Student's: Want to win £5000?

Peter Utley was a remarkable Conservative writer and described by Margaret Thatcher as ‘the most distinguished Tory thinker of our time.’ To commemorate his passing in 1998, the T.E Utley Memorial Fund makes an annual reward to one or more writers of promise by offering a £5000 reward to an Undergraduate student at a British University. To participate in such a prestigious event the student must write an essay which should be no more than 5000 words.

The subject of the essay is ‘Will the United Kingdom be united in 10 years time? And should it be? The trustees will propose the award to whoever meets the high standards they require. The judging panel, who includes Michael Gove MP, Charles Moore, and Andrew Gimson from the Daily Telegraph, will assess the essays by reference to clarity of expression, rigour of thought and power of argument. It is stressed that political standpoints adopted by the author will not affect the final decision.

The closing date for those who wish to submit essays will be Friday 16 May 2008. They should be sent or emailed to The Secretary at 111 Sugden Road, London, SW11 5ED. The prize will be presented by Lady Thatcher at a reception in London in June.

(National-student, Student Times, 2008)

Singapore to host Inaugural Youth Olympic Games.

The International Olympic Committee announced that the first Youth Olympics games will take place in Singapore in 2010. The International Olympic Committee revealed that Singapore beat off competition from fellow short listed candidate Moscow by just 9 votes, gaining 53 votes as opposed to the Russian capital’s total of 44. Former hosts Turin and Athens missed out on the games. The result was announced by IOC president Jacques Rogge at the Olympic museum in Switzerland.

The games, taking place in the summer, will involve over 3000 elite competitors ranging between the ages of 14-18. The competitors will participate in events in all sports on the Olympic programme. The British Olympic Association Chief Executive Simon Clegg welcomed the announcement saying, ‘The games provide an excellent opportunity for young athletes to experience the excitement and demands they can expect to face if they continue in sport and achieve the ultimate accolade of representing their country at an Olympic Games.’

Young British athletes have a great opportunity to impress at the games in 2010 and the current British team boasts a wealth of talent. This was emphasized at the recent European Youth Festival in Belgrade. Team GB won 9 golds, 7 silvers and 7 bronze medals, finishing third in the overall medal table, an improvement on the previous year’s results.

Double Olympic gold medalist Seb Coe suggested the Youth Olympics will only further benefit the future of British athletics saying, ‘There is no substitute for experiencing high level competition. It allows athletes to understand all the things which go along with competing.’
Many of the British Youth squad have graduated to succeed at the senior Olympics games. This includes bronze medalist David Davies, a 1500m swimmer at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and World Judo Champion Craig Fallon who was a member of the youth GB team in 1997.

(National-Student, Student Times, 2008)

E-crime - The Government's worst kept secret?

The escalating problem of computer fraud in the United Kingdom has caused the Lord’s Committee to question the Government’s commitment to internet security and its laughable failure to protect personal data effectively. The House of Lord’s report branded the government’s laissez-fair attitude towards E-crime as ‘inefficient and unrealistic’ and recommended a complete shake up of how the problem is managed. However, a Home Office rejected these assertions in a statement claiming, ‘We don't accept that the incidence of loss of personal data by companies is on an upward path, and we don't accept that the government is indifferent to the problem.’ This came just days after losing the personal details of 25 million people on some CD’s.

‘They're living in cloud cuckoo land if they think there isn't a problem,’ said Lord Erroll, a prominent member of the Lords Committee. ‘We recommended that the government set up a group to develop a scheme for recording all forms of e-crime, but it's chosen to ignore the idea.’ Officials only need to refer to the Credit Industry Fraud Avoidance System (CIFAS) to comprehend the alarming truth. As much as £1.6 billion is being snaffled each year by online fraudsters, while the Home Office sticks its proverbial head in the sand.

Unfortunately, the problem is unlikely to go away. Not one member of the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) – the largest group of IT experts in the country, believes the country to be adequately equipped to combat e-crime. Geoff Harris, the president of the ISSA warned, ‘As increasing numbers of the criminal fraternity become aware of this weakness in Security capability, the gap between safe online e-commerce and e-crime will continue to spiral out of control.’

Whereas previously online fraud was reserved for the lonely hacker types hunched over a laptop, today it is described as a ‘playground for organised crime’. A recent survey suggested that more Britons fear internet crime than burglary. Lord Broers, the head of the Lord’s Committee criticised the government’s current ‘wild west’ approach of leaving internet security up to the individual. Alas, the average Joe is no match for the highly sophisticated methods of internet gangsters and Broers laid the responsibility at the feet of the IT industry, internet providers and banks. ‘The government must invest in better data protection and security. It’s time to act now, before it’s too late.’

So with officials passing the buck who is responsible for the plight in which we find ourselves? Well, originally the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit (NHTCU), provided assistance for matters regarding online fraud. Regrettably, in 2006 the organisation was rolled into the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) leaving a once-strong area of law enforcement to crumble. During the rise of the dot com era, the UK police pioneered technical expertise and focus to investigate e-crime. Since then there has not been a specific focus on high-tech crime. It is a great shame that what we once had, we have now lost.

To make matters worse, SOCA is plagued with controversy and staff dissatisfaction. In the past four months eight members of the organisation have resigned from their posts amid concerns over the operation of the unit. A spokesman for the PCS, the trade union that represent SOCA employers said, ‘The key problem is that managers have no technical expertise. The senior management of Soca e-crime are from firearms. They have no knowledge of the area. The department doesn’t operate efficiently. Staff have been leaving because they’ve had enough.’ It’s not as if individuals have anywhere else to turn for support either. A nationwide investigation last year found that less than half of police forces have more than five staff in their high-tech crime units, most of which deal only with paedophile investigations.

Thankfully, changes are being made, although perhaps not with the enthusiasm that the Lord’s Committee would have hoped for. For the first time, Electronic crime is to have its own business unit within the Association of Police Officers (ACPO). Also, contabularies guidelines were changed to assess the 43 local forces on their e-crime capabilities for the first time. It seems as if E-crime is moving up the interest list. In spite of these seemingly positive moves by the government many are still skeptical over what will actually be achieved. IT expert Professor Peter Sommer said, ‘The key question here is how much extra funding will actually be available?’

The set up of a national co-ordination unit is pending Home Office approval for funding. Should the business case to meet the paltry demands of £4.5 million be rejected, private investment is likely to be available. Lord Erroll of the committee is astounded that the government are even contemplating pledging such a minimal sum, especially when compared with the multibillion-pound spending on private sector-run projects, such as the NHS IT system. ‘‘When you consider how much is being paid to the top consultants on various projects, it's amazing there isn't enough funding to spare for projects such as this. Resources are being poorly allocated.’

At the same time, Minister Hazel Blear promised £70 million of government funding to target the threat of web-based Islamic extremism. Pretty shocking considering areas of e-crime are in desperate need of a cash injection. The state certainly needs to do more to protect the public, not only the government itself, but regulators like Ofcom, the police and the court system. So what plans or measures have been suggested to improve internet security in Britain?

The Lord’s report called for a number of drastic changes, most notably a central system for reporting e-crime. A website similar to the Internet Crime Complaint Center in the US which allows citizens to report online crime could be set up in Britain. As well as providing more reliable statistics such a site would be an effective way for victims of online fraud to report the matter. However, the idea goes against recent government policy. In a widely criticised move, the Government changed the reporting system for electronic crimes, making them the responsibility of banks and financial services rather than the police.

The concept of this was that by reporting e-crime to the bank, initial information could be packaged up and made easier for the police to investigate. In reality the decision whether to pursue a claim a crime is made by the banks. Of course, financial institutions have a somewhat vested interest. Banks don’t want to lose consumer confidence so are inclined not to pass on information to the police. The Lord’s report aims to change this by holding banks responsible for personal online fraud losses and to tell their customers and a central authority when a breach had occurred. In addition, the report suggested software vendors being held liable for flaws in their products, and an increase in resources available to the police to assist them in catching e-criminals.

There is still much to do. The Lord’s report highlighted serious flaws in the way in which the Government handles e-crime and the suggested measures are a step in the right direction. Internet fraud is rapidly becoming Britain’s most common crime and the predicament will continue to intensify unless the IT sector, government departments, and the financial institutions pull their socks up and work together. While they continue to squabble amongst themselves the internet criminals are left to thrive, pocketing as much as they please.

(Smartcard News Ltd, 2008)

'A la Cartes' - Has the Industry bitten off more than they can chew?

Ask anybody in the Smartcard business and they will tell you that ‘The Cartes Show’ is the event to mark in the diary. In its 22nd year welcomed 20,000 visitors from over 130 counties to come and sample fresh, innovative smartcard and identification technology.

The exhibition boasted 500 companies on show, a 16% increase of vendor population in 2006, confirming the increasing popularity and stature of the programme. This year the latest smartcard ideas and machinery was piloted to researchers, buyers and the top directors and managers of the industry.

The guest of honour was Japan, forerunners in contactless applications and established economic game plans, which are widely believed to be the future of the smartcard sector. Japans presence was not only prevalent through the scores of Asian companies on show, Fujitsu, JBC, and Athena to name a few, but also the numerous Japanese gardens and sculptures on display, which enhanced the diverse atmosphere within the 35,000 sq ft area. I wasn’t the only new face either; several businesses were attending for the first time, including the first ever Indian manufacturer, Aseptics. The Aseptics director Hitch Murada said, “We are confident of our ability to serve highly competitive products to our customers.”

His enthusiasm although refreshing seems unlikely to bear fruit in an increasing cut throat smartcard market. In truth, Aseptics are one of many small fish in a big pond, dominated by sharks such as Oberthur, Gemalto and other well-established corporations.

Oberthur, now the world’s second biggest smartcard provider announced third quarter sales of 148 million euro’s. (Perhaps they should have invested more in their ‘free’ shuttle bus service from Charles de Gaulle airport to the exhibition centre, as the laid-on transport was curiously absent!) Not so hard to miss was their shopping mall-esque stall complete with bar, which alongside Gemalto overshadowed (some literally!) other displays and stands. So why would the huge brands take so much time and effort to be in attendance at this event?

IT executive Jorge Krug believes it is because, “Cartes is the premium trade show in Europe for smartcard business, with new applications and technologies on display those working within the industry cannot afford to miss it.”

It certainly cannot be denied that this year’s event underlined forecasted changes and clear transitions in the smartcard market. ‘NFC’ or near field communications was an application that
many were touting as the latest potential success described by Inside Contactless’ Remy De Tonnac as “the first intuitive application” NFC has taken the smartcard world by storm. The application which is complementary to Wi-Fi and blue tooth standards has been predicted to be adopted by 52 million consumers before 2015.

The technology focuses upon mobile phones and is stored within the SIM. Its intention is to increase the speed and simplicity of ‘contactless’ transactions and will allow the user to purchase tickets, food and drink from their mobile. Many experts are sceptical, and even NFC’s disciples are forced to admit that there are considerable boundaries it must overcome before introduction into the mainstream. Simon Pugh, head of advanced payments at MasterCard said “How do you make money out of it? There are costs involved for all parties but where does the money come in?

Claims that NFC will end up a damp squib much like Bluetooth are refuted by Sophie Tacchi, an industry expert. “Bluetooth requires a pin number where as NFC doesn’t. NFC is currently being implemented successfully in various countries, for example it is being used in fast food restaurants such as McDonalds in the USA and petrol stations and taxis in Japan.”

However, phones with NFC capabilities are rare and the current implementations are only pilot projects. Service providers will surely have no desire to sell them if there is not a sufficient consumer demand?


Ken Warren, Cryptography research manager agrees, “The NFC business case is just not lucrative for investors. It requires critical mass but the delayed deployment may lead to suppliers not being prepared to wait for standards.” The general consensus seemed that NFC modification would go ahead, but the timescales are uncertain. Bruno Moreau, CEO of ‘ASK’ admitted NFC was, “Still a long way from implantation on a market scale.” Worryingly, consumer demands aren’t the only issue with NFC; the hardware itself has come into question after concerns that a low battery source would prevent a transaction. The battery provides another headache for manufacturers in that its position in relation to the antenna can obstruct the receiving signal.

This became evident in a Visa ‘pay wave’ demonstration when the SIM struggled to complete the transaction. Visa was quick to assure us it was an anomaly as the pay wave machines were fully commercialised in Cardiff car parks. Let’s hope it is running more efficiently in the welsh capital or we can expect some very frustrated motorists!

Whether NFC is a success remains to be seen, it is certainly a revolutionary idea that could reduce the number of cards a user needs to carry, although an Inteligensa spokesman said “NFC needs to prove itself consistently to be taken seriously.”


NFC is just another attempt by smartcard industry to develop the SIM, or become multi-functional. Experts and lecturers at the Cartes show all spoke of how the smartcard must adapt to new requirements and develop into a more ‘profit friendly’ product. But what does this exploration into unknown waters mean for the industry, and how will the business cope with this transition?

Many smartcards are now third generation yet still only a small proportion offer multiple applications or share applications between organisations and sectors. To compete with growth in the Asian markets, Christian Religion CEO of Thales said, “We are forced to look for more solutions”. The question is whether these companies, many established for a great number of years, are capable of modifying their product to suit new demands.


Michael Kummerle, an executive at Giesecke and Devriant said, “Classic smartcard manufacturers are in a perfect position to develop, as many have contracts with major banks and transport facilitators.” It is not as if the industry has much of a choice, Lauri Pesonon announced at the world card summit during the Cartes exhibition that, “Multi-purpose technology is the only way the smartcard business will survive.”

These strong words are echoed by his counterparts across the smartcard sector such as Jan Valcke, the chairman of Vasco who “recognises smartcard must keep up with the times.” Electronic banking in particular has been pin pointed as a lucrative area of development, plainly because the majority of transactions require a financial payment. The industry seems to be moving into a new era where convergence of SIM applications and contactless cards rule the roost.


Michel Cainitrot, the chairman of the SIM alliance acknowledges in Paris that smartcard were “changing dramatically.” He attributed this change to an “increasing commodity market” and suggested the SIM’s future was in “payment and transportation applications or securing new commutations channels.”

For profits to be generated the changes required are vast, providers have to adjust but also to invest large sums of cash. Because of this some areas of smartcard manufacturing are teetering dangerously at the brink of an unbalanced market. Douglas Bergeon CEO of Verifone said, “In 2000 we had 15 competitors but today we have just 4. I am convinced that this will become two very soon.” Bergeon is of course referring to his own company Verifone and smartcard manufacturing giants Ingenico.

It is doubtful that providers will politely endorse new changes, which leads me to ask is the market really ready for multipurpose technology?

Another development of the smartcard which was discussed considerably throughout the Cartes Show was the ‘Contactless Card’. The contactless card is not a new idea, but it seems as if more impetus is now being placed upon this method of smartcard. Phillipe Tartavell of Hypercom described contactless card as the “future of the card industry.”


The contactless card is faster than cash, and faster processes will inevitably result in increased consumer use. The simplicity of expression is helping to drive the technology market, but do consumers actually want them? Surveys have shown that consumers generally prefer human contact, a concept Matthew Trowbridge, CEO of Renesas denies. “There is a fundamental distrust in technology and critics only focus on the negatives. Contactless technology is fast and secure and will leave staff more time to deal with complex enquiries”

While smartcard businesses strive to hit new targets and to produce profitable NFC, contactless and multi-functional applications, the market becomes an increasingly dangerous place. Gerard De Moura, the director of Gallitt spoke at an exhibit conference saying, “There is increased conflict or competition between providers, and an aggressive market has technical and financial implications.”


De Moura is likely to be referring to friction between service providers and system integrators. Unclear partnerships as well as differing targets and standards mean the opportunity for interoperability seem hopeless and business share fully continue to promote their own agendas at the expense of others. Gil Bernaben, Technical director of Global platform emphasised this when he surprised his audience announcing, “As a system integrator we don’t care about the card, we care about the Solution!”

Mike Hendry, a payment systems consultant noted that “smartcard development creates new battlefields, for instance mobile companies versus banks. Although corporate relationships are strained we must find ways to overcome this.”


One such strained relationship which became evident during the Cartes event was that between Visa and Cryptography D.P.A. Visa, previously a non-profit organisation now intends to float on the stock exchange. However the company, who are currently undergoing an IPO assessment, will not be pleased to learn that Benjamin Jun the vice president of Cryptography has made public on ongoing dispute between the two businesses.
“Visa pulled out of a contract after already committing themselves to it. We are filing a litigation complaint for breach of contract.” This comes just two weeks after the European commission imposed a 14 million fine on Visa for ‘anti-competitive’ practises against Morgan Stanley.

This situation of two smartcard companies at loggerheads is sure to cause a stir in the trade. It is entirely possible that this predicament will be one of many in future years for the smartcard industry, should the market continue to remain unstable and present a conflict of interest to those involved.


The Cartes show 2007 provided us with an insight into the future of the industry. Smartcards look to be facing a battle to survive, while the industry must adapt to prevent itself from remaining a commodity, and instead become a necessity. Multi-purpose cards and NFC are eager to establish themselves in the mainstream market, but will face some form of adversity.
One thing is for sure, the technology on display in Paris was at times awe-inspiring and we can look forward to another busy and eventful exhibition next year, preferably without the rail strikes please Mr Sarkozy!





(Smartcard News Ltd, 2007)

University: A heavy price to pay?

How the student lifestyle has changed. Whilst many regard University as a time to drink copious amounts of alcohol and generally have a good time, an increasing number of us find ourselves facing mountains of debt and more than a few financial headaches. Juggling study hours and part time work is certainly no stroll in the park, and recent figures show that despite widespread publicity students still underestimate the cost of attending University. The National Union of Students calculated that the average accumulated debt at the end of a three year degree is £13,252. It doesn’t get any better either. After a review of the current system, researchers predict that tuition fees could almost double by 2009 to cope with new demands.

The government predicted that by 2010 over 50% of all young people would do a degree. The claims seemed over ambitious and were met with disbelief by those in the education sector. In fact, UCAS studies showed that University applications were on the decline, with an average of 13,000 fewer students applying each year since 2005. Also, to cut costs, more students than ever are opting to stay at home while they study, rather than live independently. This has a knock on effect in the future. A report from Scottish Widows revealed that 56 per cent of graduates are yet to buy their first property, up three per cent from last year. So why is it so expensive to study at University and is it really worth it in the long run? I wanted to discover these answers and find out what the government and the NUS were doing to coax disillusioned youngsters back onto the education pathway.

An NUS spokesman told me, ‘In the last five years we have fought to reduce the costs and extent of student hardship. In 2003 we held the largest student demonstration in decades when 31,000 students marched through London. Since then we have lobbied parliament for increased student support and to block the removal of the fees cap.’

The government has also been busy behind the scenes, and the most recently implemented fees proposal is an intriguing one. Branded a Robin Hood-style redistributive scheme, the post-2006 system favours students from low-income homes, and is much more expensive for those from higher income families. So in effect the Government is taking from the better-off graduate in order to give to the student from a poor home. The Commons education committee recommended that wealthier families should pay ‘higher interest rates and charges so poorer students can be given financial help.’ So what does this mean for those studying in England?

Since 2006 students have not paid fees until they have graduated and start to earn over £15,000 a year. Their costs have been paid to the university by the government. A hefty bill will then be presented to the student after graduation. Graduates pay back the amount they borrowed at a rate of 9%, so a graduate earning £18,000 a year will pay back their student debt at £5.20 a week. It takes an average student 15 years to clear themselves of debts incurred during their time at University. After 25 years if the balance due has not been met then the slate is wiped clean. This is not a particularly ideal circumstance for the Treasury who have forked out £1 billion a year to write off unpaid student debts.

However, the government believes the scheme will benefit a low income student and reduce his overall debt. A poorer student is likely to qualify for a government grant as well as a University bursary and a full student loan. That’s roughly an annual income of £7000, far more than the average student receives so they should not need to take out any expensive commercial debt, such as credit cards to survive. Should the graduate go on to a very lowly paid career, or decides not to work at all, they will never have to pay back a penny. On the other hand if as a result of their degree they earn a large salary, they should be able to afford to pay it back.

The news is not so promising for the wealthier student. They receive no bursary or student grant and will qualify for only 75% of a student loan. They will therefore need parental help, their own earned income, or a commercial loan to meet the full living costs of university. Not good news for the parents or their wallets. Recent studies show that a fifth of all students expect their parents to pay for the university experience. To compound matters, 36% of parents are expecting to forfeit an early retirement, due to the rising costs of funding their child’s education while over 90% said they have made sacrifices to allow their children to follow their academic dreams.

Ben Morgan, a student at Southampton Solent University said that some of his friends received student grants and financial help while he was forced to find other ways to make money. ‘I know people who have been given bursaries and live comfortably on over £100 a week. I have had to find part time work and I probably will have to stay at University between terms to pay my rent and keep my job. University is really expensive and sometimes I think it would be easier to work
full time and not have any money concerns.’

Of course, there is an argument to be had over whether University should be free for all students. In Scotland for instance, the politicians have reaped the benefit of being able to claim they have abolished fees. In fact, they have merely done something very similar to what is happening in England by replacing an up-front fee with an ‘endowment’ to be paid after graduation. In America, where scholarships are commonplace, universities receive an average of £11,500 a year to teach each student. In England, it is just £7,300.

The argument over University fees is a seemingly difficult one. Costs are high, and students are left with no option but to take out commercial loans or work long hours to sustain their budgets. However, the government fees system is attempting to eradicate this element of stress and financial worry but whether the scheme benefits every student is debatable. It is common to hear stories of people who have accumulated huge amounts of debt during their student years. Of course, this is possible, just as it is possible to get massively into debt in all walks of life.

(National Student and UK Student News, 2008)

Southampton Tourist Attraction Reviews.

Harbour Lights Picturehouse, Southampton.

Situated on the marina in Ocean Village, the Harbour Lights Picture house boasts two screens showing a variety of both independent and mainstream cinema. A stylish and alternative cinema experience, the distinctive glass building also houses an art gallery and bar where customers can enjoy an alcoholic beverage before and during the film. Harbour Lights was voted ‘best loved independent cinema’ in 2000 and has links with both the city’s universities through its innovative film studies course.

City Art Gallery, Southampton

Southampton City Art Gallery is located within the Civic Centre, a stunning example of 1930’s municipal architecture. Internationally renowned, the gallery houses over three thousand pieces spanning six centuries. Exhibitions range from Renaissance art to post-modern collections. The gallery is free and attracts thousands of visitors each month. Through a programme of educational activities the gallery offers an opportunity to increase the understanding of art for all ages. The gallery also offers a restaurant and craft shop as well as a range of workshops and conference events.

(UK Attractions Reviews, 2008)

Moss Rose at the Millais - Ian Hamilton Finlay

Despite a selection of paintings and sketches on display, it was the brazen sculpture called ‘Moss Rose’ which grabs the viewer’s attention upon entering the John Millais Gallery. Combining acrylic and wood, two common materials, the late British artist Ian Hamilton Finlay, creates something extraordinary and inspiring. It is essentially an inscription of language onto objects, yet the red, bold lettering set against a white vast expanse evokes a deeper emotion within the viewer.

The amalgamation of letters and objects is a theme that Finlay experimented with regularly throughout his career. Finlay exploits the layers of meaning through brash, prominent lettering, and in doing so ‘Moss Rose’ provides both visual and verbal stimulation simultaneously, appealing to a greater number of the viewer’s senses.

The lettering is square and three-dimensional emphasising Finlay’s fascination with shapes. The lines and angles are equally sharp and resolute giving the sculpture an almost abstract impression. The powerful silhouette of the object against the white walls seemed like the skyline of a major city. What enticed me so much about this seemingly innocuous piece of art was the discussion and opinion it provoked. Myself, and those around me initially looked upon ‘Moss Rose’ with a look of confusion. It undoubtedly split opinion. Some quickly moved on with fleeting disinterest whereas I couldn’t help but to be drawn to the innovation and originality of the work.

‘Moss Rose’ would not look out of place in a modern art exhibition, so you can imagine my surprise to find that the sculpture was commissioned in 1969. This confirmed in my mind that the sculpture was an example of post modernism in the late 60’s. Interestingly, the piece was constructed at the same time as Neil Armstrong ventured onto the moon, and in the aftermath of women’s and racial equality campaigns across America. Perhaps the technological advances coupled with the social transitions occurring at the time influenced Finlay in the style and method that he chose upon when constructing this piece.

The clear and vivid use of colour and shape contrasted well with the ambiguity of the sculpture. However, whilst the lettering and form of the figure was definitive, the meaning and the story behind it certainly was not.

‘Moss Rose’ and a number of other works by Ian Hamilton Finlay can be found at the John Millais Gallery, located within Southampton Solent University. Opening hours are 10am-5pm, Mon-Sat.

My Bristol Rovers: Tom Tainton.

How did you become a Gashead?


My first hazy memories of Bristol Rovers were at Twerton Park in Bath. Back then we didn't have our own ground so it was a 30-mile round trip every other Saturday. I supported Rovers merely because my father did. He had followed them since he was a kid so decided a good way to build character in his only son was to subject him to the torment of watching crap football. My Dad did foolishly attempt to convert my Sister to Bristol Rovers also. She came to one match armed with a book and a flask and we were forced to leave at half time.


First Game?


I remember vaguely watching Rovers draw 0-0 at Twerton, Marcus Browning in particular having a stormer. The Wembley final of '95 also springs to mind, we walked for what seemed like hours to get to Wembley and I missed all three goals for toilet breaks. The first time I vividly recall a game was Bristol Rovers vs Wycombe in '98. It was a night match so it was quite exciting being awake past 9.30, and Rovers won 3-1.


How often do you get to see them now?


Now I'm at Uni in Southampton I'm the epitomy of a fairweather fan. I follow results with interest, but only watch the gas if I'm home or if they are doing well in a cup competition/top of the league clash. Fortunately this year Rovers have reached the FA Cup quarter finals for the first time since 1958 so I have been dashing back up to the Westcountry at every opportunity I get.


Most Memorable moment?


It's no surprise to me that my most memorable moments regarding Bristol Rovers are depressing, painful reminiscences. I cried for hours when Barry Hayles was sold to Fulham, partly because he was a genius and partly because my friend trod on my Lego stadium which I had meticulously created over a period of months. Equally distressing was Rovers-Bournemouth in 2000. After leading the table for much of the season, the pirates were choking and needed a win to stay in the automatic promotion positions. Cue losing a 2 goal lead, the ensuing footballing equivalent of the alamo and Jason Robert's last minute miss with the goal gaping. This sparked conspiracy rumours of the board 'not wanting us to go up'. Relegation was pretty bad too, I could go on forever to be honest.


Have you met any Rovers players?


I was fortunate enough to train with the squad for a week as 'work experience' in 2005. One of my tasks was to hand each player a towel as he left the showers stark naked, and also to collect dirty training kit. Those were happy days.


Favourite Current player?


I'm a fan of Lewis Haldane for all the wrong reasons. He came up through the youth ranks and been with the club throughout our relegation battles in the basement division. More importantly, he wears lots of fake tan and hair gel, and falls over alot.


Describe last season. How did it affect you?


What can I say? First team to ever play at The Millennium Stadium and Wembley in the same season. We beat Bristol City over two legs confirming we are officially the oldest and finest club in Bristol. Paul Trollope assembled a decent squad for the first time in years and the League Two play-off final was the greatest sporting day in living memory. 40,000 Gasheads willing Sammy Igoe on with every Shrewsbury player running after him is a sight to behold. The fact it was the final seconds made it that much sweeter. Watch it on Youtube, its magical.


What are your hopes for this season?


I'm a realist so I will say mid-table mediocrity in our first season in League One and the FA Cup.


Choose your all time Rovers eleven.


This is my eleven favourite Rovers players I have seen from '97 to the present day. They are not necessarily the best, in fact some of them wouldn't even get into the current team.
Lee Jones in goal, Pethick, Elliott, Foster and Mark Foran. Mark Walters, Stuart Campbell, Lewis Hogg and Vitas Astafjevs, Hayles and Sergio Ommel up front.


Complete this sentence: The thing I hate about Bristol Rovers is..


Their ability to disappoint, play awfully, be overshadowed by Bristol C*ty, and sign players on 5 year lucrative contracts who really couldn't care about the club.


Complete this sentence: The thing I love about Bristol Rovers is..


Their ability to disappoint. The incredible travelling support. The endless production line of brilliant strikers and FA cup upsets. The amount of money that my dad and I have spent travelling up and down the country to watch them must be beyond thousands. Has it been worth it? Probably not.

We already have a top pack to work with - Bakewell.

New Bath forwards coach Mark Bakewell has vowed to build on the massive progress made by Mike Foley, the man responsible for turning the club's pack into one of the most feared in Europe. Bakewell officially took over from Foley this week, and will make up half of an experienced coaching duo, working alongside fellow Australian Steve Meehan. Foley left Bath at the end of last season to take up a role within the Australian national team set-up.

Bakewell arrives at the Recreation Ground with a strong pedigree, having coached both Brive and Beziers in France, and Sydney club Eastern Suburbs in Australia. The former New South Wales coach of the year praised the foundations laid by Foley, claiming the strength in the front eight played a big part in his decision to cross the channel to work in the Guinness Premiership.

'The pack here has outstanding technical ability and I take my hat off to Mike Foley for the work he has done with the forwards,' said Bakewell. 'We have an outstanding pack and that was definately a factor in me coming here.'

'Coming into a club like Bath is not like coming in at point A and having to build up. It's all about building on what is already here, and that allows you to be a little more conceptual in your approach. The pack and the previous coaching they have received was a big reason for me coming here. If I had to pick a club in Europe I would come too, it would be Bath.'

Bakewell's arrival at Bath was hardly a well-kept secret. His move to the Rec was widely reported before he arrived in England, with work permit delays preventing him from taking up his post earlier. Permit problems not only delayed Bakewell's move to Bath but also caused proposed talks with London Irish to break down last year when the relevant paperwork could not be sorted out in time.

'It has been a four-year battle to get here, so London Irish probably did me a favour,' said Bakewell, who almost joined Bath in 2002. 'The contact I have had with the players so far has been fantastic - they are ultimate professionals in everything they do and relentless in their support for one another.'

'The players will have to adapt to what I do, and I will have to adapt to what they do. You would be mad to knock down the strengths of the side - we have got to build on those, and also work on any perceived weaknesses. There is no coach in the World who knows everything, and no player in the World who knows everything. But it is a matter of us now building on the strengths that are here, and capitalising on those.'

'We want them to enjoy thier rugby and to play an attractive style of game which the supporters will enjoy, nut not to create an environment where the opposition knows exactly what we are going to do. You would be silly to knock down the strengths of this team, but there are other areas we can manipulate to make sure we have plan A, plan B, and a plan C.'

As a rugby team today, you can't afford to get pigeonholed in terms of the way you are going to play. We need to have multi-dimensions, but also to have a degree of organisation in the way that we play.'

(Western Daily Press, 2006)

Young stars as Bishopston claim cup win.

Bishopston were celebrating after beating Marshfield by just 10 runs in the final of the under-11 Dave McCarthy knock out cup. Marshfield managed 114-5 in their innings as they chased Bishopston's total of 124. Bishopston' Jmaes Young won the man of the match award, while Marshfield's Xavier Mackney collected the achievements award for his efforts.

Knowle enjoyed a far more comfortable outcome against Old Bristolians/Westbury in their under-15s Urban Windows cup final. The South Bristol side were victorious by 88 runs after setting a difficult target of 111 for their opponents, losing just seven wickets in the process. Knowle's Buster Lawrence impressed and received the man of the match accolade.

In reply, Westbury suffered a batting collapse and they crumbled to a disappointing 23 all out. Chiraag Pandya received the achievement award for the losing side.

(Bristol Evening Post, 2006)

Promotion chasing Cleve geared up for a successful future.

As early as pre-season, Cleve Rugby outlined their intentions for a promotion push with the addition of former Bristol centre John Pritchard to the first-team coaching ranks. Since then, the Mangotsfield based outfit have acquired the services of Bath academy and England Under-20 fly-half Luke Cozens, as they continue to challenge at the top of South West One.

Cleve who entertain Maidenhead on Saturday, have enjoyed a successful season so far and have been pushing leaders Mounts Bay extremely hard. Some impressive scalps have been taken along the way, most notably the 90-0 rout of Reading Abbey!

The club runs teams at every age group, from under-6s up to Colts at under-19s level, as well as several senior sides. Cleve have strong links with professional clubs and coaches, and the superb facilities at the Hayfields have benefited the development of players from every age group.

The success of the youth development scheme is particularly evident at under-19 level, where the colts side have yet to suffer defeat this season. Club training for all sides is on a Thursday Evening, usually starting around 6.30pm. Senior fixtures are played on a Saturday afternoon, whereas the youth sides perform on Sunday mornings.

All players are welcome to attend training, regardless of experience or capabilities.

(Sportywest Article, 2006)

Interview with Remy De Tonnac - CEO of Inside Contactless.

On the 7th of January 2008 Motorola announced a strategic investment in Inside Contactless, bringing the potential of NFC technologies and contactless payments closer to the consumer than ever before. This capped off a successful year for Inside Contactless which included recognition at the Sesames and Remy De Tonnac, the CEO of Inside Contactless earning the ID trail blazer award for his efforts. I spoke to De Tonnac to gauge just how important the deal was for the smartcard market and the future of NFC.

Congratulations on Motorola’s investment, does this signal the progress that Inside Contactless has made in recent years?
Thank you very much. I would say absolutely, yes. The interest from global brands is a reflection of our progress, and how far Inside Contactless has come from a small start up to where we are today. We have been in the woods so to speak for many years, and now we are venturing out of the woods.

How will the investment benefit your company, and in particular how will this affect the consumer market?
The investment is crucial to us in that we have strong assurance that someone is helping us to push NFC. It is a strong indication of our potential, Motorola have backed us and believe in our aims and the technology to we have worked so hard to deliver. Our credibility has been enhanced, a factor that we feel is as important as any financial gain. Of course, it is a strategic investment from their perspective. Motorola will expect a return for the investment, and we are confident we can deliver that. Over the next 2-3 years we aim to have the NFC application within 50% of commercial phones.

Is there an expected date that we will see NFC being introduced on a large scale, and in which country do you envisage this being trialled?
Everyone in the industry agrees players such as Nokia, Motorola and of course competitors like NXP that 2010 will be the year of mass deployment. In 2009 we are already likely to see over 100 million devices on the market with NFC capabilities. Currently we have successful trials here in France, Orange is utilizing NFC in Bordeaux and of course London has had successful trials with the Oyster card. We believe mass deployment will focus initially on Asia and we are very confident that it is a case of ‘when’ and not ‘if’.

Does the US Market interest you as a potential pathway for NFC introduction?
Absolutely, but whereas the UK adopts a dual interspace technology with regards to Visa, MasterCard and the London Underground, the US payment system emulates magnetic stripe applications. It is a misconception that Inside Contactless are two separate business units with one kind of chip specific to finance and credit cards, and another specific to applications used by the likes of Nokia and Motorola. We do in fact utilise the same IP block and low power consumption in all our products. We are currently paving the way to deploying the appropriate infrastructure within the US to accept our technology.

How will you strive to eradicate any concerns with the NFC technology?
I believe that we have passed this point. A few years ago issues were raised but today we have a reliable platform and tested technology to support NFC which has been proven to be just as reliable as contactless cards. There are certainly no additional concerns. Today’s is a different business model which crucially is more flexible than previously. For example, it is unlikely that credit card or personal information will be stored in the SIM card. Instead, it will be stored in a separate secure unit.

What are the changes or differences you see in market demand today as opposed to five years ago?
I don’t know if you are aware but five years ago I was working as a venture capitalist and looking at the emerging markets, so I feel very qualified to answer this particular question. 2002 was the year after the technology ‘bubble’ had burst, and the market had begun to slow down. There are no major differences in demand to note, although it was around the time that Bluetooth was adopted with a very similar appetite to the enthusiasm that surrounds NFC today.

Do you think your impressive financial pedigree as well as international recognition (De Tonnac was awarded the ID trail blazer award) attracted Motorola and other major players to invest?
Excuse my lack of modesty, but definitely, yes. Inside Contactless were rewarded with an innovation award at the Sesames 2007. In the same way that an employer looks at a resume, investors look at how successful our company is. We have an annual turnover of 200 million US dollars and employ over 500 people worldwide. In my experience, an investor considers three factors. First, an interest in the NFC market which Motorola certainly has. Secondly, satisfaction with the technology and intellectual property which I believe we provide and finally, the right people and appropriate management for the task.

So what are the critical factors in Inside Contactless’ success?
Consistency. We have had the same people working for us for 12 years and we all share the same goals. Our technicians are experts in their fields who live, breathe, eat, sleep and drink contactless cards. We are engaging a crusade to introduce NFC to the world! We have 60 patents and a healthy bottom-line profit; the company really has come a long way. We hold 70% of the market share because of our assets such as our microprocessor. In an innovative market we have continued to make breakthroughs, and we are a forerunner in the industry because of this.

Finally in light of the Motorola investment, what are your long and short term goals?
In the short term, over the next 12 months we want to gain a strong position within the US and develop some revenue streams. We will tap into new markets such as the UK, and Canada which is moving towards dual interface technology. We also aim to capitalise on Motorola’s investment by speeding up the NFC adoption process. In the long term, we will massively invest in software and increase our chip sales. We must be willing to go public and primarily make some money!

De Tonnac predicts a bright future for NFC, and is confident that he and his staff can lead the explosion of contactless applications. With continued high performance, and financial injection from major players, Inside Contactless seems to have all the ingredients for success. De Tonnac’s latest coup in signing Motorola to the cause will only serve to enhance his company’s already lofty reputations in the industry.

(Smartcard News Ltd, 2008)

Interview with Jacques Seneca - Security Vice President of Gemalto.

In 2007 Gemalto announced revenue of 1.6 billion, a positive return after what has been a difficult financial year for the industry. Gemalto, formerly Axalto and Gemplus boast a 50% market share and are a world leader in digital security. With over 10,000 employees and offices in 85 countries across the world Gemalto provides solutions for major global companies such as Microsoft and Microsystems. I spoke to Security Vice President Jacques Seneca to ascertain his and Gemalto’s plans for the coming year.

With Quarter 4 revenue up 8% to 471 million euros, does this highlight the progress of your leadership in the market?
Definitely. Gemalto ended 2007 on a strong note with a return to growth over the second half of the year. We are in an improving market environment, and our ability to leverage our market leadership is very important. Certainly one point that we have been highlighting the last few quarters is a much more healthy evolution in the average sales price. This recovery is especially meaningful in mobile communication where it owes much to our focussed effort in segmenting and differentiating our offers, when differentiated, and displaying more discipline in our pricing processes across the whole organisation.Another key point that contributed to revenue growth was also the steady increase in our software and services activity. We are continuing to put a lot of efforts in developing our services offerings across all of our business segments. This includes the operated services in Mobile Communication, more banking personalization services, integration and service issuance for national ID programs and so on.

Do you foresee an acceleration in revenue and margin growth in the industry for 2008?
For the time being, we know that the growth of the industry and the deployment of smart technologies are not yet at maturity. Consumers are expecting to benefit from more and more high-level solutions in their everyday life. R&D is far from its latest stage; we still have a broad leeway to improve innovation and value proposition.That is why Gemalto continues to anticipate growth in the overall industry.

Which markets look to be strong going into 2008, and which might hold Gemalto back?
All our markets are enjoying surges in demand. In the mobile communication business, the market environment has certainly improved. 2008 will continue to see significant activities in promising new areas like NFC mobile payment as well as dynamic services provisioning and upgrades over-the-air. Operators in all markets are showing renewed interests in SIM-based solutions for value-added services.In Secure Transactions, the growing success of contactless payment around the world is driving improvements in product mix. Customers are also showing interests in our innovative services and solutions, such as Instant Issuance and CardLikeMe.And in Security, markets for government projects are entering a new wave of growth driven by the introduction of EAC e-passports in Europe. Success of ID cards in several countries is encouraging new developments, targeting large deployments in 2009 while in Identity and Access Management, security concerns are driving growth of online banking solutions.

Going into 2008 profitability is improving – what are the financial targets for 2008?
In the second half of 2007, operating margin reflected the usual favourable seasonal pattern and the increasing contribution of our digital security solutions deployments. It also benefited from the stable pricing pattern observed during the year due to our price discipline and from additional cost synergies from the combination. Preliminary indications of the Company adjusted operating income for the full year 2007 is that it will be above the previous market consensus of € 71 million.Our objective of reaching adjusted operating margin of 10% for 2009 remains unchanged.

Gemalto recently made important progress with the secure chip operating system in Germany. What role will the company play within the German health service?
Gemalto supports the deployment of an advanced digital healthcare solution in Germany, which guarantees a secure and easy authentication of the patient. While reducing fraud risks and increasing privacy, this solution modernizes healthcare infrastructures and simplifies the relationship between Germans and their government. Through this project, Gemalto acts as a facilitator, understanding the needs of citizens and governments for highly secure and convenient services.

Gemalto also were selected to deliver electronic ID cards to Yemen and launching mobile banking services in Colombia. Is tapping into markets that haven’t previously had the infrastructure a risky venture?
As a global-scaled and big-sized company, Gemalto has developed a strong know-how in proactively accompanying emerging countries all around the world. We intervened in the Middle East, Africa, South of America or Asia and proved the strength of our expertise. We have the knowledge and experience that our partners can rely on. We have the capability to help countries build innovative projects on the ground up.

Gemalto were awarded the 2007 Frost and Sullivan awards for innovation. You were also the first members to achieve advanced card education accreditation. What are the key factors in the success of the company?
Indeed we are recognized in the industry as a forerunner in terms of innovation. We work hand in hand with our partners. Throughout years, we gained a tough experience. Now we are well placed to understand their needs and these of end users. We know exactly what they are looking for: more security, more freedom. That is how we became a pioneer in developing comprehensive solutions fulfilling all their expectations.

Gemalto are digital security specialists, what dangers do consumers face in today’s market?
Nowadays, various kinds of e-fraud exist, such as phishing (when a fake site mirrors a real site where you have to pay) or pharming (when you are redirected to another website where you are invited to enter your personal data). Our role is not to put the focus on the risks, but on the solutions. As the leader in digital security, Gemalto provides secure solutions helping end users to feel safe and be confident when using technologies.

The industry has been hit by the global financial crisis. Gemalto have lost 25% of its value. How does the company intend to bounce back from this?
This is precisely one of the qualities of Gemalto: by being an actor on several markets such as Telecom, Identity, Security and Financial transaction, we are far less sensitive to one market difficulty and therefore our performance will not be affected as some actors might have thought so far. Even if you take the example of the financial sector, the demand for our products in the sector of secure transactions is not linked to the turmoil in which financial markets are embedded. Banks could increase their interest for retail banking, as their financial performances on stock markets could drop. Today there is a growing demand for banking cards on a global scale, due to the EMV migration as well as the booming emergence of contactless payment solutions. Also our banking cards are designed for the retail banking; they are regularly renewed, no matter what the consumption levels are. These factors are structuring and sustainable.

Gemalto recently laid off 400 employees as part of a plan to trim costs. Has this lead to the growth and profitability that you would have hoped for?
We have reorganised our production activities in Europe and have indeed announced the closing of our plant in Orléans, France. We reaped the first fruits of synergies from the combination. And we see now the materialization of our planned synergies.

There are rumours of the acquisition of Oberthur Card Systems by Gemalto. Is there any truth in this?
We usually never comment rumours but here I can clearly state that no, there is not. We succeeded in making merge two global companies that were leaders in terms of size and innovation. Our clients have already started benefiting from our complementary merger: strengthened R&D, enhanced services, wider geographical coverage etc. Our financial health is excellent. So we have enough latitude to consider acquisitions. But we are willing to carry out projects that fit well our business strategy: integrating complementary expertises and extending our portfolio of value added services.

Finally, where would you like to see Gemalto at the end of 2008?
Assuming our leadership role in the field of digital security, partnering ever more with our clients in their drive to grow their businesses, developing our software and services, thriving on our innovation and well on our way to meeting our 2009 targets.

(Smartcard News Ltd, 2008)

Evesham United Vs Bashley Town

Evesham United cemented their position at the top of the table after Aaron LeBone’s late effort sunk a determined Bashley outfit. Evesham can now boast five consecutive home wins but made hard work of their spirited opponents in difficult conditions at Common Road.

Neil Black had a selection headache prior to kick off, when Rob Davis failed a late fitness test after falling awkwardly during the warm up. Bashley started with the same line up that recorded a morale boosting victory at Halesowen on Tuesday.

The Staffordshire based side started the brighter, signalling their attacking intentions from the start in a frenetic opening encounter in which Jake Gilletts went close with a fizzing, left foot drive. The driving rain added to a scrappy affair, which was dominated by long aerial balls, a style that in truth suited neither side.

The travelling Bashley faithful saw their celebrations in vain on the half hour mark, when Ollie Hawarth's powerful header was adjudged to have been offside. The ensuing melee resulted in referee David Thomas brandishing three yellow cards, Hawarth, Allen and Ramsay the recipients on this occasion.

Late in the half Evesham goalkeeper Nathan Allen did well to parry a close range volley to safety, and the home faithful welcomed the half time whistle with relief. Black made a series of tactical changes for the second half, giving former Walsall trainee Ryan Vaunton his debut in a three pronged strike force. His decision almost instantly paid off when Vaunton fed the lively Aaron LeBone, who couldn’t hit the target from a tight angle.

Bashley struggled to contain LeBone all afternoon, and it was from an obstruction that the local youngster rattled the woodwork with a curling 25 yard free kick. However, both sides struggled to break the deadlock, Chris Jackson of Bashley going closest when he saw his angled strike comfortably saved by the ever impressive Allen.

As the match crept into the dying minutes, it seemed as if Black and the home supporters would be left to rue missed chances until Aaron LeBone’s individual effort sealed the points for the league leaders. The striker turned his marker, waltzed inside before unleashing a low drive that skidded past Turner on the slick playing surface.

This cued vociferous celebrations from the dugout and players, who recognised the importance of LeBone’s finish, a goal that took Evesham four points clear from the chasing pack in what has proved to be a very competitive league.

Southampton Primary Care Trust receives a ‘good’ rating in Latest Polls.

Southampton NHS trust found itself in the top 25% in the country after the most recent annual healthcare commission annual checks. The ‘good’ rating was an improvement on last year’s rating of ‘fair’.

The national review of 394 organisations found that over a quarter of the NHS trusts across the UK failed to comply with the government’s hygiene code. The results have been greeted with disdain by medical experts and the public alike as nearly 70% of the trusts reviewed scored a ‘weak’ rating.

The rating system was subdivided into two categories, quality of services and use of resources. The trusts were then given an overall rating of weak, fair, good, or excellent. Southampton NHS trusts received a ‘good’ rating for quality of services and ‘fair’ for use of resources. The trust were ‘extremely pleased’ with the result and noted that ‘significant improvements had been made’.

Southampton University Hospitals achieved positive outcomes in childcare, with their child health scheme receiving a high rating. The trust also reduced hospital acquired infections and increased patient choice and booking.

The NHS report highlighted that over a quarter (27%) of hospital staff in Southampton had suffered abuse from patients, a 7% increase on last years results. The staff survey also showed that 70% of the nurses work longer than their contracted hours each week.
‘Great Improvement on last year, congratulations Southampton!’
Says Rob12

Conversely, the patients who used the Southampton trust resources were impressed with the service, pinpointing the efficiency of care and cleanliness as two encouraging factors.

Tiffany Manser, head of communications at Southampton Primary care trust said, ‘‘we are delighted that the trust achieved high standards of care, and to be one of the more successful trusts in the country is a credit to our staff.

‘’We have continued to maintain and improve our services within a challenging national agenda and local health reforms. We look forward to another successful year’’

Southampton Trust Facts

• The trust was established in April 2001, evolving from Southampton East healthcare.
  


• The trust consists of 2074 staff, including 134 GP’s and 67 dentists.
  


• In 2007 the trust had a budget of £337 million, for the treatment of 250,000 people.
  


• Southampton has lower life expectancy, higher pregnancy rates, and higher mortality and suicide rates than anywhere else on the south coast.

The National Identity scheme: Does it make business sense?

The decision to implement a national identity scheme was announced during the Queen’s speech in May 2005. The announcement caused derision amongst social and political groups arousing concerns of a developing ‘big brother’ culture within the United Kingdom. The national Identity project is being overlooked by the IPS, (identity and passport service) and is projected to be fully introduced by 2009.

IPS claims that the national ID scheme will ‘safeguard our identity’ by reducing fraud and controlling high illegal immigration rates. There are currently up to 430,000 illegal immigrants living in the UK, and the home office calculates that identity fraud has cost Britain around £1.7 billion. Although the scheme has strong opposition, most notably from the conservative party and anti-id groups, it has rigorous support from the government. Former Prime minister Tony Blair said, ‘I am convinced, as are our security services, that a secure identity system will help us counter terrorism and international crime.’

The government hopes that eventually every British citizen will own an ID card at the affordable cost of £30. To succeed in such an enormous task the IPS ‘invite’ potential corporate clients to bid as a supplier for the lucrative business. So far 324 companies have signed up to the cause, paving the way for a framework agreement, an innovative initiative by the government to protect their spending. This is a contract which creates a list of pre-qualified suppliers, along with a set of agreed contract terms. The IPS will then be able to procure its requirements from this pool of suppliers, as and when required.

During October, the IPS announced a shortlist of eight prime bidders including EDS, IBM, Thales and Japanese manufacturing giants Fujitsu. The other four confirmed prime bidders are CSC, Accenture, BAE systems and Steria. From the perspective of the providers involved, the most lucrative contract is rumoured to be around £500 million. The corporate communications manager of Gemalto, Remi Calvet said, ‘the contract is obviously an attractive prospective, but we must look into the matter further before confirming any plans publicly.’

Whilst there will be multiple suppliers, they will not share accountability for the project. Instead, suppliers will bid for individual areas of responsibility, for instance designing the biometric systems. Nor will suppliers have an automatic contract renewal from one phase of the project to another. A home office spokesman described the framework agreement as a ‘groundbreaking project’ and claimed the procurement process would bring an end to speculation over contract size and terms and instead bring a ‘greater clarity to the market’.

However, while the framework agreement may benefit the IPS, it does little to inspire potential suppliers. Suppliers will not have an automatic contract renewal from one phase of the project to another and there will be no long term contracts. Because there are no definite contract terms, the home office can avoid legal action and hefty payouts if they wish to part company with a failing supplier. This is interesting as there have been suggestions that the shortlist of 8 would be unable to meet the standards required by the IPS without assistance from partners or sub-contractors. So does this mean that the lack of financial stability and industry confidence translates as a risky investment for a bidding business?

A Smartcard Alliance spokesman said, ‘The security of the contract is unclear, and for this reason suppliers may not readily commit to the implications involved.’ With bidding likely to rise to astronomical levels for all involved, the opportunity to make a quick profit could be more problematic than first assumed.

The IPS promises this is not the case. Meg Hillier, a spokeswoman for the Home Office said, ‘I am confident that the supplier community will step up to the mark in helping us construct this key national asset. We are seeking suppliers with the ability to deliver large, secure systems; and to manage these systems to achieve high standards of performance. We are positive that all parties will benefit.’

The government has also suggested that it wishes suppliers to offer guidance as the project progresses. This raises concerns that there may be a clash of interests, as suppliers may submit advice for the sake of sales rather than benefits to the scheme.
‘Intellect’ the trade body representing the suppliers has overseen the framework agreement and attended meetings with IPS chiefs. A spokeswoman said, ‘We organize concept viability on behalf of the IPS but are not implicated with the IPS any further than that. We can confirm that some of our members are involved but we cannot disclose who at this time.’

There is certainly a cloud of uncertainty surrounding the project. The government does not boast an impressive track record when it comes to former national IT schemes. Such examples include the failing CSA, (child support agency), the NHS electronic patients scheme and the rural payments fiasco. The home office will be keen to sweep this unenviable history under the carpet, but eyebrows were raised when experts suggested the national identity scheme could cost at much as £19 billion and up to £584 million per year.

The chief executive of the IPS James Hall maintains that the benefits outweigh the costs. ‘The national identity scheme is a critical programme for government. It will deliver a wide range of benefits to individual citizens, private industry and government departments as well as contributing to our borders, tackling crime and combating abuse.’ Critics certainly cannot fault his experience, James Hall was unfortunate enough to spearhead ‘Accenture’s’ failed IT project with the NHS, which raises questions of his capabilities in such a vital role on this occasion.
The secrecy shrouding the scheme only serves to diminish the public perception of the project. James Hall acknowledged that ‘for a number of reasons there has been less interaction with the market in recent weeks than previously.’ To add to the confusion, the Government took Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas to the high court in a tribunal battle over the privacy of the ID card business review.

Fujitsu, a forerunner in the bidding suppliers said, ‘We can confirm we are one of eight companies selected for the next stage but the IPS say that commercial sensitivities prevent us from commenting further’.

This lack of information and business direction has lead Howard Davies, director of LSE (London School of economics) to say, ‘until more details are disclosed on the technology’s functionality and how businesses and public sector agencies can interface with the register, IT chiefs will find it impossible to ascertain how their organisations can make use of the ID cards.’While Anti-ID groups argue that the national identity scheme has been proposed in hurried response to political events such as the 7/7 bombings, the home office continues to assert the initiative onto the media and public. The benefits are evident as similar successful schemes across Europe have proved, but the reliance on untried technology, the incomplete cost estimates, and the complexity of the business strategy could leave a sour taste in the mouths of many of the bidding companies and suppliers.

(Smartcard News Ltd, 2007)

ITSO or Oyster?

The rise and rise of the Oyster card has been an extraordinary one. Since the card’s introduction in 2003 it has been issued to ten million users and accounts for 80% of all tube and bus journeys around London. Latest plans to expand the number of stations in zones 1-6 for Oyster use have been applauded by commuters and travel experts alike.

The mayor of London Ken Livingstone said, ‘The extension of Oyster from just sixty rail stations to over three hundred under this agreement marks a massive step towards a fully integrated ticketing system in London.’

While Transys owned Oyster dominates the South East, ITSO (integrated smartcard organisation) smartcards are prevalent in the North. Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Scotland have all adopted an ITSO smartcard for their public transport. An example of this is the Bolton ‘123’ card, which allows travel between neighbouring Blackburn and Bolton with just one card whereas the Scottish executive is commissioning the first large scale implementation of ITSO.

ITSO is Transport for London’s (TfL) favoured smartcard technology and was developed in 1998 after concerns of a lack of suitable standards for inter-operable ticketing. However, Oyster, the most successful and profitable form of smartcard, is not compliant with the ITSO specification. Until this occurs the two means of ticketing can not ‘integrate’ and will subsequently remain as independent and totally separate forms of smartcard travel.

So with plans to extend Oyster acceptance across the London rail network could we see an eventual launch of the cards on a national scale? And if this was the case questions would surely arise over the validity and effectiveness of other smartcards such as ITSO. Would it therefore result in the extinction of ITSO, an older and perhaps more tired smartcard alternative?
There is opposition to this theory. TfL categorically stated on May 10 2006 that they will ‘modify existing Oyster equipment in London to make Oyster gates and validators on the Underground, at major rail termini and on the buses, accept basic alternative Smartcard (ITSO) products.’
The projected completion date for this task is 2009, and the estimated cost? A cool 19 million. It would seem that cash flow is not a problem for TfL, as one billion pounds has already been spent on implementing and developing the Oyster card.

Coupled with these astronomical costs is disagreements and confusion as to when and how the work will take place. Train operating companies such as ATOC, have argued there is no ‘business case’ for them to pay for newly devised equipment, and have even refused Livingstone’s offer of £25 million, suggesting a minimum of £65 million would be needed to install the product.

ATOC’s head of London operations, Steve Howes said, ‘There are no intentions of compliance between Oyster and ITSO. ITSO do not own Oyster, so instead the two will be made to work together as different functions, for instance readers on gates that recognise both ITSO and Oyster smartcards.’

This breeds confusion as Howes contradicts TfL’s promise that ‘Oyster will be an ITSO compliant system by 2009’. So who is telling the truth? It is possible that TfL are trying to spare their blushes, to divert attention away from their extravagant bank statement. Or on the other hand, ATOC may be refusing to co-operate, viewing the issue from a purely business perspective.

From the point of view of commuters, integration of the two systems is paramount. TfL suggest that 1.5 million people will lose out if Oyster fails to comply with the specific requirements.
When the issue was raised in the House of Commons as early as 2006, transport minister Stephen Ladyman commented, ‘Research undertaken by the Department for Transport has demonstrated that it is possible for the Oyster card to be modified so that it can be used for ITSO standard ticketing. Decisions on the future of the Oyster card are for the Mayor of London and the TfL’

Then to complicate matters further, an Oyster Press spokesman said, ‘With regards to the ITSO compliance situation, Negotiations are being made with the train operating companies. It is not for me to comment, it is a central government issue.’
It seems as if nobody wants to take responsibility for this mess. False promises are made, deadlines are argued and then scrapped, and the notion of integrated travel seems even less realistic.

On a positive note, the benefits of electronic ticketing and the oyster card in particular are clear. Cheaper travel (Oyster cards are on average 50p cheaper than paper tickets), reduced fraud and cutting down on queues are some of the encouraging aspects for commuters.
The transport and general worker’s union press officer Andrew Dodgson said ‘Oyster cards have resulted in an increase of passenger numbers, primarily down to ease. The idea of cashless travel is a prime motivator for us’

But will the increased implementation of Oyster cards result in loss of employment for those working in the transport sector? Dodgson disagrees saying ‘The smartcard has benefited the bus industry in particular, it takes away the threat of attacks on members and workers are reassigned to improve customer services levels.’

Dodgson is ‘all in favour’ should Oyster eventually go nationwide as ‘benefits outweigh costs’. However, the department of transport strenuously denies any suggestions of a national Oyster card, although they do predict an ISO 14443-type smartcard which will eventually be applied across the UK but will be no relation to an Oyster card.

Although there are no official plans to instigate Oyster nationally, the gradual increase of Oyster ticketing throughout London may leave a sour taste in the mouth of ITSO members. The impetus is clearly with ITSO; to survive they must keep up with Oyster because without an integration of the two, ITSO could find itself being forced out of the market by its brighter, more mature counterpart.Whether or not the current growth of Oyster continues remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain, if the intended plans to make Oyster compliant with ITSO are not a success then the TfL could well be left with egg on their faces and empty pockets.

(Smartcard News Ltd, 2007)

The National ID Project Saga – Failing Policy, Indecision & Bullying tactics

The much-maligned national ID project suffered another crushing blow when leaked Home Office documents regarding the scheme were exposed to the nation by the Conservative Party. The setback is the latest in a long line of scandal and incident since the plan was first announced in late 2003. To make matters worse, in the aftermath of the revelations two potential suppliers pulled out of the procurement process. Accenture and BAE Systems both decided not to chase contracts reducing the pool to six bidders who the IPS insist are still keen, Fujitsu Services, CSC, EDS, IBM, Steria and Thales.

So what did these documents contain that have resulted in the loss of large manufacturers, previously frontrunners for the £5.4 billion contract? The papers written for the Home Office senior management board suggests postponement of mass implementation of ID cards in Britain. It had been believed that issuing would begin in 2010 as stated in the 2006 publication, ‘ID Cards Action Plan.’ However, the leaked document entitled ‘National Identity scheme delivery strategy’ stated that ID cards are unlikely to be introduced until 2012, two years later than originally planned.

The news of the delay has not been received well by a number of the firms who expressed discontent with continued government indecision. The decision to pull out by BAE and Accenture is believed to be as a result of uncertainty over the timescale and specifications of the venture. It seems as if the IPS still cannot decide what they want, a source of frustration for the manufacturers involved. They don’t know whether they want something specific to security, or whether they want something that focuses upon customers and citizens. The two require different solutions and thus the irresolution breeds confusion amongst the prime bidders.
Accenture, already one of the government’s central suppliers involved extensively in the NHS, claimed that their lack of interest was not linked to the leaked documents and instead was a ‘mixture of political and commercial reasons’. An Accenture spokeswoman said, ‘The Home Office/IPS is in the process of pulling together a list of companies that will then be eligible to bid for future work packages. On this occasion, we have decided not to seek to be selected for this framework’.

BAE echoed similar sentiments explaining that the withdrawal was for ‘commercial reasons’. A BAE spokesman justified the decision by saying, ‘Our assessment is that our bid wouldn't deliver everything the project requires. We will continue to monitor the project with interest.’ The pull out of two frontrunners will leave the government scrambling to confirm the interest of the remaining six companies, short listed from an initial pool over 50 firms. Lack of stakeholder engagement is one of the most common causes of project failure. How nice to see the Home Office perpetuating that tradition.

To compound matters, The London School of Economics suggested the delays could see the bill rise to as much as £19 billion. But, it’s not just the government’s bank account that is affected by the alterations to the ID scheme. The documents also reveal that plans for a national fingerprint database may be quietly dropped. At the same time, it appears that ministers are considering introducing a compulsory ID scheme for every citizen in the UK. This contradicts Gordon Brown's insistence that ID cards will remain voluntary for everyone but foreign nationals. David Davis, the Shadow Home Secretary said, ‘The Government's ID card project has lurched from shambles to shambles. Now it is in the intensive care ward.’

Human Rights groups have also leapt on the bandwagon, branding the compulsory plan as an attempt to dupe and bully the population into surrendering their identity. Phil Booth, the national coordinator of anti ID group ‘NO2ID’ said, ‘The whole biometric charade is over. That reveals what was intended all along; the creation of the database state.’ Enthusiasm for the project is not helped by the government's seeming inability to go more than two days without losing a large amount of private data. A stolen Navy Laptop with the details of 600,000 personnel lost was the latest slip up to embarrass Gordon Brown.

However, the government’s desperation to implement the ID cards has seemingly no bounds. Perhaps the most shocking revelation from the leaked papers was the news that students and young people would be ‘coerced’ into the project. Anyone wanting to open a bank account, apply for student funding or buy alcohol or cigarettes will forced to buy an ID card. The memo states, ‘Various forms of coercion are an option to stimulate applications in a manageable way. There are advantages to designation of documents associated with particular target groups, e.g. young people who may be applying for their first driving license.’
Described as ‘blackmail’ by the Shadow Immigration Minister Damien Green, it seems as if the Home Office is desperately attempting to bolster a failing policy by pinning their hopes on a more vulnerable target group.

The bullying tactics have understandably been met with fierce opposition by student groups. The National Union of Students (NUS) Vice President Ama Uzowuru said, ‘It is extremely disappointing that the Government is planning to use students as guinea pigs for this scheme by forcing them to take on ID cards in order to apply for a loan. We would also be concerned for the safety of students' personal information if they were forced to enter the ID card system.’

Besides being morally reprehensible, the plan is also impractical. The student loan system is already complicated, and introducing another layer of bureaucracy to the process would do little to simplify to process. Also, Many students change address at least once a year and would be at risk of a £1000 fine if they did not report such changes.

While the Home Office confirmed that smaller volumes of ID cards would be issued to young people to ‘assist’ them in opening their first bank account, the British Banker’s Association strenuously denies any involvement in the matter describing the news as a ‘bolt from the blue’. Certainly one of the parties concerned is not being entirely honest.
The IPS stressed that the leaked memos are draft documents, adding that ‘the first priority should be to consider where ID cards can be of greatest benefit to the UK and to the individual.’

So the National ID project soldiers onwards. But with growing animosity towards the scheme, failing strategy, and the loss of key bidders the future does not look bright. Watch this space.

(Smartcard News Ltd, 2007)

Identity fraud: counting the costs.

When the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling admitted to ‘losing’ two discs containing the details of everybody in the UK who claims or receives benefits, the security of the nation’s personal details and identity was again under scrutiny from concerned media and experts alike.
The mistakes made by ‘Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs’ which could potentially leave 7.25 million British families at risk of identity fraud are just the latest in a long line of calamitous errors committed by businesses and governments on a global scale. According to Gartner research, more than 7 million people are at risk of identity theft each year, and the reasons for this astounding number are indefinite. Is the internet and online shopping to blame, or is it merely coincidence that identity theft has been growing steadily since the introduction of the web in the mid nineties?

Howard Beales, head of the Federal Trade Commission said, ‘For several years, we have been seeing anecdotal evidence that identity theft is a significant problem that is on the rise, these breaches of computer security are costing the economy billions of dollars.’ Agency reports show that complaint numbers have doubled every year since 1998, and the FTC now deals with 200,000 victims annually.

‘Hacking’ is now an internet phenomenon. The fraudsters use a series of sophisticated methods to infiltrate lucrative and often vulnerable data systems. One such method is ‘pharming’ whereby a hacker acquires the domain name for a site and redirects that website’s traffic to another site. Another technique is ‘phishing’, whereby a hacker would acquire sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy person or business, for example an Ebay staff member asking for billing details. This is brutally simple and begs the question: ‘Are people even realising the dangers of the internet?’

There are concerns that businesses and governments do not take computer security very seriously, and subsequently leave themselves open to attacks from hackers and internet fraudsters. A recent American poll showed 97% of the public thought the government weren’t doing enough to protect computer security, and over 63% were victims of laptop theft contributing to a loss of 500 million dollars as a result of internet fraud.
However, the government in the UK did make a feeble attempt to ‘get tough’ on computer hackers. In 2001, the ‘National high-tech crime unit’ was launched with a cash injection of 25 million pounds. The NHTCU comprised of four divisions, investigation, intelligence, support and forensic retrieval with the intentions to fight computer crime.

Jack Straw explained at the time that, ‘The Government is committed to ensuring a safe and secure online environment for Internet users in the UK, by tackling hi-tech crime and ensuring our law enforcers have the tools to deal effectively with on-line crime.’
His counterpart, Les Hynds, head of the NHTCU praised the strategy saying, ‘It's a once in a lifetime opportunity; setting up a unit like this gives you a totally blank canvas to work on. The people are keen and committed, the work is fascinating and this really is the future of policing.’
Unfortunately, Hynds’ outlandish predictions of revolutionary policing and a bright future for the NHTCU were not particularly accurate. The project struggled to achieve anything of note and eventually succumbed to the inevitable. The NHTCU was forced to abandon its crusade against computer fraud and instead was renamed the ‘Serious Organised Crime Agency’, whereby officials could wash their hands of all internet fraud responsibility.

As a result of the lack of interest directed towards providing a solid security base, hackers have thrived in the online environment, causing huge global corporations such as Mastercard and Western Union to collapse to its knees. In what could be the largest data security breach to date, MasterCard said information on more than 40 million credit cards may have been stolen. Meanwhile, Western Union shut its website down for 5 days after 15,000 credit card numbers were stolen and 98,000 customers lost details when online shopping website Amazon.com suffered a security breach. Ebay and Yahoo have also been shut down after attacks from hackers.

Its not just businesses either at peril, government secrets from across the world have been exposed due to a combination of lax security measures and general ineptitude. Iain Thompson a spokesman for ‘interactive weekly’ summed it up when he said, ‘What do the U.S. state department, the British military and the FBI have in common? Each of these security-centric organizations has recently lost laptops with sensitive information’.

The British Defense Ministry has reported 205 laptops missing since 1997, most of which contained classified information. The American Justice Department has lost track of 775 weapons and 400 laptop computers, more than half of which may have contained national security or sensitive law enforcement information. It doesn’t stop there either; FBI announced a loss of 185 stolen laptops resulting in a shortfall of 48,000 dollars per laptop.
It hasn’t been plain sailing for the NHS either. Blighted by crippling debts, and overcrowding, the NHS’ reputation was diminished further by news of a series of security breaches. An NHS hard drive that turned up on eBay was found to contain patient data despite having supposedly been wiped. The Dudley NHS Trust claimed that it was unaware of how the hard drive found its way onto the auction website, as it was supposed to have been overwritten by private contractors. All very professional, I’m sure you’ll agree.

To compound matters, Nottingham Primary Care Trust admitted that several laptops were stolen, one of which containing information of 11,000 young children. The computer contained the names, addresses and dates of birth of children from the Newark, Mansfield and Ashfield areas. "We are very sorry for any difficulties that this may cause and greatly regret that this theft has happened." said chief executive Wendy Saviour.
So it seems that apart from wasting a great deal of the taxpayers money, senior officials and ministers have a casual approach to computer security. Is the government taking sufficient steps to ensure the security of sensitive data?

Dr Vincent Cable, a Liberal Democrat member of parliament says that they aren’t. ‘Its astounding 400 laptops have gone missing from government departments in the last two years. Confidential information and possibly national secrets could be used against us.’ These apprehensions are supported by recent revelations of Chinese hackers launching intelligence gathering attacks against the US and British military, including flight planning software and aviation specifications.
Alan Paller, Director of Sans Institute suggested that Governments could be taking advantage of vulnerable security to gain valuable military information. ‘Governments will pay anything for control of other governments' computers. All governments will pay anything. It's so much better than tapping a phone.’

Alarm bells must be ringing for the National ID scheme. Already strongly criticised by many, the increasing prominence of identity theft adds another string to the bow of the opposition argument. Last year, 166,000 passports were stolen contributing to a 1.3 billion pound bill for identity theft. It was also revealed that the identities of 13,000 civil servants had been stolen and used by criminals to make fake tax credit claims.
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, Nick Clegg, said the theft was a ’terrible omen’ for the forthcoming ID cards scheme. ‘If organised criminals are capable of infiltrating the Department for Work and Pensions, it is clear they will target the identity cards database, where the stakes are even higher’

David Cameron, leader of the Conservative party called upon the Prime Minister to go as far as rethinking the whole project. Cameron said that the public ’will find it truly bizarre that the prime minister does not stop and think about the dangers of a National Identity Register’.
However, there is a vast arsenal of authentication and privacy projects under way at universities and in corporate research labs. One idea is to use biometrics to verify your identity to a third party. The system would use typing or voice patterns to store a code across two different tables of information. According to Susan Wentzel, a researcher on the project the tables of information would be ‘indecipherable’ to an attacker.

Fresh, effective ways of improving computer security must be implemented quickly to stem the tide of identity theft attacks. Unless governments and businesses take action we are likely to see a continued trend of online fraud. With increasing amounts of money being translated to e-commerce and going electronic, it is very likely organised crime will follow. These are ominous times for all involved.

(Smartcard News Ltd, 2007)

City of Southampton in 'Pole' Position.

Southampton is the largest city on the South coast, boasting a population of around 230,000 and being recently ranked as one of the top five performing cities in England by the ‘Institute for Public Policy Research’, a national authority that investigates economic and environmental sustainability. A contributing factor to the success of the city’s economic development could be attributed to the influx of Polish nationals migrating to Southampton over the last 10 years.

This number has risen from 584 in 2001, to over 10,000 polish immigrants today. This rapid increase is due to a number of eastern European countries, including Poland joining the European Union in 2004. The transformation of the city into a more multicultural environment has sparked widespread local media interest, and created conflicts of opinion for the regional population.

There are a number of historical and demographic reasons why Southampton is a favoured settlement for Polish nationals. The migrants are attracted by an already established Polish community which arrived after the Second World War. (For instance the prominence of the polish population is evident in St Mary’s Street and Bevois Valley). Southampton’s proximity to London and the ease of finding work in the area are two other underlying features that appeal to the Eastern European population.

The three largest primary sectors of employment for Polish workers are administration, hospitality and agriculture, commonly working as warehouse operatives or kitchen staff. Over 43% are young men between 18-25 who come without families, so subsequently make fewer demands on expensive public services such as health, education and social care.

A Southampton City Council spokesman said, ‘The workers are loyal and valued by employers. They are willing to take relatively unskilled jobs despite often having higher level qualifications. However some may be exploited at work because they do not know their rights regarding health and safety, those without good English are particularly at risk.’

It does seem however, that the migrants are keen to avoid any lingual misunderstandings. The City College and Eastleigh College run English speaking classes which are attended by around 75% of the local Polish community. Demand for the courses are very high, and enrolment day at City College saw queues stretching to the street outside.

This isn’t the only transition for the locals to adapt too. A number of Polish food shops and clubs have sprouted up, as well as a Polish speaking show on a local radio station. Southampton Library imported as many as 500 polish books to cope with its new membership numbers.

There are growing concerns that an increased population in Southampton will result in a strain on local resources such as the local housing markets. Other issues that have been voiced are lack of integration between groups, and misunderstandings which have a detrimental effect on community cohesion such as confusion over refuse collection.

Alan Burrows, a mechanic from Hedge End said, ‘I don’t have a problem with the polish, they are working for a wage like the rest of us. I am a little worried that they might force some locals out of work and the number of them in the city is a little intimidating, we might be losing our identity.’

Opinion is divided over the success of Polish immigration to Southampton, while some businesses highlight the positive impact the workers bring from an economic perspective, the local population seems reluctant to readily accept cultural change outside their front door. One thing is for sure, the rapid rate looks set to continue to rise as Eastern Europeans come to earn five times more than they could back in their homeland.

(The Southampton Directory, 2007)

How did Radicalism contribute to the development of the Press in England?

The radical journalism of the 19th century defined an era in which Britain experienced huge changes economically, socially and culturally. The liberal newspapers acted as a collective voice for public protest and an ‘engine for social reform’, playing a critical role in shaping the Victorian age of revolution. I will explore how the radical period impacted upon the development of the popular press, and if the ethos of radicalism is still evident into today’s media industry. I will be asking if Radicalism had a positive effect upon the English press or whether the emancipation of Victorian Newspapers merely strengthened an emerging market of capitalist greed and exploitation.

Radicalism is defined as, ‘the political orientation of those who favour revolutionary change in government and society’. This is an accurate reflection of the aims of the radical newspapers that were influenced by revolution in France, and increasing political tensions in Britain as a result of industrial mechanisation and the prevalence of a new urban middle class. The radical press, as opposed to its mainstream counterparts had no financial motives. Newsletters were often very cheap to construct and most had a very limited circulation.

Before 1750, newspapers had little establishment in London, with only 5 daily publications. This was partly due to an undemocratic Elizabethan era whereby pamphlets and were ruthlessly suppressed and censored. Low literary levels were also a factor, as low readership (prominently middle and upper class) meant the business case just wasn’t viable. A stamp duty that was introduced in 1712 required every newspaper to obtain a license. By taxing the ‘stamped’ press the government could more readily dictate what was published by the newspapers. Because of this the press and the government had a close relationship, as Parliament used propaganda to spread their idealism to the newspaper’s readers. The relationship replicated one of a master and servant. Statutes such as Fox’s Libel Law restrained the press and prevented a freedom of state.

However, the industrial revolution and enhanced sophistication of printing technology proved a catalyst for a new provincial press and a growing number of publications across the United Kingdom. Improving communications and a developing economy meant that the press could sustain a newspaper more easily and efficiently, and the emergence of bourgeois elites created a greater potential market for readership.

The outcome of this new prosperity was a growing independence from the government, and subsequently the press was now more inclined to act as a forum for political communication and take a more opinionated stance upon proceedings in British parliament. Inevitably, this created friction between the press and the government, and the foundations for a radical press was laid. The radicalists campaigned for press emancipation and for the abolition of the stamp duty claiming freedom of speech was a human right. As they refused to pay taxes the newsletters were illegal and wholly opposed by the state.


The industrial revolution created a new urban working class – the focal point of reform. The working class was a key constituent, great in number but low in political power. The masses suffered from social problems such as poverty and disease, due to poor living conditions and health. A large proportion of the radical journalism represented the masses, reflecting issues relevant to the lower class population, such as increased education and support for the formation of trade unionism. Radicalism forced the British government to accept social and moral responsibility through passing acts and statutes which they may not have been previously inclined to do so.

Radical publications varied in their extremism, ‘moderate’ publications called for changes and discussion, whereas ‘militant’ radicals demanded overthrow of government and revolution. The pressure for change was met with considerable barriers such as legal and fistral constraints. Laws on blasphemy and slander inhibited the press from publishing certain elements, and increases in stamp duty and advertising as a means of curbing the radical newspapers resulted instead in more publications refusing to pay their license fees.

The radical newspapers were now a direct threat to established press, and some were even outselling ‘stamped’ competitors. By the 1830’s unstamped press circulation was at its peak with nearly two million readers in London alone. Government attempts to halt progress through fines and prosecutions failed, and radical papers such as the Police Gazette and the Northern Star prospered with mass audiences. The Northern star concerned itself with trade unionism, and represented the working class in the struggle for better wages and working conditions. This was a renowned success, and from the beginnings of trade unionism at Tolpuddle in 1834, The Northern Star campaigned for reform until finally the trade union act was passed in 1871.

The advantage that the unstamped press held over the mainstream newspapers was its lack of concern for profit. While the survival of established publications like ‘The Times’ relied heavily on profit, the radical press was more focused upon the message that their journalism conveyed. Costs were covered through small subscription fees, and voluntary writers and no taxes meant overheads were relatively low so the newspapers were economically self sufficient. Many of the publications had a political agenda centred on the working class. To support this, prices of the newspapers were subsidized to increase accessibility to the lower classes. It was very common for one newspaper to be read to a group of people, or to be passed around after use.

The contrast between journalists today and those writing on unstamped publications was vast. The radicalists were volunteers and activists rather than professionals. They were described as ‘crusading journalists’ exposing inequality and corruption within Victorian society. Whereas today’s journalism industry is riddled with capitalism, and greatly influenced by advertising and contradicting morals, radical journalists had no such agenda. In today’s industry an article can be censored or modified by an editor before going to print. As a radical journalist is voluntary he would have had fewer restrictions on his work so could write a far more subjective article.

Radical writing provided a fresh, alternative perspective on journalism which had not been seen before. The journalism was inspirational, and demanded change through persuasion and action. The newspapers introduced innovative ideas such as allowing readers to submit articles, something which today would seem very unlikely. They also published letters and editorials within their pages; this created a closer community of readers and allowed many to relate to the stories and ideas printed. Even today, letters pages are common in almost every newspaper and magazine.

So what impacts upon society did the radical press have at its peak? As well as nationwide circulation the unstamped newspapers raised working class consciousness through mass readership and relative content. The press increased awareness of lower class tensions and provided accurate coverage of events such as campaigns for the education act in 1871, and trade union marches. The radical journalists challenged the order of society by giving impetus and confidence to the working classes and encouraging the masses to effect social change.

After years of battling censorship, the radical groups celebrated the repeal of the stamp duty in 1855 as a defining moment in social and political change within journalism. The emancipation of the press was hailed as a ‘golden age for Victorian press’. The newspapers now had freedom to print as they pleased. Radicalism was very successful in its campaigns for reform, affecting society in a number of ways including education, workers rights and the suffragette movement. The Labour party was formed as an extension of trade unionism, a huge political breakthrough for the working classes, who could now be fairly represented in parliament and have a voice in government proceedings. By the early 1900’s the Labour party even had a representative newspaper, the launch of the Daily Mirror signaled new directions for the newspaper industry.

In the wake of the repeal of stamp duty, radicalism began to decline. The collapse of Chartism and gradual socialization of the working class created an almost redundant atmosphere around radical publications. It was as if they had served their purpose. It was suggested that radicalism prospers only at times of volatility. Now there was consensus as opposed to conflict so radical newspapers no longer sold as fervently. Ironically the success of the radical press was also its downfall.

Some critics argue that radicalism stopped short in its battle for social change and that reforms were only partially achieved. The decline of radicalism saw an increase in capitalist methods and a monopoly of newspaper ownership by extremely rich ‘press barons’. Profit soon became of utmost importance, and therefore a new emphasis was placed upon advertising to raise funds. To thrive in a swelling market, newspapers offered ’gimmicks’ or little presents to attract increased readership. This is prevalent in today’s market as newspaper owners still have the same problem of attracting readers so use free CD’s as a means of drawing in a customer. This could be seen to damage the ethics of sophisticated journalism.

The emergence of a mass popular press coincided with a prominent right wing bias and many newspapers held a conservative or capitalist viewpoint so excluded the working class altogether. This was completely adverse to any beliefs held by the radical press. Sensationalism became evident in crime reporting, with a clear class bias. This example of ‘gutter press’ is still unmistakable in today’s tabloid newspaper market.

So what did the Radicals actually achieve? Although radical campaigns liberated the press, and took great strides in the development of democracy, it could be argued that the state became more conspiratorial, and found more subtle ways to control the press. The progress of the press is widely regarded as the great achievement of the Victorian era, but an alternative and equally valid view is that under the stamp duty, the press was more efficiently and respectably controlled.

The radical press can certainly highlight a number of successes in their campaigns for revolution. The role that the newspapers played in the battle for press freedom was critical, and coincided with the working classes gaining greater privileges both socially and economically. The radical press acted as the voice for the masses, promoting trade unionism and equality for all. Finally, and equally as significant radicalism produced alternative reformist journalism that was both stirring and pioneering. Some methods implemented such as a letters page are still widespread in today’s market.

However, the radicalism era certainly left questions unanswered. Whether it achieved all it set out to do is open to suggestion, but in the aftermath of its decline the ethics that radical newspapers upheld for so long seemed to lose all recognition under a cloud of capitalist ideas. The decline of radicalism created a conflict of profit versus idealism, a concern that is still widely discussed today.

In conclusion, the radical press shaped the development of the press in a number of ways. It encouraged interactive journalism, and was a forerunner in fresh literary ideas. The radical newspapers maintained dignified morals, working for no profit, but to encourage change and revolution. The radical newspapers urged better quality of life for the working classes and helped to make major changes in society for all involved. At its peak, the unstamped radicals, almost the Robin Hood of the press industry, had a larger readership than stamped established publications. The radical movement assisted in the passing of the education act, making school compulsory for all under the age of 11. It was also a major player in the trade unionist movement, resulting in the legalization of unions and the formation of a political party.

Did the radical newspapers have a positive effect upon the English press? In my opinion I would say yes. Although it did little to prevent the newspaper industry becoming a capitalist market, the ethos of honest, accurate journalism that the liberal unstamped press upheld is still considered today as the honourable way to write, whether or not it is put into practise is another matter.

Southampton Airport records it's 'busiest' year.

In 2007, Southampton Airport recorded its busiest year since the Airport was formed nearly 100 years ago. Nearly two million people passed through the airport throughout the year, a 2.8% increase on its figures in 2006. The airport has recently expanded its location list and now flies to 46 destinations in conjunction with 14 airlines and tour operator partners. The new routes include Frankfurt and Nice, as well operating daily services from Southampton to the Channel Islands.

The most popular destinations in 2007 included Amsterdam, Dublin and Paris, While national short haul flights such as those to Manchester and Glasgow were also frequently used by businessman and holidaymakers alike. Over the Christmas period, the airport catered to over 130,000 customers who passed through the terminals. With redevelopment in the planning, and new terminals and routes in the pipeline it seems as if the Airport will continue to progress and in doing so maintain its ever-increasing reputation.

The managing director of Southampton Airport Chris Butler predicted a bright future for the airport. ‘Last year saw new routes and airlines operating from the regional terminal. We look forward to another busy year in 2008, and we shall continue to focus on providing an airport that this region can be proud of.’

However, the news of the airport’s success is not welcomed by all. Airport campaigners said the increased noise and pollution at the Eastleigh based airport was not welcomed. Mary Finch, a campaigner and resident in proximity to the airport said, we’re against any expansion, more so now because of the environmental and the global warming situation. I speak for people who live all around the airport - it's not good for us, the noise, and the pollution.’

(The Southampton Directory, 2007)

Ennios Restaurant - Southampton.

Situated in the heart of Old Southampton, Ennio’s is regarded as one of the finest Italian eateries in Southampton. Within view of the waterfront, the restaurant is elegantly positioned inside a Victorian Warehouse, providing an authentic Italian atmosphere and relaxed dining room. The building, designed by Scottish architect John Geddes boasts a ground floor 100 seater ‘ristorante’ and a classic bar area with leather sofas. Voted the best Italian in Hampshire by the Milanese newspaper, ‘Coriere Della Sera’, Ennio’s has built a lofty reputation around the city and further a field. I went to sample the cuisine and to see if the experience lived up to expectations. I certainly wasn’t disappointed.

The Menu is extensive with fine pastas, salads, meat dishes and desserts. Ennio's specialises in fresh fish, offering 10-12 different varieties daily. The restaurant also caters for parties with a special set menu and offers a reduced lunch menu. The starters range from £5.50 to £8.50 and the option of a larger variation as a main course is also available. The staff were friendly and attentive, and happy to answer any questions. I was subjected to a mouthwatering range of antipasti and after much deliberation opted for the ‘Capesante con pancetta’ (£8.50), scallops deliciously seared in vinegar. My partner chose the ‘Frutti Di Mare’ (£7.25), shellfish in a rich tomato sauce served with a soft garlic ciabatta. Both dishes were presented superbly and were just as appetizing as they looked!

For the main course I was torn between the ‘Vesture Arrostite’ (£7.25), a daring combination of pesto and Mediterranean vegetables, and the ‘Filetto di Maiale’ (£15.50), a succulent pork fillet accompanied with celeriac and potatoes. Guests can choose from spaghetti, linguine, penne and tagliatelle for their pasta dish. My partner decided upon the light dover sole with lemon puree (£22.50) a fresh and tangy dining alternative. We also couldn’t resist a side order of the delightfully spicy ciabatta with tomato, mozzarella and anchovies (£3.50). The main courses started at £6.25 and for those of you looking to splash out the 18oz chateaubriand steak serves two and costs £42.50!

Vast selections of wines are on hand to tempt all palates, with a diverse choice of Italian varieties chosen specifically to complement the inspired menu. We plumped for the fruity ‘Pomino Bianco’, an enchanting ripe and dry white wine (£29.50). For dessert, we shared a ‘Formaggi Misti’ (£6.95pp), a cheeseboard offering a number of traditional Italian cheeses including homemade tellegio, pecorino and a red onion.

The sophisticated design and contemporary furnishings bestowed a laid back and cosy ambience within the restaurant. We left very satisfied with swollen stomachs and every intention to return in the near future. Ennio’s is a great place to visit upon a special occasion or for an intimate evening.

(Food and Drink Guides, 2008)