Aid For Trade

There was something quite disturbing about listening to the news on British aid to India last night. The message that came across loud an clear was “you buy our fighter jets and we will give you aid”? Is Britain trying to buy Indian contracts with promises of aid? Andrew Mitchell, Development Secretary describes it as being part of the round. Surely aid and commercial business should be separate entities with clearly defined boundaries…

Civil Servants Strike

I received an email notification yesterday from the British Library advising me of the strike action taking place on the 30th June 2011 by all numerous public services.

Librarians join teachers, prison officers, immigration officials and other civil servants to strike, rally, protest over a 24 hour period. An estimated 750,000 people are expected to participate in this demonstration against pension changes, pay cuts and job losses.