James Purnell

In the UK Prince Charles has asked landowners to wipe out foreign grey squirrels (picture above) from the countryside to protect red squirrels and to save our native woodlands. Yesterday he told the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) that it was “absolutely crucial to exterminate the greys”. The alien species was introduced to Britain from the US in the 19th century and has a population estimated at 3.3 million, compared with only 160,000 indigenous reds. In a letter to Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, the CLA president, the Prince blamed grey squirrels for the “immense and increasing damage” to woods and wildlife across the country. ... Read Full Story

James Purnell has become the fourth minister to leave the cabinet this week, and he has called for Gordon Brown to stand aside to give Labour a chance of winning the next election. James Purnell, the work and pensions secretary, dealt a blow to Gordon Brown’s chances of remaining Prime Minister, when he announced that he is leaving the cabinet and asking Brown “to stand aside to give a chance of winning the next election”. Mr Purnell’s statement, will further weaken the prime minister’s authority and increases the challenge to his leadership. Mr Purnell announced his resignation after the polls in the local and ... Read Full Story

During the second reading of the Welfare Reform Bill, which took place earlier this week, the ‘Labour’ Minister for Workfare and starvation wages James Purnell, indicated that he was prepared to look at a Claimants Charter . My first thought was I bet he did, and anyone who picks up and runs with this should be treated with absolute contempt. It is hardly surprising that charities and NGO's like Disability Alliance, CPAG, Gingerbread and the CAB have responded positively to the wretched Purnell’s offer. For both the Charities and State financed groups like the CAB have grown fat and sleepy on New Labour’s schemes ... Read Full Story

Benefit reforms 'mean fair deal' James Purnell says the government will give support to those looking for work (From the BBC article) Plans to force more benefit claimants to prepare for work or face losing payments are a "fair deal", says Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell. He said private firms would be paid to get people back to work while those unemployed for a year would have to do four weeks' full-time activity. Most people on incapacity benefit would be expected to attend job interviews. The Conservatives said they would back the plans in the face of an expected "big rebellion" from Labour ... Read Full Story

James Purnell says the government will give support to those looking for work BBC Plans to force more benefit claimants to prepare for work or face losing payments are a "fair deal", says Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell. He said private firms would be paid to get people back to work while those unemployed for a year would have to do four weeks' full-time activity. Most people on incapacity benefit would be expected to attend job interviews. The Conservatives said they would back the plans in the face of an expected "big rebellion" from Labour MPs. A welfare reform bill is expected to ... Read Full Story