News digest 13 September 2010
It’s all up to Manchester as the 142nd TUC
Congress gets going with a call for a coalition against the cuts
agenda, yet more intimidation at BA, Britain’s biggest wind farm
prepares to open, while law firms may close, and there’s possibly
trouble for the tax chief too…
TUC Conference: Uniting to fight the
cuts – All the papers cover the opening of the TUC
conference in Manchester. The Times and Telegraph (p1) both lead with the
call for co-ordinated action quoting joint general secretary Derek
Simpson: “The stark reality is that when public sector
workers lose their jobs and services are cut, our children will
learn less, people’s health could suffer and our streets will
become more dangerous.”
TUC 2: Protecting public sector
workers - In a bumper Unite sponsored Morning Star (p1) the
splash is that 150,000 public sector jobs have already gone even
before the comprehensive spending review according to GMB research.
Unite fired off a letter on cuts in public services to the prime
minister’s office today (Unite
press release). The Express (p4) generally has the most
negative coverage, but the main thrust is seen in a joint Morning Star article
(p18) where Derek and Tony argue unions are looking to build a
coalition against the cuts, elsewhere Unison and PCS have signed a
deal to coordinate action, and Bob Crow is planning a walkout
(during bank governor Mervyn King’s address). Further coverage in
the Mirror (p4), Mail (p2), Indie (p1), Guardian (p1), FT (p3).
TUC 3: Labour leadership –
And the five contenders are off for the final hustings at the TUC
conference too. Diane Abbott and Andy Burnham set out their stall
in the Morning
Star (p32-33) while many papers report on the poll over the
weekend that sees Ed Miliband take the lead, the Sun (p2) bangs the ‘Red Ed’ drum
again as it seems to be backing the elder Miliband, and the battle
is getting fiercer with claims of ‘Geek versus Gump’ name calling
in his camp (Mirror p4,
Mail p18, Indie p5, Telegraph p4, Guardian p10, FT p2).
BA complaints – The Guardian (p7) has a piece on BA
asking call centre staff to collate complaints against cabin crew.
BA denies the move is part of a disciplinary crackdown, hmmm.
Gate Gourmet going halal? –
And the Mail (p9) reports
that BA’s caterer has dished up plans to make most of its meals
halal as it looks to expand in the Middle East and Asia.
Kraft plans for Cadbury – The
UK president of Kraft is interviewed in the Times (p41): “Our brands are
loved, but our company isn’t,” how true…
More food and drink – The
Telegraph (b8) interviews
the chief exec of Greggs Ken McMeikan while the FT (p20) has a feature on Punch Taverns,
while the Express (p27)
says coffee prices can be expected to rise as arabica bean prices
have jumped by 35 per cent.
Defence cuts challenge – back
in industry, the Telegraph (p14-15) has a feature
on the defence industry while the Sun’s front page splash is on army
plans to sack soldiers in the firing line.
BAE Systems – And the
continuing fallout over the possibility of cancelling the planned
aircraft carriers continues to get coverage, so far £1.25 billion
has been spent on the project (Mirror p4, Mail p20). At the same time BAE
announces that is planning to offload its US arm for $2 billion
(Express, p44, Mail p64, Times, p40, Guardian p25, Telegraph b1, FT p18).
Blowing a gale – And the
Guardian (p22) has some
good news as the world’s biggest offshore wind farm, near Thanet,
is due to open later this month, it has a 300 megawatt capacity and
comprises 100 turbines which can power 200,000 homes…
Tech takeovers – While the
FT (p19) has an analysis of the
UK’s technology sector saying there could be scope for mergers on
this side of the pond after the flurry of US activity.
Connaught
confusion – Exact details of latest weeks’ sale
have to be clarified says the FT
(p18), an announcement is expected some time this week.
Basel III agreement – And
banks will have to double their reserves in the next six years in
what could make it even harder for people and small businesses to
get loans (FT p1, Telegraph b1).
End Boeing vs. Airbus feud –
Says former trade secretary Mandelson (Times p40).
Fiat to split – Italian car
company to vote on whether to demerge its industrial business
(FT p22).
Microbus for sale –
In-vehicle technology company – which supplies cab drivers and
police vehicles - put up for sale by private equity owner (Indie p29).
Legal firms to struggle – The
Times (p37) reports
that law firms have not responded quickly enough to the recession
and many more may be forced to close.
Tax chief for the chop – The
Mail (p8) says the man
behind the tax fiasco may have to resign as chief secretary to the
treasury Danny Alexander refused to back David Hartnett.
Pope pontificates – And ahead
of the papal visit later this week the Mail (p8) says he is to warn of
the dangers of pursuing equality at the expense of religious
freedom, this on the day that the Mirror (p8) says the poorest are hit
13 times harder by the budget, the government has a duty to
consider equality in its actions, not much evidence of that so
far…
Edited by Mik
Sabiers
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