The Spectator

Saturday

The Spectator

Portrait of the week | 3 July 2010

From our UK edition

The government’s committee on public expenditure, otherwise known as Pex or the Star Chamber, gave departments a month to come up with spending cuts of up to 33 per cent. The government’s committee on public expenditure, otherwise known as Pex or the Star Chamber, gave departments a month to come up with spending cuts of up to 33 per cent. Mr George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, said he would spend the summer seeking ways to reduce welfare spending in order to cushion the cuts in other areas. Mr Ken Clarke, the Justice Secretary, proposed fewer short jail sentences, which were ‘costly and ineffective’.

The Spectator

Passion play

From our UK edition

Following England’s dismal world cup defeat to Germany on Sunday, the nation’s football pundits struck up a familiar refrain: our boys lacked passion. Following England’s dismal world cup defeat to Germany on Sunday, the nation’s football pundits struck up a familiar refrain: our boys lacked passion. This is something of an English obsession: players win because they play with pride; they lose when they don’t show enough commitment. Talent is for foreigners, the English are meant to play with heart. But passion is overrated; too often just code for a lack of discipline. Time and time again, the most ‘passionate’ players let their country down.

The Spectator

Who benefits?

From our UK edition

The cries of unfairness which have gone up in reaction to George Osborne’s assault on the £12.5 billion annual bill for disability benefits are a sign of just how ingrained the welfare culture has become among Britain’s workshy millions. The cries of unfairness which have gone up in reaction to George Osborne’s assault on the £12.5 billion annual bill for disability benefits are a sign of just how ingrained the welfare culture has become among Britain’s workshy millions. They are also an indication of how hard the Chancellor will have to battle against the assortment of quangos and charities which stick up for their rights to taxpayer-funded lives of leisure.

Friday

The Spectator

The week that was | 2 July 2010

From our UK edition

Here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the past week. Fraser Nelson lists 190 Tory manifesto pledges that have been ditched. James Forsyth says that George Osborne’s plans for a Tory victory are in motion, and wonders if Cameron will soften his stance on AV for the sake of the coalition. Peter Hoskin scrutinises the Treasury’s leaked unemployment figures, and catches the Milibands up to no good. David Blackburn thinks that Osborne’s amateur days are over, and doubts that this government’s foreign policy will not change.   Susan Hill considers policing. Rod Liddle wants to boycott the Guardian. Alex Massie praises Ken Clarke’s prison reforms.

Monday

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 28 June – 4 July

From our UK edition

Welcome to the latest CoffeeHousers' Wall. For those who haven't come across the Wall before, it's a post we put up each Monday, on which - providing your writing isn't libellous, crammed with swearing, or offensive to common decency - you'll be able to say whatever you like in the comments section. There is no topic, so there's no need to stay 'on topic' - which means you'll be able to debate with each other more freely and extensively. There's also no constraint on the length of what you write - so, in effect, you can become Coffee House bloggers. Anything's fair game - from political stories in your local paper, to chat about the latest football results.

The Spectator

Just in case you missed them… | 28 June 2010

From our UK edition

…here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the weekend. Fraser Nelson believes that Cameron is planning a dignified exit from Afghanistan, and sees no change in Afghan policy from the G8. James Forsyth says that the Lib Dems have survived their toughest week yet, and reveals why Obama did not consider withdrawing from Afghanistan. David Blackburn relates how IDS plans to smash the welfare ghettos, and says that Cameron and Clegg’s love-in is deepening. Daniel Korski considers Turkey’s evolving foreign policy, and And Susan Hill is adamant that all is not fair in an Orange world.

Saturday

The Spectator

Letters | 26 June 2010

From our UK edition

Time to rehabilitate Sir: The issue of whether or not ‘Prison works’ is confused in your leading article (19 June) with the broader arguments about reducing the National Offender Management Service’s £5 billion budget. Even if the £2 billion of annual public expenditure on prisons was left largely intact, there is scope for savings and other benefits in localising the punishment and aftercare of offenders with much more input from voluntary and community groups. Such a localisation policy could result in better and less costly services in this part of the criminal justice system, provided sentencing reform was part of the package.

The Spectator

Portrait of the week | 26 June 2010

From our UK edition

In the Budget, Mr George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, said that the balance of cuts to tax rises would be 77 per cent to 23 per cent. Whitehall departments would have to cut spending by 25 per cent. Borrowing would fall from £149 billion this year to £20 billion in 2015-16. Debt would be 67 per cent of GDP by 2015-16, compared with the 75 per cent planned by Labour in its budget in March. Current expenditure of £637 billion this year would rise to £711 billion in 2015-16, to meet debt interest. Mr Osborne raised VAT from 17.5 per cent to 20 per cent, from 4 January 2011. For basic-rate income tax payers, the personal allowance will rise by £1,000 in April, to £7,475.

The Spectator

The road to recovery

From our UK edition

The most heartening part of George Osborne’s Budget was perhaps one of its least glamorous proposals. The most heartening part of George Osborne’s Budget was perhaps one of its least glamorous proposals. In his speech, the Chancellor started to bemoan the regional disparities within Britain. Ten jobs in the private sector are created in the south for every one in the north, he said — all too true. One was braced, next, for some doomed proposal for a new Silicon Valley in Teesside, or a harebrained attempt to incubate green energy forms in the Welsh valleys. But no: he would cut the taxes of companies starting up in these areas. And that was it. It was wonderfully refreshing.

Friday

The Spectator

The week that was | 25 June 2010

From our UK edition

Here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the past week Fraser Nelson says that Osborne has set us back on the road to recovery, and offers the true meaning of Osborne’s Budget. James Forsyth warns of further pain in October’s spending review, and observes the unwelcome return of the old politics. Peter Hoskin reports from the unmissable IFS report, and reveals what Harriet Harman won’t tell you. David Blackburn believes that the union backing for David Miliband reflects how left wing the former Blair aide has become, and sees politicking in Barack Obama’s approach to the G20. Rod Liddle is surprised by the public reaction to the Chris Huhne scandal. Alex Massie wonders what Simon Hughes is playing at.

Monday

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 21 June – 27 June

From our UK edition

Welcome to the latest CoffeeHousers' Wall. For those who haven't come across the Wall before, it's a post we put up each Monday, on which - providing your writing isn't libellous, crammed with swearing, or offensive to common decency - you'll be able to say whatever you like in the comments section. There is no topic, so there's no need to stay 'on topic' - which means you'll be able to debate with each other more freely and extensively. There's also no constraint on the length of what you write - so, in effect, you can become Coffee House bloggers. Anything's fair game - from political stories in your local paper, to chat about the latest football results.

The Spectator

Just in case you missed them… | 21 June 2010

From our UK edition

...here are some of the posts made over the weekend on Spectator.co.uk: Fraser Nelson feels optimistic about George Osborne's Budget. James Forsyth reports on the latest BP PR gaffe, and weighs up the political implications of Chris Huhne's affair. Peter Hoskin observes David Cameron preview the austerity budget, and says that John Hutton is a good choice to review public sector pensions. Rod Liddle says that Stephen Fry has got it right, for once. And Melanie Phillips highlights more arrows of satire.

Saturday

The Spectator

Letters | 19 June 2010

From our UK edition

Let Turkey join the EU Sir: There are many answers to your editorial ‘Turkish menace’ (12 June) — but perhaps the one that serves its purpose best is: ‘EU asked for it’. Turks feel, quite simply, that they have been insulted by the EU in the way their membership application has been endlessly delayed, while dubious ex-communist countries like Bulgaria and Romania have been given the red carpet treatment. And the ultimate insult is to allow Greek Cyprus, with a population one hundredth that of Turkey, to dominate the proceedings, demanding that the Turks stand to attention while what they regard as insult after insult is flung in their face. The EU is, admittedly, in distinguished company.

The Spectator

Portrait of the week | 19 June 2010

From our UK edition

The Office for Budget Responsibil-ity (OBR) forecast that gross domestic product would grow by 2.6 per cent in 2011, compared with the 3.25 per cent predicted by the previous government. But the deficit and inflation would nonetheless fall faster than predicted. ‘This is our best shot at an impossible task,’ said Sir Alan Budd, the head of the OBR. The government is to make an emergency Budget on 22 June. The OBR also said that the cost to the taxpayer of public sector pensions will rise from £4 billion a year now to £9 billion by 2014-15. Mr Nick Clegg, the deputy Prime Minister said: ‘It’s not affordable.’ The annual rate of inflation measured by the Consumer Prices Index fell to 3.4 in May from 3.

The Spectator

Club vs country

From our UK edition

Every four years, the World Cup presents an opportunity to see what English football would be like with only English players. The difference is more striking with each tournament. Our club game may well have become a global industry — but it is hard to see how the money has helped the national team. Our club sides are filled with global talent — but a young native player has never found it more difficult to reach the top. Since the Premiership’s inception in 1992, the number of English under-25s in the league has fallen by two thirds. Certainly, English players benefit from playing alongside the likes of Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres.

The Spectator

Prison works

From our UK edition

One of the many ludicrous Liberal Democrat policies which Tories enjoyed rubbishing during the general election was their plan to send far fewer criminals to prison. But, alas, it seems that some bad ideas are infectious. Last week Ken Clarke, the new Justice Secretary, suggested that we can no longer afford to keep so many prisoners — so we should sentence fewer, and for shorter periods. Why, he asked, is the prison population twice what it was when he was at the Home Office in 1993? Isn’t it time to cut costs? As George Osborne prepares for his budget next week, he should be wary of this false economy. Locking people up offers a very good return on the taxpayer’s investment. It may well cost £29,600 to keep someone in prison for a year.

Friday

The Spectator

The week that was | 18 June 2010

From our UK edition

Here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the past week. Fraser Nelson ponders Osborne’s dilemma, and argues that Scotland deserves better from its MSPs. James Forsyth was impressed by David Cameron’s dignity when relating Lord Saville’s findings, and believes that the Bloody Sunday soldiers should never be brought to trial. Peter Hoskin considers Cameron’s European balancing act, and welcomes Osborne’s honesty. David Blackburn watches the Labour leadership contest waltz on to Newsnight, and concedes that the fiscal debate has re-opened. Rod Liddle makes the case for prosecutions against the Bloody Sunday soldiers. Alex Massie believes that Obama’s pragmatism is both a weakness and a strength.

Monday

The Spectator

CoffeeHousers’ Wall, 14 June – 20 June

From our UK edition

Welcome to the latest CoffeeHousers' Wall. For those who haven't come across the Wall before, it's a post we put up each Monday, on which - providing your writing isn't libellous, crammed with swearing, or offensive to common decency - you'll be able to say whatever you like in the comments section. There is no topic, so there's no need to stay 'on topic' - which means you'll be able to debate with each other more freely and extensively. There's also no constraint on the length of what you write - so, in effect, you can become Coffee House bloggers. Anything's fair game - from political stories in your local paper, to chat about the latest football results.

The Spectator

Just in case you missed them… | 14 June 2010

From our UK edition

…here are some of the posts made at Spectator.co.uk over the weekend Fraser Nelson concedes that Alistair Darling has a point. James Forsyth asks what is the point of Andy Burnham, and observes Simon Hughes weighing in to the tuition fees debate. David Blackburn believes there is one enormous caveat in Alistair Darling’s position, and thinks that Cameron was wise to avoid confronting Barack Obama. And Daniel Korski says that the evidence against Pakistan is mounting.

Saturday

The Spectator

Letters | 12 June 2010

From our UK edition

Christian values Sir: I have no inside track on the organisational perils of the Pope’s visit described by Damian Thompson (‘Spinning the Pope’, 5 June) though, as a career civil servant, I am more inclined to the cock-up than to the conspiracy theory of government and see no reason why Church affairs should be any different. The issue about whether the Pope should address himself while in Britain to global issues rather than to specifically Roman Catholic preoccupations is more germane. There are still millions of Catholic faithful in the UK. But there are even more millions of non-Catholics and non-Christians for whom the Pope’s relevance, other than as a VIP, is a case waiting to be made.