Broadcasters told by Ofcom to make phone-in charges simpler April 28, 2015 Telecoms regulator Ofcom has forced TV companies to change how they advertise phone-in and mobile voting competitions – because, it says, they're currently too confusing. The watchdog has changed the broadcasting code – the rules which govern TV and radio in the UK – to reflect how they can make pricing clearer. Viewers [...]
Lord Myners’ report could finally ease pressure on Vince Cable over Royal Mail December 17, 2014 Vince Cable knew what he was letting himself in for when he asked Lord Myners to oversee a review of the British government’s privatisations. So the business secretary will, I suspect, be relieved that the independent-minded former City minister has concluded that taxpayers were less short-changed from Royal Mail’s initial public offering (IPO) [...]
Syria airstrike vote 2015: Here’s how your MP voted December 3, 2015 Last night MPs voted in favour of the UK beginning airstrikes against Islamic State (Isis) with an overwhelming majority of 397 votes to 223, following a gruelling 10-hour debate in the House of Commons. The move was controversial, with huge numbers of people protesting against military intervention. Some Labour MPs claimed they were being intimidated to [...]
Treasury to launch boardroom search for Whitehall finance job December 15, 2013 THE TREASURY plans to launch a search today for a newly created position to help oversee public finances at Whitehall. Chief Treasury secretary Danny Alexander is expected to announce the new senior role today alongside the release of the results of a financial management review across Whitehall, a person familiar with the situation confirmed. The [...]
White takes new Treasury role October 30, 2013 The Treasury has promoted Sharon White to second permanent secretary for finance, the first time a woman has held the role. White, who has worked as a civil servant for 25 years and spent time at the World Bank, is married to Robert Chote, who heads the Office for Budget Responsibility. George Osborne, the chancellor, [...]
All hail a brilliant double bill May 26, 2014 THEATRE WOLF HALL + BRING UP THE BODIES Aldwych Theatre | By Simon Thomson Four Stars THE UNDERTAKING is epic; two three-hour plays, back to back. But with crackling dialogue, compelling acting, minimalist sets, masterful special effects, extravagant costumes and ersatz crumhorns, the six hours fly by. Adapted from the first two-thirds of Hilary Mantel’s [...]
All hail a brilliant double bill May 26, 2014 THEATRE WOLF HALL + BRING UP THE BODIES Aldwych Theatre | By Simon Thomson Four Stars THE UNDERTAKING is epic; two three-hour plays, back to back. But with crackling dialogue, compelling acting, minimalist sets, masterful special effects, extravagant costumes and ersatz crumhorns, the six hours fly by. Adapted from the first two-thirds of Hilary Mantel’s [...]
Nurses struck off over Stafford hospital scandal – but one is still employed by NHS July 25, 2013 Sharon Turner and Tracey White have become the first nurses to lose their licence to practice over the scandal at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust after a decision made this afternoon by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The nurses falsified accident and emergency discharge times to avoid missing the government goal for patients to be dealt with [...]
Theatre review: The Picture of Dorian Gray August 22, 2013 THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY | ★★☆☆☆ | thealchemicorder.com The location of The Alchemic Order’s production of The Picture of Dorian Gray is so secret I almost couldn’t find it. Eventually, on ringing the bell of an unassuming Greenwich townhouse, I was greeted by a moustachioed man in Victorian butler’s attire, who ushered me into [...]
KEEPING THE FIGURES IN THE CHOTE FAMILY March 21, 2012 CHANCELLOR George Osborne makes much of the endorsement given to his Budget by an independent quango he set up to monitor Treasury number fudging, the Office of Budget Responsibility. “These days the direct costing the Treasury applies to every Budget measure is independently assessed and certified by the OBR,” he yesterday declared pointedly to shadow [...]