‘Olympic missile’ plan was handled in a “cack-handed way” says MP

Company pulls out of workfare scheme days after Osborne visit to promote it

A business in Bristol has pulled involvement with the Government’s controversial workfare programme, only days after Chancellor George Osborne paid them a visit to publicise the scheme. Byteback IT Solutions welcomed Osborne earlier this month for an opportunity to publicise the Help to Work programme, where long-term unemployed must work on placements in order to receive their benefits. However, after campaigners took to Byteback’s social media sites to protest, they decided to terminate their involvement, saying they had been “ill-informed” […]

Cameron to make Tory party donor a peer

The Times (£) have reported that next month, David Cameron will make a donor to the Tory party a peer in the house of Lords. This appointment will be made alongside a dozen of others in August, including political peers but also “working peers” such as   party donors. A senior Conservative source said said that including donors on the list  would “complicate” the way it’s perceived by the public. Downing Street, hoping to avoid controversy over this, have yet to […]

The Commonwealth is a good not just a games

By Emma Burnell

The Right hate the Left pointing out the achievements that we have brought to any moment of national unity.  Just remember Tory MP Aiden Burley’s horror at a telling of our national story at an Olympic opening ceremony that was warm, inclusive and celebrated both our capitalistic and socialistic achievements. The Commonwealth games organisers had an incredibly difficult balance to strike last night, finding the political balance between being proud of Scotland without that pride seeming to make a statement […]

Labour will bring back two hours of sport for primary school children

Harriet Harman will today announce plans to reintroduce a minimum two hours of sport a week for primary school children. The policy was first introduced by the last Labour Government, but a study last summer showed that the number of children receiving at least two hours of sport education a week had halved under the Coalition. Harman’s speech, which coincides with the opening of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow today, will be given at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in […]

AWS row – Might Ann Clwyd cancel her retirement from parliament and stand in 2015?

Despite announcing that she was stepping down as MP for Cynon Valley earlier this year, Ann Clwyd might have had a change of heart – she’s said she might stand again in the General Election. Speaking to Wales Online, 76 year old Clwyd – who’s been the MP for Cynon Valley for 30 years – confirmed rumours that local constituents had been asking for her to run as the Labour candidate next May. She said “I have received many letters from […]