Strokes Posted 19 November 2016 Share Posted 19 November 2016 11 hours ago, Barky said: Don't think I'm going to be convinced by reports sponsored by the likes of Nike mate, and the world of academia isn't exactly representative, but fair play, I respect your viewpoint. I'm an engineer myself, and have to travel with kit all around the country, I reckon you might see my point of view more clearly when you're doing the same yourself in a couple of years Yeah I'm with you on that, pedestrianising areas and making places unreachable by vehicles might be good for the consumer on a experience level, but as high street prices skyrocket due to the cost of out of hour deliveries and out of hour minor works. People will move to the cheaper out of town retail parks, so it just loses its affect. I refuse to work in these retail shops overnight, unless I am paid a premium (3x pay) for it, it screws my whole week up doing one or two nights then back on days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sphericalfox Posted 19 November 2016 Share Posted 19 November 2016 For those that think HS2 is still a provisional idea yet to commence and be confirmed. It's well underway. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/570548/161117_Contract_Opp_Table.pdf http://www.epworthbells.co.uk/news/regional/hs2-steel-will-be-at-least-95-british-made-indicates-transport-secretary-1-8243984 Given the huge scale of money and procurement involved from the top to the bottom, I would hope that significant penalties will be in place for delays, poor performance, or non-performance. History shows however, that jobs for the boys will happen on a project this big, and significant delays and losses are highly likely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DANGEROUS TIGER Posted 19 November 2016 Share Posted 19 November 2016 HS2 is going to be a waste of public money imo, when there are far more important social problems, that could be benefitted by the kind of money this "White Elephant" will cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davieG Posted 20 November 2016 Author Share Posted 20 November 2016 An extra £1.3bn is to be spent on improving Britain's roads, Chancellor Philip Hammond will say in his first Autumn Statement. Most of the money will be for cutting congestion and upgrades to local roads and public transport networks. The Treasury said investment in infrastructure and innovation to boost long-term economic growth would be "at the heart" of Wednesday's statement. But Labour said many schemes previously promised were yet to be built. The funding for roads is said to be part of a wider package of pledges for infrastructure projects, amounting to billions of pounds. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38041466 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barky Posted 20 November 2016 Share Posted 20 November 2016 That's good but it's still a drop in the ocean really. Rumours that he might raise the tax free allowance, national insurance threshold and higher rate tax bracket ahead of schedule. I'm on board with all of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sphericalfox Posted 20 November 2016 Share Posted 20 November 2016 5 hours ago, davieG said: An extra £1.3bn is to be spent on improving Britain's roads, Chancellor Philip Hammond will say in his first Autumn Statement. Most of the money will be for cutting congestion and upgrades to local roads and public transport networks. The Treasury said investment in infrastructure and innovation to boost long-term economic growth would be "at the heart" of Wednesday's statement. But Labour said many schemes previously promised were yet to be built. The funding for roads is said to be part of a wider package of pledges for infrastructure projects, amounting to billions of pounds. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38041466 In other words, 'We're planning on implementing more 'smart motorways' to generate income. This investment will pay for itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon the Hat Posted 21 November 2016 Share Posted 21 November 2016 On 11/20/2016 at 13:25, sphericalfox said: In other words, 'We're planning on implementing more 'smart motorways' to generate income. This investment will pay for itself. I drive on the M25 smart motorway everyday, and it has never cost me a penny in fines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sphericalfox Posted 21 November 2016 Share Posted 21 November 2016 38 minutes ago, Jon the Hat said: I drive on the M25 smart motorway everyday, and it has never cost me a penny in fines. I have to use smart motoways all the time and haven't myself, yet there are loads who do, who get busted regularly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon the Hat Posted 21 November 2016 Share Posted 21 November 2016 14 minutes ago, sphericalfox said: I have to use smart motoways all the time and haven't myself, yet there are loads who do, who get busted regularly. Stupid tax then hey! Sounds ok to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sphericalfox Posted 21 November 2016 Share Posted 21 November 2016 10 minutes ago, Jon the Hat said: Stupid tax then hey! Sounds ok to me Basically the money will go on traffic flow schemes. But miles and miles of motorways will be coned off without a sign of construction taking place. What joy as lucrative contracts are dished out as its milked it for all its worth. It'll be a joy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted 21 November 2016 Share Posted 21 November 2016 22 minutes ago, sphericalfox said: Basically the money will go on traffic flow schemes. But miles and miles of motorways will be coned off without a sign of construction taking place. What joy as lucrative contracts are dished out as its milked it for all its worth. It'll be a joy! A motorway is coned off for reasons other than construction. The County Surveyors Dept may need to inspect or survey the road surface or or bridges. That is done so they know what to ask contractors to bid on if repairs are needed in part or wholesale. All projects are put for competitive bid and penalties or bonuses are paid on the duration of the project. When I was working on motorway projects in the UK the penalties for going over the proposed time could be £10,000 per day per lane. Trust me, contractors would not be ****ing about and nor would the client allow it unless there was a good reason. Moreover if you completed the job ahead of schedule that lane rental money came as bonus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sphericalfox Posted 21 November 2016 Share Posted 21 November 2016 Just now, Smudge said: A motorway is coned off for reasons other than construction. The County Surveyors Dept may need to inspect or survey the road surface or or bridges. That is done so they know what to ask contractors to bid on if repairs are needed in part or wholesale. All projects are put for competitive bid and penalties or bonuses are paid on the duration of the project. When I was working on motorway projects in the UK the penalties for going over the proposed time could be £10,000 per day per lane. Trust me, contractors would not be ****ing about and nor would the client allow it unless there was a good reason. Moreover if you completed the job ahead of schedule that lane rental money came as bonus. Are the empty diggers and heavy equipment for show? Those contracts must have never-ending deadlines. The M1 and the M62 spring to mind of examples of not quite getting it done quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted 21 November 2016 Share Posted 21 November 2016 15 minutes ago, sphericalfox said: Are the empty diggers and heavy equipment for show? Those contracts must have never-ending deadlines. The M1 and the M62 spring to mind of examples of not quite getting it done quickly. I can't explain why any piece of plant wasn't working but I'll offer a list of alternatives. They are not excavating that day It needs repair The ground is too wet They have found a problem and waiting for the client to decide on what to do It is owned by a plant rental company and they have dropped it off early or not yet picked it up. They used it yesterday and will need it two days hence, therefor it's cheaper to keep it on site rather than have it hauled off and returned. All of these projects are bid on extremely low margins. The companies such as Aggregate Industries and Tarmac make money on the products they sell to the contracting arm. That includes the stone, asphalt concrete, and concrete products like piping. Having managed many jobs I can assure you that no manager is going to be employed for long if satisfactory progress isn't made. Maybe your observations are correct and there was negligent management of what you saw but that doesn't apply to the industry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon the Hat Posted 21 November 2016 Share Posted 21 November 2016 On 20/11/2016 at 10:58, Barky said: That's good but it's still a drop in the ocean really. Rumours that he might raise the tax free allowance, national insurance threshold and higher rate tax bracket ahead of schedule. I'm on board with all of that. Ah I remember the days when that impacted my tax bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaelicFox Posted 21 November 2016 Share Posted 21 November 2016 So I was fairly right all along Brexit was only a pipe dream pound is getting strong farage will he start a riot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davieG Posted 23 November 2016 Author Share Posted 23 November 2016 Autumn Statement 2016 summary: Key points at-a-glance 47 minutes ago From the sectionUK Politics Share Philip Hammond has delivered his first Autumn Statement as chancellor. These are the key points. Public borrowing/deficit/spending Government finances forecast to be £122bn worse off in the period until 2021 than forecast in March's Budget Debt will rise from 84.2% of GDP last year to 87.3% this year, peaking at 90.2% in 2017-18 Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts borrowing of £68.2bn this year, then £59bn in 2017-18, £46.5bn in 2018-19, £21.9bn in 2019-20 and £20.7bn in 2020-21 Public spending this year to be 40% of GDP - down from 45% in 2010 Departmental spending plans set out in 2015 Spending Review to remain in place Government will meet commitments to protect budgets for key public services, defence, overseas aid and the pension "triple lock" until the end of this Parliament The state of the economy OBR growth forecast upgraded to 2.1% in 2016 - from 2.0% - then downgraded to 1.4% in 2017, from 2.2% Forecast growth of 1.7% in 2018, 2.1% in 2019 and 2020 and 2% in 2021. Government no longer seeking a budget surplus in 2019-20 - committed to returning public finances to balance "as soon as practicable" Taxation/pay Image copyrightPA Income tax threshold to be raised to £11,500 in April, from £11,000 now Higher rate income tax threshold to rise to £50,000 by the end of the Parliament Tax savings on salary sacrifice and benefits in kind to be stopped, with exceptions for ultra-low emission cars, pensions, childcare and cycling National Living Wage to rise from £7.20 an hour to £7.50 from April next year Employee and employer National Insurance thresholds to be equalised at £157 per week from April 2017 Insurance premium tax to rise from 10% to 12% next June Welfare Universal Credit taper rate to be cut from 65% to 63% from April at a cost of £700m No plans for further welfare savings in this Parliament Housing Ban on upfront fees charged by letting agents in England "as soon as possible" £2.3bn housing infrastructure fund to help provide 100,000 new homes in high-demand areas £1.4bn to deliver 40,000 extra affordable homes Fuel Image copyrightPA Fuel duty rise cancelled for seventh year in succession - at a cost of £850m, saving average car driver £130 and van driver £350 a year For the oil and gas sector, the Carbon Price Support capped until 2020 and business rates reductions worth £6.7bn Transport/infrastructure/regions Image copyrightPA £1.1bn extra investment in English local transport networks £220m to reduce traffic pinch points £23bn to be spent on innovation and infrastructure over five years £2bn per year by 2020 for research and development funding £110m for East West Rail and commitment to deliver Oxford to Cambridge Expressway More than £1bn for digital infrastructure and 100% business rates relief on new fibre infrastructure £1.8bn from Local Growth Fund to English regions Rural Rate Relief to be increased to 100%, "giving small businesses a tax break worth up to £2,900" £7.6m for repairs to Wentworth Woodhouse, near Rotherham, said to be inspiration for Pemberley in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Business Doubling UK export funding capacity £400m into venture capital funds through the British Business Bank to unlock £1bn in finance for growing firms Other Funding for 2,500 more prison officers Reforms to compensation for whiplash to cut the cost of motor insurance Promise to abolish Autumn Statement, with Budgets happening in the autumn from next year, along with "Spring Statement" from 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barky Posted 23 November 2016 Share Posted 23 November 2016 Nothing in it. Take from one pocket and put it in another. No significant spending. The usual 'guaranteed miss' targets on housing and borrowing. I wonder how many people would actually vote for this guy given a chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davieG Posted 23 November 2016 Author Share Posted 23 November 2016 Nothing in it. Take from one pocket and put it in another. Hasn't that always been the case?l Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon the Hat Posted 23 November 2016 Share Posted 23 November 2016 There is no money left as they saying goes. You can only spend what you save. Or indeed what you borrow if the OBR tells you tax receipts will be lower. Like economists have a clue what will happen in the next few years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon the Hat Posted 23 November 2016 Share Posted 23 November 2016 On 11/21/2016 at 22:12, GaelicFox said: So I was fairly right all along Brexit was only a pipe dream pound is getting strong farage will he start a riot What? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMX11 Posted 23 November 2016 Share Posted 23 November 2016 23 minutes ago, Jon the Hat said: There is no money left as they saying goes. You can only spend what you save. Or indeed what you borrow if the OBR tells you tax receipts will be lower. Like economists have a clue what will happen in the next few years. You never see a government economist predict a recession in these forecasts...ever. I expect there will be one before we leave the EU (not because we are leaving, just the business cycle running out of steam). It is the same old story, the government is spending too much and doesn't have the balls or political will to do anything radical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alf Bentley Posted 23 November 2016 Share Posted 23 November 2016 Forecasting economic growth 5 years ahead makes as much sense as forecasting the weather 5 years ahead. There are so many factors that could influence what growth might be in 2021: trade deals, trade wars, real wars, commodity prices, natural resources, business innovation, business confidence, government tax/spending policies, terrorism, management of banks/finances, technical innovation, natural disasters.... In line with the forecast that growth in 2021 will be 2.0%, I'd like to forecast a warm autumn that year, with snow lying crisp and even on Christmas Day 2021. I bet the 2003 forecast was for strong growth in 2008.... Seems like a "hedge your bets" budget statement, as expected. A little bit of a cautious stimulus and retrenchment but nothing that involves gambling much money. They'll keep their chips off the table until the big gambling school starts - once Brexit and Trump become a bit more real and discernible...there might have to be a lot of frantic gambling once that all kicks off. I wonder what the 2021 growth forecast will be then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barky Posted 23 November 2016 Share Posted 23 November 2016 Wonder what the result of this 'productivity investment' will be. My guess is a task group of some sort taking several years and millions of pounds to deliver a report with recommendations that will never be implemented. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DANGEROUS TIGER Posted 23 November 2016 Share Posted 23 November 2016 4 hours ago, Jon the Hat said: There is no money left as they saying goes. You can only spend what you save. Or indeed what you borrow if the OBR tells you tax receipts will be lower. Like economists have a clue what will happen in the next few years. This. Economists can only guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob1742 Posted 26 November 2016 Share Posted 26 November 2016 Brexit is going to hit hard in January. The price rises that I have seen that will hit consumers from January through to March are unprecidented. Some manufacturers are needing price increases due to the euro and dollar, but several others are just taking advantage of the situation. The rumours are real, so expect a bumpy ride early new year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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