A review of the film “The Drop”
December 2nd, 2015 by Roger Darlington
You may not of heard of this film but, if you like crime thrillers that are more about character than violence, “The Drop” is worth seeking out. You can read my review here.
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)
How the Government proposes to help consumers
December 1st, 2015 by Roger Darlington
Water. The government is driving water market competition. Business and other non- household customers will be able to switch suppliers from 2017. Ofwat will provide an assessment by summer 2016 of the costs and benefits of extending retail competition to household water customers. Following this, the government will work with water companies to begin the transition to household retail competition before the end of this Parliament.
Banking. The government will boost competition in banking with the establishment of a New Bank Start-Up Unit, making it easier for new banks to enter the market. It will also take steps to help consumers find the best bank for them. Switching can save the average customer £70 a year and heavy overdraft users £260 a year.
Broadband. Pricing in this market often lacks transparency. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is looking at whether teaser rates on broadband deals are misleading consumers, and the government expects the ASA to take swift action to ensure that prices are made clearer and costs are not hidden. Total costs can be £240 a year higher than the headline introductory rate.
Legal services. The government will further reduce barriers so that it is easier for alternative business structures, such as supermarkets and estate agents, to offer legal services like conveyancing, probate and litigation in England and Wales.
Pharmacies. The government will examine the NHS community pharmacy market to ensure that the regulatory framework and payments system are efficient, encourage competition and innovation, and facilitate online, delivery to door and click and collect, pharmacy and prescription services. This will save time for working people.
Dentistry. Pricing for dentistry can be opaque and confusing. The government will ensure that dentist treatment plans and price lists are clear and easily accessible, empowering patients in England to make the best choices.
Motor insurance. The government intends to end the right to cash compensation for minor whiplash injuries, removing over £1billion from the cost of providing motor insurance, equivalent to an average of £40 to £50 saving for each motor insurance policy.
Energy. The government will reduce the projected cost of green policies on the average annual household energy bill by £30 from 2017. The government will also make switching supplier easier and quicker. The average household could currently save £160 from switching supplier.
Mobile phones. Consumers can face costs of up to £20 to unlock their phones with an estimated £48 million spent per year. The government expects industry to start automatically unlocking customers’ handsets at the end of their contracts, and will consult in 2016 on ending the practice of handset locking for customers outside any initial contract period.
School uniforms. The government will ensure that parents and carers get the best value deals on school uniforms in England. Analysis shows that parents and carers are significantly less likely to report financial hardship when schools allow them to purchase uniform from a variety of suppliers.
More information in this paper.
Posted in Consumer matters | Comments (0)
Men are not from Mars and women are not from Venus
December 1st, 2015 by Roger Darlington
Instead each of us is from our own unique planet.
But what about that book? Ignore the fiction; look at the facts as demonstrated by the latest research based on MRI scans of men’s and women’s brains conducted at Tel Aviv University.
As the head of the project puts it:
“We show there are differences, but brains do not come in male and female forms. The differences you see are differences between averages. Each one of us is a unique mosaic.”
“Sex affects the brain but how it affects the brain depends on other factors. The effects of sex can be different and even opposite under different conditions. This is why you can be highly masculine on one feature but highly feminine on another feature,”
So, guys, celebrate your feminine side. And, gals, celebrate your masculine side. We’re really not so different.
Posted in Science & technology | Comments (0)
What’s the UK doing about Syria? – 11 key questions answered
November 30th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
Whether or not the UK should join bombing operations against ISIL in Syria is not a simple matter. There are strong arguments for and against and many considerations to weigh.
Usefully the BBC web site has provided a short guide to some of the key questions.
Posted in British current affairs | Comments (0)
The news for Labour just gets blacker and blacker
November 30th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
“Here is the really bad news for Labour. It has nothing to do with Syria, which is unlikely to influence the outcome of the next general election. Nor is it to do with Europe, providing that we vote to stay in the EU, as now seems likely although far from certain. The bad news concerns the subject that always matters hugely at election time, and usually matters most: the economy.”
“… of the nine million people who voted Labour in May, around four million withhold their backing for Corbyn and McDonnell on the economy, saying they trust the Tories more, or trust neither party, or simply ‘don’t know’. Unless the great bulk of these doubters can be won over, Labour will not be able even to get back to nine million votes, let alone the 10-11 million it needs to become the largest party, or the 12 million-plus it needs to win outright.”
Who says this? The pollster YouGov as you can see in more detail here.
Posted in British current affairs | Comments (0)
A review of the new movie “Bridge Of Spies”
November 30th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
For a film with a quality script, acting and direction, currently it would be hard to beat “Bridge Of Spies” which I have reviewed here.
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)
U.S. presidential election (14): who can stop Donald Trump?
November 29th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
Let us – especially non-Americans – remind ourselves of just a few of the gaffes and insults which have emanated from Donald Trump in his effort to become the Republican nominee for next year’s US presidential election.
As this article from today’s “Observer” newspaper puts it:
“First, there was the time he outraged prisoners of war by doubting the heroism of Vietnam veteran John McCain because he allowed himself to be captured. Then there was the first television debate, where he appeared to accuse Fox News moderator Megyn Kelly of asking him tough questions because she was menstruating.
As if PoWs, Fox News and women were not enemies enough, Trump has also accused Mexican immigrants to the US of being rapists, claimed that a Black Lives Matter protester who was violently ejected from a rally deserved to be “roughed up”, appeared to mock a New York Times journalist for his disability, falsely accused Muslim Americans of cheering on the 9/11 attackers, and agreed with suggestions that all such Muslims should have heir names tracked on a database.”
Yet, for four months in a row, Trump has topped the polls in assessments of the popularity of those seeking the Republican candidacy. Can he be stopped from wining the Republican crown or will the Democratic candidate have to beat him in the general election? Or could Trump become the elected leader of the global super power?
The “Observer” piece moots:
“In the battle for hearts and minds, converting Trump’s passionate supporters will be hard. To blunt his lead, another candidate would need to tap into his support base without jeopardising their own. Polling experts believe this to be unlikely, as it is hard to imagine anyone doing Trump better than Trump, let alone anyone doing Trump without sacrificing their own support.
A far more likely outcome is that Trump’s base remains solid but his relative lead slowly declines as voters coalesce around either Marco Rubio or Ted Cruz, leaving the real estate mogul from New York looking as forgotten as winners in these early states in past elections, from Pat Robertson in 1988 to Mike Huckabee in 2008.”
Posted in American current affairs | Comments (0)
A 60-second video guide to why the Paris climate summit is likely to succeed
November 28th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
At the UN 2015 Paris Climate Conference between 30 November and 11 December, governments of more than 190 nations will meet for a new global agreement on climate change. The world’s changed a lot since they last met in Copenhagen in 2009, when countries united – but didn’t seal the deal. From the rise of renewables to changing attitudes of big polluters like the US, here’s why this year’s deal could be better:
Posted in Environment | Comments (0)
The growing despair of a Labour loyalist
November 28th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
“… what enrages Corbyn’s critics most is not a doctrinal difference with the leader, but their assessment of the damage he is doing to the party. Their chief concern is over Labour’s prospects of ever again winning the trust of the British people and forming a government. And they want a Labour government very badly. In other words, they despair of Corbyn not because they are on the right, as the leader’s chorus would have you believe, but because they remain on the left.”
“… when MPs or other Labour voices condemn Corbyn and his team, their chief motive is not ideological disagreement. It is their hardening conviction that, with each daily misstep, the ruling circle is making Labour unelectable and turning the Tories’ lease on Downing Street into a freehold.”
“… something has to move. There is less time than some in Labour might like to think. The party’s reputation is declining with each passing day. Labour needs to rescue itself, not for its own sake – but for the sake of the country it once aspired to govern.”
These quotes, from an article in today’s “Guardian” newspaper by Jonathan Freedland, certainly reflect my growing despair as a Labour Party member of 46 continuous years. I was there when Harold Wilson was leader, I was there when Michael Foot was leader, I was there when Tony Blair was leader, but another shambolic week by the current Labour leadership lets down the millions and millions who need an effective Labour Opposition and then a credible Labour Government.
Posted in British current affairs | Comments (6)
How to win someone’s heart
November 27th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
It wasn’t my idea; it was the idea of someone who came across my web site and decided to use some of the material on my site in a most romantic manner. You can check out his approach here.
Posted in Miscellaneous | Comments (0)