Monday, 03 January 2011 11:00 Monday, 03 January 2011 10:49 'Shame, vanity, laziness and the desire to fit in are all to be used as tools of Government policy by ministers acting on the advice of a new psychology unit in Whitehall. The first glimpse into the confidential work of the Cabinet Office's Behavioural Insight Team came on Tuesday when ministers suggested members of the public should be able to make small charitable donations when using cashpoints and their credit cards. On Friday, the Cabinet Office again followed the unit's advice in proposing that learner drivers be opted in to an organ donation scheme when they apply for a licence, and also floated the idea of creating a lottery to encourage people to take tests to prove they have quit smoking. These initiatives are examples of the application of mental techniques which, while seemingly paradoxical to the Coalition's goal of a smaller state, are likely to become a common feature of Government policy.' Read more: How the Government Wants to Change the Way We Think Monday, 03 January 2011 10:24 'A campaign group of farmers and hauliers which was behind the fuel blockades a decade ago has threatened new action against the rises, while a cross-party group of MPs has called for the Government to help motorists and essential road users by cutting fuel duty. The Scottish and Welsh Assembly governments have also joined calls for a cut in duty. On Saturday fuel duty rose by 0.76p a litre, while on Tuesday VAT will go up from 17.5 per cent to 20 per cent. The combination of both tax hikes will put around 3.5p on the average cost of a litre of unleaded petrol, which had already hit a record high of 124.16p last week – more than 14 per cent on a year ago. Diesel stood at an average of 128.35p a litre. Further increases in fuel duties are planned in April.'A video by Jay4louise
Monday, 3 January 2011
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