Scrapping of rail franchises backed by competition regulator
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have said that extra direct competition would see greater efficiency, lower fares and better use of rail capacity. They said that rival train firms should run services on the same lines, which would see an end to the franchises on major intercity lines. This idea was considered and rejected on operational grounds when railways were first privatised in 1994. This report has been released just before Nicola Shaw’s review into the...
ESA disability benefit cuts forced through by Tories as Lords run out of blocking options
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor It was described by one peer as a “black day for disabled people” as the Lords was forced to accept cuts to ESA (Employment Support Allowance) given to sick and disabled people, the most vulnerable in society. After a brave fight by the Lords they were forced to back down in their opposition to the Government’s brutal plans. The Lords had managed to defeat ministers twice over plans to cut £30 a week from ESA. However,...
The case for a new Third Way
This is the latest guest feature from Richard Roberts, 26, author of Musings of a Young Londoner . If you would like to feature on The London Economic, you can submit your articles here. I’m a pro-capitalist social democrat. No, it’s not an oxymoron. It means roughly this: Philosophically, sure, I have qualms about a system that privileges the accumulation of private financial wealth above all other ends in life. But practically, I see no viable alternative to capitalism....
VIDEO – Jeremy Hunt Presented With His ‘Dick Of The Year Award’
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor Jeremy Hunt is not exactly top of the our xmas card lists and as the junior doctors row continues to rumble on; support for the medics seems to be holding, and he looks increasingly under pressure. So maybe is was a good time to win an award, right? Wrong. Channel's 4 The Last Leg awarded him the title "dick of the year" and attempted to give Hunt his accolade, but he refused to accept it,...
Article – The Martian: From Bernie Sanders and to the Stars
Written by Simon Columb/@screeninsight . Reproduced with thanks from Screeninsight The Martian may have failed to light up the stage at the Oscars, but underneath the space-dust Matt Damon walks upon, there is a powerful message. There is no need for a statuette and a tick-box on a to-watch list here. Instead, The Martian’s socialist message preceded the unstoppable rise and optimism of Bernie Sanders powerful campaign, setting the cinematic stage for a new future. Sci-Fi depictions of the future...
‘150 Somali militants killed’ by US air strike
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor The pentagon has said that a US air strike has killed over 150 al-shabab militants in Somalia. Military spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said the strike hit a training camp where a "large-scale" attack was being planned. Davis said: "We know they were going to be departing the camp and they posed an imminent threat to US and forces. Initial assessments are that more than 150 terrorist fighters were eliminated.” Al-Shabab, an affiliate of al-Qaeda, was pushed...
Tory equality minister’s department pays men £3,000 more than women
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor Shocking figures have revealed that women who work for the Tory minister responsible for closing the gender pay gap are paid almost two pounds per hour less than men in the same roles. Government’s figures state that male civil servants earn £22.30 a hour on average at the Department of Education however women make just £20.54. Nicky Morgan recently said she plans to “name and shame” companies who did not pay men and women equally...
IS planning ‘enormous and spectacular attacks’, warning from counter-terrorism boss
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor IS (Islamic State) is waging war against Western lifestyles and is planning “enormous and spectacular attacks on the UK mainland, a counter-terrorism boss has warned. Mark Rowley, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner, said the Islamist group had called on would-be jihadis to attack police and the military, but now their plots are now broader with "plans to attack Western lifestyle". He said: "In recent months we've seen a broadening of that, much more plans to attack...
Glaucoma Week raises awareness of second most common cause of blindness
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor World Glaucoma Week, which runs 6-12 March 2016. It was set up to help raise awareness of glaucoma, the second most common cause of blindness in the world after cataract and the leading cause of irreversible sight loss. The condition affects 67 million people worldwide, of which 8 million have lost their sight completely. As well as raising awareness there also lies an important health message to ensure people book regular eye tests to monitor...