| Sharp increase in prison suicides The Ministry of Justice has confirmed there were 92 apparent self-inflicted deaths in England and Wales in the same year as a record prison population. The deaths do not represent a record - but are almost 40% higher than 2006, reversing two years of falls. According to the Ministry of Justice figures, the number of apparent suicides in jail rose from a low of 67 in 2006 and 78 in 2005. The record number in recent years has been 95 deaths in both 2004 and 2002.
Four people on indeterminate sentences for public protection and 19 on life sentence were among the deaths. The figures show that, while 92 people killed themselves, more than 100 others were resuscitated after self-harm incidents that would have led to death. |
The Glasgow & Edinburgh Branches Blog. Towards a better understanding of the world, in order to change it.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
The wonderful world of capitalism
HOMES FIT FOR HEROES?
The Christmas and New Year period saw the newspapers full of praise for British troops in Afghanistan and Iran. Politicians fell over themselves to praise the sacrifices being made by young servicemen and women. Behind all the pretended bonhomie however lurks the poisonous truth of how they will be treated by a grateful capitalist class.
"A spokeswoman for the Royal British Legion said there were around 2,500 former servicemen and women living on the streets, and that the legion had received 1,485 calls from homeless ex-service personnel in the past year." (Times, 26 December) RD
"A spokeswoman for the Royal British Legion said there were around 2,500 former servicemen and women living on the streets, and that the legion had received 1,485 calls from homeless ex-service personnel in the past year." (Times, 26 December) RD
Monday, December 31, 2007
Poor health
Women from deprived backgrounds are treated differently and have a lower breast cancer survival rate than more affluent women , says a study
The charity Cancer Research UK studied nearly 13,000 patients from England's Northern and Yorkshire health regions. It found deprived women were less likely to be diagnosed in the early stages of disease, when treatment is most likely to be effective. They were also less likely to have surgery or radiotherapy.
The British Journal of Cancer study found that among the most affluent group, 40% had lumpectomies, which allow breast conservation, rather than full mastectomies to remove the breast. However, the figure among the most deprived group was just 31%.
They said that more women from deprived areas were likely to favour a mastectomy because it is a one-off treatment, whereas lumpectomy requires a course of radiotherapy, and therefore regular trips to a clinic, which can be difficult and costly.
The study also found that more than 22% of women from deprived backgrounds did not receive surgery, compared with just over 13% of more affluent women. Part of the reason for this disparity was due to late presentation, but the researchers also found women from deprived backgrounds were also more likely to have other health problems which made them unfit for surgery, or to turn down the option.
A slightly higher proportion of affluent women were seen within 14 days of referral by their doctor than women from more deprived areas. Women in deprived areas were less likely to be given radiotherapy and, on average, had a lower rate of five-year survival.
Dr Rosemary Gillespie, of the charity Breast Cancer Care, said: "The persistence of inequalities in treatment and outcomes highlights that key messages about breast health and screening are still not reaching those in deprived communities who need them."
The charity Cancer Research UK studied nearly 13,000 patients from England's Northern and Yorkshire health regions. It found deprived women were less likely to be diagnosed in the early stages of disease, when treatment is most likely to be effective. They were also less likely to have surgery or radiotherapy.
The British Journal of Cancer study found that among the most affluent group, 40% had lumpectomies, which allow breast conservation, rather than full mastectomies to remove the breast. However, the figure among the most deprived group was just 31%.
They said that more women from deprived areas were likely to favour a mastectomy because it is a one-off treatment, whereas lumpectomy requires a course of radiotherapy, and therefore regular trips to a clinic, which can be difficult and costly.
The study also found that more than 22% of women from deprived backgrounds did not receive surgery, compared with just over 13% of more affluent women. Part of the reason for this disparity was due to late presentation, but the researchers also found women from deprived backgrounds were also more likely to have other health problems which made them unfit for surgery, or to turn down the option.
A slightly higher proportion of affluent women were seen within 14 days of referral by their doctor than women from more deprived areas. Women in deprived areas were less likely to be given radiotherapy and, on average, had a lower rate of five-year survival.
Dr Rosemary Gillespie, of the charity Breast Cancer Care, said: "The persistence of inequalities in treatment and outcomes highlights that key messages about breast health and screening are still not reaching those in deprived communities who need them."
education , once more
Even the Tories are saying it . Children from the most deprived areas of England are falling further behind in school compared to more affluent pupils .
Shadow Schools Secretary Michael Gove highlighted figures showing a widening of the social gap in achievement. The figures show a 43.1% gap between the proportions of wealthy and deprived pupils achieving five good GCSEs including English and maths in 2007. In 2006, this gap in GCSEs, in favour of the wealthiest, had been 28.4%. The figures are based on comparisons of the GCSE results of pupils from the ten percent most affluent areas and the ten percent most deprived. These figures reflect the attainment gap using another poverty indicator - free-school meals.
This social divide in exam results shows "the education system is letting down the poorest," says Mr Gove
The government figures show how the link between home background and achievement stubbornly persists throughout children's years in school. When the school population is divided into 10 bands of affluence and deprivation, the level of achievement rises in precise step with increased wealth in every subject and at every level.
No matter what the palliatives that will be promised to address the problems , the cause is capitalism and poverty and those will not be challenged in any meaningful manner and inequalities of opportunity shall continue .
Shadow Schools Secretary Michael Gove highlighted figures showing a widening of the social gap in achievement. The figures show a 43.1% gap between the proportions of wealthy and deprived pupils achieving five good GCSEs including English and maths in 2007. In 2006, this gap in GCSEs, in favour of the wealthiest, had been 28.4%. The figures are based on comparisons of the GCSE results of pupils from the ten percent most affluent areas and the ten percent most deprived. These figures reflect the attainment gap using another poverty indicator - free-school meals.
This social divide in exam results shows "the education system is letting down the poorest," says Mr Gove
The government figures show how the link between home background and achievement stubbornly persists throughout children's years in school. When the school population is divided into 10 bands of affluence and deprivation, the level of achievement rises in precise step with increased wealth in every subject and at every level.
No matter what the palliatives that will be promised to address the problems , the cause is capitalism and poverty and those will not be challenged in any meaningful manner and inequalities of opportunity shall continue .
BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS
On a Sunday morning Christian ministers and priests love to thunder out the Sermon on the Mount. Some of the sentiments seem to be laudable enough. It is difficult to disagree with "blessed are the peacemakers", but during wars such sentiments are soon forgotten by these holy men. Here is an example from Bethlehem, where some holy men seem to be unable to "turn the other cheek". "Bearded and robed Armenian and Greek Orthodox priests fought each other with fists, brushes and iron rods during cleaning of the shared Church of the Nativity. The Armenians believed that the Greeks were encroaching on their section of the church." (Times, 28 December) RD
COMIC BOOK CAPITALISM
"He has fought against foes ranging from the Green Goblin to Doctor Octopus, but Spider-Man now faces an even more formidable challenge: improving the battered image of the United Nations. In a move reminiscent of storylines developed during the Second World War, the UN is joining forces with Marvel Comics, creators of Spider-Man and the Incredible Hulk, to create a comic book showing the international body working with superheroes to solve bloody conflicts and rid the world of disease. ...The latest UN initiative is not the first time US comics have been used for political purposes. During the Second World War, superheroes were shown taking on Germany’s Nazi regime. Marvel’s Captain America, together with other characters such as Superman, were shown beating up Adolph Hitler." (Financial Times, 26 December) The initial edition is to be given out free to a million school kids in the USA. Imagine the storm it would cause in the USA if China, Russia or some other rival of US capitalism was to do something similar in their country. We would certainly hear screams of "brain washing children" and juvenile propaganda. RD
BIG BROTHER IS HERE
George Orwell's 1984 has arrived in the USA and it is proving to be very expensive. "The FBI is embarking on a $1 billion project to build the world's largest computer database of biometrics to give the government more ways to identify people at home and abroad, the Washington Post reported on Friday. The FBI has already started compiling digital images of faces, fingerprints and palm patterns in its systems, the paper said. In January, the agency—which focuses on violations of federal law, espionage by foreigners and terrorist activities—expects to award a 10-year contract to expand the amount and kinds of biometric information it receives, it said. At an employer's request, the FBI will also retain the fingerprints of employees who have undergone criminal background checks, the paper said." (PC Magazine, 26 December) RD
Sunday, December 30, 2007
WHAT ARE YOU WORTH?
On the 23rd December 07, Jenny Percival, Westminster Editor of Scotland on Sunday, reports, in an article titled, “Brown faces revolt as MPs demand £100,000 salary”
“MPs ARE preparing to rebel over Gordon Brown's plans to keep their pay rise well below inflation, with some saying they should be paid £100,000 a year.”
Will this lead to strike? In a previous report on this blog, it was pointed out that
They don’t have to, they just hold reviews and then vote themselves an increase, saves them striking and allows them to get on with running the country.
Last year they were set to award themselves £10,000-a-year “communications budget” just days after it emerges they make around £200,000 each from their generous existing pay and expenses package.
So what is it that makes the MPs discontent? “Politicians from all parties told Scotland on Sunday they expected to receive the above inflation figure of 2.5% as they have had no increases in real terms for six years. With another review not due until 2010, they plan to seize this opportunity to boost their basic salary of £ 6O, 277 a year. It was claimed last night that the Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB) may recommend an increase over three years of 10%, which would take their salaries to £65,500 by 2010. Many MPs are now expected to back that recommendation against Brown's advice.”
What do MPs think they are worth? “A submission to the SSRB by a cross-party advisory panel says MPs should be paid around £100, 000 a year to keep their salaries in line with comparable workers, such as chief executives of small and medium-size councils and directors of services in larger councils.”
The MPs think they are worth a 40% rise in wages and no doubt they don’t think their proposed rise will bring the country to its knees, only the every day worker, the ones who produce all the wealth, can bring the country to its knees, "that is what they would have us believe.”
Still, you have to feel for them, “When you’re looking at police and nurses’ pay awards of around 2%, it’s very difficult for us to justify a higher figure, but….we are getting paid only about half the salary of people in comparable jobs.” Sad isn’t it!
“MPs ARE preparing to rebel over Gordon Brown's plans to keep their pay rise well below inflation, with some saying they should be paid £100,000 a year.”
Will this lead to strike? In a previous report on this blog, it was pointed out that
They don’t have to, they just hold reviews and then vote themselves an increase, saves them striking and allows them to get on with running the country.
Last year they were set to award themselves £10,000-a-year “communications budget” just days after it emerges they make around £200,000 each from their generous existing pay and expenses package.
So what is it that makes the MPs discontent? “Politicians from all parties told Scotland on Sunday they expected to receive the above inflation figure of 2.5% as they have had no increases in real terms for six years. With another review not due until 2010, they plan to seize this opportunity to boost their basic salary of £ 6O, 277 a year. It was claimed last night that the Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB) may recommend an increase over three years of 10%, which would take their salaries to £65,500 by 2010. Many MPs are now expected to back that recommendation against Brown's advice.”
What do MPs think they are worth? “A submission to the SSRB by a cross-party advisory panel says MPs should be paid around £100, 000 a year to keep their salaries in line with comparable workers, such as chief executives of small and medium-size councils and directors of services in larger councils.”
The MPs think they are worth a 40% rise in wages and no doubt they don’t think their proposed rise will bring the country to its knees, only the every day worker, the ones who produce all the wealth, can bring the country to its knees, "that is what they would have us believe.”
Still, you have to feel for them, “When you’re looking at police and nurses’ pay awards of around 2%, it’s very difficult for us to justify a higher figure, but….we are getting paid only about half the salary of people in comparable jobs.” Sad isn’t it!
THIS IS LIBERATION?
The press and TV hailed the US invasion of Iraq as one of liberation, but according to children's fund of the UN. It has turned out to be a strange form of liberation.
"More than four years after the United States invaded Iraq , the country's children continue to face a litany of problems from disrupted educations to unsafe drinking water, detentions and violence, UNICEF reported Friday. Violence and displacement often kept Iraqi children out of school this year. The organization estimates that 2 million educations were interrupted, especially among primary-school students. .. Eighty percent of children outside Baghdad don't have working sewers in their communities, limiting access to safe water. ...An average of 25,000 children per month were displaced within Iraq by violence or intimidation. ...By the end of 2007, about 75,000 children were living in camps or temporary shelter. ...About 1,350 children were detained by military and police, "many for alleged security violations." (Yahoo News, 21 December) RD
"More than four years after the United States invaded Iraq , the country's children continue to face a litany of problems from disrupted educations to unsafe drinking water, detentions and violence, UNICEF reported Friday. Violence and displacement often kept Iraqi children out of school this year. The organization estimates that 2 million educations were interrupted, especially among primary-school students. .. Eighty percent of children outside Baghdad don't have working sewers in their communities, limiting access to safe water. ...An average of 25,000 children per month were displaced within Iraq by violence or intimidation. ...By the end of 2007, about 75,000 children were living in camps or temporary shelter. ...About 1,350 children were detained by military and police, "many for alleged security violations." (Yahoo News, 21 December) RD
Saturday, December 29, 2007
bankers
So some of the banks took a beating with the sub-prime mortgage crisis but it didn't stop some bank executives from taking their slice of their cake .
Lynn Peacock, chief executive the Clydesdale bank pay almost doubled to £2.1m. , compared with £1.1m in the preceding year. She also became entitled to an undisclosed number of shares under an incentive scheme operated by the parent company, National Australia group .
Lynn Peacock, chief executive the Clydesdale bank pay almost doubled to £2.1m. , compared with £1.1m in the preceding year. She also became entitled to an undisclosed number of shares under an incentive scheme operated by the parent company, National Australia group .
Friday, December 28, 2007
WALL STREET CASINO
"House prices are crumbling on both sides of the Atlantic, growing numbers of homeowners face repossession, financial markets are yo-yoing and the UK saw its first run on a bank in living memory. But for three audacious New York traders it all added up to a $4bn (£2bn) profit opportunity and the biggest jackpot in the history of Wall Street. ... Dan Sparks and two underlings, Josh Birnbaum and Michael "Swenny" Swenson, placed what were in effect giant bets against the US mortgage market at the start of the year and watched their winnings tick higher and higher as the rising numbers of mortgage defaults spiralled into a worldwide financial crisis. ...The trio themselves are in line for bonuses of about $10m apiece from a record bonus pool at Goldman of about $19bn. ... Their profit eclipses the $1.1bn made by George Soros when his bets against the currency pushed sterling out of the exchange rate mechanism in 1992 and the estimated $1.5bn made by the hedge fund manager John Arnold last year from the collapse of a rival fund, Amaranth." (Independent, 15 December)
That is capitalism for you, millions face homelessness while a small group of parasites rake it in! RD
That is capitalism for you, millions face homelessness while a small group of parasites rake it in! RD
CALIFORNIAN CATASTROPHE
California is reckoned by most statisticians to be the wealthiest state in the USA, but a recent report shows that this is not the case for many of its inhabitants.
"Between railroad tracks and beneath the roar of departing planes sits "tent city," a terminus for homeless people. It is not, as might be expected, in a blighted city centre, but in the once-booming suburbia of Southern California. The noisy, dusty camp sprang up in July with 20 residents and now numbers 200 people, including several children, growing as this region east of Los Angeles has been hit by the U.S. housing crisis. The unravelling of the region known as the Inland Empire reads like a 21st century version of "The Grapes of Wrath" John Steinbeck's novel about families driven from their lands by the Great Depression. As more families throw in the towel and head to foreclosure here and across the nation, the social costs of collapse are adding up in the form of higher rates of homelessness, crime and even disease." (Yahoo News, 21 December) RD
"Between railroad tracks and beneath the roar of departing planes sits "tent city," a terminus for homeless people. It is not, as might be expected, in a blighted city centre, but in the once-booming suburbia of Southern California. The noisy, dusty camp sprang up in July with 20 residents and now numbers 200 people, including several children, growing as this region east of Los Angeles has been hit by the U.S. housing crisis. The unravelling of the region known as the Inland Empire reads like a 21st century version of "The Grapes of Wrath" John Steinbeck's novel about families driven from their lands by the Great Depression. As more families throw in the towel and head to foreclosure here and across the nation, the social costs of collapse are adding up in the form of higher rates of homelessness, crime and even disease." (Yahoo News, 21 December) RD
Gilbert and riches
Martin Gilbert, chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, saw the value of his overall remuneration tumble in the latest year despite bumper profits for the fund manager, but remained one of corporate Scotland's best-paid executives.The annual report of Aberdeen Asset Management, published yesterday, shows that Gilbert received total pay and benefits of £3,096,000 in the year to September, down from £3,951,000 in the preceding year . The fall in remuneration was due to the fact that Gilbert elected for employer contributions to his defined contribution pension scheme with the firm to cease. Aberdeen said following changes to UK pensions law on April 6, 2006, other employees had elected to follow suit. The A-day changes included the introduction of a £1.5m limit on individual pension funds.
Even at the reduced level, Gilbert's package makes him one of Scotland Plc's biggest earners. In 2006, Sir Fred Goodwin, chief executive of Royal Bank of Scotland, earned a basic salary of nearly £1.2m and a performance bonus of £2.8m, boosting his total package by over £1m on 2005 to just under £4m.Sandy Crombie, chief executive of Standard Life, earned a pay, bonus and benefits package worth £1.6m in 2006.
Stewart Milne of the building company took home more than £7.5m in salary, benefits and dividends in the year to June
Thursday, December 27, 2007
A Very Merry Christmas ?
Debt advisers are set to take a record number of calls as consumers are left to deal with a Christmas on credit. Leading debt charities said today that the credit crunch combined with five interest rate rises had made the problem this year even more serious. It was reported today that an estimated £34 billion has already been spent on credit cards this month – a £3 billion increase on last year.
A Consumer Credit Counselling Service spokesman said the organisation expected even more calls this year from people concerned they have over stretched financially this Christmas.He said: "We expect just under 34,000 calls to our helpline in January 2008, five per cent higher than in 2007."
And Credit Action spokesman Christ Tapp echoed the claims, saying the hangover debt from the festive reason reached way beyond the first few days of the New Year, and that homeowners may be particularly concerned. He said: "It could certainly be our busiest January and February ever. People are now more concerned about the economy than they have been for a long time.The nature of calls might be slightly different. It used to be about unsecured credit, but mortgages are becoming a much bigger problem than they were as rising living costs squeeze homeowners." (It is estimated this year that house repossessions will rise by 50 per cent to 45,000.)
Citizen's Advice added its weight to calls for belt-tightening around Christmas, pointing out that this time of year is traditionally gloomy for those with cash concerns. A spokeswoman said: "We know from experience that there is a seasonal surge of people who come to see us about their debt problems post-Christmas, and we know that the trend in debt inquiries is inexorably upwards. There is no reason to believe that there will be any let up in this trend."
Groups like the Samaritans say they also expect to be inundated with phone calls from people who feel they can't cope with their financial situation in light of lavish Christmas expenditure. A spokeswoman for the charity said: "January is a particularly bleak time with credit card bills arriving and the short, dark days."
Can we of Socialist Courier be blamed for saying " Christmas ? Bah - Humbug "
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
An Anti-Bolshevik Approach to Revolution
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The final talk in the Socialist Thinkers series by Stephen Coleman and a belated contribution to the 90th anniversary of the Russian Revolution . It is a discussion of Leninism and the Julius Martov critique of the Bolsheviks .
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
A Vision of Socialism
Not looking forward to the Queen's Christmas message , then why not download and listen to one of the Socialist Party talks that Darren has upload.
Stephen Coleman discusses William Morris and his Vision of Socialism . Download from here .
Monday, December 24, 2007
WORLD HUNGER WORSENS
Millions of human beings starve inside a capitalist system that can produce enough for everyone. There are many well intentioned groups that believe that by a series of reforms this dreadful situation can be solved inside capitalism. Despite years of existence and hundreds of campaigns this has been proven to be futile."Record prices for major agricultural commodities and a reduction in the volume of food aid means there is a serious risk that global hunger will worsen next year, the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation said on Monday. The warning came as wheat prices on Monday jumped to an all-time high, soybean prices hit a fresh 34-year high and corn rose to an 11-year high on strong demand and tight supplies reflected in extremely low global inventories. ... Food aid has been reduced because agricultural commodities prices are going up while the big aid agencies’ budgets – including that of the UN’s World Food Programme, which feeds almost 90m of the world’s poorest people – remain stagnant." (Financial Times, 19 December) RD
THE CLASS DIVIDE
The harrowing picture of poverty in India is very familiar. Whole families are sleeping on the streets of Calcutta and in wretched, unsanitary lean-to shacks. What is not so well known is the immense wealth of a handful of Indian capitalists. "The mansion of Mukesh Ambani, the richest man in India, is something more than the average dream house. When construction is completed next year, his home will top 570 feet – the equivalent of a 60-story skyscraper – and include a helipad, six floors of parking, and 600 servants for a family of six." (Yahoo News, 18 December) RD
Branson Virgin Rail - Just the ticket
While the Virgin Rail passengers face nine per cent fare increases ( an average of 4.8 per cent from Jan 6, with first class passengers facing rises of nine per cent) and some of the worst delays in the country (In its worst performing year in 2002, just 73.6 per cent of West Coast trains ,London to Glasgow, and 62.5 per cent of Cross-Country trains , Cornwall to Aberdeen, arrived within 10 minutes of the scheduled arrival time) , Richard Branson pocketed a £24 million dividend from Virgin Rail . The West Coast and Cross Country lines, have received more than £1 billion in subsidies from the Government since he took over the route in 1997.
Richard Murphy, the director of Tax Research, an independent consultancy firm, said: "He's stripping the company of cash while saying at the same time, 'I need more public subsidy'."
Richard Murphy, the director of Tax Research, an independent consultancy firm, said: "He's stripping the company of cash while saying at the same time, 'I need more public subsidy'."
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Minimum Wages - Maximum Exploitation
Thousands of workers are being short-changed by firms who refuse to pay the national minimum wage, the TUC found .
Around 150,000 staff are being denied rate of £5.52 an hour for adults and £4.60 for 18 to 21-year-olds, it says. Those in restaurants, hotels, cleaning, hairdressing and childcare were said to be the most likely to be underpaid.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "There should be no hiding place for bosses who are deliberately cheating their workers out of the minimum wage."
Socialist Courier will go further and say all wages and wage labour is theft . That it is slavery . Within capitalism , the fight to improve wages is indispensible but workers should take the next step - campaign to abolish wages .
Around 150,000 staff are being denied rate of £5.52 an hour for adults and £4.60 for 18 to 21-year-olds, it says. Those in restaurants, hotels, cleaning, hairdressing and childcare were said to be the most likely to be underpaid.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "There should be no hiding place for bosses who are deliberately cheating their workers out of the minimum wage."
Socialist Courier will go further and say all wages and wage labour is theft . That it is slavery . Within capitalism , the fight to improve wages is indispensible but workers should take the next step - campaign to abolish wages .
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Paternalism is a common attitude among well-meaning social reformers. Stemming from the root pater, or father, paternalism implies a patria...
