Gaza in history
Gaza is no stranger to territorial conflict. Originally settled around 3000 bc as a fortress and trading post between Egypt and Canaan, the city of Gaza declined and was rebuilt several times during the Bronze Age. After serving as an administrative centre in ancient Egypt, it became one of five ports used by the Philistines. The Gaza Strip, incorporating a 25-mile stretch of coastline between Gaza City and Egypt, came into existence only after 1948 when the area was under Egyptian control.
Other political entities which have had control of Gaza over the centuries include: the Assyrian Empire, the Kingdom of Macedon, the Bedouins, the Seleucid Dynasty, the Nabataeans, the Roman Empire, Judea, the Fatimid caliphate, the Ottoman Empire and the British Empire.
Sentence structure
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said he wants fewer low-level offenders sent to jail and more subjected to ‘Texan-style justice’ instead – meaning tough community sentences. For how long do offenders go to jail at present (in months)?
2022 | 2012
Theft 11.2 | 9.2
Possession of weapons 13 | 13
Violence against the person 20.2 | 23.1
Fraud 25.8 | 14.6
Criminal damage and arson 32.9 | 23.7
Drug offences 44.3 | 28.7
Robbery 48.3 | 35.8
Sexual offences 60.1 | 54.5
Source: Ministry of Justice
Homes under the digger
Where in England are houses being built (and not being built)?
Most starts in 2022/23
Newham 2,080
Wiltshire 2,070
Cornwall 2,040
North Northants 1,960
Fewest starts in 2022/23
Sutton 20
Gosport, Islington, Rutland 30
Redditch 40
Eastbourne, Slough 50
Hard at work?
How is productivity in the public services coming along?
– In Q2 2023 productivity was 1.1% lower than in Q2 2022.
– In 2022 productivity was 0.1% lower than in 1997.
– Productivity peaked in 2019 at 4.6% higher than it had been in 1997.
Source: Office for National Statistics
Got something to add? Join the discussion and comment below.
Get 10 issues for just $10
Subscribe to The Spectator Australia today for the next 10 magazine issues, plus full online access, for just $10.
You might disagree with half of it, but you’ll enjoy reading all of it. Try your first month for free, then just $2 a week for the remainder of your first year.
Comments
Don't miss out
Join the conversation with other Spectator Australia readers. Subscribe to leave a comment.
SUBSCRIBEAlready a subscriber? Log in