Procrastinating Politicians

Two in five Brits claim they're getting bored of social media says survey

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:11:00 +0000

Fresh research from YouGov’s Media Consulting team reveals that though uptake and usage of social media services remains very high, the restless British public are now demanding more from these kinds of services.

Two in five (41 per cent) of the UK online population claim to be getting bored of social media.

The research though suggests that Facebook is still king. Almost two thirdsof the UK online population have used Facebook within the last month, making it the social media site with the highest percentage of active users.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, usage of Facebook amongst younger generations is practically ubiquitous, with a staggering 95% of 16-20 year olds and 74% of 21-24 year olds accessing the social networking site within the last month.

YouTube is the closest social media site behind Facebook with half (50%) of all UK internet users using the site within the last month.

The other big hitters in terms of active users are Twitter (23%), Windows Live (14%), LinkedIn (13%), Google + (12%) and Spotify (10%).

Interestingly, moneysavingexpert.com, the expert consumer financial advice site, now has as many active users as Twitter. As well as articles on financial products, users of the site can create profiles, leave comments and interact in similar ways to other social media sites.

This points towards a new phase - the rise of social sites with slightly more purpose than just connecting to people for the sake of it. Take for example Spotify, primarily a music service, which has recently bolted on social media functions (users have the ability to view their friends’ listening habits and share music via Facebook Connect).

One in ten (10%) active Spotify users now spends more than 14 hours per week using the service. Future outlook for social media sites Facebook’s usage, though still leaps and bounds ahead of the competition, might finally be starting to plateau.

Just under a quarter (23%) of the British online population, who actively use Facebook, state that they now use the networking site less compared with 12 months ago.

Furthermore, 19% expect to use Facebook less in one year’s time. However, over half (53%) of the British online population, who actively use LinkedIn, claim to now use the site more compared with 12 months ago.

Further good news for LinkedIn is that 30% expect to use it more in one year’s time. Social is not always the advertiser’s friend Though social media services can provide a wealth of engagement opportunities for brand marketers, it seems that there is less benefit for brands than was originally thought.

For example, just under half (44%) of the British online population would not be more positive about a product their friends have followed and/or liked and 43% are unlikely to talk about a brand on a social media site even if they heard something positive about it.

In addition, brand marketeers and media owners need to be mindful of new targeting models with just under half (47%) of the UK online population, who use social media services, stating that they positively do mind seeing ads on social media services that are based on their profile activities.

Dan Brilot, Media Consulting Director says, “It appears that whilst social media can be a key tool in the brand marketer’s armoury, in particular to maximise commitment amongst those already highly engaged with the brand, it has not quite reached the effectiveness necessary to be considered as a truly mass media marketing tool” He continues,“With the ability to share, tweet and interact on any kind of site, almost a given, social media services increasingly need to have an extra raison d’etre beyond merely being ‘social’ to make an impact in today’s crowded market.”

Times leader calls for a Manchester Mayor

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:27:00 +0000

Let's forget all the rubbish in the twittersphere that is being regurgitated about an obscure actress who thinks that Manchester is grim and instead debate more important matters.

Like for example the case for having a Manchester Mayor.There are many pros and cons as the city prepares to vote in May but interestingly this morning's Times comes out in favour of the proposal.

A decade and a half after Manchester’s revival after a bomb attack by the IRA says the piece, the question is whether the city’s great tradition of commerce can spread out beyond the city borders and trigger an economic recovery in the surrounding region.

"For all the many shiny new buildings and expensive restaurants that have greatly improved central Manchester, there are large parts of the city that have yet to feel any great benefit. Manchester is home to 86,000 people without work, and parts of the city do not look and feel as if they are neighbours to prosperity."

And the paper argues that a big figure governing Manchester, tackling the problems of skills and transport, could yet find him or herself immortalised in stone alongside the heroes of a previous era.

I have to agree with the sentiment,I know that Manchester's political leaders don't and have their own agenda's but I think it will be a great way of engaging the people of Manchester in the political process

Tiny sprinklers that saved lives

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:19:00 +0000

They are amongst MOSI’s smallest collection items, but the delicate fire sprinkler heads now on display at the Museum of Science & Industry sparked their own revolution that saved lives and property throughout the world.

Manchester is most known for its role in the birth of the cotton industry, but the heat generated from the machinery combined with dry material and dust in the mills, led to frequent fires, with loss of life and factory buildings, which created an urgent need for an automatic fire system.

In the latenineteenth century Manchester- based engineering company Mather & Platt, a world-leader in textile machinery, spotted the gap in the market and launched a booming business in Automatic Sprinkler and Alarm Systems.

The company has donated samples of these early fire sprinkler heads, which date from around 1885, and radically improved fire safety in the mills.

In 1883 Sir William Mather purchased the rights to manufacture and distribute the Grinnell Sprinkler from Frederick Grinnell, a pioneering US engineer, incorporating a soldered link that breaks at a predetermined temperature. Water is then released over where the fire was detected.

The Grinnell Sprinkler was more efficient than earlier sprinkler heads, which did not have an accurate operating temperature and in some cases did not efficiently discharge water onto the fire.

At its height in the 1960’s, Mather employed some 6,000 people at its Newton Heath factory and throughout the World.

Eamonn O’Brien worked in Mather &Platt’s Fire Engineering Department for more than forty years.

He recalls: “I was employed as a ‘machine setter’ in the sprinkler department, for a short time in the middle 1960’s. These specially-made machines were designed specifically for the manufacture of sprinkler bodies and component parts which make up the finished sprinkler.

Approximately 100 female workers were employed in this department to machine, assemble and test the numerous types of sprinkler heads being made at that time, producing tens of thousands per week.” Mather and Platt supplied textile mills throughout the world with this new revolutionary system, which continues to be the basis of fire protection methods today.

Tide turning or a statistical quirk as inflation falls sharply

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:12:00 +0000

Inflation is on the way down although the sharp drop this morning may have quite a bit to do with the fact that last January's hike in VAT is now out of the system.

The consumer price index(CPI) fell to 3.6 per cent from last month's 4.2 per cent according to figures out this morning from the Office of National Statistics. RPI annual inflation which includes Mortgage interest payments was 3.9 per cent in January, down from 4.8 per cent in December.

According to the ONS, The largest downward pressures to this change came from fuels & lubricants, products bought in restaurants & cafes, tobacco, vehicle maintenance & repair, the purchase of new vehicles and alcoholic beverages.

Annual inflation has now fallen by 1.2 percentage points since November 2011; the only time there has been a larger fall over a period of two consecutive months was between October and December 2008.

The rate still remains well above the Bank of England's rate of 2 per cent but yesterday's forecast from the CBI suggested that the rate will be a lot nearer to the target by the end of the year

No double dip recession says the CBI as another forecast shows worrying signs for unemployment

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:42:00 +0000

Growth will restart in 2012, but high levels of uncertainty around the economic outlook, mainly driven by the situation in the euro area, mean growth will remain subdued, particularly in the first half of this year.

That's the latest analysis from the CBI who this morning in their latest forecast suggest that growth this year will be 0.9 per cent, a little down from November’s forecast (1.2 per cent).

The survey also predicts CPI inflation will fall towards its target levels of 2.2 per cent by the fourth quarter of 2012, and will remain close to Bank’s 2.0 per cent target throughout 2013.

This.they say, will relieve some of the pressure on household incomes, with consumer spending picking up slightly in the second half of this year.

John Cridland, CBI Director-General, said: “Economic conditions will continue to be tough, especially in the first half of the year, and the UK recovery will depend on the successful resolution of the Eurozone crisis.

But he adds, "some activity has picked-up since before Christmas and the mood among many businesses has improved, with exception of companies serving the UK consumer where business remains flat. “Although risks remain we expect growth this year, improving modestly in 2013, primarily driven by positive net trade and business investment."

However more bad economic forecasts this morning from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

They warn that unemployment in the UK could reach 2.85 million by the end of 2012 as the jobs market faces its most difficult quarter since the recession.

The Labour Market Outlook survey, conducted by Yougov for the CIPD reveals that a rising number of private sector firms surveyed plan to make redundancies.

The study shows that the number of companies set to hire is now much lower than those that warn of cuts.

The results also suggest a further widening of the north-south divide in job prospects.

Gerwyn Davies, Public Policy Adviser at the CIPD, said of the report: “Whereas employers were in ‘wait and see’ mode three months ago, more private sector firms, particularly among private sector services firms, have decided to push the redundancy button in response to worsening economic news. This will exert yet more pressure on a jobs market that is buckling under the strains of contractions in economic growth and public sector employment. The fear is that these existing pressures, which include a widening chasm between the employment prospects of those in the north and the south, will become greater still if business conditions do not improve in the next few months. With many employers telling us that access to finance has been a big factor in preventing them from creating new jobs over the last two years, and with net private sector hiring intentions now on the slide, the labour market case for government action to increase the availability of credit to businesses is stronger than ever.”

Technology: source of happiness or anxiety?

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:02:00 +0000

A subject dear to my heart which is to be discussed next week at the Manchester Salon?

With the huge rise of social media and more and more people placing their private lives on public display, some are now beginning to question whether unfettered technological advance is necessarily a good thing.

The Salon has organised a discussion featuring prominent speakers David Lewin and James Heartfield. Beyond the internet and social media, the impact of technology on the environment – epitomised for many in the current controversy over shale gas fracking - is leading liberals to question the validity of technological advancement for its own sake.

David Lewin is a lecturer in philosophy at Liverpool University and interested in how philosophical approaches to technology can yield fruitful analysis.

James Heartfield is a founder of think tank, audacity, and has spoken widely in the past in the favour of industrial development and the benefits it can bring mankind.

The discussion will aim to draw out what our current relationship with technology tells us about the direction society is heading in, and how technology can help it resolve problems along the way.

It's taking place on 20 February, 2012, at 6.45pm, £5 entry. Venue: Shakespeare pub, Fountain Street, Manchester, M2 2AA

For further details on the event and Manchester Salon’s activities, contact Simon Belt at events@manchestersalon.org.uk or ring 07809 669824

Christianity under attack,Athens in flames and the case of the Corrie copycat killer-Saturday's papers

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 08:17:00 +0000

A quick look at Saturday's front pages and some of the stories inside.

The ruling yesterday on a case brought by the National Secular Society on the saying of prayers before council meetings gets a lot of coverage.

The Times says that he right of Christian worship in schools and Parliament faces a fresh assault as senior members of the Church of England acted with barely disguised fury at the decision, branding the verdict a “silencing” of the Christian voice in Britain.

The Mail brands it an assault on national heritage as it reports that atheist former councillor Clive Bone started the case against Bideford town council in July 2010, claiming he had been 'disadvantaged and embarrassed' when religious prayers were recited at formal meetings.

Whilst it reports that former archbishop of Canterbury George Carey warns that our faith is under siege.

The Telegraph says that government ministers are encouraging councils to openly flout a High Court ruling banning public prayers during meetings. It leads with a report that the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander has suggested that wealthier savers should be stripped of the higher-rate tax relief on pensions.it adds that the proposals would see tax relief halve from 40 per cent to 20 per cent.Alexander also wants workers on the minimum wage, who earn up to £12,500 a year, to pay no income tax at all.

The Independent that energy companies are on the edge of a £15b profits bonanza.The figures,adds the report will be £2bn higher than the previous year's profits. Meanwhile, with the Met Office predicting more freezing weather, Britain's estimated 5.5 million households struggling in fuel poverty will be forced to decide whether they can afford to turn on their heating.

And more freezing weather is on the way according to the Express which predicts half term snow chaos on its front page.

The Guardian chooses to focus on the Greek debt crisis predicting that the country is grappling with whether to leave the Euro reporting that riot police clashed with protesters on the streets of Athens, and five ministers resigned in protest at the scale of the spending cuts demanded in return for a new €130bn bailout.

The FT meanwhile reports that David Cameron is calling for a truce over bank bonuses in the UK.In an attempt to repair relations with the City,the Prime Minister wants to draw a line under weeks of public acrimony.

The Mirror reports on the case of the Corrie copycat killer reporting that in a chilling imitation of Street villain John Stape, a teenager beat his victim, doused her body in petrol and set fire to her house.

The Sun looks at the affairs of this week's Euro Millions lottery winners reporting that the estranged mum of EuroMillions winner Matt Topham joked she needed to win the Lottery to pay for a holiday.However the paper says that sources say she won't get a penny of his fortune after she cut off contact.

Elsewhere the row between Argentina and Britain continues to escalate.The Guardian reports that Argentina has accused Britain of deploying nuclear weapons near the Falkland Islands and "militarising" the south Atlantic.

Violence continues to escalate in Syria.The Times reports that clashes have moved to the northern town of Aleppo as large car bombs which exploded in the town, one of the last areas of relative calm.The Government reported that the explosions near state buildings killed 28 and wounded 235.

Finally with valentine's day approaching the Independent reports on the art of kissing as it says that the meeting of mouths isn't only about sex and romance – it also conveys powerful cultural messages.

New exhibition at MOSI shows museums can help disability

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:35:00 +0000

Men labelled with learning disabilities have created a film and an exhibition related to their favourite collection items at Manchester's Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI),

The project, which is associated with Manchester mencap and a researcher from Manchester Metropolitan University, highlights the therapeutic benefits of museums and other arts institutions for disability groups during a time of proposed funding cuts and welfare reform.

Manpowered: A Men’s Group Challenging Disability is the first exhibition in MOSI’s new Community Exhibition Gallery, and features striking artwork, photographs, a cartoon strip, and museum collection items such as a 1910 miner’s lamp, early light bulbs, and a 1960s reel tape recorder.

The objects were chosen during handling sessions in MOSI’s Collections Centre. The men attended regular sessions at MOSI, where they looked at historic objects and used these as triggers for discussion about their thoughts and feelings. They learnt new skills such as research, interviewing, filming and photography, and worked with art, craft and poetry to create the exhibition and film about their lives with learning disabilities.

The project led to many therapeutic benefits for members, including improved confidence, inspiration and new skills. One man rarely went out before he attended the sessions and was extremely shy, but is now a leading member of the group, while another has gone on to do a photography course.

The sessions helped the men to talk about the personal issues they had previously been too shy to discuss, such as their sexuality and childhood.

Project Leader Michael Richards said: “One of the main problems the men face is having the confidence to talk about the emotions and feelings affecting their mental and physical health, so a relaxed, comfortable and non-clinical setting is essential. The exciting museum environment has enabled the men to do this, for example by talking about childhood memories using items from the collections. The project has been very empowering and effective for the men involved and I believe this kind of community psychology in a stimulating environment like a museum could be an effective alternative to more expensive counselling and other individual-oriented services.”

NHS Bill-It must be stopped before it is too late

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:25:00 +0000

In what must be seen as a major blow to the government and in particular the beleaguered health secretary Andrew Lansley,the influential Tory blog Conservative Home has come out against the NHS bill describing it as not just a distraction but potentially fatal to the Conservative Party's electoral prospects.

Editor Tim Montgomerie writes that:

The NHS was long the Conservative Party’s Achilles heel. David Cameron’s greatest political achievement as Leader of the Opposition was to neutralise health as an issue. The greatest mistake of his time as Prime Minister has been to put it back at the centre of political debate.

and continues

Following a week in which it has been reported that certain members of the cabinet reputedly wanted him taken out and shot and despite wholesale support during angry PMQ clashed,this must surely be another massive blow for Lansley,for it is certain that certain members of the Tory hierarchy are behind the article.

As Montgomerie adds

Andrew Lansley will have to move on. He will have to move on because he hasn’t been able to communicate these reforms in a streetwise way and he has been unnecessarily confrontational with NHS staff.

Quantitative easing to continue

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:07:00 +0000

So just if we didn't know that the UK economy was teetering on the brink,this lunchtime's news that the Bank of England is to inject a further £50bn into the economy through the mechanism known as Quantitative easing.

Announcing that interest were to continue at 0.5 per cent where they have been now for over three years,the measure now takes the total asset purchases that the bank has made from £275bn to £325bn since it first introduced the measure to ward off the threat of fiscal meltdown.

The critics are still out on this policy.It is technically printing money and putting it back into the economy which can lead to inflation,if demand was increasing but the fact that it hasn't and that the Bank of England continues to do it, merely illustrates the dire situation that we are in.

It is worth reading Daniel Knowles piece on the Telegraph blog where he explains the economics behind it

The reasoning behind the Bank's move you can read Here but suffice to say that the bank has concerns that the underlying pace of recovery slowed during 2011, with activity falling slightly during the final quarter.

Some recent business surveys have painted a more positive picture and asset prices have risen. But the pace of expansion in the United Kingdom’s main export markets has also slowed and concerns remain about the indebtedness and competitiveness of some euro-area countries

Penguin v Argentina

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:32:00 +0000

With tensions between Britain and Argentina over the Falkland Isles hotting up,the Island's paper has hardly helped to defuse the situation.

Penguin News ,in an article reporting that Argentinian President Cristina Kirchner was going to complain to the United Nations about what she saw as Britain's "militarisation" of the South Atlantic,the newspaper called her a bitch.

Reaction on the South American mainland has,as you can imagine,not been muted with the Daily carrying an image of Kirchner that accompanied the Penguin News article online given the filename "bitch" when people tried to download it.

The caption has since been modified simply to "Kirchner" but not too late for the twiiterati to launch into the debate

You can read more about the offending picture Here

Manchester's Archaeological Unit to close

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:49:00 +0000

Having been doing quite a lot of research around Manchester's Roman past,I was quite disappointed to read this yesterday concerning the closure of the City's Archaeological Unit.

The unit has done some great work in the past 20-30 years in uncovering Manchester's Roman past but it seems that like many institutions it is facing the harsh economic realities of money. Here is the piece from the council for British Archeology

The Greater Manchester Archaeological Unit (GMAU) announced yesterday (6 February 2012) that Manchester University has decided to close the Unit as it no longer fits with the University’s research and teaching priorities. The announcement continues:

The GMAU has provided a high quality archaeological service to the 10 Greater Manchester Planning Authorities for over 30 years. The local planning authorities are looking to secure provision of a planning archaeological service from an alternative provider as a long term solution. Clearly any provision will have to be value for money, ensuring that the Council’s receive the statutory advice which they need in determining planning applications. GMAU will finish providing archaeological advice for all but urgent planning matters from the 16th March so that it has time to wind up its affairs.

Many CBA members have been in contact about the announcement and the CBA’s Director, Dr Mike Heyworth, has written immediately to the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities to express the serious concerns that the archaeological community has about the future for archaeological services in Greater Manchester. In his letter he has asked for an explanation of the arrangements being put in place to avoid a gap in the provision of archaeological advisory services to planning authorities in Greater Manchester and to support services for the Greater Manchester Historic Environment Record.

The Time bomb of Youth unemployment

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:02:00 +0000

Manchester and Salford are amongst two of 152 youth unemployment local authority areas identified in a new report which says that the UK faces a crisis of youth unemployment if local agencies do not take urgent action.

The report by the Commission on Youth Unemployment which was set up by Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (AVECO), identified 600 local unemployment ‘hotspots’ across 152 local authority areas.

One in five young people are not in employment, education or training (Neet) and the commission says this will cost the country £28bn over the next decade says the report.

It recommends that employment zones be created with all local groups coming together to pool their resources, including local councils and that a new mentoring scheme for young people, where under-25s who have been in work for a year mentor others to help them gain employment, should also be established.

The human misery of youth unemployment is also a time-bomb under the nation’s ﬁnances according to the authors.

At its current rates, in 2012 youth unemployment will cost the exchequer £4.8 billion (more than the budget for further education for 16- to- 19-year-olds in England) and cost the economy £10.7 billion in lost output. But the costs they say are not just temporary.

The scarring effects of youth unemployment at its current levels will ratchet up further future costs of £2.9 billion per year for the exchequer (equivalent to the entire annual budget for Jobcentre Plus) and £6.3 billion p.a. for the economy in lost output.

So much for reducing our carbon emissions once we come out of recession

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:44:00 +0000

So it appears that the fall in the country's carbon emissions was purely down to the recession.

Figures released this morning by the Department of Climate and Energy change show that in 2010 emission rose by 3.1 per cent as compared to a steep fall of 8.7 per cent which coincided with the economic downturn following the previous year's financial crash.

Some solace though in the figures which are still 23 per cent lower than back in 1990 when most us were still blissfully unaware of the impact of climate change and Kyoto was a mere twinkle in our eyes,although when you include the emissions from imported goods that we consume,our carbon footprint has gone up by 20 per cent.

Overall in 2010 it is estimated that we used 590.4 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) with the largest increases being experienced in the residential sector, up 15.1 per cent(11.8 MtCO2e), and the energy supply sector, up by 2.8 per cent (5.6 MtCO2e) whilst other sectors remained more or less the same.

According to the department,the overall increase in emissions has primarily resulted from a rise in residential gas use, combined with fuel switching away from nuclear power to coal and gas for electricity generation.

£15m boost for sustainable travel

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:29:00 +0000

Some good news for cyclists and those committed to sustainable travel as Transport Minister Norman Baker has announced £15m of new funding for sustainable travel projects across the country.

The investment is in addition to the £560m Local Sustainable Transport Fund announced in January 2011.

The additional funding say the government will support jobs, enhance access to employment and encourage greater use of more environmentally friendly transport.

Sustrans, the UK transport charity will receive £8m for projects to enhance cycle routes across England.

The remaining £7m will be allocated through the Cycle Rail Working Group – the body which brings together representatives of the rail industry and the cycling sector – to improve integration between cycle and rail at stations.

Measures will include safer and more convenient cycle racks, additional cycle parking and storage, and better access for cyclists and will complement the £7m that Network Rail is already spending in this area.

Local Transport Minister Norman Baker said: “This fund underlines the firm commitment of the Coalition Government to sustainable transport”.If we are serious about reducing carbon, then we need to get more people walking and cycling. But we must do it in a way that boosts the economy”.

Osama's right hand man roaming our streets,Assad's wife backs her husband and the 11 year old drunk-Tuesday's papers

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:40:00 +0000

The decision of a senior immigration judge to consider freeing the radical Islamic preacher once described as Osama bin Laden’s “right hand man in Europe makes many of the front pages this morning.

Abu Qatada will be,says the Telegraph,be confined to his home for all but two one-hour periods each day. He will also be allowed to take one of his five children to school.

Terrorist on the run is how the Mail's front page describes the decision saying that it the prospect of parents at the school gates bumping into the radical cleric, who was known as Osama Bin Laden’s ambassador in Europe.

Whilst the Express says that Qatada launched his bid for freedom after human rights judges in Europe blocked his deportation from the UK to his home country of Jordan, saying he cannot be guaranteed a fair trial there.

The Guardian also leads with the story saying that the clash takes the battle between politicians and the judiciary into new territory as Abu Qatada is a major international terror suspect. He was .says the paper,first detained without trial in Britain under the quashed Belmarsh regime nearly a decade ago, in October 2002.

As the situation in Syria worsens,the Times carries details of an email it has received from the English born wife of the President ,Asma who appears to offer full support to her husband as his security forces try to crush the opposition, but also claims to be encouraging dialogue and comforting the bereaved.

Meanwhile in the Independent,Syrians trapped in the besieged city of Homs feeling the wrath of Assad's brutal regime reveal the full horror of his determination to destroy his enemies.

Elsewhere,the Guardian reports that researchers from the University of London's Institute of Education and the University of Sussex have found than a quarter of children in the UK are not reaching their potential at school because of poor living conditions and unwell parents.

The Telegraph highlights a report which suggests that children’s natural development is being undermined by a relentless focus on formal assessments and targets in nurseries.

The Sun leads with the headline,Mom and 11 year old son who get drunk together.The paper reports that The lad was found with more than twice the drink-drive limit after swigging vodka and lager,was staggering into the road, a court heard.He wound up in hospital but she walked free after admitting child cruelty in Hull.

A new anti-stalking law is needed to stop the criminal justice system failing victims whose cries for help are not taken seriously, an independent inquiry reports today says the Independent.

Meanwhile the Times reports that Police are investigating racist e-mails sent to Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, after he spoke out against gay marriage.

There is much coverage of Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre's appearance in front of the Leveson inquiry,the Guardian reporting that he has called for a new system of certifying journalists, with tough sanctions for those who fall below acceptable standards or break the law.

Finally the Mail reveals that Russian scientists have finally drilled down through four kilometres of Antarctic ice to a lake that has been sealed for the last 20 million years. However there may be other surprises there for the paper says that a state-run news agency in Russia claimed that an extraordinary cache of Hitler's archives may be buried in a secret Nazi ice bunker near the spot where yesterday's breakthrough was made.

High Street Firsts-support locals powers to restrict the number of bookies on our High Streets

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:19:00 +0000

A new campaign has been started for a change in the law to give local communities a say over the number of betting shops in their area.

High Street firsts has been set up by Rowenna Davis a councillor in London but could well apply to our high streets nationwide.

At the moment writes Rowenna,betting shops are classified the same as banks, job centres and estate agents, which means that local councils don’t have any meaningful power to object to bookies opening up as many branches as they like adding that in some of the poorest areas, betting shops are now more common than post offices, book shops and green grocers.

They can be magnets for anti social behaviour and problem gambling. Communities should be allowed to limit them if they think the costs outweigh the benefits.

Go to certain streets around Manchester and I would totally agree.Church Street in Newton Heath,not exactly filled with a great quality of shops has three.

Currently bookmakers have it frighteningly easy says the campaign. They can open up in the same premises as a bank, estate agent, job centre or restaurant without a change in planning permission.

In her review into British high streets, Mary Portas recommended changing the "use class" of bookies, giving local councils the chance to limit the growth of new outlets.

City Star Kompany finds the value of twitter

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:16:00 +0000

A tale from Manchester City's PR office here but a poignant reminder of how stars can use twitter to turn the spotlight on issues.

City Captain Vincent Kompany joined the social networking site last month to find that his 140 character exploits would also have a surprise impact on a group of brave Indonesian school children.

He tweeted with shock about the condition of a storm-destroyed bridge over the Ciberang River in Banten in the Indonesian region of Lebak, and how each day children risked their lives to cross the 200 meter structure to get to school.

Kompany’s tweet caused waves around the Twitter world, eventually being picked up by Indonesia television, resulting in Mulyadi Jayabaya, Head of the Lebak district closing the bridge and vowing to spend 85,000 EUR to build a new crossing. In the meantime, the Indonesian government is helping the children get to school with an organised ferry service using bamboo rafts.

Source http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Club-news/2012/February/Caring-Kompany-helps-improve-lives-via-Twitter

TV Advertising-New Poll finds out what we find acceptable

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:47:00 +0000

Research out today from YouGov reveals that cosmetic surgery procedures, cigarettes, gambling, payday loans, abortion providers, prescription drugs and debt finance solutions should not be allowed to be advertised on television.

However it appears that the public believe that other potentially controversial subjects such as alcoholic drinks, political parties, fast food and laser surgery providers should be allowed to advertise in this way.

The research found that 79 per cent of Brits say that cigarettes shouldn't be allowed to be advertised on television Payday loans (75 per cent) gambling (73 per cent), personal injury lawyers (65 per cent) and cosmetic surgery providers (63 per cent) were almost as unpopular when it comes to TV advertising.

However the country seems split when it comes to whether alcoholic drinks should be allowed with just slightly more people would allow them (50 per cent) than disallow them (44 per cent).

The poll was conducted in light of the recent call from The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) that the advertising of cosmetic surgery procedures should be banned – prompting debate over what advertising content should be permissible on TV.

A Moral Blindness over the Syrian veto

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:48:00 +0000

Russia and China's veto on the UN resolution over Syria at the weekend has been roundly criticized in the West and there are some powerful reactions in the British Press this morning.

Writing in the Guardian,David Hearst says that for Russia and Putin,he says that:

The veto sets Russia on the opposite side of the table from the Arab League; it lifts the international responsibility for failing to staunch the blood flowing in cities like Homs off Barack Obama's shoulders, and assumes that burden itself. And if defecting Syrian soldiers are to be called "armed extremist groups", who exactly are the militias currently running Libya, whom Russia belatedly recognised as a legitimate authority? If Islamists are by their nature extremist, and in Putin's eyes they are, what does that make the elected transitional authority in Tunisia?

Meanwhile the Times' leader this morning calls the decision Moral Blindness

is a monstrous piece of hypocrisy. Both countries acted out of reflexive anti-Western motives. Both were concerned more to protect their interests and their clients than to exercise their global responsibilities for halting violence and maintaining peace. Both spouted inanities about non-interference in domestic affairs while knowingly giving carte blanche to the thugs in Damascus to continue the indiscriminate shelling of cities, the random shooting of civilians and the brutal torture of political opponents

Whilst in the FT,former cabinet minister Malcolm Rifkind and Shashank Joshi write that it is time to support the opposition in Syria

The diplomatic route is now all but exhausted. Having staked so much on a lost cause, Russia will strive to avoid humiliation. On the other side, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are likely to deepen their co-operation with Turkey to bolster the Free Syrian Army and its notional political leadership. Those who oppose this, invoking the troubling experience of international assistance to the anti-Soviet mujahedeen, must ask themselves whether the status quo is any less likely to result in Syria’s dangerous disintegration.

Cash boost to clean up Britain's rivers

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:18:00 +0000

Some good news for Britain's rivers was announced by DEFRA at the end of last week.

A £28 million Fund to clean up England’s rivers and encourage local wildlife to flourish was announced by Environment Minister Richard Benyon.

Part of a £92 million Defra commitment to clearing up England’s rivers and lakes, the Fund announced today will allow communities and charities to tackle local eyesores and encourage iconic wildlife to thrive by tackling pollution and removing redundant dams, weirs and other man-made structures to create habitats which work for wildlife.

Mr Benyon said: “Rivers and lakes are a vital, and much-loved, part of the English countryside and I want to ensure they remain that way. “We’ve all seen examples of rivers choked up with rubbish and weeds and the devastating effects on wildlife and the scenic beauty of these precious places. But we’ve also seen some fantastic successes in reversing these declines, such as the return of otters to all counties in England.

“With only a quarter of our lakes and rivers currently providing a home to a wide range of birds, fish and mammals, there is still much more we can all do. Today’s £28 million Fund will help communities and charities interested in doing just that and I hope it will lead to us soon celebrating the same sort of success for other treasured wildlife, such as water voles, kingfishers and salmon.”

Community groups and charities can apply for a share of the Catchment Restoration Fund to clean up their local rivers by tackling pollution, restoring wildlife habitats and enabling fish to migrate.

Snow,rail bonuses,Amanda' Baby and Clegg dropped by Harry Potter-Monday's papers

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:08:00 +0000

The cold snap and snow over the weekend takes centre stage on many of the front pages.

According to the Mail,the country is set for a cold snap which could last a month adding that despite a week of warnings that freezing weather was on its way, airports, roads and railways again failed dismally to cope.

Heathrow again is the brunt of the problem according to the Telegraph which says that just three inches of snow managed to halt half of the flights coming out of the airport. BAA, the Spanish-owned airport operator says the paper, incurred the wrath of passengers after 600 flights were grounded at Heathrow despite just three inches of snowfall, disrupting the plans of as many as 18,000 travellers.

The Express also leads with the weather saying that the country faces a week of ice chaos with sub-zero temperatures giving no respite from the Siberian deep freeze, forecasters said yesterday.

Transport of another sort is the headline in the Times which reports that ministers have heaped pressure on Network Rail to reject a £20 million bonus package for six senior executives in the latest row over excessive rewards for state employees.

The Guardian adding that the transport secretary, Justine Greening, is planning to vote against a proposed bonus on Friday but she was accused by Labour of failing to use her powers to put a stop to the payments.

It leads with the news that charities are saying that the government's focus on alleged fraud and overclaiming to justify cuts in disability benefits has caused an increase in resentment and abuse directed at disabled people adding that some of the charities say they are now regularly contacted by people who have been taunted on the street about supposedly faking their disability and are concerned the climate of suspicion could spill over into violence or other hate crimes.

The Independent reports on its front page that the government is facing a mass exodus of senior civil servants.The paper says that staff turnover rates in some departments are now as high as 30 per cent, according to an analysis by the respected think-tank the Institute for Government.

Long may she reign over us.The Queen has been on the throne 60 years today and many of the papers cover the event.In a message of thanks to the public,reports the Telegraph, the 85-year-old monarch says she has been “deeply moved” by the messages of support she and the Duke of Edinburgh have received over her Diamond Jubilee adding that she says she looks to the future with a “clear head and warm heart” and highlights the importance of “family, friendship and good neighbourliness”.

The row over aid to India continues to rumble in the Mail as the paper reports that David Cameron was under intense pressure last night to slash the £1billion in aid Britain gives to India after the country said it no longer wanted the money.

Amanda's joy is the headline in the Mirror as the paper reports that the 40-year-old Britain’s Got Talent judge was all smiles as she and husband Chris Hughes showed off the latest addition to their family.

Finally more problems for Nick Clegg as the Sun reports Harry Potter star,Daniel Radcliffe has branded him a Tory "whipping boy", and switched his allegiance to Labour.

According to the paper,The actor, 22, was a vocal supporter of the Lib Dem leader in the run-up to the last General Election. But he thinks backing him has become "unviable" since Mr Clegg became Deputy Prime Minister in the Coalition.

Student organised sponsored walk still strolling on after 51 years

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:12:00 +0000

The Bogle Stroll is a heritage of the University of Manchester and UMIST.

Each year hundreds of determined students set out to walk 55 miles around Greater Manchester to raise valuable funds for charities close to their hearts.

Launched in 1961, Bogle has been a centre piece for the student calendar for over five decades. The event is completely organised and managed by students who are juggling coursework, lectures, dissertations and revision with planning an event which supports and caters for hundreds of people whilst they gradually loose strength and energy.

In recent years the quickest recorded time to complete the full 55 mile route is a little over 14 hours, though the average completion time is closer to 21 hours.

The route takes the form of two loops; the first is the 29 mile southern loop bringing walkers to Manchester Airport and through Stockport before taking them back to the University of Manchester North Campus, adjacent to Piccadilly Station.

The second takes in the north of Manchester by heading out on Oldham Road and then continuing north through Prestwich and Farnworth, before finally returning through Salford.

Each person who signs up to the event commits to raise a minimum of £60 for a charity of their choice, though the organisers hope that, given the scale of the challenge, friends and family will be generous to give a lot more.

This year it is hoped that over 500 people will take part in the walk raising over £50,000 for charities.

Although the event is organised by students, anyone is welcome to take part and to help raise awareness of the event throughout the Greater Manchester population The Children’s Society have been nominated as this year’s charity of the year.

Bogle organiser Tom Bartley said, “Having a partner with such great links to a non-student supporter base is a fantastic opportunity to grow the event. Students often get a bad press with local residents, part of the aim of the walk is to demonstrate that we can be very hard working and determined to do good for the community. The Children’s Society do an incredible job with children and young people throughout the UK and have several programmes and centres within Greater Manchester, making them the perfect partner for this year’s event.”

This year’s Bogle takes place on Friday 2nd – Saturday 3rd March and people can sign up at www.bogle.org.uk.

Piccadilly Gardens buskers blow away the February Blues

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:09:00 +0000

Musicians from around Manchester descended on Piccadilly Gardens to perform in the first ever ‘Feel Good Friday’ a fundraising day for Samaritans.

Despite the freezing temperatures, busking duo Matty Fletcher and Matt Grant and solo artist Sean O’Connor played a number of Feel Good songs, including the North West’s favourite tune, Queen’s Don’t Stop me Now, much to the delight of shoppers and city centre workers on their lunch break.

Sean O’Connor said, “I really enjoy playing gigs but I’ve never actually busked before. It was great fun, even though it was freezing, I think the people of Manchester really enjoyed the variety of feel good songs we played.” Samaritans Head of Fundraising Chris Jarrett said, “Our first ever Feel Good Friday has been a huge success. The buskers in Piccadilly Garden played loads of great songs despite the bitter cold weather.”

‘Feel Good Friday’ was sponsored by healthcare provider Simply Health. People across the country also took part in ‘feel-good’ themed fundraisers and challenges at their place of work, in return for a donation to Samaritans.

A morning of changes Huhne steps down-Terry is sacked

noreply@blogger.com (Nigel Barlow) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:44:00 +0000

So unsurprisingly Energy Secretary Chris Huhne is standing down whilst fighting the charges of which he says he is innocent.

Here is his statement to the cameras.

The news will no doubt overshadow the sacking of John Terry for the second time as England Soccer captain after the FA finally react to the news that he faces trial for racist abuse