Christmas Shopping: Sales Come Early As Retailers Try To Rescue Christmas

Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2011/12/10/christmas-shopping-sales-start-early_n_1140611.html

Summary:

This year British retailers have decided to start sales earlier in order to boost spending. The first store chains to offer discounts have been Marks&Spencer, French Connection and Baratts. Queues formed outside high street have proved that the early sales have been quite successful so far. For instance, Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham is expecting 220 000 shoppers just in the first day and traders in Oxford Street and Regent Street are estimating their profit to be around £150 million. Retailers have also been lucky because the bad weather is forcing people into the shops.

My reaction:

This article shows that the financial crisis has really become a global concern. Households are experiencing reduced earnings and we are all trying to cut on unnecessary expenditure. When it comes to Christmas a smaller budget means more modest presents and celebrations. The downside to this is that as we worry about our own budgets we lower consumption and with this, employment and GDP fall; so we are actually making the situation worse. Although this is really bad news, I would like to think that at least it will make people less materialistic and realize what Christmas is really about.

Human rights chief issues warning to UK over weakening of laws

Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2011/dec/10/human-rights-uk-laws

Summary:

David Cameron’s will to replace the Human Rights Act with a new Bill of Rights has alarmed European commissioner for human rights Thomas Hammarberg. The law was drawn after WWII in an attempt to guarantee basic rights to all European citizens. However, Conservative MPs have recently expressed their disagreement with this law, especially with the fact that it that guarantees prisoners the right to vote. Moreover, legal action has already been taken against some prisons in the UK that have denied inmates their right to vote. Hammargerg has expressed great concern about the issue because according to him the UK’s desire to weaken human right protection might be setting a bad example for other European countries with poor human right records. 

My reaction:

I think that it is quite worrying that Conservative MPs are even considering replacing the Human Rights Act but it is even more worrying that some prisons have been getting away with this. In my opinion this is a form of abuse.

People who break the law are sent to prison and are deprived from their freedom as a punishment for it. However, someone who is serving sentence is still a human being. Just like we cannot torture him, we should not take their civil and political rights because their punishment is already being in prison. Besides this, most of us would agree that prisons should reform criminals and a good way to start being a proper citizen is to let him express his views in a civilized way (i.e. voting).So, I believe prisoners should be allowed to vote unless their political views are a threaten to the country.

Hospital admissions due to drinking double in 10 years

Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/dec/09/hospital-admissions-drinking-double

Summary:

Health authorities have sounded alarm bells over England’s alcohol misuse crisis. Recent statistics carried out by the NHS show that the number of hospital admissions due to too much drinking has risen 9% in the last year and has more than doubled in nine years. According to health secretary Andrew Lansley, England is facing a problem of both binge drinking and long-term alcohol consumption. Although he keeps on blaming the previous government for the alcohol misuse crisis, he is also showing his concern to address the issue. Finally, Lansley has revealed that the Conservative Party is already working on a new alcohol strategy that will be carried out sometime next year.

 My reaction:

Drug education and campaigns tend to focus on hard drugs forgetting that alcohol is a dangerous drug too. It is a part of our social life and for many teenagers it is a recreational drug that can cause physical and psychological illnesses. Besides this, binge drinking is also related to risky behaviour such as DUI, unprotected sex and violence. Therefore, I think Politicians should stop this game blame about who is responsible for the problem and start to act. Instead of raising the price of alcohol, which in my opinion would have little effect on alcohol consumption, they should make sure that shopkeepers are not selling alcohol to minors. Also, education should draw attention to the negative effects of alcohol because it is really worrying that many young people can’t have fun without drinking. 

Workers given green light to pursue equal pay claims

Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/nov/29/workers-equal-pay-claims-court

Summary:

174 women who worked for the Birmingham city council have won their crusade against discrimination. The women, who felt the wages they were being paid infringed the Equal Pay Act of 1970, decided to take a stand after other lower-paid women had a similar cases against Sheffield city council.

The court of appeal will now be hearing the cases of cooks, cleaners and caretakers demanding equal pay. Before their victory, discrimination cases could only be heard by the employment tribunal where they were lodged within six months after leaving the job or changing contract within employment. Equality cases will now be heard in the high court where there is a six-year limit to solve the case.

My reaction:

I find it really shocking that in developed countries like the UK there is still so much discrimination in the workplace. In Spain too, you will often hear about female workers who are paid less, who have to endure harassment or that will never be promoted because of being women.

Another thing that really bothers me is the slowness of justice. I think cases are shelved too often and people or companies get away with offenses because bureaucratic reasons, so it really is good news that these cases can be heard in the high court.

I have to say I was very pleased to read this piece of news because thanks to the bravery of these women who have decided to take a stand, justice is a bit more fair.