The new powers coincide with all of the other stuff going on throughout Europe and the rest of the World. I read an article about a fellow that talks to various people in government and one particular tory who he didn't name actually said "after all the austerity measures and benefit changes, we cannot believe that people are not rioting in the streets". Clearly they were aware of something that didn't happen...yet, and so in response they introduce new laws (that largely went under the radar) in order that they can prevent a small crowd turning into a large crowd. I'm surprised that the nice weather hasn't brought more people out to protest and have a riot, maybe they will make even bigger cuts as we are so laid back about it all......