Frank Chalk Once again Ofsted plumbs new depths of lunacy, announcing today that the word ‘satisfactory‘ will no longer be allowed as a grade. It’s always worrying when organisations ban words- I can still remember the Professional Association of Teachers debating whether to forbid use of the word ‘failure’ and replace it with ‘deferred success’.  [ Read More ]

Frank Chalk The Government recently announced a £1 billion package to help reduce unemployment in the 16-24 age range, which is generally seen as a consequence of the recession. Whilst the economy was growing strongly between 2001 and 2007, what do you think happened to the unemployment figure for this age group?It rose by 200  [ Read More ]

John Tyler The politicians will probably say no to the right to buy for the people in Wales. Across the boundary that was Offa’s Dyke David Cameron and Nick Clegg have revealed details on Monday of their vision to democratise housing further, Margaret Thatchers flagship programme of council house sales is to be upgraded to  [ Read More ]

John Redwood The John Humphrys BBC welfare documentary last Thursday night was well made. It reminded us how Beveridge wished to slay the five dragons that included the dragon of Idleness. It told us that the public overwhelmingly wants a safety net so no-one need be homeless or short of food. Voters do not want  [ Read More ]

Douglas Carswell According to the minister, Grant Shapps, house prices are at a record high, having trebled in the space of fourteen years. Indeed, prices are now so high, the government is having to use public money to ensure that there is enough “affordable housing”. But is it really the case that the cost of  [ Read More ]

Tim Worstall The number of degree students ending up in low to lower-skilled jobs has grown from 9pc to 17pc over the past 18 years, a fresh analysis by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed. The increase is largely due to the number of people with a degree rising at a faster rate  [ Read More ]

Frank Chalk Some friends of mine whose child starts school this September, recalled the moment they decided to opt out of state education. They have instead chosen to spend a large amount of money that they can’t really afford and will involve them making some real sacrifices. They were being given a tour round a  [ Read More ]

Tim Worstall It’s all ideology: new research in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine this week shows the UK is among the most efficient health services in the world, in lives saved per pound spent. Umm, no, the report doesn’t in fact show that. At least, if I’m reading it right, I don’t  [ Read More ]