Like many, I have read most of Orwell’s work, discussed and debated what he was trying to get at and even questioned some of his later decisions. Not unsurprisingly there is a lot to get to grips with. He was a multifaceted character living in turbulent times and profoundly affected by it.
David Aaronovitch does an excellent job in presenting the views of various scholars, friends and associates of Orwell. Nicely balanced. Over at the BBC Iplayer, The Road to Nineteen Eighty-Four.
Readers will remember how the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) outsourced to Atos, eligibility assessments of the disabled. Atos, in return, have been roundly criticised for declaring people to be “fit for work” only to have them die a few weeks later. Charities and other organisations connected with disabilities have pointed out the flaws in Atos’s methodology.
But now, in a bizarre twist, Atos are outsourcing many of those assessments to the NHS.
So the Public sector outsources to the private sector, a nasty task, who in turn outsource it back to parts of, the once, Public sector.
Atos is using this to deflect criticism on how many of those declared fit either die or end up destitute, whilst Atos rakes in millions.
From Lebanon, Hezbollah has been attacking Syrians with rockets.
Mapping child poverty, not something the Tories or their LibDem allies will welcome.
In other news, a UN official wonders about food banks in Britain. I am just waiting for some idiot Tory to trumpet them, saying “…at least we are world leaders in food banks!”
The privatisation of education continues a pace as Gove brings in help to sack people.
Polly Toynbee on the bedroom tax and housing.
Not above shelf stacking.
Finally, NHS privatisation: Compilation of financial and vested interests, well worth a read. I can’t even imagine how scathing George Orwell would have been, of a society which attacks the poorest and weakest whilst selling off the family silver, and for once a Tory was right about something.
Soupy One 