Ruth Porter appeared on Radio 4’s “Any Questions?” . The discussion focussed on the recent select committee report on the IPCC, military intervention in Mali, food banks and welfare, and the nature of childcare in the UK.
Regarding the future of the IPCC, Ruth Porter supported the recent Home Affairs Select Committee’s report agreeing that it required more resourcing to function effectively. She argued that public confidence had been undermined not only in the IPCC but also in MPs and journalists and that time and a culture change are needed to restore trust.
When the discussion was brought to the situation in Mali, Ruth Porter stated that there are two major motivations for military intervention:
1. To prevent Mali from becoming a “seedbed” of future threats to the UK
2. To prevent atrocities in the region
However, Ms Porter also argued that outcomes of military intervention are difficult to predict and that the UK should only consider this action as a last resort.
Discussing food banks with regards to public spendi