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.

Do YOU feel as prosperous as you were before the crisis?

25 Friday Jul 2014
Posted by Mike Sivier in Austerity



Britain has returned to prosperity, with the economy finally nudging beyond its pre-crisis peak, according to official figures.
Well, that’s a relief, isn’t it? Next time you’re in the supermarket looking for bargains or mark-downs because you can’t afford the kind of groceries you had in 2008, you can at least console yourself that we’re all doing better than we were back then.

The hundreds of thousands of poor souls who have to scrape by on handouts from food banks will, no doubt, be bolstered by the knowledge that Britain is back on its feet.

And the relatives of those who did not survive Iain Duncan Smith’s brutal purge of benefit claimants can be comforted by the thought that they did not die in vain.

Right?

NO! Of course not! Gross domestic product might be up 3.1 per cent on last year but it’s got nothing to do with most of the population! In real terms, you’re £1,600 per year worse-off!

The Conservatives who have been running the economy since 2010 have re-balanced it, just as they said they would – but they lied about the way it would be re-balanced and as a result the money is going to the people who least deserve it; the super-rich and the bankers who caused the crash in the first place.

You can be sure that the mainstream media won’t be telling you that, though.

Even some of the figures they are prepare to use are enough to cast doubt on the whole process. The UK economy is forecast to be the fastest-growing among the G7 developed nations according to the IMF (as reported by the BBC) – but our export growth since 2010 puts us below all but one of the other G7 nations, according to Ed Balls in The Guardian.

And it is exports that should be fuelling the economy, according to JML chairman John Mills in the Huffington Post. He reckons the government needs to invest in manufacturing and achieve competitive exchange rates in order to improve our export ability.

“Since most international trade is in goods and not in services, once the proportion of the economy devoted to producing internationally tradable goods drops below about 15 per cent, it becomes more and more difficult to combine a reasonable rate of growth and full employment with a sustainable balance of payments position,” he writes.

“In the UK, the proportion of GDP coming from manufacturing is now barely above 10 per cent. Hardly surprising then that we have not had a foreign trade surplus balance since 1982 – over thirty years ago – while our share of world trade which was 10.7 per cent in 1950 had fallen by 2012 to no more than 2.6 per cent.”

All of this seems to be good business sense. It also runs contrary to successive governments’ economic policies for the past 35 years, ever since the neoliberal government of Margaret Thatcher took over in 1979.

As this blog has explained, Thatcher and her buddies Nicholas Ridley and Keith Joseph were determined to undermine the confidence then enjoyed by the people who actually worked for a living, because it was harming the ability of the idle rich – shareholders, bosses… bankers – to increase their own undeserved profits; improvements in working-class living standards were holding back their greed.

In order to hammer the workers back into the Stone Age, they deliberately destroyed the UK’s manufacturing and exporting capability and blamed it on the unions.

That is why we have had a foreign trade deficit since 1982. That is why our share of world trade is less than one-third of what it was in 1950 (under a Labour government, notice). That is why unemployment has rocketed, even though the true level goes unrecognised as governments have rigged the figures to suit themselves.

(The current wheeze has the government failing to count as unemployed anyone on Universal Credit, anyone on Workfare/Mandatory Work Activity and anyone who whose benefit has been sanctioned – among many other groups – for example.)

You may wish to argue that the economy is fine – after all, that’s what everybody is saying, including the Office for National Statistics.

Not according to Mr Mills: “The current improvement in our economic performance, based on buttressing consumer confidence by boosting asset values fuelled by yet more borrowing, is all to unlikely to last.”

(He means the housing bubble created by George Osborne’s ‘Help to Buy’ scheme will burst soon, and then the economy will be right up the creek because the whole edifice is based on more borrowing at a time when Osborne has been claiming he is paying down the deficit.)

Ed Balls has got the right idea – at least, on the face of it. In his Guardian article he states: “We are not going to deliver a balanced, investment-led recovery that benefits all working people with the same old Tory economics,” and he’s right.

“Hoping tax cuts at the very top will trickle down, a race to the bottom on wages, Treasury opposition to a proper industrial strategy, and flirting with exit from the European Union cannot be the right prescription for Britain.” Right again – although our contract with Europe must be renegotiated and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership agreement would be a disaster for the UK if we signed it.

But none of that affects you, does it? It’s all too far away, controlled by people we’ve never met. That’s why Balls focuses on what a Labour government would do for ordinary people: “expanding free childcare, introducing a lower 10p starting rate of tax, raising the minimum wage and ending the exploitative use of zero-hours contracts. We need to create more good jobs and ensure young people have the skills they need to succeed.”

And how do the people respond to these workmanlike proposals?

“You intend to continue the Tories’ destructive ‘austerity’ policies.”

“The economy isn’t fixed but you broke it.”

There was one comment suggesting that all the main parties are the same now, which – it has been suggested – was what Lynton Crosby told David Cameron to spread if he wanted to win the next election.

Very few of the comments under the Guardian piece have anything to do with what Balls actually wrote; they harp on about New Labour’s record (erroneously), they conflate Labour’s vow not to increase borrowing with an imaginary plan to continue Tory austerity policies… in fact they do all they can to discredit him.

Not because his information is wrong but because they have heard rumours about him that have put them off.

It’s as if people don’t want their situation to improve.

Until we can address that problem – which is one of perception – we’ll keep going around in circles while the exploiters laugh.

NO! Of course not! Gross domestic product might be up 3.1 per cent on last year but it’s got nothing to do with most of the population! In real terms, you’re £1,600 per year worse-off!

The Conservatives who have been running the economy since 2010 have re-balanced it, just as they said they would – but they lied about the way it would be re-balanced and as a result the money is going to the people who least deserve it; the super-rich and the bankers who caused the crash in the first place.

You can be sure that the mainstream media won’t be telling you that, though.

No way do I feel better off than in 2008, food and clothing prices for a start have shot up then ENERGY prices have gone ballistik.

Service jobs like plumbers, and joiners are charging a fortune these days.

This so called back to 2008 is one big con from the Tories, the only people who are better off are the top 1% in this country.

A taxation problem?

When you look at all the litter at the side of the road, on our streets and in our parks, then you see something very similar.

Just like stopping litter, the problem is to do with a complete lack of political will to sort the whole thing out.

Taxation can be either 'Direct' or 'Indirect'. It seems to me Direct Taxation which is the thing that isn't working so well.

A Direct Tax is one paid directly to the government by the persons on whom it is imposed. Examples include Income Tax, Corporation Tax and transfer taxes such as Inheritance Tax and gift tax.

An Indirect Tax is one such as VAT, Fuel Surcharge, Stamp Duty and is a tax collected by an intermediary (such as a retail store or solicitor) from the person who bears the ultimate economic burden of the tax (such as the customer).

The problem is, when moving over to Indirect Taxation then EVERYONE has to pay it and paying it isn't dependent on the individual's ability to pay.

Perhaps the latter problem could be overcome by individuals and corporations each having their own 'Tax Paying ID Card'?

Seeing as I thought of it, my card should show, that I have to pay any tax due at the 'NIL Rate'. :-)

Malnutrition soars by more than 70% since Coalition came to power
Jul 23, 2014 21:53 By Martin Bagot


During the Tory-led Government’s relentless cuts drive doctors in England have seen huge increases in conditions usually associated with the Third World

Malnutrition has soared by more than 70% since the Coalition came to power according to shocking data on hospital admissions.

During the Tory-led Government’s relentless cuts drive doctors in England have seen huge increases in conditions usually associated with the Third World.

People unable to feed themselves saw a staggering 6,686 admissions where malnutrition was the primary or secondary diagnosis during 2013/14.

This is a rise of 71% from 3,899 in the year up to April 2010.

Data from the Health and Social Care Information Centre released today also revealed admissions for scarlet fever were up by 110% and cholera by a staggering 450% since 2010.

Labour has branded the figures a “national scandal”.

Luciana Berger MP, Labour’s Shadow Public Health Minister, said: “This shouldn’t be happening in 21st century Britain and the Government’s response is hopelessly complacent.

“People are living under greater pressure and struggling with the cost of living.

“Hundreds of thousands are forced to turn to food banks and sadly it’s unsurprising people are eating less, and eating less healthily too.

“David Cameron needs to listen to what the experts are saying and tackle the cost of living crisis that is driving people into food poverty.”

Cases of malnutrition have been steadily increasing since the 2010 general election.

In 2009/10 there were 3,899 hospital admissions for this, in 2010/11 there were 4,660, in 2011/12 there were 5,396 then in 2012/13 this had risen again to 5,594.

Greater Manchester had the highest rate of malnutrition diagnosis last year at 2.1 for every 100,000 people - nearly double the national average.

Many of those taken to hospital with malnutrition were also suffering from other conditions.

In most severe cases where malnutrition was the primary reason for admission London came top with 65 cases last year, followed by Greater Manchester with 58 and the Wessex region with 53.

Chris Mould, chief executive of the Trussell Trust which runs a nationwide network of food banks, said: “This shows increases in diseases related to poverty and that’s alarming.

“Our food banks see tens of thousands of people who have been going hungry, missing meals and cutting back on the quality of the food they buy.

“We know quite a large proportion of the population are struggling to get nutritious food on the table. And at the extreme end of that you get people who are malnourished.

“We don’t believe anyone should have to go hungry in the UK.

“The scale of the increases we’re seeing must be further investigated to find out why this is happening.”

Scurvy - a disease associated with pirates stuck at sea for long periods - has increased by 31% in England since 2010.

This is caused by a lack of vitamin C and can be caused by a diet without enough fresh fruit and vegetables.

Victorian diseases such as mumps and measles have fallen but have still not been eradicated.

There were 393 cases of mumps last year which was a rise from 319 the previous year but down from 543 cases in 2010.

Hospital admissions for measles saw a spike in 2012/13 with 692 cases. This fell to 205 admissions last year.

Kingsley Manning, Chair of the HSCIC, said: “It is fascinating to look at current statistics for some of the diseases and conditions that were prevalent in the 1800s and early 1900s.

“We are fortunate that these diseases are not as widespread today, however our figures do show that hospital admissions for gout are increasing.

“Healthcare organisations may be interested in undertaking further study into the trends highlighted in our report.”

The figures also revealed we are more susceptible to allergies with 20,318 admissions due to severe reactions last year. This was up 8% on 2012/13.

The Government claimed the rapid increase in malnutrition cases “could be partly due to better diagnosis”.

Health minister Dr Dan Poulter said: “We want everybody to live a healthy life and a good diet is essential.

“We want to reduce levels of malnutrition, particularly amongst frail and elderly people.

“We are working with Age UK on a half a million pound project, which aims to tackle the issue in a range of health and care settings.

“We’ve also given local authorities a £5.4billion budget over two years to help them manage public health issues including malnutrition."

Rise in NHS trusts in financial difficulties

By Nick Triggle
Health correspondent, BBC News

Nineteen NHS trusts have been referred to ministers after auditors raised concerns about their financial health.

The Audit Commission made the move after reviewing the health of 98 trusts running a combination of hospital, ambulance and community services.

The referrals have been made because the trusts have failed to break even and do not have robust enough plans to balance the books in the coming years.

The number represents nearly a four-fold rise from five last year.

It is another sign of the growing financial problems being seen in the health service. Earlier this month the Nuffield Trust warned that a quarter of trusts had finished the year in deficit, but that included nearly 250 trusts across the whole health service.

The Audit Commission looked in-depth at only those trusts that have not achieved foundation trusts status - given to the elite performers - and, as such, they tend to be the most financially-challenged organisations.

'Worrying'
Overall the watchdog had concerns about a third, but the 19 hospital trusts who got referrals are effectively the ones with the most deeply-rooted problems.

Not only did they fail to break even in 2013-14, but they were unable to convince auditors they could rectify the issues in the medium term.

The referral to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt means the trusts will face closer scrutiny from the authorities.

One of those referred is Hinchingbrooke, which is the first hospital trust to be run by a private firm, Circle.

Audit Commission controller Marcine Waterman said the findings were "worrying".

A Department of Health spokesman said the government recognised there were challenges which was why the budget had been protected this parliament.

He added: "It is essential that trust chief executives have a tight financial grip and ensure they live within their means."

The 19 trusts are: Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust; Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust; Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust; George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust; Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust; Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust; Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust; Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust; North Bristol NHS Trust; North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust; North West London Hospitals NHS Trust; Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust; Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust; The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust; United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust; University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust; Weston Area Health NHS Trust; Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust, run by Circle (private)

They done a big puff piece on that a while back..saying how well it was doing etc etc.

And now it's broke.



And what about the Queen Alexandra hospital.... PFI'd to death, so much so they recon the debt will never go away unless they get a bailout.

OUT OF TOUCH TORIES..........they know they have to do well in the NORTH if they are to get an overal majority at the GE. At the moment NO CHANCE. Anyone dissolusionised up here with Camoron from the tories are voting for UKIP.

Its as TANKER says, Northerners dont trust Camoron and the Bullingdon Boys.

Northerners? They are foreigners aren't they?

Say goodnight Dick.

Goodnight Dick head

LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL austerity!!!!!!!!!!!!what austerity?????????

Éoin Clarke ‏@DrEoinCl Jul 23
At 9.30am ONS confirmed

George Osborne has grown deficit by £2,500,000,000 this year
Has grown National Debt by £500,000,000,000 since 2010

Éoin Clarke ‏@DrEoinCl 10h
In May 2010

Economy growth was 25% faster
Wages grew 9 times faster
National Debt was £500bn less
There were 1m fewer Zero Hour Contracts

Éoin Clarke ‏@DrEoinCl Jul 24
Tories magicked 1/2 million jobs by pretending Workfare = Work & FE Teachers = Private Sector

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_278358.pdf …
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2012-10-23e.124129.h …

Éoin Clarke ‏@DrEoinCl 8h
GDP per head (that's you and I) has *not* recovered to its 2008 level, nor is it likely to for many years.

Éoin Clarke ‏@DrEoinCl 6h


Since May 2010

Nat Debt ↑ £500bn
Wage Growth ↓ 800%
Zero Hours ↑ 1m
Homelessness ↑ 34%
House Building ↓ 90yr lows
GDP Growth ↓ 20% slower

The TORIES LIES blasted wide open.

44326 = 2008-2013 ...... you probably haven't realised that we are now over half way through 2014

You can only publish what is to hand.

The Tories dont have any up to date statistics.

If they had they would have published them if they were to thier advantage.

Anyway you old git where have you been for the lasr 2 days ...playing golf?