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A confession from the Governor?


In his Cardiff speech last night, Sir Mervyn King admitted the Bank of England’s short term policies “appear diametrically opposed to those needed in the long term.”Sir Mervyn still believes that ulta-low interest rates have prevented the recession becoming a depression. However he confessed that such low interest rates prevent bad investments from the boom years unwinding and prop up failing firms surviving on cheap credit, thus postponing the recovery. I could point out that I have been saying this for years. Although that [...]

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PCT botches Minor Injuries Unit launch


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I am bitterly disappointed that Bucks PCT has so upset local people during the launch of the new Minor Inuries Unit (MIU) at Wycombe Hospital. The PCT’s material advertising the opening (which you can read here, here and here) told everyone that the Emergency Medical Centre was closing to be replaced by an MIU on 1 October. As a result, a wave of panic has swept the town as people have interpeted it to mean that they are losing their local A&E Department. [...]

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It’s time to jail those who force people to marry


The Government has decided to make it a criminal offence to force anyone into an unwanted marriage.  I think this is a good idea. Last year the police investigated almost 1,500 forced marriages but the real figure could be 8,000 or more. The new law will increase protection and support for victims and also focus on prevention. Prime Minister David Cameron said: Forced marriage is abhorrent and is little more than slavery. To force anyone into marriage against their will [...]

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Please pay your debts, Argentina!


When we hear the word ‘default’ we naturally think of the euro. But to many people across the world, ‘default’ is associated with Argentina. In 2001, Argentina committed the greatest default in history and declined to repay $81,000,000,000 that had been lent to it in good faith. Even now, it has not come to terms with all its creditors from that time. It still owes $360m to the USA, £3.79 billion to the Paris Club of creditor states and a [...]

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NAO report shows HS1 is a financial disaster


Today, the National Audit Office publishes a report that demonstates HS1 is a financial disaster and radically confirms the doubts and fears of opponents of HS2. The report reveals that  passenger demand has fallen far short of forecasts and government guarantees are kicking in so ”the Department is now responsible for servicing and repaying the project debt. We estimate that net taxpayer support may reach £10,200 million”. The calculation used to justify HS1 was that transport benefits, wider economic impacts and regeneration benefits would amount to a [...]

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New directory for small business finance


A new source of help for small and medium enterprises across the country was introduced yesterday when Treasury Minister Lord Sassoon launched a comprehensive on-line directory of finance companies providing alternatives to conventional bank loans or overdrafts. Businesses may need finance for a variety of reasons, including short-term cash flow or working capital, asset purchases, business development, the purchase of stock, and the financing of imports or exports.  Research shows that most small businesses have some awareness of the types of commercial [...]

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A tempestuous hospital consultation meeting yesterday


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The consultation meeting yesterday about changes to local health service affecting Wycombe Hospital brought doctors making the proposals and concerned residents face to face.  That there were around 100 members of the general public present – which was significantly more than at other similar meetings in the county – and showed how high feelings are  running about the future of our hospital. I made it clear that what local people wanted was the return of A&E and full maternity provision to Wycombe Hospital, and there [...]

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My iPad is my own!


A story in The Sun today – MPs vote to have an iPad … in £400k bid to save paper costs - says MPs will be issued with iPads to save paper – at a cost of £400,000 to the taxpayer. Top range iPads are £659 but the Commons would expect a discount for buying in bulk. Apparently a dozen MPs have already bought iPad’s on expenses and claim the data charges of around £15 a month.  We are already entitled to [...]

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