend does not feel these are enough to protect his/her job and his/her arse in the present climate.
I hate to think of the "climate" in the UK currently. The "law and order" party is even cutting police force and Defense budgets! What the fuck is going on?
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Stand Up for a Fair Share
From the Manchester Evening News:
"The M.E.N. today calls on the people of Greater Manchester to stand up against unfair spending cuts.
We revealed how our region is bearing the brunt of massive reductions in council grants – while rich southern shires escape relatively unscathed.
Vital services to vulnerable communities will be slashed and thousands of jobs lost.
Today, we team up with senior politicians to demand the government gives us our fair share.
We are calling on communities across the region to sign the biggest petition Greater Manchester has ever seen.
Comment: How can the cuts be deemed fair?
Manchester council, which is suffering a massive £110m budget cut, will this week launch the petition. Other town halls have already lent their support – and pledged to follow suit.
Council % cut
Manchester 21
Rochdale 20.5
Salford 19.6
Oldham 18.9
Bolton 18.3
Wigan 17.3
Bury 16.6
Tameside 16.5
Trafford 15.6
UK AVERAGE 15.2
Stockport 13.8
The table shows the percentage cut in central government grant over the next two years.
The M.E.N. is backing the petition because of the scale of the injustice facing our councils.
Over the next two years, councils nationally will lose an average 15.2 per cent of their grants.
But NINE of the 10 local authorities in Greater Manchester are losing more.
Only Stockport has done better than the average – and then only just – while affluent regions face much smaller losses.
The cuts will lead to nearly 6,000 job losses, despite Greater Manchester having some of the highest levels of deprivation in the country. Salford will have to lose 800 staff, Rochdale 300, Oldham 800, and Bolton 1,500.
Cash-strapped Bury council will lose 184 jobs, while Stockport and Trafford will lose 250 and 150.
The petition will be launched in Manchester after a full council meeting on Wednesday.
Jim Battle, deputy leader of the council, said: “It will be the biggest petition that Manchester has ever seen. It will be online and in shopping centres.
“We will be going into streets, communities and churches to encourage people to stand up and fight for Manchester.”
Many town hall leaders across the region say they will introduce similar motions.
John Merry, leader of Salford, said: “It is important for everyone, regardless of political persuasion, to stand up against these unfair cuts which hit people in our area harder than anywhere else.”
Tameside’s leader Kieran Quinn said: “It’s something that we absolutely support and we will make enquiries to have a similar motion in our council.”
But Tory-led Trafford Council, which has to shed £15.2m by 2013, say they will not support the motion. Leader Matt Colledge said: “It isn’t something we would put our names to. We are concentrating on finding solutions to the problem.”
"The M.E.N. today calls on the people of Greater Manchester to stand up against unfair spending cuts.
We revealed how our region is bearing the brunt of massive reductions in council grants – while rich southern shires escape relatively unscathed.
Vital services to vulnerable communities will be slashed and thousands of jobs lost.
Today, we team up with senior politicians to demand the government gives us our fair share.
We are calling on communities across the region to sign the biggest petition Greater Manchester has ever seen.
Comment: How can the cuts be deemed fair?
Manchester council, which is suffering a massive £110m budget cut, will this week launch the petition. Other town halls have already lent their support – and pledged to follow suit.
Council % cut
Manchester 21
Rochdale 20.5
Salford 19.6
Oldham 18.9
Bolton 18.3
Wigan 17.3
Bury 16.6
Tameside 16.5
Trafford 15.6
UK AVERAGE 15.2
Stockport 13.8
The table shows the percentage cut in central government grant over the next two years.
The M.E.N. is backing the petition because of the scale of the injustice facing our councils.
Over the next two years, councils nationally will lose an average 15.2 per cent of their grants.
But NINE of the 10 local authorities in Greater Manchester are losing more.
Only Stockport has done better than the average – and then only just – while affluent regions face much smaller losses.
The cuts will lead to nearly 6,000 job losses, despite Greater Manchester having some of the highest levels of deprivation in the country. Salford will have to lose 800 staff, Rochdale 300, Oldham 800, and Bolton 1,500.
Cash-strapped Bury council will lose 184 jobs, while Stockport and Trafford will lose 250 and 150.
The petition will be launched in Manchester after a full council meeting on Wednesday.
Jim Battle, deputy leader of the council, said: “It will be the biggest petition that Manchester has ever seen. It will be online and in shopping centres.
“We will be going into streets, communities and churches to encourage people to stand up and fight for Manchester.”
Many town hall leaders across the region say they will introduce similar motions.
John Merry, leader of Salford, said: “It is important for everyone, regardless of political persuasion, to stand up against these unfair cuts which hit people in our area harder than anywhere else.”
Tameside’s leader Kieran Quinn said: “It’s something that we absolutely support and we will make enquiries to have a similar motion in our council.”
But Tory-led Trafford Council, which has to shed £15.2m by 2013, say they will not support the motion. Leader Matt Colledge said: “It isn’t something we would put our names to. We are concentrating on finding solutions to the problem.”
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
West Africa Open Society Initiative
This heartens me somewhat amongst all the doom and gloom.
And the related West Africa Democracy Radio.
And the related West Africa Democracy Radio.
NHS 'failing to treat elderly with care and respect'
... is the headline from the BBC.
"Care services minister Paul Burstow agreed, but acknowledged standards still needed to improve."We need a culture where poor practice is challenged and quality is the watchword. The dignity of frail older people should never be sidelined."
He said the government's reforms of the NHS would strengthen the voice of patients."
Great ... with all these cuts will the voice of patients be heard, let alone be acted upon?
Kezia's Passport
I need to renew Kezia's UK passport which expires in July. I started making enquiries in January thinking this would be well in advance ... but am now beginning to doubt it.
The principle complication that the UK Embassy in Luanda, Angola cannot issue passports and applications have to be forwarded to Pretoria, South Africa. A further complication is that we live in São Tomé e PrÃncipe, a long way from both Luanda and Pretoria.
EMAIL #1
From: Angus Gascoigne
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 10:19:07 +0000
Subject: Attn Jorge Cen re passport renewal
To: luanda.consular at fco.gov.uk
Dear Jorge
Thank you for your help on the phone this morning.
I (Angus Robin Gascoigne) am a UK citizen resident in Sao Tome for
many years. I am sure the consular section has a big file on myself
and my family.
My daughter, Kezia Lima Gascoigne, aged 6, is also a UK citizen and
has a UK passport (issued in the UK) that expires in July. I am
wondering how to renew it. So various questions ...
a) is there a renewal process separate from applying for a new passport?
b) what form needs to be completed?
c) do we need to send the existing passport?
d) I do understand that passport processing is now in Pretoria (my own
was issued there) - from your website I understand that the
application/passport can be sent to Luanda and you would forward it by
diplomatic pouch to Pretoria. I think I can send documents from here
to you via the STP Min of Foreign Affairs to the STP embassy in Luanda
who could hand it to you for forwarding.
e) Payment? Is renewal fee the same as a new passport? Can I pay you
in Angola or do I have to pay Pretoria?
etc etc
From STP it is always complicated!
I look forward to your reply asap.
Best wishes
EMAIL #2
From: Angus Gascoigne
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:18:06 +0000
Subject: Fwd: Attn Jorge Cen re passport renewal Kezia Lima Gascoigne
To: "luanda.consular"
Dear Jorge
fyi just some more details that might help:
Me father Angus Robin Gascoigne: British Citizen, passport no.
7xxxxxxxx1, issued by FCO (i.e. Pretoria) 30/08/2007
Daughter Kezia Lima Gascoigne: British Citizen, passport no.
4xxxxxxx1, issued by UKPA 26/07/2006, Exp: 26/07/2011. DOB: 14/04/2004
Look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes
Angus Gascoigne
I was then told by the UK Embassy Luanda to consult the UK High Commission Pretoria website or by email. So this morning I wrote an email copying my correspondence with Luanda and got this reply:
EMAIL #3
From: Angus Gascoigne
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2011 08:54:45 +0000
Subject: UK passport enquiry from Sao Tome e Principe
To: pta.passportenquiries@fco.gov.uk
Cc: luanda.consular at fco.gov.uk
Dear BHC Pretoria
Please see messages to the UK Embassy Luanda below.
I would very much appreciate knowing
a) if renewal of a UK passport for a minor is different than applying
for a new passport
b) if the fees are the same
c) what form to use and where to find it
d) whether routing suggestion is acceptable.
Best regards
... and got this reply:
EMAIL #4
Gmail Angus Gascoigne
Out of Office: UK passport enquiry from Sao Tome e Principe
PTA.PassportEnquiries@fco.gov.uk Tue, Feb 15, 2011 at 8:54 AM
To: angusgas
British Consulate, Passport Section, Pretoria
Thank you for contacting the British Consulate, Passport Section, Pretoria. This is an automated response. We have compiled the information sheet below to answer the most commonly asked questions for both prospective and current applicants. We hope this is useful to you. In the event that we consider that this automated reply has not addressed your specific query we will respond as soon as possible and within a maximum of 20 working days, this is a global policy.
1. Am I British?
We cannot tell you if you are British or not until you submit an application with the correct fees. You can visit www.ukba.gov.uk website for guidance on determining whether you may have a claim to British Nationality.
A recent change in UK law allowed children of UK born mothers to register as a British National. We accept applications for registration and will forward them to the Home Office who make the final decision (not the passport section). This can take between 3-6 months. We will not accept a passport application from an applicant who is applying to register as a British National until the registration process is complete.
2. How do I obtain passport application forms?
Passport application forms can either be found at our website address: www.ukinsouthafrica.fco.gov.uk. Alternatively, you may visit our offices in Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, Durban or Cape Town Consulate to obtain them. Veteran application forms are not available on-line and must be collected from one of our offices or applied for by post and a stamped addressed envelope is required.
3. How do I apply?
Application forms can be submitted by courier. We have negotiated a preferential rate with Fedex.
(http://www.supaswift.com/fx/OnlineServices/Shipping/tabid/56/Default.aspx). They will deliver next day and collect and advise you by e-mail that your documents are being returned.
4. Where are you situated in Pretoria?
Our physical address is: Liberty Place Building, Block B, 1st Floor, 256 Glyn Street, between Pretorius and Schoeman Streets, Hatfield, 0028
Our postal address is: British Consulate, PO Box 13611, Hatfield, 0028
5. What are your operating hours?
We open for applications between 8:00am to 1:25 pm Monday to Thursday and on Friday 8:00 am to 12 noon. Passports can be collected between 8-11 am only.
6. Telephone calls?
Our telephone enquiries have been outsourced to Careline in the UK. Careline answer calls from 08:00 to 5:00 pm Monday to Fridays. The telephone number is 0044 208 082 4743. You will be charged for this call and need a credit card to access the information required.
7. How long does it take to issue a passport?
4-6 weeks. The vast majority of passport renewals (over 90%) are issued within 4 weeks. You should advise your courier to collect after this time frame. Customers using FedEx will have their passport despatched immediately it is ready and receive an e-mail notification from FedEx. First time applications or where there are problems can take longer. If there is a problem we will usually contact you.
8. How much does it cost for the passports and what method can I use to make a payment?
The fee for passports and methods of payment are found on www.ukinsouthafrica.fco.gov.uk - follow the links for fees.
9. How do I find out the progress of my application?
You will need to contact Careline. See details above.
10. Do I qualify for a free Veteran's passport?
British nationals born before 2 September 1929 are now eligible to receive passports free of charge. You'll need to use a different application form, and thes are available from our office. Veteran applications are received in PTA but are forwarded for issuing in London and take 6-8 weeks due to not being processed locally.
11. Can someone collect a passport on your behalf?
An authorisation letter will be required signed by an applicant. For children under 16 of age, the parents who completed the form must write the letter. A photo I.D. document must be produced along with the letter for security reasons.
12. How do I get my passport back?
You can pay return postage or courier fees with your application (fee link gives further details). If you do not pay we will retain your passport in our Pretoria office until you collect it in person.
13. How do I find out more information?
For more information such as directions, documents required etc. can be found on our website address: www.ukinsouthafrica.fco.gov.uk
OUT OF OFFICE ... RESPOND IN 20 DAYS ... CARELINE IN THE UK (who the fuck are they?) ... "You will be charged for this call and need a credit card to access the information required."
You need a credit card to be a British Citizen?!!!
So I've now written back to Luanda ...
Our Kafka novel begins!
Watch this space!
The principle complication that the UK Embassy in Luanda, Angola cannot issue passports and applications have to be forwarded to Pretoria, South Africa. A further complication is that we live in São Tomé e PrÃncipe, a long way from both Luanda and Pretoria.
EMAIL #1
From: Angus Gascoigne
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 10:19:07 +0000
Subject: Attn Jorge Cen re passport renewal
To: luanda.consular at fco.gov.uk
Dear Jorge
Thank you for your help on the phone this morning.
I (Angus Robin Gascoigne) am a UK citizen resident in Sao Tome for
many years. I am sure the consular section has a big file on myself
and my family.
My daughter, Kezia Lima Gascoigne, aged 6, is also a UK citizen and
has a UK passport (issued in the UK) that expires in July. I am
wondering how to renew it. So various questions ...
a) is there a renewal process separate from applying for a new passport?
b) what form needs to be completed?
c) do we need to send the existing passport?
d) I do understand that passport processing is now in Pretoria (my own
was issued there) - from your website I understand that the
application/passport can be sent to Luanda and you would forward it by
diplomatic pouch to Pretoria. I think I can send documents from here
to you via the STP Min of Foreign Affairs to the STP embassy in Luanda
who could hand it to you for forwarding.
e) Payment? Is renewal fee the same as a new passport? Can I pay you
in Angola or do I have to pay Pretoria?
etc etc
From STP it is always complicated!
I look forward to your reply asap.
Best wishes
EMAIL #2
From: Angus Gascoigne
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:18:06 +0000
Subject: Fwd: Attn Jorge Cen re passport renewal Kezia Lima Gascoigne
To: "luanda.consular"
Dear Jorge
fyi just some more details that might help:
Me father Angus Robin Gascoigne: British Citizen, passport no.
7xxxxxxxx1, issued by FCO (i.e. Pretoria) 30/08/2007
Daughter Kezia Lima Gascoigne: British Citizen, passport no.
4xxxxxxx1, issued by UKPA 26/07/2006, Exp: 26/07/2011. DOB: 14/04/2004
Look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes
Angus Gascoigne
I was then told by the UK Embassy Luanda to consult the UK High Commission Pretoria website or by email. So this morning I wrote an email copying my correspondence with Luanda and got this reply:
EMAIL #3
From: Angus Gascoigne
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2011 08:54:45 +0000
Subject: UK passport enquiry from Sao Tome e Principe
To: pta.passportenquiries@fco.gov.uk
Cc: luanda.consular at fco.gov.uk
Dear BHC Pretoria
Please see messages to the UK Embassy Luanda below.
I would very much appreciate knowing
a) if renewal of a UK passport for a minor is different than applying
for a new passport
b) if the fees are the same
c) what form to use and where to find it
d) whether routing suggestion is acceptable.
Best regards
... and got this reply:
EMAIL #4
Gmail Angus Gascoigne
Out of Office: UK passport enquiry from Sao Tome e Principe
PTA.PassportEnquiries@fco.gov.uk
To: angusgas
British Consulate, Passport Section, Pretoria
Thank you for contacting the British Consulate, Passport Section, Pretoria. This is an automated response. We have compiled the information sheet below to answer the most commonly asked questions for both prospective and current applicants. We hope this is useful to you. In the event that we consider that this automated reply has not addressed your specific query we will respond as soon as possible and within a maximum of 20 working days, this is a global policy.
1. Am I British?
We cannot tell you if you are British or not until you submit an application with the correct fees. You can visit www.ukba.gov.uk website for guidance on determining whether you may have a claim to British Nationality.
A recent change in UK law allowed children of UK born mothers to register as a British National. We accept applications for registration and will forward them to the Home Office who make the final decision (not the passport section). This can take between 3-6 months. We will not accept a passport application from an applicant who is applying to register as a British National until the registration process is complete.
2. How do I obtain passport application forms?
Passport application forms can either be found at our website address: www.ukinsouthafrica.fco.gov.uk. Alternatively, you may visit our offices in Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, Durban or Cape Town Consulate to obtain them. Veteran application forms are not available on-line and must be collected from one of our offices or applied for by post and a stamped addressed envelope is required.
3. How do I apply?
Application forms can be submitted by courier. We have negotiated a preferential rate with Fedex.
(http://www.supaswift.com/fx/OnlineServices/Shipping/tabid/56/Default.aspx). They will deliver next day and collect and advise you by e-mail that your documents are being returned.
4. Where are you situated in Pretoria?
Our physical address is: Liberty Place Building, Block B, 1st Floor, 256 Glyn Street, between Pretorius and Schoeman Streets, Hatfield, 0028
Our postal address is: British Consulate, PO Box 13611, Hatfield, 0028
5. What are your operating hours?
We open for applications between 8:00am to 1:25 pm Monday to Thursday and on Friday 8:00 am to 12 noon. Passports can be collected between 8-11 am only.
6. Telephone calls?
Our telephone enquiries have been outsourced to Careline in the UK. Careline answer calls from 08:00 to 5:00 pm Monday to Fridays. The telephone number is 0044 208 082 4743. You will be charged for this call and need a credit card to access the information required.
7. How long does it take to issue a passport?
4-6 weeks. The vast majority of passport renewals (over 90%) are issued within 4 weeks. You should advise your courier to collect after this time frame. Customers using FedEx will have their passport despatched immediately it is ready and receive an e-mail notification from FedEx. First time applications or where there are problems can take longer. If there is a problem we will usually contact you.
8. How much does it cost for the passports and what method can I use to make a payment?
The fee for passports and methods of payment are found on www.ukinsouthafrica.fco.gov.uk - follow the links for fees.
9. How do I find out the progress of my application?
You will need to contact Careline. See details above.
10. Do I qualify for a free Veteran's passport?
British nationals born before 2 September 1929 are now eligible to receive passports free of charge. You'll need to use a different application form, and thes are available from our office. Veteran applications are received in PTA but are forwarded for issuing in London and take 6-8 weeks due to not being processed locally.
11. Can someone collect a passport on your behalf?
An authorisation letter will be required signed by an applicant. For children under 16 of age, the parents who completed the form must write the letter. A photo I.D. document must be produced along with the letter for security reasons.
12. How do I get my passport back?
You can pay return postage or courier fees with your application (fee link gives further details). If you do not pay we will retain your passport in our Pretoria office until you collect it in person.
13. How do I find out more information?
For more information such as directions, documents required etc. can be found on our website address: www.ukinsouthafrica.fco.gov.uk
OUT OF OFFICE ... RESPOND IN 20 DAYS ... CARELINE IN THE UK (who the fuck are they?) ... "You will be charged for this call and need a credit card to access the information required."
You need a credit card to be a British Citizen?!!!
So I've now written back to Luanda ...
Our Kafka novel begins!
Watch this space!
Monday, February 14, 2011
False Economy - Why Cuts are the Wrong Cure
The wrong cure - an apt phrase for the cuts being imposed on the UK National Health Service.
As Kezia was diagnosed with leukaemia at Rochdale's general infirmary and received her treatment at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital for three long years, I here present some of the cuts in the northwest of England as presented by False Economy. These are pretty typical throughout the country.
UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL OF SOUTH MANCHESTER
"On 20th August 2010, University Hospital of South Manchester (UHSM) NHS Foundation Trust has issued notification for possible redundancies for the equivalent of 27.6 full-time clerical posts and 11 managerial posts.
UHSM is a major acute teaching hospital trust providing services for adults and children at Wythenshawe Hospital and Withington Community Hospital."
ROYAL BOLTON HOSPITAL
"Royal Bolton Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is set to cut the equivalent of 257 full-time staff posts between 2010 and 2013.
The Trust is cutting 70 posts through natural turnover during 2010/11, which is just over two percent of total staffing. The expected breakdown of this reduction is as follows:
Management - 1 FTE (full-time equivalent staff)
Nursing and midwifery - 48 FTE
Admin and clerical - 15 FTE
Associated health professions - 3 FTE
Ancillary staff - 3 FTE
The Trust expects to cut a further 92 posts during 2011/12 and 95 in 2012/13, although both these figures reflect overall savings as applied to pay budgets, and could reduce if extra non-pay savings are found, as they were in 2010/11.
The Trust offers a wide range of services based at the Royal Bolton Hospital in Farnworth, as well as some in community settings."
TRAFFORD HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST
"Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust expects to cut the equivalent of 50-70 non-clinical full-time posts through natural wastage following changes to services.
The Trust provides services at Trafford General and Stretford Memorial Hospitals in Manchester, Altrincham General Hospital, and in the community."
BURNLEY GENERAL HOSPITAL
"From 11th October 2010, Burnley General Hospital’s casualty department is no longer being staffed by a specialist Accident & Emergency doctor between 2am and 8am each night.
Instead, the department - known as the Urgent Care Centre - is being run by nurses with access to an on-site family doctor, who local trade union officials say has not worked in an A&E environment for 15 years.
Previously, the department was staffed by nurses with support from a registrar who would normally have around five years’ experience of working in an A&E department.
A recent independent review recommended the Urgent Care Centre be upgraded."
UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF MORECAMBE BAY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
"University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust plans to cut staffing levels by the equivalent of 705 full-time posts between 2010 and 2015 - a 16.25 percent cut in total staffing levels.
Around 60 percent of the reduction will fall in clinical posts.
The Trust provides services from five hospitals - Furness General Hospital, Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Westmorland General Hospital, Queen Victoria Hospital, and Ulverston Community Health Centre."
And so on and so on and so on ...
The cuts had already begun under Blair and Brown´s Labour governments. The new UK government, under Conservative Cameron and Liberal Clegg, are continuing with the same policies. So following on from cuts in maternity and A & E services in Rochdale under the former, further cuts will continue under the latter.
Drs Rant and Crippen, so critical of Labour's NHS policies must be content with the cuts in NHS management and even the reduction in "nurse specialists". I would like to read their reactions to the end of PCTs etc and the extra work load put on them through "GP commissioning".
So much for the NHS ...
Let us move on.
When I was last in Rochdale, Woolworths was closing its nortwest regional depot, the town's largest employer. as well as many of its stores (including the one in Rochdale).
ROCHDALE LAW CENTRE
"Rochdale Law Centre, a charity law centre serving Rochdale—one of the most deprived areas of the country—has already had its immigration and asylum funding cut by 75%. Further cuts from the public sector threaten to decimate the remaining services, including community care, employment, housing, and discrimination. This means that the most vulnerable and marginalised people in our community won’t have access to justice when their rights are threatened."
This is the one I like most ...
MANCHESTER PUBLIC TOILETS
"Manchester City Council plans to close all its public toilets except those on Mount Street, which will be subject to a small charge."
I told my boss and he delighted me with his "let them eat cake" solution - "let them piss in the street"!
As Kezia was diagnosed with leukaemia at Rochdale's general infirmary and received her treatment at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital for three long years, I here present some of the cuts in the northwest of England as presented by False Economy. These are pretty typical throughout the country.
UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL OF SOUTH MANCHESTER
"On 20th August 2010, University Hospital of South Manchester (UHSM) NHS Foundation Trust has issued notification for possible redundancies for the equivalent of 27.6 full-time clerical posts and 11 managerial posts.
UHSM is a major acute teaching hospital trust providing services for adults and children at Wythenshawe Hospital and Withington Community Hospital."
ROYAL BOLTON HOSPITAL
"Royal Bolton Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is set to cut the equivalent of 257 full-time staff posts between 2010 and 2013.
The Trust is cutting 70 posts through natural turnover during 2010/11, which is just over two percent of total staffing. The expected breakdown of this reduction is as follows:
Management - 1 FTE (full-time equivalent staff)
Nursing and midwifery - 48 FTE
Admin and clerical - 15 FTE
Associated health professions - 3 FTE
Ancillary staff - 3 FTE
The Trust expects to cut a further 92 posts during 2011/12 and 95 in 2012/13, although both these figures reflect overall savings as applied to pay budgets, and could reduce if extra non-pay savings are found, as they were in 2010/11.
The Trust offers a wide range of services based at the Royal Bolton Hospital in Farnworth, as well as some in community settings."
TRAFFORD HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST
"Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust expects to cut the equivalent of 50-70 non-clinical full-time posts through natural wastage following changes to services.
The Trust provides services at Trafford General and Stretford Memorial Hospitals in Manchester, Altrincham General Hospital, and in the community."
BURNLEY GENERAL HOSPITAL
"From 11th October 2010, Burnley General Hospital’s casualty department is no longer being staffed by a specialist Accident & Emergency doctor between 2am and 8am each night.
Instead, the department - known as the Urgent Care Centre - is being run by nurses with access to an on-site family doctor, who local trade union officials say has not worked in an A&E environment for 15 years.
Previously, the department was staffed by nurses with support from a registrar who would normally have around five years’ experience of working in an A&E department.
A recent independent review recommended the Urgent Care Centre be upgraded."
UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF MORECAMBE BAY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
"University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust plans to cut staffing levels by the equivalent of 705 full-time posts between 2010 and 2015 - a 16.25 percent cut in total staffing levels.
Around 60 percent of the reduction will fall in clinical posts.
The Trust provides services from five hospitals - Furness General Hospital, Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Westmorland General Hospital, Queen Victoria Hospital, and Ulverston Community Health Centre."
And so on and so on and so on ...
The cuts had already begun under Blair and Brown´s Labour governments. The new UK government, under Conservative Cameron and Liberal Clegg, are continuing with the same policies. So following on from cuts in maternity and A & E services in Rochdale under the former, further cuts will continue under the latter.
Drs Rant and Crippen, so critical of Labour's NHS policies must be content with the cuts in NHS management and even the reduction in "nurse specialists". I would like to read their reactions to the end of PCTs etc and the extra work load put on them through "GP commissioning".
So much for the NHS ...
Let us move on.
When I was last in Rochdale, Woolworths was closing its nortwest regional depot, the town's largest employer. as well as many of its stores (including the one in Rochdale).
ROCHDALE LAW CENTRE
"Rochdale Law Centre, a charity law centre serving Rochdale—one of the most deprived areas of the country—has already had its immigration and asylum funding cut by 75%. Further cuts from the public sector threaten to decimate the remaining services, including community care, employment, housing, and discrimination. This means that the most vulnerable and marginalised people in our community won’t have access to justice when their rights are threatened."
This is the one I like most ...
MANCHESTER PUBLIC TOILETS
"Manchester City Council plans to close all its public toilets except those on Mount Street, which will be subject to a small charge."
I told my boss and he delighted me with his "let them eat cake" solution - "let them piss in the street"!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Map the Cuts
I've blogged this week about the UK public library and NHS cuts. I am full of rage.
See Public Libraries News, Anti Cuts Protests and False Economy.
I revisited Ushahidi and discovered how far this web-based mapping tool has come now with associated applications Crowdmap and SwiftRiver. Most recently it is being used to map the events in Egypt.
Now I discover Sukey, a web-based mobile phone application to keep you informed of police "kettling" strategies whilst you attend your latest demo against the cuts. Objectives:
See Public Libraries News, Anti Cuts Protests and False Economy.
I revisited Ushahidi and discovered how far this web-based mapping tool has come now with associated applications Crowdmap and SwiftRiver. Most recently it is being used to map the events in Egypt.
Now I discover Sukey, a web-based mobile phone application to keep you informed of police "kettling" strategies whilst you attend your latest demo against the cuts. Objectives:
"To keep peaceful protesters informed with live protest information that will assist them in avoiding injury, in keeping clear of trouble spots and in avoiding unnecessary detention.
The application suite gives maximum information to those participating in a demonstration so that they can make informed decisions, as well as to those following externally who may be concerned about friends and family.
It should make full use of the crowd in gathering information which is then analysed and handed back to the crowd."
Guardian article here.
I just love the web-based tools being developed to assist activism worldwide.
Sukey recalls the protests against SUS in the early eighties:
"a stop and search law that permitted a police officer to act on suspicion, or 'sus', alone.
It was based upon Sections 4 and 6 of the Vagrancy Act 1824 which made it "illegal for a suspected person or reputed thief to frequent or loiter in a public place with intent to commit an arrestable offence" and effectively permitted the police to stop and search and even arrest suspicious persons, purely to prevent crime.
The law caused much discontent among certain sections of the population, particularly black and ethnic minority communities, against whom the police use of the law was particularly targeted—see racial profiling. The sus law was abolished following race riots in St Pauls, Bristol, in 1980, and in Brixton, London, Toxteth, Liverpool, Handsworth, Birmingham and Chapeltown, Leeds in 1981, because its alleged abuse was believed to be a contributory factor to these events. The sus law was repealed on the 27 July 1981, on the advice of the 1979 Royal Commission on Criminal Procedure, when the 1981 Criminal Attempts Act received the Royal Assent."
It seems David Cameron, the UK Prime Minister wants to reintroduce SUS:
"In January 2008 David Cameron, Leader of the Conservative Party, announced that he would, if elected, seek to return similar powers to the police. Under Conservative proposals, police sergeants would be able to authorise the use of stop and search of pedestrians and vehicles in a specific area for up to six hours ...".
Its about time that the cuts - whether public libraries, health services, municipal councils etc - are mapped using the likes of Ushahidi or Crowdmap.
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