91������̳

Britain: Living standards deteriorating

“Almost 40% of households saw their finances deteriorate between July and August, according to a survey by the financial information company, Markit.

“The study, of 1,500 adults, showed finances worsened at their fastest pace since February 2009, in the middle of the last recession.

“Many reported a rise in debt levels and a fall in savings and income.

“Just under 6% of households reported an improvement in their financial situation.

“Markit uses a Household Finances Index (HFI) which it said fell for the third month running in August to its lowest since it began compiling it in early 2009.”

― August 22 BBC.co.uk article.

Britain: Sixteen months' prison for two ice cream scoops

“A riot looter who pinched an ice cream and gave it away after just one lick has been locked up for 16 months.

“Anderson Fernandes, 21, wandered into Patisserie Valerie on Deansgate, Manchester, after finding the door open.

“He went over to the ice cream counter and took a cone and two scoops.

“Fernandes, of Newton Heath, took one lick but didn't like the coffee flavour and gave it to a passing woman.”

― August 27 Telegraph article.

Tory councillor calls rioters 'jungle bunnies'

“A Tory councillor has been suspended from his party after calling rioters 'jungle bunnies' on Facebook.

“Bob Frost, a councillor on Dover District Council in Kent, made the comments on August 7 as riots and looting spread throughout London ...

“In a previous Facebook posting from the councillor he had a go at single mums - saying he was paying for their lifestyle.

“He wrote: 'You might ask how all the single mothers congregating with their push-chaired spawn are able to afford both their beer and their tattoos - I have a horrible idea I am paying for both.'”

― August 18 Telegraph article.

British banks funding cluster bomb industry

“British high-street banks, including two institutions that were bailed out by taxpayers, are investing hundreds of millions of pounds in companies that manufacture cluster bombs – despite a growing global ban outlawing the production and trade of the weapons.

“The Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds TSB, Barclays and HSBC have all provided funding to the makers of cluster bombs, even as international opinion turns against a weapons system that is inherently indiscriminate and routinely maims or kills civilians.”

-- August 16 Independent.