The Welfare System and the NHS

At present, around the world, the welfare system is progressively important for each citizen. The welfare system can help citizens when they meet some problem such as unemployment, sickness, homelessness. Especially, the citizens’ health problem is considerable important. In the UK, the government has National Health Service to give health security for each citizen. Therefore, the purpose of this blog is to compare the health system and Welfare system between Britain and China.

First of all, I will compare the health system between Britain and China. In the UK, it has National Health Service to ensure the health of each citizen. The National Health Service has three parts, there are hospital services, family doctors, opticians and pharmacists and local authority health services (including community nursing and health visiting), and this service is aim for each citizen in the UK. If citizens have some disease, they go to the hospital or visit the doctor, it is all free. The citizen needs not to pay any fees, except a little Prescription Fees. However, it has not specialized health system for citizens in China. Citizens all need to pay fees when they go to the hospital and the fee is extremely expensive. This is why it has some poorer and unemployed citizens have not ability to visit the doctor when they were sick. The National Health Service is beneficial for help citizens to solve the problem of health. Especially, aim for the poorer and unemployed citizens, and ensure each citizen can not afraid their health problem. Nonetheless, due to all the health fees is pay for by the government, thus it will bring some economic pressure for the nation and leads to some economic crisis. About the health system of China needs to continuous improve because it has many insufficient for the health system.

Except the National Health Service, it has other welfare security exist in the UK, and it is to ensure the citizen’s welfare. For instance, in the UK, it has social security system. This system is operated by Department of Work and Pensions and provides benefits for citizens of Britain. It implies the social security gives benefits to employers, and it pays by National Insurance Fund and income tax system. For example, if citizens were retired, the Income Support will pay retirement pensions for the citizen of retire. In the UK, the age of retire is 65 for men and 60 for women. In the China, it also has similar institution for the citizen of retire, and the age of retire is 60 for men and 55 for women. However, the difference is retirement pensions pay for by local government and the company of before. In the UK, if citizens have unemployed or low-income, and the Working Families’ Tax Credit will help them to ease the income problem. In China, the government also will help unemployed or low-income of citizens, but it has not enough ability to help each citizen because it has a significant number of populations in China, the government has not ability attend to all citizens. Simultaneously, the welfare system of China exist many defects. The nation still needs to continuous improve, and let citizens have a great life.

Resources:
http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx
http://www2.rgu.ac.uk/publicpolicy/introduction/wstate.htm
http://www.globalaging.org/pension/world/socialsecurity.htm

The UK as a diverse society

At present, it has increasingly people immigrate to the UK. Originally, people from other countries have been coming to the Britain for work or other reasons. Some people stayed a period of time, and then they were going back home. Simultaneously, it also has some people after a while, and they are decided stayed behind and made home in the Britain. These settle is called immigrants.

According to statistics, Caribbean, Irish, Jewish and people of South Asian have account for a large part of British immigrant population. In the 16th century, due to French Protestants brought silk weaving skills to the Britain, then it need to some labourers stayed in the UK and expand this skill. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it has some Irish labourers worked on build road, railway. At the same time, it also has some Jewish and Irish tailors worked in the UK. In the 20th century, these tailors with immigrants from Cyprus, Pakistan and Bangladesh to made and tailored clothes for local people. Since then, it is beginning the Britain of immigrant history.

About these progressively incremental immigrant populations of the Britain, it brings some influence for the United Kingdom. The first impact is different language. Due to immigrant population is all come from outside of the UK place, thus, language barrier is the most difficulty for these immigrant population. English is the official language of the Britain, if immigrant population just can speak their language of hometown, it is too difficult live, study and work in the UK. For instance, if an immigrant people want to buy foods or find a job, but they can not speak English, it will bring some trouble for future life. Especially in the education area, language barrier will immediate impact the progress of study. It also will impact the citizens of Britain.

Simultaneously, immigrant has some influence for culture – globalization culture. Whether the basic necessities of life or education, brief and other aspects, there are all impact the culture of Britain. For example, in the past, if people want eat food of other country, they need to go to that country to eat. However, nowadays, these immigrant people bring their local food to the Britain and sell. It is convenient for local people and promotes the economic growth. Consequently, the immigrant has many impacts for the culture of the Britain.

Resources:

http://www.movinghere.org.uk/default.htm

2012 -- London Olympic Games

In 2012 for Britain, I consider the most important thing is the London 2012 Olympic Games, and from the Olympic Games beginning just has 73 days. Around the world, people all extremely concern for this Olympic Games. Consequently, I will talk about some  London 2012 Olympic Games' information before beginning.

First of all, let me talk about the flame of London 2012 Olympic Games. As we know, before each Olympic Games begin, there will be lit the flame and torch relay. In the London Olympic Games, the flame was lit by the sun in Ancient Olympia, on 10 May 2012. Then, the Torch Relay of London Olympic Games will star in Creece and on 18 May 2012.

Then, I will talk about the design of the London Olympic Games’ torch represent. The torch stands 800mm high and weighs 800 grams. The torch is made up of  aluminum alloy and it is easy to hold triangular-shaped. The "3" design of torch was inspired by the history of Olympic Games and  Olympic Movement's vision. It implies respect, excellence and friendship of Olympic values, and it also means  faster, higher, stronger of the Olympic motto. At the same time, due  to the Britain has hosted 1908 and 1948 Olympic Games, this is the third to hosted the Olympic Games, so it also stand for these three times Olympic Games. It has perforated by 8,000 circles on the surface of torch, and it represent 8,000 people will carry the torch across the UK and take 70 days to reach the Olympic Stadium. It is a clever design.

For this clever design was devised by east Londoners Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby. The first torch bearer in the UK is the most successful Olympic sailor -- Ben Ainslie. He won gold medals in Sailing at the Beijing 2008, Athens 2004 and Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

In the London 2012 Paralympic also will use this torch to relay. It will begin in London on 24 August 2012. Then, Greater Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh will light a flame at special Flame Lighting events. Simultaneously, these city will have particular method of lighting.

 

In addition to the torch, it also has other desigen for this Olympic Games -- the London Olympic Games and Paralympic mascots,  Wenlock and Mandeville. The Wenlock is implies commemorate the Wenrock Olympic Games. The name of Mandeville was inspired by Stoke Mandeville of Buckinghamshire.

Resources:

http://www.london2012.com/

The British Media - TV and Newspapers

At present, media is increasingly important for the daily life of people. The Britain is no exception. In the UK, it has many popular TV program and newspapers. Today, I will introduce some information of UK's media.

Today, it has these top news stories on the following news channels:
BBC News   
1. Top Bahrain activist wins retrial 
2. Olympic missile sites announced 
3. Horse trials cancelled after rain 

ITN News    
1. Roy Hodgson in talks to become next England manager
2. Tributes pour in for aid worker found dead in Pakistan
3. Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks cut 1,400 UK jobs

Channel 4 News 
1. Aid worker killed 'because of unpaid ransom' 
2. Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks axe 1,400 jobs 
3. Hodgson in England manager talks 

It has these top story in the following newspapers online:
The Guardian 
David Cameron called to Commons to answer questions over Jeremy Hunt   

The Sun  
Wad a garden

The Daily Mirror 
Battered Britain: Brace yourself for more heavy rain and galeforce winds

From these top stories, I choose one story in the Channel 4 News to write a summary. The title of article is "Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks axe 1,400 jobs", it talk about National Australia Bank (NAB) will cut 1,400 jobs in the UK to ease the economic deterioration problems.

The National Australia Bank made a decision that they will cut 1,400 jobs of the Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks  in the UK, and ease the economic deterioration problems. The National Australia Bank through research and analysis to acquire that the source of the economic deterioration problem is Britain's economy and business conditions deteriorate. Especially, the commercial property market that it also has large influence to the economic deterioration. Therefore, the National Australia Bank was closes 29 financial solution centres in the Scotland and northern England. Thus, they can cut 1,400 jobs to ease economic deterioration.

 

Resources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17891251
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17891223
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-17892419
http://www.itn.co.uk/home/44255/Roy+Hodgson+in+talks+over+England+job  
http://www.itn.co.uk/home/44254/Tributes+pour+in+for+murdered+aid+worker
http://www.itn.co.uk/home/44263/Clydesdale+and+Yorkshire+banks+cut+jobs
http://www.channel4.com/news/aid-worker-killed-by-kidnappers-as-ransom-not-paid
http://www.channel4.com/news/clydesdale-and-yorkshire-banks-axe-1-400-jobs
http://www.channel4.com/news/hodgson-set-to-be-next-england-coach
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/apr/29/david-cameron-commons-jeremy-hunt
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4287074/RBS-boss-Stephen-Hester-opens-his-mansion-to-public.html
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/weather-heavy-rain-and-gale-force-811539

Crime and Punishment

Last summer, Britain was happened a big riot, this riot from London spread other major cities of Britain, such as Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool. About the situation of riot that some young people fired the trash can in the street and threw bottles and bricks to the police, some young people used sticks to smashed the shop windows, some young people was fired shopping mall and hit stores of glass. And it also have some young people burned many cars near the road. At the same time, many young people were robbed in some shopping centre. It brought a serious impact for the UK. And from this information, we can see the participants of riot are almost young people.

Why they will join this riot? In my opinion, I consider that there are three reason lead to young people join this riot. The first one is lack of parental control and social impact. Due to parents busy for their job and they have not time to care for children, lead to their children lack control ability and do not know what is right and what is wrong. In addition to the care of parents, in the society, it has some bad example to affect the behaviour of young people and let they lost themselves. The second reason is poverty. Due to the poverty, lead to many teenager did not acquire higher education and Social equality of treatment, even the survival are too difficult. Therefore, in the end survival and inequality will turn to crime. The last reason is race discrimination. At present, although encourage racial equality in the world, however it also have some place exist racial inequality. Like this riot, the root is London police kill a black young people and issues in the riots.

For the riots, I think give some punishment is necessary. However, how to punish is not important, the important is how to transform them and let them have a nice future because some of them were quite young and others hadn't been in trouble before. Consequently, in addition to the fine, corporal punishment and community service, it also can provide some lecture for them and teach them what is right, and improve their cognitive ability. At the same time, the government can help them come back to school and as far as possible solve their poverty. I think, give them a opportunity is better than punishment them.

Source:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/mar/29/riots-deeper-roots-poverty-alienation

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2011/aug/11/uk-riots-magistrates-court-list

http://publicintelligence.net/london-riots-photos-august-2011/

Team Work

Team work is increasingly important in society. Whether in the company or in the college, I think team work implies a spirit or an attitude. In the company, we need endeavor of team work to gain highest interest. Similarly, in the college, tutor also through team work help students to achieve their work.

Last week and this week, our tutor asks us finished assignment by team work. Therefore, last week, we are divided into two groups to finished a quiz and known more about the Saint David's Day of Walse. We are together to discuss, consider, and solve. And this week, we are divided into three groups and discuss if we will travel a place, we need to prepare some things that it is useful. And we need not prepare some things that it is useless.

In summary, through twice team work I learnt what team work is. Team work is means we need to get together to finish a work. Team work can give us some help when I have not some ideas or gather all opinions by the member of group to make a better result. At the same time, I also learnt team work need to team spirit. Each member need trust each other and work together need not action alone or do not do anything. As a member, we need to positive with other members to discuss and reach an agreement. In the end, I think through team work, I can acquire more knowledge, make friend and gather experience for future work.

I like team work. It is very useful for me.

Welsh Assembly

Last week, I was talk about some information about the British House of Parliament in my blog and this week, I will discuss the Welsh Assembly. Wales is located in the west of the UK and it has own language – Welsh. Therefore, before I begin to describe it, I will introduce a few words of Welsh. The first is ‘Senedd’, it means parliament. Then is ‘Neuadd’, it is same as hall. Thirdly is ‘Oriel’, it implies gallery. The end is ‘Siambr’, it means chamber.

The tour of the Senedd is located in the capital of Wales – Cardiff and it was opened in 2006. And the same time, the Senedd building is a symbolic building in Wales. And this building’s establish means the history of devolution. The devolution is implies the process of declining from a higher to lower, vitality or essential quality.

This Wednesday, we were visited the Senedd, it is look grand and magnificent. And it also has some building beside the Senedd. When I stood in front of the Senedd, we can see David St Hotel, Pier Head and Penth House.

When I enter the gate, we can see a large space houses, this house is the reception area and it use for staffs reception the visitor. If you need some help or questions, you can answer the staff in this area. It has Welsh name of reception -- Neuadd.

Look the photo, in the centre of the building, it has a large funnel at the top of the stairs and it is called Oriel. This funnel is use for  reflect natural light downwards into the Siambr. And the funnel is like a tree because it can be encourage the visitor to meet here and share ideas.

And it has provides the public gallery for visitors. The visitor can access to a screen on watch the proceedings. And they can through the cameras to see what is happen in the Siambr and it also use the headphone to translation from English to Welsh. The plenary meeting is 60 Assembly Members’ weekly meetings and it takes place in the Siambr on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons between 13.30 and 18.00. This Wednesday, we were just in time for the meeting was held and we were sat and listened a few minutes. It is feel very exciting.

It has a Committee Room in the Siambr, this room use glass walls and collect natural light to lighting. I think the purpose of this room is in order to let the people can knowing the process of making laws too clearly. At the same time, the room through collect natural light to lighting can reduce energy consumption of building.

The end, when we were finished visit the building, we were gone to the shop to buy some good for your friends, family or children. In the shop, you can buy Clogau gold, Melin Tregwynt, Penderyn for friend and books, kids' products, tenth anniversary products for children.

This is tour of the Senedd, I enjoyed this trip!

Reference:
http://www.assemblywales.org/