Lord Ashcroft on Comment publishes new polling on the issue of gay marriage and concludes: "If, as some argue, the Prime Minister were to drop his plans to introduce gay marriage he would be unlikely to win many back on the strength of it. People who oppose gay marriage would remember that he was in favour of it before the going got tough. Those who support it would see that he abandoned the idea in the face of a determined minority. Those who don’t much care either way would notice another flip-flop." Also on Comment: Local Government: Conservative councillor attacks Policy Exchange proposal to sell expensive social housing WATCH: Akin defies Romney to stay in Missouri GOP Senate race Osborne on course to borrow £30 billion more than expected. Crucial OBR verdict will come in the autumn "Britain faces another round of savage spending cuts after the Government was forced to borrow more than expected last month. North Sea oil tax revenues have collapsed, while corporation tax receipts also fell as companies continue to feel the effects of the recession. Compounding the problems was a 7 per cent rise in benefits payments…But Treasury minister Chloe Smith insisted the figures showed Britain had to stick “to the plan that has won international credibility”. - The Sun 2) A £600 million deficit, not a £2 billion surplus "Public sector net borrowing is £9.3bn higher so far this year than at the same stage last year, excluding some distorting effects, putting strain on the coalition’s plan to close the structural current deficit within five years.The public finances are usually in surplus in July, a big month for quarterly corporate tax receipts, but this year the government borrowed about £600m over the month to bridge the gap between spending and revenue. Economists had predicted a £2.2bn surplus." - Financial Times (£) 3) Chancellor faces further spending scaleback... 4) ...As a "growth push" next month is briefed "Whitehall sources spoke of a co-ordinated growth push across the government in September. There will be a particular focus on liberalising planning laws, guaranteeing more housebuilding and boosting infrastructure projects. In a sign of the government's radical thinking, ministers are drawing up plans to reform the Highways Agency so it can borrow money to pay for a "horizon shift" in spending on roads to boost the economy and reduce congestion and delays." - The Guardian 5) Will there be a LibDem revolt? Survey finds two in five party activists don't want Clegg as election leader The IOD's verdict on the Government and the economy to date: too little, too slowly "The Institute of Directors (IoD) says that the Chancellor’s growth strategy is largely “ineffective” and “too little, too slowly”, as demands increase for radical action in the autumn. A survey of more than 1,200 business leaders found they have “serious concerns” that the recession will last throughout 2012 with only a modest recovery next year. Their concerns come as official economic figures showed that the Chancellor has had to increase public borrowing." - Daily Telegraph Poll finds that half of all drivers don't know that 60p out of every £1 spent at the pump is tax - The Sun Tory MPs asked to plead with members to attend party conference "MPs say they have been pressured to persuade grassroots supporters to go to the annual conference in Birmingham to fill the hall and boost party coffers. Last year the ConservativeHome website found the average cost to a party member of attending was £722 when accommodation, travel, food and drink was factored in. One Tory frontbencher said: ‘Conference is going to be a washout." - Daily Mail Next Welsh Secretary must have a seat in Wales, leading Tories say -Wales Online Pickles attacks BBC and Ofsted secrecy over RIPA surveillance... > Today on Comment: Nick Pickles - It's time to take the scythe to the Grim RIPA …Pursuing smokers, stalking dog owners - the 9,600 'missions' of council snoopers using RIPA powers "The surveillance operations exploit anti-terror laws but many are targeting minor offences such as flouting the smoking ban, dog fouling and dropping litter. Council officers have also gone undercover to carry out ‘test purchases’ at local escort agencies, it was revealed last night…Civil liberties campaigners said was clear the hugely controversial Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act was being abused." - Daily Mail £1.4 billion saved from bonfire of the quangos > Today on Comment: Francis Maude MP - Over 100 quangos scrapped. Fewer than 70 left. £100 saved for each household - but there's more to do Damian Green plans new computer database to track down 150,000 illegal immigrants in Britain "Border chiefs are due to launch the project next month to deal with the huge backlog of foreign nationals who have overstayed their student or temporary work visas. Letters will be sent to those in the 'migration refusal pool' warning that they will be deported and barred from entering the UK if they do not leave within 28 days…Letters will be sent to those in the 'migration refusal pool' warning that they will be deported and barred from entering the UK if they do not leave within 28 days." - Daily Mail Lord Baker: Is this is the most improved college in the country? > Yesterday: ToryDiary - The Left's real target isn't Gove's playing field decisions. It's his education reforms - and it's time we all got wise to their game MPs' outside earnings figures revive citizen-legislators-or-professional-politicians debate - The Times (£) Rape views controversy 1) Galloway attacked by own party leader over his "sexual etiquette" podcast on Assange rape claims - Daily Mail Rape views controversy 2) Akin’s rape remarks a godsend for Obama -Financial Times (£) Rape views controversy 3) One in nine complaints 'written off' by police - Daily Telegraph Rape views controversy 4) Male politicians still getting it wrong on rape - Louise Mensch, Daily Telegraph Syria envoy says Assad resignation is up for discussion - BBC New Government "too posh to swear" in new fourth series of "In The Thick Of It" - The Sun Jonathan Isaby on Comment: When you discover how much the Government taxes your petrol, you’ll want to support the campaign to FreezeFuelTax.com MPsETC: "One-man Think Tanks": how the 2010 intake forced their way into the papers LeftWatch: Ed Miliband ought to be having sleepless nights, argues Janan Ganesh
The Deep End: Modern culture: Ugliness is compulsory
1) Corporation tax down, benefit payments up
"Treasury officials are now warning that if the trend continues Mr Osborne could forced cut back still further of public sector expenditure in order to meet the Government’s target of eliminating the structural deficit by 2017 when he makes his autumn statement in November.[A Treasury] source said much would depend on whether the independent Office of Budget Responsibility – which is tasked with providing estimates on the health of the public finances – concludes that the borrowing overshoot can be offset in future years." - The Independent
"And with many more of the public bodies due to be merged or closed, reforms are on track to hit the full target of saving a total of at least £2.6billion – equivalent to £150 for every working household – by the next election. The Cabinet Office said 106 of the quangos – quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations – have been shut down so far, more than half way towards the current “first wave” target of 204." -Daily Express
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
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