We are taking the wrong path in response to this crisis and much of that is down to a misrepresentation of the facts, by politicians and by many in the media too.
Every week we will publish nominations for the Pinocchio award for misleading the public.
Submit your nomination for the Pinocchio award along with a short written explanation - or even better - submit a short film or voice file via youtube.
Here are this week’s nominations.
No doubt in anyone’s mind that David Cameron is the favourite for the first week’s award. His statement that ‘we are all in this together’ was blown out of the water by the Institute of Fiscal Studies Report which challenged the progressive budget claim.
STUC comment: We were somewhat surprised that it was Cameron and not Osborne who attracted the most nominations for what was after all, a misrepresentation of the budget. But it was Cameron who said: “We are all in this together, and we will get through this together. We will carry out Britain's unavoidable deficit reduction plan in a way that strengthens and unites the country.”
Nick Clegg admits breaking tuition fees pledge Standing in for David Cameron at Prime Minister’s Question Time, he conceded that he had “not been able to deliver the policy that we held in opposition” after abandoning a pledge to scrap university fees altogether. Instead, the Liberal Democrats last week signed up to Coalition plans to allow institutions to charge up to £9,000 a year. Mr Clegg made his admission as student protesters outside Parliament waved placards accusing him of “conning” voters.
Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP Tom Greatrex today exposed the inconsistency of Danny Alexander as his own party website reveals double dealing on Forestry policy.
The Scottish Liberal Democrat website still carries their "Save Our Forest" campaign, featuring Danny Alexander MP and the MSP for Ross, Skye and Inverness West, John Farquhar Munro. Meanwhile, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander's Comprehensive Spending Review has led to DEFRA setting out its plans to privatise forests in England.