Counter-Terrorism Bill: 42 days and secret inquests

Well, Gordon Brown is hellbent on sticking to 42 days and with the ever more likelihood that he will lose. Though I doubt any of his circle of advisers and allies will be saying, “Gordon, you’re fired”. The Counter-Terrorism Bill is due to be voted on next week.

The spotlight is on the 42 days and rightly so as it is a fundamental attack on civil liberties. But lets not forget the proposals about secret inquests, that too is an attack on independence, public scrutiny, accountability and further erosion of civil liberties.

NB: Jacqui Smith thinks she can win over the “rebels”…. Whether she can or not will be seen next week when the Bill is voted on.

Welfare to Work Convention 2008

I received a glossy leaflet today advertising the Welfare to Work Convention 2008 – 25/26 June @ the International Convention Centre, Birmingham.

The reason I mention it is that this jamboree has been organised by Inclusion, supported by the likes of the DWP and Job Centre Plus and sponsored by Serco (the private company that runs Yarl’s Wood Immigration Remand Centre).

The key themes of the convention are: Integrating skills, Delivering reform, Closing gaps: empowering local areas and Child poverty. Unfortunately, I don’t know what the workshops are (or the trendy name of “break out sessions”).

But the most interesting aspect of this two-day extravaganza is that James Purnell, Chris Grayling (Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions) and David Freud are the keynote speakers.

And especially interesting is what Purnell will say about the impending Welfare Reform Green Paper (oh yes, another Bill on welfare reform), other than the usual soundbites about “welfare dependency”, “rights and responsibilities” and “value for money for the taxpayer”..

 But the biggest con of all is the price. The leaflet encourages people involved in “employment and skills” and that includes advice workers. I wonder how many advice workers working in a law centre and welfare rights organisation can afford £450 (2 days) and reduced fees at £350….? And lets not forget the accommodation as well plus a slap up meal with a disco.

Lets face it, this event shrieks corporate management and geared towards the private sector. The shape of things to come (well, already taking over…).