The Past Week: News in Brief

The Past Week: News in Brief

Deadlines, societies and end of term socials can all take over your life at this time of year, and in the weeks before the Easter break it can be hard to keep track of what is going on in the rest of the world. Never fear! Her Campus Nottingham is here to give you the latest news so you can be up to date in time for your return to reality outside university life.

Nottingham News

Last week saw the end to campaigning for the student union elections, with a new committee voted in to lead the student body next academic year. With a record number of candidates and votes the elections were a huge success and the current SU reached their target of gaining of 10,000 votes. For the first time in 15 years the SU will be led by a female president, Ellie McWilliam, who narrowly beat rival Will Clempner to the position by just 30 votes.

Budget Blues

On Wednesday George Osborne announced his plans for the years budget, explaining exactly where money would be allocated in the coming year and changes in tax that would be implemented. Last year’s budget was controversial and critics claim it failed to make any real changes to the economy, with Osborne himself admitting that improvements to the economy were not happening as swiftly as he had hoped. Given that the UK had been stripped of its AAA economic rating by Moody’s last month, and now faces the same fate from the other financial bodies, the budget has been closely scrutinized by professionals. Measures such cutting 1p from the price of beer and a freeze on the price of fuel duty are likely to be welcomed by the public. However, Osborne himself admits that ‘It’s a budget for people who realise there are no easy answers to problems built up over many years’, emphasizing the need for change and progress over time, rather than a quick solution to the economic problems, although he also insisted that the situation “could be a lot worse”.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/20/george-osborne-budget-green-shoots

New Archbishop of Canterbury

The new archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has been enthroned this week, and has already caused controversy with comments about gay marriage. Welby was sworn in in the presence of Prince Charles and David Cameron, who watched as there were displays from African dancers and Punjabi musicians, and the service was conducted. Speaking in his first sermon, the new archbishop warned people against the dangers of turning away from Christianity, emphasising the need for the country to unite under religion in order to remain strong. He also made controversial comments about homosexuality, describing gay couples as ‘stunning’ despite the fact he is against same-sex marriages, suggesting his views had been challenged by gay friends. He also made clear that despite views on same-sex marriage the church is still focused on the preservation of ‘the dignity of the human being’, and as such homosexuality is a difficult issue which has to be approached carefully. History was also made as the service was conducted by the Venerable Sheila Watson, Archdeacon of Canterbury, the first time a woman has held this responsibility.

http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/

Cyprus Bankruptcy

Europe of currently waiting to find out if Cyprus will be able to meet the terms of the international bailout which has been proposed as a measure to help prevent the country’s economy from collapsing. The country’s economy has declined so badly that many ATM machines are no longer able to distribute money and banks have been closed for days. Many businesses have also stopped accepting credit cards, instead insisting on cash in order to ensure payments will not fall through. There is a fear amongst British troops and service personnel that they will have to pay significant amounts of money, following unconfirmed plans that all residents of Cyprus would have to pay a one of tax of up to 9.9% of their deposit. Whilst the British government is promising to pay back citizens who lose money there is still uncertainty surrounding the decision. There are also fears that if the Cyprian economy collapses this will have a wider effect on the European economy. 

• nottingham news