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Opinion Formers
RSPCA: Almost 100,000 British calves killed on farm and 11,000 shipped abroad
TV farmer Jimmy Doherty encourages shoppers to buy British veal: About 100,000 dairy calves were killed last year just because they were the ‘wrong sex’, new figures have revealed.
Latest Press Releases
IET: Today marks the UK cookie implementation deadline
New 'cookie' regulations mean UK websites must seek consent before storing data from today: Implementation deadline for UK organisations to have systems in place to obtain consent from visitors to their websites for the storing or access of information on their computers using 'cookies'.
RSPCA: Wild baby owls found in boot of car
The RSPCA are investigating after two tawny owlets were found in the boot of a car during a routine police check.
CIHT on A Fresh Start for the Strategic Road Network
The Department for Transport (DfT) released its response to Alan Cooks report ‘A Fresh Start for the Strategic Road Network’ which was published in November 2011.
CML: First-time buyers seize largest share of market in Northern Ireland since 2001
60% of the house purchase loans taken out in Northern Ireland in the first quarter of 2012 were to first-time buyers, according to new data released today from the Council of Mortgage Lenders in Northern Ireland. This was up from 58% in the final quarter of last year and the highest proportion since 2001.
BMF Cautious over Historic Vehicles MOT Exemption
The announcement by the Government that vehicles manufactured before 1960 will no longer have to pass an MOT, has received a cautious welcome from the British Motorcyclists Federation.
Unite: West Midlands police authority delay decision on privatisation
Unite, Britain's biggest union, has welcomed the West Midlands police authority's decision to delay a crucial vote on whether to proceed with privatisation in order to allow public consultation on the plans.
IFAW: Sri Lanka seizes 1.5 tonnes of elephant tusks – ivory traffickers developing new trade routes?
The seizure of 1.5 tonnes of elephant tusks in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Tuesday, was the single biggest ever ivory haul in the island state, fuelling concerns over the increasing boldness of illegal ivory traders in developing new routes for their contraband.
RSPCA: Remember to keep your pets cool as temperatures soar
Following the sudden rise in temperature over the last couple of days the RSPCA is urging owners not to leave pets in cars, conservatories or caravans whilst they are enjoying the sunshine.
Unite: Tax avoidance, strike breaking, human rights abuses: The organisations bidding to profit from West Midlands police privatisation
Unite, Britain's biggest union, has lifted the lid on the activities and record of some of the organisations attempting to profit from our police service (see notes to editors).
MRSA Action UK: Study shows over a third of patients in acute care received antibiotics last year
The Health Protection Agency preliminary findings from research conducted in 99 acute hospital trusts and 5 independent sector organisations during September and November last year, has revealed that over a third of patients received antibiotics, with over half being administered for community acquired infections.
NASUWT calls for action on registration fee
The NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in Wales, has called for school staff to be reimbursed if plans go ahead for a requirement for all staff working in schools to be registered with a regulatory body.
Rethink Mental Illness: Mental health cuts are being made behind closed doors
Spending on social care for people with severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, is being cut behind closed doors, despite government promises of transparency, says a report launched today by the charity Rethink Mental Illness.
NASUWT condemns the school banding system as fundamentally flawed
The NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in Wales, has called on the Welsh Government to revisit the whole concept of banding of schools.
NASUWT highlight the crisis that surrounds the Welsh govt's school improvement strategy
Moving a motion on the ‘School Improvement Strategy in Crisis’ at the Wales TUC Conference in Llandudno today, Suzanne Nantcurvis, NASUWT National Executive Member, will condemn attempts by Education Minister Leighton Andrews to create a crisis around the 2010 PISA results in an attempt to introduce a series of education reforms which threaten the provision of a high-quality education system and an effective school workforce.
NUT Cymru motion at Wales TUC Conference calls for school banding rethink
NUT Cymru has continued its call for a review of the school banding system as part of a motion to the Wales TUC Conference in Llandudno. Wales’ largest union for qualified teachers has been leading opposition to the controversial system since it was introduced in December 2011. The motion highlights the detrimental impact banding is having on schools and staff across Wales and calls on the Welsh Government to review the decision to implement it.
RSPCA: Yorkshire man jailed for ‘sickening’ badger baiting offences
Anthony Lee filmed fights between dogs and badgers
BHA: 'Gay cure' therapist loses appeal against the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
Lesley Pilkington, a psychotherapist who was found guilty of ‘professional malpractice’ for using the techniques of ‘conversion therapy’ (a bogus form of treatment which is supposed to make gay people become straight) has lost her appeal against the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Mrs Pilkington was found guilty of malpractice last year after trying to convert a gay client to heterosexuality, with the BACP describing her practice as ‘negligent’, ‘dogmatic’ and ‘unprofessional’. The British Humanist Association (BHA) welcomes the BACP’s decision.
NASUWT: Teacher support at the heart of good maths education
Commenting on the publication of the Ofsted report, Mathematics: Made to Measure, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union, said:
BSIA members help resource communications hub for 2012
Members of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) have embraced the opportunities provided by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to increase public and private sector cooperation, by putting forward volunteers to man the Cross-sector Safety and Security Communications (CSSC) hub.
NASUWT: Demise of local authority teacher supply pools down to headteachers and governors
Headteachers and governors who are employing agency staff on lower wages are to blame for the reduction in local authority pools of supply teachers, the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in Wales said today.
IET: Draft Energy Bill needs to focus on reducing electricity demand
The Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET), the non-profit engineering body, has today called for the government to do more to encourage the reduction of electricity usage. The call is in response to the Draft Energy Bill, presented today in Parliament by Energy Minister Ed Davey, who stated that the Bill would ensure that the lights would stay on for years to come.
NUT Cymru highlights supply worker concerns at TUC Conference
NUT Cymru has called on the Welsh Government to work closely with Local Authorities in Wales to tackle the continuing problem of eroding rights for supply teachers. NUT Cymru, Wales’ largest Union for qualified teachers, says that some supply agencies are seeking to avoid their obligations under the Agency Worker Regulations.
NUT: Grade pressures come from Ofsted, whose "criteria for success change as often as the weather"
Commenting on the report by Ofsted, Mathematics: made to measure, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said:
NASUWT: OECD Skills Strategy should give Coalition pause for thought
Responding to the publication of the OECD Skills Strategy, which sets out ways to improve the supply of and demand for workplace skills to promote economic growth, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union, said:
Unite: "Beecroft is a venture capitalist who profits from sub prime loans to needy people. He hasn't got a single idea how to create jobs"
Unite has branded the Beecroft report 'the worst attack on our employment rights in a generation' and has urged the Business Secretary, Vincent Cable to do everything in his power to stop the recommendations ever becoming law.
NUT members to strike at Downhills School, Haringey, London
NUT members will be taking strike action tomorrow (Tuesday 22 May) over the proposal by the DfE to force Downhills School to become a sponsored academy.
Rio Tinto agrees sale of Alcan Cable
Rio Tinto has reached an agreement to sell Alcan Cable to General Cable Corporation for US$185 million. The sale is expected to close later this year after the transaction receives all necessary regulatory clearances.
NASUWT: A good idea going bad
Reacting to the decision of Education Minster Leighton Andrews to advise for external mentors to assist with the induction of newly qualified teachers and with the introduction of the Masters in Education, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in Wales, said:
FSB: Revitalise rural economy by providing superfast broadband by 2015
New figures show that six in 10 rural businesses are suffering with the slow speed of their broadband, as the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) calls for the majority of the countryside to have access to superfast broadband by 2015 to revitalise the rural economy.
CML: Gross mortage lending declines in April
Gross mortgage lending declined to an estimated £10.2 billion in April. Lending fell by 19% from £12.6 billion in March but was 2% higher than the total of £10.0 billion in April 2011, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders.
ESRC: Soldiers who desecrate the dead see themselves as hunters
Modern day soldiers who mutilate enemy corpses or take body-parts as trophies are usually thought to be suffering from the extreme stresses of battle. But, research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) shows that this sort of misconduct has most often been carried out by fighters who viewed the enemy as racially different from themselves and used images of the hunt to describe their actions.
Unite: Crime reporting will fall if police service privatised
New survey and film reinforce need to ditch police privatisation for good
Good news in the campaign to defend standards for lab animals - but it has been ‘a battle simply to stand still’ says RSPCA
Lab animals won’t lose hard-fought protections in the UK after the government appears to have listened to the outcry from members of the public and the concerns of the RSPCA, it was revealed today.
DHT welcomes changes to Animal Use in Science Act
THE Dr Hadwen Trust for Humane Research welcomes the update to the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 as an important step forward in replacing the use of animals in medical research, saying new provisions will limit use of animals in future research.
Guide Dogs calls for rapid microchipping of dogs in Wales
The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on proposals to introduce compulsory microchipping for dogs in Wales. Guide Dogs welcomes the consultation but wants to see microchipping introduced without delay.
IET: Concerns Over Performance-Enhancing Technology Limiting Future of Sports Innovation
London, 17th May 2012: Questions over the role of engineering in pushing the limits of athletic performance at this summer’s Olympics and Paralympics continue to raise concerns as to whether performance-enhancing technology compromises the competition’s ethos or levels the playing field in an increasingly competitive arena.
NEA: 3.5 million fuel-poor households in England – but the reality is worse
In response to official Government figures published today showing that 3.5 million households in England were in fuel poverty in 2010, National Energy Action’s Chief Executive, Jenny Saunders, commented:
BSIA Training Providers section makes firm commitment to best practice
The Training Providers Section of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) officially launched its new Code of Ethics at IFSEC International yesterday, committing all section members to the highest standards of service delivery.
NASUWT: New research demolishes case for local and regional pay
The NASUWT, the largest teachers' union, has today published its evidence to the School Teachers' Review Body (Review Body) incorporating new research for the NASUWT by the Incomes Data Services (IDS) on local and regional pay.
Latest Articles
CPA: Construction Recession Deeper than Previously Estimated in Q1
Today’s data from the ONS show that construction output fell by 5% in the first quarter of 2012, considerably worse than the estimate of -3% that ONS previously indicated for GDP in Q1.
NASUWT: Secretary of state sets a bad example on financial practice
Commenting on the Public Accounts Committee report on the Department for Education (DfE) published today, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers' union, said:
IET: Heathrow targets real-time data and smart technology to become more resilient and efficient
Heathrow Airport is focusing on investment in real-time data and systems and smart technologies to overcome the daily challenges it faces as the world’s busiest airport, according to Philip Langsdale, Chief Information Officer, Information Technology at Heathrow Airport.
“Common sense has prevailed” says RHA
The Road Haulage Association is pleased that the tanker drivers at the heart of the long-running dispute have voted against strike action in a re-ballot
New BHA research reveals most new ‘faith’ schools opening ‘by the back door’
Every single ‘faith’ school proposed to be fast-tracked through the opening process without competition in the last five years was approved.
BHA welcomes Welsh government probe into Catholic schools promoting anti-gay marriage petition
The Welsh government have today announced that they are investigating whether the Catholic Education Service for England and Wales (CES) broke laws on equality and against political indoctrination.
Tax information obligations will present problems for small employers
The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) has said that HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC’s) assessment of the impact of the introduction of Real Time Information (RTI) on small employers is inadequate.
NUT: News International proposed Free Schools
Commenting on the exchange of emails between Department for Education (DfE) civil servants and News International (NI) regarding the establishment of a NI free school, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union said:
Unite: Open letter to Ed Davey about tanker driver dispute
Britain’s largest union, Unite, has today (Tuesday, 27 March) urged Ed Davey, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, to intervene in the tanker driver dispute over minimum standards and growing instability in the oil industry. Read the letter here.
Unlock Democracy: Dear Mark Harper
Open letter to Mark Harper on lobbying reform by Unlock Democracy.
Dear Chancellor: FSB Budget Submission 2012
Read the Federation of Small Business Budget 2012 Submission here.
Building Societies Association Budget Submission 2012
The BSA acknowledges, and has welcomed, the Government’s efforts to help stimulate the housing and savings markets. There are however additional, and quite logical steps that should be taken which could further aid homebuyers and savers in these challenging economic times. Read the BSA's budget submission for the Chancellor's 2012 budget here.
CML: 2012 Budget Submission
The Council of Mortgage Lenders sets out a budget 2012 submission, detailing what they would like to see George Osborne announce. Read it here.
'Deputy prime minister is complicit in creating youth unemployment' says the NASUWT
Teaching union comments on Nick Clegg’s launch of a £126 million scheme to get unemployed young people back into education and training and his concern about the 'ticking time bomb' of youth unemployment.
CPA writes to George Osborne in advance of his Budget statement next month
The Construction Products Association has written to the Chancellor in advance of his Budget statement next month, calling on him to introduce a range of practical policies that, whilst helping drive growth, will not endanger the government’s desire to achieve its medium term deficit target, but speed the country’s economic recovery.
CPA: Exports help product manufacturers, as domestic market weakens in Q4
The Construction Products Association’s latest State of Trade Survey, which has been launched today, shows that manufacturers, particularly on the light side, are benefiting from an increase in export activity to off-set the subdued level of construction activity in the domestic market.
NUT: Comment on performance management
Commenting on the changes planned for September 2012, announced by the Department for Education today, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union said:
IET: Overhauling the ICT curriculum
Dr Martyn Thomas CBE from the Institution of Engineering and Technology said: “This is an excellent and overdue change and it is vital that it is backed up with professional training and support for the teachers who will deliver the new curriculum.
Report promotes national service for the poor, says NASUWT
Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers' union, comments on a report calling for academies run by the military to be set up in areas of deprivation.
Church of England Academy expansion plans could be slowed by new government proposals
New proposals could slow the spread of new ‘faith’ schools, but go nowhere near tackling the growing religious division in the education system, the British Humanist Association (BHA) has warned.
Government changes Free School model funding agreement to ban creationist schools
The British Humanist Association (BHA) has welcomed a new revision of the model funding agreement for Free Schools by the Government in order to preclude ‘the teaching, as an evidence-based view or theory, of any view or theory that is contrary to established scientific and/or historical evidence and explanations.’
Voice comments on Ofsted’s plans for no-notice inspection for schools
Voice: the union for education professionals has commented on Ofsted’s plans for no-notice inspection for schools.
Scottish Government has “stronger mandate” to decide referendum question
As controversy mounts over Westminster’s plans to set the terms of the mooted Scottish independence referendum the Electoral Reform Society Scotland has called on the government to accept that Holyrood has the “stronger mandate” to decide on the referendum question.
RSPCA: 8 little pigs need new ‘digs’
Four pairs of Kunekune pigs are looking for new homes after being left without shelter in a field in Paddock Wood near Tonbridge in Kent.
Humanists inject a new lease of life into New Year's resolutions with Resolution Revolution
'Resolution Revolution', a new initiative from the British Humanist Association (BHA), is an exciting way to help make sure that we all make the most of next year and get involved in the things that are important to us by making a new kind of resolution, one with a twist, and resolving to do something for someone else in 2012.
FSB: Government commits to banking reform
The FSB welcomed the Government’s commitment to implement the Independent Commission on Banking's recommendations on banking reform to improve competition in the banking sector.
New year, new penalties – Institute warns of taxman’s tougher filing rules
The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) is warning taxpayers that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have a new penalty system for late-filed Self Assessment tax returns.
Fabian Hamilton MP wins Diabetes UK Parliamentary Champion Award
Fabian Hamilton MP wins Diabetes UK Parliamentary Champion Award
Guide Dogs for the Blind: Can disabled people fully access transport in your constituency?
Guide Dogs for the Blind have innovative ideas for you about local transport.
Christmas Card to Michael Gove
Thousands of teachers have signed the NUT’s Fair Pensions for All Christmas card to Michael Gove, which were handed into the Department for Education today.
NEA: Winter deaths rise with extreme cold
Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a massive 38 per cent increase in deaths across England and Wales during the arctic cold snap experienced last December, the coldest in over 100 years.
Festival of Social Sciences: Celebrating the Social Sciences
Evidence-based policy should not be a radical concept. It needs to be celebrated.
Festival of Social Sciences: 2 languages: 2 brains, 2 minds, 2 cultures?
As part of the ESRC Festival of Social Sciences, the Deafness Cognition And Language Research Centre (DCAL) hosted an event exploring the powerful benefits of bilingualism in spoken and sign languages, for hearing and deaf people alike - benefits that reach hearing and deaf people alike.
ESRC Festival of Social Sciences: 'The World at 7 Billion'
What does it mean for us that the world’s population has reached 7 billion? Is it sustainable? Will there be enough food, energy, land space, or even enough oxygen, for not just the 7 billion we have now, but the 9 billion we are estimated to have by 2015? What can we do about it? The Festival of Social Sciences event ‘The World at 7 Billion’ is certainly not shying away from brave questions.
ESRC Festival of Social Sciences: 'British social attitudes in European comparative context'
The timing of the ESRC’s Festival of Social Sciences could not be more pertinent, and the European Social Survey (ESS) event - ‘British social attitudes in European comparative context’ – shows just how much the work of social scientists can offer us all.
An open letter to Michael Gove regarding the ‘phonics check’ for six year olds in English primary schools
An open letter to Michael Gove regarding the ‘phonics check’ for six year olds in English primary schools
NOAH supports ongoing work of VRC and VPC
The National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) today praised the work done by the Veterinary Residues Committee (VRC). Set up nine years ago to oversee the UK's surveillance for residues of veterinary medicines, the VRC has now been reconstituted as an expert committee.
United Response: The coalition's first 100 days
Opinion Former Comment: For all of the undoubted energy the Coalition Government has brought to its first 100 days in office, it is still too soon to judge.
IFAW: The coalition's first 100 days
Opinion Former Comment: As an organisation that works to promote the welfare and conservation of animals both at home and abroad, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) saw mixed messages in the coalition agreement.
CIOT: The coalition's first 100 days
Opinion Former Comment: This has been a good start from a Government who seem willing to listen to the concerns and suggestions of the tax profession.
Opinion Formers
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Latest News
Pressure, not wrongdoing, forced Hunt ex-spad Adam Smith's resignation
Failing hospitals test gets go-ahead
The memo that brings Hunt scandal to Cameron's door
Confirmed: Double-dip recession even worse than feared
No 10 unleashes Tory gay marriage opposition with free vote move
No eurozone answers as crisis drifts on
Must try harder: £35bn remains in uncollected tax
Leveson vs Paxman: 'You could become an irrelevance'
Cameron lashes out: Ed Balls branded a "muttering idiot"
Special event coverage
Festival of Social Sciences: Celebrating the Social Sciences
Evidence-based policy should not be a radical concept. It needs to be celebrated.
Festival of Social Sciences: 2 languages: 2 brains, 2 minds, 2 cultures?
As part of the ESRC Festival of Social Sciences, the Deafness Cognition And Language Research Centre (DCAL) hosted an event exploring the powerful benefits of bilingualism in spoken and sign languages, for hearing and deaf people alike - benefits that reach hearing and deaf people alike.
Opinion Former Events
Voice: Feeling stressed? Understand yourself? Now, move forward Conference
Application forms are now available for an exciting conference in Manchester. The fun-packed day will give you practical solutions and advice on managing stress and time to help you achieve a work/life balance.
BHA: The Marriage Debate - ‘This house would legalise same-sex marriage in England and Wales'
Two weeks before the Government’s consultation on same-sex marriage draws to a close, Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association is participating in a debate hosted by Catholic Voices on the motion, ‘This House Would Legalise Same-Sex Marriage’.
BSIA: Information Destruction Exhibition and Conference
This one-day event is targeted at professionals operating in the information destruction industry, and aims at keeping delegates updated on recent developments in their sector, providing an opportunity to network with fellow professionals, whilst offering access to an informative exhibition and a comprehensive conference programme.
ABI: The Future of Long-term Savings & Retirement Income - Automatic Enrolment and Beyond Conference
The Future of Long-term Savings & Retirement Income - Automatic Enrolment and Beyond Conference
Take the Gold Challenge for St Dunstan's
We provide lifelong support for blind and visually impaired ex-Service men and women. You can help give more blind heroes an independent future by taking the Gold Challenge
TACT: 2013 Virgin London Marathon
Join TACT at one of the greatest sporting events on the planet and help give a child in care a future to smile about.
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