Posted on by Patrick Sudlow

Under successive Governments, Labour and Conservative, the NHS has been slowly privatised and had staff numbers reduced. The politicians have failed the NHS and the people of England and Wales.

SKWAWKBOX's avatarSKWAWKBOX

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Jeremy Hunt’s announcement in Parliament last Tuesday on the changes he is planning in the wake of the Francis Report into events at Stafford Hospital was remarkable for two things: the complete absence of the key factor that Robert Francis identified as being at the heart of the poor care at the hospital and as clear a case of “giving away the ‘master’-plan” as you will ever see.

Or not wish to see, since for all Hunt’s timorousness and petulance it will be an absolute disaster for hundreds of thousands of people.

The problem that never was, or ‘out of sight, out of mind?’

Hunt prefaced his announcement of his measures by genuflecting before the altar of the Francis report:

I also pay tribute to Robert Francis QC for his work in producing a seminal report that will, I believe, mark a turning point in the history of the NHS…Our…

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Posted on by Patrick Sudlow

Except for the use of foul language, which is unnecessary, this article does expose Tesco’s hypocrisy and cynicism. The Government has not got a clue about fiscal matters, making people poorer has a detriment of the local economy and eventually the nations economy. This Government and the opposition are driving this country into a hole, it will never recover from.

johnny void's avatarthe void

tesco-exploitationTesco claim to have called on the DWP to scrap benefit sanctions in a response to a letter asking them about their use of forced, unpaid workers.

In a humiliating snub to Iain Duncan Smith, the company set up their own workfare scheme outside of the Jobcentre system last year.  Tesco say that this scheme is entirely voluntary but add in the letter:  “I appreciate your concerns and can advise that Tesco have suggested to the Department of Work and Pensions that, to avoid any misunderstanding about the voluntary nature of the scheme, the risk of losing benefits that currently exists should be removed.”

Now unless Tesco are fibbing, if their scheme is outside of the various DWP workfare schemes, then it should be entirely voluntary.  The statement suggests that in order to avoid confusion Tesco would like to see all benefit sanctions removed.  Tesco want free workers without the…

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James Steele: America’s mystery man in Iraq – video | World news | guardian.co.uk

Posted on by Patrick Sudlow

A report into the USA’s sponsored death squads which operated in Iraq.

James Steele: America’s mystery man in Iraq – video | World news | guardian.co.uk.

Posted on by Patrick Sudlow

Some people may have been mislead by some of the messages from our (rarely right) media and might be interested in this link about bedroom tax: THE BEDROOM TAX CALCULATOR as well as the article itself.  And here is a link to advice on a possible way to defeat the Bedroom Tax: Bedroom Tax, how to get rid of it quickly and simply

paurina's avatarpaurina

What councils don’t tell you about the enforcement of council tax. 

Millions of people who do not pay the council tax now will be charged 8.5% to 20% from the 1st April. Millions will not be able to afford it; councils knew that when they made those irrational decisions.

Councils will not tell you;

1. That they have the discretion to write off the tax for vulnerable and impoverished people  under clause 10 (1) 13A (1) of the Local Government Finance Act 2012. It is necessary for the council tax benefit claimant to write a letter to the council setting out their financial circumstances, all debts, and all relevant information such  as health/disability. Payment of the bedroom tax, rent due to the overall benefit tax and the rent due to the housing benefit tax would be relevant.

2. That the bottom line is the income left after rent and council tax needed for…

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Inquiry behind NHS scandal omitted crucial data – Public Sector IT

Posted on by Patrick Sudlow

The British public have been losing faith in Public Inquiries for some time, this just reinforces people’s mistrust of those in power:

Inquiry behind NHS scandal omitted crucial data – Public Sector IT.

And another blog worth reading about South Stafford NHS and the Francis Inquiry Report:

Media Jarman claim 20k avoidable NHS deaths – Why its nonsense

Will the government’s benefit raid turn us all into April Fools?

Posted on by Patrick Sudlow

The list of changes to benefits and public services listed below, staying at home and not voting, is not an option.

Will the government’s benefit raid turn us all into April Fools?.

Council’s ‘Recent’ U-Turn on Park Plans Were Already in Place as Far Back as August 2011

Posted on by Patrick Sudlow

Manchester City Council make decisions without any consultation with local communities.  When they announce their plans, they then state they will have a consultation about their plans, which were decided months earlier.  They are not going to change what they have already planned to do and have already engaged contractors to carry out the work.  The council is so dishonest with its dealing with local communities, I cannot understand any company with a reputation deals with them.  Is it a case of  ‘profits before people’?

Council’s ‘Recent’ U-Turn on Park Plans Were Already in Place as Far Back as August 2011.

UK police state moves a step closer (to your door)

Posted on by Patrick Sudlow

The Conservative Government managed to push through a bill through that threatens everyones Human Rights.  The right to a fair trial in an open court, a right the Anglo-Saxons introduced and the Normans included in their laws.  Now in the 21st Century, while our media concentrated on gay marriage, this backward policy slipped through unnoticed.  This country has never been a democracy and is moving further away from ever being one.

UK police state moves a step closer (to your door).

A discussion with Nigel Murphy (Labour councillor for Hulme and the Environment)

Posted on by Patrick Sudlow

I was walking home (16:40, 6/2/13) from the 8th Day along Stretford Road, when I bumped into Nigel Murphy (Labour councillor for Hulme and the Environment).  He told me he was waiting for a bus into town because he had been walking all day, then asked how were things with me.  I mentioned they were not very good, (there are lots of things like Birley Fields and the lack of action by the council on climate change), especially with things like Alexandria Park.  He mentioned people should read what it is really about and not listen to the protesters who are exaggerating the number of trees being felled.  I said I had read the aborculturist’s report and that mature (maybe originally planted by the Victorians) were being felled when they were in good condition.  I asked about the old green houses, they were not be restored, so how is this restoring the park to it former glory.  Nigel replied that he remembered the greenhouses from a kid and walking in the park.  And that the park was unsafe to walk in at night, and that this work was to make it safe.  It was to make this park fit for today.  If that is the case, then surely they have obtained funds falsely from the National Heritage Fund?  The National Heritage Fund is about support the restoration of heritage assets and clearly this is not the council’s intention.  Those who agreed to the council’s proposals seemed to of forgotten previous projects by the council, such as Piccadilly Gardens.  Is that fit for today, what was done to Piccadilly Gardens?  Alexandra Park Trees

Why Climate Scientists Have Consistently UNDERestimated Key Global Warming Impacts | ThinkProgress

Posted on by Patrick Sudlow

Some of have suggested things will be worse than that suggested, such as the total breakdown of the Gulf Stream, plunging the UK into another Ice Age.  Kevin Anderson of the University of Manchester’s Tyndall Centre, spoke at a breakfast at the Rylands Library and spoke at Manchester’s Town Hall on the urgency of reducing our carbon emissions to prevent catastrophic climate change.  Which I mention in an earlier post and that to me, the councillors, especially Richard Leese, the leader, did not appear that interested in.

It is also mentioned in this months Manchester Climate Monthly.  There is a new research paper recently published that suggests scientist have consistently under-estimated the effects of climate change.  And that things are a lot worse than it was ever thought.  Though I feel, it is doubtful our politicians will change their attitudes and policies.  No doubt, believing they will be okay because they are rich.  They may soon find out, they ARE in it with US, and that they cannot eat or drink money:  Why Climate Scientists Have Consistently UNDERestimated Key Global Warming Impacts | ThinkProgress.