Humanitarian aid - do you care?

With a humanitarian disaster of enormous proportions taking place in Pakistan, I asked you whether we need to do more as a nation. We have contributed more than any other country, yet we are doing nothing in comparison to the need. I spoke to James Caan about his efforts to raise money with Unicef and the need to do so. It was extraordinary how many of you seem to think that because our nation is facing a financial crisis that it’s not our job to help others. I understand that there are problems with overseas aid – yet when there is a humanitarian crisis and we can help… surely we should. Here is the web address for you http://unicef.org.uk/index.asp
We turned our attention to the appointment of Alan Milburn to the role of “social mobility tsar”. We have experimented with education and with tax changes – yet does anything work? We will see for example that state schools wont produce the same results as private schools yet that comes after a time when schools have had unprecedented funding. It didn’t work. So what is the answer to providing that mobility people want to see. I think it comes down to schools, universities and essential educational teaching on core subjects. It’s about giving people the skills and confidence to be able to work out what they want to do and then to have the energy and enthusiasm to go and achieve their aims. Sounds easy. It isn’t. There are so many barriers but money isn’t the only solution.
I spoke to Trevor Abramson, MD of Glentree Estates to discuss the sale of the £140 million apartment in Knightsbridge and the impact on the property market in London. Miles Shipside from www.rightmove.co.uk joined me to discuss the latest property market movements. Increased supply and continued mortgage pressures will prevent the markets from rising rapidly and he thinks we are in for a flat period for a while. I was also joined by the business commentator Michael Wilson who seems to think that the markets will rise next week and he also pointed out that next week is a big week for the US economy… we will have to see what the results are.
I am in for James Whale all of this week so catch you on Drive from 4pm tomorrow.