Hmm, so I see with interest that English five and six-year-olds are going to face a new reading test next summer. They will be asked to "read" a list of twenty made-up words "to check whether children can use their
Politics
A collection of 25 posts
Bull Or Bear
Two articles, both published today in two of the world's most august organs, each reaching dramatically different conclusions on the prospective state of the British economy and the implications of the recent drop in the value of sterling: International Herald
Election Night Blogging 2008
(All times GMT) 0907 - Later editions of some of the papers: 0900 - Congratulations to our American friends on your new President-elect. It's been a thrilling election to watch over the past year or so. Your democratic processes and
EU Want To Regulate Blogging
I don't know whether to laugh or cry. I've just seen this snappily-titled Motion for a European Parliament Resolution on Concentration and Pluralism in the Media in the European Union. It appears that our elected officials in Brussels, never known
I Am Not Abused And Don't Need Your Protection!
Members of Parliament are today debating a private member's bill - the "Temporary and Agency Equal Treatment bill" - which calls for temporary workers to get the same salary, sick pay and holiday rights as permanent employees. Now, I'm sure
Another Fine Use of Taxpayer's Money
Oh, it makes me feel so eager to pay my income tax, corporation tax, NICS and VAT when I see the HMRC putting the cash to such good use: "Out-of- the-office brainstorming sessions for tax staff to create a new
Copying CDs Could Be Made Legal
BBC News: "Copying music from a CD to a home computer could be made legal under new proposals from the UK government." I'd actually long-since forgotten that this is technically illegal! Surely it's one of those silly archaic laws
Roll On July 1st
I've grumbled recently on these pages about the actions of our lawmakers, so let me balance that by saying that I have never before been as excited about upcoming legislation as I am about the forthcoming ban on smoking in