Category Archives: Economy

Another pioneer for the Tory workfare scheme

Posted on 28th January, 2012 by

There is a long article in today’s Guardian about the racism facing the Roma population in Hungary, which has faced acute discrimination since (at least) the end of Communism, particularly in the education system in which their children are often … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Europe, Racism |

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Minimum wage undermined by fake self-employment

Posted on 23rd January, 2012 by

Indigo Jo

Self-employed business opportunity? No thanks | John Harris | Comment is free | The Guardian This article exposes something I have had personal experience of in the past year, which is proper jobs (usually minimum wage jobs) being replaced by … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy |

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The problems with paring down the Royal Mail

Posted on 27th March, 2011 by

Indigo Jo

Earlier this week I heard on the news that the Royal Mail were closing down two of their big London sorting depots, namely Bow and Nine Elms. I’ve worked at Nine Elms and it was a pretty busy place back … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, London life, Road Life |

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Demo report

Posted on 27th March, 2011 by

Indigo Jo

So, I made it to the demonstration yesterday, as I had arranged to meet Riven Vincent who wanted someone to walk with her. I got there late because I was delayed leaving home and then missed the 9:55 train out … Continue reading →

Posted in Disability, Economy, Politics |

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Trafalgar into Tahrir?

Posted on 23rd March, 2011 by

Indigo Jo

Anti-cuts campaigners plan to turn Trafalgar Square into Tahrir Square | World news | guardian.co.uk I am planning to attend the march organised by the Trades Union Congress this coming Saturday (26th March), but I am very uneasy about the … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil liberties, Disability, Economy, Muslim world |

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“Big society” is just an empty slogan

Posted on 14th February, 2011 by

Indigo Jo

BBC News - Big Society is my mission, says David Cameron David Cameron gave a speech today in which he claimed that, while reducing the budget deficit was his duty, his so-called Big Society was his “passion” and that one … Continue reading →

Posted in Disability, Economy, New Malden, Tory stuff |

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On new unemployment laws and student protests

Posted on 11th November, 2010 by

Indigo Jo

I read today that the government are proposing new legislation that would bring in supposedly new restrictions on people who are on Jobseeker’s Allowance, in which people who refuse work or “community service” will lose their benefits for up to … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Education |

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Odone report on assisted suicide

Posted on 20th October, 2010 by

Indigo Jo

New Report: Assisted Suicide - how the chattering classes have got it wrong The Centre for Policy Studies (which is, as I understand it, a traditionally Tory-aligned think tank) has published a report by Cristina Odone putting the case against … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Health, M.E., Think tanks |

Tagged centre for policy studies, cristina odone, daniel james, hilary lister, lynn gilderdale, think tank |

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Borders turns off lifts for last week

Posted on 18th December, 2009 by

Indigo Jo

The bookshop chain Borders UK is set to close next Tuesday, with all 45 remaining Borders and Books Etc stores closing (a few, and most of Books Etc, already have), and the place looks eerily like Woolworths did this time … Continue reading →

Posted in Disability, Economy |

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My reward for being a good customer

Posted on 17th December, 2009 by

Indigo Jo

I’d forgotten that I’d been on Borders’ mailing list, which happened after I agreed to fill in some sort of survey after buying a book in the Kingston branch. I got various mailshots which gave me £5 off books costing … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy |

2 Comments

Romanians bilked by self-employment scam

Posted on 6th December, 2009 by

Indigo Jo

BBC News - Romanian workers reveal true cost of beauty This is a story about Romanian workers who were tricked into coming to the UK to sell cosmetics on a “commission-only”, “self-employed” basis. This involved selling the products in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Europe, Palestine |

6 Comments

Borders UK goes into administration

Posted on 26th November, 2009 by

Indigo Jo

BBC News - Borders bookshops in the UK go into administration Yet another big British retailer is on the verge of going bust. Borders was another victim, like Zavvi, of the Woolworth’s bankruptcy; they got their CDs and DVDs from … Continue reading →