Showing posts with label David Cameron. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David Cameron. Show all posts

Friday, 13 March 2009

Cameron Confirms regional changes to LA

LA this evening asked David Cameron how a Tory government would see the regions. Cameron confirmed that the role of the RDA's would be hugely diminished ad power would be devolved to local councils.

LA is happy. That allows for democracy and accountability.

LA.

Tuesday, 3 February 2009

Motor giants first big warning of inflation risk

LA has not been alone in warning that the biggest threat to our economy is long term hyperinflation. The risk is fairly low, the consequences massive.
Today GM & Ford have raised prices 5% due to the incredibly weak £.
Government said this would not happen as low demand would prevent inflation being an issue, there again they also claim Britain is best placed to deal with recession. Obviously currency dealers disagree, as do sane people.
Companies cannot just sell at a loss, they have to regulate their prices by supply and demand but also by cost.
So far we have seen wood suppliers raise prices in the UK, paper prices up around 5% and now Automotive manufacturers.

Is there anything Darling and the treasury can predict.
The only way the £ will strengthen is when the markets feel national debt and spending are realistic. this is going to take strong leadership, tough decisions and firm action.
If David Cameron is the next PM, there may be times when he is more like an Administrator than a PM as we have to settle our debts.

Friday, 30 January 2009

Smoke and Mirrors job cuts

The more LA asks around and digs the more he finds evidence of job cuts that have little or nothing to do with the recession.
Eon announce 450 job cuts for their retail division, it hasn't made a profit in 2 years that means it was losing during the good times.
LA is aware of a major manufacturer who has been looking for an excuse to scale back UK operations for years but couldn't get it past the unions, they have shinny new plants overseas that were nowhere near capacity.

If this is the case it would suggest that the recession could be more V Shaped, deeper but shorter. LA sincerely hopes this is the case. If not David Cameron will be more like and administrator than a Prime Minister when he gets elected.

LA

Sunday, 11 January 2009

Lack of understanding of efficiency.

This morning LA watched David Cameron on the Marr show. LA was incensed by Marrs lack of understanding of "Efficiency", LA was also a little disappointed DC did not seize on this. However, it is not that surprising, the majority of the Media have never worked in the real world,the same goes for quite a few politicians too. Their understanding of "efficiency" is cuts. This is so far from the truth. The Sir Humphries will also peddle this line as they are so afraid of change (why rock a boat that has such a healthy pension as cargo).
Efficiency isn't about cuts it is about quality. If you deliver right first time, the savings are immense. The biggest waste in the public sector is error, rework and failure. When figures of saving 1% are bandied about LA scoffs. In the private sector such a low target would be seen as playing at it. LA works alongside organisations that regularly find 20 and 30% efficiencies, enhance the skills and pay of the workforce, reduce the carbon footprint and deliver a better product or service to the customer. This is not some panacea, this is reality.

The only reason we never see real efficiency in the public sector is because of the unions, the media and a lack of guts and vision from the political leadership. Perhaps David Cameron will show that when in power, the economic collapse of the nation will certainly present a burning platform to focus minds and generate delivery.

The biggest difficulty will be hearts and minds, The Guardian will call any reduction in expenditure a cut, even if the results are better than previously. Polly Toynbees' idea of efficiency is bulk buying her wine, the rest of them think its using a slow cooker to do the lentils. This is the battle ground, it will be a hard battle, but it can be won and it is worth fighting.

LA