The first Tory leadership ballot is next Wednesday. Hadn't realised it would be upon us so quickly.
Really? It's felt like an eternity, where there is effectively no opposition. I can't quite understand why they couldn't just herd the parliamentary party into a conference centre and whittle it two to the last two in succession of votes in half a day, then get the member vote done in under a month. If they'd done that a week after the election they would have the new leader in place now.
I wouldn't say none.
Hunt, in particular, has been quite good at refuting Reeves' BS.
That said I do think the leader should have been in place by party conference.
"Notably, graduates looking for work in the arts, design and humanities said they had found it impossible to find graduate work without connections."
When businesses really start to embrace AI that impossible will turn to miracle in those fields.
The reality too many graduates in certain subject areas / job sectors. Government should be much more proactive in nudging.
...Even respondents who had graduated with a first class degree, often from prestigious universities, and even in subjects such as engineering, computing, cybersecurity or other STEM sectors thought to be crying out for skilled workers, said they had been sending dozens or even hundreds of applications without getting an interview...
...Total UK employer investment in skills has been in steep decline, having fallen 19% for each employee, in real terms, between 2011 and 2022. There have been even sharper declines in larger businesses (-35%) and primary (-44%), and public (-38%) service sectors, leading to an underequipped workforce and employers struggling to fill vacancies, despite steady growth in graduate numbers...
Workers are to be given new rights to demand a four-day week in a law planned for this autumn.
The Telegraph understands the system of “compressed hours”, which lets an employee work their contracted week’s hours in four days rather than five, will be included in the package of new rights for workers.
"Notably, graduates looking for work in the arts, design and humanities said they had found it impossible to find graduate work without connections."
When businesses really start to embrace AI that impossible will turn to miracle in those fields.
The reality too many graduates in certain subject areas / job sectors. Government should be much more proactive in nudging.
...Even respondents who had graduated with a first class degree, often from prestigious universities, and even in subjects such as engineering, computing, cybersecurity or other STEM sectors thought to be crying out for skilled workers, said they had been sending dozens or even hundreds of applications without getting an interview...
...Total UK employer investment in skills has been in steep decline, having fallen 19% for each employee, in real terms, between 2011 and 2022. There have been even sharper declines in larger businesses (-35%) and primary (-44%), and public (-38%) service sectors, leading to an underequipped workforce and employers struggling to fill vacancies, despite steady growth in graduate numbers...
The whole system is problematic.
I think in Computer Science / STEM areas there is a terrible trend from the US where companies want to do a whole series of interviews over the course of 4-5 sessions as they don't place any weight in any reference, which causes a log jam. Getting hired for a FAANG company in the US is now a many month procedure. Of course being ghosted is because AI shortlists candidates these days.
Thatcher is properly scary in the portrait. I wouldn't want her in my study either.
The client media and their cheerleaders on PB have gone mad, quite mad.
It's right wing displacement activity.
The level of outward projection of anger onto Starmer/Labour is directly proportional to the intensity of the pitched battles being fought behind closed doors.
They're desperately trying to keep the lid on the tory leadership pressure cooker.
The party is deciding.
Anthony Seldon, Truss at 10;
"She (Truss) was not the only one to claim the Thatcher mantle, in a Conservative Party that had lost its common sense of mission, Thatcher idolatry was almost the only shared belief."
(Chapter 2, 34:35, audiobook)
It's risible. The truth is Thatcher wasn't particularly good for the UK - or indeed the Tory party. Without this absurd veneration, succeeding governments - and that includes Blair/Brown - might have done something about the more negative aspects of her legacy, rather than leaving them unaddressed for three decades.
I think she was, she turned us into a services powerhouse and made us much wealthier and more influential in the world, but that doesn't get away from the fact she didn't do enough to address the challenges of post industrialisation in the north.
The real problem I think you're signposting, which I agree with, is that people engage with Thatcher the myth, not Thatcher the reality. On both sides.
Who thought banning smoking in the garden of pubs should be on the No 10 grid the day after telling the country in massively major speech that the economy is fucked and swinging by Germany to confirm young people will not be able to travel on visa any easier?
NEW: The government is funding a new 'health MOT' in which the NHS will go into offices, pubs and building sites to weigh workers and measure their blood pressure to help prevent heart attacks and strokes
With what resources are they going to do this? Its not like GP surgeries and A&E are currently running at low levels of demand and absolutely no queues. Are they going to hire a load of people to just do this?
It's going to save money, you see. People will become fitter and healthier and it will reduce the burden on the NHS.
They need to start a TV adverstising campaign: "If we all did 20 minutes of exercise 5 times a week, it would reduce the burden on our NHS. Do your bit for our NHS today!"
Who thought banning smoking in the garden of pubs should be on the No 10 grid the day after telling the country in massively major speech that the economy is fucked and swinging by Germany to confirm young people will not be able to travel on visa any easier?
Who thought banning smoking in the garden of pubs should be on the No 10 grid the day after telling the country in massively major speech that the economy is fucked and swinging by Germany to confirm young people will not be able to travel on visa any easier?
Workers are to be given new rights to demand a four-day week in a law planned for this autumn.
The Telegraph understands the system of “compressed hours”, which lets an employee work their contracted week’s hours in four days rather than five, will be included in the package of new rights for workers.
That can be even more stressful than a five-day week.
The amount of work doesn't go down.
Yes, I used to be in a team working four 10-hour days. Everyone loved the extra day off but not one of them asked to come back after they'd transferred to normal Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 positions.
Thatcher is properly scary in the portrait. I wouldn't want her in my study either.
The client media and their cheerleaders on PB have gone mad, quite mad.
It's right wing displacement activity.
The level of outward projection of anger onto Starmer/Labour is directly proportional to the intensity of the pitched battles being fought behind closed doors.
They're desperately trying to keep the lid on the tory leadership pressure cooker.
The party is deciding.
Anthony Seldon, Truss at 10;
"She (Truss) was not the only one to claim the Thatcher mantle, in a Conservative Party that had lost its common sense of mission, Thatcher idolatry was almost the only shared belief."
(Chapter 2, 34:35, audiobook)
It's risible. The truth is Thatcher wasn't particularly good for the UK - or indeed the Tory party. Without this absurd veneration, succeeding governments - and that includes Blair/Brown - might have done something about the more negative aspects of her legacy, rather than leaving them unaddressed for three decades.
I think she was, she turned us into a services powerhouse and made us much wealthier and more influential in the world, but that doesn't get away from the fact she didn't do enough to address the challenges of post industrialisation in the north.
The real problem I think you're signposting, which I agree with, is that people engage with Thatcher the myth, not Thatcher the reality. On both sides.
She did some essential stuff. But she also entrenched deeply damaging dogma and policies which her successors, of both parties, adopted without questioning.
Thatcher is properly scary in the portrait. I wouldn't want her in my study either.
Starmer is a pretty vindictive person.
This is already becoming quite clear.
Another one obsessed with Thatcher. Is it some kind of national religion ?
Was Gordon Brown when he commissioned the portrait?
Pretty well, yes.
As I noted upthread, Blair and Brown failed to address, let alone reverse, the hollowing out of government; the rejection of industrial strategy; the long term structural problems of the housing market; the economic neglect of the regions.
In pub yesterday group of mainly Telegraph reading oldies complaining, rightly if true, that pensioners living abroad in the EU will still get the Winter Fuel payment as a result of Boris' deal. Wonder if the removal of the Winter Fuel payment will do for the Labour Party as University Fees did for the Liberal Democrats.
Is this one of those stories where civil servants / SPADs are asked to think of ideas, go crazy, think of anything and how much it would save? It is then brought up in a meeting and no more is ever said about it.
Thatcher is properly scary in the portrait. I wouldn't want her in my study either.
Starmer is a pretty vindictive person.
This is already becoming quite clear.
It's a confected row, like the one about President Obama not keeping his predecessor's bust of Churchill in the Oval Office. It is normal for incoming Prime Ministers to change pictures from the government art collection, and even to change which room in Number 10 they use as their private office.
The question we should be asking is whether this is Starmer deliberately throwing red meat to backbenchers in order to cover a move to the right, or whether he is naive not to realise how the story would be received.
Thatcher is properly scary in the portrait. I wouldn't want her in my study either.
Starmer is a pretty vindictive person.
This is already becoming quite clear.
Another one obsessed with Thatcher. Is it some kind of national religion ?
Was Gordon Brown when he commissioned the portrait?
Pretty well, yes.
As I noted upthread, Blair and Brown failed to address, let alone reverse, the hollowing out of government; the rejection of industrial strategy; the long term structural problems of the housing market; the economic neglect of the regions.
Good job we've got the strategic visionary genius Starmer then, eh?
"Notably, graduates looking for work in the arts, design and humanities said they had found it impossible to find graduate work without connections."
When businesses really start to embrace AI that impossible will turn to miracle in those fields.
The reality too many graduates in certain subject areas / job sectors. Government should be much more proactive in nudging.
...Even respondents who had graduated with a first class degree, often from prestigious universities, and even in subjects such as engineering, computing, cybersecurity or other STEM sectors thought to be crying out for skilled workers, said they had been sending dozens or even hundreds of applications without getting an interview...
...Total UK employer investment in skills has been in steep decline, having fallen 19% for each employee, in real terms, between 2011 and 2022. There have been even sharper declines in larger businesses (-35%) and primary (-44%), and public (-38%) service sectors, leading to an underequipped workforce and employers struggling to fill vacancies, despite steady growth in graduate numbers...
The whole system is problematic.
I think in Computer Science / STEM areas there is a terrible trend from the US where companies want to do a whole series of interviews over the course of 4-5 sessions as they don't place any weight in any reference, which causes a log jam. Getting hired for a FAANG company in the US is now a many month procedure. Of course being ghosted is because AI shortlists candidates these days.
Partly that but also, especially in the US, there have been enormous rounds of tech layoffs which means the job market has shrunk, and also means your cv is up against rivals with five years at Google, Microsoft or any of the other big tech companies, and yours will come up short. There is also increasing reluctance to take on candidates needing visa sponsorship.
Against that, we should also note American tech jobs pay twice the British rate. It's not just doctors!
Is this one of those stories where civil servants / SPADs are asked to think of ideas, go crazy, think of anything and how much it would save? It is then brought up in a meeting and no more is ever said about it.
Yes, but remember this is also what brought us George Osborne's omnishambles budget, and probably what gave us the Chancellor's kyboshing investments already.
"Notably, graduates looking for work in the arts, design and humanities said they had found it impossible to find graduate work without connections."
When businesses really start to embrace AI that impossible will turn to miracle in those fields.
The reality too many graduates in certain subject areas / job sectors. Government should be much more proactive in nudging.
...Even respondents who had graduated with a first class degree, often from prestigious universities, and even in subjects such as engineering, computing, cybersecurity or other STEM sectors thought to be crying out for skilled workers, said they had been sending dozens or even hundreds of applications without getting an interview...
...Total UK employer investment in skills has been in steep decline, having fallen 19% for each employee, in real terms, between 2011 and 2022. There have been even sharper declines in larger businesses (-35%) and primary (-44%), and public (-38%) service sectors, leading to an underequipped workforce and employers struggling to fill vacancies, despite steady growth in graduate numbers...
The whole system is problematic.
I think in Computer Science / STEM areas there is a terrible trend from the US where companies want to do a whole series of interviews over the course of 4-5 sessions as they don't place any weight in any reference, which causes a log jam. Getting hired for a FAANG company in the US is now a many month procedure. Of course being ghosted is because AI shortlists candidates these days.
Partly that but also, especially in the US, there have been enormous rounds of tech layoffs which means the job market has shrunk, and also means your cv is up against rivals with five years at Google, Microsoft or any of the other big tech companies, and yours will come up short. There is also increasing reluctance to take on candidates needing visa sponsorship.
Against that, we should also note American tech jobs pay twice the British rate. It's not just doctors!
Actually I don't believe it is true the job market for tech workers has shrunk in the US. The numbers of layoffs sound large from twitter, Meta etc but in the total market they aren't, most of them were also recent hires during COVID, and US high skills economy is still going strong.
Workers are to be given new rights to demand a four-day week in a law planned for this autumn.
The Telegraph understands the system of “compressed hours”, which lets an employee work their contracted week’s hours in four days rather than five, will be included in the package of new rights for workers.
"Notably, graduates looking for work in the arts, design and humanities said they had found it impossible to find graduate work without connections."
When businesses really start to embrace AI that impossible will turn to miracle in those fields.
The reality too many graduates in certain subject areas / job sectors. Government should be much more proactive in nudging.
...Even respondents who had graduated with a first class degree, often from prestigious universities, and even in subjects such as engineering, computing, cybersecurity or other STEM sectors thought to be crying out for skilled workers, said they had been sending dozens or even hundreds of applications without getting an interview...
...Total UK employer investment in skills has been in steep decline, having fallen 19% for each employee, in real terms, between 2011 and 2022. There have been even sharper declines in larger businesses (-35%) and primary (-44%), and public (-38%) service sectors, leading to an underequipped workforce and employers struggling to fill vacancies, despite steady growth in graduate numbers...
The whole system is problematic.
I think in Computer Science / STEM areas there is a terrible trend from the US where companies want to do a whole series of interviews over the course of 4-5 sessions as they don't place any weight in any reference, which causes a log jam. Getting hired for a FAANG company in the US is now a many month procedure. Of course being ghosted is because AI shortlists candidates these days.
Partly that but also, especially in the US, there have been enormous rounds of tech layoffs which means the job market has shrunk, and also means your cv is up against rivals with five years at Google, Microsoft or any of the other big tech companies, and yours will come up short. There is also increasing reluctance to take on candidates needing visa sponsorship.
Against that, we should also note American tech jobs pay twice the British rate. It's not just doctors!
Actually I don't believe it is true the job market for tech workers has shrunk in the US.
The overall tech market probably not, but the market for fresh BSc Comp Sci graduates without a pile of open source projects on their CV probably has.
"Notably, graduates looking for work in the arts, design and humanities said they had found it impossible to find graduate work without connections."
When businesses really start to embrace AI that impossible will turn to miracle in those fields.
The reality too many graduates in certain subject areas / job sectors. Government should be much more proactive in nudging.
...Even respondents who had graduated with a first class degree, often from prestigious universities, and even in subjects such as engineering, computing, cybersecurity or other STEM sectors thought to be crying out for skilled workers, said they had been sending dozens or even hundreds of applications without getting an interview...
...Total UK employer investment in skills has been in steep decline, having fallen 19% for each employee, in real terms, between 2011 and 2022. There have been even sharper declines in larger businesses (-35%) and primary (-44%), and public (-38%) service sectors, leading to an underequipped workforce and employers struggling to fill vacancies, despite steady growth in graduate numbers...
The whole system is problematic.
I think in Computer Science / STEM areas there is a terrible trend from the US where companies want to do a whole series of interviews over the course of 4-5 sessions as they don't place any weight in any reference, which causes a log jam. Getting hired for a FAANG company in the US is now a many month procedure. Of course being ghosted is because AI shortlists candidates these days.
Partly that but also, especially in the US, there have been enormous rounds of tech layoffs which means the job market has shrunk, and also means your cv is up against rivals with five years at Google, Microsoft or any of the other big tech companies, and yours will come up short. There is also increasing reluctance to take on candidates needing visa sponsorship.
Against that, we should also note American tech jobs pay twice the British rate. It's not just doctors!
Actually I don't believe it is true the job market for tech workers has shrunk in the US.
The overall tech market probably not, but the market for fresh BSc Comp Sci graduates without a pile of open source projects on their CV probably has.
The ones I would be worried for are those are are enticed into paying the $1000s for the coding bootcamps, which previously could spin that into a good entry level coding job.
Who thought banning smoking in the garden of pubs should be on the No 10 grid the day after telling the country in massively major speech that the economy is fucked and swinging by Germany to confirm young people will not be able to travel on visa any easier?
NEW: The government is funding a new 'health MOT' in which the NHS will go into offices, pubs and building sites to weigh workers and measure their blood pressure to help prevent heart attacks and strokes
Workers are to be given new rights to demand a four-day week in a law planned for this autumn.
The Telegraph understands the system of “compressed hours”, which lets an employee work their contracted week’s hours in four days rather than five, will be included in the package of new rights for workers.
That can be even more stressful than a five-day week.
The amount of work doesn't go down.
I've known people who did this and they thought it was a fair trade to have more intense, but fewer, days. Also, starting and/or ending the working day before colleagues has the advantage of creating some time when you can work with less chance of interruption. They also saved money on early years childcare.
Mind you, this was in a public sector workplace where some might uncharitably argue that the default was a lot less intense than in the private sector.
Who thought banning smoking in the garden of pubs should be on the No 10 grid the day after telling the country in massively major speech that the economy is fucked and swinging by Germany to confirm young people will not be able to travel on visa any easier?
NEW: The government is funding a new 'health MOT' in which the NHS will go into offices, pubs and building sites to weigh workers and measure their blood pressure to help prevent heart attacks and strokes
I hope Sir ChunKeir will be first in line
This extends an existing programme, doesn't it? There does not seem to be anything not previously offered by my GP because of age, or by my employer. It must be a slow news day.
Thatcher is properly scary in the portrait. I wouldn't want her in my study either.
Starmer is a pretty vindictive person.
This is already becoming quite clear.
Re-arranging the office decor when you move in is hardly a sign of great vindictiveness. Maybe spare your outrage for stuff that matters?
The outrage does matter.
The tories are still in a very dangerous position. Not quite as existential as it was several months ago, but they're nowhere near out of the woods. The last thing the party needs are members like casino & hyufd shrugging their shoulders and quietly walking away. They've got to rebuild from something. Anything.
FPT, Gareth Dennis shouldn't be mouthing off to journos outside his area of expertise, especially when employed bh a supplier to NR. Quite right he got put in his place. Hendy's reaction maybe a little extreme, but the anger was justified to an extent.
Not quite - he was repeating the official ORR statement about Euston which hasn't been improved as multiple people have mentioned.
Worse the idea that you won't give company X work because they employ person Y is simply childish and the letter shows how stupid Lord Hendy is in actually writing the threat down.
The only reason why there isn't a stupidly expensive employment tribunal coming is that Gareth hadn't been employed by this firm for 2 years so he can't take it to a tribunal.
Look at the timing between the enforcement notice being issued and his statement to the media. I guess NR could have sat on the notice for a year without acting, but is anyone suggesting that happened? The ORR could come down on them like a ton of bricks.
Agree that the idea that Hendy could ban SYSTRA from NR work is silly. Would fall foul of so many procurement rules.
FPT, Gareth Dennis shouldn't be mouthing off to journos outside his area of expertise, especially when employed bh a supplier to NR. Quite right he got put in his place. Hendy's reaction maybe a little extreme, but the anger was justified to an extent.
Not quite - he was repeating the official ORR statement about Euston which hasn't been improved as multiple people have mentioned.
Worse the idea that you won't give company X work because they employ person Y is simply childish and the letter shows how stupid Lord Hendy is in actually writing the threat down.
The only reason why there isn't a stupidly expensive employment tribunal coming is that Gareth hadn't been employed by this firm for 2 years so he can't take it to a tribunal.
Look at the timing between the enforcement notice being issued and his statement to the media. I guess NR could have sat on the notice for a year without acting, but is anyone suggesting that happened? The ORR could come down on them like a ton of bricks.
Agree that the idea that Hendy could ban SYSTRA from NR work is silly. Would fall foul of so many procurement rules.
It wasn't a statement to the media, it was a quote in a conversation.
Plus I've been through Euston a few times this year and last, it's not improved and has actually got worse...
FPT, Gareth Dennis shouldn't be mouthing off to journos outside his area of expertise, especially when employed bh a supplier to NR. Quite right he got put in his place. Hendy's reaction maybe a little extreme, but the anger was justified to an extent.
Not quite - he was repeating the official ORR statement about Euston which hasn't been improved as multiple people have mentioned.
Worse the idea that you won't give company X work because they employ person Y is simply childish and the letter shows how stupid Lord Hendy is in actually writing the threat down.
The only reason why there isn't a stupidly expensive employment tribunal coming is that Gareth hadn't been employed by this firm for 2 years so he can't take it to a tribunal.
Look at the timing between the enforcement notice being issued and his statement to the media. I guess NR could have sat on the notice for a year without acting, but is anyone suggesting that happened? The ORR could come down on them like a ton of bricks.
Agree that the idea that Hendy could ban SYSTRA from NR work is silly. Would fall foul of so many procurement rules.
It wasn't a statement to the media, it was a quote in a conversation.
Plus I've been through Euston a few times this year and last, it's not improved and has actually got worse...
A quote in a conversation that ended up in the Indy, sure.
I've also been through Euston, it was busy but didn't seem unsafe. Though unlike Mr Dennis, I'm not claiming the ability to assess NR's crowd control procedures.
FPT, Gareth Dennis shouldn't be mouthing off to journos outside his area of expertise, especially when employed bh a supplier to NR. Quite right he got put in his place. Hendy's reaction maybe a little extreme, but the anger was justified to an extent.
Not quite - he was repeating the official ORR statement about Euston which hasn't been improved as multiple people have mentioned.
Worse the idea that you won't give company X work because they employ person Y is simply childish and the letter shows how stupid Lord Hendy is in actually writing the threat down.
The only reason why there isn't a stupidly expensive employment tribunal coming is that Gareth hadn't been employed by this firm for 2 years so he can't take it to a tribunal.
Look at the timing between the enforcement notice being issued and his statement to the media. I guess NR could have sat on the notice for a year without acting, but is anyone suggesting that happened? The ORR could come down on them like a ton of bricks.
Agree that the idea that Hendy could ban SYSTRA from NR work is silly. Would fall foul of so many procurement rules.
It wasn't a statement to the media, it was a quote in a conversation.
Plus I've been through Euston a few times this year and last, it's not improved and has actually got worse...
A quote in a conversation that ended up in the Indy, sure.
I've also been through Euston, it was busy but didn't seem unsafe. Though unlike Mr Dennis, I'm not claiming the ability to assess NR's crowd control procedures.
Nor was here. I take it you weren't there during an evening rush hour with multiple delayed trains - it's not fun.
As opposition leader, Starmer always seemed most comfortable when telling off his opposite number. We can all agree that particular succession of prime ministers had much to be told off about – but he will have rather less success if the British public come to feel they are the ones being tutted at
Comments
Hunt, in particular, has been quite good at refuting Reeves' BS.
That said I do think the leader should have been in place by party conference.
This is already becoming quite clear.
...Total UK employer investment in skills has been in steep decline, having fallen 19% for each employee, in real terms, between 2011 and 2022. There have been even sharper declines in larger businesses (-35%) and primary (-44%), and public (-38%) service sectors, leading to an underequipped workforce and employers struggling to fill vacancies, despite steady growth in graduate numbers...
The whole system is problematic.
Is it some kind of national religion ?
Employers need to just hire good and eager people, and train them.
People with the right attitude can learn quickly, and impress.
The real problem I think you're signposting, which I agree with, is that people engage with Thatcher the myth, not Thatcher the reality. On both sides.
But she also entrenched deeply damaging dogma and policies which her successors, of both parties, adopted without questioning.
https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/voters-sceptical-of-labour-claims-that-finances-were-worse-than-expected-03wpwvzc7
https://x.com/gbnews/status/1829089411448942953
As I noted upthread, Blair and Brown failed to address, let alone reverse, the hollowing out of government; the rejection of industrial strategy; the long term structural problems of the housing market; the economic neglect of the regions.
The question we should be asking is whether this is Starmer deliberately throwing red meat to backbenchers in order to cover a move to the right, or whether he is naive not to realise how the story would be received.
She owes the entire country a lifelong apology.
Against that, we should also note American tech jobs pay twice the British rate. It's not just doctors!
Mind you, this was in a public sector workplace where some might uncharitably argue that the default was a lot less intense than in the private sector.
NEW THREAD
He should hang a picture of Attlee, Wilson or Blair in its place.
The tories are still in a very dangerous position. Not quite as existential as it was several months ago, but they're nowhere near out of the woods. The last thing the party needs are members like casino & hyufd shrugging their shoulders and quietly walking away. They've got to rebuild from something. Anything.
Agree that the idea that Hendy could ban SYSTRA from NR work is silly. Would fall foul of so many procurement rules.
Plus I've been through Euston a few times this year and last, it's not improved and has actually got worse...
I've also been through Euston, it was busy but didn't seem unsafe. Though unlike Mr Dennis, I'm not claiming the ability to assess NR's crowd control procedures.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/aug/30/iron-lady-consigned-ironing-cupboard-keir-starmer-pledge-do-things-differently