Friday, 3 July 2015

Blow to legal high ban - Politics.co.uk

"In a closed society where everybody's guilty, the only crime is getting caught" - Hunter S. Thompson
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Legal highs, legal lows

Problems with the government's proposed psychoactive substances bill continue to stack up. The latest blow to the attempted blanket ban on legal highs comes from an unexpected source - the Home Office's own advisers.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, found that what the legislation intends to do is "impossible" and that "psychoactivity", the very effect the bill is trying to outlaw, "cannot be unequivocally proven". 

We also report on comments by Labour London mayoral hopeful Diane Abbott, in which she suggested her party should not select another white, middle-aged man as their mayoral candidate. The comments are at odds with her previous insistence that race should not be a defining factor in the selection. 

Finally, we have comment from the chair of the Howard League for Penal Reform on the ongoing scandal of young people taking their lives in prison. Frances Crook writes about what should be done by government and the wider criminal justice system to tackle the problem.

Latest Articles

 
 

Legal highs bill savaged by home secretary's own advisers


 

On Jul 03, 2015 11:18 am
Even the Home Office's own expert advisers say the bill is trying to do something "impossible"
Read more... »
 

What's in a name? Why the BBC is right to keep using 'Islamic State'


 

On Jul 02, 2015 11:27 am
If the BBC starts calling groups whatever MPs tell it to, it can no longer be called independent or impartial
Read more... »
 

 
 

Diane Abbott: London shouldn't have another white, middle-aged man as mayor  


 

On Jul 03, 2015 11:07 am
Hackney MP says London's governance does not reflect its diversity
Read more... »
 

Victory for asylum campaigners as fast-track suspended  


 

On Jul 02, 2015 03:10 pm
Appeals process found to be unlawful
Read more... »
 

Jeremy Hunt to shame patients with cost of NHS drugs  


 

On Jul 01, 2015 04:25 pm
Prescriptions to be labeled with cost and marked 'funded by taxpayers'
Read more... »
 


 
 

Time to end the scandal of young people dying in prison


 

On Jul 03, 2015 08:32 am
Harris review into self-inflicted deaths in pr is a challenge to the whole criminal justice system
Read more... »
 

'We have to start from zero': Greeks watch as endgame nears


 

On Jul 02, 2015 08:50 am
On the streets of Athens, Greeks look on in disbelief as they enter a dangerous new period of uncertainty
Read more... »
 

Opinion Former videos


 

Universities contribute £73 billion a year to the UK economy

 

On Jun 29, 2015 04:16 pm
This animation showcases the many ways in which universities contribute to the UK economy, society, and to people's everyday lives.
Read more... »

Count us in: Quantitative skills for a new generation

 

On Jun 25, 2015 08:36 am
The ability to understand and interpret data is an essential feature of life in the 21st century: vital for the economy, for our society and for us as individuals.
Read more... »
 

Opinion Formers articles


 
 

30 Chambers of Commerce are all backing an expanded Heathrow

Those 30 Chambers of Commerce, together representing 40,000 businesses, are all backing an expanded Heathrow.
Read more... »
 

Universities are a vital source of knowledge for policymakers

Manchester Policy Blogs offers expert insight, analysis and comment from researchers at The University of Manchester on key public policy issues.
Read more... »
 

Opinion Formers press releases


 
 

Solar rooftops and farms prepare to open doors as Britain basks in heatwave


As people across much of the country enjoy the heatwave, solar homes, commercial solar rooftops and solar farms across the country are to open their doors tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday as part of Solar Independence Day, the UK's annual celebration of solar.
Read more... »
 

New ABI data shows why age is a factor in the price of car insurance


The Association of British Insurers has published new data today* which shows why age is an important factor in deciding premiums for motor insurance policies.
Read more... »
 

 

Jobs and courses


 
 

Postgraduate study: MA International Relations and Global Communications – Manchester Metropolitan University


 

On May 18, 2015 12:39 pm
On this course you will be equipped with a sophisticated understanding of contemporary international relations and key developments in information and communication technologies (ICTs).
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Thursday, 2 July 2015

Why the BBC is right to keep using the name Islamic State - Politics.co.uk

"Drawing on my fine command of the English language, I said nothing" - Robert Benchley
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War on the BBC

There is something particularly unedifying about the Tories' recent attempts to draw the crisis in Iraq into their ongoing battle with the BBC. The question of what we should label the murderous group known variously as Isis, Isil and the Islamic State has been a fraught one for some time, with many Muslims preferring to refer to them by the pejorative term Daesh. However, David Cameron's recent on-air chiding of the corporation for opting to refer to them as the Islamic State fits a pattern of a wider attack on the broadcaster. Headlines in today's papers infering that the BBC's stance somehow placing them as terrorist sympathisers is the lowest point yet in the ongoing battle.

Greece also continues to dominate the headlines. Today we carry a compelling eyewitness report from journalist Omaira Gill on how the crisis is affecting the everyday lives of people living in the country.

We also report on Jeremy Hunt's latest misguided attempt to reduce NHS spending. His most recent wheeze is to propose printing prices on prescription drugs, in an apparent attempt to shame patients into not wasting them. From next year, all medicines costing the NHS more than £20 will be marked with the cost to the organisation plus the label "funded by taxpayers". While this may encourage some patients not to waste medication it also risks discouraging some patients from taking drugs they have been prescribed. Perversely it also risks persuading some patients that more expensive drugs are somehow 'better' than cheaper and generic alternatives. There is also a question of principle. The NHS was set up in order to provide care to patients, regardless of individual costs. Hunt's new labels disrupts that original principle.

Latest Articles

 
 

What's in a name? Why the BBC is right to keep using 'Islamic State'


 

On Jul 02, 2015 11:27 am
If the BBC starts calling groups whatever MPs tell it to, it can no longer be called independent or impartial
Read more... »
 

Heathrow expansion is a fantasy that will never be realised


 

On Jul 01, 2015 10:53 am
The political obstacles to building a third runway can be seen from space
Read more... »
 

 
 

Jeremy Hunt to shame patients with cost of NHS drugs  


 

On Jul 01, 2015 04:25 pm
Prescriptions to be labeled with cost and marked 'funded by taxpayers'
Read more... »
 

Legal highs bill puts medical research at risk  


 

On Jun 30, 2015 02:52 pm
New treatments for depression and experiments which might help explain human consciousness will be put at risk if the bill banning legal highs is passed, researchers have warned.
Read more... »
 


 
 

'We have to start from zero': Greeks watch as endgame nears


 

On Jul 02, 2015 08:50 am
On the streets of Athens, Greeks look on in disbelief as they enter a dangerous new period of uncertainty
Read more... »
 

PMQS verdict: Harman wrong-foots Cameron with declaration of war on Heathrow


 

On Jul 01, 2015 01:10 pm
Labour is poised to make the Heathrow debate as damaging for Cameron as humanly possible
Read more... »
 

Opinion Former videos


 

Universities contribute £73 billion a year to the UK economy

 

On Jun 29, 2015 04:16 pm
This animation showcases the many ways in which universities contribute to the UK economy, society, and to people's everyday lives.
Read more... »

Count us in: Quantitative skills for a new generation

 

On Jun 25, 2015 08:36 am
The ability to understand and interpret data is an essential feature of life in the 21st century: vital for the economy, for our society and for us as individuals.
Read more... »
 

Opinion Formers articles


 
 

30 Chambers of Commerce are all backing an expanded Heathrow

Those 30 Chambers of Commerce, together representing 40,000 businesses, are all backing an expanded Heathrow.
Read more... »
 

Universities are a vital source of knowledge for policymakers

Manchester Policy Blogs offers expert insight, analysis and comment from researchers at The University of Manchester on key public policy issues.
Read more... »
 

Opinion Formers press releases


 
 

Public Health England Figures show a rise in some healthcare associated infections this month: The bugs are getting smarter and we have to be too


Public Health England figures show a rise in healthcare associated infections this month.
Read more... »
 

Wife of humanist blogger murdered by Al-Qaeda calls on UK Government to do more to tackle Islamic extremism at home and internationally


Ahead of her first public address following the brutal murder of her husband at the hands of Islamic extremists, Bangladeshi blogger Bonya Ahmed has called on the UK Government to do more in tackling extremism at home and to put pressure on international governments to tackle the growing persecution of humanists and the non-religious internationally.
Read more... »
 

 

Jobs and courses


 
 

Business Development Executive - Politics.co.uk


 

On Jun 24, 2015 04:03 pm
If you have a passion for politics and are looking to work in business development, then Politics.co.uk has just the role for you.
Read more... »
 

 

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Wednesday, 1 July 2015

Wildcat legal strike begins - Politics.co.uk

"If there were no bad people, there would be no good lawyers" - Charles Dickens
 
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Legal strike

Today is the first day of a wildcat legal strike across the country. Those who find themselves arrested will struggle to get legal aid representation. Within days, the courts system could grind to a halt.It is happening across England and Wales but has so far received relatively little coverage. We report on what to expect.

As I write, the government are also preparing to slip out the news that they are on course to miss their previous targets on child poverty. This news is unlikely to go unreported. However, the deep impact of the government's immigration and asylum laws on child poverty has so far seen very little debate. Today we look at how the UK continues to impoverish children in the name of a tough immigration policy.

Howard Davies' long-awaited report on airport expansion is out today. The report gives enthusiastic and unanimous support for expansion at Heathrow. Labour's Harriet Harman also indicated during today's prime minister's questions that Labour would support a third runway if Cameron decides to go ahead. However, Cameron refused to state his position, saying he would need to study the report and would not make a final decision until later in the year. The reason for his reticence is based in widespread opposition from within his party to expansion at Heathrow both locally and nationally. With so many political obstacles lined up against it, a third runway increasingly looks like an impossible dream for the Tories.

Latest Articles

 
 

Heathrow expansion is a fantasy that will never be realised


 

On Jul 01, 2015 10:53 am
The political obstacles to building a third runway can be seen from space
Read more... »
 

Anatomy of a legal strike: How lawyers are bringing the system to its knees


 

On Jul 01, 2015 09:10 am
Lawyers aren't allowed to strike, but they're doing it anyway: Here's how they stick to the law while bringing it to a halt.
Read more... »
 

 
 

Legal highs bill puts medical research at risk  


 

On Jun 30, 2015 02:52 pm
New treatments for depression and experiments which might help explain human consciousness will be put at risk if the bill banning legal highs is passed, researchers have warned.
Read more... »
 

David Cameron: Twitter and Facebook privacy is unsustainable  


 

On Jun 30, 2015 09:32 am
Privacy of social media users 'can no longer be tolerated' in the face of international terror
Read more... »
 


 
 

Comment: How we impoverish children in the name of a tough immigration policy


 

On Jul 01, 2015 10:40 am
Behind all the immigration rhetoric are a small army of child victims, thrown onto the streets and at risk of abuse due to government indifference
Read more... »
 

Comment: If I'm Lib Dem leader, we'll oppose fracking


 

On Jun 30, 2015 11:14 am
The party needs to show how a low-carbon economy can create jobs and boost pay
Read more... »
 

Opinion Former videos


 

Universities contribute £73 billion a year to the UK economy

 

On Jun 29, 2015 04:16 pm
This animation showcases the many ways in which universities contribute to the UK economy, society, and to people's everyday lives.
Read more... »

Count us in: Quantitative skills for a new generation

 

On Jun 25, 2015 08:36 am
The ability to understand and interpret data is an essential feature of life in the 21st century: vital for the economy, for our society and for us as individuals.
Read more... »
 

Opinion Formers articles


 
 

30 Chambers of Commerce are all backing an expanded Heathrow

Those 30 Chambers of Commerce, together representing 40,000 businesses, are all backing an expanded Heathrow.
Read more... »
 

Universities are a vital source of knowledge for policymakers

Manchester Policy Blogs offers expert insight, analysis and comment from researchers at The University of Manchester on key public policy issues.
Read more... »
 

Opinion Formers press releases


 
 

Campaigners and MPs respond as climate change watchdog urges UK Government to prioritise domestic energy efficiency


The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has today insisted policy makers must adequately resource initiatives that make homes warmer and healthier and in turn reduce carbon emissions.
Read more... »
 

Unintended consequences of Land Reform plans revealed


The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) has warned that the removal of sporting rates relief will have devastating consequences for rural Scotland and will damage rural livelihoods, conservation, jobs and tourism.
Read more... »
 

 

Jobs and courses


 
 

Business Development Executive - Politics.co.uk


 

On Jun 24, 2015 04:03 pm
If you have a passion for politics and are looking to work in business development, then Politics.co.uk has just the role for you.
Read more... »
 

 

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Copyright © 2015 Politics.co.uk (Adfero Media Ltd), All rights reserved.
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