Seems a bit dodgy, especially in light of Royal Mail sell-off:

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/09/01/ttip-eu-us-trade-deal_n_5747088.html

What are they up to this time?

What are they up to this time?

Same old shit, new bucket

It seems seriously bad news to the UK public

To quote 38 degrees
http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2014/05/15/secret-eu-us-trade-deal/

“…officials in the US and EU are secretly negotiating a hugely influential and dangerous trade deal which would put the profits of big business ahead of our welfare, health and environment.

It’s called the “Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership”, or “TTIP” for short, but in reality it’s more like a Christmas-list for big business. The negotiations are shrouded in secrecy, but leaked details suggest the deal will:

– Allow companies to sue governments if they make decisions which negatively affect big business’ potential profits (like capping energy prices, or introducing plain packet cigarettes.)

– Stop future governments from rolling back privatisation of our public services, such as the NHS , energy companies, or the Post Office.

– Relax the rules which protect consumers, our environment, our welfare and health services, to much weaker US levels.

*** PETITION SIGNING at ***

https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/pages/ttip_home

I knew someone would have seen this on this forum. This looks really really bad doesn’t it? I am going to spend some time finding out about it, as I have only just heard about it. I am surprised there has been so little interest in it, or is it not as bad as it seems??

I just heard about it from this story:
linky

If it’s being negotiated by the EU rather than the Tories, then I can’t see it being particularly pro-free market.

If it’s being negotiated by the EU rather than the Tories, then I can’t see it being particularly pro-free market.

They could, if they wanted, get an opt out for the NHS. But they don’t want one, so won’t.

The privatization is already gathering pace…

http://www.chichester.co.uk/news/local/a-e-services-under-new-threat-1-6291424

Even without the NHS stuff it does not sound good.

Worrying bit for me (amongst all of it which is worrying really) is the part about non labelling of GMOs.
In the US their labelling isn’t anywhere near as stringent as in the EU. We’ve fought for years against GM stuff, and this will allow US companies to change the way we label foods so we don’t know what’s in them.

Plus all the rest of it!

Glad this is now starting to get attention, even if it’s through social media rather than real media (though the Guardian has run a few stories on it).

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/02/transatlantic-free-trade-deal-regulation-by-lawyers-eu-us

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/04/us-trade-deal-full-frontal-assault-on-democracy

“The privatization is already gathering pace…

http://www.chichester.co.uk/news/local/a-e-services-under-new-threat-1-6291424″

The “privatisation” here is actually a services contract that’s been awarded to BUPA.

Bupa is a Not for Profit – it doesn’t have any shareholders and therefore doesn’t pay a dividend. In many respects it’s similar to the likes of MacMillan and other organisations who now provide specialized care on behalf of the NHS in areas where the quality or cost effectiveness of NHS provision is poor.

the part about non labelling of GMOs

So it’s not all bad then

“Seems a bit dodgy, especially in light of Royal Mail sell-off:

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/09/01/ttip-eu-us-trade-deal_n_5747088.html

What are they up to this time?”

All I read is lots of “ifs” “buts” and “perhaps”. Where is the proof / where are the facts that back up the typically inflammatory HuffPost headline?

it’s similar to the likes of MacMillan

Not really though, is it? You wouldn’t say the same of Spire, Care_UK or Circle – all of whom are looking to pick up these kinds of contracts.

IME, the major concern is that the hiving-off of routine (i.e. easy, profitable) elective activity is having a major effect (whether in terms of £££ or workforce training) on acute capacity – i.e. losing the bread and butter stuff is actually undermining the ability of hospitals to deal with the tricky/complicated/messy stuff.