People's Republic of South Devon » government

NUT supports call for industrial action on November 30

PRSD — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 07:20:04 +0000

Empty schools across the south west? the NUT supports the call for industrial action on November 30

The National Union of Teachers supports the call for a first day of industrial action on November 30. This follows a decision at the TUC for co-ordinated strike action against the cuts being proposed to public sector pensions.

Andy Woolley, South West regional secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said: “The Government has time and again refused to listen to the growing anger about proposed changes to public sector pensions. Despite there being no evidence to suggest that our pensions are unaffordable, the Government persists in stating that cuts need to be made.

“This is an unacceptable and shameful way of conducting negotiations. The NUT will be giving its full support to this TUC-led day of action on November 30. The Government has given us, and the other unions taking part, no other option.

“Teachers in the South West showed their anger at these unnecessary proposals on June 30 by striking in large numbers and taking part in demonstrations throughout the region. We already have plans in place for a lobby of Parliament during the October half term and we appear to be forced into this consideration of further strike action by the total unwillingness of the government to negotiate in good faith.”

(from a press release)

(image: Some rights reserved by katerha)

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‘Pay more, work longer, get less’ remains government position on pensions

PRSD — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 17:51:03 +0000

Public and Commercial Services union: ‘the government has shown no interest in actually negotiating on any of the key principles at the heart of this dispute’

Speaking after today’s (June 27) meeting with ministers over the government’s plans to cut public sector pensions, Public and Commercial Services union general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “It was disappointing that the meeting proved to be no different to any of the others – it was a farce. Again the government has shown no interest in actually negotiating on any of the key principles at the heart of this dispute.

“And this is a dispute that is entirely of the government’s making. We did not ask for pensions to be cut, we did not ask for public servants to be told they must work years longer and pay more for much less in retirement. Every independent analysis shows that public sector pensions are affordable now and in the future, and costs are falling in the long term.

“On Thursday, June 30 we will see hundreds of thousands of civil and public servants on strike and, on the experience of today’s meeting and the last few months of government obstinacy, we fully expect to be joined by millions more in the autumn.”

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The Government confirms ‘it has no intention of listening to teachers’

PRSD — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 17:35:45 +0000

The NUT: the teaching union’s members are concerned about the plans for enforced changes to their pensions

It may be no surprise, but the latest news from the teaching union the NUT is that after the conclusion of today’s (Monday, June 27) talks ‘it is with regret that the NUT is announcing that we have no other option but to go ahead with the planned day of strike action on Thursday 30 June.’

‘We regret that the Government has still not yet moved from its position on all the key areas of its planned imposition and therefore the NUT needs to demonstrate the strength of feeling amongst our membership.

‘There has been no movement from the Government on the central propositions that teachers will have to pay 50% more for their pensions which risks many teachers being forced to leave the pension scheme altogether, work much longer to get a full pension, with any teacher aged 34 or less having to work to 68, and get much less for their pension.

‘It would appear from the Government’s press statement that it’s now beginning to recognise that there are particular issues in different pension schemes and intends to have in-depth discussions on the Local Government Scheme.

‘It is disappointing to say the least that it does not recognise the particular circumstances relating to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. This despite the fact that teachers’ pensions were only recently reformed, are affordable as confirmed by the National Audit Office and the agreed valuation promised in that agreement has still not taken place.

‘We will of course attend all future talks but for talks to be meaningful the Government really does need to address teachers’ central concerns.

Andy Woolley, South West regional secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said: “The Government has done nothing more today other than confirm it has no intention of listening to teachers. They are simply imposing draconian changes that will see teachers paying more, working longer and getting less with no evidence to back up these claims.

“This was an opportunity for the Government to live up to its rhetoric that it wanted to participate fully in the negotiations and back track from the announcement on June 17 by the Chief Secretary of the Treasury, Danny Alexander, that the Government’s mind was already made up on the changes it intended to make.

“The action on Thursday is unavoidable and unless the Government starts listening rather than simply imposing its will, it leaves us with little choice other than to consider further action.”

(from a press release)

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Need a cheap maid or gardener? Employ a disabled person on a pittance, says Tory MP

Kevin Dixon — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:28:55 +0000

Conservative MP Philip Davies: the minimum wage is a hindrance to vulnerable jobskeekers finding work, according to the Tory MP

Conservative MP Philip Davies has suggested “vulnerable” jobseekers – including disabled people – should be allowed to work for less than the minimum wage.

Apparently the £5.93-an-hour legal minimum is a “hindrance” to some jobseekers and firms are likely to favour other candidates who apply for advertised jobs.

The MP for Shipley made the comments during a debate in the Commons over the minimum wage and employment opportunities, saying that MPs should not “stand in the way” of those who wanted to work for less to get on the “jobs ladder”.

Mr Davies claimed the most vulnerable, including those with learning disabilities and mental health problems, were disadvantaged in their search for work because they had to compete with candidates without disabilities and could not offer to accept lower pay. “My view is that for some people, the national minimum wage may be more of a hindrance than a help,” he said.

The vulnerable were desperate to work but continually found the “door was being closed in their face”, he argued.

“Given that some of those people with a learning disability clearly, by definition, cannot be as productive in their work as somebody who has not got a disability of that nature, then it was inevitable that given the employer was going to have to pay them both the same they were going to take on the person who was going to be more productive, less of a risk,” he said.

“If those people who consider it is being a hindrance to them, and in my view that’s some of the most vulnerable people in society, if they feel that for a short period of time, taking a lower rate of pay to help them get on their first rung of the jobs ladder, if they judge that is a good thing, I don’t see why we should be standing in their way.”

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Michael Gove displaying ‘breath-taking ignorance’ in his primary school closure plan

PRSD — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 10:35:03 +0000

Michael Gove: accused of making policy in haste without any evidence to back up his claims

Michael Gove is at it again, coming out with policy that is barely thought out – but its not just us who think the education secretary’s report card has gone from ‘can do better’ to ‘must do better’, his plans for re-open 200 primary schools in England to be closed and re opened as academies has been called ‘breath-taking ignorance’.

Commenting on Michael Gove’s plans to close 200 primary schools in England and re-open them as academies next year, Andy Woolley, South West Regional Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union said: “It is with breath taking ignorance that Michael Gove believes compelling primary schools to convert to academies status will improve standards. The evidence does not support this.

“This is a totally unacceptable experiment to undertake with our primary school children. Since last September few primaries have voluntarily converted to academy status.

“These plans are being sold as the Government’s vision of state funded education but are transparently not state education as there will be no democratic accountability.

“Schools and in particular primary schools have not been clamouring to leave the local authority family of schools for the obvious reason that they value and need the additional support they receive from their local authority and neighbouring schools.

“We all want the best possible standards of teaching and learning in our schools. If Michael Gove were suggesting that all schools work together to improve education in their locality, sharing resources and best practice and using the facilities of the local authority we would gladly welcome it. Simply closing schools and replacing them with academies will not have the impact sought but will cause a great deal of confusion and distress for parents, pupils and staff.

“We have already seen the disastrous result of Government policy made in haste resulting in ill thought out proposals. They must not be given the opportunity to do it again with our primary children.”

(image: Some rights reserved by Steve Punter)

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Government expected to announce £5 billion Work Programme

PRSD — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:22:57 +0000

Back to Work: the government plans a massive ‘back to work’ programme, but what about the skills shortage, and what about the youth?

The government’s new Work Programme, due to be launched on Friday, June 10, will aim to move 176.000 unemployed people off benefits, and is being hailed as ‘the most ambitious back to work programme this country has ever seen’.

Despite optimism of the government, the picture looks very different when seen through the eyes of employers. A recent survey by the People 1st Training Company revealed that a quarter of businesses are struggling to source the right people to fill vacancies. Currently in the UK, 2.4 million people are out of work yet some businesses are finding it hard to recruit staff.

Carmen Watson, managing director of Pertemps Recruitment Partnership, said: “Businesses are recruiting again, which should offer great encouragement to the labour market.

“However, there is a worrying trend that although companies are hiring they are struggling to find the right calibre of staff. Hiring the right staff is vital to any organisation and failure to do this can cost a company dearly. My advice to companies who are looking to hire is to recruit staff who share your company’s values and culture.”

The recent economic downturn, public sector cutbacks combined with mounting employment regulation, such as the Equality of Duty rules which came in recently, all make compliance a costly and complex maze for both public and private sector employers.

However, it’s not just when people are in work that the problems begin, recent figures announced by the Office of National Statistics stood youth unemployment at 963,000, with the jobless rate for young people remaining above 20%. Youth unemployment is at an all time high and many experts are attributing the worrying trend to an ever widening skills gap.

Chancellor George Osborne recently highlighted the skills gap as a real danger. In the Budget he said the UK was falling behind other developed countries in terms of having a skilled and flexible work force; a situation that would potentially undermine any future economic growth.

As a result the government has found extra funding for a further 40,000 apprenticeships for young people. Apprenticeships should prove an attractive solution to both employers and perspective employees as university fees increase. With fees increasing to up to £9,000 the option of university has become a less attractive option to many young people.

Carmen said: “The skills agenda raises much concern and there are a number of vital areas we need to look at. A critical area appears to be 16-24 years olds where we have seen an alarmingly high unemployment rate so far this year.

“We are clearly not offering this age group enough training and support and, in my opinion, many are not being offered training at all. This is an issue that needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency and we need to be asking companies to seriously look at how we can support an age group that are failing to get jobs.”

(from a press release)

(image: Let’s Get Back To Work: Some rights reserved by MagdaMontemor)

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People-Centred Economic Development puts the human element into profit

PRSD — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:49:18 +0000

The People-Centred Economic Development, based in Gloucestershire, has been redefining profit for in human terms. Jeff Mowatt from the company spoke about the social business

Explain your business.
We’re called People-Centered Economic Development, in essence a business with a primary social objective, a social ROI. We began in 1996 with a founding paper describing a new more inclusive economic model for the information age, with the same name as our business.

What’s your background?
P-CED started in the US in 1997 following the founding paper and and by 1999 was working in Russia to source a development initiative and microfinance bank which created 10,000 small enterprises in the city of Tomsk.

We launched in the UK in 2004, deriving revenue from an ongoing software development business.

Why do your ethics play such a strong role in your business, and how does it apply to what you do?
Our revenue is deployed in activism and advocacy for human rights and poverty eradication. We believe that any economic model which includes disposability of humans either by genocide or starvation. Hence we are working in Eastern Europe to leverage investment in sustainable development.

What have you achieved with what you do?
Aside from the Tomsk initiative, since incorporation in the UK we’ve researched and submitted a ‘Marshall Plan‘ strategy paper to the US Senate which has begun to have inpact on government policy

What was harder to implement than you thought it would be?
Certainly. At first we tried a UK community broadband proposal but were unable to attract funding for a model based on a guarantee company. This was a year before the introduction of CICs which are based on similar principles, and we would have been difficult to understand. Then our founder, was excluded from the UK as a visitor. Exclusion has been an ongoing problem of many dimensions.

And yet, founder Terry Hallman resident in Ukraine for the last five years where he continues to advocate for the disenfranchised, particularly disabled children, was commended as an example of excellence in BT’s Seen and Heard awards last year.

What has been the unexpected benefit, if any, to you, your business or the community?
What we hadn’t expected was the influence on mainstream economics which came about because of the credit crisis. Now influential business leaders and politicians talk of more inclusive capitalism under various new labels which brings us a long way from publishing an idea on the web 12 years ago. Otherwise influence on the policies of two governments is something I’d not have dreamt of five years ago.

What have you learnt and what advice would you give to others thinking of starting a social enterprise?
I was reminded recently of part of the script of an old film, Inn of the Sixth Happiness.

In the film, Chinese tradition has five “happiness” wishes: wealth, longevity, good health, virtue, and a peaceful old age and death. “Each person must decide in their heart what the sixth happiness is.”

So, my answer would be to pursue that Sixth Happiness whatever is tossed in the way to divert your path.

How do you view the future?
We started off with a ideal, to replicate localised people-centered economics on a global basis. That view remains steadfast and now seems more achievable.

• If you are or know a social or ethical business, get in touch to be featured on the PRSD, email info@peoplesrepublicofsouthdevon.co.uk

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Call to name and shame expensive bus routes. Do you know any?

PRSD — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:18:35 +0000

Would you travel by bus if it were cheaper? The Campaign for Better Transport thinks so, and is calling for people to find the most expensive bus journey in Britain.

The plan is an attempt to shame the government (like that will work) into bringing down fares by investing more in buses. And the person who finds the most expensive journey will win a £50 voucher, to spent how they will. We just hope it will cover the fare.

Find out what inspired the competition and who to apply on the Campaign for Better Transport site.

posted by Cptn

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Disabled Kevin says the South West rejects Labour

PRSD — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 07:24:22 +0000

Disabled Kevin sees the election results as a clear signal that the South West doesn’t want Labour

After watching the results of the South West region elections, my reaction is the South West rejects this Labour Government and its Prime Minister, let alone the country.

I say to my friends Linda Gilroy and Ben Bradshaw MP, if I was a South West Labour MP I would actively seek the removal of Gordon Brown. Then go to the country in August, saying to my voters, that Gordon Brown was not right for the South West, I’m in tune with your fears and let me continued to be a strong voice in the next parliament!

I strongly feel if the Prime Minister is allow to muddle on until next year, David Cameron will be Prime Minister after the next election and Nick Clegg will be the leader of the opposition.

If anyone thinks this prediction is wild, just look at the results of the European elections, Labour was demoted into fifth place in the South West, behind the Green Party and a terrible sixth place in Cornwall.

The South West now has two Conservative, two UKIP and one Liberal Democrats MEPs, the message is clear: the voters believe Gordon Brown is not up to the job and the South West rejects Labour.

posted by Disabled Kevin

When I ran for MEP, Plymouth’s Evening Herald referred to me as Disabledkevin! I loved this label; I’m clearly disabled and called Kevin.

Got an opinion? Twitter #devonelection #swelection #euelection, or comment below

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Is the Conservative victory in Devon just a footnote in the march to a General Election triumph?

PRSD — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 08:04:57 +0000

Disabled Kevin wonders where the county election fits in the move towards a General Election

In other years the Tories clearing out of the Liberal Democrats from County Hall would be headline news but Gordon Brown has managed to demote the Conservative’s success to an election item in the news. Personally, I was surprised that Devon County Council fell so decisively, I thought the Conservatives would make gains but take control at the next county elections!

Their victory makes me ask a lot of questions, where the Liberal Democrats go now in Devon and come to that, in Cornwall. Are Ben Bradshaw, the new Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, Linda Gilroy and Alison Seabeck, Labour MPs wondering what they have to do, if they going to have any chance of retaining their seats at the next General Election? Is Richard Younger Ross reassessing his position?

Are the two councils of Devon and Plymouth City going to cooperate and in effect go back to the old county council model, and will a Conservative Mayor of Torbay complete this process?

As everyone discovers when gaining power, the winning of an election is easy but actually governing and putting your manifesto promises into practice is often the really hard part, so the citizens of the republic of South Devon will be watching!

posted by Disabled Kevin

When I ran for MEP, Plymouth’s Evening Herald referred to me as Disabledkevin! I loved this label; I’m clearly disabled and called Kevin.

Got an opinion? Twitter #devonelection #swelection #euelection, or comment below

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Torbay to work out £2 million free bus shortfall with the government

PRSD — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:58:10 +0000

The free bus passes debacle, is due to continue in Torbay tomorrow when under secretary for transport, Paul Clark comes to town to face criticism of the shortfall of government grants to provide the service.

The council says it will be £2 million out of pocket, the Government says oh no it isn’t.

Torbay MP Adrian Saunders, who organised the meeting, told thisissouthdevon: “The Government says it has adequately compensated the council for the bus passes, the council is saying it is much more expensive than the Government has calculated.”

In terms the local shortfall, Torbay mayor Nick Bye told the site: “We do not doubt the Government’s word that overall they have put enough money in the UK pot, and it is a tremendous scheme which we fully support.”

posted by Cptn

(image: a Devon bus)

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No vote or protest vote on June 4? How is it best to show your reaction to politicians’ attitudes to expenses?

PRSD — Sat, 16 May 2009 07:12:34 +0000

Election round up by Disabled Kevin

Until Thursday 14th, I was going to write a piece arguing why you should not use your vote in the European and local elections on June 4, as a protest vote but I cannot think of a good reason why to argue this!

I don’t mind MPs claiming expenses and having second homes, were appropriate but I cannot understand why some MPs think it is ok to claim for such things as £1000 TVs, claiming interest payments on mortgages which have been paid off, dog food, moat cleaning and multiple second homes.

I do not accept the defence ‘it was within the rules’! I hope if I ever got elected, if I felt it was necessary to buy a TV on my expenses I would claim less than £75! If I ever claim for biscuits I hope everyone would question my sanity.

MPs must be paid enough so they do their job properly, if they feel their wages are not enough to carry out their duties, they must make the case for adequate wages. We want our representatives to look after our needs and not to have reason for grubbing around, thinking of ways to increase their income!

Although professional politicians do not apologise very often and they are entitled to make forceful defences of their positions, sometimes they have to realise they must say sorry, even though they feel they are not in the wrong!

On Thursday I felt that the Government had really lost touch with reality when; that night’s Labour Party European election broadcast, solely concentrated on attacking David Cameron, Margaret Beckett would not even concede she maybe in the wrong and Shalid Malik thought it was acceptable to claim for a £2000 home theatre system!

Although some Tories live in another era, David Cameron did at least rerecord his European broadcast to explain how he was tackling Tories MPs’ expenses misuses and this reinforce my perception that Labour Ministers do not understand the anger of the electorate.

The European and local elections should be about the issues but everyone is focused on MPS expenses, so many hard working Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat Councillors will be harshly punish, if the public can register their outrage to the political leadership by voting for ‘alterative’ parties, this maybe the best way of renewing our democracy!

posted by Disabled Kevi

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