Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Rods2 on 30 December 2013, 17:06:00
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They are still falling, with an average fall of 14% since 2008 due to inflation. This means that for every £100 you used to have in your pocket in 2008, you now have the spending power in your pocket of £86. It is actually worse than this if you are on the breadline as the essentials inflation of water, food, energy and a roof over your head have all gone up more than the average for inflation. This is why more and more people are struggling to scrape by.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/news/article-2531068/So-struggling-pay-bills-Average-pay-slumps-half-regions-recession.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/news/article-2531068/So-struggling-pay-bills-Average-pay-slumps-half-regions-recession.html)
The CBI is calling along obviously with the unions for workers to benefit from the upturn in the economy, with above inflation wage rises, providing it continues to grow strongly, but I think they are going to be sadly disappointed.
The quickest way for wages to rise is through labour shortages. With a massive pool of young unemployed labour in the EU and with an hours minimum wage in the UK being more than many earn in a day in eastern Europe there is a ready pool, of English as a second language, seeking a better life and making the UK the destination of choice when looking for work. So for the unskilled, semi-skilled and many of the skilled, I think above inflation wage rises are unlikely for the majority, only for the few very skilled who are in demand.
The only way to change this is to leave the EU and restrict the free movement of people from the EU, and indeed all immigration worldwide seeking employment in the UK, unless it is a skilled job and the employer proves that they can't recruit somebody from the UK. The only political party currently committed to this new sort of relationship with the EU and tightly restricting immigration is UKIP.
What are your views, should things stay as they are, so wages continue to drop and the UK becomes more globally competitive (our balance of payments are dreadful, which this should help), or should we be restricting access to the UK for people from abroad wanting to work here, so labour shortages forces living standards to rise again for the many?
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What is the point in giving our views, other than to let off steam? UKIP have no chance of getting anywhere near enough votes to make a difference, and all of the others are too afraid of the unknown.
We are in a no-win situation because we've left it far too late.
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What are your views, should things stay as they are, so wages continue to drop and the UK becomes more globally competitive (our balance of payments are dreadful, which this should help), or should we be restricting access to the UK for people from abroad wanting to work here, so labour shortages forces living standards to rise again for the many?
I personally think we need to adopt the same view as the Aussie's, if you can't prove you have enough wonga to support your kith & kin for 2 years straight without any state help then you know where the door is.
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What are your views, should things stay as they are, so wages continue to drop and the UK becomes more globally competitive (our balance of payments are dreadful, which this should help), or should we be restricting access to the UK for people from abroad wanting to work here, so labour shortages forces living standards to rise again for the many?
I personally think we need to adopt the same view as the Aussie's, if you can't prove you have enough wonga to support your kith & kin for 2 years straight without any state help then you know where the door is.
Spain has recently done a similar thing for all new immigrants so it can be done within the EU "framework".
I read a very interesting article recently about a chap comparing his lifestyle with his dad's at the same age.
He lived in North London and managed to send his kids to private school and buy a modest house. He offered his son the modest house when the son got married for £40k. The son couldn't quite manage the mortgage payments so said no and bought a flat instead. The house just sold again for some astronomic figure like £1.3million. The point of the story is that his dad could afford a modest London house and to have his two children educated privately on his modest income. Now his son cannot afford to do either/both on his similar modest wage.
If only Britain had kept its colonies it could now be doing a roaring trade with farming/employment projects.
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The point of the story is that his dad could afford a modest London house and to have his two children educated privately on his modest income. Now his son cannot afford to do either/both on his similar modest wage.
I understand exactly where you are coming from.
I started work two months before my 16th birthday (June 1981) for the Royal Shakespeare Company and was taking home anywhere between £300 - £350 per week AFTER tax and stamp.
These days it's a struggle for most folk to find a job that gives them a take home pay of £350 BEFORE tax and stamp is involved.
The economy is without doubt well f***ed up, but I'm not too sure on how we should go about fixing it.
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What are your views, should things stay as they are, so wages continue to drop and the UK becomes more globally competitive (our balance of payments are dreadful, which this should help), or should we be restricting access to the UK for people from abroad wanting to work here, so labour shortages forces living standards to rise again for the many?
I personally think we need to adopt the same view as the Aussie's, if you can't prove you have enough wonga to support your kith & kin for 2 years straight without any state help then you know where the door is.
I totally agree with that :y
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What are your views, should things stay as they are, so wages continue to drop and the UK becomes more globally competitive (our balance of payments are dreadful, which this should help), or should we be restricting access to the UK for people from abroad wanting to work here, so labour shortages forces living standards to rise again for the many?
I personally think we need to adopt the same view as the Aussie's, if you can't prove you have enough wonga to support your kith & kin for 2 years straight without any state help then you know where the door is.
I know, Mark, but Australia hasn't got to listen to an unelected bunch of twots in Brussels. This is my point. I'm sure if we could run our own country things would be different, but our politicians are too afraid to make the break because, as Napoleon noted a long time ago, we are no more than a nation of (corner)shopkeepers.
You don't need to threaten the UK with a bomb, just withholding you're trade will do.
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It needs a composite solution led by a government with balls. We haven't got one and probably never will as they are all only interested in getting re-lected.
Drop wages especially those in the public sector.
Reduce taxation of those on the bottom of the pile *
Collect tax from big business
Reduce welfare state to the point where it looks like other European systems and not the current bloated ( even after IDS's valliant but small efforts)
Slash government waste - not tinkering as at present
OR continue as we are doing - a car crash. If you don't believe me just wait till UK interest rates start rising faster than Eurozone rates and wages are even more uncompetitive.
* Have you seen that for two years French top earners will be paying 75% tax !!
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What is the point in giving our views, other than to let off steam? UKIP have no chance of getting anywhere near enough votes to make a difference, and all of the others are too afraid of the unknown.
We are in a no-win situation because we've left it far too late.
Couldn't agree more, nobody in the position to do anything had the balls , now we are are all suffering at the result of this, foodbanks in this day & age are enough to show how far down the drain we have gone.
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Can't even apply for the US Green card lottery as the average number of migrants from the UK over the last five years is too high :'(
Shutting the door, even if temporarily, would be a start imho :-\
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Can't even apply for the US Green card lottery as the average number of migrants from the UK over the last five years is too high :'(
Shutting the door, even if temporarily, would be a start imho :-\
Bloody taxi drivers have got an opinion on everything.
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Can't even apply for the US Green card lottery as the average number of migrants from the UK over the last five years is too high :'(
Shutting the door, even if temporarily, would be a start imho :-\
Bloody taxi drivers have got an opinion on everything.
:P
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If we restrict immigration to those who will work in the fields, picking crops or doing the Jobs our unemployed will not do, then who will do those jobs?
I only asked a question!............... ;) ;)
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Who did those jobs before Labour opened the floodgates just over 10 years ago ? ;)
Answer - people who weren't yet in the position of having no job, but a household income way above average earnings because they had a couple of kids and an alleged bad back. ;)
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Who did those jobs before Labour opened the floodgates just over 10 years ago ? ;)
Answer - people who weren't yet in the position of having no job, but a household income way above average earnings because they had a couple of kids and an alleged bad back. ;)
We both know the answer, not one has the guts to do it, but leave the disabled out of it, they are a tiny minority...... ;) ;)
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Indeed...
And if they don't like the idea, they can forfeit their council house and benefits for a tent and soup kitchen :-X
That should get the buggers working...
Not to start a witch hunt... there are those who can't but would, those that do what they are able, and those who simply can't be bothered. Obviously we refer to the latter category alone :y
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Who did those jobs before Labour opened the floodgates just over 10 years ago ? ;)
Answer - people who weren't yet in the position of having no job, but a household income way above average earnings because they had a couple of kids and an alleged bad back. ;)
We both know the answer, not one has the guts to do it, but leave the disabled out of it, they are a tiny minority...... ;) ;)
Genuinely disabled I have no problem with (technically I am one),but people who claim to be and aren't should be shot in front of their families, and ime theres rather a lot of them about. ;)
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That would save on food and housing...
Same treatment for unsupported/unsponsored immigrants... tents and soup.
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Who did those jobs before Labour opened the floodgates just over 10 years ago ? ;)
Answer - people who weren't yet in the position of having no job, but a household income way above average earnings because they had a couple of kids and an alleged bad back. ;)
We both know the answer, not one has the guts to do it, but leave the disabled out of it, they are a tiny minority...... ;) ;)
Genuinely disabled I have no problem with (technically I am one),but people who claim to be and aren't should be shot in front of their families, and ime theres rather a lot of them about. ;)
As am I, but, like you, I still hold down a full time job, my disability does not stop me doing that, though I have physical limitations, and my Job is quite challenging........ :y :y
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Same here,except my job is in no way challenging. ;D
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Same here,except my job is in no way challenging. ;D
;D ;D
I reckon that if I shadowed you for a week I would fall asleep, if you shadowed me for a week you might, just, stop knocking public sector wages, given the 'Risk' I carry and award me a Pay rise......... ;) ;)
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Same here,except my job is in no way challenging. ;D
;D ;D
I reckon that if I shadowed you for a week I would fall asleep, if you shadowed me for a week you might, just, stop knocking public sector wages, given the 'Risk' I carry and award me a Pay rise......... ;) ;)
That would make two of us. ;D
Nope. Nothing to do with perception of deserving/ undeserving. Just economic reality of what is affordable for the country,and an unshakeable belief in small govt. small state and low taxation for all.
Quite honestly - many of the type of adults I imagine you have to deal with, I would have a much different and permanent solution for. Cheap too. :-X
Children are obviously a different matter. There should always be some hope for them to change and achieve their potential. And it should be a good investment to give them help if genuinely needed. ;)
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Summat like this perhaps...
http://mobile.walmart.com/m/phoenix#ip/22027232 (http://mobile.walmart.com/m/phoenix#ip/22027232)
Coming soon to an Asda near you... $19 near as I can tell... ¢19 each :o
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Same here,except my job is in no way challenging. ;D
;D ;D
I reckon that if I shadowed you for a week I would fall asleep, if you shadowed me for a week you might, just, stop knocking public sector wages, given the 'Risk' I carry and award me a Pay rise......... ;) ;)
That would make two of us. ;D
Nope. Nothing to do with perception of deserving/ undeserving. Just economic reality of what is affordable for the country,and an unshakeable belief in small govt. small state and low taxation for all.
Quite honestly - many of the type of adults I imagine you have to deal with, I would have a much different and permanent solution for. Cheap too. :-X
Children are obviously a different matter. There should always be some hope for them to change and achieve their potential. And it should be a good investment to give them help if genuinely needed. ;)
And that perhaps may reduce the number of children who have little potential or opportunity........... :-X :-X :-X
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Summat like this perhaps...
http://mobile.walmart.com/m/phoenix#ip/22027232 (http://mobile.walmart.com/m/phoenix#ip/22027232)
Coming soon to an Asda near you... $19 near as I can tell... ¢19 each :o
That's £11.52!! or 11.5 pence a pop!! :o :o :o
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Same here,except my job is in no way challenging. ;D
;D ;D
I reckon that if I shadowed you for a week I would fall asleep, if you shadowed me for a week you might, just, stop knocking public sector wages, given the 'Risk' I carry and award me a Pay rise......... ;) ;)
That would make two of us. ;D
Nope. Nothing to do with perception of deserving/ undeserving. Just economic reality of what is affordable for the country,and an unshakeable belief in small govt. small state and low taxation for all.
Quite honestly - many of the type of adults I imagine you have to deal with, I would have a much different and permanent solution for. Cheap too. :-X
Children are obviously a different matter. There should always be some hope for them to change and achieve their potential. And it should be a good investment to give them help if genuinely needed. ;)
And that perhaps may reduce the number of children who have little potential or opportunity........... :-X :-X :-X
Indeed. ;)
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Summat like this perhaps...
http://mobile.walmart.com/m/phoenix#ip/22027232 (http://mobile.walmart.com/m/phoenix#ip/22027232)
Coming soon to an Asda near you... $19 near as I can tell... ¢19 each :o
That's £11.52!! or 11.5 pence a pop!! :o :o :o
If all they do is go pop I think you've been sold duds.. ;)
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Summat like this perhaps...
http://mobile.walmart.com/m/phoenix#ip/22027232 (http://mobile.walmart.com/m/phoenix#ip/22027232)
Coming soon to an Asda near you... $19 near as I can tell... ¢19 each :o
That's £11.52!! or 11.5 pence a pop!! :o :o :o
If all they do is go pop I think you've been sold duds.. ;)
It's OK, Walmart offer a no quibble money back guarantee! :) Especially at the wrong end of a Glock 9mm!! :o ;D
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If we take Rods analysis that the decrease in real wages has been caused by increased immigration and a surplus in the labour pool. Then there will be a nice irony here, in that when the election comes in 2015, the Labour party's election campaign is likely to be centred on a 'cost of living crisis', which was caused by....... ::) ::) ::)
The thing that worries me, is that they might just pull it off.... :(
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If we take Rods analysis that the decrease in real wages has been caused by increased immigration and a surplus in the labour pool. Then there will be a nice irony here, in that when the election comes in 2015, the Labour party's election campaign is likely to be centred on a 'cost of living crisis', which was caused by....... ::) ::) ::)
The thing that worries me, is that they might just pull it off.... :(
Been a while since I tried to pull it off. :(
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If we take Rods analysis that the decrease in real wages has been caused by increased immigration and a surplus in the labour pool. Then there will be a nice irony here, in that when the election comes in 2015, the Labour party's election campaign is likely to be centred on a 'cost of living crisis', which was caused by....... ::) ::) ::)
The thing that worries me, is that they might just pull it off.... :(
Been a while since I tried to pull it off. :(
Use it or lose it Uncle STEMO!! ;)
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He's to find it first ;D
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He's to find it first ;D
I can feel it, obviously, just can't see it. ;D
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He's to find it first ;D
I can feel it, obviously, just can't see it. ;D
You remember where you left it then...
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Stemos issues aside...
D Day tomorrow :-\
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Stemos issues aside...
D Day tomorrow :-\
My arse. There'll be more journalists at Victoria/gatwick/Luton than Bulgarians. As for Romanians, London is full of them already.
We even have two in Wakefield. ;D
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Just doing my part to raise your blood pressures, a little Fail reporting: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2531440/Sold-Flights-buses-Romanians-Bulgarians-head-UK.html
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Just doing my part to raise your blood pressures, a little Fail reporting: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2531440/Sold-Flights-buses-Romanians-Bulgarians-head-UK.html
Thanks for that >:( I was just starting to calm down from Jeremy Whine ::)
I'm not sure who is more retarded :-\ us for supporting them, or them for believing that wages will still be six times higher by the time they start looking for jobs...
If they don't have the financial ability to support themselves, the should be turned back at point of entry. By support themselves, I mean have the ability to house and feed themselves for two years. This should also apply to any sponsors, be they private or commercial...
If sending them home is inhumane, then tents, soup kitchens and running water could be provided. Also given the relative collapse in wages, they must be able to support themselves on their income, with financial help.
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Just doing my part to raise your blood pressures, a little Fail reporting: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2531440/Sold-Flights-buses-Romanians-Bulgarians-head-UK.html
Thanks for that >:( I was just starting to calm down from Jeremy Whine ::)
I'm not sure who is more retarded :-\ us for supporting them, or them for believing that wages will still be six times higher by the time they start looking for jobs...
If they don't have the financial ability to support themselves, the should be turned back at point of entry. By support themselves, I mean have the ability to house and feed themselves for two years. This should also apply to any sponsors, be they private or commercial...
If sending them home is inhumane, then tents, soup kitchens and running water could be provided. Also given the relative collapse in wages, they must be able to support themselves on their income, with financial help.
And have a comprehensive health insurance policy. This should be a requirement for all foreign visitors to the UK. ;)
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Just doing my part to raise your blood pressures, a little Fail reporting: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2531440/Sold-Flights-buses-Romanians-Bulgarians-head-UK.html
Thanks for that >:( I was just starting to calm down from Jeremy Whine ::)
I'm not sure who is more retarded :-\ us for supporting them, or them for believing that wages will still be six times higher by the time they start looking for jobs...
If they don't have the financial ability to support themselves, the should be turned back at point of entry. By support themselves, I mean have the ability to house and feed themselves for two years. This should also apply to any sponsors, be they private or commercial...
If sending them home is inhumane, then tents, soup kitchens and running water could be provided. Also given the relative collapse in wages, they must be able to support themselves on their income, with financial help.
And have a comprehensive health insurance policy. This should be a requirement for all foreign visitors to the UK. ;)
I think you will find with EU citizens if they are not pensioners, we can bill the country where they came from for emergency treatment and the EHIC card in theory works the same for us, but I've heard reports of that not being honoured in Spain when UK citizens have needed emergency treatment.