The ever-shrinking Navy
If nothing else, the Ministry of Defence has a sense of humour: with only one month left of the 2017 calendar year, it designated 2017 as “The Year of the Royal Navy”.
News/Views
Pensions: academics ballot over action
29 December 2017
University workers across Britain are being balloted over whether to fight to prevent the closure of their University Superannuation Scheme, a final salary arrangement.
Education: inter-union agreement
A good development: the new National Education Union, Unison and the GMB have agreed not to poach each other’s members. But there is also a negative side.
Scotland: a budget designed to divide
Tax plans in the budget issued by the devolved government in Edinburgh mark a split in the united approach to taxation in Britain.
Korea reacts to US war threats
21 December 2017
It’s been revealed that a massive hack of South Korean military computers unveiled plans to assassinate North Korea's leadership and invade the country. No wonder the country is developing its missile capability.
US admits to ground troops in Yemen
21 December 2017
President Trump has admitted for the first time that the USA has “a small number” of ground troops in Yemen. The US government has also given arms and logistical support to the Saudi-led coalition invading the country.
A new vision needed
19 December 2017
This report from IPPR gives a good, detailed analysis of our situation. It rightly suggests we need a new economic approach, but says too little about what must be done to put things right.
We need a Cromwell now
There are few more nauseating sights than pro-Remain MPs standing up for their constitutional right to “scrutinise” Brexit-related legislation. They are the same MPs who spent years nodding through a flood of EU laws.
Brexit negotiations: let's have clarity
13 December 2017
It's time for the Brexit negotiators to show the same clarity as that of the British people in the referendum vote. We don't want opaque wording, we want out.
Scientists fear US block on research with Cuba
12 December 2017
Concerns have been raised that the US government is limiting scientific collaboration between US and Cuban scientists – to the detriment of US citizens.
Care home crunch
12 December 2017
Care provider Four Seasons is in talks with its creditors – another symptom of a widespread, deep-rooted crisis in social care.
Brexit: how the Nobodies beat the Somebodies
11 December 2017
This slim but jewel-packed volume that sets out to explain how Britain voted to leave the EU – as seen by a relatively isolated campaigner in one of Britain’s most Remain-friendly cities, Brighton.