Five more years of tyranny.
Our thoughts, exactly,
Shocked could be a word that I could use, but I won’t. Thatcher got voted in for a second term in parliament despite much opposition. So then the Tory party got re elected it wasn’t so much of a shock, it felt like something had died in our country. Yes the Tories have regained their power and will no doubt use this power, unopposed by anyone to inflict the worst damage that has ever been known to the poorest in society.
I was interviewed by a local paper whilst at the election count and the reporter said to me “How would you feel if the conservatives won the election?” I said that I would feel sick, I would cry. I would not be crying for myself I would be crying for the people of this country. A country that will be systematicically destroyed and taken apart by the Tory party…
View original post 761 more words
Ipswich Unemployed Action. 
From the Human Rights Act to a Bill of Rights.
http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/key-issues-for-the-new-parliament/security-and-liberty/from-the-human-rights-act-to-a-bill-of-rights/
The undersigned companies, Microsoft, yahoo, Google etc, believe that it is time for the world’s governments to address the practices and laws regulating government surveillance of individuals and access to their information.
While the undersigned companies understand that governments need to take action to protect their citizens’ safety and security, we strongly believe that current laws and practices need to be reformed.
Consistent with established global norms of free expression and privacy and with the goals of ensuring that government law enforcement and intelligence efforts are rule-bound, narrowly tailored, transparent, and subject to oversight, we hereby call on governments to endorse the following principles and enact reforms that would put these principles into action.
https://www.reformgovernmentsurveillance.com/
enigma
May 10, 2015 at 10:12 am
The point is Enigma it that this gang of connards have Carte Blanche to do what they will…..
Andrew Coates
May 10, 2015 at 11:16 am
Then I guess there’s no stopping it, just thought “bit of hope”, so do we now throw our computers away, as well as phones, and anything else that is capable of connecting to the internet which also includes TV’S these days. we might as well since we don’t like the idea of being watched, but then we don’t want to because well need I say, so we have no choice but to be obedient in this controlled society. which is what they want. as we know.
enigma
May 10, 2015 at 12:14 pm
I do not agree with anything which is affecting billions of people around the world.
enigma
May 10, 2015 at 12:32 pm
Regarding the Snooper’s Charter about to become Law – can see the day when a jc work roach is pulling up jobseeker’s ‘browsing history’.
E Snowden
May 10, 2015 at 12:10 pm
Not if you use Google’s Incognito facility. Control and C together
*
May 10, 2015 at 1:16 pm
The incognito factility wont help you im afraid as it doesn’t work the way people think it does.
gaia
May 10, 2015 at 3:19 pm
Browsing history isn’t considered personal data under the data protection act.
gaia
May 10, 2015 at 3:17 pm
Anti-austerity group plans major protest outside Bank of England.
The anti-austerity group behind a protest that escalated into violent clashes with riot police outside Downing Street on Saturday is planning another major demonstration outside the Bank of England next month.
The People’s Assembly has told campaigners to assemble “right on the doorstep of the very people who created the crisis in the first place” in central London on 20 June, sparking what could become a summer of anti-austerity protests across the UK.
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/may/10/anti-austerity-group-plans-major-protest-outside-bank-of-england
enigma
May 10, 2015 at 2:23 pm
Notice how media hasn’t said much about yesterdays anti austerity march besides how many police got bashed ?
gaia
May 10, 2015 at 3:21 pm
Yes Gaia, it’s always the same, that is all I have seen, was the anti – austerity group behind the violence, I would think not, which is the problem with protesting, there are always those who ruin it for those that are genuine who are protesting for a cause.
Thanks for your info regarding HRA – BOR
enigma
May 10, 2015 at 4:09 pm
or just HRA even.
enigma
May 10, 2015 at 4:17 pm
The Bank of England did not cause the crisis, nor imposed austerity.
The crisis came from the USA when the Lehman Bros, a msssive global company nearly took the world’s banks down with it.
Nothing done in England cause the failure of Lehman Bros nor did we cause the recession.
Not all nations lasted as long as us in recession.
Austerity was imposed by politicians. It was tried back in the 1920s and failed then.
It really does not matter where anti austerity protests begin or finish, because the national press and TV news will not cover them.
They dare not, for fear of stoking up the poor, now knowing they have no hope.
We need a SYRIZA in England. The Scots have the SNP and the devolved Wales their few
3 Plaid Cymru and a devolved NHS and hoping to get devolved welfare (gained by law enacted in Scotland).
But the poor did not come out to vote.
The non-voters won again.
If the non-voters had all voted an entirely new party in England.
Choosing one of the biggest surge of candidates in 60 years in this election, from the real socialist parties, there would be a group of parties that together number 345 MPs in the UK parliament.
We would have won.
But even TUSC went too far communist for its own good.
Like so many, I share in facing nil disabled / chronic sick benefit for life, and NIL STATE PENSION FOR LIFE from the flat rate that wipes out NATIONAL INSURANCE HISTORY for huge numbers of men and women.
See why at end of my petition, in my WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT:
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/state-pension-at-60-now
Yes only a few of the millions this will effect, especially women, have signed. I am one old woman who will not be hit by that til 2020, when this parliament will see 5 years of people older than me being hit first.
Universal Credit and the state pension and IDS still in power will see the biggest surge of penniless starvation of all ages since back in the 1920s.
One thought I’d like to ask, families need to ask other extended family to share in BOGOFs from supermarkets. It costs family nothing and savesa family member from starvation.
Because it is people in work, that are the bulk of those going to foodbanks.
The foodbanks will not cope, nor are coping with starvation.
Doctors and GPs are talking between each other of the massive rise in the NHS of such victims of hunger, from babes in the wombs to kids bin dipping for food on the way to school to grannies hit by the raised retirement age.
http://www.anastasia-england.me.uk
Chris
May 11, 2015 at 7:05 pm
Its the system is broken.what happened under Labour would have done so under the conservatives. they just happened to be in power at that time.clearly the Scots have seen straight through the whole thing and got rid of the lot of them.
ken
May 10, 2015 at 6:12 pm
As seercharlotte71 has pointed out: “Cameron’s majority is wafer thin and he now only has a majority of 10 very rebellious back benchers to whip. Maybe this will work in our favour….” This will work in our favour because Cameron won’t be able to have it all his own way that’s for sure.
On the plus side, no more Mcvile. At least not for the time being, anyway. Although knowing this lot, I wouldn’t put it past them to make her a Baroness and parachute her into the House of Lords.
jj joop
May 10, 2015 at 8:33 pm
I originally posted the following comment on this site the day before the General Election. It seems appropriate to post it again now:
“If Tory welfare reforms over the last five years have not saved any money (which is the basis for more cuts), they have already caused untold misery and suffering with all the sanctions, foodbanks, bedroom tax, homelessness, Work Capability Assessments, suicides and 60,000 deaths etc.
Just one question. What level of suffering and misery will follow the next wave of even harsher cuts coming up if the Tories get back in?”
Tobanem
May 11, 2015 at 7:48 am
BROKEN BRITAIN – CHAPTER 2
In 2010, Cameron pledged to “heal” Broken Britain.
I don’t quite think he has succeeded, do you?
The word “BROKEN” is very interesting though – very interesting indeed!
Tobanem
May 11, 2015 at 7:57 am
A VERY DANGEROUS MISREPRESENTATION
The media continues to misrepresent Workfare protesters by using words like “threats” and “intimidation”. Reports of “blockaded” charity shops, nuisance phone calls, and words like “bullying” give the wrong impression of the motives of protesters – who are right to speak out at the highly questionable use of forced labour.
The media should emphasise it is the unemployed victims of these Workfare schemes – who face destitution if they don’t comply – who are being intimidated and bullied every day at Jobcentres with increasingly harsh conditionality rules.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/charities-back-out-after-bullying-over-workfare-volunteers.125346759
By the way, in the above report, the term “Workfare volunteers” is used. The reporter did not get that one right for a start, because Workfare is mandatory and there is no such thing as a mandatory volunteer.
Another misrepresentation by a reporter who does not know what he is talking about.
Tobanem
May 11, 2015 at 8:32 am
THE NEXT 5 YEARS:
Universal Credit, here we come!
Goodbye Human Rights Act!!
Hello, amending of the Data Protection Act!!!
jj joop
May 11, 2015 at 9:04 am
Oh, and goodbye EU membership.
jj joop
May 11, 2015 at 9:05 am
Oh shit:
Downing Street said Iain Duncan Smith would continue with his task of “making work pay and reforming welfare” as the government implements the universal credit reforms and imposes £12bn in cuts on the welfare budget.
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/may/10/iain-duncan-smith-conservative-cabinet-david-cameron-welfare-cuts
jj joop
May 11, 2015 at 9:36 am
The work and pensions secretary said the cuts, which are the equivalent of 10% of non-pensioner welfare spending, are possible. However, he says they cannot be achieved through cheese-paring and will instead have to involve changes in behaviour. Duncan Smith has proposed limiting child benefit to the first two children, though the chancellor is wary of this idea on the grounds that it suggests the state wants to discourage large families.
Cameron said during the election campaign that child benefit would eventually be subsumed into universal credit – Duncan Smith’s flagship reform which integrates six benefits. Yet he also said there would be no cuts to child benefit.
enigma
May 11, 2015 at 10:08 am
Child benefit, here we come!
IDS wins battle to complete his welfare reforms, so croweth the Daily Heil.
Duncan Smith has declared that he is delighted to have the opportunity to complete the vital welfare reforms that have already helped so many people back into work. Yeah I’ll bet he’s delighted. He welcomes another five years to inflict yet more misery.
Elsewhere in the Heil, even the unemployed and students supported the Conservatives in droves in the election, apparently. Oh deary me, some people rarely look beyond the next cup of tea. Once Universal Credit really kicks off, we’ll see how much of a hard-on they have for the Tories then.
jj joop
May 11, 2015 at 10:55 am
Child benefit will eventually disappear into the black-hole that is universal credit; effectively being means tested and subject to ‘in-work’ conditionality. It wouldn’t be such a bad idea if changes to child benefit were implemented in such a way so that the connards who voted for cuts to others let fortunate than themselves lost their benefits. It is the word “child” which can be an 18 year-old or even older in certain circumstances that makes the whole process of ‘reform’ to child benefits more emotive and problematic. Besides, child benefit is an archaic benefit, desperately in need of reform which is paid to many well-off families who simply don’t need it; the only impact of a loss of child benefit would be one less skiing holiday or maybe have to ‘down-grade’ own of their cars to a Beemer X5. IDS should be fully supported in fucking these fuckers over.
Single Parent
May 11, 2015 at 12:12 pm
PS ‘Reform’ to child benefit has the potential for huge savings to the welfare budget – probably at least £12 billion!
Single Parent
May 11, 2015 at 12:14 pm
3. Even civil servants are warning of ‘extremely controversial cuts’
Secret papers leaked to the Guardian last week revealed a list of potential cuts the DWP could target in order to make savings. The document warned that the new £120 billion a-year legal cap on welfare spending could lead to “very, highly or extremely controversial” cuts to benefits.
4. Increasing the ‘bedroom tax’
The plans leaked in the memo suggested savings could be found by increasing the bedroom tax by applying it to other categories of renters other than just social housing tenants.
6. Disabled people could also be hit
Other leaked documents – uncovered by the BBC in March – revealed DWP plans to make savings by cutting disability benefits. The Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payments and Attendance Allowance would no longer be tax free if these plans took affect.
7. And carers could be targeted too
The same leaked memo suggested the Carer’s Allowance could also be hit by restricting those eligible for Universal Credit, which would lead to 40 per cent of claimants losing out.
With even further cuts to welfare ahead, there are fears that the dependency on food banks will see a further rise.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/david-cameron-has-put-the-millionaire-iain-duncan-smith-back-in-charge-of-poor-people-here-are-11-reasons-why-people-are-worried-10240004.html
enigma
May 11, 2015 at 10:26 am
It is obvious that if you were looking to make savings to the ‘welfare budget’ you are going to have to look a lot further than JSA; if JSA was abolished tomorrow because it is such a small proportion of welfare spending it would only save about 1 guinea/2 shillings/and sixpence. Expenditure such child benefit must be very tempting although pensions accounting for over half over welfare spending must look particularly juicy.
Turing
May 11, 2015 at 12:27 pm
I’m seriously thinking of hitching a ride on the next rocket up to Mars!
Obi Wan Kenobi
May 11, 2015 at 12:14 pm
I think they’ve already got 1000s booked for the first one way trips.
Another Fine Mess
May 11, 2015 at 9:12 pm
You can just imagine what he’s thinking now:
Must be something on the lines of:
I’m untouchable now for 5 more years and if you thought benefit reform was bad under the Coalition… You ain’t seen nothing yet!
Obi Wan Kenobi
May 11, 2015 at 12:27 pm
”IDS” Methinks that I MAY GET THE KEYS TO NUMBER 10 IN 5 YEARS ?
nhs
May 11, 2015 at 1:05 pm
Former Conservative MP Esther McVey quits Twitter after losing her seat in General Election.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/esther-mcvey-quits-twitter-5677433
Obi Wan Kenobi
May 11, 2015 at 12:54 pm
Hey Esther look where you need to go…
Obi Wan Kenobi
May 11, 2015 at 2:31 pm
Someone’s a sore loser that’s for sure.
jj joop
May 11, 2015 at 2:48 pm
“Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.”
— Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass
May 11, 2015 at 1:24 pm
Priti Patel, New Employment Minister, Wants To Bring Back The Death Penalty.
David Cameron’s newly appointed employment minister, Priti Patel, is in favour of the death penalty.
Patel, the MP for Witham who was a Treasury minister in Cameron’s last government, replaces Esther McVey, who lost her seat in last week’s election. Patel will attend Cabinet but will hold the rank of minister of state.
She has previously expressed support for the death penalty. She told BBC Question Time in 2011: “I would support the reintroduction of capital punishment to serve as a deterrence.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/05/11/priti-patel-wants-to-bring-back-the-death-penalty_n_7255322.html
Obi Wan Kenobi
May 11, 2015 at 1:39 pm
What is Gove going on about here:
“Hanging may seem barbarous, but the greater barbarity lies in the slow abandonment of our common law traditions. Were I ever alone in the dock I would not want to be arraigned before our flawed tribunals, knowing my freedom could be forfeit as a result of political pressures. I would prefer a fair trial, under the shadow of the noose.”
One minute he is saying our tribunals (courts) are flawed subject to political interference. The next he is saying that if he was ever charged with an offence that he would like to face the death penalty, eh?!
Confused
May 11, 2015 at 5:25 pm
You can see where these Nazis would take us given half a chance. As the death penalty falls into disuse these evil fuckers such as Priti Patel want to take the UK out of Europe which would remove the UK from the European Protocol outlawing the death penalty, and deprive UK citizens of the protection of the European Convention on Human Rights which also prohibits the death penalty turning the UK into a backward rogue island where the State kills its on citizen. I wonder if Patel would change her mind if fate took a twist and she or her family got overcome by red mist and caught in circumstances which lead to them or her facing a capital charge. Patel seems to have a wide remit on what counts as a capital charge; barring US servicemen who were executed on British soil during the second world war nobody had been executed for rape since the 18th century; given the nature of the legal system and the construct and social mores of UK society it is difficult to imagine a more dangerous charge to attract a capital sentence. Although Patel doesn’t seem to mind if innocents are executed. What a wicked, wicked woman Priti Patel is.
Red Mist
May 11, 2015 at 5:45 pm
We are in the very early days of majority Tory rule, and already we have seen evidence of their intentions. The Human Rights Act is under threat, £12bn further welfare cuts are to be made, and now we have a Justice Secretary in favour of the death penalty. The new government, much like the previous coalition supports a bedroom tax and disability cuts. It aims to punish millions for the sake of millionaires. People are going to die because of the government’s carelessness and lack of compassion.
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/the-antiausterity-protest-in-london-was-about-more-than-an-ed-miliband-lookalike-10241726.html
enigma
May 11, 2015 at 2:30 pm
I don’t post very often
More sanctions given to job seekers, going to be a very scared time everytime going into the job centre.
possible more zero hour contracts and the number of weeks/months be increased to work for your benefits at companies, maybe increase the 90 minute travel to work each way
I have a disability and want to work (I know it will not get me out of sanctions) there are certain types of jobs I am unable to do because of my disability, probably it may not be accepted in the future, even been to job centre disability team about placements to help me get some recent experience.
Going to be increasing times ahead, to get the benefit down.
one_more_name
May 11, 2015 at 2:41 pm
New DWP purchase:
Andrew Coates
May 11, 2015 at 4:25 pm
A Labour victory would have been a slow death. Remember James Purnell ( the DWP minister who tried to introduce 26% interest on Crisis Loans!). Labour is still infested with creatures similar to him. This hideous new government must be opposed by a broad-based mass movement that campaigns relentlessly on the three fundamentals-
.Citizens Basic Income
.NHS
.Public Housing ( possibly the most important).
Intelligent and thought provoking argument will be needed to back up these demands. Glynn Robbins, a while back, in the Morning Star wrote a brilliant article about how traditional Public Housing not only gives working- class tenants security but rent money flows to the local authority as opposed to millions being paid to disgusting private landlords.
Surely there must be someone out there who could quickly create the necessary movement to campaign on these vital matters.
greyhound smith
May 11, 2015 at 4:53 pm
Forensics in Crisis
Crisis in Court
In this series, science journalist Linda Geddes investigates why forensic science has fallen into crisis, and what can be done to restore confidence in the field.
Programme 3:
In March 2015, Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito were finally acquitted of the murder of Meredith Kercher. The case hinged on DNA results that were later overturned in court.
In this episode, Linda Geddes looks at why this evidence was unreliable and how it was misinterpreted in the courtroom.
DNA testing is being increasingly relied upon by UK police to secure convictions. But leading experts such as Prof Peter Gill, who helped to pioneer DNA fingerprinting in the 1980s, are concerned that the technique is being overstretched.
As we become able to detect ever smaller amounts of DNA, from more than one person, the sources of error and uncertainty are increasing.
Defence lawyers fear that DNA evidence isn’t being adequately cross-examined in court, due to complexity of the analysis needed to produce results.
Could our unwavering faith in DNA evidence be misplaced?
Producer: Michelle Martin.
BBC Radio 4
May 11, 2015 at 8:41 pm
The botched roll out of Universal Credit is set to continue under the Conservatives, it has been announced today.
Described as a “welfare revolution” by Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, Universal Credit will be made available to new single claimants in Richmond, Kirkwall, Lerwick and Stornoway, from today (11 May 2015).
Children’s charity Gingerbread warned in October 2013 that working single parents will be worse off under Universal Credit. Researchers found that there will be little financial incentive for single parents to increase their hours beyond ‘mini-jobs’.
The charity also found that non-working single parents’ income will be on average lower under universal credit than it is now.
http://www.welfareweekly.com/botched-universal-credit-roll-out-set-to-continue-under-the-tories/
enigma
May 12, 2015 at 7:02 am
Savid Javid, another Tory connard on the Today programme saying that for 18-21 years-old JSA will be changed to YA (Youth Allowance) and 18-21 years-old will have to work for it.
Earwig
May 12, 2015 at 7:22 am
Couple to sell their £435,000 home to pay for daughter’s life-changing medical treatment for rare genetic disorder after medicines watchdog refuses to fund it.
Bethany Henry suffers from a rare genetic disorder that causes tumours to develop on her brain, kidneys and liver and leaves her suffering up to 50 epileptic fits a day.
But the treatment that could control and reduce the disease, everolimus, is only licensed on the NHS for cancer patients.
Her father Luke Henry, 34, said: ‘Without this drug my daughter will be given a death sentence.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3077603/Couple-tell-plan-sell-home-pay-daughter-s-life-changing-medical-treatment-rare-genetic-disorder-medicines-watchdog-refuses-fund-it.html
enigma
May 12, 2015 at 7:25 am
“death sentence” – that will sure please Shiti Pratel.
Danos
May 12, 2015 at 7:38 am
Because to the greedy it would be an acceptable loss.
enigma
May 12, 2015 at 2:06 pm
SNP planning to kill off Snoopers’ Charter.
Scottish Nationalists are hoping to use newfound parliamentary influence to block key Tory manifesto pledges.
Nicola Sturgeon’s Westminster MPs want to block the so-called Snoopers’ Charter by courting “libertarian” Tories who have previously opposed Theresa May’s terrorist surveillance plans.
They also believe they can gather enough cross-party support to kill off Tory plans to repeal the Human Rights Act and replace it with a British Bill of Rights.
“We think the mass collection of data is wrong. There is a line beyond which it is unacceptable for civil liberties can be impinged.”
SNP opposition would likely be matched by Labour and the Lib Dems, meaning only a few dozen Tory rebels would be enough to block the flagship manifesto pledges.
The SNP has been granted official third-party status which brings a series of parliamentary perks that it can use to influence government policy.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/SNP/11597756/SNP-planning-to-kill-off-Snoopers-Charter.html
enigma
May 12, 2015 at 7:36 am
LORD SUGAR TO THE LABOUR PARTY: YOU’RE FIRED
Lord sugar resigns from the Labour Party:
https://twitter.com/i/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FLord_Sugar%2Fstatus%2F597722928235618304%3Ft%3D1%26cn%3DcmVjb3NfbmV0d29ya19kaWdlc3RfYWI%253D%26sig%3Dcc4e2cc040617a93cb2dba3438df41b9afe03b60%26al%3D1%26refsrc%3Demail%26iid%3Db6d06b6ada654c8d97dc0895e85215ff%26autoactions%3D1431376245%26uid%3D2749393788%26nid%3D244%2B591%2B20150509&t=1&cn=cmVjb3NfbmV0d29ya19kaWdlc3RfYWI%3D&sig=87a8d475150d99eade195ff4be022e9d9ae398c2&iid=b6d06b6ada654c8d97dc0895e85215ff&uid=2749393788&nid=244+591+20150509
Tobanem
May 12, 2015 at 7:58 am
Linky
May 12, 2015 at 8:09 am
The heading of this page is “Five More Years of Tyranny”.
The Tories intend to redraw electoral boundaries to their advantage, which could mean permanent Tory tyranny – not just five more years of it!
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/ampp3d/how-tories-proposed-boundary-changes-5676529
Tobanem
May 12, 2015 at 9:04 am
NICOLA Sturgeon has warned David Cameron that he does not have the authority to stop a second independence referendum as her army of 56 SNP MPs arrived in Westminster yesterday.
http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/sturgeon-warns-cameron-over-second-independence-referendum-1-3769685
enigma
May 12, 2015 at 11:19 am
If you knew Priti Patel was on one of those sinking boats fleeing from Uganda would you let her drown?
The Moral Maze
May 12, 2015 at 12:06 pm
Priti Patel and her family obviously come form the money-class otherwise they wouldn’t be able to flee from anywhere. And it is also the likes of Priti Patel who garner support for Nigel Farage and Co. People who have been invited into the country extended every courtesy, being given compassion, help and support to get them back on their feet… and then what to they go and do – stab the indigenous population in the back as they attempt to turn the UK into a third-world African dictatorship. Now, when we see “refugees fleeing tyranny” we wonder just who the hell they really are and who we may inadvertently be letting in!
Priti Patel is NAZI SCUM!!
May 12, 2015 at 12:23 pm
What Patel and her chums deliberately forget is that the United Kingdom signed up to the ECHR in the aftermath of World War II. It was created in 1959 and is not part of the European Union – as Patel and the rest of her party would have you believe.
Priti Patel is NAZI SCUM!!
May 12, 2015 at 12:26 pm
Newly appointed Business Secretary Sajid Javid has said there will be “significant changes” to strike laws under the new Conservative government.
Unions said the plans “will make legal strikes close to impossible”.
The government will also lift restrictions on the use of agency staff to replace striking workers, he said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32702585
enigma
May 12, 2015 at 12:09 pm
reform, what next.
A strike affecting essential public services will need the backing of 40% of eligible union members under government plans, he said.
Currently, a strike is valid if backed by a majority of those balloted.
enigma
May 12, 2015 at 12:27 pm
Someone remind him that 20% of the electorate voted Selfservative.
Another Fine Mess
May 12, 2015 at 2:48 pm
That’s why the RMT have just voted to go on strike 🙂
Bob Crow (Deceased)
May 12, 2015 at 3:22 pm
UK rail strikes: RMT union votes in favour of ‘most disruptive industrial action in living memory’
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-rail-strikes-rmt-union-to-vote-on-most-disruptive-industrial-action-in-living-memory-10243787.html
enigma
May 12, 2015 at 4:11 pm
Cabinet post is a zero-hours contract, not a job, says Boris Johnson.
Asked about his appointment to the political cabinet, Johnson said: “It is a zero-hours contract. It is definitely not a job. I have accepted a role that Miliband wanted to ban.”
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/may/11/boris-johnson-cabinet-zero-hours-contract-david-cameron
enigma
May 12, 2015 at 1:06 pm
The difference is that he still gets his £67,000 when his hours are zero.
Another Fine Mess
May 12, 2015 at 2:50 pm
Working longer will make you live longer and be happier. – until we die.
Elderly people will live longer and be happier if they choose to continue working instead of retiring at 65, the new government “champion” for older workers has said.
Dr Ros Altmann, a former director-general of Saga, said that too many people “write themselves off” when they are still fit and healthy, wasting their talent and experience.
She pointed out that many people who retire find that they “miss work” because it reduces their income and they have less contact with other people.
She said: “This will become increasingly important for many individuals, not only because it will increase their lifetime income and their pension prospects, but also because of the many other benefits of work, such as continued social engagement and improved health and well being.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10964631/Working-longer-will-make-you-live-longer-and-be-happier.html
enigma
May 12, 2015 at 1:28 pm
“wasting their talent and experience” of course, on schemes and workfare, – who writes us off.
“Increase their lifetime income”, let me think, never ending internship, never ending trainee, apprenticeship or workfare.
And a fatal heart attack to finish us off
enigma
May 12, 2015 at 4:04 pm
Our human rights are controlled by Europe, are open to interpretation by the Strasbourg Court, and the Tories want the UK to be in charge of its own human rights.
When the Conservatives come up with their own bill, it’s incredibly unlikely that the right to get married is going to be taken away from you, or that slavery will effectively be legalised.
What it will do is leave wiggle room for interpretation.
These are the foundations of the act that the Tories want to scrap, and replace with their own bill of human rights.
•The right to life
•The right not to be tortured
•The right not to be a slave
•The right to a fair trial
•The right NOT to be punished if you haven’t broken the law
•The right to private family life
•The right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion
•The right to freedom of expression
•The right to marry and start a family
•The right to peaceful enjoyment of possessions
•The right to education
•The right to free elections
•The right NOT to be given to death penalty
http://www.mirror.co.uk/usvsth3m/13-basic-rights-youre-going-5673763
enigma
May 12, 2015 at 6:45 pm
The act came into force in 2000, bringing the rights contained in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) into UK law.
This international treaty – which the UK signed up to after World War Two – created basic rights and freedoms which every citizen in Europe is entitled to.
Human rights cases can now be heard in UK courts, instead of having to be heard at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France.
Critics say the Human Rights Act has led to “perverse” judgements, including a ruling that found the UK’s blanket ban on prisoners voting was unlawful.
Ministers have fought an ongoing battle to avoid implementing the judgement.
David Cameron says the idea of prisoners voting makes him feel physically sick.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/32692758/human-rights-act-versus-a-british-bill-of-rights
enigma
May 12, 2015 at 9:09 pm
Martin Howe QC, who helped draft plans to scrap Human Rights Act, confirms 40-page draft is already in existence.
The lawyer who helped draft Conservative plans for scrapping the Human Rights Act has urged politicians to publish the detailed proposals as early as possible.
Martin Howe QC, who has been a party parliamentary candidate, confirmed that a 40-page version of a draft new bill of rights is already in existence but cautioned that its eventual enactment will be a “complex and delicate” process.
http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/may/11/tory-british-bill-of-rights-martin-howe-human-rights-act
enigma
May 12, 2015 at 9:21 pm
This like leaving the EU, needs to be put to a public referendum to as it is not democratic to forge on without the express permission of all UK citizens.
I would also say its an extreme act and as such comes under her own new law if Tories precede with national consent.
gaia
May 13, 2015 at 6:28 am
TYPO -SORRY
Meant to say,
I would also say its an extreme act and as such comes under her own new law if Tories precede WITHOUT national consent.
gaia
May 13, 2015 at 6:36 am
What is the difference between the European Convention on Human Rights and the proposed British Bill of Rights. Does one confer more or less protection against abuses of Human Rights. And if they only differ in name only what is the point of the whole exercise?
QC
May 13, 2015 at 9:10 am
Nobody but the tories knows as like the 12bn welfare cuts, parts of this Bill Of Rights has been withheld from the public.
gaia
May 13, 2015 at 12:01 pm
Put it this way QC,
Every time and i do mean EVERY TIME the tories have withheld data, it has led to bad things so any notion that this would be different is pure folly.
gaia
May 13, 2015 at 12:07 pm
These basic tenets of human rights have stood in good stead in the UK and the rest of civilised Europe for the past 56 years. Principles that have passed through successive UK administrations even surviving 18 years of Thatcherism. So it does kind of beg the question why do the Tories now in 2015 feel a compulsion to tear up the European Convention of Human Rights and supposedly replace it with a UK Bill of Rights. How can Michael Gove of all people improve on the ECHR? Does Gove propose to go above and beyond the principles of the ECHT and bestow UK citizens with additional human rights protections through his UK Bill of Human Rights, or as is most likely the case the intent is to water down and dilute down the principle of the ECHR at best, and at worse to strip UK citizens of any human rights protections under the Law.
Criminal Barrister
May 13, 2015 at 12:28 am
‘How are they expected to live?’ Judge slams theft charge for desperate dad who stole out-of-date food from Tesco
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/how-expected-live-judge-slams-5682582
Well this is 2 people the Tories cant claim found work as a result of a sanction which is what it must be if they haven’t had benefit since December 2014. It appears hammering people at Christmas is still on.
gaia
May 13, 2015 at 5:53 am
More news on couple charged with stealing out of date food.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/couple-charged-stealing-out-of-date-tesco-5687720
I see DWP were reluctant to air the nature of the sanction ?
gaia
May 13, 2015 at 6:01 am
7 reasons we are cringing that Iain Duncan Smith has been reappointed
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/ampp3d/iain-duncan-smith-dwp-minister-5677560
Proof IDS has reformed welfare, sadly for the worse.
gaia
May 13, 2015 at 6:05 am
And if it wasn’t IDS it would be someone else, – now we have someone worse than mcvity, who likes the idea of death.
enigma
May 13, 2015 at 10:30 am
Well, despite raising the tax allowance, as yet the trussell trust hasn’t reported a drop in numbers so coupled with further cuts to welfare, logically it should grow, yes ?
On there continued path sanctions haven’t lost there momentum so I would also expect, malnutrition and food shoplifting to grow despite as I said in a recent post that I believe this is precisely what the Tories want so they leave the public no choice but to accept the privatising of the NHS and prisons/rehabilitation in its entirety.
gaia
May 13, 2015 at 12:18 pm
Yes, it’s going to be worse for a lot of people, I just told a tory here in the food bank that Tory’s don’t care about other people, me being blunt and honest, I also told them what they voted for.
enigma
May 13, 2015 at 12:27 pm
Terrorism used as pretext to stifle freedom of speech, freedom of expression.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32714802
NOTE: According to details given by Mrs May at last year’s Conservative Party conference, such orders would apply if ministers “reasonably believe” a group intended to incite religious or racial hatred, to threaten democracy, or if there was a pressing need to protect the public from harm, either from a risk of violence, public disorder, harassment or other criminal acts.
Defintion of extremism: – the holding of extreme political or religious views; fanaticism.
I wont spell it out but we all know like councils abusing terrorist laws under the premise of, “reasonable belief” that this is liable to follow suit.
gaia
May 13, 2015 at 6:17 am
Mediterranean migrant crisis: May wants some people returned
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32716735
Do remember, this is the same woman who thought along with others that reducing ships in the med and thereby causing multiple deaths would reduce thousands seeking safe haven from the hell holes engineered by the west.
NOTE: – She uses criminals as the pretext along with a fake concern (like she losses sleep at night worrying about easterner).
gaia
May 13, 2015 at 6:21 am
Cash till (ATMs) robberies on the up, especially in London.
The Tories claimed Britain’s are better off, yet the above along with food topping the most shoplifted items and rising numbers at foodbanks state otherwise.
gaia
May 13, 2015 at 6:34 am
Scotland will not consent to scrapping of Human Rights Act thanks to something known as the “Sewel Motion”:
http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/may/12/scottish-government-human-rights-act-conservatives
The Sewel Motion, named after Lord Sewel, who said: “the UK Government would expect a convention to be established that Westminster would not normally legislate with regard to devolved matters in Scotland without the consent of the Scottish Parliament”.
Tobanem
May 13, 2015 at 7:54 am
You just know something’s terribly wrong when oh gosh yet again the Tories withhold data from the prescribed Bill Of Rights entering into the public domain.
Like the welfare cuts the public doesn’t have a clue besides the odd well planned tory pretext and trinket, all the while hiding which and which HRAs stay and which ones go.
It wont happen what with the UK being spineless but if there was ever a time to rise up against government, even offering physical force if need be, then this would be it as strip away the Tories grossly over exaggerated insinuations, fudged data and all you have is more horse sh*t.
gaia
May 13, 2015 at 9:16 am
New counter-extremism plans to allow police to ask to vet anyone’s internet communications.
Counter-extremism powers that will allow the police to vet the online conversations of those considered extremists are to be fast-tracked into effect, David Cameron said.
David Cameron is to lay out the plans for wide-ranging new powers to the National Security Council. They have been introduced in the context of increasing Islamic extremism but cover the “harmful activities” of all extremist individuals — including those that pose a risk of public disorder or a threat to the functioning of democracy.
The plans would allow the police to ask the higher court to order extremists to be banned from broadcasting and send every tweet, Facebook post or other web communication to the police for approval. That would include posts from users telling friends and followers that their communications were now being vetted, or ones denying the extremism claims that led to them being charged under such measures.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/new-counterextremism-plans-to-allow-police-to-ask-to-vet-anyones-internet-communications-10246381.html
enigma
May 13, 2015 at 10:56 am
But before you give up, here are 10 ways to fight back – and make sure this isn’t just the first Tory majority Government in 19 years, it’s also the last.
1 Remember this moment. Like someone on a diet with a picture of their fat self on the fridge, cut out the picture of that crowing bunch of new Tories from yesterday’s Mirror and stick it on your wall – and ask yourself each day what you’re doing to get rid of them.
If you voted for them, put the picture in a frame next to your bed.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ten-survival-tips-tory-victory-5688057
enigma
May 13, 2015 at 11:07 am
David Cameron is to set out a string of new powers to tackle radicalisation, saying the UK has been a “passively tolerant society” for too long.
The PM will tell the National Security Council a counter-extremism bill will be in the Queen’s Speech on 27 May.
There are, potentially, two key challenges for the government in creating anti-extremism laws and tools.
First, can a definition of extremism that leads to someone facing restrictions, such as a ban on using social media, withstand legal challenges – particularly on human rights grounds?
Secondly can such bans work in practical terms without tying up the resources of the security services.
MI5, for instance, already has triage-like systems to prioritise watching the most dangerous people: it can’t monitor everyone with dangerous views.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32714802
enigma
May 13, 2015 at 11:30 am
Counter-entryism strategy: a Home Office analysis unit is drawing up a blacklist of organisations and individuals that government and the public sector should not engage with.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/13/theresa-mays-counter-extremism-proposals-are-fraught-with-difficulties
enigma
May 13, 2015 at 1:55 pm
Now about a year ago I spoke about how UJM wouldn’t allow encrypted documents to be uploaded, namely ones CVs.
Well if these new powers come in, replacing ones CV with a notice as I prescribed just a short while back wont be enough. This will be made worse if government drafts into law that there exempt from the data protection act.
Claimants will have to encrypt all correspondent’s as regards there email accounts.
With supreme courts in the US backing the removal of mass farming of data by the NSA, countries like the UK are running scared that there plans for a total surveillance state will suffer a set back.
You see the data protection act is only enforceable in the UK so todate to get around it our HQ and government have been getting the NSA to get the data and pass it onto them and visa versa.
As the law stands, its neither unreasonable nor illegal to encrypt data.
gaia
May 13, 2015 at 12:51 pm
Based on how I envisioned these changes years back, soon welfare claimants will be helpless against DWP doing whatever they like.
I expect around 92% of claimants will have to submit to DWP dew to what’s required just to get around all this. Now im sure someone will mention HUSHMAIL, well im afraid that’s not good enough meaning a claimant will have to understand standalone encryption (ie PGP,etc), multi layering and a whole lot more. On a good note though although I doubt claimants will think so, it will until mastered fill in the gaps on the proposed 35 hour job search rule and even if mastered will still none the less add to a claimants time.
gaia
May 13, 2015 at 1:04 pm
You know Gaia, how long have we got until we can no longer post anything which helps people such as what we are posting at the moment. the shutting down of a lot of websites, so yes claimants or anyone else won’t know the truth to many things.
enigma
May 13, 2015 at 2:14 pm
I think there more interested in people who threaten governments reign on power than helpful hints on how to use UJM or the likes.
With that said I would say still very far off or at the least not until welfare sites like this one appear in search engine listings after entering just the first letter (like youtube for example).
gaia
May 13, 2015 at 3:18 pm
Now a worse Disabilities minister.
New Tory disabilities minister opposed protecting benefits for disabled children and cancer patients.
The Tories’ new disabilities minister voted against protecting extra benefits for disabled children and cancer patients.
Justin Tomlinson opposed giving the safeguards in the controversial Welfare Reform Bill – despite pleas from the House of Lords.
Today David Cameron named the 38-year-old North Swindon MP as disabilities minister in the Department for Work and Pensions as part of his Cabinet shake-up.
He’ll be tasked with helping Iain Duncan Smith cut £12billion from the welfare bill.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/new-tory-disabilities-minister-opposed-5685570
enigma
May 13, 2015 at 12:54 pm
Tories prove again maths isn’t there strong point
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/ampp3d/conservatives-strike-law-unions-5689015
I thought the tories said they would protect the working class, oh silly me I was suppose to know the goes unsaid part that is, they meant working class people who work more than 35 hours, aren’t poorly paid, don’t hold a criminal record, aren’t ill or incapacitated, over 24, don’t belong to a union and don’t speak out against the government or there policies.
I dare anyone to highlight a tory policy that contradicts the above claim ?
gaia
May 13, 2015 at 2:14 pm
So far we have a politician that believes in the death penalty in charge of justice, a minister who’s opposed to gay marriage in charge of equality, a minister in charge of welfare who’s never been poor, who falsified his own CV, a minister who often votes against increasing funds for the disabled and thinks cancer patients should go back to work sooner rather than later irrespective of still receiving treatment and care in charge of disability, a chancellor of the exchequer who has no experience in economics , no degree in math.
Anyone want to add to that ?
gaia
May 13, 2015 at 2:24 pm
And a PM who selected them all.
enigma
May 13, 2015 at 2:41 pm
Unfortunately the requisites that make a prime minister don’t disclude him im afraid so you will just have to settle for a crap one.
gaia
May 13, 2015 at 3:33 pm
[…] Five more years of tyranny. | Ipswich Unemployed Action.. […]
Five more years of tyranny. | Ipswich Unemployed Action (Re-blog of previous post) | Britain Isn't Eating
May 13, 2015 at 2:46 pm
WatchingA4e is back from the dead 👿 evil: 😀 😀
Countess Dracula
May 13, 2015 at 3:04 pm
You stab it with your steely knife but you still can’t kill the beast 👿 👿 😀 😀
Countess Dracula
May 13, 2015 at 3:06 pm
“Postscript
Perhaps Emma Harrison should have waited before selling A4e. The Tory victory in the election sent the price of shares in outsourcing companies skywards. G4S’s rose by 7.35%, Serco’s by 5.95% and Capita’s by 6.72%. Ah well, £20m will have to do.”
Wonder what happened to Working Links and Ingeus shares…
Count Drukula
May 13, 2015 at 3:10 pm
You know Count Druckula, that’s funnier than perhaps you realise and no I don’t mean the bit about Emma should have waited.
gaia
May 13, 2015 at 3:31 pm
Tory officials threatened BBC during election, says Miliband’s strategist
The Guardian
May 13, 2015 at 3:54 pm
The BBC was not in the pocket of Labour this election. Quite the opposite
The Guardian
May 13, 2015 at 3:58 pm
When the government gathers or analyzes personal information, many people say they’re not worried. “I’ve got nothing to hide,” they declare. “Only if you’re doing something wrong should you worry, and then you don’t deserve to keep it private.”
The nothing-to-hide argument is everywhere. In Britain, for example, the government has installed millions of public-surveillance cameras in cities and towns, which are watched by officials via closed-circuit television. In a campaign slogan for the program, the government declares: “If you’ve got nothing to hide, you’ve got nothing to fear.” Variations of nothing-to-hide arguments frequently appear in blogs, letters to the editor, television news interviews, and other forums. One blogger in the United States, in reference to profiling people for national-security purposes, declares: “I don’t mind people wanting to find out things about me, I’ve got nothing to hide! Which is why I support [the government’s] efforts to find terrorists by monitoring our phone calls!”
http://m.chronicle.com/article/Why-Privacy-Matters-Even-if/127461/
enigma
May 14, 2015 at 9:04 am
This mass snooping debate is complex, that’s for sure but this that can only be described as minority report approach is just a pale to far and quite frankly wont in my opinion change the face of the game that is catching terrorists and especially criminals and I will explain why.
For starters the whole thing is public so terrorists and those that surround them will change tact. Sure up till now terrorists have been lazy, relying on offered up software to mask there footprint but this will inevitably change what with having recruited IT trained members meaning encryption will be unique so unless the government/s get a hold of the source creator or software without anyone else knowing, any effort to thwart it like breaking the enigma code just wont occur. Also by moving it in part into the physical world like say using a libraries index or a supermarkets barcodes for price of product makes it even more remote.
Then we have criminals which the last time I checked cant be arrested prior to most criminal acts being committed meaning at best will only act of any benefit after the fact. Take the recent heist or any robbery. No one plans and documents it online, its all done in the real world as is I suspect murder, theft and many more. While it might yield some results regarding street dealers and consumers, it will do little to catch the bigger fish who proliferate the market so remains reliant on people to grass. I would suspect like the terrorists, encryption or verbal code would eventually be used.
I could go on about where it would fail but even if it would work, we simply don’t have the resources or money to cover its cost meaning its more than possible a lot don’t get caught for upto 10 years meaning the spoils will be long gone and unrecoverable and even then if they could recover them would mean many unsuspecting people being either arrested for handling stolen goods or end up losing out on what they paid.
As for cyber crime apart from the have ago activist uni student, the real masterminds will remain undisturbed for a multitude of reasons.
So whether the snoopers charter gets passed or not, no real results will ever come of it, especially when everyone adapts and thus leaving the police having to haul people in on a guess which is based on something you said or used (encryption) which translates to extra revenue required from the working public, rather than the terrorists and criminals its professed it will protect you from.
Food for thought,
At least once in your life you would have said ( i’ll kill you or words to that effect ) but the reality is you never did, nor ever intended to and why because its a figure of speech.
gaia
May 14, 2015 at 11:26 am
One thing I know is certain is if this snoopers charter gets passed that DWP wont hesitate to hide behind it when they invade claimants lives claiming you guessed it the prevention of fraud. I would imagine HMRC will follow suit and thus making all the UKs population a target and not just the undesirables claimed its for.
We know despite the tories praying on it that only 0.2% of all benefit claimants were claimed to have committed fraud and considering we didn’t see anywhere remotely near this figure going to court and the obvious fact the Tories would have been all over it, advertising such in the run up to the election proves at most it was down to failure to report a change of circumstance and hence there persistence to threaten and remind claimants that its a sanctionable offence.
So any suggestion of fraud prevention is laughable to say the least and legally and reasonably doesn’t form the basis to suggest all claimants should be under permanent surveillance.
Not only is it against the law without just good and reasonable cause but its also a violation of the human rights act which should be a stiff warning to people who assume this snoopers charter and bill of rights is there or will be if allowed and supported, for there protection.
gaia
May 14, 2015 at 12:18 pm
Yes, what will we be able to say, what won’t we be able to say, they can’t put everyone in prison, because everyone has said something they shouldn’t have said.
enigma
May 14, 2015 at 12:18 pm
The new “enemy of the state”
enigma
May 14, 2015 at 12:27 pm
Counter-terrorism police have never been as busy as this.
Since the Syrian conflict started there has been a clear upward trend in police arrests, with increasing numbers of women and young people among those detained.
The figures were released by Scotland Yard to illustrate the extent of the threat – and the challenge facing police at a time when their intelligence capability is said to be diminishing.
Senior officers claim that changes in technology – more encryption, more use of social media, more apps – are leading to “blind spots”, which terrorists are able to exploit – partly because the law hasn’t kept up and also because communications providers won’t give police access to the data.
So, the police argue, the need for updated powers – the so-called “snoopers’ charter” – has never been stronger.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32735484
enigma
May 14, 2015 at 4:24 pm
OBEY THE LAW – THE NEW CRIME
Nothing to hide, so nothing to fear? Read on:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/usvsth3m/how-obeying-law-no-longer-5688690
http://www.mirror.co.uk/usvsth3m/13-basic-rights-youre-going-5673763
Tobanem
May 14, 2015 at 9:46 am
OT : Customer Survey DWP style
Signed on and find DWP is doing a customer survey.Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Agree, Strongly Agree.
Do Staff act Professionally : Strongly Disagree
Do Staff Motivate to find Job : Strongly Disagree
Is Staff Trustworthy : Strongly Disagree
Do Staff keep claimants informed : Strongly Disagree
Do Staff Treat claimants fairly : Strongly Disagree
Strange but no comments section.
So wrote on it anyway : Management is primary cause by harrasing staff to comply, & using staff to “sheild2 themselves from criticism. Management uses underhand & ilegal means to drive people off benifit to meet their targets.
Methinks Management will not be pleased – if they don’t rip it up and chuck it away that is.
Gazza
May 14, 2015 at 11:09 am
I don’t see the point of those surveys as even if everyone said what you said enigma, nothing will change and infact is probably the answer they seek which tells them there reform of being unhelpful and cruel is right on track.
gaia
May 14, 2015 at 11:49 am
Sorry I should have said Gazza.
gaia
May 14, 2015 at 11:50 am
gaia, thats okay. As for getting the answer they seek – in my case [and they’ll know its me, even though I didn’t sign it – people recognize me] they’ve been trying hard for the last three years to get me on one thing or the other and failing.
Management don’t like me. & I don’t like them and I spread the gospel on what is really going on there…
Gazza
May 14, 2015 at 12:32 pm
The very same with me and others of course, every time I go to SO, I see a different adviser, who tries to get me to do this and that, to catch me out, none of them have made it, now they all know, since I have the docs to put in front of them!
enigma
May 14, 2015 at 1:26 pm
Landmark ruling to change how councils assess vulnerability of homeless.
Landmark ruling to change how councils assess vulnerability of homeless
Councils will be obliged to house more single homeless people following a landmark judgement regarding how they assess someone’s vulnerability.
Today, the Supreme Court ruled that it is wrong of councils to decide if someone is vulnerable by comparing them with ‘an ordinary street homeless person’.
http://www.localgov.co.uk/Landmark-ruling-to-change-how-councils-assess-vulnerability-of-homeless/38671
enigma
May 14, 2015 at 1:03 pm
Along way to go for “families”
The Court is also clear that while councils are often under huge financial strain, this must not be used as an excuse for avoiding their legal duties.
‘Despite this ruling, we still have a long way to go. The legal entitlements for single homeless people remain inadequate and many will still be turned away from help – cold, desperate and forgotten by wider society. That’s why we will continue to push for a change in the law so that all homeless people can get the help they need.’
enigma
May 14, 2015 at 2:31 pm
The so-called jobs recovery will be put at risk from dramatic Tory spending cuts, says the TUC.
Commenting on the latest labour market statistics published today (Wednesday) by the Office for National Statistics, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:
“Behind the headline figures, we still don’t have enough of the well-paid secure jobs that people want for themselves and their children.
The usual nonsense
Employment Minister Priti Patel, said: “Our long-term economic plan is creating a better, more prosperous future for Britain, with employment at an all-time high and more women in work than ever before.
“Behind the statistics are countless stories of individual hard work and determination – of people feeling more financially secure with a regular wage.
http://www.welfareweekly.com/dramatic-tory-cuts-will-put-jobs-recovery-at-risk-says-tuc/
enigma
May 14, 2015 at 1:18 pm
As I am sure will not have escaped you, these are interesting times for human rights. We still await the detailed Conservative proposals for replacing the Human Rights Act with a Bill of Rights, so it is difficult with any certainty what will happen.
I wanted to gather together a few pieces of commentary and media appearances I have done in the past week, so here they are. We will, of course, be following closely what comes next.
http://ukhumanrightsblog.com/2015/05/14/everybody-is-talking-about-human-rights/
enigma
May 14, 2015 at 1:34 pm
Benefits reformer Freud promoted.
The architect of the Government’s welfare reforms has been promoted as David Cameron made more appointments to his first Conservative-only administration.
Lord Freud, who recommended wide-ranging reforms to the benefits system in a 2007 and was later recruited to government to push through his ideas, moves up from a junior ministerial post in the Department of Work and Pensions to minister of state rank under Secretary of State Iain Duncan Smith.
http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/national/12948795.Benefits_reformer_Freud_promoted/
This fucker should have been sacked long ago.
Obi Wan Kenobi
May 14, 2015 at 2:02 pm
Five more years of stupidity wouldn’t go amiss either. jobcentreplus have gone down the avenue of writing people off much like the work programme,it wouldn’t be surprising if this policy came from the private sector too which they have adopted.
The disabled are seen as a problem and a burden,as material financial worth has taken hold and seen as a priority. jobcentreplus has embraced this idea and has no hesitation openly displaying it.
ken
May 14, 2015 at 2:12 pm
WATCH: Shocking moment BBC reporter calls Nigel Farage a c*** live on air
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/577197/WATCH-BBC-reporter-Norman-Smith-calls-Nigel-Farage-live-air
super ted
May 14, 2015 at 3:01 pm
Expanded a recent Daily Mirror article on survival tips to the growing hunger in England, with links and more information.
http://swansengland.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/well-tories-won-tips-to-survive.html
Hope it helps those in dire need and helps people to help other folks.
Chris
May 15, 2015 at 4:47 am
Tenant evictions reach six-year high amid rising rents and benefit cuts.
Bailiffs in England and Wales evicted more than 11,000 families in the first three months of 2015, 51% higher than in same period five years ago.
The number of tenants evicted from their homes is at a six-year high, according to new figures, as rising rents and cuts to benefits make tenancies increasingly unaffordable.
County court bailiffs in England and Wales evicted more than 11,000 families in the first three months of 2015, an increase of 8% on the same period last year and 51% higher than five years ago.
The increase in the number of tenants losing their homes means 2015 is on course to break last year’s record levels. Nearly 42,000 families were evicted from rental accommodation in 2014, the highest number since records began in 2000.
Rental prices have soared in many UK cities but wages failing to keep pace with rising costs and caps to benefits have left many poorer tenants unable to make payments.
http://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/may/14/tenant-evictions-reach-six-year-high-rising-rents-benefit-cuts
enigma
May 15, 2015 at 7:12 am
And the Independent
Campbell Robb, the chief executive of Shelter, said: “Today’s figures are a glaring reminder that sky-high housing costs and welfare cuts are leaving thousands of people battling to keep a roof over their heads.
“Every day at Shelter we see the devastating impact of a housing market at boiling point, with the cost of renting so high that many families are living in fear that just one thing like losing their job or becoming ill could leave them with the bailiffs knocking at the door.
“The new government must make sure people aren’t left to fall through the cracks and hurtling towards homelessness by preserving, if not strengthening, the frayed housing safety net to protect ordinary families desperately struggling to make ends meet.”
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/it-looks-like-2015-is-going-to-be-the-worst-year-on-record-for-tenant-evictions-10252090.html
enigma
May 15, 2015 at 9:36 am
To be honest these figures don’t necessarily depict as is claimed. For instance how many were dew to anti social behaviour ?
Then we have to look at how many of those evicted are indeed homeless still now, how many had children put into care, or placed with relatives whom now have to fund a child’s or children’s need.
One thing is certain working or not, the calls on government to create more homes is at its highest meaning this 12bn cut just got a lot harder, especially when you consider most evictions came from social housing not to mention no matter how anti social a person is, they still have to be rehoused unless of course government thinks the country needs a little reminding of what’s at stake if you don’t play ball with the Tories.
As I said before in my area, those living on the street has grown to a point that its impossible to walk through the town without coming across a group rather than an individual camping outside venues they know the public attend like McDonalds for instance.
To highlight the issue despite it being illegal to beg, all the homeless I have come across have openly ignored it in the pursuit of there next meal be it a hand out from the public or food, a hot drink and a mattress at there local police station.
gaia
May 15, 2015 at 11:12 am
I too think the amount of homeless people is a lot more than what is written.
enigma
May 15, 2015 at 11:21 am
Disability payments delay ‘forced claimants to use food banks’
Two disabled people had to turn to loan sharks and food banks because the government took so long to process their benefit claims, the High Court has heard.
The unnamed pair waited nine months for their Personal Independence Payments (PIPs) to be paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
They brought the test case to the High Court, claiming the delay was unlawful.
They had a right to such benefits under the law and should have received them within a “reasonable time”, their lawyers told the court.
The High Court is now conducting a judicial review into the payment system,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32738655
enigma
May 15, 2015 at 7:20 am
Tories must now come clean about where their £12bn of welfare cuts will be made.
When the Conservative manifesto confirmed plans to cut £12bn from welfare, some senior Tories thought the party would never have to implement them.
But now the Prime Minister and Chancellor have no excuses and must trim welfare by £12bn. It will not be easy. And it could revive memories of the “nasty party” just when Mr Cameron, with an eye on the 2020 election, is relaunching the Tories as a “One Nation” party which champions working people.
what could the new Government do? According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), the ring-fencing of spending on pensioners means the Tories will have to lop about 10 per cent off the budget for other benefits – most of which goes on working age households in the bottom half of the income scale. Hardly very “One Nation”.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tories-must-now-come-clean-about-where-their-12bn-of-welfare-cuts-will-be-made-10251183.html
enigma
May 15, 2015 at 8:16 am
An elderly cancer patient (81) who called 911 because he was hungry and had no food is receiving donations from hundreds of people across America who were moved by his story.
Clarence Blackmon was discharged from a private hospital in Fayetteville, in North Carolina, on Tuesday after spending months there for cancer treatment. The 81-year-old returned to his house without any supplies and anyone close by to call for help, leading him to call 911 in desperation and ask for food.
An hour-and-a-half later, Marilyn Hinson, the operator who answered that call, arrived at his front door with police carrying bags full of food and made him some ham sandwiches.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/elderly-cancer-patient-who-rang-911-because-he-had-no-food-is-inundated-with-donations-10252107.html
enigma
May 15, 2015 at 12:11 pm
Drivng Licences being linked to Jobcentre
” By ticking this box, you are providing the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) with your consent to check your personal details including your National Insurance number with the Department for Work and Pensions and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs to help verify your identity. If you do not wish to tick this box, the DVLA will be unable to verify your identity and you will not be able to use this service. For more information on how the DVLA will use your information and the alternative ways of accessing this service please see our privacy policy.
Snooper's Charter
May 15, 2015 at 4:53 pm
This could eventually mean we could get a sanction for not having a driving license, and or, if you got points or a ban a sanction for that too ?.
bobby the copper
May 16, 2015 at 7:55 am
I think your getting a bit carried away there bobby the copper as the service is if you want to view your licence online so the holder can view the vehicles they can drive, penalty points and when there licence expires. Considering its on the licence I don’t see the point but hey ho.
gaia
May 16, 2015 at 8:14 am
https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence
AS your see the reference on DWP is because your using your NI number as a form of official ID.
gaia
May 16, 2015 at 8:16 am
But you can generate a 72 hour temporary access code allowing other entities to view your details. Probably primarily for car rental firms at the moment (although old style paper licences can still be used), but obviously going to be extended to employers, the DWP, …. how else can an other entity view your endorsements? The big disadvantage for motorists that this will be up-to-date so no scope for duplicate licences, forged/tampered counterpart whatever… You can still view the basic details (minus endorsements) on-line via the government gateway but his is for updating details….
Pistonhead
May 16, 2015 at 9:52 am
The online registration for the marriage/civil partner tax allowance has suffered a setback.
Even though now live online, the take up has been minimal with some citing the evidence required to register being the issue. Luckily around summer phone lines will be open to make claims that cant be dealt with online like not having an in date passport, driving licence and or bank account.
I mention this as claiming a benefit online is no easier yet when people have tried to claim via phone, they are told they have to apply online. Well this simply isn’t true, im living proof of that twice now only just last Christmas despite it being advertised as only for a certain group which I most certainly don’t fall into. Passports, driving licences and the likes may be all under the government roof but none the less they still need your consent to approach them.
Don’t support online registration as the security of falls on you even if its a PC inside DWP itself meaning if your data gets stolen, it will be blamed on you for registering online in the first place.
Demand to apply via phone instead and protect your personal and or sensitive data.
gaia
May 16, 2015 at 9:01 am
Passports applications still have to be sent through the post but driving licences are fully automated on-line with the one exception if you don’t have a passport photograph which can be used for first applications and 10-yearly renewals.
DotGOV
May 16, 2015 at 10:28 am
This IDing yourself through your National Insurance number through the DWP/JC/HMRC seems a bit dodgy…
A Daley
May 16, 2015 at 11:46 am
When you think about it this could alert your JC work roach to the fact that you have a driving licence – what if you don’t have one? 😉
A Daley
May 16, 2015 at 11:48 am
Iain Duncan Smith gets more time to rescue the loathed universal credit.
Despite the warnings, delays and write-offs, the work and pensions secretary survives to deliver this shambolic reform.
The collective groan that went up when Iain Duncan Smith was reappointed to the Department for Work and Pensions over the weekend could probably be heard from space. For housing workers, it’s five more years of the same: no change in direction, just straight ahead with the pressing business of welfare reform. However, the return of IDS also provides an opportunity for pragmatism in the delicate relationship between the new Conservative government and social landlords.
http://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2015/may/15/iain-duncan-smith-rescue-loathed-universal-credit
Obi Wan Kenobi
May 16, 2015 at 10:23 am
Despite the warnings, delays and write-offs, the work and pensions secretary survives to deliver this shambolic reform – to the groans of housing providers.
The collective groan that went up when Iain Duncan Smith was reappointed to the Department for Work and Pensions over the weekend could probably be heard from space. For housing workers, it’s five more years of the same: no change in direction, just straight ahead with the pressing business of welfare reform. However, the return of IDS also provides an opportunity for pragmatism in the delicate relationship between the new Conservative government and social landlords.
From the bedroom tax to the social cleansing of London as families hit by the benefits cap are shunted outside the capital, there was a lot for housing experts to criticise during the term of the coalition government.
http://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2015/may/15/iain-duncan-smith-rescue-loathed-universal-credit
enigma
May 16, 2015 at 10:33 am
Enigma:
I must have just beat you to that one by mere seconds.
Obi Wan Kenobi
May 16, 2015 at 10:40 am
You did. I’ll try and be faster next time!
enigma
May 16, 2015 at 11:32 am
George Osborne calls emergency July budget to reveal next wave of austerity.
Chancellor promises a ‘budget for working people’, which will also spell out how the Conservatives will cut £12bn from Britain’s welfare bill.
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/may/16/george-osborne-july-budget-austerity-conservatives-deficit
enigma
May 16, 2015 at 10:35 am
8th July.
George Osborne will reveal how the government plans to cut £12bn from Britain’s welfare bill when he announces a fresh wave of austerity measures in his second budget in less than four months on 8 July. The chancellor said he wanted to make a start delivering on the commitments made in the Conservative party manifesto and pledged that his package would be a budget for “working people”.
Osborne said he would provide details of how the government plans to eliminate the UK’s budget deficit – forecast to be £75bn this year – and run a surplus by the end of the parliament. “On the 8th of July I am going to take the unusual step of having a second budget of the year – because I don’t want to wait to turn the promises we made in the election into a reality … And I can tell you it will be a budget for working people.
enigma
May 16, 2015 at 12:11 pm
Is anyone else on here beginning to think the result of the election was already decided ahead of time?
Me thinks we have all been lead up the garden path, duped into believing that if we voted we could actually get rid of the Conservatives.
I really think something fishy has happened.
Obi Wan Kenobi
May 16, 2015 at 10:44 am
Do you mean something ALLEGEDLY like AL GORE and GWB ”Hanging Chads” Or ” Spoilt Ballots”?.
Ballot Box
May 16, 2015 at 11:34 am
New Series:
The Job Centre – Channel 4 – Wednesday 20th May 10:00pm.
The Job Centre follows exuberant Jane Vincent, who owns a lively Bradford recruitment agency, and her straight-talking team, as they seek out jobs for their extraordinary customers.
Episode 1.
One of the agency’s largest clients needs 60 workers within three hours; can Carlos find them in time? Meanwhile, boss Jane takes on the role of a housekeeper to win a contract with a hotel.
Episode 2.
Jane puts on a charm offensive to win back a contract she lost ten years ago. And four of Phil’s temp workers fail to turn up for work for one of the agency’s biggest clients.
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-job-centre/episode-guide
Obi Wan Kenobi
May 16, 2015 at 11:01 am
Those episodes should be interesting.
enigma
May 16, 2015 at 11:44 am
This looks like them, I can’t help wondering if their twitter accounts will survive the publicity.
https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=%40CandelisaPeople&src=typd
https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=%40JanieLVincent&src=typd
Another Fine Mess
May 16, 2015 at 12:09 pm
http://www.dragonfly.tv/programmes/the-recruitment-agency/47
Another Fine Mess
May 16, 2015 at 12:13 pm
OT?
It has been said recently that anyone on mandatory Workfare schemes is not covered by an employer’s liability insurance, because the liability insurance only covers employees and volunteers.
Anyone know if this is a cast iron fact?
Questioner
May 16, 2015 at 1:27 pm
Their only covered by the Heath and Safety Act.
Obi Wan Kenobi
May 16, 2015 at 5:49 pm
If you want liability cover, then register the fact that you have been told to do a course at a certain place with a registered solicitor.
As you are unemployed you get a certain amount of ‘Free Time’ with that solicitor to screw the local JCP.
Obi Wan Kenobi
May 16, 2015 at 6:01 pm
they will not have you there if you will not sign there contract same as wp and all the others 😉
super ted
May 16, 2015 at 1:45 pm
Think it is cast-iron that you have to turn up wherever you are told… mwa/cwp provider premises, mwa/cwp placement premises but you DO NOT have to sign ANY of their ‘mandatory’ lol contracts. That’s like everything even the ‘Health and Safefy’ waiver*, and if you don’t sign jack-shit there is jack-shit that the fuckers can do. As long as you turn up where ever you are told and keep proof: bus tickets, photos, recordings that you have done so you should be OK in the highly likely event that they try to sanction you.
* mwa/cwp provider needs proof that you have signed the health and safety waiver to collect their bounty – see provider guidance.
Do NOT Sign!!
May 16, 2015 at 2:00 pm
PS And as ted says if you don’t sign jack-shit they can’t have you/won’t want you there, so it is bye-bye to the free labour for the placement provider, bye-bye to the mwa/cwp provider’s bounty… and bye-bye to mwa/cwp for you 🙂
Do NOT Sign!!
May 16, 2015 at 2:06 pm
mwa/cwp is really just ‘voluntary’ if you are stupid naive enough to do this shit!
Do NOT Sign!!
May 16, 2015 at 2:07 pm
Do NOT Sign!!
Do NOT Sign!!
May 16, 2015 at 2:07 pm
Low Pay for Life
Fiona Walker meets people struggling to get by on low pay, and finds out which employers are not paying the living wage. She hears evidence that indicates that many are trapped in working poverty, and looks at the research into what it means to have a decent standard of living.
BBC1 Scotland 20:30-21:00 Monday 18 May 2015
BBC Scotland
May 16, 2015 at 1:50 pm
Yes, low pay for life because of the “no ending of”
enigma
May 16, 2015 at 2:09 pm
Here is an interesting link about Community Work Placements – including video with telephone recordings of DWP saying you can’t be forced to sign the paperwork:
http://refuted.org.uk/category/community-work-placements/
“Super Ted” is right. The subject of “no signed contract” is a good one, but let me ask again, does anyone know for certain if Workfare employers’ liability insurance is invalid for Workfare candidates because liability insurance only covers employees and volunteers?
Workfare “candidates” are certainly not paid employees or true volunteers!
Questioner
May 16, 2015 at 2:05 pm
It’s a fact.
enigma
May 16, 2015 at 2:25 pm
The DWP rep is correct, just so long as you are eager and willing 😀 to participate in mwa/cwp you are OK, but as he also says the only TWO documents you are required to sign are your claimant commitment and signing on coupon – you do not have to sign any of the provider’s shit – Do NOT Sign!
Do NOT Sign!!
May 16, 2015 at 2:26 pm
And at the end of the day it would be the provider that is preventing you from participating in mwa/cwp 😦 not you 🙂 , and all because you won’t sign their lousy documents – spoilsport bastards 😀
Do NOT Sign!!
May 16, 2015 at 2:30 pm
As I have said on numerous occasions,
CONSENT/AGREEMENT IS NOT LEGALLY BINDING IF IT WAS GAINED UNDER FORCE OR THREAT.
ALSO,
CONSENT IS NOT LEGALLY BINDING IF IT IS OBTAINED UNDER DECEPTION.
This means where legal consent is required in the case of claimants, a threat of or action to instigate a sanction is illegitimate.
gaia
May 17, 2015 at 10:06 am
Questioner
The way it looks under employment law is quite clear.
Workfare is mandatory – employee liablity insurance therefore does not cover a person as they are not a ‘Volunteer’ as stated in Law.
Therefore the Workfare provider is in trouble in having a person not covered under said insurance under their care/premises/control.
After reporting to local Council [councillers] & Local Trading Standards Office, and to your DWP office [informs them of illegal operation, and puts them on the spot in operating said operation] of this, things should start to hop.
It impacts in the abilty to trade and maybe even tax implications [not sure, but worth sending a missive off to HMRC to see! You never know what the provider mightbe claiming]
Gazza
May 17, 2015 at 8:17 pm
id say that you would not be covered as you will still need to sign the health and safety part of the contract even as a volunteer but as the provider is in control of where the placements are they will also be liable if anything goes wrong ect.
just turn up sign nothing and that will be the end of it and have done the same for the last 5 years and not had to stay and do any of it.
no contract no insurance cover but as said keep proof thaat you went or they will just say you never turned up and try a sanction doubt.
but as i have found with out my sig on there contact they cant even make a sanction stick as the provider needs my permission to process my info no sig and braking the dpa as well.
i have even put on a sanction reply the above and 1 it as i had no contract with the provider 😉
super ted
May 16, 2015 at 2:22 pm
If you remember super ted, the government passed a regulation making providers second parties like DWP in terms of data so like the work programme can put a claimant forward for a sanction. There also in the process of attempting to make the placements themselves also second parties.
As for a health and safety wavier, no such thing exists as its an unsaid law like criminal. Where it becomes an issue is in that the employer must prove to HSE that the subject is covered in regards to there place of business (this includes working outside at different locations). The only way to demonstrate this is via a signature from the person being versed.
What is very correct that has been mentioned is what the claimant is deemed (voluntary, employee, etc). Disregarding the obvious that a claimant isn’t voluntary, it causes a sticky situation if a claimant can claim a employee status as then employment law and national min come into play and why currently its more geared towards the young who if deemed as such can be explained away dew to the small hourly rate they get, not to mention DWP place the emphasise on training, another way of getting around these placements as employment law doesn’t kick in until the first year of employment (currently the scheme is only for 6 months).
Employers who accept these placements need to tread carefully and why if they have any sense will attempt to strike an agreement with the claimant in the form of a signed document that will cover many areas or as might be the case, attempt to hand the claimant a voluntary agreement without gaining a signature which is perfectly legal. Do not handle this document as it will be twisted into a form of consent.
So a claimant can argue there not voluntary, not apprentices so it leaves trainee and employee. Now its hard to cover this topic as situations will be different claimant to claimant but none the less the provider must prove how its training as for instance you cant claim such if the claimant already has say retail experience and your try to place them in retail. Lastly if training is mentioned, get full details as it doesn’t take 6 months to train someone to be able to work in a pound store. If this can be proved, well before 6 months a claimant would legally be deemed a employee meaning apart from employment law, the national min kicks in.
I will leave it at that but do expect this to get tricker when UC fully rolls out as no doubt what with benefits rolled into one that DWP will claim many a claimant gets more than the national min.
gaia
May 17, 2015 at 9:24 am
but then what happens if the provider then sub contracts out the mwa to another pimp ?
super ted
May 17, 2015 at 1:47 pm
“As for a health and safety wavier, no such thing exists as its an unsaid law like criminal. Where it becomes an issue is in that the employer must prove to HSE that the subject is covered in regards to there place of business (this includes working outside at different locations). The only way to demonstrate this is via a signature from the person being versed.” – there is bound to be some ‘elf & safety form whatever it’s called saying that you have been trained how to operate the dangerous machinery and stuff to cover their butt and absolve them of responsibility in case you get killed or injured , and the provider needs proof that that the ‘participant’ has signed this to claim their ££ss. And if the participant doesn’t sign it… ?
dooper
May 17, 2015 at 9:31 pm
… they are fucked 😀
dooper
May 17, 2015 at 9:33 pm
the fucking mwa provider and the fucking placement provider that is 😀
dooper
May 17, 2015 at 9:34 pm
at the end of the day the providers are a 3rd party private company for profit
super ted
May 16, 2015 at 2:24 pm
At the end of the day the Private Providers are a bunch of Total Wankers and Scam Artists.
Obi Wan Kenobi
May 16, 2015 at 5:47 pm
Which JC advisors will soon be working for, don’t forget to keep reminding them!
Another Fine Mess
May 16, 2015 at 7:03 pm
To be correct, providers are public money scroungers that only exist because governments both past and present like to privatise public services.
gaia
May 17, 2015 at 9:27 am
I don’t know about you lot but I cant wait to see what tricks DWP and or provider try to pull on supervised jobsearch considering as I have outlined in the past that DWP have tricked claimants into believing that because they own the PC, that consent for use of cookies isn’t required. This is of course a LIE and clearly displayed in section 6 of the Electronic Communications (EC Directive) (Amendment) Regulations 2011
http://www.aboutcookies.org/default.aspx?page=3
As you will clearly see CONSENT can only come from the USER/SUBSCRIBER irrespective of the ownership of equipment.
To further dampen there parade they CANNOT mandate a claimant must part with personal and or sensitive data during a jobsearch or even during registration to UJM, mysearch.co.uk or any other website for that fact.
gaia
May 17, 2015 at 10:21 am