from Telegraph 31 Mar 2009 (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/5072701/Jacqui-Smith-under-pressure-over-husbands-adult-film-expense-claims.html)
Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, faces serious questions over her political future following the humiliating admission that she claimed taxpayer-funded allowances for the cost of watching pornographic films at her family home.
In a significant blow to her authority as one of the Cabinet's most senior ministers, Miss Smith was forced to apologise for submitting a £10 bill for two adult movies enjoyed by her husband, Richard Timney, while she was away in London.
Mr Timney, who works as her Parliamentary assistant, also made a humiliating public apology for the "embarrassment" he had caused his wife and pledged to pay back the money, although he failed to say sorry directly to the taxpayer.
The episode has left Miss Smith fighting to salvage her credibility and her future political career, but it also threatened to further undermine Gordon Brown's Government which has been blighted by a series of expenses controversies in recent weeks.
In further examples, a backbench Labour MP was disclosed to have claimed £300,000 in Parliamentary expenses by registering a seaside caravan as his main home, while a Labour MP couple have built up a £250,000 nest egg courtesy of the taxpayer-funded second home allowance.
The wave of sleaze allegations provoked comparisons with the "back to basics" scandals which dogged the dying days of Sir John Major's administration.
A new opinion poll for The Daily Telegraph shows how the public's faith in MPs has been significantly eroded by the expenses scandals.
A significant majority of those questioned said that they were convinced that hundreds of MPs were abusing the system, that the system itself was too generous and should be scrapped or reduced and that they trusted MPs less as a result.
It is Miss Smith's position however, which is now under most scrutiny following the disclosure that her Commons expenses had been used to pay for the cost of watching adult films.
Miss Smith's marriage was also said by friends to be in jeopardy as a result of the row, such is her anger with her husband for having submitted the claim.
Her public humiliation comes at a time when she is already under investigation by the Parliamentary watchdog for claiming the share in the house she rents from her sister as her "main residence."
The arrangement allows her to put the cost of running the family home in her constituency of Redditch, Worcestershire, on the public purse, on top of her £141,866-a-year salary.
Ironically, the Home Secretary's unusual set-up is the reason that her husband's paying for two pornographic films came to public attention on Sunday. By registering the family house as her second home, she is able to claim back most household expenses on that address.
As her Parliamentary assistant, her husband regularly compiles the claims put in by Miss Smith under the Commons' Additional Costs Allowance (ACA). He was said to have "accidentally" submitted the television bill which included adult films along with a receipt for their internet connection.
According to the Sunday Express, which obtained a leaked copy of Miss Smith's ACA claims, the couple was also reimbursed for two other films and items totalling thousands of pounds including televisions, washing machines, a kitchen sink and even an 88p plug.
Under the rules, Miss Smith is required to confirm that all expenses refer to costs accrued in the course of her work as an MP. She apologised for the claims, and promised to repay the taxpayer.
Expressing his own regret about the embarrassment he had caused to his wife, Mr Timney appeared on the steps of the family home and said: "I am really sorry for any embarrassment I have caused Jacqui. I can fully understand why people might be angry and offended by this. "Quite obviously a claim should never have been made for these films, and as you know that money is being paid back."
The episode is particularly embarrassing for Miss Smith as last November, she publicly criticised men who pay for sexual entertainment as she announced plans for crackdown on lapdancing clubs by making it harder for them to obtain licences.
The films were viewed at 11.18pm on April 1 and 11.19pm on April 6, while Miss Smith was staying in London. On the evenings in question, Television X, one of nine adult channels available under the terms of their Virgin Media cable television contract, was screening features called "Raw Meat 3" and "By Special Request".
Miss Smith is said to be "furious" at her husband's behaviour, with friends suggesting that the couple's marriage may now be in trouble as a result.
They have two young sons and the relationship was already thought to be under strain due to the amount of time she spends in London while Mr Timney looks after the children in Redditch.
Gordon Brown is understood to have been surprised by the revelations but supportive, ordering Downing Street to throw protective shield around the minister. A No 10 spokesman said: ``She is doing a great job as Home Secretary and will not let this issue detract from her determination to ensure we protect the public and make our neighbourhoods safer.''
But the Home Secretary's authority appeared severely undermined, with fellow MPs openly questioning whether she would be able to remain in her job.
Angus Robertson, the Scottish National Party's leader at Westminster, said: "These are serious allegations and only add to the impression that Labour is becoming engulfed in expenses sleaze.
"The ongoing allegations of expenses irregularities left the Home Secretary's credibility in tatters and present real questions over her future as a senior minister.''
David Davis, the former shadow home secretary, added that Miss Smith's poor performance as Home Secretary had already raised doubts about her survival.
He said: "My first response was under what category would this expense claim be?
"I don't call for people to go unless I think there is absolutely a smoking gun but I just do think on this circumstance the sympathy for her will be even less than it otherwise would have been because she is not that good at her job."
Lembit Opik, the Liberal Democrat MP, said that Miss Smith had been left "compromised," adding: "This is immensely embarrassing for Jacqui on a personal and domestic level.
"I haven't got any particular issue about what they watch in their own time, I do have an issue about the fact that he has compromised her.''
Even if she survives the immediate furore, angry voters in Redditch, the most marginal seat in the Cabinet with a majority of less than 3,000, suggested that she would be unlikely to be returned at the next election.
The YouGov poll for the Daily Telegraph shows that the public is fast losing patience with MPs over the succession of expenses scandals.
Nearly half of those questioned said that they thought that the £24,000 second home allowance was "wrong in principle and should be scrapped altogether," with another 32 per cent backing a reduction in the maximum payment.
Asked to say how many of the UK's 646 MPs were guilty of "gross abuse" of the system, 55 per cent said more than 200, including 13 per cent who said that they doubted more than 600.
Even Miss Smith's Cabinet colleagues admitted that the latest revelations meant that reform was now unavoidable.
Sir Alistair Graham, the former Standards Commissioner, said the latest scandal revived memories of the last Conservative administration, adding: "It was so damaging and lead to the downfall of the John Major government."
YouGov questioned 2,104 adults on March 24 to 26.
Monday, 13 April 2009
Friday, 13 March 2009
UK's first government-backed national Open Source project launched
From SourceWire 12 March 2009 http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=46264
Schools Minister Jim Knight has officially launched the first nationwide Open Source project, the National Digital Resource Bank (NDRB). The new platform will benefit all UK schools that have invested in technologies for putting lessons, coursework and homework online but do not have the digital content to fill them.
The NDRB is based upon Agrega, a content repository technology funded by the Spanish government and released under the EUPL, the 'European Union Public Licence'.
From day one, £30m worth of Creative Commons licensed publicly-funded content will be available through the NDRB, which will grow rapidly as further content is contributed.
The announcement comes after increasing cross-party political support for the greater use of Open Source software and open standards in public sector IT procurement.
The nature of the NDRB project means that taxpayers money will be used in the most efficient way as, once created, content is shared across UK schools.
The NDRB is an example of best practice in inter-governmental collaboration and shows how the European public sector can benefit from the Open Source development and cost-sharing model.
The new platform will be managed by the North West Learning Grid and technical support will be provided by Sirius, the UK's only OGC and Becta accredited Open Source supplier.
Jim Knight, Schools Minister said: “A partnership with the Spanish Telecommunications and Information Society has been signed ... to develop a National Digital Resource Bank, to create, search for, and share digital content. The UK is renowned for excellence in ICT infrastructure, development of Digital Resources, and willingness to work with other countries and has combined these three elements in this landmark project.”
Gary Clawson, CEO at the North West Learning Grid said: “The National Digital Resource Bank is the missing link in UK Digital Resource Strategy. We have a great infrastructure, we have lots of media rich resources and we have implemented Learning Platforms in every schools. But despite this, schools have been unable to share resources with other schools because of different technical solutions implemented across different Local Authorities.”
Mark Taylor, CEO, Sirius Corporation said: “The National Digital Resource Bank is a visionary national project, and the first to rely entirely on Open Source, Open Standards and Open Content. It shows how these technologies can be used in the Public Sector to reduce the risks associated with national IT projects whilst massively reducing their costs.”
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
*About National Digital Resource Bank*
The National Digital Resource Bank (NDRB) is a bank of resources that are available, under a creative commons non-commercial share-alike license, that have been mapped and tagged and made suitable for use with learning platforms. The bank of resources is available free to any local authority wishing to become a member of the scheme and willing to contribute their own publicly funded resources. Resources range from, tutorials, activities and interactive games covering entire courses to individual photographs, audio clips and worksheets.
The cost of developing and maintaining NDRB is estimated to be less than £400,000 per annum which represents less than a quarter of a percent of current annual ICT investment in schools.
The technology behind the National Digital Resource Bank is 'Agrega', a multi-million Euro open source development funded by the Spanish government. The software is licensed under the General Public Licence version 2 (GPL2). For information about open source licences visit www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html
*About North West Learning Grid*
North West Learning Grid is a consortium of eighteen Local Authorities and more than 2,000 schools, working in partnership to improve the process and management of learning using the latest information and communication technologies. Central to its activities is the provision of e-learning content, much of which is free to access to all schools and their learners. As a National Education Network provider, North West Learning Grid also maintains broadband connectivity between its 18 member authorities and the National Backbone provided by JANET(UK). For more information visit www.nwlg.org or call Gary Clawson on +44 7799 374 075.
*About Sirius Corporation plc*
Sirius Corporation plc is a leading European IT services group specialising in enterprise-class Open Source infrastructure solutions including databases, email systems, file & print, directory services, and cross-platform authentication. The company is the only Becta-accredited provider of open source software and services to schools in the UK. For more information visit www.siriusit.co.uk or call Tom Callway on +44 870 608 0063.
This press release was distributed via SourceWire, a service from Daryl Willcox Publishing, on behalf of Sirius. For more information visit http://www.dwpub.com/pressreleasewires
Schools Minister Jim Knight has officially launched the first nationwide Open Source project, the National Digital Resource Bank (NDRB). The new platform will benefit all UK schools that have invested in technologies for putting lessons, coursework and homework online but do not have the digital content to fill them.
The NDRB is based upon Agrega, a content repository technology funded by the Spanish government and released under the EUPL, the 'European Union Public Licence'.
From day one, £30m worth of Creative Commons licensed publicly-funded content will be available through the NDRB, which will grow rapidly as further content is contributed.
The announcement comes after increasing cross-party political support for the greater use of Open Source software and open standards in public sector IT procurement.
The nature of the NDRB project means that taxpayers money will be used in the most efficient way as, once created, content is shared across UK schools.
The NDRB is an example of best practice in inter-governmental collaboration and shows how the European public sector can benefit from the Open Source development and cost-sharing model.
The new platform will be managed by the North West Learning Grid and technical support will be provided by Sirius, the UK's only OGC and Becta accredited Open Source supplier.
Jim Knight, Schools Minister said: “A partnership with the Spanish Telecommunications and Information Society has been signed ... to develop a National Digital Resource Bank, to create, search for, and share digital content. The UK is renowned for excellence in ICT infrastructure, development of Digital Resources, and willingness to work with other countries and has combined these three elements in this landmark project.”
Gary Clawson, CEO at the North West Learning Grid said: “The National Digital Resource Bank is the missing link in UK Digital Resource Strategy. We have a great infrastructure, we have lots of media rich resources and we have implemented Learning Platforms in every schools. But despite this, schools have been unable to share resources with other schools because of different technical solutions implemented across different Local Authorities.”
Mark Taylor, CEO, Sirius Corporation said: “The National Digital Resource Bank is a visionary national project, and the first to rely entirely on Open Source, Open Standards and Open Content. It shows how these technologies can be used in the Public Sector to reduce the risks associated with national IT projects whilst massively reducing their costs.”
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
*About National Digital Resource Bank*
The National Digital Resource Bank (NDRB) is a bank of resources that are available, under a creative commons non-commercial share-alike license, that have been mapped and tagged and made suitable for use with learning platforms. The bank of resources is available free to any local authority wishing to become a member of the scheme and willing to contribute their own publicly funded resources. Resources range from, tutorials, activities and interactive games covering entire courses to individual photographs, audio clips and worksheets.
The cost of developing and maintaining NDRB is estimated to be less than £400,000 per annum which represents less than a quarter of a percent of current annual ICT investment in schools.
The technology behind the National Digital Resource Bank is 'Agrega', a multi-million Euro open source development funded by the Spanish government. The software is licensed under the General Public Licence version 2 (GPL2). For information about open source licences visit www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html
*About North West Learning Grid*
North West Learning Grid is a consortium of eighteen Local Authorities and more than 2,000 schools, working in partnership to improve the process and management of learning using the latest information and communication technologies. Central to its activities is the provision of e-learning content, much of which is free to access to all schools and their learners. As a National Education Network provider, North West Learning Grid also maintains broadband connectivity between its 18 member authorities and the National Backbone provided by JANET(UK). For more information visit www.nwlg.org or call Gary Clawson on +44 7799 374 075.
*About Sirius Corporation plc*
Sirius Corporation plc is a leading European IT services group specialising in enterprise-class Open Source infrastructure solutions including databases, email systems, file & print, directory services, and cross-platform authentication. The company is the only Becta-accredited provider of open source software and services to schools in the UK. For more information visit www.siriusit.co.uk or call Tom Callway on +44 870 608 0063.
This press release was distributed via SourceWire, a service from Daryl Willcox Publishing, on behalf of Sirius. For more information visit http://www.dwpub.com/pressreleasewires
UK government backs open source
From BBC 25 Feb 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7910110.stm
The UK government has said it will accelerate the use of open source software in public services.
Tom Watson MP, minister for digital engagement, said open source software would be on a level playing field with proprietary software such as Windows.
Open source software will be adopted "when it delivers best value for money", the government said.
It added that public services should where possible avoid being "locked into proprietary software".
Licences for the use of open source software are generally free of charge and embrace open standards, and the code that powers the programs can be modified without fear of trampling on intellectual property or copyright.
According to some in the open source industry, the shift from proprietary standards could save the government £600m a year.
Simon Phipps, chief open source officer for Sun Microsystems, said the UK government's stance was part of a "global wave" of take up for open source in governments.
"We waste a fortune on proprietary computer software because of paying for licences and promises up front and not demanding value," he said.
Mr Phipps said schools, government departments and public services would have a "crucial freedom" because of the choice of whether to pay for support and training when using open source software.
The government's action plan could see a wave of open source software being deployed in areas such as office applications (word processing and spreadsheets), document management and database infrastructure, the backbone of many large-scale IT systems.
'More teeth'
Steve Shine, European vice president of Ingres, an open source support vendor, said the government's action plan had "more teeth" than policies being adopted in other countries because the plan was tied into policies regarding how IT managers procure new software.
He said the move had partly been driven by a series of high-profile IT failures in recent years that had relied on proprietary software.
He said: "Open source can help avoid many of the hidden costs of proprietary software such as making organisations re-pay for licences if they want to shift use of a particular piece of software from one place to another.
"This is irrelevant in the open source world."
Announcing an open source and open standards action plan, the government said it would:
ensure that the government adopts open standards and uses these to communicate with the citizens and businesses that have adopted open source solutions
ensure that open source solutions are considered properly and, where they deliver best value for money are selected for government business solutions
strengthen the skills, experience and capabilities within government and in its suppliers to use open source to greatest advantage
embed an open source culture of sharing, re-use and collaborative development across government and its suppliers
ensure that systems integrators and proprietary software suppliers demonstrate the same flexibility and ability to re-use their solutions and products as is inherent in open source.
Government departments will be required to adopt open source software when "there is no significant overall cost difference between open and non-open source products" because of its "inherent flexibility".
Expected backlash
Mr Phipps and Mr Shine said they expected a backlash from proprietary software firms.
"I am absolutely certain there have been communications extremely high-up in proprietary vendors with management high up in government," said Mr Shine.
Mr Phipps added: "Measured over the short term traditional vendors will cut prices back, end load contacts and do everything to appear cheaper.
"But the real value with open source comes from giving users a new flexibility."
He said the widespread adoption of open source software in public services could also have a knock on effect to the ordinary consumer.
"It's already happening to significant extent in the UK. Lots of homes are using Firefox and OpenOffice.org.
"It is becoming acceptable and expected."
The UK government has said it will accelerate the use of open source software in public services.
Tom Watson MP, minister for digital engagement, said open source software would be on a level playing field with proprietary software such as Windows.
Open source software will be adopted "when it delivers best value for money", the government said.
It added that public services should where possible avoid being "locked into proprietary software".
Licences for the use of open source software are generally free of charge and embrace open standards, and the code that powers the programs can be modified without fear of trampling on intellectual property or copyright.
According to some in the open source industry, the shift from proprietary standards could save the government £600m a year.
Simon Phipps, chief open source officer for Sun Microsystems, said the UK government's stance was part of a "global wave" of take up for open source in governments.
"We waste a fortune on proprietary computer software because of paying for licences and promises up front and not demanding value," he said.
Mr Phipps said schools, government departments and public services would have a "crucial freedom" because of the choice of whether to pay for support and training when using open source software.
The government's action plan could see a wave of open source software being deployed in areas such as office applications (word processing and spreadsheets), document management and database infrastructure, the backbone of many large-scale IT systems.
'More teeth'
Steve Shine, European vice president of Ingres, an open source support vendor, said the government's action plan had "more teeth" than policies being adopted in other countries because the plan was tied into policies regarding how IT managers procure new software.
He said the move had partly been driven by a series of high-profile IT failures in recent years that had relied on proprietary software.
He said: "Open source can help avoid many of the hidden costs of proprietary software such as making organisations re-pay for licences if they want to shift use of a particular piece of software from one place to another.
"This is irrelevant in the open source world."
Announcing an open source and open standards action plan, the government said it would:
ensure that the government adopts open standards and uses these to communicate with the citizens and businesses that have adopted open source solutions
ensure that open source solutions are considered properly and, where they deliver best value for money are selected for government business solutions
strengthen the skills, experience and capabilities within government and in its suppliers to use open source to greatest advantage
embed an open source culture of sharing, re-use and collaborative development across government and its suppliers
ensure that systems integrators and proprietary software suppliers demonstrate the same flexibility and ability to re-use their solutions and products as is inherent in open source.
Government departments will be required to adopt open source software when "there is no significant overall cost difference between open and non-open source products" because of its "inherent flexibility".
Expected backlash
Mr Phipps and Mr Shine said they expected a backlash from proprietary software firms.
"I am absolutely certain there have been communications extremely high-up in proprietary vendors with management high up in government," said Mr Shine.
Mr Phipps added: "Measured over the short term traditional vendors will cut prices back, end load contacts and do everything to appear cheaper.
"But the real value with open source comes from giving users a new flexibility."
He said the widespread adoption of open source software in public services could also have a knock on effect to the ordinary consumer.
"It's already happening to significant extent in the UK. Lots of homes are using Firefox and OpenOffice.org.
"It is becoming acceptable and expected."
Monday, 25 August 2008
Home Office has lost 43 laptops and 94 mobiles in three years
(By Christopher Hope, Home Affairs Editor Last Updated: 11:39PM BST 24 Aug 2008
From Telegraph.co.uk)
The news comes days after the department lost a memory stick containing the details of all 84,000 prisoners in England and Wales.
It has emerged that officials lost more than 300,000 people's details a month in the year to April.
That came on top of the loss of two CDs containing the entire child benefit database – containing the details of 25 million families – last November. The discs have still not been found.
Home Office data released in response to a question by the Tory peer Lord Hanningfield show that 43 laptops and 94 mobile phones have been lost or stolen at the department over the past three years – 15 laptops and 47 mobiles in 2007; 14 laptops and 10 mobiles in 2006; and 14 laptops and 37 mobiles in 2005.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Defence said that almost 600 laptop computers had been stolen in the past decade.
That admission came after Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, had to make a statement to the Commons about the theft of a laptop containing the personal details of 600,000 people from a car in Birmingham.
A Home Office spokesman refused to say what was on the 43 laptops, but added: "We do not believe that any of the lost laptops contained sensitive or classified information."
Lord Hanningfield, the leader of Essex council, demanded an inquiry into what he described as a worrying data lapse. "This is another example of this Government's woeful failure when it comes to data security," he said.
"Given the sensitivity of the Home Office's work, including its lead role in the fight against terrorism, this is all the more worrying.
"This is, of course, also the government department with responsibility for ID cards. There now needs to be an urgent review of what data was lost on these laptops, its sensitivity and possible impact on any work, as well as a wider review of the Home Office's security policy."
Dominic Grieve, the shadow home secretary, added: "If the Home Office cannot safeguard such basic equipment, how can they be trusted to deliver ID cards containing the personal data of millions?"
The Home Office said in a statement yesterday: "The Home Office is determined to learn from earlier security breaches in government and is committed to ensuring that our systems and processes to protect personal data are as good as they can be."
Since the loss of details for 25 million child benefit claimants in November, Whitehall departments have begun including information on personal data losses in their annual financial statements.
Among the losses that emerged earlier this week were the National Insurance numbers of 17,000 people and the theft of a laptop containing encrypted details of 17,000 Sats exam markers.
It was also disclosed that the Foreign Office lost information affecting about 190 people, and that there were six occasions when the Department for Transport misplaced personal data, including the records of three million driving test candidates.
From Telegraph.co.uk)
The news comes days after the department lost a memory stick containing the details of all 84,000 prisoners in England and Wales.
It has emerged that officials lost more than 300,000 people's details a month in the year to April.
That came on top of the loss of two CDs containing the entire child benefit database – containing the details of 25 million families – last November. The discs have still not been found.
Home Office data released in response to a question by the Tory peer Lord Hanningfield show that 43 laptops and 94 mobile phones have been lost or stolen at the department over the past three years – 15 laptops and 47 mobiles in 2007; 14 laptops and 10 mobiles in 2006; and 14 laptops and 37 mobiles in 2005.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Defence said that almost 600 laptop computers had been stolen in the past decade.
That admission came after Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, had to make a statement to the Commons about the theft of a laptop containing the personal details of 600,000 people from a car in Birmingham.
A Home Office spokesman refused to say what was on the 43 laptops, but added: "We do not believe that any of the lost laptops contained sensitive or classified information."
Lord Hanningfield, the leader of Essex council, demanded an inquiry into what he described as a worrying data lapse. "This is another example of this Government's woeful failure when it comes to data security," he said.
"Given the sensitivity of the Home Office's work, including its lead role in the fight against terrorism, this is all the more worrying.
"This is, of course, also the government department with responsibility for ID cards. There now needs to be an urgent review of what data was lost on these laptops, its sensitivity and possible impact on any work, as well as a wider review of the Home Office's security policy."
Dominic Grieve, the shadow home secretary, added: "If the Home Office cannot safeguard such basic equipment, how can they be trusted to deliver ID cards containing the personal data of millions?"
The Home Office said in a statement yesterday: "The Home Office is determined to learn from earlier security breaches in government and is committed to ensuring that our systems and processes to protect personal data are as good as they can be."
Since the loss of details for 25 million child benefit claimants in November, Whitehall departments have begun including information on personal data losses in their annual financial statements.
Among the losses that emerged earlier this week were the National Insurance numbers of 17,000 people and the theft of a laptop containing encrypted details of 17,000 Sats exam markers.
It was also disclosed that the Foreign Office lost information affecting about 190 people, and that there were six occasions when the Department for Transport misplaced personal data, including the records of three million driving test candidates.
Sunday, 24 August 2008
Build up to London 2012 olympics starts now, says Lord Moynihan
(By Tom Knight Last Updated: 8:57PM BST 24 Aug 2008 Telegraph.co.uk)
Team GB'S preparations for London 2012 will start immediately, according to Lord Moynihan, the chairman of the British Olympic Association.
Basking in the glory of Britain's finest performance at the Olympics since the much-smaller Games were staged in London in 1908, Moynihan said: "Not a day can be lost because the work starts tomorrow."
There will be time for reflection and even an open-topped bus parade through London to celebrate Britain's fourth-place finish in Beijing, but Moynihan stressed the need to build on the success that was achieved ahead of schedule.
He added: "Sport has become the unending, unremitting search for perfection and never before have I seen so many silver medallists gutted at not winning gold.
"The funding system in Britain was due to deliver results in 2012. It was not expected in 2008. There will be additional pressure to succeed in London.
"There are nine million tickets to sell for the London Games and the British public will need to see early medals."
The BOA are fast becoming role models for national Olympic associations around the world. Their attention to detail has been one of the secrets of their success in Sydney, Athens and Beijing.
That organised approach will continue and, like UK Sport, the BOA will conduct a review into every sport's performance at these Games to improve for 2012.
Among the changes being considered is the introduction of bonus payments for medallists, similar to those paid in Australia and the United States.
Moynihan confirmed that bonuses were being considered for athletes and coaches but that they remain "a work in progress".
He urged the Government to underwrite funding for Olympic sport for the next four years and called on sports to seek out and recruit the best coaches to enhance Britain's medal prospects.
Team GB'S preparations for London 2012 will start immediately, according to Lord Moynihan, the chairman of the British Olympic Association.
Basking in the glory of Britain's finest performance at the Olympics since the much-smaller Games were staged in London in 1908, Moynihan said: "Not a day can be lost because the work starts tomorrow."
There will be time for reflection and even an open-topped bus parade through London to celebrate Britain's fourth-place finish in Beijing, but Moynihan stressed the need to build on the success that was achieved ahead of schedule.
He added: "Sport has become the unending, unremitting search for perfection and never before have I seen so many silver medallists gutted at not winning gold.
"The funding system in Britain was due to deliver results in 2012. It was not expected in 2008. There will be additional pressure to succeed in London.
"There are nine million tickets to sell for the London Games and the British public will need to see early medals."
The BOA are fast becoming role models for national Olympic associations around the world. Their attention to detail has been one of the secrets of their success in Sydney, Athens and Beijing.
That organised approach will continue and, like UK Sport, the BOA will conduct a review into every sport's performance at these Games to improve for 2012.
Among the changes being considered is the introduction of bonus payments for medallists, similar to those paid in Australia and the United States.
Moynihan confirmed that bonuses were being considered for athletes and coaches but that they remain "a work in progress".
He urged the Government to underwrite funding for Olympic sport for the next four years and called on sports to seek out and recruit the best coaches to enhance Britain's medal prospects.
Friday, 15 August 2008
Penguin on parade: The day they knighted a very special bird
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 8:52 PM on 15th August 2008
The world’s most decorated penguin p-p-p-picked up its greatest honour to date today - a Knighthood from King Harald of Norway.
In a ceremony at Edinburgh Zoo, involving 130 Norwegian Royal Guardsmen, the bird was entitled Sir Nils Olav.
It was quite a step up for Nils Olav – even though he is already a colonel.
Olav, a king penguin, is the third generation of his kind to enjoy a unique relationship with the Guards, who adopted his predecessor in 1962.
The bird waddled out to the cheers of hundreds of visitors and dignitaries to receive the accolade.
He ‘accepted’ the Knighthood from retired Major Nils Egelien, Vice President of the Norwegian Royal Guard Association.
The majestic bird inspected the line of soldiers before the medal was attached to his wing.
Major General Euan Loudon, chief executive and producer of the Edinburgh Tattoo, performed the Knighthood ceremony upon Nils Olav by waving a sword over the bird’s shoulders in the appropriate manner.
The officer said: ‘I am honoured to have been asked by the Norwegian Guard to perform the promotion ceremony for Nils.’
A musical fanfare from HM King’s Guards Trumpet Corps and a special Royal message from King Harald V were read out to the crowd.
The promotion of the honorary member of The Royal Norwegian Guard was shrouded in secrecy, known only to Norway’s monarch and his closest advisers.
Darren McGarry, Animal Collection Manager at Edinburgh Zoo, said: ‘Nils always recognises the Norwegian Guardsmen when they come.
‘We're excited about his new promotion.’
The King’s Guard, who take part annually in the Edinburgh Tattoo, always make the pilgrimage to the zoo to visit their most unusual comrade.
Last year, they unveiled a 4ft bronze statue in his honour.
The Scandinavians’ association with the zoo’s famous penguins dates back to when Major Egelien was a young lieutenant.
On a return visit, the officer persuaded his regiment to sponsor a king penguin, which they adopted as their mascot.
The penguin’s name combines his Christian name with that of the then king, Olav.
On subsequent visits to the capital, the Norwegians have promoted Nils Olav no fewer than six times.
He has risen from a lowly Lance Corporal in 1962, to Honorary Colonel-in-Chief in 2005.
When the original Nils died in 1993, he was replaced by a new king penguin who was immediately promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major.
In her welcoming address, Lieutenant Colonel Ingrid Margrethe Gjerde joked of the similarities between penguin Nils Olav and the Guardsmen assembled before him for inspection.
She said: ‘The ties between Scotland and Norway are strong, particularly since the time of the Second World War.’
David Windmill, chief executive of the Royal Society of Scotland, the charity that owns Edinburgh Zoo, said: ‘We have a long-standing history with the Norwegian King’s Guard and it is something we are extremely proud of.
‘Edinburgh Zoo is famous for its king penguins and Nils Olav is definitely the most famous of them all.’
Norwegian King’s Guardsman, Captain Rune Wiik added: ‘We are extremely proud of Nils Olav and pleased that an enduring part of the Royal Guard is resident in Scotland helping to further strengthen ties between our two countries.
‘I understand he continues to carry out his duties as Honorary Colonel in Chief in an exemplary fashion and this latest award is clearly very much deserved.’
Last updated at 8:52 PM on 15th August 2008
The world’s most decorated penguin p-p-p-picked up its greatest honour to date today - a Knighthood from King Harald of Norway.
In a ceremony at Edinburgh Zoo, involving 130 Norwegian Royal Guardsmen, the bird was entitled Sir Nils Olav.
It was quite a step up for Nils Olav – even though he is already a colonel.
Olav, a king penguin, is the third generation of his kind to enjoy a unique relationship with the Guards, who adopted his predecessor in 1962.
The bird waddled out to the cheers of hundreds of visitors and dignitaries to receive the accolade.
He ‘accepted’ the Knighthood from retired Major Nils Egelien, Vice President of the Norwegian Royal Guard Association.
The majestic bird inspected the line of soldiers before the medal was attached to his wing.
Major General Euan Loudon, chief executive and producer of the Edinburgh Tattoo, performed the Knighthood ceremony upon Nils Olav by waving a sword over the bird’s shoulders in the appropriate manner.
The officer said: ‘I am honoured to have been asked by the Norwegian Guard to perform the promotion ceremony for Nils.’
A musical fanfare from HM King’s Guards Trumpet Corps and a special Royal message from King Harald V were read out to the crowd.
The promotion of the honorary member of The Royal Norwegian Guard was shrouded in secrecy, known only to Norway’s monarch and his closest advisers.
Darren McGarry, Animal Collection Manager at Edinburgh Zoo, said: ‘Nils always recognises the Norwegian Guardsmen when they come.
‘We're excited about his new promotion.’
The King’s Guard, who take part annually in the Edinburgh Tattoo, always make the pilgrimage to the zoo to visit their most unusual comrade.
Last year, they unveiled a 4ft bronze statue in his honour.
The Scandinavians’ association with the zoo’s famous penguins dates back to when Major Egelien was a young lieutenant.
On a return visit, the officer persuaded his regiment to sponsor a king penguin, which they adopted as their mascot.
The penguin’s name combines his Christian name with that of the then king, Olav.
On subsequent visits to the capital, the Norwegians have promoted Nils Olav no fewer than six times.
He has risen from a lowly Lance Corporal in 1962, to Honorary Colonel-in-Chief in 2005.
When the original Nils died in 1993, he was replaced by a new king penguin who was immediately promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major.
In her welcoming address, Lieutenant Colonel Ingrid Margrethe Gjerde joked of the similarities between penguin Nils Olav and the Guardsmen assembled before him for inspection.
She said: ‘The ties between Scotland and Norway are strong, particularly since the time of the Second World War.’
David Windmill, chief executive of the Royal Society of Scotland, the charity that owns Edinburgh Zoo, said: ‘We have a long-standing history with the Norwegian King’s Guard and it is something we are extremely proud of.
‘Edinburgh Zoo is famous for its king penguins and Nils Olav is definitely the most famous of them all.’
Norwegian King’s Guardsman, Captain Rune Wiik added: ‘We are extremely proud of Nils Olav and pleased that an enduring part of the Royal Guard is resident in Scotland helping to further strengthen ties between our two countries.
‘I understand he continues to carry out his duties as Honorary Colonel in Chief in an exemplary fashion and this latest award is clearly very much deserved.’
Thursday, 14 August 2008
Bank leaves door open for rate cut
Thu Aug 14, 2008 6:40am BST
By Sumeet Desai and Christina Fincher
LONDON (Reuters) - The Bank of England raised hopes of an interest rate cut before year-end on Wednesday as it forecast the current record-breaking spike in inflation would reverse sharply as the economy grinds to a halt.
The market reaction was swift. Interest rate futures jumped more than 20 ticks and the pound fell to near two-year lows against the dollar as investors priced in an 80 percent chance of a rate cut by December and further easing after that.
The central bank's new quarterly forecasts showed inflation -- already running at more than double the 2 percent target and the highest since the series began in 1997 -- would leap to around 5 percent this year.
But thereafter, it would fall dramatically as the effect of rising food and fuel prices wane and economic growth dried up.
"It may still -- just -- be summer, but there is a feeling of chill in the economic air," Governor Mervyn King said at a news conference after publication of the Inflation Report.
"The next year will be a difficult one, with inflation high and output broadly flat. But with monetary policy focused on its task of bringing inflation back to the target we will come through that adjustment."
Fears have been growing that Britain is on the brink of its first recession -- two successive quarters of contraction -- since the early 1990s as house prices slump and consumers spend less because rising bills have made it harder to make ends meet.
Figures out on Wednesday showed the number of people on jobless benefit rose by 20,100 in July, the biggest jump since 1992, and wages rose by the weakest rate in five years in June.
"Real wage growth is heavily negative, which coupled with the rise in unemployment will continue to constrain purchasing power," said James Knightley, an economist at ING. "This is very worrying for consumer spending and will help to increase the probability of a technical UK recession even further."
PAIN AHEAD
Under fire for its handling of the economy and desperately in need of growth-boosting rate cuts from the staunchly independent central bank, the government said it would stand by any action the Bank thought necessary.
"The government ... will continue to support the Bank's decisions to ensure inflation comes back to target," finance minister Alistair Darling said.
King said the road ahead would be "painful" but interest rate markets took heart from the Bank expecting inflation to undershoot the target in two years -- the usual horizon it takes for monetary policy changes to affect the economy.
A Reuters poll showed expectations among City economists for lower interest rates by the end of the year were also on the rise. For story on that poll, please click on ID:nLAE000178.
Before the Bank's report, most analysts thought the central bank would hold off from cutting rates because inflation was so high. One member of the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee, Tim Besley, even wanted to raise interest rates last month.
Minutes of last week's meeting when interest rates were held at 5 percent for the fourth month running will not be available for another week but analysts will be focused on whether anyone will have joined MPC member David Blanchflower's call for a cut.
"We had expected the first rate cut to come in Q1 and the risk was a pre-Christmas cut. We now think the risk scenario is the base case and the first cut comes in November," said Alan Clarke, economist at BNP Paribas.
Some economists, however, said it would be difficult for the Bank to cut rates when inflation was so high.
"We expect easing will be mostly backloaded, probably from Q2 2009 onwards given the inflation profile, rather than imminent," said Michael Saunders, economist at Citigroup.
"Of course, delayed easing adds to downside risks to growth, but that may well be necessary to re-anchor inflation expectations and return inflation to target."
By Sumeet Desai and Christina Fincher
LONDON (Reuters) - The Bank of England raised hopes of an interest rate cut before year-end on Wednesday as it forecast the current record-breaking spike in inflation would reverse sharply as the economy grinds to a halt.
The market reaction was swift. Interest rate futures jumped more than 20 ticks and the pound fell to near two-year lows against the dollar as investors priced in an 80 percent chance of a rate cut by December and further easing after that.
The central bank's new quarterly forecasts showed inflation -- already running at more than double the 2 percent target and the highest since the series began in 1997 -- would leap to around 5 percent this year.
But thereafter, it would fall dramatically as the effect of rising food and fuel prices wane and economic growth dried up.
"It may still -- just -- be summer, but there is a feeling of chill in the economic air," Governor Mervyn King said at a news conference after publication of the Inflation Report.
"The next year will be a difficult one, with inflation high and output broadly flat. But with monetary policy focused on its task of bringing inflation back to the target we will come through that adjustment."
Fears have been growing that Britain is on the brink of its first recession -- two successive quarters of contraction -- since the early 1990s as house prices slump and consumers spend less because rising bills have made it harder to make ends meet.
Figures out on Wednesday showed the number of people on jobless benefit rose by 20,100 in July, the biggest jump since 1992, and wages rose by the weakest rate in five years in June.
"Real wage growth is heavily negative, which coupled with the rise in unemployment will continue to constrain purchasing power," said James Knightley, an economist at ING. "This is very worrying for consumer spending and will help to increase the probability of a technical UK recession even further."
PAIN AHEAD
Under fire for its handling of the economy and desperately in need of growth-boosting rate cuts from the staunchly independent central bank, the government said it would stand by any action the Bank thought necessary.
"The government ... will continue to support the Bank's decisions to ensure inflation comes back to target," finance minister Alistair Darling said.
King said the road ahead would be "painful" but interest rate markets took heart from the Bank expecting inflation to undershoot the target in two years -- the usual horizon it takes for monetary policy changes to affect the economy.
A Reuters poll showed expectations among City economists for lower interest rates by the end of the year were also on the rise. For story on that poll, please click on ID:nLAE000178.
Before the Bank's report, most analysts thought the central bank would hold off from cutting rates because inflation was so high. One member of the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee, Tim Besley, even wanted to raise interest rates last month.
Minutes of last week's meeting when interest rates were held at 5 percent for the fourth month running will not be available for another week but analysts will be focused on whether anyone will have joined MPC member David Blanchflower's call for a cut.
"We had expected the first rate cut to come in Q1 and the risk was a pre-Christmas cut. We now think the risk scenario is the base case and the first cut comes in November," said Alan Clarke, economist at BNP Paribas.
Some economists, however, said it would be difficult for the Bank to cut rates when inflation was so high.
"We expect easing will be mostly backloaded, probably from Q2 2009 onwards given the inflation profile, rather than imminent," said Michael Saunders, economist at Citigroup.
"Of course, delayed easing adds to downside risks to growth, but that may well be necessary to re-anchor inflation expectations and return inflation to target."
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