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March 2010
Vol. 10, No. 7
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: From the Archives
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Blaming the tools?
With the Home Office seemingly in a state of permanent turmoil, Jon Davis examines John Reid's proposals to split the department and finds political manoeuvering prior to prime ministerial change at the heart of the plans.
Author: Jon Davis
Published: 9th March 2007
Filed Under: Reform, Home Office, Gordon Brown, John Reid
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The reason why I told John Reid I had to quit
Rod Morgan, former Chairman of the Youth Justice Board, reveals the circumstances behind his controversial resignation in January 2007.
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A fraud on freedom
Gillian Jones discusses the dangers inherent in the government's proposals to limit the right of citizens to trial by jury.
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Email petitions? The next step should be a right to send in a Bill
Given high public participation in Number 10's e-petitions, Matt Qvortrup argues that it is time for politicians to increasingly take their lead from the electorate in an effort to increase political engagement.
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Tony Blair: The dream, the reality
Examining the Blair legacy, Ross McKibbin suggests that the prime minister's achievements, while very real, are in the final analysis very much 'Old Labour' achievements.
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The perils when the State decides what the Church believes
The Bishop of Winchester argues that the state is overstepping the mark in its relationships with religious organisations.
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The nice way to let people know what is good for them
Roderick Crawford talks to NICE Chief Executive, Andrew Dillon
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Saving lives while also saving money
The 'no-brainers' Cooksey seems not to have noticed- where NICE is not needed.
Author: Ewan Philips
Published: 9th March 2007
Filed Under: Health, Cooksey, Deltex, Medical Research, Nice
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As famine looms, a chance for the NHS to sharpen its act
The government needs to measure its success, rather than being so focused on action.
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Putting research at the heart of the future
Widespread concerns in academia about the UK's ability to recruit and retain the best scientists.
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Just how many genes does it take to be human?
There is an undeniable 'yuck' factor around research on hybrid embryos, which should not be overlooked or ignored.
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Taking the laboratory to the bedside
The need to bring together scientists and doctors for research to be translated into advances in patient care.
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The way we dealt with the Soviets is the way to deal with Iran
He argues that conflict with Iran would be a failure. Rather, Iran needs to be tackled in much the same way as the Soviet Union. Containment, not confrontation is the way forward.
Author: Michael A. Leeden
Published: 9th March 2007
Filed Under: Defence, Iran, Nuclear Proliferation
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As beleagured North Korea steps back from the bomb, what lesson in this for Iran?
The deal to shut the nuclear facilities at Yongbyon in exchange for 50,000 tonnes of food aid and fuel oil is a step in the right direction, but with Kim Jong-Il the world has been here before.
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For the sake of our children we must not be shamed by being bottom of the class again
The Overview of Child Well-Being in Rich Countries is in danger of becoming an opportunity for political point-scoring.
Author: David Bull
Published: 8th March 2007
Filed Under: Children, Education, Child Welfare, Every Child Matters, Unicef
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Health research needs the public's voice as much as it needs their money
The role of research charities and the need for better engagement with bodies such as NICE.
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Two years on and it is China setting the pace in Africa
Richard Dowden looks at the potentially huge and positive impact on Africa of its blossoming relationship with China.
Author: Richard Dowden
Published: 8th March 2007
Filed Under: Africa, Business, China, Commission For Africa Report
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In Africa, business makes for a better society
Alexander Howard look at the efforts of Rio Tinto and the World Bank to bring prosperity to the world's poorest region through fostering partnership between private business and public bodies.
Author: Alexander Howard
Published: 8th March 2007
Filed Under: Africa, Business, Rio Tinto, World Bank
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Darfur: rebels under siege, aid teams under attack, and the man who brought hope under guard
Parliamentary Brief continues its ground-breaking coverage of the Darfur crisis. Julie Flint examines the ongoing attempts to broker a peace agreement, as well as looking at the main players in the region's rebel movement.
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You want a more skilled workforce Mr Brown? Let's start with the people on your payroll
Digby Jones has a new job. Briefly out of the limelight after stepping down from the CBI he is back with a new mission. Parliamentary Brief's editor met up with him at his new City offices to find out more.
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Unfit for purpose?
The stark challenge facing Britain in a globalised world is that without increasing its workers' skills it could be condemned to lingering decline, argues Kevin Meagher.
Author: Kevin Meagher
Published: 8th March 2007
Filed Under: Education, Skills, Training, Leitch Review
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Teaching young people how to talk their way into a job
Brenda Ainsley discusses the importance of training our young people to be effective communicators in the workplace.
Author: Brenda Ainsley, Basic Skills Agency
Published: 8th March 2007
Filed Under: Education, Skills, Communication, Training
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Build Jerusalem here? Not with our laws, not with our prices
Paul Cheshire examines the recommendations of the Barker review of planning and finds it lacking: the start of a solution, not the solution itself.
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Getting even more homes for our money
The Housing Corporation's Steve Douglas talks to Duncan Hadfield about the need to increase the availability of quality affordable housing.
Author: Interview with Steve Douglas, Housing Corporation
Published: 8th March 2007
Filed Under: Local Government, Housing, Planning
60 years on, and Herbert Morrison still runs the country
Phil Allemdinger takes a look at our 60-years-old planning system and argues that change is long overdue.
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Boosting regional development has been a success - so let us reinforce that, not throw it away
Reflecting on the overall success of regional development initiatives, Leslie argues that this success needs to be nurtered further lest it be squandered.
Author: Chris Leslie
Published: 8th March 2007
Filed Under: Devolution, Investment, RDA, Regional Development
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Stepping on the gas
David Carslaw look at the prospects of new automotive and fuel technology to reduce vehicle emissions.
Author: David Carslaw
Published: 8th March 2007
Filed Under: Technology, Transport, Climate Change, Global Warming, Biofuels, Emissions, Hydrogen, Vehicle
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A piece of Britain we don't want to see in America
Giles Waterfield argues for the importance of investing in the maintenance of our atristic heritage.
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The Lords: A new look that deserves to succeed
Donald Shell takes a look at the prospects for Lords reform.
Author: Donald Shell
Published: 8th March 2007
Filed Under: Lords, Democracy, Lords Reform, Parliament
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A law to worry lawyers
John Ludlow is concerned that the Legal Services Bill will undermine confidence in the independence of lawyers and damage their international standing.
Author: John Ludlow
Published: 8th March 2007
Filed Under: Legislation, Law, Legal, Legal Services Bill
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No deal on pensions
Steve Bee, Head of Pensions Strategy at Royal London Group, wonders who would want to join a scheme which takes 40 per cent in tax?
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Policing, and the day Sinn Fein thought would never come
Martyn Frampton on the pressures which have led Sinn Fein to take the final step of accepting the PSNI.
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Skill equals success? If only it were that simple
We put the myth that greater skills guarantee future success under the microscope.
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The cold facts behind Mr Brown's warm words
Paul Taylor, Emeritus Professor of International Relations, LSE, says that in Gordon Brown’s ideas for dealing with the problems of the globalised world much of it is whistling in the wind.
Author: Paul Taylor
Published: 8th March 2007
Filed Under: UN, Globalisation, International Relations, Nato