Political Penguin

Few days old but wanted to cover it. This little bit reported by the BBC.

At first glance I instinctively thought not another bit of sideways privatisation of public services but then I realised something. There’s not actually anything that new about this announcement, in fact it’s almost identical to announcements made in January and last December so what’s the story here?

Well as far as these proposals go I’m not too overly keen on what Hutton is saying. I’m just getting the vibes that it’s another bit of state organisation bashing and how wonderful the private/voluntary sector could run things, which having worked in all these three sectors I know exactly which two I would certainly not trust with the job, one in particular.

However if that is the way things are going, or if some smart arse in the civil service has pointed to a way of ‘cutting’ the cost of the civil service by outsourcing services therefore them not being classed as a cost of the civil service, yes that one was in Yes Minister and it’s still used today then so be it.

Equally, if John Hutton is serious about improving services then he need look no further than his own department. From personal experience I’ve dealt with a wide range of governmental and local governmental departments over the years and up there as probably the most pisspoor would be the DWP. I’ve had so much trouble with them fucking up this that or the other that I am personally sick of the sight of their envelopes when they drop through my door.

So if John’s up for a challenge, I suggest sorting out his department first before going off in pursuit of all those naughty single parents who just, might just wish to be around in their child’s lives post 12 years old because sadly, much as it may be the case that in some sectors of the economy that family friendly working hours are available, for many of those single parents in our country, who it’s fair to say often inhabit the lower end of the social spectrum, it ain’t such a rosy picture.

We’re not talking about well educated middle class single mothers who can do a bit of work from home, run an internet e-bay store, we’re talking about those who do the shit end of the job market where if you’re not available to work when the employer wants you then you can piss off and if your kid is sick and has to take time off school then you ain’t gonna get paid for the time you take off which for those on low incomes is a big fucking deal.

Oh, and on a personal note, yes John should do something about the DWP because they are sodding useless, don’t listen, don’t read the things you send them, give factually incorrect advice, process claims on the basis of evidence and then change their mind without even informing people, cut off people’s benefit without telling them and as the Secretary of State is ultimately responsible, ie if you take them to tribunal it’s you vs him, then I can personally claim to have taken John to tribunal and given him a thorough arse kicking, not that anyone from his department had the guts to turn up to argue their side because they were simply wrong.

So this brings me back from my little rant about the ineptitude of the DWP. What’s John up to repeating what is old news? Equally us Labour Party members all had an e-mail from John the other day laying out these new plans so why’s his profile suddenly jumped?

Anyone would think he was mounting a bid for the leadership of the Labour Party or something….