It was reported yesterday that two CDs containing details of 25 million child benefit records have been lost in transit. These records had personal bank details, addresses, dates of birth and even ages of people in the family.
Today, during PMQs, Gordon Brown apologised for the "inconvenience and worries" that the mistake caused, and that he "profoundly regrets" what has happened.
As for where to place the blame, here are my suggestions. Firstly, the civil servant who mailed off the discs without recording the delivery. And what about TNT, the delivery company entrusted with the safe transit of the items?
It's been quite a bad week for the Treasury; first the Northern Rock situation, and then this crisis. But is you are worried about the data disaster, the HMRC will be sending letters to people concerned telling them what to do.
I just hope that they don't get lost in the post!
Wednesday 21 November 2007
Tuesday 13 November 2007
Healthy living by taxation...
Source: BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7091047.stm
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics today proposed raising alcohol prices, resticting pub opening times and clear warning labels on junk food. In the report, they are also proposing to stop people smoking in their own homes.
However, the Nuffield Council says that they are 'not proposing a nanny state'. In my opinion, healthy choices should be made by the individual person.
Now, I enjoy an occasional drink, so why should I pay more on my pint, just because everyone else can't control their own choices?
Now there is one thing in this report that I do agree with, and that is the clear labelling on junk food - which has started to happen with the 'What's Inside Guide', and the traffic-light system on labels, telling you how much of your GDA each serving has.
As for no smoking in your own home, I find this absoultely ridiculous. I am a smoker myself, and smoking has already been banned in public places, and a home-smoking ban would simply not be enforced (unless spot checks were carried out door-to-door, and I don't see that happening) and be easily flouted.
If people are forced to be healthy by taxation, they will easily pay the tax, and just complain about what is happening - just like what happened when the smoking ban was put in place.
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics today proposed raising alcohol prices, resticting pub opening times and clear warning labels on junk food. In the report, they are also proposing to stop people smoking in their own homes.
However, the Nuffield Council says that they are 'not proposing a nanny state'. In my opinion, healthy choices should be made by the individual person.
Now, I enjoy an occasional drink, so why should I pay more on my pint, just because everyone else can't control their own choices?
Now there is one thing in this report that I do agree with, and that is the clear labelling on junk food - which has started to happen with the 'What's Inside Guide', and the traffic-light system on labels, telling you how much of your GDA each serving has.
As for no smoking in your own home, I find this absoultely ridiculous. I am a smoker myself, and smoking has already been banned in public places, and a home-smoking ban would simply not be enforced (unless spot checks were carried out door-to-door, and I don't see that happening) and be easily flouted.
If people are forced to be healthy by taxation, they will easily pay the tax, and just complain about what is happening - just like what happened when the smoking ban was put in place.
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I have a keen interest in current affairs, and I aim to give my own views on the latest news stories from mainly the UK, and across the world. I just want to make it clear that I am not a journalist, or linked to a professional broadcaster, magazine or newspaper.
Therefore, I aim to make this blog 100% editorially independent, and completely honest. I don't aim to cause controversy in my posts, but if you don't agree with what I say, I wholeheartedly welcome your angle in your comments (but if you spam, you will be deleted).
I have a keen interest in current affairs, and I aim to give my own views on the latest news stories from mainly the UK, and across the world. I just want to make it clear that I am not a journalist, or linked to a professional broadcaster, magazine or newspaper.
Therefore, I aim to make this blog 100% editorially independent, and completely honest. I don't aim to cause controversy in my posts, but if you don't agree with what I say, I wholeheartedly welcome your angle in your comments (but if you spam, you will be deleted).
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