The Spectator

Barometer | 29 October 2011

issue 29 October 2011

•  Rebels, rebels
81 Conservative MPs defied a three-line whip to vote in favour of a referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU. Some other big rebellions.

Number of rebels Majority
37 (Lab) National Service Bill 1947 Government win by 188
72 (Con) Shops Bill 1986 (Sunday trading) Government lose by 14
41 (Con) E.C. (amendment) Bill 1993 Government win by 180
49 (Lab) Prevention of Terrorism Bill 2005 (90-day detention amendment) Government lose by 33

•  Who rioted in August?
Of those charged:
— 35% of adult offenders were on out-of-work benefits (national figure: 12%)
— 42% of juvenile offenders qualified for free school meals (compared with 16% of school population nationally)
— 13% were gang members
— 76% had a previous conviction
— 46% were black
— 42% were white
— 7% were Asian
Source: Home Office








•  Old money
The Intergenerational Foundation suggested retired people move out of large homes to make room for families. How much housing wealth do elderly people have?

65–74 Age 75+
85 % who own home 69
11 % with mortgage 10
£162,000 Av.

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