Fairplay UK
Seen and Heard Oxford English Dictionary : Fair (adj.): just, unbiased, equitable. Archaic: kind, gentle. Fair's fair (colloq.): all involved should act fairly.UK auditors face competition inquiry Repercussions from the accounting scandals in the United States continue in the UK, with a call for the four biggest accountancy firms to be subjected to a wide-ranging competition review. The chairman of the Financial Services Authority, Sir Howard Davies, has said he is concerned about the consolidation that is taking place in accountancy. The FSA had had "some difficulty" in finding independent auditors to help with its supervisory work. A spokesman for KPMG was quoted in the Guardian (July 3): "We do regret the reduction in choice in the industry caused by the demise of Arthur Andersen. But these issues were looked at by the competition authorities 18 months ago, and we are wary of going down this road again so soon." Poor coverage for Pensioners' Parliament The tenth annual conference, organised by the National Pensioners' Convention (NPC), at Blackpool, May 14-16, had a record attendance of more than 2,000 delegates, from all parts of Britain. Proposals for better state pensions, for free bus travel and other benefits were debated in packed meetings. However, there was poor coverage by the national press and television. Speeches by the veteran former president, Jack Jones, now 89; his successor, Rodney Bickerstaffe, Clair Rayner, Tony Young, president of the TUC, and Tony Booth, the Prime Minister's father in law (which ended the conference), drew standing ovations. There was sustained applause for a delegate from Lewisham who suggested that "if every woman here today began to climb Blackpool Tower, newspapers and broadcasting stations would send reporters and photographers here immediately." No-one made the effort, which was a great pity. Perhaps next year ? For NPC policies email admin@natpencon.org.uk ---------JBPublic libraries criticised A report by the government's audit commission says visits to libraries have fallen by 17 per cent since 1992. Spending on books had fallen by a third in the same period. More than half of library services are in poorly-located buildings, and in some cases the buildings are in such a bad state that closure has been recommended. Many users were convinced there is little chance of borrowing a new bestseller: inspectors found they were right. In a check on five library services, the best chance was of getting John Grisham's The Brethren. There was virtually no hope of getting Stephen Hawking's book on popular science, Universe in a Nutshell. Campaign against PFI A new campaign in pursuit of fairness in government finance has begun with the registration of PFIwatch.com. An email newsletter, PFI Watch, is being considered. Anyone interested in the consequences of the private finance initiative (PFI) as it applies to hospitals and schools, among other "publicly-owned" establishments, can get in touch now: inquiries@PFIwatch.comMayor wins right to publish: The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, and Bob Kiley, the American who is the Mayor's Transport Commissioner for London, won their fight in the Court of Appeal (August 24), against the government's ban on publication of a highly-critical report on its plan to part-privatise the underground rail system. Watchdogs to check PFI claims: A comprehensive report on private finance initiative contracts, compiled by the Liberal Democrats, and other reports from the unions GMB and Unison on PFI in hospitals and schools, are to be examined by House of Commons select committees. The Lib Dems say contracts on seven out of eight PFI road-building deals have been broken, but complain that information has been withheld. Inquiries@NewslettersRus.co.uk------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Useful contacts: See our list of organisations and groups ready to help with inquiries or complaints, at: http://www.globaljreview.btinternet.co.uk/contacts_f.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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