A different sinking ship this time, but Stephen Byers has announced that he’s not standing at the next election. I can’t say I knew him well, and some of his ideas were definitely a bit right-wing for me, but he always seemed to me to be genuinely interested in policy and genuinely on top of [...]
Archive for November, 2009
and another one…
Posted in Labour, Politics, Westminster on November 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Another one leaves the sinking ship
Posted in Economy, regional bodies on November 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Actually that’s really unfair, as Tom Wharburton is definitely one of the good guys. I’m a bit out of date with this as I’ve only just heard that he’s leaving One NorthEast, where he was responsible for writing the new North East Strategy. Shame, as he was one of the good guys. Nice to work [...]
November’s labour market figures
Posted in Economy, Labour Market on November 13, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Better than expected news from the latest labour market figures. North East employment was at 68% for the July-Sept 09 period, still the worst in GB with only Northern Ireland with a lower employment rate (UK ave = 72.5%). This is worse than last month but better than the previous quarter (up 0.8%) – although [...]
Fission of excitment in Hartlepool
Posted in Energy on November 9, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
So Hartlepool is confirmed as one of the potential sites for the next generation of nuclear power plants. My guess is that most local residents will welcome this news, as they will regard guaranteed employment in a jobs blackspot as a price worth paying for the (very low) risk of problems at the power plant. [...]
All change at ANEC
Posted in Politics, regional bodies on November 5, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Well, not really. All the officers stay the same, but I’d missed that Mick Henry is no longer Chair (and presumably Roger Kelly is no longer the Chair of Chief Executives). I guess four years is quite a long stint, but Gateshead have a reputation as a good council, and despite the Audit Commission’s rating [...]
Kelly’s unanswered question
Posted in Politics, Westminster on November 5, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Just one quick though occurs to me following the publication of the Kelly review into MPs expenses. Why are second jobs still allowed? Why should MPs make thousands on the lecture circuit (like William Hague until recently) or advising a dodgy multinational, but not allowed to employ a hard-working spouse? Lots of MPs in the [...]
The Public Service Paradox
Posted in Matthew Taylor, Public Services on November 4, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Interesting start to Matthew Taylor’s latest blog (he’s in the region to talk to an ippr / RSA audience). He says his Granny taught him that if you didn’t have anything nice to say, then it’s not worth saying. Then he mentions a new ippr report into public services in the North East, and passes [...]
