Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Pensions overpaid
Possibly about 10,000 government employees overpaid pensions possibly since 1970. Its ok though, they can keep them (possibly)
Friday, 24 October 2008
Olympic Crunch
So the Olympic Development Association, and the company engaged to build it, Lendlease, has been unable to raise any private money for the olympic villages and venues from private investors, because of the credit crunch. An extra £850m is still yet to be found for the olympic village, and the budget has been cut back, with fears that athletes may have to share rooms (shock horror!)
Which means that the likelihood is that then entire bill will nedd to footed once again by the taxpayers, so that the gov will then own the land and buildings, so they can sell them of afterwards.
No doubt to foot the mp's pensions bills.
Which means that the likelihood is that then entire bill will nedd to footed once again by the taxpayers, so that the gov will then own the land and buildings, so they can sell them of afterwards.
No doubt to foot the mp's pensions bills.
Monday, 20 October 2008
A random thought on minimum wage.
Minimum wage is probably a good thing for employees, but not such a great thing for employers.
It is definitely a good thing for gov. It increases the amount an employee is paid, therefore increasing the amount of tax and NI they pay to the gov.
This in turn goes to pay for the repayment of the loans to the banks, and the public employee pensions (for which there is no pot).
As minimum wages increases, so fees for services and products will rise, and so will unemployment as there becomes less and less point in an employer keeping someone employed, at a rate for which there is no competition for jobs.
There will be a larger and larger drain on umemployment services, paid for by the gov, and fewer and fewer poeple to pay the taxes. More and more businesses will go out of business, because of unsustainable work levels, and the feeling that it would be better to be employed, rather than struggle all the hours god sends to keep up with the gov imposed rules, regulations, and health and safetly laws.
Oh, hang on, minimum wage is a bad thing for gov too.
It is definitely a good thing for gov. It increases the amount an employee is paid, therefore increasing the amount of tax and NI they pay to the gov.
This in turn goes to pay for the repayment of the loans to the banks, and the public employee pensions (for which there is no pot).
As minimum wages increases, so fees for services and products will rise, and so will unemployment as there becomes less and less point in an employer keeping someone employed, at a rate for which there is no competition for jobs.
There will be a larger and larger drain on umemployment services, paid for by the gov, and fewer and fewer poeple to pay the taxes. More and more businesses will go out of business, because of unsustainable work levels, and the feeling that it would be better to be employed, rather than struggle all the hours god sends to keep up with the gov imposed rules, regulations, and health and safetly laws.
Oh, hang on, minimum wage is a bad thing for gov too.
Crunch crunches family freindliness
The credit crunch is not good for business (its official, the gov says so). Some suggestions are reducing red tape (by applying for red tape reduction with more forms no doubt), to reducing NI payments for small companies for 6 months (could save them £600 - whoopee, less than a weeks wages for a minimum wage employee), and by pitting on hold the 'family friendly' measures proposed by lilly livered bleeding heart lefty liberals.
Now, far be it for me for the cynic in me to raise its ugly head again, but increasing paid maternity leave, and creating virtually compulsory paid paternity leave, has always seemed like a strain to small businesses to me - whether the government pays for it or not.
But, it raises to questions - doesn't it show that perhaps it wasn't a good idea in the first place, and are the gove realising now that it might actually cost them a teensy weensy bit more than they thought?
Of course, the next thing would be just to make the businesses pay for it.
Now, far be it for me for the cynic in me to raise its ugly head again, but increasing paid maternity leave, and creating virtually compulsory paid paternity leave, has always seemed like a strain to small businesses to me - whether the government pays for it or not.
But, it raises to questions - doesn't it show that perhaps it wasn't a good idea in the first place, and are the gove realising now that it might actually cost them a teensy weensy bit more than they thought?
Of course, the next thing would be just to make the businesses pay for it.
Phone database
Ok, this is getting silly - now we're going to need a passport, or some other form of identity, to purchase a moblie phone, so that our details can be held on yet another database - again supposedly to combat terrorism and crime.
The gove wants the phone companies to foot the bill (or part of it) - in other words, guess who's going to be really footing the bill - or is this just yet another tax?
http://security.itproportal.com/articles/2008/10/20/buying-mobile-phone-you-will-need-passport-yes-another-database-coming/
The gove wants the phone companies to foot the bill (or part of it) - in other words, guess who's going to be really footing the bill - or is this just yet another tax?
http://security.itproportal.com/articles/2008/10/20/buying-mobile-phone-you-will-need-passport-yes-another-database-coming/
Friday, 17 October 2008
Pensions
Falling stocks and shares, and failing banks have wiped out 1/3 to 1/2 of the value of lts of peoples pension plans, and with the companies no longer able to afford final salary pension schemes, or employees having to put a lot more (barely affordable) sums into (even more shakier) pension schemes, it seems like the retired population of this country is heading for some very hard times.
There is of course a section of the country that won't be affected. Listening to radio4 this morning it seems that public employees are pretty much guaranteed there pensions, crash proof, bomb proof, enshrined in law, untouchable. The gov can apparently cut the state pension, but it can't touch public service pensions.
It was argued that, well fair enough, they have a modest salary, and for years of dedication to public service, etc, but it turned out that since 2000, public employee remunuration has sored in comparison with the private sector.
So, not only are public service employees better off now than people in the private sector, but they will also be better off in the future when they retire.
Also it would apear that while private pensions need pots to supply the pensioners with their pensions, public sector employees don't - their pension is paid for by future taxation. This makes the country even more in hock than it is now.
Frankly, this is just plain wrong. Obviously, I'm not a private sector employee, if I was I would be applauding the gov's efforts for rewarding my years of service and dedication to public service. But this is yet another example of the govs complete inability to take the bull by the horns, and tackle the situation now, before it flares into yet another financial crisis.
Why?
Firstly, who's going to pay for this - taxpayers of course. But in order to pay for the very generous pension payouts, taxes will need to be raised from somewhere. Guess where that would be then.
Secondly, in order to pay for it, money will have to be cut from other payouts - first place the gov will look will be the state pension - possibly not by direct cuts, but by meagre increases, leading to further hardships for the old on low pensions.
Thirdly, innovation will be utterly stifled. Why on earth would anyone want to start their own business and develop their own products and services when they are going to be taxed to the hilt, smothered in red tape, and have a retirement smothered by destitution, when the alternative would be an nice cushy job, loaded with benefits, restricted in working times, with a nice pension and retirement at the end of it.
We are going to become a nation of teachers and council workers, unless the government do something about this now.
Not likely though is it.
There is of course a section of the country that won't be affected. Listening to radio4 this morning it seems that public employees are pretty much guaranteed there pensions, crash proof, bomb proof, enshrined in law, untouchable. The gov can apparently cut the state pension, but it can't touch public service pensions.
It was argued that, well fair enough, they have a modest salary, and for years of dedication to public service, etc, but it turned out that since 2000, public employee remunuration has sored in comparison with the private sector.
So, not only are public service employees better off now than people in the private sector, but they will also be better off in the future when they retire.
Also it would apear that while private pensions need pots to supply the pensioners with their pensions, public sector employees don't - their pension is paid for by future taxation. This makes the country even more in hock than it is now.
Frankly, this is just plain wrong. Obviously, I'm not a private sector employee, if I was I would be applauding the gov's efforts for rewarding my years of service and dedication to public service. But this is yet another example of the govs complete inability to take the bull by the horns, and tackle the situation now, before it flares into yet another financial crisis.
Why?
Firstly, who's going to pay for this - taxpayers of course. But in order to pay for the very generous pension payouts, taxes will need to be raised from somewhere. Guess where that would be then.
Secondly, in order to pay for it, money will have to be cut from other payouts - first place the gov will look will be the state pension - possibly not by direct cuts, but by meagre increases, leading to further hardships for the old on low pensions.
Thirdly, innovation will be utterly stifled. Why on earth would anyone want to start their own business and develop their own products and services when they are going to be taxed to the hilt, smothered in red tape, and have a retirement smothered by destitution, when the alternative would be an nice cushy job, loaded with benefits, restricted in working times, with a nice pension and retirement at the end of it.
We are going to become a nation of teachers and council workers, unless the government do something about this now.
Not likely though is it.
Finance storms worsen
Seems Gord's no longer the hero (surprise).
Despite a massive injection of funds (£50bn), stocks continue to plunge.
So once again, Gord's gone from zero to hero, back to zero, in a matter of a few days, almost as quickly as the stocks and shares have changed.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/financialcrisis/3214334/Financial-Crisis-Gordon-Brown-a-failure-David-Cameron-says.html
Despite a massive injection of funds (£50bn), stocks continue to plunge.
So once again, Gord's gone from zero to hero, back to zero, in a matter of a few days, almost as quickly as the stocks and shares have changed.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/financialcrisis/3214334/Financial-Crisis-Gordon-Brown-a-failure-David-Cameron-says.html
Big brother again
So now it seems that gov's got plans to monitor every email, phone call, and everything else we do electronically - not the content apparently, just the location and time.
Yeah right. Hope there monitoring this.
Given gov's past history with data security, why don't we just all have posters on the front of our houses, with all our details?
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/telecoms/article3965033.ece
Yeah right. Hope there monitoring this.
Given gov's past history with data security, why don't we just all have posters on the front of our houses, with all our details?
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/telecoms/article3965033.ece
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
42 days - no
The gov has been defeated over its 42 days for holding possible terrorists without charges. It has been touted as a tail between the legs defeat for the governement, a vindication for David Davies, and a triumph for the campaigners of human rights.
The argument goes something like this.
If we detain the wrong person for too long without charges then we are infringing on their human rights, which isn't fair.
An alternative argument might go
We suspect this person of terrorist activities, and may cost the lives of many people if we don't find out if they really are involved with terrorism. They may be inconvenienced for three more weeks, We may save hundreds of lives. If we release them too early, its possible they may kill hundreds of people, which isn't fair.
Now, I'm not a great fan of the current labour government, but I'm on their side with this one, and its the Lords who have been shown to be a bunch of bumbling fools in this case.
We may not have needed 42 days (and apparently it would only have been needed 4 or 5 times over the next few years, but that would have remained to have been seen), but it would have been useful to have, just in case.
You could argue, by extension, that id cards are a good thing. Yes, but only if they work, prevent id theft, and don't cost an arm and a leg.
Which just goes to show, that wherever you are in the gov, which side or house, you will always do something to merit derision.
The argument goes something like this.
If we detain the wrong person for too long without charges then we are infringing on their human rights, which isn't fair.
An alternative argument might go
We suspect this person of terrorist activities, and may cost the lives of many people if we don't find out if they really are involved with terrorism. They may be inconvenienced for three more weeks, We may save hundreds of lives. If we release them too early, its possible they may kill hundreds of people, which isn't fair.
Now, I'm not a great fan of the current labour government, but I'm on their side with this one, and its the Lords who have been shown to be a bunch of bumbling fools in this case.
We may not have needed 42 days (and apparently it would only have been needed 4 or 5 times over the next few years, but that would have remained to have been seen), but it would have been useful to have, just in case.
You could argue, by extension, that id cards are a good thing. Yes, but only if they work, prevent id theft, and don't cost an arm and a leg.
Which just goes to show, that wherever you are in the gov, which side or house, you will always do something to merit derision.
More data lost
http://www.itv.com/News/Articles/Warning-over-missing-MoD-hard-drive-266078232.html
This time the names and addresses of 1.7 million people who may want to join the armed forces.
Some may call that a list of applications. Others could call that a target list.
Hey, I want to sign up too!
This time the names and addresses of 1.7 million people who may want to join the armed forces.
Some may call that a list of applications. Others could call that a target list.
Hey, I want to sign up too!
Turmoil on the seas of high finance
We are currently in the middle of one of the biggest banking and stock market melt downs the world has ever seen. The British taxpayer is now a share holder of UK banks PLC (still waiting for my certificates), with one of the biggest injections of capital in order to - wait for it - encourage credit.
Isn't this what got us into this mess in the first place?
Without my agreement, I've had to loan the banks £1,600, so they can continue to lend money to people, to keep the economy going. Well, at least they have agreed not to take a bonus, this year!
It has to stop somewhere. We can't go on lending money that we don't have to people who are having more and more difficulty paying it back. It may well be painful, but at some point we may have to go back to (sharp intake of breath) saving for the stuff that we want before we get it.
Of course Gordo's is being hailed as the saviour of the worlds economy, the hero of the UK banking system. Now, forgive me if I'm wrong, but who was one of the major architects of the mess we are in now?
Some bankers, a few weeks ago considered heroes because of the magnificent ways they created wealth, are now dropping off their perches like flies. As my wife pointed out, bankers don't create wealth, they just move it back and forth, its the people who work for a living that create the cah that pays for the taxes that goes towards bailing out banks.
Here's a great explanation of the stock market, that suddenly appeared on the internet
Once upon a time in a village, a man appeared and announced to the villagers that he would buy monkeys for $10 each.
The villagers seeing that there were many monkeys around, went out to the forest, and started catching them. The man bought thousands at $10 and as supply started to diminish, the villagers stopped their effort. He further announced that he would now buy at $20. This renewed the efforts of the villagers and they started catching monkeys again.
Soon the supply diminished even further and people started going back to their farms. The offer increased to $25 each and the supply of monkeys became so little that it was an effort to even see a monkey, let alone catch it!
The man now announced that he would buy monkeys at $50 ! However, since he had to go to the city on some business, his assistant would now buy on behalf of him.
In the absence of the man, the assistant told the villagers. "Look at all these monkeys in the big cage that the man has collected. I will sell them to you at $35 and when the man returns from the city, you can sell them to him for $50 each."
The villagers rounded up all their savings and bought all the monkeys. Then they never saw the man nor his assistant, only monkeys everywhere!
Now you have a better understanding of how the stock market works!!
As my wife commented (plaguerising again), what would have happened if this were the farmers who were in trouble, would the gov bail them out. I pointed out that when the farmers were in trouble with Foot and Mouth, their stock was shot, but with the bankers (who funnily enough have had their stock shot too), the compensation is vastly more. Just goes to show, money does talk. Makes you wonder, if the farmers had as much political power, or influence on the careers of the politicians, would the bail out package have been the same?
Isn't this what got us into this mess in the first place?
Without my agreement, I've had to loan the banks £1,600, so they can continue to lend money to people, to keep the economy going. Well, at least they have agreed not to take a bonus, this year!
It has to stop somewhere. We can't go on lending money that we don't have to people who are having more and more difficulty paying it back. It may well be painful, but at some point we may have to go back to (sharp intake of breath) saving for the stuff that we want before we get it.
Of course Gordo's is being hailed as the saviour of the worlds economy, the hero of the UK banking system. Now, forgive me if I'm wrong, but who was one of the major architects of the mess we are in now?
Some bankers, a few weeks ago considered heroes because of the magnificent ways they created wealth, are now dropping off their perches like flies. As my wife pointed out, bankers don't create wealth, they just move it back and forth, its the people who work for a living that create the cah that pays for the taxes that goes towards bailing out banks.
Here's a great explanation of the stock market, that suddenly appeared on the internet
Once upon a time in a village, a man appeared and announced to the villagers that he would buy monkeys for $10 each.
The villagers seeing that there were many monkeys around, went out to the forest, and started catching them. The man bought thousands at $10 and as supply started to diminish, the villagers stopped their effort. He further announced that he would now buy at $20. This renewed the efforts of the villagers and they started catching monkeys again.
Soon the supply diminished even further and people started going back to their farms. The offer increased to $25 each and the supply of monkeys became so little that it was an effort to even see a monkey, let alone catch it!
The man now announced that he would buy monkeys at $50 ! However, since he had to go to the city on some business, his assistant would now buy on behalf of him.
In the absence of the man, the assistant told the villagers. "Look at all these monkeys in the big cage that the man has collected. I will sell them to you at $35 and when the man returns from the city, you can sell them to him for $50 each."
The villagers rounded up all their savings and bought all the monkeys. Then they never saw the man nor his assistant, only monkeys everywhere!
Now you have a better understanding of how the stock market works!!
As my wife commented (plaguerising again), what would have happened if this were the farmers who were in trouble, would the gov bail them out. I pointed out that when the farmers were in trouble with Foot and Mouth, their stock was shot, but with the bankers (who funnily enough have had their stock shot too), the compensation is vastly more. Just goes to show, money does talk. Makes you wonder, if the farmers had as much political power, or influence on the careers of the politicians, would the bail out package have been the same?
Thursday, 9 October 2008
I'm a bank shareholder
Apparently, as a result of a £50bn cash injection by the gov, I'm now the proud owner of £1600 pounds worth of stocks and shares in the UK banking industry.
The banks must be so excited by this free windfall. Now all the top managers can continue to receive their entirel modest and understandable performance related bonuses - after all its not their fault everythings gone tits up, and we do need the best poeple in these highly important jobs too.
I'm waiting for my share certificates.
And remember punters, the value of stocks can go down as well as up!
The banks must be so excited by this free windfall. Now all the top managers can continue to receive their entirel modest and understandable performance related bonuses - after all its not their fault everythings gone tits up, and we do need the best poeple in these highly important jobs too.
I'm waiting for my share certificates.
And remember punters, the value of stocks can go down as well as up!
Sunday, 28 September 2008
Data, data, data
Yet two more data losses today
50, 000 RAF files missing, stolen from a 'secure' military base.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1063332/Helpline-opened-50-000-RAF-files-stolen.html
11, 000 teachers files lost by a courier
http://www.itproportal.com/articles/2008/09/26/more-data-mayhem-details-11000-teachers-get-lost-courier/
Becoming a bit of habit, wouldn't you say? And this on the same day (virtually) that the gov rolls out its id cards
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/09/28/do2804.xml
It seems that id cards are voluntary (like they are going to stay like that), except for foreign nationals. Like any self respecting terrorist is going to rush out to but an id card. And it seems the data cantained on the id card is innaccurate in a propartion of the cards, and iy'll only be a matter of time before the cards are hacked.
This is yet another example of a complete and utter waste of money. I cannot find one article in favour of id cards, not gov related, anywhere. For crying out loud, LISTEN TO US.
50, 000 RAF files missing, stolen from a 'secure' military base.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1063332/Helpline-opened-50-000-RAF-files-stolen.html
11, 000 teachers files lost by a courier
http://www.itproportal.com/articles/2008/09/26/more-data-mayhem-details-11000-teachers-get-lost-courier/
Becoming a bit of habit, wouldn't you say? And this on the same day (virtually) that the gov rolls out its id cards
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/09/28/do2804.xml
It seems that id cards are voluntary (like they are going to stay like that), except for foreign nationals. Like any self respecting terrorist is going to rush out to but an id card. And it seems the data cantained on the id card is innaccurate in a propartion of the cards, and iy'll only be a matter of time before the cards are hacked.
This is yet another example of a complete and utter waste of money. I cannot find one article in favour of id cards, not gov related, anywhere. For crying out loud, LISTEN TO US.
Saturday, 13 September 2008
Time for a change
Ah, the vultures are circling.
In one of the most patronising set of interview responses I've seen in a long time, Siobhain McDonagh gave a series of non responses to questions about Gordon Brown, new leadership contests and contestants, with as sitting on the fence so as not to damage her future career replies aimed at ousting Gordo, and nothing more.
The rest of the vultures are circling. Gordo's lack lustre premiership is coming to an end - lets see how long he can cling on for.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7613701.stm
In one of the most patronising set of interview responses I've seen in a long time, Siobhain McDonagh gave a series of non responses to questions about Gordon Brown, new leadership contests and contestants, with as sitting on the fence so as not to damage her future career replies aimed at ousting Gordo, and nothing more.
The rest of the vultures are circling. Gordo's lack lustre premiership is coming to an end - lets see how long he can cling on for.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7613701.stm
Thursday, 4 September 2008
Have to stay till you're 17
Yesterday was the first time pupils starting at secondary school would be legally obliged to stay until they were 17 years old.
As far as I'm concerned the jury's still out on this one, but I can't help thinking that the ones who don't want to stay probably won't, but at least it'll keep the govs unemployment figures down.
As far as I'm concerned the jury's still out on this one, but I can't help thinking that the ones who don't want to stay probably won't, but at least it'll keep the govs unemployment figures down.
Saturday, 23 August 2008
More data gone astray
Another data stick's gone missing, from a private consultancy company, employed by the gov, but already the signs of squirming's started. Another nail?
Friday, 25 July 2008
Trounced in Glasgow
Today, Labour were wiped of the map in a Glasgow by election, by not just an earthquake, but off the Richter scale (still trying to work that one out), by the SNP. They lost their 25th safest seat in the country, with 11, 000 odd votes.
There is a message to labour in there. Labour says that the country is saying they must listen harder. Wonder what the country is really saying?
There is a message to labour in there. Labour says that the country is saying they must listen harder. Wonder what the country is really saying?
Thursday, 17 July 2008
2p fuel tax hike delayed
The Gov's delayed the tax hike in November (ish), until next year - they can't afford not to put tax up somewhere.
Perhaps they should start by looking at redusing there £25000 pa allowances for furniture and stuff, just tlike the rest of us.
Perhaps they should start by looking at redusing there £25000 pa allowances for furniture and stuff, just tlike the rest of us.
What the government might do for us.
Ok, not a rant on what the government's done for us, but a comment on what the conservatives say they're going to do for us.
Fair fuel stabiliser (tax down when price up, tax up when price down)
Stamp duty first time buyers
Savers - deposit protection scheme if the bank goes bust.
Lets see what happens - he does sound very reasonable - now.
Fair fuel stabiliser (tax down when price up, tax up when price down)
Stamp duty first time buyers
Savers - deposit protection scheme if the bank goes bust.
Lets see what happens - he does sound very reasonable - now.
Monday, 14 July 2008
Maternity leave discrimination
Not really a rant at the gov, just a general rant and eye rolling excercise.
Maternity leave is discriminating against women, because employers would rather not employ or promote women of child bearing age.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/article4333479.ece
The solution - increase the length of paternity leave. The above article mirrors my views exactly. What is the small business to do - has anyone stopped to consider them, the bureaucratic hassle, the elven safety nightmare, the disruption to all the other workers, the increased expense of finding other people to fill in while they take the time off on leave.
Fathers are becoming increasingly marginalised says another article. I'm sorry, but most fathers DON'T WANT THE TIME OFF WORK, THEY WANT TO GET BACK TO WORK, AND LEAVE THE CHILD REARING TO THE MUM.
As incredibly sexist as you may think this is, its a simple biological fact - mothers raise, fathers hunt and gather. If you can't afford to take a few years off to raise a child, without relying on government hand outs, then don't.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2301133/Fathers-'increasingly-marginalised'-in-children's-upbringing.html
Frankly, the chief executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Nichola Brewer talks a complete load of PC twaddle, with the base line assumption that fathers should spend more time at home with their children. Has anyone asked them. Or are we all so emasculated now, that we daren't say that we want to go back to work, and let the nurturers raise our children.
Is this the answer to increasing family life, to decreasing the number of broken homes, and single parent families. Of course it isn't. We are creating a society of people who think they deserve what every body else has, that they have a right to it and that someone else should provide it for them. The school child who keeps the baby, still goes to school, has a creche provided for them, and still has money for a 'social life' factored into their benefits allowance.
This is another example of social engineering that can only end one way. Worse than what it is now. All these people whose jobs rely on saying the stupid things, like fathers need more time off, should be consigned to the politically correct dustbin, benefits and allowances for people who are not prepared to take responsibility for their own lack of forethought should be demonstrably cut, and these people made to fend for themselves, and the equillibrium should be allowed to be re established.
"The economic penalty for fatherhood is too high" says Ms Brewer. So don't have children. If you can't afford it, who says you have a right to have children. Why should everyone else support you in your right to have children. You want them - commit to it, sacrifice, scrimp and save, don't have so many.
"Companies should be made to consider the economic benefits of flexible working!" There aren't any. No, really, there aren't. It just means we have to employ more people to get the same amount of work done, as we did before.
Maternity leave is discriminating against women, because employers would rather not employ or promote women of child bearing age.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/article4333479.ece
The solution - increase the length of paternity leave. The above article mirrors my views exactly. What is the small business to do - has anyone stopped to consider them, the bureaucratic hassle, the elven safety nightmare, the disruption to all the other workers, the increased expense of finding other people to fill in while they take the time off on leave.
Fathers are becoming increasingly marginalised says another article. I'm sorry, but most fathers DON'T WANT THE TIME OFF WORK, THEY WANT TO GET BACK TO WORK, AND LEAVE THE CHILD REARING TO THE MUM.
As incredibly sexist as you may think this is, its a simple biological fact - mothers raise, fathers hunt and gather. If you can't afford to take a few years off to raise a child, without relying on government hand outs, then don't.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2301133/Fathers-'increasingly-marginalised'-in-children's-upbringing.html
Frankly, the chief executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Nichola Brewer talks a complete load of PC twaddle, with the base line assumption that fathers should spend more time at home with their children. Has anyone asked them. Or are we all so emasculated now, that we daren't say that we want to go back to work, and let the nurturers raise our children.
Is this the answer to increasing family life, to decreasing the number of broken homes, and single parent families. Of course it isn't. We are creating a society of people who think they deserve what every body else has, that they have a right to it and that someone else should provide it for them. The school child who keeps the baby, still goes to school, has a creche provided for them, and still has money for a 'social life' factored into their benefits allowance.
This is another example of social engineering that can only end one way. Worse than what it is now. All these people whose jobs rely on saying the stupid things, like fathers need more time off, should be consigned to the politically correct dustbin, benefits and allowances for people who are not prepared to take responsibility for their own lack of forethought should be demonstrably cut, and these people made to fend for themselves, and the equillibrium should be allowed to be re established.
"The economic penalty for fatherhood is too high" says Ms Brewer. So don't have children. If you can't afford it, who says you have a right to have children. Why should everyone else support you in your right to have children. You want them - commit to it, sacrifice, scrimp and save, don't have so many.
"Companies should be made to consider the economic benefits of flexible working!" There aren't any. No, really, there aren't. It just means we have to employ more people to get the same amount of work done, as we did before.
Thursday, 10 July 2008
More snouts in the trough.
Gordy's noticed that the average family wastes £8.00 per week in food that it throws away. He suggests we should be more frugal with what we buy, and less wasteful with what we throw out.
Is he joking?
He said this just before jetting off to the G8 summit in Hokkaido, to discuss rising fuel and food prices, condemning Bob Mugabe, and troughing at the vast banquets laid on at the summit. (18 courses from one source, which I can't find again)
Who ate all the pies again?
Is he joking?
He said this just before jetting off to the G8 summit in Hokkaido, to discuss rising fuel and food prices, condemning Bob Mugabe, and troughing at the vast banquets laid on at the summit. (18 courses from one source, which I can't find again)
Who ate all the pies again?
Gas guzzlers get hit
So, the details have been released by the Treasury - 43 % of UK drivers will be £250 pa worse off after the swingeing new vehicle duty rules - about 9% may be better off.
The rule covers all cars bought since 2001, and is based on fuel consumption and emissions.
Top of the hit list must be that well known gas guzzler the Ford Focus.
Apparently, this move will add another 1 billion to gov's coffers. After they've lost 2 bn from compensating people for the idiotic 10p tax rate abolition, I await with baited breath to see what they will do about this idiotic tax.
Probably hoping people won't notice, and will be so incensed by the extra 2 p on fuel later this year, they will forget about this. Bear in mind with the increase in fuel prices they will be getting an absolute windfall with the increase in actual money from the already existing duty.
The rule covers all cars bought since 2001, and is based on fuel consumption and emissions.
Top of the hit list must be that well known gas guzzler the Ford Focus.
Apparently, this move will add another 1 billion to gov's coffers. After they've lost 2 bn from compensating people for the idiotic 10p tax rate abolition, I await with baited breath to see what they will do about this idiotic tax.
Probably hoping people won't notice, and will be so incensed by the extra 2 p on fuel later this year, they will forget about this. Bear in mind with the increase in fuel prices they will be getting an absolute windfall with the increase in actual money from the already existing duty.
Friday, 4 July 2008
Snouts in the trough
So, MP's have rejected changes to their 'expenses and allowances' for second homes in London, the so called John Lewis List. Hands up who's surprised?
Daily Mirror
They can claim up to £23.500 A YEAR for items such as fridges, TV's, food, building a conservatory etc, as well as payments for mortgages, etc etc etc the list goes on.
Bottom line - they now earn, or take, anything between £60,000 and £170,000 a year of taxpayers money - for consistently hashing things up.
No one's asked the question of what happens to all this stuff when they retire, or get voted out. Who gets to keep the proceeds of the house, sale of TV, fridges and so on? Fair enough there is an element of they have to live in London in order to do there work, but they are supposed to be 'public servants', and surely the idea should not be to profiteer from the work that they supposedly do for us - perhaps I'm being naive.
There were 144 MPs who voted to accept the crackdown. Good on them. There were 172 who voted against it - shame on them
Perhaps we should be screaming out for our load of elected, chosen by the people, politicians, to give back to the people what they take when they are done working for us. Sell their houses, and give the proceeds, and the profits back into the coffers. Donate the stuff (TVs etc) to charity.
Going to happen? Oink oink.
Daily Mirror
They can claim up to £23.500 A YEAR for items such as fridges, TV's, food, building a conservatory etc, as well as payments for mortgages, etc etc etc the list goes on.
Bottom line - they now earn, or take, anything between £60,000 and £170,000 a year of taxpayers money - for consistently hashing things up.
No one's asked the question of what happens to all this stuff when they retire, or get voted out. Who gets to keep the proceeds of the house, sale of TV, fridges and so on? Fair enough there is an element of they have to live in London in order to do there work, but they are supposed to be 'public servants', and surely the idea should not be to profiteer from the work that they supposedly do for us - perhaps I'm being naive.
There were 144 MPs who voted to accept the crackdown. Good on them. There were 172 who voted against it - shame on them
Perhaps we should be screaming out for our load of elected, chosen by the people, politicians, to give back to the people what they take when they are done working for us. Sell their houses, and give the proceeds, and the profits back into the coffers. Donate the stuff (TVs etc) to charity.
Going to happen? Oink oink.
Tuesday, 1 July 2008
24-hour licensing fails to cut drunken violence, report finds
Well duh. Only the gov could produce something as utterly stupid as to increase the available time for drinking, and expect it to reduce the amount people (partic young, cash rich, low responsibility, highly sexed lads and laddettes commonly seen in town centres onSaturday night) drink, just like they do in Europe. No thought given to the fact that the whole drinking culture in Europe is completely different.
Plus, it's cost millions more in police, hospital and general clean up and repair time.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/jul/01/health.justice
Another shining example of expecting the facts to fit the reality, an d being surprised when they don't.
Plus, it's cost millions more in police, hospital and general clean up and repair time.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/jul/01/health.justice
Another shining example of expecting the facts to fit the reality, an d being surprised when they don't.
Monday, 23 June 2008
GB's anniversary
Gord's been in no 10 for a year. Time to sit back and reflect on all the good things that have happened in that time.
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
Documents on a train
Yup, its happened again.
Further to a previous post, more secret documents left on a train. Blatant disregard by those who should know better of the security of the country.
Happened last Friday - a bit of a delay in posting.
Further to a previous post, more secret documents left on a train. Blatant disregard by those who should know better of the security of the country.
Happened last Friday - a bit of a delay in posting.
Friday, 13 June 2008
David Davis resigns
Resigns because he's disappointed at the outcome of the 42 day terrorist detention. Resigns in order to stand again, forcing a by election.
Ok, the chap's got some integrity, and is standing by his principles, he's lost his position as shadow home sec, and isn't likely to get it back. But it also looks like he's forrcing the by election, with all the costs associated with it ( I don't think labour and the lib dems are even going to field a candidate), just so he can sit on the back benches. I'm not even sure if he's still going to be a member of the conservative party.
Not sure about this one. Then again I don't think anyone else in Westminster is either. Rebel without a point?
Ok, the chap's got some integrity, and is standing by his principles, he's lost his position as shadow home sec, and isn't likely to get it back. But it also looks like he's forrcing the by election, with all the costs associated with it ( I don't think labour and the lib dems are even going to field a candidate), just so he can sit on the back benches. I'm not even sure if he's still going to be a member of the conservative party.
Not sure about this one. Then again I don't think anyone else in Westminster is either. Rebel without a point?
Thursday, 12 June 2008
Careless data loss costs lives
Well, it's happened again. A file containing secret confidential details af Al Qaeda stuff was left on a train, and handed in to the BBC, who very public spiritedly handed it back to the gov. Left on the train by a high ranking (suspended) gov civil servant.
Just to go along with losing personal data of several thousand social security personal details in the post, a stolen laptop containing details of naval personal from a burger bar, and many other examples of lackadaisical data security, followed by a round of empty assurances of clampdowns on these security breaches, and enquiries that we never hear anything more about.
There's a lesson to be learnt somewhere.
Oh, yeah, that's right - try and gag the BBC more effectively.
Just to go along with losing personal data of several thousand social security personal details in the post, a stolen laptop containing details of naval personal from a burger bar, and many other examples of lackadaisical data security, followed by a round of empty assurances of clampdowns on these security breaches, and enquiries that we never hear anything more about.
There's a lesson to be learnt somewhere.
Oh, yeah, that's right - try and gag the BBC more effectively.
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
Poor schools threatened with closure
Underperforming schools (600 odd) have today been told they have 50 days to come up with an action plan to bring GCSE pass levels at the 'good' level (whatever that is) to at least 30%
I assume those schools that are shut will then just let the children roam the street.
Whatever happened to parental responsibility?
Looks like govs incessant fiddling with schools and education hasn't worked - again.
I assume those schools that are shut will then just let the children roam the street.
Whatever happened to parental responsibility?
Looks like govs incessant fiddling with schools and education hasn't worked - again.
Child and pensioner poverty
Despite the govs clamouring to reduce child and pensioner poverty, it was reported today that they rose.
The number of children living in poverty rose by 100,000 in 2006-2007 to 2.9 million before housing costs. Pensioner poverty increased for the first time since 1998, rising by 300,000 to a total of 2.5 million.
gov ministers are said to be disappointed. Nuff said.
The number of children living in poverty rose by 100,000 in 2006-2007 to 2.9 million before housing costs. Pensioner poverty increased for the first time since 1998, rising by 300,000 to a total of 2.5 million.
gov ministers are said to be disappointed. Nuff said.
Car and fuel tax
Just as fuel prices are rising, house prices are crashing and food prices are going up, the gov announces one of the most bizarre car taxes ever.
Old cars, bought several years ago, will be charged at a higher rate, because of more stringent CO2 emissions today - effectively punishing drivers for buying cars several years ago, or those buying 2nd hand cars. BBC news site
At the same time, there's a proposal to add an extra 2p on fuel duty this November. The price of a litre of diesel is already at 130p minimum, and rising, effectively crippling road hauliers, and many other just average people.
Fair enough we've got to do something about energy usage / carbon emissions etc, but when you consider that fuel duty is already 48%, and I've seen no evidence of fuel or road tax being used for 'green' issues, then is it any wonder that there's another backlash growing (see the hauliers protests) BBC news site
I wonder if these taxes will stick, or once again will the gov 'listen to the people' to protect its own arse?
Old cars, bought several years ago, will be charged at a higher rate, because of more stringent CO2 emissions today - effectively punishing drivers for buying cars several years ago, or those buying 2nd hand cars. BBC news site
At the same time, there's a proposal to add an extra 2p on fuel duty this November. The price of a litre of diesel is already at 130p minimum, and rising, effectively crippling road hauliers, and many other just average people.
Fair enough we've got to do something about energy usage / carbon emissions etc, but when you consider that fuel duty is already 48%, and I've seen no evidence of fuel or road tax being used for 'green' issues, then is it any wonder that there's another backlash growing (see the hauliers protests) BBC news site
I wonder if these taxes will stick, or once again will the gov 'listen to the people' to protect its own arse?
10 p tax rate fiasco
November 2007 - Al Darling announced to greate applause the reduction of the basic tax rate to 22%, and the abolition of the 10p tax rate (everyone would pay 22% after tyheir allowance)
March 2008 - labour MPs started grumbling that the lowest paid would be worse off than before. Why - they would lose votes of course.
The government refused to U turn, but eventually came out with a package - for this year - to compensate those that would be losing out - about £600 I think.
Why - there would have been a revolt and Gordon Brown and Al Darling would have been kicked out.
March 2008 - labour MPs started grumbling that the lowest paid would be worse off than before. Why - they would lose votes of course.
The government refused to U turn, but eventually came out with a package - for this year - to compensate those that would be losing out - about £600 I think.
Why - there would have been a revolt and Gordon Brown and Al Darling would have been kicked out.
Children travel to school
My 8 year old daughter is no longer allowed to go on the very small and grossly under used bus to school.
She was told the other that she needed a bus pass.
We applied for a bus pass, and was refused a free one because she lived less than 2 miles from the school - apparently walking distance for a supervised 8 year old (summer, winter etc).
I enquired about this, as my drive to the school was very slightly over 2 miles.
The route they measured with included a one way road that I couldn't go up.
Consequently we live 53 metres less than the 2 mile limit to school. That's right, 53 metres. We had to walk 200 metres in the opposite direction to get to the bus stop.
The bus costs either 50p or £1.00 (depending on who you talk to) for a bus journey, or something like £60 for term for a pass.
It costs me (in fuel) 30 - 35p for the journey.
It makes more economic sense to me to drive my daughter to school.
It makes absolutely no sense at all for environmental improvement purposes to not use an under utilised bus service.
A bit of joined up thinking / common sense required? Going to happen?
She was told the other that she needed a bus pass.
We applied for a bus pass, and was refused a free one because she lived less than 2 miles from the school - apparently walking distance for a supervised 8 year old (summer, winter etc).
I enquired about this, as my drive to the school was very slightly over 2 miles.
The route they measured with included a one way road that I couldn't go up.
Consequently we live 53 metres less than the 2 mile limit to school. That's right, 53 metres. We had to walk 200 metres in the opposite direction to get to the bus stop.
The bus costs either 50p or £1.00 (depending on who you talk to) for a bus journey, or something like £60 for term for a pass.
It costs me (in fuel) 30 - 35p for the journey.
It makes more economic sense to me to drive my daughter to school.
It makes absolutely no sense at all for environmental improvement purposes to not use an under utilised bus service.
A bit of joined up thinking / common sense required? Going to happen?
10 year plan for carers
Carers in the UK are people who effectively have to give up there lives to care for relatives who are unable to care for themselves. For years gov has neglected these people, giving them a pittance to live off, having very poor respite facilities for the carers, and removing part of the allowance when the carer reaches a pensionable age (and still has to care for the relative).
A lipservice attempt to appease some voters? Or a genuine attempt to help carers? Any more money for them? Any change to the allowance after pensions?
What do you think.
A lipservice attempt to appease some voters? Or a genuine attempt to help carers? Any more money for them? Any change to the allowance after pensions?
What do you think.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)