Britannia Radio

Yesterday the Office for National Statistics (ONS) announced that they think the economy is growing again – by 0.3% in the first quarter of this year. You should take these statistics – good or bad – with a pinch of salt. But the breakdown of growth by sector does undermine lazy claims that the economy is in trouble because of cuts in government spending. Whereas the ONS data shows that manufacturing has shrunk by nearly 7% since 2008 and construction has shrunk by more than 15%, “Government” has grown by 6.9%. The real austerity has been in the more efficient private sector, not a still bloated public sector. Is it any wonder that the economy isn't growing? - Matt Sinclair, Chief Executive £1m road layout fiasco in Islington Henry Zarb has written about the disaster for our website. We are organising a new branch in Islington to attack this kind of waste. Let us know if you would like to get involved. Regeneration disaster in Bridlington Andrew Allison warned that council plans to redevelop Bridlington were set to end badly back in September 2010.Now the Yorkshire Post has reported that the scheme is on the brink of collapse and residents are really suffering thanks to town hall bungling. An estimated £25 million local taxpayers won’t get back. MPs should not get a big pay rise The public and most sensible MPs understand that, with enormous pressure on the finances of the taxpayers who pick up the bill, there can’t be a big increase in politicians’ pay. But Transport Minister Stephen Hammond called for a massive pay rise of 60% to over £100,000 a year. No way.