35 articles on this subject, from across the site.
Many older people in England experience loneliness and unmet care needs, but support services often fail to reach them. Services exist but gaps in eligibility, cost and accessibility leave vulnerable pensioners isolated.
An examination of the IDF's military record and accountability mechanisms alongside Netanyahu's leadership credentials, corruption trials, and controversial judicial reforms.
A British Airways flight landed in Kuwait during Iraq's 1990 invasion. All 385 people were detained for 126 days. Survivors now allege the UK government and BA knew beforehand and allowed the flight to land, possibly to insert special forces operatives.
Five high-profile ECHR rulings have sparked accusations of judicial activism and bias, raising questions about whether the court imposes progressive values on member states or protects fundamental rights.
The European Court of Human Rights faces criticism over political influence and judicial activism, but has no credible evidence of systematic corruption, bribery or fraud.
Netanyahu pursued a strategy of containing Hamas through periodic military operations whilst preventing Palestinian unity, accepting fragmentation over statehood. Critics argue this approach inadvertently strengthened Hamas before the October 2023 attack.
The House of Lords costs £120 million yearly and has over 800 members. Supporters cite its expertise and legislative review; critics question its cost, unelected nature, and efficiency.
The UK's nuclear weapons programme has been marked by radiation exposure of servicemen and civilians, secret costly projects, missile test failures hidden from Parliament, and unaccounted nuclear materials.
The US has withdrawn from or violated numerous international agreements across military, trade, climate, human rights and other areas, from the Paris Climate Agreement to Native American treaties.
A comprehensive examination of major government spending failures across the NHS, defence, infrastructure and welfare, identifying systemic issues in procurement, project management and accountability.
Countries have greater rights to destroy ships damaging infrastructure in their territorial waters than in international waters, though responses must be proportionate and justified under international law.
MPs and their support staff cost around £500-600 million annually. Civil servants supporting government cost £15-17 billion yearly, though costs directly attributed to MPs alone are difficult to isolate precisely.
Money doesn't literally control everything, but wealthy individuals, corporations and financial institutions exert substantial influence over government policy, economics, media and global decision-making.
BlackRock is the world's largest asset manager with $9 trillion in assets, giving it significant influence over corporate governance and financial markets, though it does not control governments or societies.
Big businesses influence government through lobbying, campaign financing and regulatory capture, affecting policy, democracy and public services. This can drive growth but may also undermine democratic processes and prioritise corporate profits over public welfare.
Large corporations can drive growth and innovation, but also concentrate wealth, weaken regulation, harm environments, and undermine democracy through lobbying and market dominance.
The ECHR operates independently on judicial matters but reports to the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, which supervises whether member states comply with the Court's judgments.
The OBR is an independent body established in 2010 to forecast the economy and public finances, evaluate government fiscal policy, and enhance transparency in the UK's economic decision-making.
Civil servants can report problems through internal line managers, departmental whistleblowing officers, external agencies like the NAO, or parliamentary committees. The Public Interest Disclosure Act protects them from retaliation.
Government preferred supplier programmes cut costs and streamline procurement but risk reducing competition, encouraging corruption, and limiting innovation. Transparency and regular reviews help balance these trade-offs.
AI-monitored street cameras can automate enforcement, create transparent records and reduce officers' discretionary power, potentially minimising corruption and bribery opportunities.
A comprehensive overview of thirty instances where the UK government has been accused of misleading the public, ranging from the Iraq War and Hillsborough to Brexit, the Windrush scandal and NHS funding.
Governments have historically misled the public in various ways, often for political gain, to maintain public order, or to advance specific agendas. Here are some notable examples from different countries and contexts:
Governments mislead the public through propaganda, censorship, data manipulation, framing and scapegoating. Critical thinking and independent media help counter these tactics.
The UNICEF Executive Director earns approximately £200,000 to £250,000 base salary, plus benefits including housing and education allowances, determined by UN civil service scales.
Preferred suppliers charge more due to stricter quality standards, customization, technical support, reliable delivery, compliance certification, and comprehensive after-sales services that retail options typically don't provide.
UK pension funds lost significant sums when Icelandic banks collapsed in 2008. Some recovered losses through settlements, whilst others faced prolonged disputes with the Icelandic government.
The Bilderberg Group attracts numerous unproven theories about global elite control, a New World Order agenda and media manipulation, though mainstream sources regard it as a networking forum.
An annual private conference bringing together around 120-150 influential politicians, executives and academics to discuss global issues confidentially, which has attracted conspiracy theories about its influence.
Explores how individuals in positions of power often shift from idealism to corruption through power dynamics, lack of accountability, financial incentives, and institutional vulnerabilities.
Politicians and the wealthy can be prosecuted for corruption, fraud, obstruction of justice, human rights abuses, environmental crimes, terrorism and other offences, though prosecution depends on evidence, prosecutorial discretion and political will.
Politicians and the wealthy face fewer convictions due to legal immunities, expensive defence teams, evidence challenges, political interference, and complex financial schemes that complicate prosecution.
Top politicians and the super-rich benefit from wealth, legal protections, political influence, media control, and global networks that insulate them from accountability and consequences for their actions.
Netanyahu faces multiple corruption allegations including bribery claims, media interference charges, submarine procurement irregularities and misuse of public funds. He denies wrongdoing.
Addressing police corruption requires strong leadership, ethics training, rigorous recruitment, transparency, whistleblower protection, community oversight, internal audits, and enforcement of anti-corruption policies.
