Thats News

Brown dithers and soldiers die. Friday morning update

2009-07-17T06:14:00.004Z

Or should it be mourning? As the country mourns, Bottler Brown bottles it big time

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jul/17/jimmy-carr-bruce-forsyth-chequers

“From Jimmy Carr to Brucie – Gordon Brown's Chequers guest list is revealed”

(EDITOR: We kick off with a non-story from The Guardian)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/jul/16/colonel-rupert-thorneloe-funeral

“Straight backs and stiff salutes at funeral of Colonel Rupert Thorneloe”

(EDITOR: Perhaps it was intended to take the sting out of THIS story? It didn't work)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/5844057/Crime-victims-rise-significantly-for-first-time-in-14-years.html

“Crime victims rise significantly for first time in 14 years”

(EDITOR: “No, s**t, Sherlock?”)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/5843577/Unfair-Barnett-formula-should-be-scrapped-say-Lords.html

“'Unfair' Barnett formula should be scrapped say Lords: The formula that gives Scots 20 per cent more money per head than England has been branded "arbitrary and unfair" and should be scrapped, an inquiry has said”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/5845275/Royal-Mail-strike-could-delay-the-post-for-a-week.html

“Delays to postal services caused by a 24-hour Royal Mail workers' strike on Friday could last until the end of next week, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) has warned”

(EDITOR: A trip back to the 1970s with Gordon Brown)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/defence/5844275/Gordon-Brown-delays-Trident-work.html

“Gordon Brown has deferred the design work for replacing Britain's Trident nuclear deterrent until after the next election, it emerged yesterday”

(EDITOR: Bottler Brown, still dithering)

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/can-anyone-stop-blair-becoming-the-first-president-of-europe-1750106.html

“Can anyone stop Blair becoming the first president of Europe?”

(EDITOR: Where would his first target be for the first Euro War?)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/5846493/Eco-towns-approved-despite-country-devastation-fears.html

“The locations for four proposed eco-towns have been confirmed amid claims they will "devastate the countryside", increase traffic congestion, impinge on wildlife habitats and exacerbate flooding”

(EDITOR: Brown's idea of eco is polls apart from everyone else. We could see green campaigners fighting these proposals with green tinged Labourites having to defend the indefensible)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8152714.stm

“MPs have condemned the "catastrophic mismanagement" of a college building scheme in England which could cost hundreds of millions of pounds”

http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/news/display.var.2520418.0.Browns_spending_position_branded_dishonest.php

(Brown’s spending position branded dishonest)

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23720236-details/Brown+ducks+MPs+fire+over+more+troops+and+helicopters/article.do

“Brown ducks MPs’ fire over more troops and helicopters”

(EDITOR: For such is the Brownian way)

Let's see what happens later. Whatever it is, it can't be good.

Thursday evening update: Eyore Brown more isolated than ever

2009-07-16T21:55:00.002Z

Yes, Brown looks more isolated than ever

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6717030.ece

“Eeyore Brown delivers a masterclass in stubbornness: I had forgotten how righteous he was about being right. It really is quite something”

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6717214.ece

“Gordon Brown dying to look green with eco-town policy”

http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE56F4X320090716

“Theft crimes jump by quarter as economy dips”

(EDITOR: In Gordon Brown's Britain, anything is possible)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5842330/Pagan-police-allowed-to-take-Halloween-and-summer-solstice-off-work.html

“Pagan police officers in Britain have been given the right to take eight days off work a year to celebrate "religious holidays" including Hallowe'en and the summer solstice”

(EDITOR: As they bloody-well should!)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8154740.stm

“Controversial former bank boss Sir Fred Goodwin was among visitors to the PM's country home, Chequers, last year”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/jul/16/lecturers-redundancy-recession

“6,000 lecturers facing redundancy, says universities union”

(EDITOR: Again, in Gordon Brown's Britain, anything is possible)

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23720190-details/Delight+for+Cameron+as+two+Lib-Dems+defect+to+Tories/article.do

“'Delight’ for Cameron as two Lib-Dems defect to Tories”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8154386.stm

“A head teachers' union says it has received roughly 100 complaints from members about Sats "inaccuracies"”

http://news.scotsman.com/politics/Legal-bid--over-Smith.5463971.jp

“A HOME Office official sacked for leaking documents to the Conservatives is planning a private prosecution against former home secretary Jacqui Smith, accusing her of expenses fraud”

(EDITOR: Thats News has made a modest donation to this fund, so must report an interest in this matter. I do not dislike Jacqui Smith. As a person I do not doubt she is a charming and lovely soul. But she should not have done what she did)

Thursday morning update. Brown under attack for being ... Brown.

2009-07-16T06:10:00.000Z

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Brown-on-defensive-over-Afghan.5464209.jp

“Brown on defensive over Afghan helicopters”

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g4bsPSmI48a2XdAdtBJ3nlB7kLig

“PM to face fresh pressure over Afghan mission” (PA story)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8153129.stm

“The prime minister's assertion that a lack of helicopters has not cost lives in Afghanistan is to be challenged by an influential MPs' committee”

http://news.scotsman.com/politics/Afghanistan-British-troops--well.5464058.jp

“Afghanistan: British troops well supplied, insists Brown”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/onthefrontline/5835993/Richard-Dannatt-Boots-on-ground-key-to-victory-in-Afghanistan.html

“Following heavy British losses in Helmand Province, General Sir Richard Dannatt said that he would like to see "more energy" putting into speeding up the provision of equipment to UK troops”

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a35e13aa-7167-11de-a821-00144feabdc0,dwp_uuid=f39ffd26-4bb2-11da-997b-0000779e2340.html

“UK debate on Afghan role raises US concern”

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/07/16/afghans-answer-brown-s-call-for-support-115875-21523222/

“Afghans answer Brown's call for support”

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/07/16/glenys-in-euro-chief-blair-gaffe-115875-21523238/

“Glenys Kinnock yesterday suggested Tony Blair was the UK's official candidate for the new President of Europe - despite the Government claiming the decision had not yet been made.”

(EDITOR: Nice one, Glenys. Really smooth.)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/5834961/Ken-Clarke-Government-should-be-frank-about-need-for-spending-cuts.html

“The Government's "lack of candour" over how it will tackle a hole in public finances caused by the recession is threatening further damage to the economy, Ken Clarke has said”

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/First-bus-drivers-set-to.5464756.jp

“First bus drivers set to decide next move”

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/569dacae-7196-11de-a821-00144feabdc0.html

“Britain’s Conservatives in the European parliament are now being led by a Polish MEP who once belonged to a “homophobic, racist, anti-semitic” organisation that used the Nazi salute, according to a senior Tory MEP”

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1200013/David-Cameron-makes-pledge-end-bureaucracy-help-parents-disabled.html

“David Cameron makes pledge to end bureaucracy and help parents of disabled”

Some questions on Swine Flu for the employer and employee

2009-07-15T23:47:00.002Z

With the assistance of Craig Havard, Partner at Moorcrofts LLP, for which That's News is most grateful. )(www.moorcrofts.com)

1. Is Swine flu a notifiable disease?
No. A notifiable disease is one listed in the Animal Health Act, or in an Order made under the Act.

2. If someone has swine flu (or is suspected of having it) is an employer legally allowed to bar someone from the workplace?
The answer may depend on the nature of the work, the length of the bar and on what grounds swine flu is suspected (if not confirmed).

Generally yes, a period of suspension should be allowed - , an employer is under a duty to provide a safe system of work for its employees and other workers. An employer may be acting in breach of its duty of care to other staff (and customers etc) if it allows someone to attend work when they are known to be infected, or suspected to be infected with swine flu. It is not clear how an employer would suspect a member of staff was suffering from swine flu, although as time progresses the symptoms may become more widely known (and differentiated from “normal” flu).

The employment contract may require the employer to provide work (e.g. piece work) or may be silent on the point. The above health considerations should still apply, although the employer should consider alternatives, such as home working.

3. If they can, would the employer be obliged to pay the employees salary as the employee was absent from their workplace on the orders of the employer?

It depends on what the employment contract says – e.g. if not fit to attend work, even if not signed off by a GP, it may be reasonable for an employer to only pay sick pay (at SSP or enhanced levels, depending on contractual terms). Otherwise, without the express contractual right to suspend without pay in such circumstances (it is unlikely such terms will exist, although force majeure/act of god clauses are not unheard of in employment contracts), the employee should be paid.

Whilst failure/refusal to pay (absent a clause permitting such action) would normally be a fundamental breach of contract, that might not be the case with swine flu – Tribunals might take a pragmatic approach and treat swine flu as force majeure, a decision perhaps more likely if the employer’s action is seen as reasonable and proportionate (e.g. no pay for a couple of weeks, home working not possible, and consultation with employees, preferably in advance).

Why not pre-empt the situation by seeking agreement with staff now about how the business will deal with any such issues that arise?

Wednesday morning Gordon Brown is still totally aloof from the situations he has caused

2009-07-15T06:29:00.001Z

Gordon Brown is still totally aloof from the situations he has caused

http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/Wootton-Bassett39s--heartfelt-silent.5458822.jp

“Wootton Bassett's heartfelt silent tribute along its Highway of Heroes”

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1199775/We-reinforce-troops-Afghanistan-warns-Army-chief.htm

“Britain's top soldier warned last night of the 'appalling' consequences of failing to reinforce troops in Afghanistan or fund the mission properly.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/5829962/Sweetheart-of-soldier-killed-in-Afghanistan-condemns-equipment-shortages.html

“The childhood sweetheart of one of eight British soldiers killed in Afghanistan in 24 hours has accused the Government of failing troops through equipment shortages”

(EDITOR: Go on, Brown. Organise a spin operation against her. I dare you.)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article6709498.ece

“People in England could be required to pay up to £20,000 after retirement to cover their long-term care under reforms that will ensure that everyone receives government financial help”

(EDITOR: Fantastic. Our Labour government in action. After Brown stole the pensioner's money)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/5828303/Plans-for-passports-at-Irish-border-dropped.html

“Plans to force passengers travelling from Ireland and the Channel Islands to carry a passport for travel to mainland Britain were quietly shelved last night”

(EDITOR: If the Channel Islands are part of the UK, how could passports be required to enter or leave them from the ret of the UK?)

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/07/14/revealed-700k-credit-card-bills-of-assembly-government-91466-24147552/

“CREDIT card bills totalling more than £700,000 in a year have been run up by Assembly Government officials working abroad, it was revealed last night. Figures showed that 34 Assembly Government credit card holders, working in offices around the world on behalf of the Welsh taxpayer, spent a total of £718,434.17 over the past 12 months. The New York office alone spent some £253,114.73 on credit cards between June 2008 and May 2009. The information was obtained by the Welsh Liberal Democrats under the Freedom of Information Act.”

(EDITOR: That's the Labour-Plaid admin for you!)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/5819046/Four-rowdy-and-inconsiderate-incidents-reported-to-police-every-minute.html

“Four incidents of anti-social behaviour are reported to the police every minute, new figures show.”

(EDITOR: Gordon Brown's Britain, eh?!)

http://www.inthenews.co.uk/money/news/politics/government-urged-find-new-sources-employment-$1311283.htm

The government must urgently address the need for new sources of employment to assist the UK's economic recovery, a leading thinktank has declared.”

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/07/15/peter-mandelson-chief-cook-115875-21520682/

“Peter Mandelson, chief cook and bottle washer to Gordon Brown, yesterday accused the Conservatives of taking the country for fools. Unlike Labour before its first election victory in 1997, argued the PM's deputy, the Cons have no policies. Yet minutes earlier he'd warned the Cons would cut public spending deeply, give millionaires handouts by slashing inheritance tax and bring back hunting”

(EDITOR: Kevin Maguire seems confused by Mandelson's inconsistency. Yes, as is the rest of the country)

http://www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=xDefault&itemid=NOED14%20Jul%202009%2021%3A16%3A55%3A870

“Ian Gibson was last night urged to come out and campaign for Labour in the Norwich North by-election as his continuing absence from the fight threatened to become the biggest talking point of the contest”

(EDITOR: Perhaps they really don't want that... For it depends what he might have to say)

It's early on Wednesday as I write this. A lot could happen throughout the rest of the day.

Tuesday Evening and all is not well

2009-07-14T21:24:00.001Z

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/afghanistan-questions-of-life-and-death-1745957.html

“Afghanistan: questions of life and death: As eight more soldiers' bodies are flown back to the UK, The Independent tackles the concerns underlying the grief”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/jul/14/british-battalion-afghanistan-election-security

“Troops sent to tighten security for Afghanistan election may stay longer: Battalion of 700 soldiers expected to remain in Afghanistan after next month's poll as part of review of Britain's military presence”

(EDITOR: The Guardian seems to see this as the right decision by Brown. It's possible to argue that it is merely pointing to a severe personality defect in Gordon Brown. His inability to make a decision and swiftly changing his mind, but only if he thinks it might even have a sniff of garnering him some positive publicity)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/jul/14/tories-punish-thugs-removing-phones

“Punish thugs by taking phones away, says Chris Grayling”

(EDITOR: Lots of them have several phones. A good idea but not sure that., practically speaking, it would do any good)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/5828378/Britain-faces-10-years-of-public-spending-restraint-says-Lord-Mandelson.html

“Britain faces 10 years of public spending restraint, says Lord Mandelson: Britain faces 10 years of greater public spending restraint, despite the recession coming to an end Lord Mandelson has admitted”

(EDITOR: Now, will someone make Gordon Brown understand this?)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article6710658.ece

“Iraqi interpreters have been betrayed: We owe much more to the people who helped us at a difficult time”

(EDITOR: The one thing about Gordon Brown is that his loyalty is only skin deep)

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/the_way_we_live/article6709836.ece

“Cool Italia: we salute you: Does Silvio Berlusconi think that Brits are the pits?”

(EDITOR: Ouch! That showed them!)

http://www.printweek.com/business/news/920000/Deliveries-suffer-12000-Royal-Mail-workers-set-strike/

“Deliveries to suffer with 12,000 Royal Mail workers set to strike”

(EDITOR: The postal workers have a good case. The delivery of mail is becoming worse and worse. How about 30 days for a 2^nd class letter? Happened a couple of weeks back)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8150410.stm

“Mandelson downplays UK euro entry”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/gordon-brown/5828301/Lord-Darzi-quits-Government-in-blow-to-Gordon-Brown.html

“Lord Darzi quits Government in blow to Gordon Brown: Lord Darzi, a Health Minister, is to leave his post and return to full time surgery as Gordon Brown loses another member of his "government of all the talents". “

(EDITOR: Still, he has the Kinnocks and Mandelson left in the House of Lords...)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jul/14/mps-expenses-gordon-brown

“Gordon Brown backs down over powers of new MPs' expenses watchdog”

(EDITOR: Brown displays his innate ability to make the wrong decision, then dither about it until, eventually, he changes his mind, ore, more likely, has it changed for him)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/5819730/Gordon-Browns-refusal-in-past-years-to-fund-the-Forces-is-bearing-deadly-fruit.html

“Gordon Brown's refusal in past years to fund the Forces is bearing deadly fruit”

(EDITOR: The author of this letter understand Gordon Brown better than Brown understands himself)

And on that note let's wait until the morrow!

Tuesday Morning update Premier Brown is still in denial up to his neck

2009-07-14T06:14:00.000Z

Premier Brown is still in denial up to his neck

http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/Brown-says-more-troops-39not.5455275.jp

“GORDON Brown yesterday refused to commit more troops or resources to the war in Afghanistan – despite calls for a rethink of military strategy after the deaths of 15 soldiers in ten days”

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6703569.ece

“Army asked for 2,000 extra troops. Government sent 700”

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6703626.ece

“Brown took cheap option despite plea for boost to troops”

http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/news/display.var.2519779.0.Brown_defends_helicopter_numbers_as_Cameron_calls_for_action.php

“The war of words on British military equipment in Afghanistan intensified yesterday as Gordon Brown insisted there were enough resources "to do the job" but David Cameron denounced the "scandal" of helicopter shortages.”

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/07/14/brown-defends-afghanistan-policy-as-cracks-appear-in-political-consensus-91466-24145233/

“Brown defends Afghanistan policy as cracks appear in political consensus GORDON BROWN was forced to defend Britain’s military presence in Afghanistan last night as mounting losses prompted fresh questions over the purpose of the eight-year-long mission”

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Teenage-war-hero39s-grieving-family.5455513.jp

“THE family of a Yorkshire serviceman killed as he was due to return home from Afghanistan called last night for more troops and equipment to be sent to the battle zone, branding the current situation unwinnable and "too much" for British soldiers.”

(EDITOR: Gordon Brown is truly appalling. When will they get rid of him? Before he kills too many more of our soldiers,it is to be hoped...)

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/tax-threat-could-hit-hundreds-of-public-schools-1744947.html

“Hundreds of independent schools will be forced to raise their fees to take in more pupils from poorer backgrounds, following a landmark ruling by the Charity Commission. Two of the first five schools investigated by the watchdog have been told they fail to meet tough new standards for retaining their charitable status – worth about £100m in tax breaks across the sector”

(EDITOR: The Socialist hatred for private education is quite scary)

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/doctors-call-for-inquest-into-scientists-death-1743688.html

“Doctors call for inquest into scientist's death: There were fresh calls today for a formal inquest to be held into the death of Government scientist David Kelly. A group of campaigning doctors have produced a report arguing that the Hutton Inquiry's finding of suicide was flawed and have handed it to lawyers preparing a legal challenge”

(EDITOR: Dr Kelly's death has returned to haunt the Labour government)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/5818033/Doubts-over-number-of-sickness-benefit-claims.html

“More than two-thirds of those seeking to claim sickness benefit have being turned down since a new regime was introduced last year, it was claimed”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/yourbusiness/5820115/Government-venture-capital-funds-fail-to-tackle-equity-gap.html

“Government venture capital funds fail to tackle equity gap”

(EDITOR: Of course they have. They were introduced by Gordon Brown. He never REALLY intends anything to work)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8148693.stm

“Mortgage plan 'doomed to fail' A government scheme to kick-start the UK mortgage market is not working, MPs have said”

(EDITOR: See what I mean?)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jul/13/conservatives-feedin-tariff

“Conservatives urge government to avoid feed-in tariff 'valley of death'”

(EDITOR: Even more proof...)

Let's see what the next ten hours or so will bring.

Monday evening update: Has Gordon Brown taken leave of what little sense he has left?

2009-07-13T20:28:00.003Z

Has Gordon Brown taken leave of what little sense he has left?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/13/troops-afghanistan-karzai-gordon-brown

“Gordon Brown has told the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, to put more Afghan troops into Helmand province immediately to make sure the costly territorial gains made by UK forces are not lost and British soldiers do not die in vain.”

(EDITOR: It's too late for that, Brown. It was YOU who slashed defence spending whilst you were chancellor. Now other people are paying the price with their lives for when you played games trying to score one over on your colleagues)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6699852.ece

“Britain halts some arms exports to Israel in response to Gaza conflict”

(EDITOR: Looks like Brown doesn't want Israel to be able to defend itself.)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/david-cameron/5797948/David-Cameron-confronted-by-Charles-Clarke-over-phone-tapping-claims.html

“David Cameron has been confronted by Charles Clarke, the former home secretary, over his response to the News of the World phone tapping scandal”

(EDITOR: Charles who? Oh, yes. Charles Clarke. Not so much a has-been, but more of a never was. Another not a story from the Grauniad)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/jul/13/sheridan-defamation-news-of-the-world

“Former Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan and his wife Gail have pleaded not guilty to perjury charges following a newspaper defamation case, it emerged today”

(EDITOR:No shit! Did anyone expect them to plead guilty? No!)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8147868.stm

“The Government Equalities Office said they wanted more northerners on such boards but "had no plans to introduce new rules or regional quotas"

(EDITOR: Cobblers! It didn't play well to the South East England Labourites, so was quietly killed off with a quick burst of the spin cycle. Pathetic.)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/5818941/29000-politicians-cost-taxpayer-half-a-billion-pounds.html

“29,000 politicians cost taxpayer half a billion pounds”

(EDITOR: Drones Rosa Prince. Sorry! That should be 'Opines Rosa Prince', of course...)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/5820602/Government-sale-of-Lloyds-and-RBS-stakes-could-take-years.html

“The Government could take years to offload its stakes in Lloyds and RBS, which are currently showing a £10.9bn paper loss, according to the body which manages the holdings”

EDITOR: (Och! Another stunning fiscal success from Gordon 'Prudence' Brown!)

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/philipjohnston/100003082/we-have-had-enough-new-strategies-from-this-government/

“We have had enough 'new strategies' from this Government :Alan Johnson, the new Home Secretary, has just unveiled a “new strategy to deal with serious organised crime”. What for? We have got a Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) which is, presumably, already tackling the international crime bosses. Why does this Government continue to pump out press releases and devise costly new strategies for things that it should just be getting on and doing? No wonder there is not enough money for helicopters in Afghanistan.”

(EDITOR: Philip Johnston makes some excellent points)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/money/pensions/article6702172.ece

“Government closer to abolishing compulsory retirement at 65:

The law may need to change to 'reflect modern social and economic circumstances'”

(EDITOR: Great. Thanks, Brown. The new regimen will be 'work until you drop dead')

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/recession/5812958/Government-lending-claims-undermined-by-official-figures.html

“Government lending claims undermined by official figures: Government claims to be offering more support to small businesses in the recession have been undermined by official statistics showing that it guaranteed fewer loans in the year to March 31”

(EDITOR: What's that? Mandelson and Brown not telling the truth? What a horrid suggestion! Next people will tell us that the war in Afghanistan is totally unnecessary!)

That's it for this Monday evening. Brown is looking more dodgy than ever. What's the betting that he will eventually go down with 'swine flu' and have to be hospitalised in a very special clinic hidden away from the rest of the world? Or a recurrence of an eye problem which will necessitate him being placed in isolation in a darkened room for several months, in order to save his sight? Only time will tell...

Monday Morning update. Brown under attack, Guardian under attack - couldn't happen to two more deserving targets

2009-07-13T06:18:00.000Z

Monday Morning update

Brown under attack, Guardian under attack - couldn't happen to two more deserving targets

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/5812167/Afghanistan-Gordon-Brown-accused-of-dereliction-of-duty.html

“Afghanistan: Gordon Brown accused of 'dereliction of duty' Gordon Brown has been accused of "the ultimate dereliction of duty" in his handling of the war in Afghanistan”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/5812798/Afghanistan-Gordon-Brown-criticised-after-the-death-of-eight-soldiers.html

(EDITOR: He should resign)

http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/news/display.var.2519541.0.Labour_WAGs_see_Brown_as_mafia_boss.php

“Labour WAGs see Brown as ‘mafia boss’ Gordon Brown is a like a mafia boss, an intimidating figure with a darker side, surrounded by a coterie that undermines out-of-favour colleagues with personal attacks”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/gordon-brown/5812076/Womens-rights-movement-passed-Gordon-Brown-by-claims-Patricia-Hewitt.html

“The women's rights movement completely passed Gordon Brown by, according to one senior female Labour MP, as another warned he has just four months to improve his personal ratings or risk being ousted from leadership.”

(EDITOR: This is how he comes over to his friends? What MUST his enemies say about him?)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1199176/Detective-rejects-claims-News-World-hacked-phones-thousands-public-figures.html

“Detective rejects claims News of the World hacked phones of 'thousands' of public figures”

(EDITOR: So, where did the Guardian figure of 1,000s come from? This is not looking good for The Guardian)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/martin_ivens/article6689744.ece

“A free press needs no new guardians”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jul/12/gordon-brown-labour-leadership-hughes

“Gordon Brown has four months to turn it round, former minister warns”

(EDITOR: The Labour Party Conference will, this year, be much more akin to an old style Soviet Party Conference, with more control and more cramming with loyalists. Will there be a real challenge to Brown? Doubtful. Very doubtful)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/12/afghanistan-memo-ashdown-brown-rice

“Afghanistan: memo from Lord Ashdown to Gordon Brown and Condoleezza Rice: 1.We do not have enough troops, aid or international will to make Afghanistan much different from what it has been for the last 1000 years – a society built around the gun, drugs and tribalism”

(EDITOR: Why was this memo ignored by Brown?)

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/minister-warns-brown-over-spending-cutbacks-1743347.html

“Minister warns Brown over spending cutbacks”

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1199251/JANET-STREET-PORTER-It-s-Jacqui-s-husband-failure.html

“It's Jacqui's husband who is the failure”

(EDITOR: Says Janet Street-Porter)

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/167a1376-6f19-11de-9109-00144feabdc0.html

“Brown under fire for recession response”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/5811333/Discrimination-against-northerners-to-be-banned-under-Harriet-Harman-plans.html

“Discrimination against northerners to be banned under Harriet Harman plans”

And that's it for this morning. Just wait 'til after teatime, though!

Sunday update

2009-07-12T15:43:00.000Z

All is not quite what it seems regarding the Grauniad hacking claims. Is it a made up story? It is beginning to look as if it is. Why? Is it a ham-fisted attempt to drag the Conservatives in to the mud? Is it a Number Ten Black Op story?

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6690054.ece

“Hacked Off: Allegations of phone-hacking unpicked”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jul/10/news-international-statement-guardian

“News International strongly denied the Guardian's story about widespread phone hacking at the News of the World. It attacked the Guardian for being "selective and misleading" in its coverage”

(EDITOR: It is not looking good for The Guardian. From “Will Coulson resign?” The story is now moving towards: “Will heads roll at The Guardian?”)

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/07/12/green-energy-to-land-every-family-with-230-bill-115875-21512974/

“Family fuel bills are set to soar by more than £200 a year under a new Government plan to help save the planet”

(EDITOR: Brown in his: “Saviour of the world” fantasy. A fantasy that will, again, attack the poorest families of Britain.)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/5803960/Plan-to-simplify-selling-energy-back-to-National-Grid.html

“Householders who generate their own energy will find it easier to sell excess supplies back to the National Grid under government "green" plans to be announced on Wednesday”

(EDITOR: A welcome move, true. But this is too late. Labour should have introduced this at least ten years ago)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8146732.stm

“Whitehall faces a "much tighter" spending environment, the head of the civil service has warned”

(EDITOR: Somehow Brown will spin this as: “Tories, the party of cuts”)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1199089/Civil-servants-1m-Facebook-site-gossip-fear-public-exposure-ridicule.html

“The Civil Service's version of the social networking site was launched just days after The Mail on Sunday revealed how the wife of new MI6 chief Sir John Sawers posted intimate family details on the web, including a photograph of Sir John in his swimming trunks”

(EDITOR: I really can't think of a comment. Well, I can...)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1199120/Sex-attack-home-MPs-dubbed-Mr-Mrs-Expenses.html

“The main home of MPs dubbed Mr and Mrs Expenses was at the centre of a sexual assault probe last night after squatters held a party at the property”

(EDITOR: Oh, dear. How unfortunate for the supporters of the plucky little leftie squatters...)

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/07/12/you-owe-us-all-the-truth-gord-115875-21513131/

“On this page, leading Labour MP Jon Cruddas calls on Gordon Brown to be honest with the British people about spending cuts”

(EDITOR: What's this? The Mirror, Labour's mouthpiece, calling for honesty from Gordon Brown? What happened? Was the editor off sick when this story slipped through?)

And we think OUR politicians are bad?!

2009-07-12T00:09:00.003Z

Arizona State Senator declares Earth is 6,000 years old.

Our useless government. Saturday evening update

2009-07-11T21:36:00.001Z

Our useless government. Saturday evening update

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/5803886/Bob-Ainsworth-not-backing-troops-in-Afghanistan-is-disgraceful.html

“Bob Ainsworth: not backing troops in Afghanistan is 'disgraceful'”

(EDITOR: But New Labour, Bob Ainsworth and Brown aren't backing our troops in Afghanistan. There's even talk about reducing the number of infantry we have! So Labour is disgraceful. So helpful of Ainsworth to point this out)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1198997/Newspaper-group-rebuts-claims-phone-hacking.html

“Secret damages paid to second News of the World phone hacking victim”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/5803962/Church-accuses-Government-of-favouring-Muslims.html

“Church leaders have accused the Government of giving preferential treatment to the Muslim community because of "political correctness". “

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/5798913/Damian-McBride-invited-to-go-back-to-school.html

“"It is good of the school to give him another chance," says one of his former colleagues”

(EDITOR: Yes, very good. Apparently being accused of moral turpitude is no bar to working with young people in a school)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6689020.ece

“Gordon Brown insists Afghan war being won”

(EDITOR: Insist all you like, Brown)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/5799010/Alistair-Darling-interview-Chancellor-let-Gordon-Brown-stew.html

“Mr Darling ignored frantic messages and let Mr Brown stew for an hour before returning his call.”

(EDITOR: Looks like Darling has his measure. A blow hard bully who can be manipulated by someone canny enough to dodge the odd flying Nokia)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8145877.stm

“Brown 'knackered' says Labour MP”

(EDITOR:So says Austin Powers, sorry, Mitchell. Actually, Mr Mitchell, I think you will find that it is the country that is knackered, not Mr Brown...)

http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/asbestos-campaign/2009/07/gordon-brown-accused-of-u-turn.html

“Gordon Brown accused of U-turn over compensation for asbestos victims”

(EDITOR: Thanks for that, Gordon. Perhaps he should be known as Brown Asbestos, from now on?)

That's it for this evening. I wonder what delights will come in over night?

Saturday morning update. Guardian sold a pup? More expensesgate!

2009-07-11T09:33:00.001Z

Saturday Morning and it's claim, counter claim!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/media/5797090/Phone-tapping-row-analysis-of-The-Guardians-claims.html

“The Guardian has claimed that thousands of high profile figures were targeted by a private investigator working for the News of the World. Here is an analysis of the claims”

(EDITOR: Oh, dear. Guardian claims 1,000s, police say 75. Has The Gruaniad over-egged the pudding? Or has someone sold it a pig in a bag?)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5802180/MPs-expenses-Jacqui-Smith-knew-husband-had-been-watching-pornographic-movies.html

“Jacqui Smith, the former home secretary, has revealed that she and her husband argued about his use of pornography before her expenses claim for two blue movies was made public”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/labour-mps-expenses/5795684/MPs-expenses-Ann-and-Alan-Keen-face-sleaze-probe-over-second-home.html

“MPs' expenses: Ann and Alan Keen face sleaze probe over second home”

(EDITOR: MORE expensesgate allegations? This truly is the gift that keeps on giving)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8143696.stm

“Tory MP Jonathan Djanogly claims to have got the backing of his Huntingdon constituency party at a meeting to discuss concerns about his expenses”

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/government-wont-resign-if-lisbon-vote-is-lost--martin-1813458.html

“Government won't resign if Lisbon vote is lost – Martin”

(EDITOR: Perhaps you should resign for forcing your people to vote again. Mr Martin?)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6682793.ece

“Gordon Brown defends UK mission in Afghanistan”

(EDITOR: He supports our armed forces. But not enough to give them the materiel that they require)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/5796376/Academy-hailed-by-Gordon-Brown-branded-inadequate.html

“Academy hailed by Gordon Brown branded 'inadequate' An academy school hailed by Gordon Brown for its "dynamism" has been branded inadequate by Government inspectors”

(EDITOR: He really is 'Gordon Brown', isn't he?)

And on that Brownian note, let's just wait to see what the rest of the weekend brings, shall we?

Friday Morning Update

2009-07-10T06:30:00.004Z

Thursday evening and let's see what's up

2009-07-09T21:12:00.001Z

Brown's stock certainly isn't!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/5789800/EUs-regulation-of-City-would-strangle-London-says-Mayor-Johnson.html

“Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said yesterday that European plans to regulate the financial services sector threatened to drive hedge funds out of London and Europe, even though they were "blameless" for the crisis”

(EDITOR: Then they are doomed. For in Brown's world, only the blameless are ever sure of punishment...)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8142852.stm

“Labour defeat on incitement laws”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jul/09/diplomats-shun-nick-griffin-bnp-europe

“The government is to single out Nick Griffin and Andrew Brons, the British National party's two newly elected representatives in the European parliament, for special treatment, denying them some of the access and information afforded to all the other 70 UK MEPs”

(EDITOR: Like the BNP or not, they represent the people who voted for them. So can it be right that the people who voted for the BNP are being punished for voting for the wrong candidate. Where will this end? Could officials decide to punish members of the electorate who vote -say- Conservative? It's possible to argue that a dangerous precedent has been set, here...)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/5785442/Prince-Charles-Henry-VIII-was-an-environmentalist.html

“The Prince of Wales has praised Henry VIII as an environmentalist with a keen interest in architecture”

(EDITOR: Prince Charles makes some good points)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8141591.stm

“Clegg queries Afghanistan tactics”

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/07/08/neil-hrab-gordon-brown-s-oil-speculation-shell-game.aspx

“Neil Hrab: Gordon Brown's oil speculation shell game”

(EDITOR: Someone 'gets' Gordon Brown...)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/currency/5789044/Gordon-Brown-warns-China-over-trying-to-usurp-the-dollar.html

“Gordon Brown has issued a veiled warning to China over its calls to replace the US dollar as the global reserve currency, cautioning that it risks "destablising" the international financial system”

(EDITOR: That'll teach them!)

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2009/07/09/gordon-brown-backs-anglesey-aluminium-plant-rescue-55578-24110220/

“Gordon Brown backs Anglesey Aluminium plant rescue”

(EDITOR: Then it, and the jobs, are doomed, sadly...)

http://www.24dash.com/news/Housing/2009-07-09-Gordon-Brown-writes-personal-letter-to-housing-professionals

“Gordon Brown writes personal letter to housing professionals”

(EDITOR: Personal letter, my arse! Since when has a 'round robin letter' ever been 'personal'?)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jul/09/evan-harris-david-hanson-hacking-questions

“Government quizzed on police action over papers' phone hacking Police minister David Hanson faces questions after today's Guardian report that reveals public figures were not told of phone hacking by News of the World journalists”

(EDITOR: Bless! This is the Guardian's way of trying to beat all the exposure the Telegraph got over the expenses scandal!)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5768385/Multi-million-pound-Government-scheme-could-have-increased-teen-pregnancies.html

“A multi-million pound Government scheme to reduce teenage pregnancies by encouraging children to talk about sex could actually have increased the numbers who became parents, a new study has found”

(EDITOR: Only in Gordon Brown's Britain...)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1198586/Patients-Parkinsons-disease-failed-services-finds-Government-report.html

“Patients with Parkinson's disease are failed by services, finds Government report”

(EDITOR: It's almost as if the government hasn't been in power these last twelve years)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jul/08/malloch-brown-goat-gordon-brown

“What happened to Gordon's goats? Lord Malloch-Brown is the latest disillusioned specialist to leave Brown's once-touted 'government of all the talents'”

(EDITOR: What happened to Gordon Brown's goats? He allowed his acolytes to slaughter them. But it wasn't HIS fault, you understand...)

http://www.scotsman.com/business/Government-vows-not-to-let.5445819.jp

“Government vows not to let RBS and Lloyds stakes go cheaply”

(EDITOR: With my cynical journo hat on, I ask: “OK, so where's the fiddle, here? Who stands to benefit on the sly?”)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/pensions/5789021/Government-pensions-plan-at-odds-with-incentives-to-save.html

“Government pensions plan 'at odds with incentives to save' The National Association of Pension Funds has attacked the Government's determination to press ahead with plans to change tax relief on pension contributions from 2011”

(EDITOR: Why IS Brown so unremittingly stupid? Why is Darling both so unremittingly stupid AND so unremittingly supine?)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jul/08/10p-tax-rate-labour

Labour's heart gives out By refusing to fix its abolition of the 10p tax rate, Labour attacked the core value on which voters thought they could depend.

(EDITOR: Frank Field shows how evil Brown and Darling and how craven the vast majority of his fellow Labour MP are)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5778295/Swine-flu-Government-is-scaremongering-say-leading-GPs.html

“Swine flu: Government is scaremongering say leading GPs Leading GPs have criticised the Government for scaremongering over the swine flu outbreak and said the disease is no worse than seasonal influenza”

(EDITOR: Does Brown think he can win the next General Election on an: I saved you from Swine Flu” platform? He's crass enough to try...)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/5787464/Most-pupils-shunning-school-dinners-after-Jamie-Oliver-campaign.html

“Most pupils 'shunning school dinners' after Jamie Oliver campaign Most schoolchildren are refusing to eat school lunches following the introduction of healthy menus after a campaign by Jamie Oliver, new figures show”

(EDITOR: They could have introduced healthy eating, slowly and properly. But they rushed it and alienated children and their parents. Anyway, does Jamie Oliver have qualifications as a nutritionist? Just wondering...)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/defence/5779941/Coroner-calls-for-Government-review-of-armoured-vehicles.html

“A coroner called for a Government review of the use of light armoured vehicles and helicopters in Afghanistan after a Territorial Army soldier was killed by a land mine”

(EDITOR: Whilst we are at it, how about a review on the preternaturally thick plating on the skulls of Labour ministers, including Gordon Brown?)

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hXG7UNyXCS7Lt5Z5o6-dxXnZUG4g

“Knife crime convictions rise by 60%” (PA story)

(EDITOR: 60% RISE? Thanks, Gordon. You are clearly by far and away the best Prime Minister we have ever had)

http://www.thisisthewestcountry.co.uk/news/somerset_news/4484433.Government_slammed_over__flawed__mortgage_rescue_scheme/

“Government slammed over "flawed" mortgage rescue scheme THE Labour Government has been slammed by Yeovil MP David Laws over the dismal figures released regarding the mortgage rescue scheme. New figures show that just six households in England have received assistance from the scheme at a time when many home owners are vulnerable due to the deep recession. This is in spite of the scheme being in operation for six months”

(EDITOR: I take it back. Quite clearly Mr Brown is the worst Prime Minister ever. By a Country Mile...)

And on that happy note, let's wait and see what the morning brings.

Thursday Morning update. Brown like Nixon? Our soldiers, Lions lead by donkeys.

2009-07-09T06:12:00.002Z

Will Gordon Brown EVER 'get it' does anyone think? Because it doesn't look like it!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6670392.ece

“More British troops will lose their lives as a result of a new strategy to reduce civilian casualties, the new commander of Nato forces in Afghanistan warned yesterday. General Stanley McChrystal — who has ordered his forces to reduce aerial bombing because of the risk to civilians — said that the additional risks to soldiers were a price worth paying”

(EDITOR: Lions, meet your donkey)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2009/jul/08/hacking-privacy-news-of-the-world

“News of the hacked: If Murdoch's papers really believe in public interest they should disclose all details of illegal tapping”

(EDITOR: Nice. Gordon Brown's mate, that...)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1198391/Irish-voters-second-chance-agree-European-Union-treaty.html

“Ireland to get second EU Lisbon Treaty referendum while Britain still waits for vote”

(EDITOR: “And this time, get it right!” shouts the EU)

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-big-question-how-is-britain-implicated-in-the-torture-of-terror-suspects-1737956.html

“The Big Question: How is Britain implicated in the torture of terror suspects?”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mandrake/5780055/How-Lord-Mandelson-may-profit-from-surprise-resignation-of-Lord-Malloch-Brown.html

“How Lord Mandelson may profit from surprise resignation of Lord Malloch-Brown”

(EDITOR: Ah. Then perhaps it is not that much of a surprise?)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8141171.stm

“12 to contest Norwich by-election”

EDITOR: Here are those candidates in alphabetical orderThe full list of candidates (in alphabetical order):

Peter Baggs (Independent)

Thomas Burridge (Libertarian Party)

Anne Fryatt (None of The Above Party)

Bill Holden (Independent)

Laud Howling (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)

Craig Murray (Put An Honest Man into Parliament)

Chris Ostrowski (Labour)

April Pond (Liberal Democrat)

Rupert Read (Green)

Chloe Smith (Conservative)

Glenn Tingle (UK Independence Party)

Robert West (British National Party) )

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/5778577/MoD-civil-servant-appointed-new-head-of-Soca.html

“Sir Ian Andrews, a civil servant who spent his career at the Ministry of Defence and has no experience with crime agencies, has been appointed the new head of Soca, Britain's "FBI".

Senior officers in serious and organised crime nationwide admitted they had "never heard" of him”

(EDITOR: Great. He'll do a wonderful job. Or not...)

http://news.scotsman.com/uk/Postal-workers--start-strike.5442416.jp

“Postal workers start strike action”

(EDITOR: Oh, damn. That's the parcel I was expecting from London scuppered, then!)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1198210/Gordon-Brown-responsible-letting-MG-Rover-bust.html

“Gordon Brown was responsible for 'pulling the plug' on MG Rover, leading to the loss of 6,000 jobs, a report by the firm's former executives claims. The dossier blames the Prime Minister and his former adviser Shriti Vadera for scuppering a rescue deal with the Chinese”

(EDITOR: Thanks for nothing, Gordon, mate. Always thought there was something dodgy about the way it all went down)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jul/07/gordon-brown-labour-richard-nixon

“Brown may be flawed and weak. But he's no Nixon – or even Blair: (writes Jonathan Freedland) "Just consult YouTube for the April moment when Brown welcomed Barack Obama to Downing Street: fluid and easy, Obama casually shook hands with the policeman outside No 10. Brown moved towards the copper too, the latter offering his hand. But then Brown turned away, embarrassed and uncertain. It was an excruciating moment, pure Nixon. And there have been many of them"

(EDITOR: So what point is Freedland trying to make? That although Brown is Nixon-like, he isn't Nixonian? Does Freedland know what he means?)

Ah, the heck with it! I am sure more good things will come our way, later today!

Jon Shield to run the 200K Ultra Jungle Marathon!

2009-07-08T21:33:00.001Z

Jon Shield BSc (Hons) Dip. PT (one of the UK’s most qualified Personal Trainers) will be running the 200K (125mile) Ultra Marathon through the Brazilian Rain Forest in Oct 2009.

The ultra marathon is one of the Worlds most enduring and physically challenging races, as each runner has to be self sufficient throughout the course, which includes carrying their own food, clothing, bedding whilst navigating the jungle and avoiding the critters that bite and can kill!

Jon will be running in aid of the British Heart Foundation after he was diagnosed with an irregular heart beat and had Electrocardioversion treatment.. From his initial diagnosis, Jon has gone from strength to strength in terms of his university degree and building his overall strength and fitness levels to peak condition.

Discussions are underway with the UK’s leading brands in terms of support and sponsorship opportunities, including British Airways, Nike, Canon and Asics.

During the final stages of training in September, Jon will be training daily at a special acclimatisation facility in Manchester which mirrors the Jungle conditions in terms of temperature and humidity levels.

Jon’s Just Giving BHF web link is: http://original.justgiving.com/jonshield.

Mile High Club? Check in before you are 40

2009-07-08T21:23:00.001Z

The definitive guide of ‘100 things to do before you are 40 in the UK’ launches on Monday (13 July) on AQA2U AQA, the micro publishing service for the mobile phone.

By texting FORTY2U to 63336 at a cost of just 25p per text, customers will receive a new challenge, task or goal every 48 hours that has made it into the ultimate list of 100 list of things to do before turning 40.

“Forget snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef or trekking through the ruins of Machu Pichu, our list is about tasks you can achieve in the UK and ranges from skinny-dipping to skydiving, from showering in a waterfall to serving in soup kitchens,” said Anthony Garvey (43), joint publisher of the content. “Those in their forties like me, can look back wistfully at what we failed to achieve and smile knowingly at what we have managed to tick off the list,” he said.

The work of putting the list together was coordinated by co-publisher Seamus Heffernan (26), who confirmed (without smiling knowingly) that joining the Mile High Club was indeed among the 100 items on the list:

“We tirelessly trawled the internet to assemble the top 100 and believe for some it will be a fun new service, while for others it could be an opportunity to set some novel and motivating goals and make their lives a little more interesting and fulfilling,” he said.

“If the service proves successful, we will look at setting up an online blog to chart people’s journeys towards achieving their goals,” he said.

New online divorce site aims to take on high street law firms and win

2009-07-08T21:20:00.001Z

The concept of online divorce has been around for ten years or more now and most websites offering services to the UK consumer concentrate on offering DIY or self help packages.

Companies such as lawpack and Quickie Divorce are the best examples of the DIY services where the consumer just gets some forms, a guide and told to get on with it.

There are around 155,000 divorces every year and the majority of them are uncontested, but the majority of consumers still use high street solicitors, paying on average £1,000 + court fees to get their uncontested divorce dealt with.

This is simply because many people still want the security of a trusted brand…namely a high street solicitor.

www.AbsoluteDivorce.Com has come up with the solution to this by offering two levels of service vai the Internet.

www.AbsoluteDivorce.Com provide either a Certified Paralegal service or a Solicitors Service for those who continue to want their divorce dealt with by traditional legal service providers, divided by price.

The service is being provided by Online Legal Services Ltd which is one of the UK's largest Paralegal Law firms who operate websites in the legal, property and financial sectors and have over ten years experience in this space.

The cost of a Certified Paralegal divorce starts at just £182.00 and the Solicitor Divorce is £299.00,both representing considerable savings when compared to the high street law firm.

With the recession taking its’ toll on peoples finances, it makes sense for consumers to get the best deals without sacrificing quality of service and the company aims to take a large market share from high street solicitors and their online rivals over the next 12 months.

A large online marketing campaign has been initiated across all the major search engines to drive traffic to the website.

Wednesday Morning update: MPs breaking law and people are still angry

2009-07-08T06:10:00.001Z

Apparently Gordon Brown is worried about a second recession. Might be worth getting us out of the first one...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/gordon-brown/5770712/Gordon-Brown-to-warn-G8-leaders-of-threat-of-second-recession.html

“Gordon Brown to warn G8 leaders of threat of second recession”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8139679.stm

“Postal workers are beginning three days of strike action in London in a dispute over jobs and pay, amid claims of cutbacks to services”

(EDITOR: Cut back to services? With Second Class letters taking THIRTY DAYS to reach Scotland from Glasgow, I'll say there have been problems caused by cutbacks to services. The Royal Mail workers have a good point)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/gordon-brown/5771170/Gordon-Brown-avoids-humiliation-over-10p-tax-row.html

“Gordon Brown avoids humiliation over 10p tax row”

(EDITOR: But he will still be seens as a Labour Prime Minister who taxed the poor. Rather like Robin Hood in reverse, stealing from the poor to give to the rich)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1198237/Peer-stands-Browns-Government-talents-family-reasons.html

“Another member of Gordon Brown's Government of all talents quit last night. Lord Malloch-Brown is to step down at the end of the month for 'personal and family reasons'.”

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6657875.ece

“Despite overstretched troops in Afghanistan, the Army could lose some of its 36 infantry battalions as every aspect of the £34 billion defence budget comes under scrutiny”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/conservative/5772749/David-Davis-MP-accuses-MI5-of-outsourcing-torture.html

“David Davis, the former shadow Home Secretary, last night used parliamentary privilege to directly accuse MI5 of "outsourcing torture".”

(EDITOR: How dare he? Doesn't he know that, in Gordon Brown's Britain everything is perfect?)

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2523267/Firefighters-ordered-to-leave-as-six-die-in-Camberwell-tower-block-blaze.html

“FIREFIGHTERS battling the Camberwell tower block blaze were forced to pull out by health and safety rules - leaving six victims to die, it has been claimed”

(EDITOR: Gordon Brown's Britain. Makes you proud to live here)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6663100.ece

“Lord Mandelson keeps off the grass, amid MPs' metaphor madness”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/8138125.stm

“Stephen Byers has been attacked as he arrived to hold a surgery with his constituents. The North Tyneside MP was sprayed with a soft drink by a man protesting against MPs' expenses.”

(EDITOR The people are still angry)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5770713/MPs-breaking-tax-laws-chief-inspector-says.html

“MPs are regularly breaking the law by failing to pay tax on their expenses, the country's chief tax inspector told the committee probing House of Commons allowances yesterday”

(EDITOR: And this is one reason WHY the people are still angry)

Tuesday morning and UK rorting is still news in Australia

2009-07-07T06:15:00.005Z

Good to know Britain is still providing such amusing copy for the rest of the world

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/britons-protest-over-mp-expenses-scandal-hits-home-20090707-dan3.html

“Squatters have taken over a house at the centre of rort revelations, Karla Adam reports from London”

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/article6652924.ece

“Alistair Darling moved to allay fears of a freeze on the pay of public-sector workers as unions warned that they should not be punished for the failings of the private sector.”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8136185.stm

“A rejuvenating UK-France summit?”

(EDITOR: Oh, God!)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jul/06/labour-conservatives-gay-rights

“Why Tories are winning the pink vote: Labour can't bear the idea that gay people, too, are repelled by them, and are turning to a changed Tory party”

(EDITOR: An interesting article)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/5760398/Commons-sketch-We-can-offer-you-four-more-years-of-Gordon-Brown.html

“Commons sketch: We can offer you four more years of Gordon Brown: It seems unlikely that Labour MPs jump for joy at the prospect of having to tell the voters, when the general election comes, "We can offer you four more years of Gordon Brown."

(EDITOR: Too right!)

http://www.inthenews.co.uk/news/politics/youtube-brown-constitutionally-unorthodox--$1309313.htm

“YouTube Brown 'constitutionally unorthodox': An influential group of peers has criticised Gordon Brown for announcing plans to reform MPs' expenses regulation on YouTube”

(EDITOR: Anyone else would have resigned after such an attack. But not Gordon! He just keeps right on gurning -with apologies to Felix the Cat)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1197880/Milibands-disloyalty-calling-reform-triggering-leadership-challenge-rumours.html

“David Miliband was accused of being disloyal Gordon Brown today after he declared that voters want to hit the ‘fast-forward button’”

(EDITOR: Why does he have an Action Man flock hairstyle? Does he have a lever at the back of his head to move his Action Man Eagle Eye?)

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/bruce-anderson/bruce-anderson-it-will-take-dynamite-to-remove-gordon-brown-from-no-10-1732769.html

“Bruce Anderson: It will take dynamite to remove Gordon Brown from No 10: If the ex-Clunking Fist were a boxer, the fight would have been stopped long ago”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/5742745/Alan-Johnson-opens-damaging-new-rift-with-Prime-Minister-Gordon-Brown.html

“A damaging new rift has opened up between Gordon Brown and Alan Johnson after it emerged that the Home Secretary tore up a key government policy without consulting Downing Street”

(EDITOR: Now... why would he do anything so apparently stupid?)

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/columnists/2009/07/04/how-gordon-brown-survived-until-his-election-date-with-doom-91466-24070836/

“How Gordon Brown survived – until his election date with doom”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8134646.stm

“Brown facing fresh 10p tax fight”

(EDITOR: Oops! That's come back, has it? Gordon. If you don't fix the roof, the leak will occur every time it rains)

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/sarah-browns-lasagne-offensive-1732749.html

“Sarah Brown's lasagne offensive”

(EDITOR: Wilson had his beer and sandwiches, Brown has his wife's lasagne)

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/benedictbrogan/100002002/darling-i-will-set-out-spending-plans/

“I do hope Gordon Brown and Peter Mandelson will find time to read Andrew Grice’s interview with Alistair Darling in the Independent. The Chancellor puts his colleagues straight on the prospects for a comprehensive spending review this side of an election”

http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/Delay-in-reforms-threatens-world.5433718.jp

“Delay in reforms threatens world economy says Brown”

(EDITOR: “Shut up, Brown,” says world economy)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1197773/Quango-penpushers-rule-twilight-zone-government.html

“Quango penpushers rule through 'twilight zone' government”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8136924.stm

“The government has undervalued the Post Office network as a link with citizens, according to a committee of MPs”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jul/06/national-express-safety-warning

“National Express's east coast line is 'an accident waiting to happen': Worker warned junior minister of reduced maintenance checks and that some trains are running with defective brakes”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/5762979/Senior-police-officers-receive-secret-perks.html

“Senior police officers receive 'secret' perks: Senior police officers are receiving perks worth hundreds of thousands of pounds on top of their declared salaries, it has been claimed”

(EDITOR:That's how it is in Brown's Britain)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1197875/French-use-British-people-finding-technology-scan-illegal-immigrants-trying-cross-Channel.html

“Britain gives French £15million to police their own border: Gordon Brown was last night accused of striking a bad deal for the taxpayer after agreeing to give France £15million to help tighten its borders”

(EDITOR: And that's how it is in Brown's Europe)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/5760929/Businesswoman-wins-six-year-legal-battle-against-farmer-after-being-trampled-by-his-cows.html

“Businesswoman wins six-year legal battle against farmer after being trampled by his cows”

(EDITOR: Everyone who lives in the country knows cows, especially if they have calves with them, are very protective mothers. Dangerously so. Anyone who deliberately walks through a herd of cows with a dog really shouldn't do it. Though, apparently, judges now believe it is all the fault of the wicked, evil farmers who deliberately try to continue to attempt to operate their farms. How dare they? Don't they know this is Brown's Britain?)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1197949/Alan-Johnson-radical-We-sold-pup.html

“Alan Johnson a radical? We may have been sold a pup”

(EDITOR: Opines Quentin Letts. Seems a fair question upon which to finish this update. Doubtless there will be more, or less, of the same, later)

Monday evening update. Honest Al nobbled! Ofcom screams! Lords angry!

2009-07-06T22:15:00.002Z

You really could not make this up...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jul/06/ofcom-david-cameron

“Ofcom hits back at David Cameron: Media regulator 'surprised' to be singled out in Tory leader's attack on quangos, insisting it provides value for money”

(EDITOR: Here is some free advice for Ofcom: If Ofcom genuinely doesn't want to be noticed, don't splash about so much in the pool)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8137425.stm

“Labour must change, says Miliband”

(EDITOR: No, Mr Miliband. That's not good enough. There's always someone calling for a change. What might be required is someone who says: “These are the changes we have made.”)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6650836.ece

“Murderers and rapists among 1,000 criminals on the run”

(EDITOR: Gordon Brown's Britain. Kind of puts a lump in the throat, doesn't it? Or something)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/5759544/DFID-rebranded-UKaid-to-highlight-Britains-work.html

“The Department for International Development (DFID) is to be rebranded UKaid because the good work of Britain was going unnoticed abroad because people did not know what the acronym represented”

(EDITOR: “Captain Brown, we STILL can't find the key to the deckchair paint store! We'll never get the deckchairs painted at this rate!”)

http://www.24dash.com/news/Central_Government/2009-07-06-Home-Secretary-controversial-ID-cards-programme-not-dead

Home Secretary Alan Johnson today insisted that the ID Cards programme was not dead despite ruling out making them compulsory: Under pressure in the Commons today following last week's climbdown, Mr Johnson said: "We haven't scrapped cards, what we are doing is accelerating their introduction".

(EDITOR: Who got at Honest Al, the Postman's pal?)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8136907.stm

“Emergency plans to reform Parliament in the wake of the expenses scandal have been criticised by peers: MPs voted through the Parliamentary Standards Bill in three days after two contentious clauses were dropped: But a Lords committee said it had been drawn up "behind closed doors", seemed most concerned with "public perception" and had been rushed through.”

(EDITOR: What? Brown rushing legislation through? Oh, surely not?!)

That's it for this evening. Let's do it all again in 8 hours time!

Liverpool professionals look for new ways to make friends in Liverpool

2009-07-06T20:55:00.000Z

Successful UK network to launch in Liverpool following £260,000 investment deal.

In a survey of over 600 Liverpool-based professionals aged 25 - 45, conducted by CitySocialising, results showed that over 85% of those who had moved to Liverpool within the last 2 years, arriving with no social network in place, found integrating into city life a "slow" and "difficult" process. Meeting new people in Liverpool, they commented, was “not as easy as they thought it would be.” 90% welcomed a service in Liverpool to help connect them with new local friends to explore the city's "fantastic" social and cultural scene with.

Plus, 58% of the local professionals in this age group that had lived in the area for more than 2 years, stated that they would be keen to find new friends in Liverpool to go out with outside their usual social and work circles. The main reasons given were because their friends were moving out of the city, were settling down and having children or simply because they had too little time to organise their social lives and that there was no easy way to meet new people from their local area within the city.

Throughout March and April 2009, CitySocialising, the UK's leading online and offline social network for outgoing professionals, embarked on the research-finding mission in Liverpool to find out about the views and experiences of young professionals in the city ahead of its plans to launch a network in the city in July 2009, following more than a quarter of a million pound investment deal.

CitySocialising’s growth plans amidst the tough economic climate signal a step away from virtual networking, where users can accumulate thousands of online “friends”, towards making genuine, real world connections and harnessing the power of the internet to reinvigorate local communities and networks.

The views of those polled in Liverpool reflected the opinions of CitySocialising's approximate 50,000+ members based across 12 UK cities ( with Liverpool being one of seven new cities being launched in June and July 2009) Sanchita Saha, CEO of CitySocialising commented:

“Liverpool is such a cool and vibrant city with so much going on and the people we've met here are really warm and welcoming and socialising in Liverpool is a lot of fun. But, as with all cities, the fast pace and transient nature means it can still be difficult to integrate and meet people from your local community. We provide people new to Liverpool a fun and easy way to socialise with other people that have the same interests as them.

“Plus, the older and busier you get the more difficult it becomes to meet new friends outside your usual network. The results of our research has given us confidence that the network will do a lot of good in the city. Our fast growing member-base across the UK and the recent investment are a great indicator that the CitySocialising network is one that is providing a valuable service to city-based professionals and a refreshing alternative to social networking in the virtual world."

Throughout the whole of June and July 2009, they will be hosting a series of 14 launch events across the UK for both new and existing cities. The Liverpool date has been confirmed for Wednesday 8th July 2009 at Heebie Jeebies. Visit http://liverpool.citysocialising.com to register for a free invite to the launch event.

UK Jobs - 1Job’s Revolutionary Job Searching iPhone Application : Available Now! Official Launch Monday 6th July

2009-07-06T20:13:00.000Z

Available through iTunes on your desktop, or directly through the App Store from your iPhone, this FREE application puts 1Job’s comprehensive database of advertised vacancies conveniently in the palm of your hand. http://1job.co.uk/iphone-app.php

No one can fail to have noticed how the iPhone, from Apple, has completely transformed the way many of us access the internet. This month’s release of the latest software upgrade, OS 3.0, and the fastest iPhone yet, the iPhone 3GS, sets the stage for our powerful and dedicated recruitment application for job seekers, especially in these tough economic times.

1Job.co.uk, the UK’s first, and leading Job Search Engine has now developed the first FREE and comprehensive application for the iPhone, which enables job seekers to search for vacancies wherever they are, and at any time.Entitled UK Jobs, this simple and effective tool allows a fully functional search of the 1Job database of advertised vacancies across the whole of the UK and Ireland.Vacancies are updated on a daily basis, so candidates can have direct access to the hottest jobs as soon as they become available. Whilst OS 3.0 makes applying via the iPhone easier than ever, UK Jobs also enables candidates to email their selected vacancies directly to their home PC, for applying discreetly, avoiding using their office computers. Searching and applying for jobs is a very private activity, and having an iPhone in your pocket, equipped with UK Jobs means that everyone has access to the latest advertised jobs, wherever they are.

Features

• Quick and effective job search by job title, keywords and location
• Specify the maximum number of results to show, for easier viewing or more in depth searches
• Have your results emailed to yourself for reference later on.
• Save job links inside the application itself, to keep track of relevant search results
• Search anywhere. A Wi-Fi connection is not necessary. This app works perfectly through 3G and Edge networks as well.
• Via user feedback, future updates will look to include additional features requested by candidates, and enhanced search efficiency of the 1Job database. All updates will be FREE to download.

FACT FILE:
Established in 2003, 1Job.co.uk is the UK’s leading job search engine, and delivers over 1.2 million candidate visits per month to the UK’s major recruitment websites. http://1job.co.uk/about.php

A short video the 1Job iPhone App is viewable at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLB8Znv4Xn0

The iPhone Application itself can be downloaded here (this will launch iTunes) http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftwa...

Apple iPhone.

By February 2009, O2 had sold over 1 million iPhones in the UK. Estimates are now at 1.6 million to June 2009.

Over 1 billion downloads of iPhone Applications have taken place worldwide in the nine month period to April this year. http://www.apple.com/itunes/billion-app-countdown/

The iPhone 3Gs has been so overwhelmingly popular, that O2 have temporarily sold out. http://shop.o2.co.uk/update/stockupdate.html

Monday Morning Update. Europe at war with Britain?

2009-07-06T07:29:00.001Z

European Powers declare war on Britons, Brown acused of vandalism, Spooks who use Facebook, Ministers who cant tell truth from lie: It's just another Gordon Brown week.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/technologynews/5750974/Fears-that-Facebook-disclosures-have-compromised-Sir-John-Sawerss-security.html

“Disclosures on Lady Sawers' Facebook page have led to concerns that Britain's top spymaster's personal security has been compromised even before he takes up his post”

(EDITOR: Anyone with sense would have already withdrawn from the post)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2009/jul/06/jack-straw-ronne-biggs-prison

“Begging Jack Straw's lack of pardons”

(EDITOR: Despite the crap Guardian headline, Marcel Berlins has it about right on Straw)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6644853.ece

“European leaders are so desperate for Gordon Brown to stay in power until after the Lisbon treaty comes into force that they are willing to make compromises to shore up his political position, The Times has learnt”

(EDITOR: So they are keen to interfere in the internal politics of a sovereign state? “This mean War!” Would normally be used at about this point. But it will not be. Why? Because these foreign powers are waging war against the British public. Aided and abetted by Gordon Brown)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jul/06/gordon-brown-g8-leaders-recession

“Gordon Brown warns G8 of new recession dangers”

(EDITOR: This is rather like a cheeky burglar leaving a note at the scene of his latest break-in: “You really should consider installing a burglar alarm system.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mandrake/5750886/Official-fears-as-Gordon-Brown-leaves-his-mark.html

“When it was disclosed last summer that Gordon Brown was vandalising the dispatch box with his black felt pen during Prime Minister's Questions, officials at the House of Commons hoped that he might be prompted to desist”

(EDITOR: If this story by Mandrake is true, it certainly shows Brown in a very different light. That of the man who destroyed the dispatch box that was a gift from New Zealand after the wartime destruction of the House of Commons. Wonderful.)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196949/Brown-shock-Commons-defeat-clean-politics.html

“Brown suffers shock Commons defeat over MPs expenses legislation”

(EDITOR: This Expensesgate stuff just will not go away!)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/philipjohnston/5754900/Laws-that-slip-in-the-back-door.html

“Laws that slip in the back door: Labour's methods of law-making have made parliamentary debate and openness impossible, argues Philip Johnston”

(EDITOR: An interesting article that outs Brown's abuse of parliamentary procedure)

And that's it for this morning. Though I dare say the rest of the day could provide some interesting news...