I’m posting this link to evidenceuk.info to EvidenceUK.info’s blog which uses ONS data to show how the headline figures on unemployment in the UK do not, perhaps, tell the whole story and, indeed, may well under report significantly the true jobless numbers, with 47% of those not employed not receiving Job Seeker’s Allowance, hence not included in the headline stats.
There is a link to further info relating to zero hours contracts within the piece, or via this link to evidenceuk.info which suggests such contracts have tripled under the present government.
This piece also states that the number of JSA sanctions imposed during the first 3 years of the current government has doubled against the number imposed by the governments in the 10 years before the current Coalition was formed. A clear implication of this evidence is that the UK unemployment statistic is not a credible measure of unemployment. Equally clear is the implication that the headline statistic is being skewed downward by a policy of withdrawing JSA and pushing people into underemployment – example here being zero hours contracts.
Tag: politics
Head Teachers’ Association joins Teaching Unions in Declaring ‘No Confidence’ in Current UK Education Policy.
The National Association of Head Teachers’ annual conference in Birmingham over the weekend of 18/19 May 2013 displayed little warmth or confidence in the education policies of a government which claims to be giving school leaders greater freedom and flexibility in the management of their schools.
The Education Secretary was visibly taken aback by the angry and derisive response from head teachers in a question and answer session on the Saturday. Ahead of the conference he had been likened to a “fanatical personal trainer” who urges schools to jump higher and run faster…(paying) no heed to “the damage he is causing to the body or the system”.
Faced with this, Mr Gove fell back on the lament that he was striving for higher standards in schools. Told of the stress caused to the profession by current policy initiatives, including the inspection system, his response was:
If you think Ofsted is causing you fear I am grateful for your candour, but we are going to have to part company.
Russell Hobby of the NAHT has gone on the record to draw worrying parallels between colossal and damaging failures due to similar policies already in place in the NHS, notably the Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust scandal, warning:
of the dangers of management by data, we need only turn to the more human tragedy of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust, where patient care was sacrificed to meet the targets.
The same forces are rising within education. The effects will be more subtle but equally devastating.
This comes at a time when the current government’s preferred system for the delivery of education to school age students, academies and free schools, are under fire, losing credibility, and subject to calls for tighter scrutiny amid concerns of financial irregularities by certain leading providers.
Jan Bott-Obi (1944-2013) – some reflections.
Our dear friend and cousin, Jan, former City Councillor for Oscott Ward, passed away on 26th February after a short illness. Outgoing and popular, she is sorely missed by her family and many friends, her colleagues in the Trades Union and Labour movements and by her fellow school teachers and former pupils. Jan’s funeral is on 17th April 2013, 2pm at Sutton Coldfield Crematorium, Tamworth Road, returning to Copenhagen Mews, Cofield Road, Boldmere. Flowers or donations to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Charity c/o A. Hazel & Sons, 43 Birmingham Road, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1QF. Tel: 0121 354 2145.
The above is the official notice, an excellent summary – the work of my mother. It is the basis of the obituary in the Birmingham Post on 5 and 10 April.
Jan was certainly outgoing and vivacious and it is unsurprising that, having moved in many circles, there will be many unique memories of her; all differing in the detail but all recognisably Jan. This was brought home to me, strongly, when I ‘googled’ her name. Among the ‘hits’ was a link to a ‘My Favourite Teacher’ comment on the Friends’ Reunited website. I reproduce this (anonymous) text without permission:
Mrs Jan Bott-Obi
Mrs Bott-Obi was one of the most inspirational, dynamic teachers I have ever met. She made you believe anything was possible. Her consideration for every pupil was incredible.
Her sense of humour, ‘unique’ sense of dress and super teacher style will remain with me forever.
Thank you Mrs Bott-obi. When you left in 1972 to pursue a political career, I cried many tears…. what a loss to teaching!
This refers to Jan’s career as a teacher at St Margaret Clitherow RC – one of the schools which merged to become St Edmund Campion school in Erdington. I’m sure that those who knew Jan will recognise her personality shining out from this ringing endorsement.
The author noted that Jan left teaching. Jan possessed the strong activist streak which runs through our family and became involved in the Labour Party and in working at the West Midlands divisional office of NUPE, latterly UNISON. Jan was a natural politician, with a ready smile, an infectious laugh, a genuine interest in the issues vexing electors and, behind her disarmingly easy-going demeanour, a razor-sharp wit backed up by requisite intellect. Few political opponents made the mistake of underestimating her a second time.
Jan stood as the Labour Party candidate for Sutton Coldfield at the General Election in 1992. She polled a creditable 15% of the vote, importantly keeping the sitting MP – a senior Cabinet Minister – campaigning in his safe seat rather than rallying the Tory troops in marginals and target seats elsewhere.
Jan (standing) with election agent, 1992.
In May 1994 Jan was elected to serve as Councillor for Oscott ward on Birmingham City Council. Councillor Keith Linnecor, the long-serving Oscott ward Councillor published a nice summary of Jan’s City Council service on his blog, please take a few moments to read it.
To me, Jan was both a relative and a comrade. When I was little, she was my Auntie Jan – mother of my brilliant, tearaway cousin Marcus. Sadly Marcus predeceased his mum, dying in 1987 – somewhat ironically – during the General Election campaign. Jan was a great companion to the theatre, the ballet, the pantomime – even the cricket! We went together as visitor-delegates to the European Parliament and I escorted her on Council duties on many occasions.
Jan (shades, striped top) grinning over the shoulder of John Tomlinson, then MEP for Birmingham West. The other ‘shady’ character is Gogwit.
My memories of Jan will be of her laugh, her ‘Cheshire Cat’ grin, her love of life – food, words, song, politics – and of course, her hats!
Jan would find this final irony – that Baroness Thatcher‘s funeral would be held on the same day as her own – too delicious for words.
Gogwit. (Ben A Harvey) 12 April 2013.
Since my initial post I have been made aware of the tribute to Jan made by the Full meeting of Birmingham City Council, 9 April 2013CE – please use the link to view and be aware that the Lord Mayor begins by informing the councillors of Jan’s passing at 15:00 minutes into the footage. A motion noting Jan’s service and tributes from the Labour, Conservative and Liberal groups follow, along with a minute’s silence.
Cllr Linnecor (Lab) – Cllr Linnecor (Lab, Oscott)
Cllr Hutchings (Con) – Cllr Hutchings (Con, Edgbaston)
Cllr Hassall (Lib-Dem) – Cllr Hassall (Lib-Dem, Perry Barr)
Gogwit, 14 April 2013CE.
Jan was cremated on the afternoon of 17 April 2013CE, her ashes distributed over the beautiful gardens of the crematorium. The chapel was filled to capacity by around 200 people representing all areas of Jan’s rich and varied life, gathered to give thanks for that life.
Gogwit, 21 April 2013CE
PIP faces Legal Challenge!
Reblogged from:
Diary of a Benefit Scrounger
A site to share information on Welfare cuts, illness, disability and general, current, political thought.
Gove Versus Reality!
This should be required viewing for all trainee teachers and all governing bodies.
An excellent web-site and resource if you want to investigate the truth behind the cynical, systematic undermining of state funded universal education in the UK.
If you do nothing else, watch the eponymous video. Please do delve deeper – and who knows – maybe protest?
Thanks to NASUWT for the link.
Disabled Woman Took on Welfare System and Won.
I present for readers a link received as feedback from a recent piece reblogged from Disabled People Against Cuts via Birmingham Against the Cuts (http://href.li/?http://birminghamagainstthecuts.wordpress.com)
http://atosvictimsgroup.co.uk/2012/08/13/disabled-woman-took-on-welfare-system-and-won/
Please do read and support: disseminate, donate to DPAC, or both!
gogwit
Gogwit's Blog 