The Spectator

Barometer | 7 April 2016

Also in our Barometer column: tax havens, domestic abuse and grammar schools

issue 09 April 2016

Squire power

The village of West Heslerton in Yorkshire was put up for sale at £20 million after its owner, Eve Dawnay, died. Other villages still largely owned by a local squire:
— Hambleden, Buckinghamshire, owned by the W.H. Smith family until 2007 when it was bought by the neighbouring Culden Faw estate, which owns 50 cottages in the village as well as the shop and pub.
— Bantham, Devon. An estate consisting of 21 houses, a golf course and 589 acres was bought in 2014 by a businessman, Nicholas Johnston, having been advertised for £11.5 million. The National Trust wanted to buy it but were outbid.
— New Earswick, York. Still mostly owned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, having been built as a model village by Rowntree on 123 acres he bought in 1901.

Havenly creatures

How do you measure a haven? The US looks at the profits of US-controlled firms in foreign countries as a percentage of the country’s GDP — indicating that profits are being diverted there. By this measure, the biggest corporate tax havens are:

Cayman Islands 2,065%
British Virgin Islands 1,803%
Bermuda 1,614%
Luxembourg 127%
Bahamas 71%
Ireland 42%
Netherlands 17%

How many Helens?

Listeners to The Archers were left in suspense over a domestic abuse case. How many people are domestic abuse victims?

Men % reporting abuse by partner since age 16
Any partner abuse 14%
Threats 1%
Financial/emotional 7.3%
Minor force 2.8%
Severe force 5.9%
Sexual assault 2.5%

Source: Home Office

Women % reporting abuse by partner since age 16
Any partner abuse 27%
Threats 9.9%
Financial/emotional 17%
Minor force 12%
Severe force 20%
Sexual assault 19%

Source: Home Office

Grammar test

Is there a link between selective schools and attainment at Key Stage 4?

TOP THREE % of pupils achieving 6
Kingston-upon-Thames 60%
Sutton 59%
Barnet 57%

Source: CentreForum

TOP THREE                                     % of schools 50 points or higher 
Kingston-upon-Thames 20%
Sutton 36%
Barnet 14%

Source: CentreForum

BOTTOM THREE % of pupils achieving 6
Knowsley 17%
Blackpool 21%
Sandwell 23%

Source: CentreForum

BOTTOM THREE                                     % of schools 50 points or higher 
Knowsley 0%
Blackpool 0%
Sandwell 0%

Source: CentreForum

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