Here's one for politicians north and south of the border: I have two daughters. University in England costs 9,000 a year. So that's 54 grand just for tuition (assuming a 3 year course - pro-rate upwards accordingly for longer courses). Probably 70 grand with accommodation, food, etc. Pre-tax earnings of well over 100k (by me or by themselves) will be needed to pay for this. Ouch!
Meanwhile in Scotland university is free to students and paid for by........me. Other EU citizens can benefit too. But not my English daughters. WTF?
You do not pay a penny for education in Scotland, it is paid out of money raised by the people of Scotland. Greedy Bast****.
Horseshit. Taxes are not hypothecated. All public spending across the UK is paid for by taxes raised across the whole UK - plus another 100 billion of 'future taxes' borrowed from the gilt market. Scottish public spending per capita is 11% higher than the rest of the UK. The Scottish education system is funded as part of the overall UK public spending. We're all paying for it but English students are discriminated against - even at the expense of other EU citizens. How can this be legal let alone politically acceptable?
maybe, but England could have zero uni fees if stopped pissing money up the wall on overseas aid and educated our own kids first.
Furthermore the whole concept of fees is a ticking timebomb which when it goes off will screw the taxpayers all over again. Willetts is an idiot who is leaving a mess behind him.
A party wanting the Generation Y vote should declare a tuition fee amnesty, and abolish fees retrospectively.
Yes, offer a tax rebate for all those who have paid fees to date. It may not get generation Y out to vote in greater numbers but it will shift a lot of votes for parents who have been funding their kids and are pissed off being taxed several times over by the likes of siver spooners like Willetts who received a free education themselves.
I cannot for the life of me understand why tuition fees should be free and paid for by taxes - where else in the world is that the norm?
You seriously think the current scheme ISN'T going to be paid by the taxpayer ?
I suggest you start reading some of the press surrounding the mess Willetts is making. The default rate is running substantially ahead of the base assumption and you will pick up the difference in your tax bill.
Mr. Observer, I fail to see why the British would want to dictate Scotland's fiscal rules, if that means us being on the hook for Scottish financial institutions.
Let Scotland be independent, *if* it votes for that. And let it also look after its own financial sector. Taxpayers can barely stand being lender of last resort to British banks, let alone foreign ones.
The transitional nature of the currency union is another argument against one, not that another is needed.
I doubt there'd be any big issues politically south of the border in setting a CU up.
Very brave Minister:
Currency Union (E&W) Support: 21 Oppose: 60
Excluding the 'Don't Knows' that's 74:26 against.....VERY brave.....
Have they asked: "Do you support a currency deal to facilitate trade between England and Scotland agreed on terms dictated by a Westminster parliament whose MPs are accountable to English voters?" ?
If there is a CU the big issues will be north of the border when the implications of what it means in practice dawn on Scottish voters who have been sold dreams of lower taxes, oil funds and higher public spending. The Westminster parties have ruled out a CU on the basis that the SNP can't possibly agree to the terms that would have to be agreed. But they make the mistake of believing the SNP is worried about being held to any of the promises it has made. As Salmond says, he would get rid of the SNP tomorrow if it meant independence. That is the goal, nothing else. A Yes on 18th September delivers that, so it's a matter of saying what is necessary. On 19th September everything can change and it will matter not one jot.
No but if you ask the question like that you may well get a positive answer. If you ask" Do you support backing a future RBS fiasco to the hilt?" you may get a different answer.
Mr. Observer, I must disagree. If Yes wins and then the UK parties suddenly decide a currency union would be super I cannot see anything but a very combative and angry situation with UK (ex-Scotland, of course) voters.
Edited extra bit: on tuition fees, the SNP desire to continue charging the English them (but not citizens from other EU countries) did not do much to dispel the notion that at least part of the SNP/Yes campaign is not only pro-independence but actively anti-English.
Nothing will suddenly be decided. It's all going to take time. And the rUK negotiators will do what is best for the rUK. A watertight currency union with Scotland that contains full safeguards is better than having a fiscally unstable, vulnerable northern neighbour. That's a win for the rUK.
I can't see how there will be a water tight CU.
- Salmond has already said it's a stop gap nmaking his currency fudge even worse - the EU perspective is a barrier as IScots should be heading to CU with the Euro not the £
those two problems alone mean the £ is ripe for currency speculators who want to test how strong the link is. And if the £Scot gets attacked so does £Sterling. The whole edifice will crack because at its centre there's no political union.
And since most of the people testing the limits will be sitting in London how does that help cross-border relations ?
If there can't be one there won't be one. As Salmond has confirmed, he'll say and do anything to get a Yrs. Let's see what happens if he gets it. If the stance is the same, then clearly it's a no-go. My argument is it won't be.
Aren't all the speculators in Switzerland these days?
Mr. Observer, I must disagree. If Yes wins and then the UK parties suddenly decide a currency union would be super I cannot see anything but a very combative and angry situation with UK (ex-Scotland, of course) voters.
Edited extra bit: on tuition fees, the SNP desire to continue charging the English them (but not citizens from other EU countries) did not do much to dispel the notion that at least part of the SNP/Yes campaign is not only pro-independence but actively anti-English.
Nothing will suddenly be decided. It's all going to take time. And the rUK negotiators will do what is best for the rUK. A watertight currency union with Scotland that contains full safeguards is better than having a fiscally unstable, vulnerable northern neighbour. That's a win for the rUK.
I can't see how there will be a water tight CU.
- Salmond has already said it's a stop gap nmaking his currency fudge even worse - the EU perspective is a barrier as IScots should be heading to CU with the Euro not the £
those two problems alone mean the £ is ripe for currency speculators who want to test how strong the link is. And if the £Scot gets attacked so does £Sterling. The whole edifice will crack because at its centre there's no political union.
And since most of the people testing the limits will be sitting in London how does that help cross-border relations ?
If there can't be one there won't be one. As Salmond has confirmed, he'll say and do anything to get a Yrs. Let's see what happens if he gets it. If the stance is the same, then clearly it's a no-go. My argument is it won't be.
Aren't all the speculators in Switzerland these days?
Yes, I believe all those bankers who threatened to leave and take their tax accountants with them have left . Remarkably the country is still on its feet :-)
Here's one for politicians north and south of the border: I have two daughters. University in England costs 9,000 a year. So that's 54 grand just for tuition (assuming a 3 year course - pro-rate upwards accordingly for longer courses). Probably 70 grand with accommodation, food, etc. Pre-tax earnings of well over 100k (by me or by themselves) will be needed to pay for this. Ouch!
Meanwhile in Scotland university is free to students and paid for by........me. Other EU citizens can benefit too. But not my English daughters. WTF?
You do not pay a penny for education in Scotland, it is paid out of money raised by the people of Scotland. Greedy Bast****.
Horseshit. Taxes are not hypothecated. All public spending across the UK is paid for by taxes raised across the whole UK - plus another 100 billion of 'future taxes' borrowed from the gilt market. Scottish public spending per capita is 11% higher than the rest of the UK. The Scottish education system is funded as part of the overall UK public spending. We're all paying for it but English students are discriminated against - even at the expense of other EU citizens. How can this be legal let alone politically acceptable?
maybe, but England could have zero uni fees if stopped pissing money up the wall on overseas aid and educated our own kids first.
Furthermore the whole concept of fees is a ticking timebomb which when it goes off will screw the taxpayers all over again. Willetts is an idiot who is leaving a mess behind him.
A party wanting the Generation Y vote should declare a tuition fee amnesty, and abolish fees retrospectively.
Yes, offer a tax rebate for all those who have paid fees to date. It may not get generation Y out to vote in greater numbers but it will shift a lot of votes for parents who have been funding their kids and are pissed off being taxed several times over by the likes of siver spooners like Willetts who received a free education themselves.
I cannot for the life of me understand why tuition fees should be free and paid for by taxes - where else in the world is that the norm?
People once thought the same way about secondary education.
In many parts of Africa, you have to pay to go to school. That is why education is so valued there - not being freely available - while in the UK we employ truancy officers.
Almost exactly two days to Spa (practice). Be interesting to see how close the Red Bull-Williams battle will be. I suspect Williams will be faster in Spa and a lot faster in Monza (next race) but Red Bull will have the advantage at many of the remaining circuits (including Abu Dhabi, where double points are ludicrously on offer).
And they represent the majority? No, thought not. In response to the comment re secondary education being free - there is a big difference between tax subsidies for rich adults and those under the age of 18. Why should the poor on low wages pay taxes for adults to get education which will make them rich?
The fact that the current system may not be perfect does not alter the principle that the able-bodied adult should generally look after themselves.
Here's one for politicians north and south of the border: I have two daughters. University in England costs 9,000 a year. So that's 54 grand just for tuition (assuming a 3 year course - pro-rate upwards accordingly for longer courses). Probably 70 grand with accommodation, food, etc. Pre-tax earnings of well over 100k (by me or by themselves) will be needed to pay for this. Ouch!
Meanwhile in Scotland university is free to students and paid for by........me. Other EU citizens can benefit too. But not my English daughters. WTF?
You do not pay a penny for education in Scotland, it is paid out of money raised by the people of Scotland. Greedy Bast****.
Horseshit. Taxes are not hypothecated. All public spending across the UK is paid for by taxes raised across the whole UK - plus another 100 billion of 'future taxes' borrowed from the gilt market. Scottish public spending per capita is 11% higher than the rest of the UK. The Scottish education system is funded as part of the overall UK public spending. We're all paying for it but English students are discriminated against - even at the expense of other EU citizens. How can this be legal let alone politically acceptable?
maybe, but England could have zero uni fees if stopped pissing money up the wall on overseas aid and educated our own kids first.
Furthermore the whole concept of fees is a ticking timebomb which when it goes off will screw the taxpayers all over again. Willetts is an idiot who is leaving a mess behind him.
A party wanting the Generation Y vote should declare a tuition fee amnesty, and abolish fees retrospectively.
Yes, offer a tax rebate for all those who have paid fees to date. It may not get generation Y out to vote in greater numbers but it will shift a lot of votes for parents who have been funding their kids and are pissed off being taxed several times over by the likes of siver spooners like Willetts who received a free education themselves.
I cannot for the life of me understand why tuition fees should be free and paid for by taxes - where else in the world is that the norm?
People once thought the same way about secondary education.
In many parts of Africa, you have to pay to go to school. That is why education is so valued there - not being freely available - while in the UK we employ truancy officers.
Does everyone in Africa get to go to school ? Or is it just those who can afford it ?
Here's one for politicians north and south of the border: I have two daughters. University in England costs 9,000 a year. So that's 54 grand just for tuition (assuming a 3 year course - pro-rate upwards accordingly for longer courses). Probably 70 grand with accommodation, food, etc. Pre-tax earnings of well over 100k (by me or by themselves) will be needed to pay for this. Ouch!
Meanwhile in Scotland university is free to students and paid for by........me. Other EU citizens can benefit too. But not my English daughters. WTF?
You do not pay a penny for education in Scotland, it is paid out of money raised by the people of Scotland. Greedy Bast****.
Horseshit. Taxes are not hypothecated. All public spending across the UK is paid for by taxes raised across the whole UK - plus another 100 billion of 'future taxes' borrowed from the gilt market. Scottish public spending per capita is 11% higher than the rest of the UK. The Scottish education system is funded as part of the overall UK public spending. We're all paying for it but English students are discriminated against - even at the expense of other EU citizens. How can this be legal let alone politically acceptable?
maybe, but England could have zero uni fees if stopped pissing money up the wall on overseas aid and educated our own kids first.
Furthermore the whole concept of fees is a ticking timebomb which when it goes off will screw the taxpayers all over again. Willetts is an idiot who is leaving a mess behind him.
A party wanting the Generation Y vote should declare a tuition fee amnesty, and abolish fees retrospectively.
Yes, offer a tax rebate for all those who have paid fees to date. It may not get generation Y out to vote in greater numbers but it will shift a lot of votes for parents who have been funding their kids and are pissed off being taxed several times over by the likes of siver spooners like Willetts who received a free education themselves.
I cannot for the life of me understand why tuition fees should be free and paid for by taxes - where else in the world is that the norm?
People once thought the same way about secondary education.
Everyone uses secondary education, less than 50% go to uni.
Apparently a 95% 'yes' vote in the GMB's political fund ballot (no mention of turnout so presumably low but then the result was a foregone conclusion and it is August).
I see the Guardian continues its move to a smearing red top.
And the sooner its readers all drop dead, the better place England will be, eh, Felix?
What a bizarre comment. England would be better if the Guardian stopped aping the redtops in smear and inuendo - which it is so critical of in others. As to its reader, or anyone else for that matter, I don't wish anyone dead and resent your nasty comment which was unwarranted.
You can resent what you like. Nobody makes any of us read OGH's blog.
In other words you have no answer to my point - nasty comment from a clearly nasty person.
May I submit this as an early entry for Post of the Year?
Here's one for politicians north and south of the border: I have two daughters. University in England costs 9,000 a year. So that's 54 grand just for tuition (assuming a 3 year course - pro-rate upwards accordingly for longer courses). Probably 70 grand with accommodation, food, etc. Pre-tax earnings of well over 100k (by me or by themselves) will be needed to pay for this. Ouch!
Meanwhile in Scotland university is free to students and paid for by........me. Other EU citizens can benefit too. But not my English daughters. WTF?
You do not pay a penny for education in Scotland, it is paid out of money raised by the people of Scotland. Greedy Bast****.
Horseshit. Taxes are not hypothecated. All public spending across the UK is paid for by taxes raised across the whole UK - plus another 100 billion of 'future taxes' borrowed from the gilt market. Scottish public spending per capita is 11% higher than the rest of the UK. The Scottish education system is funded as part of the overall UK public spending. We're all paying for it but English students are discriminated against - even at the expense of other EU citizens. How can this be legal let alone politically acceptable?
maybe, but England could have zero uni fees if stopped pissing money up the wall on overseas aid and educated our own kids first.
Furthermore the whole concept of fees is a ticking timebomb which when it goes off will screw the taxpayers all over again. Willetts is an idiot who is leaving a mess behind him.
England could have zero university fees if all politicians were honest and admitted Blair botched up tertiary education with his ludicrous 50% graduates notion. Return the university population to a sustainable size awarding decent degrees which render graduates employable and restore free uni education with decent grants for poor kids. Then start investing in the FE sector where we once produced the best tradesmen in the world.
Yep, a close eye needs to be kept on the universities who have a tendency to form cartels and fix prices.
Mike pointing out the weighting down of ukip and weighting up of the Lib Dems on twitter. Well played Mike x
Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) 20/08/2014 08:55 LAB lead was down to just 1% in latest YouGov - but look at the huge gap in the unweighted numbers. pic.twitter.com/8Qrg674wXR
Almost exactly two days to Spa (practice). Be interesting to see how close the Red Bull-Williams battle will be. I suspect Williams will be faster in Spa and a lot faster in Monza (next race) but Red Bull will have the advantage at many of the remaining circuits (including Abu Dhabi, where double points are ludicrously on offer).
Mr. Observer, I must disagree. If Yes wins and then the UK parties suddenly decide a currency union would be super I cannot see anything but a very combative and angry situation with UK (ex-Scotland, of course) voters.
Edited extra bit: on tuition fees, the SNP desire to continue charging the English them (but not citizens from other EU countries) did not do much to dispel the notion that at least part of the SNP/Yes campaign is not only pro-independence but actively anti-English.
Nothing will suddenly be decided. It's all going to take time. And the rUK negotiators will do what is best for the rUK. A watertight currency union with Scotland that contains full safeguards is better than having a fiscally unstable, vulnerable northern neighbour. That's a win for the rUK.
I can't see how there will be a water tight CU.
- Salmond has already said it's a stop gap nmaking his currency fudge even worse - the EU perspective is a barrier as IScots should be heading to CU with the Euro not the £
those two problems alone mean the £ is ripe for currency speculators who want to test how strong the link is. And if the £Scot gets attacked so does £Sterling. The whole edifice will crack because at its centre there's no political union.
And since most of the people testing the limits will be sitting in London how does that help cross-border relations ?
The currency floats so all that would happen is the pound would find a level appropriate for the cockanamy situation it found itself in. I am not sure how speculators could speculate. A CU is a daft idea from all perspectives. If the prospect ever came about I hope it would be put to a referendum and I would certainly vote against it. An economic iScotland may be to our interest but its not our responsibility, an economically sound England would come first.
Here's one for politicians north and south of the border: I have two daughters. University in England costs 9,000 a year. So that's 54 grand just for tuition (assuming a 3 year course - pro-rate upwards accordingly for longer courses). Probably 70 grand with accommodation, food, etc. Pre-tax earnings of well over 100k (by me or by themselves) will be needed to pay for this. Ouch!
Meanwhile in Scotland university is free to students and paid for by........me. Other EU citizens can benefit too. But not my English daughters. WTF?
You do not pay a penny for education in Scotland, it is paid out of money raised by the people of Scotland. Greedy Bast****.
Horseshit. Taxes are not hypothecated. All public spending across the UK is paid for by tax?
maybe, but England could have zero uni fees if stopped pissing money up the wall on overseas aid and .
A party wanting the Generation Y vote should declare a tuition fee amnesty, and abolish fees retrospectively.
Yes, offer a tax rebate for all those who have paid fees to date. It may not get generation Y out to vote in greater numbers but it will shift a lot of votes for parents who have been funding their kids and are pissed off being taxed several times over by the likes of siver spooners like Willetts who received a free education themselves.
I cannot for the life of me understand why tuition fees should be free and paid for by taxes - where else in the world is that the norm?
You seriously think the current scheme ISN'T going to be paid by the taxpayer ?
I suggest you start reading some of the press surrounding the mess Willetts is making. The default rate is running substantially ahead of the base assumption and you will pick up the difference in your tax bill.
The higher rate fees only started last year. The people defaulting are doing so on the £3,000 per annum fees brought in by Labour.
A tuition fee amnesty would galvanise Generation Y and also be popular with a lot of parents like me who paid no fees themselves and want the same for their children.
Pay for fees from income tax, like so many EU countries do. There are no fees in most of Scandanavia, and Germany, with low fees across most of the EU.
We need to think again on funding higher education.
Incidentally in much of Africa there is little secondary education. In Malawi only 5% stay on after primary school, and few are female.
Here's one for politicians north and south of the border: I have two daughters. University in England costs 9,000 a year. So that's 54 grand just for tuition (assuming a 3 year course - pro-rate upwards accordingly for longer courses). Probably 70 grand with accommodation, food, etc. Pre-tax earnings of well over 100k (by me or by themselves) will be needed to pay for this. Ouch!
Meanwhile in Scotland university is free to students and paid for by........me. Other EU citizens can benefit too. But not my English daughters. WTF?
You do not pay a penny for education in Scotland, it is paid out of money raised by the people of Scotland. Greedy Bast****.
Horseshit. Taxes are not hypothecated. All public spending across the UK is paid for by taxes raised across the whole UK - plus another 100 billion of 'future taxes' borrowed from the gilt market. Scottish public spending per capita is 11% higher than the rest of the UK. The Scottish education system is funded as part of the overall UK public spending. We're all paying for it but English students are discriminated against - even at the expense of other EU citizens. How can this be legal let alone politically acceptable?
maybe, but England could have zero uni fees if stopped pissing money up the wall on overseas aid and educated our own kids first.
Furthermore the whole concept of fees is a ticking timebomb which when it goes off will screw the taxpayers all over again. Willetts is an idiot who is leaving a mess behind him.
England could have zero university fees if all politicians were honest and admitted Blair botched up tertiary education with his ludicrous 50% graduates notion. Return the university population to a sustainable size awarding decent degrees which render graduates employable and restore free uni education with decent grants for poor kids. Then start investing in the FE sector where we once produced the best tradesmen in the world.
Dead right.
I have a friend who sorts his graduate applications by starting with two questions:-
1) Is it a proper subject? 2) Is it from a proper university?
The rest go in the bin.
It is lunacy to create an "educational arms race" that leads to vast expenses being racked up by 21yr olds so they can have a "degree" no matter what even if it is in basket weaving from the university of Bognor Regis.
Threats inferred by the YouGov polling that the rUK should veto Scotland's applications to the EU and NATO are bordering on an effective denial of the right to self determination...
Threats inferred by the YouGoc polling that the rUK should veto Scotland's applications to the EU and NATO are bordering on an effective denial of the right to self determination...
Sounds like you would like to deny rUK the right to self determination. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
Threats inferred by the YouGov polling that the rUK should veto Scotland's applications to the EU and NATO are bordering on an effective denial of the right to self determination...
Edited for tpyo
Nope. Just holding onto the cards until the self determination negotiations get going.
Morning all and on thread, Eck can kid himself all he likes but to most Scots, Alex Salmond IS the SNP and the whole Indy Ref campaign is HIS campaign. He can look back to 2011 if he wants to know why. The SNP thought it was correct to campaign on the slogan 'Alex Salmond for 1st Minister' and had that on the ballot paper for the SNP candidates.
The YES campaign is almost totally about the SNP. A handful of loony leftie public funding fuelled nutters and wee Patrick Harvie the irrelevant Green man are no more than a side show. This is the SNP's show.
Eck cannot say he will wind up the SNP. He is not Nigel Farage who speaks and acts as though UKIP is his personal property. The last thing the SNP needs right now is for a civil war to break out over Salmond's remarks.
I am attending a debate today in Inverness between Alistair Carmichael for NO and John Swinney for YES in front of an audience of business leaders. I would hope the quality of debate will be higher. I am not holding my breath on that one.
Incidentally was last night's 36% the highest Tory score with YouGov since George Osborne's disastrous 2012 budget?
Correct. This is an absurd so called promise by Salmond. There is only one political party in the whole of Scotland that wants independence and that is the SNP. Is Salmond going to disband it and walk off into the sunset? What does that tell us of any interest he has in the future of the Scotland he says he wants. All it demonstrates is that Salmond wants to win a vote for its own sake and has no notion of the consequences.
With no SNP what do all the other political parties do with an independent Scotland they have said they do not want? What is to stop a full union back with England following a vote in a non SNP filled parliament - a vote so unanimous that there would be no referendum? What do the SNP supporterd do and where do they go?
And of course looking to a plausible political future for iScotland - with 4 significant parties what kind of government could it expect? Especially when standing on its own feet. 4 parties endless coalitions. Would it maintian FPTP anyway? Can Scotland expect strong government?
After last nights beheading of an American journalist, supposedly by a British man fighting for IS, this speech by Enoch Powell seems more prophetic than ever
What on earth will happen when these Islamic soldiers come home?
Here's one for politicians north and south of the border: I have two daughters. University in England costs 9,000 a year. So that's 54 grand just for tuition (assuming a 3 year course - pro-rate upwards accordingly for longer courses). Probably 70 grand with accommodation, food, etc. Pre-tax earnings of well over 100k (by me or by themselves) will be needed to pay for this. Ouch!
Meanwhile in Scotland university is free to students and paid for by........me. Other EU citizens can benefit too. But not my English daughters. WTF?
You do not pay a penny for education in Scotland, it is paid out of money raised by the people of Scotland. Greedy Bast****.
Horseshit. Taxes are not hypothecated. All public spending across the UK is paid for by taxes raised across the whole UK - plus another 100 billion of 'future taxes' borrowed from the gilt market. Scottish public spending per capita is 11% higher than the rest of the UK. The Scottish education system is funded as part of the overall UK public spending. We're all paying for it but English students are discriminated against - even at the expense of other EU citizens. How can this be legal let alone politically acceptable?
maybe, but England could have zero uni fees if stopped pissing money up the wall on overseas aid and educated our own kids first.
Furthermore the whole concept of fees is a ticking timebomb which when it goes off will screw the taxpayers all over again. Willetts is an idiot who is leaving a mess behind him.
England could have zero university fees if all politicians were honest and admitted Blair botched up tertiary education with his ludicrous 50% graduates notion. Return the university population to a sustainable size awarding decent degrees which render graduates employable and restore free uni education with decent grants for poor kids. Then start investing in the FE sector where we once produced the best tradesmen in the world.
Dead right.
I have a friend who sorts his graduate applications by starting with two questions:-
1) Is it a proper subject? 2) Is it from a proper university?
The rest go in the bin.
It is lunacy to create an "educational arms race" that leads to vast expenses being racked up by 21yr olds so they can have a "degree" no matter what even if it is in basket weaving from the university of Bognor Regis.
Morning all. When I was on paper sift duty (we were always massively oversubscribed) it was Russell group/proper subject or bin. My mathematical colleagues were even pickier.
Threats inferred by the YouGov polling that the rUK should veto Scotland's applications to the EU and NATO are bordering on an effective denial of the right to self determination...
Edited for tpyo
Not really, if the rules of the EU and Nato allow it, then it's all legal.
As the point has been made many times, if the Scots vote for independence then it will be the duty of rUK politicians to make the best deal for the rUK in any settlement, and to be as robust as possible.
Think of it as a divorce, anyone would want the best settlement.
Sky News Newsdesk @SkyNewsBreak · 56 secs Two members of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted for an interest rate rise earlier this month
It'll happen sooner rather than later then. The tide is turning.
Here's one for politicians north and south of the border: I have two daughters. University in England costs 9,000 a year. So that's 54 grand just for tuition (assuming a 3 year course - pro-rate upwards accordingly for longer courses). Probably 70 grand with accommodation, food, etc. Pre-tax earnings of well over 100k (by me or by themselves) will be needed to pay for this. Ouch!
Meanwhile in Scotland university is free to students and paid for by........me. Other EU citizens can benefit too. But not my English daughters. WTF?
You do not pay a penny for education in Scotland, it is paid out of money raised by the people of Scotland. Greedy Bast****.
Horseshit. Taxes are not hypothecated. All public spending across the UK is paid for by tax?
maybe, but England could have zero uni fees if stopped pissing money up the wall on overseas aid and .
A party wanting the Generation Y vote should declare a tuition fee amnesty, and abolish fees retrospectively.
.
I cannot for the life of me understand why tuition fees should be free and paid for by taxes - where else in the world is that the norm?
You seriously think the current scheme ISN'T going to be paid by the taxpayer ?
I suggest you start reading some of the press surrounding the mess Willetts is making. The default rate is running substantially ahead of the base assumption and you will pick up the difference in your tax bill.
The higher rate fees only started last year. The people defaulting are doing so on the £3,000 per annum fees brought in by Labour.
A tuition fee amnesty would galvanise Generation Y and also be popular with a lot of parents like me who paid no fees themselves and want the same for their children.
Pay for fees from income tax, like so many EU countries do. There are no fees in most of Scandanavia, and Germany, with low fees across most of the EU.
We need to think again on funding higher education.
Incidentally in much of Africa there is little secondary education. In Malawi only 5% stay on after primary school, and few are female.
Can I have a repayment for the fee's I've already paid, as I was in the first year of having to pay them in 1998
Here's one for politicians north and south of the border: I have two daughters. University in England costs 9,000 a year. So that's 54 grand just for tuition (assuming a 3 year course - pro-rate upwards accordingly for longer courses). Probably 70 grand with accommodation, food, etc. Pre-tax earnings of well over 100k (by me or by themselves) will be needed to pay for this. Ouch!
Meanwhile in Scotland university is free to students and paid for by........me. Other EU citizens can benefit too. But not my English daughters. WTF?
You do not pay a penny for education in Scotland, it is paid out of money raised by the people of Scotland. Greedy Bast****.
Horseshit. Taxes are not hypothecated. All public spending across the UK is paid for by taxes raised across the whole UK - plus another 100 billion of 'future taxes' borrowed from the gilt market. Scottish public spending per capita is 11% higher than the rest of the UK. The Scottish education system is funded as part of the overall UK public spending. We're all paying for it but English students are discriminated against - even at the expense of other EU citizens. How can this be legal let alone politically acceptable?
maybe, but England could have zero uni fees if stopped pissing money up the wall on overseas aid and educated our own kids first.
Furthermore the whole concept of fees is a ticking timebomb which when it goes off will screw the taxpayers all over again. Willetts is an idiot who is leaving a mess behind him.
England could have zero university fees if all politicians were honest and admitted Blair botched up tertiary education with his ludicrous 50% graduates notion. Return the university population to a sustainable size awarding decent degrees which render graduates employable and restore free uni education with decent grants for poor kids. Then start investing in the FE sector where we once produced the best tradesmen in the world.
Dead right.
I have a friend who sorts his graduate applications by starting with two questions:-
1) Is it a proper subject? 2) Is it from a proper university?
The rest go in the bin.
It is lunacy to create an "educational arms race" that leads to vast expenses being racked up by 21yr olds so they can have a "degree" no matter what even if it is in basket weaving from the university of Bognor Regis.
What is a proper university? A lot of the old polys have developed very strong specialisations. Your mate may be missing a lot of talent. Our policy is to go for 2:1 and above, while also looking at experience and extra-curricular stuff.
Here's one for politicians north and south of the border: I have two daughters. University in England costs 9,000 a year. So that's 54 grand just for tuition (assuming a 3 year course - pro-rate upwards accordingly for longer courses). Probably 70 grand with accommodation, food, etc. Pre-tax earnings of well over 100k (by me or by themselves) will be needed to pay for this. Ouch!
Meanwhile in Scotland university is free to students and paid for by........me. Other EU citizens can benefit too. But not my English daughters. WTF?
You do not pay a penny for education in Scotland, it is paid out of money raised by the people of Scotland. Greedy Bast****.
Horseshit. Taxes are not hypothecated. All public spending across the UK is paid for by taxes raised across the whole UK - plus another 100 billion of 'future taxes' legal let alone politically acceptable?
A party wanting the Generation Y vote should declare a tuition fee amnesty, and abolish fees retrospectively.
themselves.
I cannot for the life of me understand why tuition fees should be free and paid for by taxes - where else in the world is that the norm?
People once thought the same way about secondary education.
In many parts of Africa, you have to pay to go to school. That is why education is so valued there - not being freely available - while in the UK we employ truancy officers.
Does everyone in Africa get to go to school ? Or is it just those who can afford it ?
Alan, that idiot would like to have children back up chimneys
Here's one for politicians north and south of the border: I have two daughters. University in England costs 9,000 a year.
Meanwhile in Scotland university is free to students and paid for by........me. Other EU citizens can benefit too. But not my English daughters. WTF?
You do not pay a penny for education in Scotland, it is paid out of money raised by the people of Scotland. Greedy Bast****.
Horseshit. Taxes are not hypothecated. All public spending across the UK is paid for by tax?
maybe, but England could have zero uni fees if stopped pissing money up the wall on overseas aid and .
A party wanting the Generation Y vote should declare a tuition fee amnesty, and abolish fees retrospectively.
.
I cannot for the life of me understand why tuition fees should be free and paid for by taxes - where else in the world is that the norm?
You seriously think the current scheme ISN'T going to be paid by the taxpayer ?
I suggest you start reading some of the press surrounding the mess Willetts is making. The default rate is running substantially ahead of the base assumption and you will pick up the difference in your tax bill.
The higher rate fees only started last year. The people defaulting are doing so on the £3,000 per annum fees brought in by Labour.
A tuition fee amnesty would galvanise Generation Y and also be popular with a lot of parents like me who paid no fees themselves and want the same for their children.
Pay for fees from income tax, like so many EU countries do. There are no fees in most of Scandanavia, and Germany, with low fees across most of the EU.
We need to think again on funding higher education.
Incidentally in much of Africa there is little secondary education. In Malawi only 5% stay on after primary school, and few are female.
Can I have a repayment for the fee's I've already paid, as I was in the first year of having to pay them in 1998
Thanks Blair...
Any fee amnesty would have to be fair on those who had paid as well as those who had not paid. Initially I would make it the difference between the new and old fees.
There's votes to be had here for a viable scheme, and largely cost free if the high default rate continues. Not much of the money will be seen, and the admin costs would be lower.
Any fee amnesty would have to be fair on those who had paid as well as those who had not paid. Initially I would make it the difference between the new and old fees. There's votes to be had here for a viable scheme, and largely cost free if the high default rate continues. Not much of the money will be seen, and the admin costs would be lower.
The people who benefit from the higher education/3 years of partying (delete as applicable) should pay for it. Why should people who will benefit greatly from their degree course have that degree paid for by people who haven't been anywhere near a uni? And if they won't benefit greatly from the degree course why on earth should everyone else subsidise it?
The current system may or may not be a good idea (I suspect it is too early to tell, and getting a more sensible system would be tricky with the ever wonderful Lib Dems anywhere near government), but free tuition is not a good idea. If you want 5 or maybe 10% of people going to Uni then free tuition was achievable, but Major and then Blair broke that.
Good morning. Never mind about Salmond, it's the L/Dems I'm interested in this morning.
The story is that the Fox had the keys to the chicken coop, sampled a few chickens - enough to ruffle their feathers - then was driven from the coop by a bevy of hens. The cocks staying aloof.
The cocks then held a conclave admonishing the fox but eventually, because the Fox was a powerful leader, sighed and let him off.
Let's see what the hens decide to do. Mind you, there are not many left.
F1: not a real surprise but Charlie Whiting's given the Sochi (Russian) circuit the green light. Unless things really kick off I imagine the inaugural Russian Grand Prix will go ahead as planned.
Good morning. Never mind about Salmond, it's the L/Dems I'm interested in this morning.
The story is that the Fox had the keys to the chicken coop, sampled a few chickens - enough to ruffle their feathers - then was driven from the coop by a bevy of hens. The cocks staying aloof.
The cocks then held a conclave admonishing the fox but eventually, because the Fox was a powerful leader, sighed and let him off.
Let's see what the hens decide to do. Mind you, there are not many left.
To be technical, it was because of chicken coop rules that he was let back in.
The mistakes were made years ago, since then it's been an avalanche making its way down the mountain.
Sky News Newsdesk @SkyNewsBreak · 56 secs Two members of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted for an interest rate rise earlier this month
It'll happen sooner rather than later then. The tide is turning.
That was with 1.9% CPI, with the fall to 1.6% those dissenters will fall back into line.
The people who benefit from the higher education/3 years of partying (delete as applicable) should pay for it. Why should people who will benefit greatly from their degree course have that degree paid for by people who haven't been anywhere near a uni? And if they won't benefit greatly from the degree course why on earth should everyone else subsidise it?
The current system may or may not be a good idea (I suspect it is too early to tell, and getting a more sensible system would be tricky with the ever wonderful Lib Dems anywhere near government), but free tuition is not a good idea. If you want 5 or maybe 10% of people going to Uni then free tuition was achievable, but Major and then Blair broke that.
Your post is logically inconsistent.
You argue for free tuition when a tiny minority of 5-10% attend university, but say that free tuition is unfair when ~50% of the population attend university. Surely the fairness argument runs the other way around? As attendance at university increases the fairness argument for free provision paid for by general taxation increases in strength.
Here's one for politicians north and south of the border: I have two daughters. University in England costs 9,000 a year. So that's 54 grand just for tuition (assuming a 3 year course - pro-rate upwards accordingly for longer courses). Probably 70 grand with accommodation, food, etc. Pre-tax earnings of well over 100k (by me or by themselves) will be needed to pay for this. Ouch!
Meanwhile in Scotland university is free to students and paid for by........me. Other EU citizens can benefit too. But not my English daughters. WTF?
If Scotland goes independent and is allowed to join EU, does that mean that English students will be able to go to Scottish Universities for free as we will not be the same member state any more?
What is a proper university? A lot of the old polys have developed very strong specialisations. Your mate may be missing a lot of talent. Our policy is to go for 2:1 and above, while also looking at experience and extra-curricular stuff.
It depends on how many applications are received for a role. If it's over 20 then a crude, first-pass filter like the one described is perfectly sensible.
I reject any CV with a typo, or has a grammatical error, or which is poorly formatted. Sure I might miss someone good, but it winnows down the applications quite nicely, thus savin me a heap of time. There is always enough talent in the remaining pile for a reasonable interview round. Anyway, picking a new staff member is a bit of a lottery irrespective of the screening process you use.
[We produce written reports for clients, and so clear English and attention to detail are very important. If an applicant can't be arsed to spell-check their CV, it's not a good omen for future performance in the firm!]
Good morning. Never mind about Salmond, it's the L/Dems I'm interested in this morning. The story is that the Fox had the keys to the chicken coop, sampled a few chickens - enough to ruffle their feathers - then was driven from the coop by a bevy of hens. The cocks staying aloof. The cocks then held a conclave admonishing the fox but eventually, because the Fox was a powerful leader, sighed and let him off. Let's see what the hens decide to do. Mind you, there are not many left.
What one LD constituency chair says "HOWEVER I am not a court of law, and just like Lord Rennard I am free to associate with whomever I choose. Therefore I will say now, and publicly, that any room into which Lord (allegedly) Grabbyhands walks, I will walk out of. It will be safer for both of us that way, I think."
Tim Farron: I want the Liberal Democrats to become the “gold standard” .....in the way we treat (handle?) volunteers.
Is this statement something from the Daily Mash?
It is a massive car crash which is seriously affecting activists morale within the party.
Richard Butchart 20th Aug '14 - 9:07am "I feel totally betrayed by this mess. So much so that I will not be renewing my membership."
And they represent the majority? No, thought not. .
Duh, you asked a question, implying that no other countries have free university education, and I answered it. I expect you're right that Brits are not the majority of students at Danish universities. This is relevant to your original point because...?
Good morning. Never mind about Salmond, it's the L/Dems I'm interested in this morning.
The story is that the Fox had the keys to the chicken coop, sampled a few chickens - enough to ruffle their feathers - then was driven from the coop by a bevy of hens. The cocks staying aloof.
The cocks then held a conclave admonishing the fox but eventually, because the Fox was a powerful leader, sighed and let him off.
Let's see what the hens decide to do. Mind you, there are not many left.
Our morning message from the party that says women who don't clean behind the fridge are sluts.
Here's one for politicians north and south of the border: I have two daughters. University in England costs 9,000 a year. So that's 54 grand just for tuition (assuming a 3 year course - pro-rate upwards accordingly for longer courses). Probably 70 grand with accommodation, food, etc. Pre-tax earnings of well over 100k (by me or by themselves) will be needed to pay for this. Ouch!
Meanwhile in Scotland university is free to students and paid for by........me. Other EU citizens can benefit too. But not my English daughters. WTF?
If Scotland goes independent and is allowed to join EU, does that mean that English students will be able to go to Scottish Universities for free as we will not be the same member state any more?
looks like the telegraph has answered the question already
And they represent the majority? No, thought not. .
Duh, you asked a question, implying that no other countries have free university education, and I answered it. I expect you're right that Brits are not the majority of students at Danish universities. This is relevant to your original point because...?
I understand that Dutch universities are a lot cheaper and many are quite good - have not any info on comparitive living costs for students.
Good morning. Never mind about Salmond, it's the L/Dems I'm interested in this morning.
The story is that the Fox had the keys to the chicken coop, sampled a few chickens - enough to ruffle their feathers - then was driven from the coop by a bevy of hens. The cocks staying aloof.
The cocks then held a conclave admonishing the fox but eventually, because the Fox was a powerful leader, sighed and let him off.
Let's see what the hens decide to do. Mind you, there are not many left.
Our morning message from the party that says women who don't clean behind the fridge are sluts.
When you're reduced to pointed out that UKIP have a worse record for misogyny, you've lost the argument.
And they represent the majority? No, thought not. .
Duh, you asked a question, implying that no other countries have free university education, and I answered it. I expect you're right that Brits are not the majority of students at Danish universities. This is relevant to your original point because...?
Duh - think you misunderstood - I meant does Denmark represent the majority of countries which have no fees for University. at the end of the day my point also covered by others is why on earth should able-bodied adults have their post-school education funded by everyone else, including a majority on much lower incomes than they are likely to get as a result of said education. If university degrees are such a good investment for everyone let people put THEIR money where their mouths are - let the rest of us make our own decisions about how to spend OUR hard-earned money.
Here's one for politicians north and south of the border: I have two daughters. University in England costs 9,000 a year. So that's 54 grand just for tuition (assuming a 3 year course - pro-rate upwards accordingly for longer courses). Probably 70 grand with accommodation, food, etc. Pre-tax earnings of well over 100k (by me or by themselves) will be needed to pay for this. Ouch!
Meanwhile in Scotland university is free to students and paid for by........me. Other EU citizens can benefit too. But not my English daughters. WTF?
If Scotland goes independent and is allowed to join EU, does that mean that English students will be able to go to Scottish Universities for free as we will not be the same member state any more?
looks like the telegraph has answered the question already
Scottish Government have already said NO to free education for English students regardless as long as fees charged there. Will do same as Germany does.
Good morning. Never mind about Salmond, it's the L/Dems I'm interested in this morning.
The story is that the Fox had the keys to the chicken coop, sampled a few chickens - enough to ruffle their feathers - then was driven from the coop by a bevy of hens. The cocks staying aloof.
The cocks then held a conclave admonishing the fox but eventually, because the Fox was a powerful leader, sighed and let him off.
Let's see what the hens decide to do. Mind you, there are not many left.
Our morning message from the party that says women who don't clean behind the fridge are sluts.
When you're reduced to pointed out that UKIP have a worse record for misogyny, you've lost the argument.
Kinda fair point - since when were UKIP the gold standard on how to treat women.
You argue for free tuition when a tiny minority of 5-10% attend university, but say that free tuition is unfair when ~50% of the population attend university. Surely the fairness argument runs the other way around? As attendance at university increases the fairness argument for free provision paid for by general taxation increases in strength.
I'd argue that my post was unclear rather than logically inconsistent. I'm not saying that free tuition would be/was a good thing with few people going to uni, just that it was possible.
An addition to my first post is that another advantage of tuition fees is it improves the incentives around choosing to go to university - why go to a rubbish uni to do a pointless course if it's going to cost you lots of money?
Good morning. Never mind about Salmond, it's the L/Dems I'm interested in this morning.
The story is that the Fox had the keys to the chicken coop, sampled a few chickens - enough to ruffle their feathers - then was driven from the coop by a bevy of hens. The cocks staying aloof.
The cocks then held a conclave admonishing the fox but eventually, because the Fox was a powerful leader, sighed and let him off.
Let's see what the hens decide to do. Mind you, there are not many left.
Our morning message from the party that says women who don't clean behind the fridge are sluts.
When you're reduced to pointed out that UKIP have a worse record for misogyny, you've lost the argument.
While last nights Newsight ft two Labour MPs arguing about it
What is a proper university? A lot of the old polys have developed very strong specialisations. Your mate may be missing a lot of talent. Our policy is to go for 2:1 and above, while also looking at experience and extra-curricular stuff.
It depends on how many applications are received for a role. If it's over 20 then a crude, first-pass filter like the one described is perfectly sensible.
I reject any CV with a typo, or has a grammatical error, or which is poorly formatted. Sure I might miss someone good, but it winnows down the applications quite nicely, thus savin me a heap of time. There is always enough talent in the remaining pile for a reasonable interview round. Anyway, picking a new staff member is a bit of a lottery irrespective of the screening process you use.
[We produce written reports for clients, and so clear English and attention to detail are very important. If an applicant can't be arsed to spell-check their CV, it's not a good omen for future performance in the firm!]
We do the same, but eliminate any CVs that rely on spell-checking and fall into one of the many traps of English spelling. for example "bare" is now frequently used when "bear" is meant.
As a consultancy a person who does not multiple-check their CV and does not get it checked by someone senior in age, would not be suitable for the high standards expected by our global clients.
There is only one political party in the whole of Scotland that wants independence and that is the SNP.
I'm sure you're the type that would prefer that the Greens weren't a political party, but since they are and they support indy (& are polling ahead of the LDs for Holyrood & beat them in the Euros), you evidently don't know much about Scottish politics.
What is a proper university? A lot of the old polys have developed very strong specialisations. Your mate may be missing a lot of talent. Our policy is to go for 2:1 and above, while also looking at experience and extra-curricular stuff.
It depends on how many applications are received for a role. If it's over 20 then a crude, first-pass filter like the one described is perfectly sensible.
I reject any CV with a typo, or has a grammatical error, or which is poorly formatted. Sure I might miss someone good, but it winnows down the applications quite nicely, thus savin me a heap of time. There is always enough talent in the remaining pile for a reasonable interview round. Anyway, picking a new staff member is a bit of a lottery irrespective of the screening process you use.
[We produce written reports for clients, and so clear English and attention to detail are very important. If an applicant can't be arsed to spell-check their CV, it's not a good omen for future performance in the firm!]
We do the same, but eliminate any CVs that rely on spell-checking and fall into one of the many traps of English spelling. for example "bare" is now frequently used when "bear" is meant.
As a consultancy a person who does not multiple-check their CV and does not get it checked by someone senior in age, would not be suitable for the high standards expected by our global clients.
I'm struggling to think of a time when anyone would have the word 'bear' on a CV..my mind boggles. (unless it's in the context of bearing loads)
England could have zero university fees if all politicians were honest and admitted Blair botched up tertiary education with his ludicrous 50% graduates notion. Return the university population to a sustainable size awarding decent degrees which render graduates employable and restore free uni education with decent grants for poor kids. Then start investing in the FE sector where we once produced the best tradesmen in the world.
Dead right.
I have a friend who sorts his graduate applications by starting with two questions:-
1) Is it a proper subject? 2) Is it from a proper university?
The rest go in the bin.
It is lunacy to create an "educational arms race" that leads to vast expenses being racked up by 21yr olds so they can have a "degree" no matter what even if it is in basket weaving from the university of Bognor Regis.
What is a proper university? A lot of the old polys have developed very strong specialisations. Your mate may be missing a lot of talent. Our policy is to go for 2:1 and above, while also looking at experience and extra-curricular stuff.
Yes. The external examiner system should keep standards broadly in line, so that a First is a First is a First (and incidentally, official fingers have been pointed at one or two "proper" institutions for handing out Firsts in cornflakes packets). But it is probably quite common for hiring managers to favour Oxbridge and his or her own alma mater.
What is a proper subject is more subjective. Law at A-level is, surprisingly perhaps, usually not seen as a proper subject whereas law at university is. I did hear of one company that favoured chemistry graduates simply on the grounds they were used to rolling their sleeves up and getting on with things, after spending three years in the lab every afternoon and writing up those experiments each evening.
Many would decry media studies but parallel arguments were deployed a century ago against English -- how could you get a degree from sitting around reading stories? Novels and plays were everyday entertainments, not for serious study like Latin or Greek.
Good morning. Never mind about Salmond, it's the L/Dems I'm interested in this morning.
The story is that the Fox had the keys to the chicken coop, sampled a few chickens - enough to ruffle their feathers - then was driven from the coop by a bevy of hens. The cocks staying aloof.
The cocks then held a conclave admonishing the fox but eventually, because the Fox was a powerful leader, sighed and let him off.
Let's see what the hens decide to do. Mind you, there are not many left.
Our morning message from the party that says women who don't clean behind the fridge are sluts.
Seeing as I have an American style fridge/freezer I'm very glad my missus must be a slut then.
Here's one for politicians north and south of the border: I have two daughters. University in England costs 9,000 a year. So that's 54 grand just for tuition (assuming a 3 year course - pro-rate upwards accordingly for longer courses). Probably 70 grand with accommodation, food, etc. Pre-tax earnings of well over 100k (by me or by themselves) will be needed to pay for this. Ouch!
Meanwhile in Scotland university is free to students and paid for by........me. Other EU citizens can benefit too. But not my English daughters. WTF?
If Scotland goes independent and is allowed to join EU, does that mean that English students will be able to go to Scottish Universities for free as we will not be the same member state any more?
looks like the telegraph has answered the question already
Threats inferred by the YouGov polling that the rUK should veto Scotland's applications to the EU and NATO are bordering on an effective denial of the right to self determination...
Edited for tpyo
Not really, if the rules of the EU and Nato allow it, then it's all legal.
As the point has been made many times, if the Scots vote for independence then it will be the duty of rUK politicians to make the best deal for the rUK in any settlement, and to be as robust as possible.
Think of it as a divorce, anyone would want the best settlement.
Yes, think of it as a divorce... Of course you have every right to leave me darling, just remember I have a veto on your application for a bank account, mortgage, driving licence and passport... And I'll use the veto just to punish you for leaving.... Now, are you going to get on with doing the housework
As I said, threats to undermine some essential features of nationhood such as trade and defence treaties amounts to an effective denial of the right of self determination.
What is a proper university? A lot of the old polys have developed very strong specialisations. Your mate may be missing a lot of talent. Our policy is to go for 2:1 and above, while also looking at experience and extra-curricular stuff.
It depends on how many applications are received for a role. If it's over 20 then a crude, first-pass filter like the one described is perfectly sensible.
I reject any CV with a typo, or has a grammatical error, or which is poorly formatted. Sure I might miss someone good, but it winnows down the applications quite nicely, thus savin me a heap of time. There is always enough talent in the remaining pile for a reasonable interview round. Anyway, picking a new staff member is a bit of a lottery irrespective of the screening process you use.
[We produce written reports for clients, and so clear English and attention to detail are very important. If an applicant can't be arsed to spell-check their CV, it's not a good omen for future performance in the firm!]
We do the same, but eliminate any CVs that rely on spell-checking and fall into one of the many traps of English spelling. for example "bare" is now frequently used when "bear" is meant.
As a consultancy a person who does not multiple-check their CV and does not get it checked by someone senior in age, would not be suitable for the high standards expected by our global clients.
I'm struggling to think of a time when anyone would have the word 'bear' on a CV..my mind boggles. (unless it's in the context of bearing loads)
Correct - or bearing responsibility. We have had quite a few "bare"s recently - even from female students - (most often in the covering letter of application) - also have seen it on the BBC websites.
Meanwhile in Scotland university is free to students and paid for by........me. Other EU citizens can benefit too. But not my English daughters. WTF?
You do not pay a penny for education in Scotland, it is paid out of money raised by the people of Scotland. Greedy Bast****.
maybe, but England could have zero uni fees if stopped pissing money up the wall on overseas aid and educated our own kids first.
Furthermore the whole concept of fees is a ticking timebomb which when it goes off will screw the taxpayers all over again. Willetts is an idiot who is leaving a mess behind him.
.
Dead right.
I have a friend who sorts his graduate applications by starting with two questions:-
1) Is it a proper subject? 2) Is it from a proper university?
The rest go in the bin.
It is lunacy to create an "educational arms race" that leads to vast expenses being racked up by 21yr olds so they can have a "degree" no matter what even if it is in basket weaving from the university of Bognor Regis.
What is a proper university? A lot of the old polys have developed very strong specialisations. Your mate may be missing a lot of talent. Our policy is to go for 2:1 and above, while also looking at experience and extra-curricular stuff.
From the application side of things that certainly seems the more common application requirement (a fact I've often cursed having gone badly off the rails at university and saddled myself with a 2:2).
It's hard to see how the LibDems could have made a bigger mess of the Lord Rennard matter. The Kafkaesque accusation that he had 'brought the party into disrepute', for having the temerity to be cleared of the initial allegations under the party's own internal procedures, was a masterpiece of an own-goal. All it did was keep the issue going for longer.
It's hard to see how the LibDems could have made a bigger mess of the Lord Rennard matter. The Kafkaesque accusation that he had 'brought the party into disrepute' for having the temerity to be cleared of the initial allegations under the party's own internal procedures was a masterpiece of an own-goal.
The only way it could have been any worse was if they appointed Lembit to run the inquiry.
What is a proper university? A lot of the old polys have developed very strong specialisations. Your mate may be missing a lot of talent. Our policy is to go for 2:1 and above, while also looking at experience and extra-curricular stuff.
It depends on how many applications are received for a role. If it's over 20 then a crude, first-pass filter like the one described is perfectly sensible.
I reject any CV with a typo, or has a grammatical error, or which is poorly formatted. Sure I might miss someone good, but it winnows down the applications quite nicely, thus savin me a heap of time. There is always enough talent in the remaining pile for a reasonable interview round. Anyway, picking a new staff member is a bit of a lottery irrespective of the screening process you use.
[We produce written reports for clients, and so clear English and attention to detail are very important. If an applicant can't be arsed to spell-check their CV, it's not a good omen for future performance in the firm!]
CVs with typos and grammar errors are binned as a matter of course at our place too. Same with covering letters, which we always ask for. Anyone who can't be arsed to double check their work, or who does not know they have made a mistake, is not worth the bother. Beyond that, though, we prefer to look at degree level rather than subject or university. We never look at GCSE scores either.
Meanwhile in Scotland university is free to students and paid for by........me. Other EU citizens can benefit too. But not my English daughters. WTF?
You do not pay a penny for education in Scotland, it is paid out of money raised by the people of Scotland. Greedy Bast****.
maybe, but England could have zero uni fees if stopped pissing money up the wall on overseas aid and educated our own kids first.
Furthermore the whole concept of fees is a ticking timebomb which when it goes off will screw the taxpayers all over again. Willetts is an idiot who is leaving a mess behind him.
.
Dead right.
I have a friend who sorts his graduate applications by starting with two questions:-
1) Is it a proper subject? 2) Is it from a proper university?
The rest go in the bin.
It is lunacy to create an "educational arms race" that leads to vast expenses being racked up by 21yr olds so they can have a "degree" no matter what even if it is in basket weaving from the university of Bognor Regis.
What is a proper university? A lot of the old polys have developed very strong specialisations. Your mate may be missing a lot of talent. Our policy is to go for 2:1 and above, while also looking at experience and extra-curricular stuff.
From the application side of things that certainly seems the more common application requirement (a fact I've often cursed having gone badly off the rails at university and saddled myself with a 2:2).
I know quite a few people in the same boat, so I am not strict about this if I can see other positives. Our latest hire was a 2:2 in media studies and he's proving to be an excellent choice. Given what we do, though, we are never inundated with applications (20-30 maximum usually), so can go through every one we get for a few minutes.
@SO - that horse is so far out of the stable door it's far to late to bolt it. Why would any rUK politician volunteer for the grief for a small portion of out trade? It would make more sense to adopt the dollar or the Euro if that is your rationale...
It's not just about trade, it's about how interconnected we are generally. The rUK would prefer a fiscally stable Scotland. What better way to get it than dictating Scotland's fiscal policy? There are two possible scenarios: a CU on the rUK's terms; or, no CU. The first is the better option. I may be wrong, but at this stage I don't think English people are giving the divorce negotiations much thought. Instinctively, they may be opposed to a CU because they see it as "giving in", but when they see the reality of what it means they may well be less hostile.
The problem with the fiscal compact is enforceability.
What is the rUK going to do if the iScot Parliament decides to spend more than the agreed limits? Send troops in? Unilaterally abandon the CU? Make a few grumbling speeches and then ignore it?
Good morning. Never mind about Salmond, it's the L/Dems I'm interested in this morning.
The story is that the Fox had the keys to the chicken coop, sampled a few chickens - enough to ruffle their feathers - then was driven from the coop by a bevy of hens. The cocks staying aloof.
The cocks then held a conclave admonishing the fox but eventually, because the Fox was a powerful leader, sighed and let him off.
Let's see what the hens decide to do. Mind you, there are not many left.
Our morning message from the party that says women who don't clean behind the fridge are sluts.
Seeing as I have an American style fridge/freezer I'm very glad my missus must be a slut then.
Earlier this year, I had to move the fridge, only to discover a dried out corpse of a rat. How long it had lain there I do not know.
What is a proper university? A lot of the old polys have developed very strong specialisations. Your mate may be missing a lot of talent. Our policy is to go for 2:1 and above, while also looking at experience and extra-curricular stuff.
It depends on how many applications are received for a role. If it's over 20 then a crude, first-pass filter like the one described is perfectly sensible.
I reject any CV with a typo, or has a grammatical error, or which is poorly formatted. Sure I might miss someone good, but it winnows down the applications quite nicely, thus savin me a heap of time. There is always enough talent in the remaining pile for a reasonable interview round. Anyway, picking a new staff member is a bit of a lottery irrespective of the screening process you use.
[We produce written reports for clients, and so clear English and attention to detail are very important. If an applicant can't be arsed to spell-check their CV, it's not a good omen for future performance in the firm!]
CVs with typos and grammar errors are binned as a matter of course at our place too. Same with covering letters, which we always ask for. Anyone who can't be arsed to double check their work, or who does not know they have made a mistake, is not worth the bother. Beyond that, though, we prefer to look at degree level rather than subject or university. We never look at GCSE scores either.
Interesting the different approach to CVs. As a scientific and engineering consultancy we look at class and type of degree as well as the university and look at GCSEs for any familiarity with languages.
Most of our focus is spent on what the graduate did during their long vacs and their extra-mural activities. "Socialising" and "clubbing" are an automatic bin.
As we are looking for people with open minds and wide-ranging thinking towards our business which is providing solutions to complex problems, then quite often it is very difficult to find that from the CV or first interview. That is why we use quite a few interns during the summer vac.
Mike pointing out the weighting down of ukip and weighting up of the Lib Dems on twitter. Well played Mike x
Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) 20/08/2014 08:55 LAB lead was down to just 1% in latest YouGov - but look at the huge gap in the unweighted numbers. pic.twitter.com/8Qrg674wXR
Comedy weighting hahaha - anyone thinking the Conservatives are 1% behind Labour off that poll is an idiot. Labour voters don't get out but not to THAT degree.
UKIP as ever weighted down. I reckon with my analysis of the recent ICM/Mori (Phone) polls also that Yougov does not get "too many" UKIPpers as it thinks. The one panel that does seem genuinely stuffed with UKIPpers is Populus but they typically overdownweight them more than they should I think.
Mike pointing out the weighting down of ukip and weighting up of the Lib Dems on twitter. Well played Mike x
Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) 20/08/2014 08:55 LAB lead was down to just 1% in latest YouGov - but look at the huge gap in the unweighted numbers. pic.twitter.com/8Qrg674wXR
Comedy weighting hahaha - anyone thinking the Conservatives are 1% behind Labour off that poll is an idiot.
That's the whole point of weighting.
Unweighted numbers are never right, it wasn't so long, that one YouGov poll unweighted numbers had the Tories ahead.
Mike pointing out the weighting down of ukip and weighting up of the Lib Dems on twitter. Well played Mike x
Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) 20/08/2014 08:55 LAB lead was down to just 1% in latest YouGov - but look at the huge gap in the unweighted numbers. pic.twitter.com/8Qrg674wXR
Comedy weighting hahaha - anyone thinking the Conservatives are 1% behind Labour off that poll is an idiot.
The reason for thinking the Tories are more than 1% behind is other polls, not the weighting of that poll, which I would assume has been done in YouGov's normal way.
May is term time for universities, June often isn't. Could be important in a few seats. It's the one reason not to completely write off Warwick and Leamington as a Labour gain. There's a big student and faculty population in the constituency.
The higher rate fees only started last year. The people defaulting are doing so on the £3,000 per annum fees brought in by Labour.
A tuition fee amnesty would galvanise Generation Y and also be popular with a lot of parents like me who paid no fees themselves and want the same for their children.
Pay for fees from income tax, like so many EU countries do. There are no fees in most of Scandanavia, and Germany, with low fees across most of the EU.
We need to think again on funding higher education.
Incidentally in much of Africa there is little secondary education. In Malawi only 5% stay on after primary school, and few are female.
The issue is that there are two beneficiaries from higher education: society and, to a much greater extent, the individual.
It seems inequitable that, for instance, I received free tuition.
That said, we need to ensure that everyone who is capable of benefiting from tertiary education can afford to attend.
Much approach would probably be to (a) retain fees (b) introduce national bursaries for subjects that add the most value to society. I'd assume this would be relatively heavily weighted towards STEM subjects. PPE not so much! and (c) Make sure that the universities have sufficient endowments that they can offer substantial bursaries so that entry becomes a needs blind matter.
Additionally, we need to get away from the concept that everyone (or 50%) should go to university. People should only go to university if it makes sense for them either economically or socially. There are large numbers of people for whom it makes more sense to go to a technical college or to go straight into the workforce. We are in real danger of ending up with the devaluation of higher education that you see in the states, where everyone feels the need to get an MBA or JD or some other second degree.
Comments
I suggest you start reading some of the press surrounding the mess Willetts is making. The default rate is running substantially ahead of the base assumption and you will pick up the difference in your tax bill.
Let Scotland be independent, *if* it votes for that. And let it also look after its own financial sector. Taxpayers can barely stand being lender of last resort to British banks, let alone foreign ones.
The transitional nature of the currency union is another argument against one, not that another is needed.
Aren't all the speculators in Switzerland these days?
The fact that the current system may not be perfect does not alter the principle that the able-bodied adult should generally look after themselves.
Doesn't take a genius to see the difference.
http://www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/gmb-members-say-yes-to-political-fund
Noticeably higher turnouts and 'yes' votes in this latest round of political fund ballots.
Mike pointing out the weighting down of ukip and weighting up of the Lib Dems on twitter. Well played Mike x
Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB)
20/08/2014 08:55
LAB lead was down to just 1% in latest YouGov - but look at the huge gap in the unweighted numbers. pic.twitter.com/8Qrg674wXR
I'm still Massa Martini
A CU is a daft idea from all perspectives. If the prospect ever came about I hope it would be put to a referendum and I would certainly vote against it. An economic iScotland may be to our interest but its not our responsibility, an economically sound England would come first.
A tuition fee amnesty would galvanise Generation Y and also be popular with a lot of parents like me who paid no fees themselves and want the same for their children.
Pay for fees from income tax, like so many EU countries do. There are no fees in most of Scandanavia, and Germany, with low fees across most of the EU.
We need to think again on funding higher education.
Incidentally in much of Africa there is little secondary education. In Malawi only 5% stay on after primary school, and few are female.
I have a friend who sorts his graduate applications by starting with two questions:-
1) Is it a proper subject?
2) Is it from a proper university?
The rest go in the bin.
It is lunacy to create an "educational arms race" that leads to vast expenses being racked up by 21yr olds so they can have a "degree" no matter what even if it is in basket weaving from the university of Bognor Regis.
Edited for tpyo
What does that tell us of any interest he has in the future of the Scotland he says he wants. All it demonstrates is that Salmond wants to win a vote for its own sake and has no notion of the consequences.
With no SNP what do all the other political parties do with an independent Scotland they have said they do not want? What is to stop a full union back with England following a vote in a non SNP filled parliament - a vote so unanimous that there would be no referendum? What do the SNP supporterd do and where do they go?
And of course looking to a plausible political future for iScotland - with 4 significant parties what kind of government could it expect? Especially when standing on its own feet. 4 parties endless coalitions. Would it maintian FPTP anyway? Can Scotland expect strong government?
What on earth will happen when these Islamic soldiers come home?
http://youtu.be/LyKZt0Vs-Gs
As the point has been made many times, if the Scots vote for independence then it will be the duty of rUK politicians to make the best deal for the rUK in any settlement, and to be as robust as possible.
Think of it as a divorce, anyone would want the best settlement.
Two members of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted for an interest rate rise earlier this month
It'll happen sooner rather than later then. The tide is turning.
Thanks Blair...
Results for Labour NEC elections to be announced at noon today....don't feel shy, I know you are excited about them!
There's votes to be had here for a viable scheme, and largely cost free if the high default rate continues. Not much of the money will be seen, and the admin costs would be lower.
The current system may or may not be a good idea (I suspect it is too early to tell, and getting a more sensible system would be tricky with the ever wonderful Lib Dems anywhere near government), but free tuition is not a good idea. If you want 5 or maybe 10% of people going to Uni then free tuition was achievable, but Major and then Blair broke that.
Never mind about Salmond, it's the L/Dems I'm interested in this morning.
The story is that the Fox had the keys to the chicken coop, sampled a few chickens - enough to ruffle their feathers - then was driven from the coop by a bevy of hens. The cocks staying aloof.
The cocks then held a conclave admonishing the fox but eventually, because the Fox was a powerful leader, sighed and let him off.
Let's see what the hens decide to do. Mind you, there are not many left.
The mistakes were made years ago, since then it's been an avalanche making its way down the mountain.
Breaking: David Cameron returns to Downing Street after journalist beheaded http://specc.ie/VEmYP4
I know you are waiting for them. Will Ken top the poll? 6 will be elected
You argue for free tuition when a tiny minority of 5-10% attend university, but say that free tuition is unfair when ~50% of the population attend university. Surely the fairness argument runs the other way around? As attendance at university increases the fairness argument for free provision paid for by general taxation increases in strength.
I reject any CV with a typo, or has a grammatical error, or which is poorly formatted. Sure I might miss someone good, but it winnows down the applications quite nicely, thus savin me a heap of time. There is always enough talent in the remaining pile for a reasonable interview round. Anyway, picking a new staff member is a bit of a lottery irrespective of the screening process you use.
[We produce written reports for clients, and so clear English and attention to detail are very important. If an applicant can't be arsed to spell-check their CV, it's not a good omen for future performance in the firm!]
Tim Farron: I want the Liberal Democrats to become the “gold standard” .....in the way we treat (handle?) volunteers.
Is this statement something from the Daily Mash?
It is a massive car crash which is seriously affecting activists morale within the party.
Richard Butchart 20th Aug '14 - 9:07am
"I feel totally betrayed by this mess. So much so that I will not be renewing my membership."
http://labourlist.org/2014/08/why-we-keep-messing-up-in-the-middle-east/ (by Jon Wilson)
http://labourlist.org/2014/08/austin-mitchell-showed-us-why-people-hate-politicians/
http://labourlist.org/2014/08/britain-has-to-fight-isis-but-should-be-wary-of-their-trap/ (By Sunny Hundal)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/10620373/English-students-could-get-free-tuition-at-Scottish-universities.html
An addition to my first post is that another advantage of tuition fees is it improves the incentives around choosing to go to university - why go to a rubbish uni to do a pointless course if it's going to cost you lots of money?
It's certainly not top of the agenda, but does feed the idea that some of those who want independence are against the English.
As a consultancy a person who does not multiple-check their CV and does not get it checked by someone senior in age, would not be suitable for the high standards expected by our global clients.
What's a Tory hating Labour Unionist meant to do?
What is a proper subject is more subjective. Law at A-level is, surprisingly perhaps, usually not seen as a proper subject whereas law at university is. I did hear of one company that favoured chemistry graduates simply on the grounds they were used to rolling their sleeves up and getting on with things, after spending three years in the lab every afternoon and writing up those experiments each evening.
Many would decry media studies but parallel arguments were deployed a century ago against English -- how could you get a degree from sitting around reading stories? Novels and plays were everyday entertainments, not for serious study like Latin or Greek.
- Automatic membership of EU and Nato
- Currency Union with rUK
How are those turning out?
Oh, it was John Swinney, that explains the currency balls up doesn't it.
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/features/agony-aunt/i-have-completely-changed-my-mind-about-scottish-independence-2014080789366
As I said, threats to undermine some essential features of nationhood such as trade and defence treaties amounts to an effective denial of the right of self determination.
Posters urging voters to say No Thanks to independence are being defaced, damaged and stolen within hours of being put up in parts of rural Scotland.
Some have been smashed while others have had words including “scum” spray-painted across them “under cover of darkness”, according to volunteers.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11045117/No-Thanks-independence-posters-defaced.html
*Innocent Face*
like
HungLikeADonkey@Gmail.com, ManUFan1984@yahoo.co.uk etc
http://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2014/08/lord-ashcroft-my-latest-battleground-poll-the-swing-to-labour-extends-deeper-into-tory-territory.html
http://www.conservativehome.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/LORD-ASHCROFT-POLLS-Con-Lab-marginals-report-August-2014.pdf
The problem with the fiscal compact is enforceability.
What is the rUK going to do if the iScot Parliament decides to spend more than the agreed limits? Send troops in? Unilaterally abandon the CU? Make a few grumbling speeches and then ignore it?
http://www.oddschecker.com/politics/british-politics/southampton-itchen/winning-party
http://glyn-davies.blogspot.co.uk/2009/01/prime-minister-who-was-hung-like-donkey.html
Most of our focus is spent on what the graduate did during their long vacs and their extra-mural activities. "Socialising" and "clubbing" are an automatic bin.
As we are looking for people with open minds and wide-ranging thinking towards our business which is providing solutions to complex problems, then quite often it is very difficult to find that from the CV or first interview. That is why we use quite a few interns during the summer vac.
UKIP as ever weighted down. I reckon with my analysis of the recent ICM/Mori (Phone) polls also that Yougov does not get "too many" UKIPpers as it thinks. The one panel that does seem genuinely stuffed with UKIPpers is Populus but they typically overdownweight them more than they should I think.
I knew it related to a Prime Minister, but was afraid to google it.
Unweighted numbers are never right, it wasn't so long, that one YouGov poll unweighted numbers had the Tories ahead.
It seems inequitable that, for instance, I received free tuition.
That said, we need to ensure that everyone who is capable of benefiting from tertiary education can afford to attend.
Much approach would probably be to (a) retain fees (b) introduce national bursaries for subjects that add the most value to society. I'd assume this would be relatively heavily weighted towards STEM subjects. PPE not so much! and (c) Make sure that the universities have sufficient endowments that they can offer substantial bursaries so that entry becomes a needs blind matter.
Additionally, we need to get away from the concept that everyone (or 50%) should go to university. People should only go to university if it makes sense for them either economically or socially. There are large numbers of people for whom it makes more sense to go to a technical college or to go straight into the workforce. We are in real danger of ending up with the devaluation of higher education that you see in the states, where everyone feels the need to get an MBA or JD or some other second degree.