But, notwithstanding, in very broad terms and as a general concept, surely it's always generally better to locally empower management, i.e. the people on the ground who are best placed to know where resources need to be spent, what needs to be done etc., rather than via some part removed, centralised body? Of course, this assumes that said local management is competent and sufficiently skilled in management terms, by no means a foregone conclusion - but whatever the case, successful companies ditched the top down, centralised management model in the 1970s.

I suspect there is an element of truth in that, chap, but then with education you do need a significant degree of central control to ensure standard approaches to curriculum, exams, inspections etc. In terms of the control of the budgets, this would be better controlled locally – which it was, when the LEAs still had any power over anything.

Handing control of schools over to what are basically private companies is not the solution, and the results of the academy schools so far would back up that assertion.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/greek-bailout-fund

€141,324 raised of the €1,600,000,000 target!

Agreed.

I basically don't know either way, to be frank, but like I say, I most certainly don't ever feel comfortable with any ideology-driven politics/policies, not ever. For years I've been advocating for the shameless copying of best practices as observed (and studied in depth) from the rest of the world, in this case those countries that are reasonably socially compatible with the UK, yet seem to do much better, be it education, healthcare or whatever. Policial pride should not come into it and I for one couldn't give a fig if this is achieved via the most left wing politics imaginable - if it works, just call me Comrade Cavey I say.

...and then go out and find best practice and copy it. You know, an empirical, evidence based approach to something.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/greek-bailout-fund

€141,324 raised of the €1,600,000,000 target!

Bailout now at 700k.

A nice idea but at this point Greece need to default and exit for their own sake.

Pompous arse taking tough stance on Greece

COMPLETE nobody Roy Hobbs is demanding tough action be taken against Greece.

Hobbs is keen to see all Greeks punished, even though it is unclear how Greece’s economic problems have affected his life as a bakery supervisor in Wolverhampton.

Hobbs said: “The thought of the Greeks deciding to spend, spend, spend in a way that makes sod all difference to me makes my blood boil.

“A country’s economy is like a piggy bank. You can’t build roads and hospitals if you haven’t been putting coins in the slot. They need to be taught a harsh lesson. Only then will I be satisfied.”

Hobbs said Greece could learn from his own careful money management, such as writing down all the country’s expenditure in a notebook, even if it was small things like buying a Cornetto ‘because it all adds up’.

Hobbs’ colleague Nikki Hollis said: “I suspect the Greek financial crisis makes Roy feel less insignificant, because the only thing he’s ever achieved in his pitiful little life is being a tightfisted bastard.

“Also he reads the Daily Express and I think he just likes the idea of people being punished. I dread to think what sort of porn he’s got on his computer.”

Apparently they have caved on most points, but by now the Troika want blood and are reluctant to negotiate at all.

Wow. Puts 'Wings over Bath' to shame!



Agreed. It will hurt, probably for a long time, but better than this farce recurring every few months indefinitely and the people of Greek suffering even more with even less control over their destiny.

It's near-impossible to keep up tbh; one minute the Greeks have "caved in on most points" and then, apparently, mere hours later, are wishing plagues of locusts on their EU Creditors, or something. I think it's fairly clear to all concerned that this Socialist Greek administration is a complete laughing stock. Would you "lend" untold further billions to that shower, and ever expect to see so much as a single cent in interest or capital repayment that isn't itself part and parcel of yet another "bailout" set of Russian Doll loans?

At this rate, give it another 20 years, the Greeks will end up owing more dosh than the combined GDP of USA and China...

Gah. Not often I find myself in full agreement with a Labour MP, but this is one such occasion... The phrase 'archetypal swivel eyed loon' springs to mind.

His behaviour was terrible in the election, good luck, London...

The internal bank lending rate is 0% in the EU so why is Greece been made to pay any interest at all? Simply to refinance the banking industry.

They should not be let of the hook, but sensible payment terms should be put in place over 20-30 years with little or no interest.

We might be Boris dumb, but we're not Galloway dumb.

but The Sun once again demonstrate how they're the lowest arse-scraping of humanity. As someone who really doesn't care for the Queen, even I think this is the biggest pile of purile bullshit ever.

Labour have to go left. They've spent the last 10 years being "Like the Tories, but just a bit more lost and confused about it all", and that's just not an electable place to be. Sure, they'll lose some centrist support, but that's the cost of party politics - you can't be everything to everyone. Look at the welfare bill - abstentions across the board, showing that in opposition they've got less teeth than a stripped gear. They have to stand for something, and that something can't be Tory Lite.

I don't think there is a chance in hell that Corbyn will win the next election but then I don't think that promising to behave just like a bunch of sodding Tories would either. However from what little I have learned about him he seems like a decent, sincere human being and I think that he would serve to widen the debate, something that is desperately needed.

The problem though, EBG, is that it certainly isn't the fault of those kids that their parents made bad life choices and decisions, but they're being punished nonetheless.

And that hits the nail on the head. Dumb parents have too many kids, it's the kids who suffer when there isn't enough money to keep them fed. And there's not really much you can do about that.

And that hits the nail on the head. Dumb parents have too many kids, it's the kids who suffer when there isn't enough money to keep them fed. And there's not really much you can do about that.

I seem to remember starting a WoS thread with the proposal of mandatory reversible sterilisation until people gain 'parental responsibility qualifications' once. Good times.

Oh certainly Mark, seems like a thoroughly decent guy from what I've seen and heard, refreshingly straight-talking as well. At least he believes in something, and that sincerity and clear sense of purpose so derived always shines through. Always.

Upon reflection, on that basis at least, he's surely head and shoulders above the other three candidates. It would be great to have a debate with him.

Can't we use non transferable food, milk and fresh fruit vouchers, clothes vouchers, quality child care and nursery vouchers and the like as part of the mix, that can only be used to directly benefit the kids? (I'm not trying to be controversial btw)

Well you can, but then you have to ask yourself what problem you're trying to fix. If you're trying to cut the welfare bill, that won't help. If you're trying to address the idea that parents spend child support on booze and fags, well that will/may help, but isn't the core point of why the benefits cap was proposed.

This would work to a point, but mainly benefit supermarkets, I doubt these could be used at a local market or an aldi, where the food is a lot cheaper.

I seem to remember starting a WoS thread with the proposal of mandatory reversible sterilisation until people gain 'parental responsibility qualifications' once. Good times.