Apparently there wasn't a Pizza Express in Stratford until a couple of years ago. It was no great loss but given that there are approximately 4.7 on every high street*, it's a little odd that there wasn't one in such a busy conurbation. Why not? Well, who in that area could afford to go?
 
It's thanks to the Olympics and its aim to build a legacy in East London that there is one now. But while two meals for ten tenner is a start, it's hardly worth £9.3bn.
 
I bring this up... Read full post

Yes the coalition partners are working well together (or thick as thieves depending on your outlook), but that won’t always be the case. It is highly likely, bordering on inevitable, that at some point the coalition will face a tricky issue which could split the government if not handled correctly.
 

What should civil servants do? Many might stay calm, quiet, and out of the way – leaving the political issues to the ministers.
 

At a talk this morning, Sir John... Read full post

The Council of Civil Service Unions (CCSU) is seeking to cobble together a united front to present to the government as it campaigns against cuts in civil service redundancy pay and also the threat of cuts to public sector pensions.

 
It would have not been a surprise that the government wants to reduce civil service redundancy pay by primary legislation after heavy coverage in Monday’s newspapers. But to see the terms of compulsory redundancy pay slashed from two years (agreed... Read full post