The Backstop Journals » General Election updates

David Cameron launches his Big Society

Backstop — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 09:43:35 +0000

The Independent reports that local communities will get the power and money to run bus services, set up broadband internet networks and take over neighbourhood recycling schemes under a mass transfer of power from the state to the people, David Cameron will announce today.

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Budget cuts loom

Backstop — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:36:22 +0000

See the latest ITN news coverage of George Osborne, chancellor and David Cameron trailing upcoming budget on youtube

Clegg vows to protect poorest regions from impact of cuts

Backstop — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 09:43:05 +0000

The Independent reports that plans to provide emergency help for parts of the country that will feel the brunt of swingeing public spending cuts are being prepared by the Government, Nick Clegg has disclosed. In an interview with The Independent, the Deputy Prime Minister promised that regions heavily dependent on public-sector jobs would not be “left high and dry”.

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Despite public harmony, coalition parties remain divided

Backstop — Wed, 19 May 2010 08:47:38 +0000

The Independent reports that frantic behind-the-scenes negotiations are taking place to resolve policy differences between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats before the coalition government outlines its legislative programme next week. In public, the two partners are managing to maintain a united front. In private, there is some hard bargaining between Tory and Liberal Democrat ministers as they try to square the circle before the Queen’s Speech next Tuesday. “We are paddling like hell beneath the surface,” one Tory insider admitted.

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‘Awareness projects’ funding freeze

Backstop — Mon, 17 May 2010 10:16:33 +0000

The Mirror reports that the Government has put an end to UK-based “awareness projects” funded with cash intended for overseas aid. International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said he was imposing an immediate freeze on new funding for projects, and was withdrawing support totalling half a million pounds from five existing schemes, including a London-based Brazilian dance troupe and a “Global Gardens Schools Network”. And all other UK-based projects will be scrutinised in a drive to refocus aid spending on priority areas.

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Michael Gove named as Children’s Secretary

Backstop — Wed, 12 May 2010 13:09:29 +0000

Children & Young People Now reports that Michael Gove has been confirmed as Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families. He will head the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), which is now expected to remain in place. According to informed sources, the Conservatives decided against initial plans to break up the department after vigorous campaigning from figures in the children’s sector. Sources said the line-up of the “second tier” of ministers under Michael Gove would be a crucial indicator about the overall direction children’s policy will take.

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Illiteracy and innumeracy UK’s “dirty little secrets”

Backstop — Tue, 04 May 2010 10:00:27 +0000

Digby Jones writes for The Guardian on how, he says, the election campaign is dodging the issue of low basic skills and that prisons provide the most acute examples of this issue.

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Jobless total hits 16-year high

Backstop — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:52:06 +0000

The Mirror reports that official figures show that unemployment increased by 43,000 in the three months to February to the worst total since 1994. This has dealt a pre-election blow to the government on the jobs front as unemployment rose to a 16-year high of 2.5 million and the number of people classed as economically inactive reached record levels.

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Gordon Brown calls for ‘progressive alliance’ between Labour and Lib Dems

Backstop — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:49:20 +0000

The Telegraph reports that the Prime Minister said he wanted to create a “new politics” based around electoral reform following the MPs’ expenses scandal and says that his comments will be seen as an attempt to halt the rise in popularity of Nick Clegg after the Lib Dem leader won last week’s first televised debate. But in an interview with the Daily Telegraph Mr Clegg called Mr Brown a “desperate politician” and delivered his most outspoken attack on the Labour leader.

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Young people to propose new laws in Parliament

Backstop — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:10:12 +0000

Children & Young People Now reports that young people will have the opportunity to propose new laws to a panel of judges in Parliament this week, as part of a social networking project to get them more involved in political campaigning. The Lights, Camera, Parliament project aims to engage young people in democracy and help refresh their view of Parliament. Run by Radiowaves, a social media network for schools, and Parliament’s Education Service, the project has seen secondary school students from Bristol and London create videos and web campaigns for the law they would most like to see introduced.

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