Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.
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UK: Schools and Colleges;
UK Article:
What is happening with schools and exams in England?
Primary Schools :
According to government guidance, from January, Primary Schools would remain closed until the 8th of March at the earliest date, With the exclusion of vulnerable students or those under a select category such as those with front line workers, pupils would be educated at home.
Various parents originally struggled to balance work lives with that of young children. With lessons being conducted on zoom, thousands of pounds were raised to accommodate new expenditure costs so students could continue their learning in a suitable manner, famous stars also came together to read to the young children, as-well as set up activities to help parents accommodate their children physical needs also, such as Joe Wicks, who set up PE classes for students to follow at home.
Secondary Schools:
Following the knowledge that exams, such as GCSEs would not be commencing in 2021, the results of what instead would be replacing them, was introduced by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, The results of students will be decided by teacher assessed grades, these will be based of previously completed work and previous examinations. Furthermore, these results will be released earlier in August than usual to accommodate for challenging of allocated grades.
A similar thing will be happening with Colleges, the results of A-levels will be determined by previous results and a collection of class work and previous data.
Economic Impact of a Pandemic
Since the outbreak began on the 31st of December 2019, Stocks and shares have taken a large hit, and the value of pensions and ISAs have been greatly effected, This prompts many investors to fear that the impact of COVID-19 will effect the economy on such a large scale that governments will be incapable of stopping the decline.
Examples of where the economy is taking hits can be found in the prices of oil where on the 27th of April they hit the lowest price for the last 21 years, However technology and video sharing apps have actually seen a rise in customers with the video call app ‘zoom’ seeing a rise of 131.1% in usage.
Moreover a decrease in travel and ban from tourists from particular countries, although particularly damming for travel and holiday companies, reduces pollution and air contamination globally, a generally positive effect for global warming and Climate change.
A Guardian writer Dennis Leach, argues that the prediction of an economic crash and recession following COVID-19 is unrealistic, by looking at history we can see that the ‘second world war did not lead to recession and unemployment thanks to Keynesian policies of a labour Government’.
Keynesian economic theories, revolve around low tax and increased government expenditure to stimulate demand for an economy, Arguing that economic output is heavily influenced by different factors influencing demand.
Black Lives Matter
Following the murder of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis, Protests have erupted globally in solidarity and calling for justice in his murder and the murder of many other innocent black people by police officers.
There are now protests in all 50 states in America and others in other countries, From these protests the murderer of George Floyd, Derek Chauvin is now being charged with 2nd degree murder, an updated charge from the original third degree, and the other 3 officers involves are also being charged. George Floyd.s murderer knelt on his neck of 9 minutes, while Floyd repeatedly told him he could not breathe, the autopsy revealed that Floyd had died of asphyxiation.
What is the difference between third- degree and second degree?
Third degree murder does not require proof that the defendant intended to kill, only that the actions carried out were dangerous and carried out without regard to human life, Second degree, requires proof of intention to kill, and carries a 40 year sentence, 15 years longer than second degree.
Justice for innocents should not stop at the conviction of one man, People of the globe should unite and continue to promote equality and work together regardless of race to dispel racism and intollerance.
Domestic Abuse in Lockdown
Following a lockdown in the UK beginning on the 23rd of March 2020, Calls to domestic abuse helplines have increased by 49%, In addition to this researchers at Counting Dead Women Project recorded 14 women and 2 children being killed during the first 3 weeks of Lockdown, This is the largest number recorded in that period of time for 11 years. In addition to female helplines, Male advice lines recorded a 35% increase in calls also.
As restrictions are eased many fear victims of abuse may face more danger as they attempt to leave their homes, If they are able to, they may face difficulty finding places to stay as 64% of requests for refuge were denied between 2018-2019. This is a worrying statistic as victims with nowhere to go could face limited options for shelter, which is even more worrying according to statistics from United Nations Population Fund, who stated that if lockdown lasted 6 months there would be an additional 31 million cases of Domestic violence globally.
What is Domestic Abuse?
Women’s Aid defines domestic abuse as;
- Coercive Control (A pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the threat of physical or sexual violence)
- Psychological and/or emotional abuse
- Physical or Sexual Abuse
- Financial or Economic Abuse
- Harassment or stalking
- Online or Digital abuse
Information from Women Aid regarding Femicide:
Key findings on the 139 women killed by men in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2017 are:
- The majority of women killed by men in 2017 were between the ages of 26 and 55 years old (82 women, 59% of the total). However 20 women (14%) were aged 66 or over. Five of these older women were killed by their partner or spouse.
- 64 women (46%) were killed by their current or former partner; for women killed by men other than by terrorism, the percentage killed by their current or ex-partner rose to 54.2%.
- 12 (55%) of women killed by their ex-partner or ex-spouse were killed within the first month of separation and 19 (87%) in the first year.
- 32% of women were killed at the home they shared with the perpetrator, in the majority of cases their partner or spouse. 26.6% were killed in a home where they lived independent of the perpetrator.
- 24 women (17.3%) were killed by a man known to them (such as a social or business acquaintance, friend or neighbour).
- 30 women (21.6%) were killed by a stranger, including 21 women killed in terror attacks.
- In 66 (47.4%) cases men used a sharp instrument to kill their victims.
- ‘Overkilling’ – where the force and/or methods that a man used was greater than that required to kill the woman – was evident in 58 (41.7%) cases. Cases include women being repeatedly bludgeoned with an axe or other object or stabbed multiple times. There was also evidence of mutilation and desecration of bodies after killing in some cases.
In order to prevent adding and worsening these statistics, if you know someone who is at risk of Domestic abuse or is experiencing domestic violence, encourage them to contact many of the Domestic abuse helplines and charities.
What is the UK government doing to help Businesses during The coronavirus pandemic?
Due to the pandemic many businesses were forced or advised to close by The UK Government, without certainty on their futures, many such as restaurants despite closing physical stores, kept delivery services open, operating on websites such as deliver or their own delivery service. Supermarkets and essential service stores were kept open, and began operating a new way as a way of social distancing in stores, such as queuing 2 metres apart outside stores so that only a select number of individuals are allowed inside to minimise the risk of catching COVID-19.
Rich Sunak and the conservative government have been praised by many due to the support they are giving to many individuals and businesses, including a government taxable grant of up to 80% of your wages up to a cap of £2,500, However there have been many criticisms following the fact that even if you are self-employed, if you became self employed after April 2019, you will not receive any help from this scheme due to the fact that you have not filed a tax return.This leaves many individuals struggling to provide for their families during lock down, especially with children no longer in school, the amount of food parents will need to buy a week despite the amount said to be covered by the government, However it has also been warned that scams are circulating stating certain children are eligible for free school meals and therefore parents should send their bank details, which is also a worry for vulnerable parents during this pandemic.
If you are not covered by the grant package to help the self employed then universal credit is said to be available.
Larger businesses are said to be ensuring that their workers are able to work from home and if not a furlough scheme has been introduced in order to pay workers who are unable to work, this should cover 80% of wages for individuals that are applicable. Government information on how to access furlough is on their website.
5G:Hauwei?
5G is a new fifth generation wireless technology that the UK government plans to roll out across the UK. The countries that currently have or plan to have 5g are South Korea,United kingdom,Germany and the United states.
One of the main private companies capable of rolling out 5g is Huawei, many countries have banned Huawei 5G (Japan,Australia and New Zealand). Many view the 5g technology as a security threat,Such as the USA who is pressuring other countries to place a ban on a partnership with Huawei to enrol 5G, so far Germany has resisted the ban and the UK is still reviewing its telecom policy and is considering enlisting Huawei to supply non-core components such as antenna masts.
Why does some countries view Huawei as a security threat?
It is believed that China may use the network to spy on “the west”,The USA points to the military background of Mr Ren the founder of Huawei, Also Mr Ren is a member of the Chinese communist party, However Huawei says this is not relevant.
How will Huawei be involved in the UKs plans to enrol 5G in the uk?
The Network has been banned from supplying equipment to “sensitive parts” of the plan such as the Core.As stated in the 5th of Februarys PMQs, Prime minister Boris Johnson said he wishes to reduce Huawei’s involvement in the network and currently it is at 35%,Moreover Huawei is banned from areas such as military bases and nuclear plants.
The UK leaves the European Union?
Following A Conservative party majority win (365/650 seats won) on the 14th of December 2019, The United Kingdom ‘left’ the European union on the 31st of January 2020. The Brexit party marked the withdrawal from the European parliament by waving British flags, Many others marked the occasion with protests or parties such as, a projection of a star on the White cliffs of Dover, or a party in Parliament square, A new 50p coin has also entered circulation in order to honour the occasion.
What happens next?
The Uk will enter a transition period until 2021, where much will remain the same and new trade deals will be discussed with the EU, which will be similar to the one agreed with Canada.People that want to remain living in the UK after December 2020 will have to apply if they are from The EU(except Ireland),Iceland,Liechtenstein,Norway or Switzerland.Scotland wish to remain a member of the European union and the SNP the largest part in Scotland following the 2019 election are pressing for a second referendum on Scottish independence, with the last one being in 2014 where 55.3% voted to remain in the UK as a result of this many powers were devolved from Westminster to The Scottish parliament.
War with Iran?
Is a third world war on the horizon?
Following a drone attack on Maj.Gen. Qassim Suleimani, leader of the Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards Corps, authorised by President Trump, the attack killed the leader among others and has sparked speculation of another global catastrophe.
President Trump has tweeted promising that if Iran retaliates, the USA have “targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago”.Trump also promises retaliation and attacks on Iran “without hesitation” should Iran attack. The attack on the leader of the Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards Corps is severe and not to be downplayed, the actions of the President will condemn millions of soldiers and civilians to death should the war play out.If there is a retaliation, who/what will be the target and why? How will the USA react? What will happen next?
Abortion in Kentucky
Abortion is defined as the legal termination of a human pregnancy most often performed in the first 28 weeks of pregnancy.
Recently In America a series of laws have been discussed, restricting abortion in certain states, they were met with widely publicised protests involving women in red replicating the ‘Handmaids tale costumes’.
Many of the laws have been blocked, yet one has recently been passed by the supreme court in Kentucky, requiring doctors to perform ultrasounds and show fatal images to the pregnant women before the abortion.This has come under fire from the ACLU (American civil liberties union) arguing it violates the physicians free speech.Again controversial due to the fact physicians are also prohibited from discussing gun safety with their patients.Where is the line drawn under what is protection?
If a physician breaches this new law the will either be fined or their medical license will be revoked.
Now in Kentucky doctors must describe the ultrasound in detail whilst the woman listens to the fetus’s heartbeat. Is this the end of restriction on women’s bodies or how far will they(the governments) go?
What does the EU do for international trade?
What are trade deals?
Trade deals are agreements signed between two or more nations, they determine the tariffs and duties that countries impose on imports and exports.
The most common type of trade deal is preferential (a deal that involves a trading bloc that gives preferential access to certain products from participating countries.Examples include:The North American free trade agreement.
Another type of common trade agreement is “Free trade”, this establishes a “free trade area ” between several different countries where tariffs or hinderances are not imposed, however in contrast to a common market, items may not move freely.An example is the European free trade Association.
Following the “withdrawal” of the UK from the EU, and the expectation of countries to follow,They will enter a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with members of the European union.Most economists agree this is a worse-off deal than previously made in the 1970s ,this i because the UK and EU want to stick to the deal on both sides, however it is much harder to “keep watch” of the other side and whether the stick to the deal.Whereas in the European union, the European court of justice has the power to force an EU member to stick to the rules.
EU trade regulations the benefits:
The European single market is the largest international single market in the world.This can generate immense amounts of competition in services(which is good for businesses and consumers, as businesses ‘have to’ charge lower prices-competitive pricing, in order to reach economic equilibrium).Moreover the removal of trade barriers, mainly via the introduction of an international trading currency , makes it easier to trade globally.Moreover the European union has introduced measures to harmonise company law to help assist SMES (Small and Medium Enterprises),such as easier access to funding, clearer and more effective legislation swell as increased protection for shareholders, creditors and employees.
EU trade regulations- The drawbacks:
Excise duty and duty drawback; excise duty is a tax HMRC (HM revenue and customs) charges on beer, wine and spirits and other alcoholic drinks, hydrocarbon oils (eg. kerosene, fuel and petrol), cigarettes and tobacco, that are acquired, imported or produces in the uk.The euro, has proved to have many problems and has contributed to low levels of economic growth.Austerity pressure from the EU has increased since 2008, but in the middle of a recession these austerity measures have prolonged economic stagnation. It can be argued that there is more bureaucracy and less democracy by taking away the decision making.
Our Social Climate 