UNISONActive is an unofficial blog produced by UNISON activists for UNISON activists. Bringing news, briefings and events from a progressive left perspective.

Thursday 19 August 2010

Spending Challenge suggestion scheme scrapes barrel of bigotry & consumerism‏

In a suppose era of austerity and war on waste, HM Treasury is pressing on with its bogus public consultation exercise - the Spending Challenge suggestion scheme. http://spendingchallenge.hm-treasury.gov.uk/

Launched by Chancellor Osborne in July, the Spending Challenge website claims that 44,000 'ideas' have been submitted making suggestions how the government can deliver 'more for less'. Having tapped into a mine of bigotry, consumerism and cynicism the next phase is to invite the public to 'rate' Facebook style the (helpfully categorised) suggestions..

Today's Guardian exposes the banality of Con Dem public policymaking by vox pops "Treadmills in prisons linked to the National Grid. Bounty hunters to track down benefit cheats. A cull of the Queen's swans. New ideas for reality TV shows.....'  http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/aug/18/prison-treadmills-george-osborne

With tens of thousands of hard working public service workers are facing enforced redundancies, this must rank as one of the most cynical Government PR stunts of all time.