Thought Id start this one going because its rather dead on this board at the moment and I suppose all my usual muckers are either at the Stella tennis event watching Dim Tim (lose again) or at Henly Regatta eating cucumber sandwiches (they wish,...NOT).

Anyway please feel free to just talk to yourself blast away and let it go on any company or subject you wish. Just wish Id thought of this one before.

cheers GF.

215

“I didn't say all claimants were unemployed.”

Didn’t suggest that you did.

But it is often forgotten by many, that many of the low paid employees are “sustained” by various “benefits” paid from general taxation. Often, these payments can be seen as subsidising many profitable businesses, whose at “management” level have very liberal rewards in comparison. That “taxation” can be seen as giving to “company owners” disproportionate high indirect benefits. (I.e. Low pay, low production costs, higher profits.)

================

Also those many of the recipients of “benefits” are not “skivers”, but are being labelled, by some, for “political” reasons. Many of those doing the labelling often spending more on a “night out” with a meal than those who are “temporally” unemployed receive in “unemployment” benefits for a week.

(I know I have done so and reflect upon it, when I see the difficulties and conditions of those who are doing physically hard work for low pay. The majority of whom are honest, but do not have the “attributes” to do other more financially “rewarding” work, or sometimes have other reasons for their occupations.)

As far as the young paying “taxes” for the “old”, sometimes it does not appear to me to be like that, but at present when considering total direct income tax it is true.

(Reason for tax reforms.)

I believe in capitalism and reward for endeavour, but to have a decent “ongoing” society there has to be restraints to prevent “greed” at the expense of the “less” capable.

It is very difficult to know what that balance should be.

Totally agree with the above. I have just been accepted to do some voluntary work with Age UK and what a mind blower that is!!!!!

3M - bad luck; you may get me in your "pot"

Oh! Cynic I cannot wait - have dealt with worse than you over the years - Look forward to the battle of wits. Would not think you would be in my area, who is the lucky one?? Most people are grateful not cynical haha!!!

I forgot to add Cynic I have nothing to do with "pots" more to do with the above conversations that is why it is extremely "mind blowing".

Anyone fancy a bike ride?!

I don't fancy pushing the bike back to the start!

:o)

Halifax,

Re pensioners who live in warmer climates claiming the winter fuel allowance.

Many are also unaware that any EU member who lives in the UK can and do claim child benefit even if their kids live outside the UK.
The taxpayer is paying child benefit to 40,000 children who do not live in Britain at a cost of up to £36,000,000 a year to 20,000 families.

Mind you a far easier target for our government is the UK pensioner who is a UK resident, as there will be not too much backlash as there would be against the foreigner.

Youngest gang-rapist 'ripped victim's intestines out with his hands', police charge sheet reveals as six suspects are charged with murder
Alleged attackers kept away from court for fear of mob violence
Lawyers refuse to defend six men accused of raping victim, 23, on Delhi bus
Accused admit they raped student 'to teach her a lesson'

Court inaugurated day before to deal specifically with crimes against women

Bus driver questioned over claims he tried to run victim over
what kind of sub human have they got in india

Tanker,

Seemingly, the same as in your neck of the wood!

The immediate focus is on the six men accused of torturing a medical student so sadistically that they destroyed her internal organs. The issues of women’s rights, safety and respect have seldom been the stuff of headlines in the biggest democracy. It’s also a complicated issue prone to unhelpful generalities.

But the rape cast a spotlight on something well-known to India watchers but given little heed globally: how badly India often treats its women, how sexual harassment is tolerated and the extent to which backward attitudes must be stamped out. Misogynistic comments from a variety of officials suggesting the victim may have encouraged the attack based on her dress and mannerisms don’t help.

Antipathy toward women begins in the womb. Female infanticide and sex-selective abortion driven by a societal preference for boys make it a stark challenge for girls even to enter the world. A 2012 Unicef report found that 57 percent of Indian males aged 15 to 19 think wife beating is justified.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20909508

UK service sector activity falls in December

Activity in the UK's services sector fell for the first time in two years in December, a survey has suggested, raising fears of yet another recession.

The PMI services index from Markit/CIPS fell to 48.9 in December, down from 50.2 in November. Any score below 50 indicates the sector is shrinking.


Markit blamed the contraction on a fall in new business.

It said the numbers suggested the UK economy shrank by 0.2% in the final three months of 2012.

The UK emerged from a double dip recession last summer with growth of 1% in the three months to September.

"The first fall in service sector activity for two years raises the likelihood that the UK
economy is sliding back into recession," said Chris Williamson, chief economist at

Markit.
'Continuing uncertainty'

The estimate of a 0.2% fall in GDP for the final quarter is worse than predicted by other forecasters.

Separate purchasing managers' indexes (PMIs) released earlier in the week indicated that the manufacturing sector had expanded last month, but that the construction sector had continued to contract.

"The underlying trend is one of continuing uncertainty," said David Noble, chief executive at the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.

"Businesses are holding back on investment, leading to falls in employment and increased levels of spare capacity. At the same time, costs are increasing and businesses are unable to pass these on because of competitive pressures."

In December, the government's Office for Budget Responsibility said it expected the economy to have shrunk by 0.1% in 2012 as a whole.

What on earth does this doubletalk mean?

"but admitted it could not commit to the scheme if returned to power in 2015."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20905415

Labour has said it would offer the long-term unemployed a guarantee of a six-month job if it was in government.

Businesses would be given subsidies to hire people on a temporary basis, with those refusing a suitable job having benefits docked.

Labour said the move sent a "clear message" about its stance on welfare but admitted it could not commit to the scheme if returned to power in 2015.

Hays,

At the moment, Cameron and Georgie Boy have the steering wheel in their hands and look like a pair of drunken drivers.

Try asking them what they will commit to in two years time, if they are in the unlikely position of forming the "governing" majority party.

I bet the next tory manifesto will be wishy washy and anything in it will be renegade on by them within a few months of any elected.
As it is be said the only thing this government has done well are u-turns.

It used to be said that the tories couldn’t be trusted with the NHS and that is proving correct.

The whispers on the street at the moment are that the tories can’t be trusted with anything.

============

fred for once a agree the torys said
cut immigration cut crime cut benefits cut tax dodging
and they have done nothing

Hi Haystack,

In Labour speak it means, 'It is something we are committed to for only as long as we are in opposition', a bit like Cameron's promise on a referendum re staying in the EU.

Labour, Liberal or Conservative, I would not trust any of the fiddling barstewards.

Vote Plaid Cymru next time. We can save Britain, the World, the Universe. Hahahahahahahaha!
Oops, a bit early for Granny's Christmas Elderberry wine I think!

What are the chances of this?

The Church of England has dropped its prohibition on gay clergy in civil partnerships becoming bishops.

The announcement, from the Church's House of Bishops, would allow gay clergy to become bishops if they promise to be celibate.

Well well well, let us see who responds to your above post.