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Youth plan targets 'problem' houses. Criminal justice campaigners, MPs and union leaders warned on Tuesday that the government had missed a key opportunity for reform with its "wholly inadequate" Youth Crime Action Plan.
	16/7/2008

Draft proposals for unitary local government in Norfolk and Suffolk In Norfolk the committee considered: • a Norwich, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft unitary authority and a Norfolk unitary authority comprising the rest of the county • a Norwich unitary authority on expanded boundaries and a Norfolk unitary authority comprising the rest of the county and the Lowestoft area of Suffolk The draft proposal for Norfolk is: • a Norfolk unitary authority comprising the existing county of Norfolk and the Lowestoft area of Suffolk If you would like to tell the committee your view, please contact them before the 28th of September on: Review Manager (Norfolk and Suffolk Reviews) The Boundary Committee for England Trevelyan House Great Peter Street London SW1P 2HW Tel: 020 7271 0512 Fax: 020 7271 0505 Email: reviews@boundarycommittee.org.uk

14/7/2008

New service for Great Yarmouth CAB in Great Yarmouth is now able to offer help for people suffering from discrimination at work. If you feel that you are being treated differently because of your race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability, then contact Great Yarmouth CAB by emailing Pete at info@askcab.co.uk
	27/6/2008

Teachers vote to hold pay strike Members of one of the biggest teaching unions in England and Wales have voted for a one-day pay strike on 24 April. The National Union of Teachers says its ballot ran three to one in favour of what would be its first national stoppage for more than 20 years. Voting was 48,217 (75%) in favour and 15,884 (25%) against on a 32% turnout. The government says a strike will only disrupt children's learning. But the union wants the 2.45% pay rise for 2008 lifted at least above inflation. General secretary Steve Sinnott said: "I call on the government to think again and ensure that salaries at least keep pay in line with inflation and that there is a recognition of the continuing workload pressures on teachers." Headline inflation was currently 4.1%, he said. This is the website for The National Union of Teachers

4/2/2008

Children flock to social networks More than a quarter of eight to 11-year-olds who are online in the UK have a profile on a social network, research shows. Most sites, such as Bebo, MySpace and Facebook, set a minimum age of between 13 and 14 to create a profile but none actively enforce the age limit. Ofcom's survey of 5,000 adults and 3,000 children found 49% of those aged between eight and 17 have a profile. Ofcom says parents need to keep an eye on what their children do online. Risk perception More than a fifth of people in the UK aged 16 and over have an online profile, the Ofcom survey showed. But the report revealed a "significant difference" between the perception of the risks and use of social networks between parents and children. "While people are aware of the status of their profile there is a general lack of awareness of the issues attached to them around privacy and safety," said Mr Thickett. He added: "People put aside concerns about privacy and safety believing they have been taken care of by someone else." Forty-one per cent of children had set their profile so that it was visible to anyone, according to the report. But 16% of parents admitted they did not know if their child's profile could be seen or not by strangers. "There is an issue about parenting," said Robin Blake, head of media literacy at Ofcom.

2/4/2008

Skills deal for government work Workers employed by firms on government contracts will be offered the chance to boost their skills and told how to join a trade union under a new agreement. A joint statement between ministers, business and union leaders outlines how workers delivering government services should be given access to training. Skills Secretary John Denham said the move will improve the nation's skills. The TUC said people employed by contractors deserve the new provisions which are also endorsed by the CBI. The statement said giving workers access to training for basic skills could improve the quality of services.

16/7/2008

HAIN RESIGNS Peter Hain quit his job in the cabinet today after the undeclared donations he made to the Labour were referred to the police. He felt he had “no alternative” and wanted to “clear his name” He has said that he “severely and seriously regrets the mistake in declaring the donations late.” Mr. Hain failed to declare £103,000 worth of donations to the Labour deputy leadership campaign. He blamed the demands of his cabinet jobs for not keeping up to date with the administration of the campaign. Paul Murphy has been named as the successor to Mr. Hain as Welsh secretary and James Purnell takes over at work and pensions with Andy Burnham replacing him as culture secretary. Along with these changes comes a massive reshuffles of the cabinet: Caroline Flint becomes the housing minister; Yvette Cooper will join her husband Ed Balls in the cabinet along with many other changes. Gordon Brown is in support of Mr. Hain’s decision and said that “I recognize that, given the circumstances and your desire to clear your name, this is the right and honorable thing to do.” Leader of the opposition, David Cameron also thinks that is was the right thing to do, but feels it shouldn’t have happened in this way. This is the first ministerial resignation since Mr. Brown has been Prime Minister. For more information, go to the BBC website.

25/1/2008

Take our Financial Survey Citizens Advice and Youthnet are working together to find out about young people's attitude to money and credit. If you want to take part in the survey log on to the Adviceguide website. The more people that take the survey the more the CAB and others will be able to design information that is useful to you.
	17/12/2007

UK Iraq troops to be cut to 2,500 British troop numbers in Iraq will be reduced to 2,500 next spring, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has told MPs. Mr. Brown said Britain was able to cut its troop numbers "because the Iraqis are now able to take responsibility for the security themselves". He said the handover of the UK-controlled Basra province would be made in "two distinct stages". • It would start with British forces training and mentoring Iraqi security forces, securing supply routes to the Iranian border and being able to provide back-up to local security forces. • In the spring of next year, and "guided as always by advice from military commanders", UK troops would maintain a more limited ability to get involved by force, Mr. Brown said. - In the first two months of the first stage, troop numbers would reduce from 5,500 to 4,500 and then to 4,000. It would then fall to around 2,500 with a further decision about the next phase made then. Mr. Brown announced that local Iraqi staff, including interpreters, who have worked for the armed forces for more than a year would be able to apply for financial payments to help them relocate elsewhere in Iraq or, "in agreed circumstances", for admission to the UK.

10/10/2007

Pre-Budget Report Inheritance taxes cut for couples Chancellor Alistair Darling has doubled the inheritance tax threshold for married couples to £600,000. He also targeted private equity bosses and "non-domiciles" in his pre-Budget report - and pledged to switch green air taxes to flights, not passengers. Key points of pre-budget report- • Growth forecast cut by 0.5% • Tax receipts down by £1.8bn, public sector net borrowing up by £4.3bn • Inheritance tax threshold raised to £600,000 for married people or those in civil partnerships • Crackdown pledged on "non-domicile" tax payers • 10% tax rate on private equity capital gains abolished so private equity bosses pay more • Green taxes on flights not passengers from 2009. • Investment on science and technology to rise to £6bn in three years' time. • The government will spend more than £4bn over the next three years to help people in poor-quality housing make renovations. • Mr. Darling allocated an extra £400m for military operations abroad this year. • The amount of child maintenance a family can receive without it affecting their benefits will double from £20 a week to £40 a week by 2010. • An additional £2bn will be invested in 2010 in health and education, Mr. Darling said, including a £250m fund to ensure all children at school are ready to learn and benefit from personalised support. At the moment, inheritance tax is charged at 40% on assets worth more than £300,000 that someone leaves behind when they die, unless it is left to a spouse. Mr. Darling has made the individual inheritance tax threshold transferable - allowing couples to combine their allowances and therefore can escape tax on the first £600,000 of an estate. Mr. Darling said his inheritance tax proposals would mean that 97% of estates would be excused while leaving the government with £2bn more to invest in schools and hospitals. In other pre-Budget measures, Mr. Darling announced a crackdown on private equity bosses, saying from next April the government would withdraw the capital gains tax taper relief, which can be as low as 10%, and put in its place a single rate of 18%. On health, he announced a 4% a year rise for the NHS for three years - from £90bn this year to £110bn in 2010.

10/10/2007

The Uk floods!- wettest June since 1914. Flooding causes chaos throughout the country. Homes, schools and workplaces have been evacuated and roads closed. Worst hit in the country appears to be Yorkshire- especially Sheffield, with roads many feet under water. Flooding has been so extreme in some places that even the army has been called for assistance. A 28-year-old man died in Hull after becoming stuck in a drain despite the attempts of rescuers to free him. Also in Sheffield, a body has been found after a 13-year-old boy was swept away in a river, and a 68-year-old man died getting out of his car in floods. Firefighters from all over the country have traveled to Yorkshire and are pumping water out of flooded areas into nearby rivers as quickly as they can. More heavy showers are expected across the UK as the clear-up continues in areas hit by severe flooding.

7/4/2007

From Blair to Brown Wednesday 27th June, Tony Blair resigns his post of Prime Minister after 10 years in the job. He left the House of Commons after receiving a standing ovation from the all MP’s. He hailed Britain's armed forces as the "bravest and the best" John Prescott is also stepping down from frontline politics after 10 years as deputy Prime Minister. It is not certain whether Mr Brown will appoint a replacement. Within 1 hour and 55 minutes of Tony Blair leaving number10, Gordon Brown enters it for the first time as Prime Minister. Tony Blair is standing down as an MP and becoming a Middle- East peace envoy. Mr Brown’s priorities are education, health and restoring trust in politics. Mr Brown promises to lead a government of "all the talents" and said his "mission" is to provide "the best of chances for everyone". David Cameron, conservative, congratulated Mr Brown on becoming Prime Minister but demanded he hold an immediate general election. So, Browns reign has officially begun.

7/4/2007

G8 summit 2007 G8 summit 2007 G8 – group of 8. This is a forum for the governments of 8 countries: Canada Prime Minister Stephen Harper France President Nicolas Sarkozy Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel President of the G8 for 2007 Italy Prime Minister Romano Prodi Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Russia President Vladimir Putin United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair United States President George W. Bush This organisation holds year-round conferences and research policies ending with an annual summit. This year’s summit is to be held in Germany, which will host the 33rd G8 summit in Heiligendamm from June 6 to June 8. Issues concerned in this year’s summit include: Growth and responsabilty in the global economy / "Heiligendamm process" Climate change and energy efficency New impetus for the Doha Development Round Growth and responsability for Africa: Peace and security, G8 Africa reform partnership, improvement for public health systems More information to be seen on the website of the German Federal Governent. german government Although, not everyone is happy about this- FINANCIAL TIMES- Protesters disrupt start of G8 summit Thousands of protesters have tried to prevent this years summit. They have done things like block the roads into Heiligendamm, sit on rail tracks (this has stopped trains carrying many of the journalists due at the summit) and blockades. finacial times BBC NEWS- US rejects German G8 climate goal US are causing problems concerning their recent plans to put a shield in two former Soviet satellites. Tensions are increasingly high at the summit. THE GUARDIAN- Blair warns Putin over business ties The Prime Minister feels as though Russian may be abandoning ‘shared values’. the guardian OXFAM- Oxfam wants G8 to stick to the promises they make. Oxfam supports campaigning in rich and poor countries to make sure G8 leaders feel pressured to do as they have said. oxfam

6/6/2008

Sailors set free UK sailors captured at gunpoint- 23rd March 2007 Fifteen British navy personnel have been captured at gunpoint by Iranian forces, the Ministry of Defence says. The Royal Navy say that the group was on a routine patrol in the Iraqi waters, but Iranian state television quoted the Iran foreign ministry as saying they had illegally entered Iranian waters. The conflict had begun. This story has been updated regularly over the weeks in which the 15 navy personnel have been detained. However, today the country has heard the news they have been eagerly waiting for. Iran 'to release British sailors' – 4th April 2007 Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says 15 British naval personnel captured in the Gulf will be freed. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad repeated allegations that the British sailors and marines "invaded" Iranian waters, but said they would be freed as a "gift" to Britain. The Britons are set to be released and immediately sent to an airport. This announcement was made at a news conference in which he said that as soon as it was finished, the sailors and marines were free to go home. "We have every right to put these people on trial," Mr Ahmadinejad asserted. "But I want to give them as a present to the British people to say they are all free." “Iran has defended its land and will always defend its land," he said. "We are sorry that British troops remain in Iraq and their sailors are being held in Iran." Downing Street, which still denies Iran's claim that the 15 were in its waters, says it is trying to establish the terms and timing of their release.

4/4/2007

Brown cuts basic tax rate by 2p Gordon Brown announced a 2p cut in the basic income tax rate from April 2008. This is the end of his 11th budget- could this be the last? Here, is the budget at a glance: • 2p off basic rate of income tax • 10p starter rate abolished • 2p cut in corporation tax • Gas guzzling car duty up to £300 this year and £400 next • Beer and cider up 1p, wine 5p, spirits duty frozen • 11p on cigarettes • 2p petrol increase frozen for six months • More cash for schools and hospitals- Gordon believes this may reduce the gap in funding between pupils in private and state schools. The NHS in England will also be getting an extra £8billion over the coming year, bringing with it a rise of £10billion extra for heath spending in the UK. Mr Brown’s speech began by addressing the fact that Britain’s economy is growing. He believes the new Budget will increase fairness for British families. He also believes he will be helping to reduce effects on the environment with his rise in tax on ‘gas guzzling’ vehicles on the road. However, there will be real-terms cuts totalling £2billion in the budgets of several departments. These include work and pensions, HM Revenue and Customs, the Cabinet Office, the Treasury along with the Department of Constitutional Affairs and the Attorney General's departments. This budget is expected to be Gordon Brown’s last budget if he takes over from Tony Blair in the coming months. Not everyone is happy with this situation, conservative leader David Cameron told Mr Brown “You are the chancellor who has taken one tax down but put 99 taxes up”… “The average family is paying £1,300 more because of your Budget decisions”. So is this good news or bad news for you? If you are in work- although basic rate of income tax will be cut by 2p to 20p and the 10p income tax rate on the first £2,150 earned (2006/2007 tax year) above your personal allowance is being abolished, this means that you will have to pay 20% as soon as you earn more than your personal allowance rate. Many people will find themselves worse off in the long run. If you are a pensioner- those under the age of 75 will see the tax free allowance rise in stages from £7,280 to £9,770 in 2011. This may offset the extra cost due to the abolition of the 10% income tax rate.

21/3/2007

Home, Home from Iraq Blair announces Iraq troops cut- BBC NEWS Harry waits as Iraq pullout announced- THE TIMES Blair announces Iraq troop withdrawal- THE INDEPENDENT These seem to be the main headlines across papers regarding Tony Blair’s statement earlier on today, February 21st 2007. The Prime Minister told MP’s that 1,600 troops are expected back in the coming months- "The actual reduction in forces will be down from the present 7,100 - itself down from over 9,000 two years ago and 40,000 at the time of the conflict - to roughly 5,500”. Although, he has said that some troops stationed at Basra air base, will be remaining there until 2008 to train and support to Iraqi Forces, secure the Iraq/Iran border, secure supply routes and conduct operations against extremist groups and be there in support of the Iraq Army when called upon. Mr Blair has said that these withdrawals have been made possible by the successful conclusion of operation Sinbad- in which UK and US troops helped support reconstruction in Basra with their main aim always being for Iraqis to regain responsibility for their own security. “What all this means is not that Basra is how we want it to be, but it does mean that the next chapter in Basra's history can be written by Iraqis," the PM told MPs in the statement. Mr Blair believes that it is important that we show the Iraqis authority that the UK did not intend its forces to stay longer than necessary. Currently, no date has been set for when the troops are said to be returning home. Conservative leader David Cameron said that the announcement would be "welcomed in this House, in the country and especially to the families of those serving in Iraq over the coming months. We owe a huge debt to the professionalism, the courage and dedication shown by our armed forces serving in Iraq as elsewhere." However, this view was not shared by all as the Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, seems to believe that we are leaving behind that country on the brink of civil war. He also believes that we have not fulfilled the promise made to the country some 4 years ago of ‘a beacon of democracy for the middle-east’. Britain has already handed responsibility for two of the four provinces it controlled in southern Iraq - al-Muthanna and Dhi Qar - and hopes to transfer Maysan province within the next few months and Basra, itself, in the second half of 2007, said Mr Blair. The Prime Minister ends his statement to the House of Commons with- “In truth, this is part of a wider struggle taking place across the region. The Middle East is facing an epochal struggle between the forces of progress and the forces of reaction”.

3/7/2007

A stern report on climate change The Stern report is the first major influential assessment of the economics of climate change and the implications to the world if emissions of greenhouse gases are not cut. The report by Sir Nicholas Stern; head of the Government Economic Service in the UK and former chief economist of the World Bank in Washington is six hundred pages long. For the past two decades the news has been full of horror stories of critical temperatures, melting glaciers and disastrous floods all caused by global warming. Numerous pleas for action to halt these catastrophes have been made, however this is the first key report to actually assess the costs involved of taking action and it also looks at the expense and implications of not changing the way we live. The report is all the more hard hitting, as Sir Nicholas Stern is an economist and not an environmentalist. The core conclusion from the report is that although it would cost about 1% of the world’s gross domestic product by 2050 (which equates to trillions of dollars), the reality of not acting would cost about five to twenty times more. The detriment to the world in monetary terms would be catastrophic; on a global scale to a World War. The key conclusion that by not acting is in reality the more expensive option will hit the US and other major countries very hard. The Americans have long argued that to cut carbon emissions would be too costly to their economy. However, as the US produce nearly a quarter of the whole world’s emissions it would seem that by them not helping to combat the amount of greenhouse gases made, the chances of success would be slim. Although action for managing climate change will be very costly the report does conclude that it need not disrupt global economic growth. This will be welcome news to many businesses and politicians. There are however some environmentalists who argue that the world cannot continue in its avaricious quest of further resources whilst at the same time trying to resolve the world’s utmost environmental predicament. The forecasts if no action is taken on reducing emissions make stark reading as there would be more than a 75% chance of global temperatures rising between two and three degrees Celsius over the next 50 years. The impact of this would have major implications including: 200 million more people could be exposed to hunger if world temperatures rise by 2C, 550 million more people could be at risk of hunger if world temperatures rise by 3C. 4 million square kilometres of land, home to one-twentieth of the world's population, could be threatened by floods from melting glaciers and 4 billion people could suffer from water shortage if temperatures rise by 2C The economic impact of global warming could include a 1-3% reduction in global gross domestic product in the worst case scenario this could rise to 20%. To have an impact on emissions over the next twenty years would cost about 1% of GDP. The response from the Government has included: Passing a bill to preserve carbon reduction targets and establish a new independent body to monitor progress. Start a new commission to spearhead British company investment in green technology, with the aim of creating 100,000 new jobs. Proposals include extending the European Emissions Trading Scheme (EETS) globally, bringing in countries such as the US, India and China and setting new target for EETS to reduce carbon emissions by 30% by 2020 and 60% by 2050. Also former US vice-president Al Gore will advise the government on the issue Work with the World Bank and other financial institutions to produce a 20bn dollar fund to help poor countries adjust to the climate change dilemma. The main message from the report is that the more prosperous countries must start cutting emissions immediately.

17/11/2006

Bye Bye Charlie! Last night’s local elections have proved a disaster for the labour party as they receive the worst results in their history. As a result of this we hear that the home secretary, Charles Clarke, has been sacked. We hear that he will now be replaced by the defence secretary, John Reid. Other changes include; John Prescott who lost his department but still remains as prime minister. Alan Johnson, who is the trade secretary will get education. For more information on the changes click on the link below: bbc website The Labour party came third overall in the elections, but the Conservative party were the real winners with over 40% of the entire votes and gaining over 274 extra councillors. It was reported that Mr. Blair was sad to see Charles Clarke go but due to the deportation of foreign prisoners it was under a lot of pressure. Tony Blair also added to this matter he ‘felt that it was very difficult, given the level of genuine public concern, for Charles to continue in this post.’ Although Charles Clarke was disappointed to have lost his job, he said that he would still remain loyal to the government. John Prescott’s role within his party has also been affected due to an affair with his secretary. However, despite this he will still remain deputy prime minister. Ruth Kelly has been confirmed as taking over many of his responsibilities, including the department of committees. However, with many of his responsibilities being stripped from him, many people will be asking, ‘what on earth he's going to get paid for, what's he going to actually do.’ David Cameron, leader of the Tories, reaction to the re-shuffle was to show that, ‘there is a broad-based alternative that is building while the government is collapsing.’ The Chancellor, Gordon brown remains in his usual post and remarks that he will be talking to Tony Blair over the weekend about the results of the local elections and the way forward. The Liberal Democrats failed to make much progress and Sir Menzies Campbell stated that Tony Blair should have sacked Charles Clarke before but instead he was just trying to ‘shuffle a pretty battered pack of cards.’ The former health secretary, Frank Dobson simply remarked that if there was to be re-shuffling it would be like ‘rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic.’ Mr. Dobson believes that ‘we need the party under new management.’ If these local elections were help nation wide, the results would be as followed: The Tories ~ 40% The Liberal Democrats ~ 27% and finally, Labour ~ 26%. The British National Party had a surprising turn out and doubled its councillors.

5/5/2006

Have You Been Demonised? The Independent on Sunday published an interview with Professor Rod Morgan, the Government's chief adviser on youth crime, where he warned that children as young as 10 are being labelled with "the mark of Cain on their foreheads" because of the furore over anti-social behaviour. His comments will alarm ministers who have trumpeted the success of their anti-yob policies, claiming that they are ridding areas of teenage gangs as well as bringing respect back to communities. Since their introduction , more than 2,000 anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos) have been issued across the country against children in an effort to tackle offending. Shami Chakrabati, its director, said that criminalising children had become a national "obsession". She further said: "I get more hate mail for sticking up for kids than for terror suspects. We are alienating the workforce of tomorrow and creating a generation who will have little respect for the law and even less respect for us." Zach, 13: The child who was gagged Zach was banned from using the word "grass" anywhere in England and Wales until 2010 after threatening other children for reporting him to the authorities. He is also not allowed to use the main road in Moston, east Manchester, where he lives with his mother. His father, who is Asian, is separated from his mother. Zach, although the subject of racial abuse at school and often called a Paki, has also been banned from using this word. Expelled for cutting someone's legs, he has been described as a thug, but a psychologist said he finds it hard to concentrate due to a short attention span. Dean, 15: The child who is ball mad Dean, who is football-mad, was given an Asbo forbidding him from playing with his ball in the street. Police applied for the order after confiscating 12 balls from him in two weeks. Durham magistrates were told he regularly used the local bus stop as a goal and would practise his skills in the middle of the road. The teenager, from Pelton near Chester-le-Street, was given a map showing the areas where he cannot kick his football. He is also prohibited from going within 100 yards of the local community college, damaging property or congregating outside a number of takeaways. Joseph, 4: The child whose toy hit a car Joseph was threatened with an anti-social behaviour order after he threw his toy at the car of a council worker visiting his family's home. His mother claimed that two days after the visit the official returned and said that she wanted to give the child an Asbo. Tower Hamlets council said that it did not intend to proceed with the threat against the tot, but would have been powerless to act anyway as the minimum age for a recipient is 10. Critics of Asbos said the case highlighted the dramatic rise in the number of orders being issued and illustrated why 97 per cent of applications are unsuccessful. Mark, 15: The child who stole £1 Mark was given an Asbo and spent a night in the cells after snatching two 50p pieces from a bus driver's change tray. He got off the bus as police arrived and set a dog on him. He was bitten twice before being arrested for attempted theft and put into a cell for the night, despite his family being at the scene. The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating his complaint at how he was treated. He is regarded as a persistent young offender and has spent time at Feltham Young Offenders' Institution, but says that the case has stolen part of his childhood. Nathan, 16: The child who got a tattoo Nathan was forbidden from showing his tattoos, wearing a single golf glove or a balaclava anywhere in the country. If he breaches the Asbo - which also bans him from congregating in public with groups of more than three people - he could be jailed for up to five years. The order was imposed by magistrates in Manchester where he is part of Longsight's L?subject=From Website'>?subject=From Website'>?subject=From Website'> gang. Mark Watling, a lawyer, described the golf glove, which signifies gang membership, as "a tight-fitting glove often used to discharge firearms". The names in these case studies have been changed For more information and to read the full article check out the Independent on Sunday Independent on Sunday Website

24/4/2006

The Budget and you The Budget 2006 Long term, Gordon Brown said that the budget was ‘for Britain's future to secure fairness for each child and invest in every child.’ He has increased the investment for schools up to £8 billion a year, instead of £5 billion. One of Brown’s main aims was to also increase the investments in state school pupils from £5000 for each child to £8000 which is currently the expenditure for a private school pupil. By 2011, Gordon Brown wants to also increase capital investment in state schools. He suggests spending the money on building and other equipment to improve them. Mr Brown decided to target the most deprived areas of schooling and increase the direct funding to the headteachers as he believes that ‘investing in education comes first.’ Gordon Brown also mentioned in his budget speech that more money will be assigned to budding new sport stars ahead of the Olympics being held in London in 2012, saying that this will be a ‘proud moment for London and the whole of Britain.’ With this he also wanted to include schools by holding annual ‘School Olympics.’ The chancellor also said that further education would be free of charge for the first time up to the age of 25 and he wants to provide learning grants for adults to improve and help the current cost of living. This is the qck budget website This is the BBC news website

24/3/2006

The New Ming Dynasty The newly elected Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, in his speech to his party’s spring conference said that the Liberal Democrats that “To maintain our credibility as the only truly liberal force in British politics, will also require changes in the way we organise ourselves”. Sir Campbell, 64, is apparently going to start reshuffling today and has said that he is willing to take risks in order to modernise the party. However, Campbell said that he would not be offering Charles Kennedy back a job. He is said to be considering whether or not to reward his campaigners, who include; Ed Davey, Sarah Teather and Vincent Cable, even though the post of deputy leader has yet to be filled. Carol Walker, a political correspond says that Sir Campbell will provide a ‘promising mix of youth and experience.’ On Friday he made a short speech on stage at a rally with three of the party's recent by-election victors, whilst also working to rally other members for the local elections in May. Sir Menzies was reported as saying that he wanted the party to be led ‘back to government.’ And that "Our task now is this: to build a strong, effective powerful Liberal Democrat party, with the objective of ensuring a greener, fairer, decentralised and democratic Britain, a Britain at peace with itself at home and admired abroad." For more information about the new Liberal Democrat leader Click here

6/3/2006

FAGS TO BE BANNED Last night MPs voted by a majority of 200 to ban smoking in practically all work places, including pubs and clubs in England. Smoking has already been banned in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is also expected that the Welsh Assembly will pass legislation of the same nature for Wales. It is expected that the law will come into effect in the summer 2007. There have already several other country’s where smoking has been banned. For more information take a look at the BBC

15/2/2006

Greenhouse Effect out of control? A government report published today indicates that it may not be possible to prevent CO2 reaching dangerous levels and causing irreversible damage. If things continue as they are it is likely that the Greenland Ice Cap will melt and in doing so cause the sea level to rise by 7 metres. A sea level rise of this kind would mean that most of the world’s major cities would be inundated by the sea and a large number of islands would disappear under the waves. For us in Norfolk even a small rise in sea level could cause real problems especially in the Broads and the Fens. The latter case we could lose what is some of the most productive agricultural land in the UK. In addition to the loss of agricultural land there are a large number of eco systems and species that will be lost. Global warming could also lead to the collapse of the Gulf Stream which maintains Britain’s climate. This would lead to much harsher and colder weather patterns which could prove fatal for Britain’s agriculture. There is hope with technological and financial power offering solutions to this grave problem. The question is how quickly and to what degree the World Governments can and will make changes. For more information about the report and Global warming in general take look at the following websites. BBC ecotricity RSPB The Independent

30/1/2006

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