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Taking out the trash: how spin doctors wrangle the news Taking out the trash: how spin doctors wrangle the news
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The final day the Commons sits before a Christmas or summer recess is always a busy day for political journalists – because of the large number of government announcements that are made at those times. But on Thursday there were 36 written statements from ministers. And, according to the gov.uk website, departments put out 424 publications on this day. The final day the Commons sits before a Christmas or summer recess is always a busy day for political journalists, thanks to the large number of government announcements made at those times. On Thursday there were 36 written statements from ministers and, according to the gov.uk website, departments put out 424 publications .
There were two important announcements, on local government spending and Lords reform, accompanied by oral statements to the Commons. And the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission, an important government quango, published its annual report, among plenty more reports and documents issued. There were two important announcements, on local government spending and Lords reform, accompanied by oral statements to the Commons. And the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission, an important quango, published its annual report, among plenty of other reports and documents.
At Westminster this is known as “burying bad news” or, after the same practice featured in an episode of West Wing “taking out the trash” day. At Westminster this is known as burying bad news or, after the same practice featured in an episode of West Wing, “Taking Out the Trash Day”.
Government spin doctors know that if they release a vast amount of potentially embarrassing news on the same day they will limit negative publicity. In an ideal world the No 10 communications chief would also arrange for someone like José Mourinho to get sacked, but there are limits to the powers of Craig Oliver and so it’s best to put that one down to luck.Government spin doctors know that if they release a vast amount of potentially embarrassing news on the same day they will limit negative publicity. In an ideal world the No 10 communications chief would also arrange for someone like José Mourinho to get sacked, but there are limits to the powers of Craig Oliver and so it’s best to put that one down to luck.
Some of the information released today came under the heading of “transparency” and Matthew Hancock, the Cabinet Office minister, said in a statement that “enhancing transparency and accountability continues to be at the heart of our approach to government”. Some of the information released on Thursday came under the heading of “transparency” and Matthew Hancock, the Cabinet Office minister, said in a statement that “enhancing transparency and accountability continues to be at the heart of our approach to government”.
That is hard to square with an approach to news management that seems intended to minimise scrutiny. The prime minister’s spokesman claimed the government was having to put out so much news today because it had “a big agenda”. That is hard to square with an approach to news management that seems intended to minimise scrutiny. The prime minister’s spokesman claimed the government was having to put out so much news on the one day because it had “a big agenda”.
Announcements are made on the day before recess because many ministerial declarations have to be made to parliament. Many of the items released today are genuinely awkward or embarrassing for ministers. But others are more innocuous, and they may have been held back not as part of a cover-up but simply through inertia and Whitehall’s ingrained reluctance to release information. Announcements are made on the day before recess because many ministerial declarations have to be made to parliament. Many of the items released on Thursday are genuinely awkward or embarrassing for ministers. But others are more innocuous, and they may have been held back not as part of a cover-up but simply through inertia and Whitehall’s ingrained reluctance to release information.
We have not read all 424 documents published today. But here are 30 of the announcements that have appeared, which the government seem to want you to overlook. We have not read all 424 documents, but here are 30 of the announcements that have appeared, which the government seem to want you to overlook.
1 - A local government spending settlement involving cuts worth billions1 - A local government spending settlement involving cuts worth billions
2 - A report from the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission saying Britain is on track to becoming ever more divided2 - A report from the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission saying Britain is on track to becoming ever more divided
3 - A long-delayed report into the Muslim Brotherhood whose conclusions may disappoint allies like Saudi Arabia 3 - A long-delayed report into the Muslim Brotherhood whose conclusions may disappoint allies such as Saudi Arabia
4 - The list of government special advisers, and figures showing how much they are paid4 - The list of government special advisers, and figures showing how much they are paid
5- The list of ministerial interests5- The list of ministerial interests
6 - Information about David Cameron’s ministerial gifts, hospitality, travel and meetings6 - Information about David Cameron’s ministerial gifts, hospitality, travel and meetings
7 - A list of receptions held at Downing Street7 - A list of receptions held at Downing Street
8 - A list of government officials earning more than £150,0008 - A list of government officials earning more than £150,000
9 - A report from the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration saying the authorities have lost contact with around 10,000 asylum seekers9 - A report from the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration saying the authorities have lost contact with around 10,000 asylum seekers
10 - A plan to curb the powers of the House of Lords that has been criticised by opposition parties and by constitutional reformers10 - A plan to curb the powers of the House of Lords that has been criticised by opposition parties and by constitutional reformers
11 - Cuts to solar panel subsidies11 - Cuts to solar panel subsidies
12 - Homelessness figures showing a 45% increase in the number of families living in emergency B&Bs 12 - Homelessness figures showing a 45% rise in the number of families living in emergency B&Bs
13 - An official Department for Work and Pensions report on the bedroom tax saying that three-quarters of those affected have cut back on food and that the impact on downsizing has been limited13 - An official Department for Work and Pensions report on the bedroom tax saying that three-quarters of those affected have cut back on food and that the impact on downsizing has been limited
14 - A Home Office review saying the government should abandon its policy of having tied visas for overseas domestic workers14 - A Home Office review saying the government should abandon its policy of having tied visas for overseas domestic workers
15 - An air quality action plan that has been criticised as too lax by environmental campaigners15 - An air quality action plan that has been criticised as too lax by environmental campaigners
16 - A report into failings at the Southern Health NHS foundation trust16 - A report into failings at the Southern Health NHS foundation trust
17 - A range of court fee increases17 - A range of court fee increases
18 - A statement saying 177 service personnel are embedded with other nations’ armed forces18 - A statement saying 177 service personnel are embedded with other nations’ armed forces
19 - Police funding figures for 2016-1719 - Police funding figures for 2016-17
20 - Charts setting out how much money is spent on ministerial cars20 - Charts setting out how much money is spent on ministerial cars
21 - Suspension of a badger vaccination programme21 - Suspension of a badger vaccination programme
22 - The allocation of onshore gas and oil exploration licences that would pave the way for fracking22 - The allocation of onshore gas and oil exploration licences that would pave the way for fracking
23 - An evaluation of a pilot relating to the use of independent child trafficking advocates 23 - An evaluation of a pilot scheme relating to the use of independent child trafficking advocates
24 - Data about the number of quangos funded by the government24 - Data about the number of quangos funded by the government
25 - The government’s response to the Harris review on self-inflicted deaths in custody25 - The government’s response to the Harris review on self-inflicted deaths in custody
26 - A report on the needs of ex-service personnel in the criminal justice system26 - A report on the needs of ex-service personnel in the criminal justice system
27 - The government’s sports strategy27 - The government’s sports strategy
28 - A long-term walking and cycling investment strategy28 - A long-term walking and cycling investment strategy
29 - A consultation on reform on the Independent Police Complaints Commission 29 - A consultation on reform of the Independent Police Complaints Commission
30 - A list of guests who have visited Chequers30 - A list of guests who have visited Chequers