The Good News thread, local jobs, economy etc

[Guest MattP]

It was deliberate. MSOH.

Never heard MSOH what is it?

[Rincewind]

My sense of humour.

[purpleronnie]

You don't need to be told how averages work, surely.

 

 

Nope, but when bonus payments are excluded from the figures, wages rose by 1.4%, still below the rate of inflation, I believe that's an important point to make especially as most employed people don't receieve bonuses.

 

That's not to say it's not encouraging news.

[MooseBreath]

Nope, but when bonus payments are excluded from the figures, wages rose by 1.4%, still below the rate of inflation, I believe that's an important point to make especially as most employed people don't receieve bonuses.

That's not to say it's not encouraging news.

The average bonus includes people who don't get a bonus, so why would you exclude it? That's like excluding pay rises from wage inflation figures on the basis that not everyone gets a pay rise. It totally defeats the object.

[Alf Bentley]

Boris Blood Boris Blood how much is a pint of milk?

Boris Blood Boris Blood his house is made of silk.

Killed 2 million jews,

Read it in free speech news

Duncan Smith, Duncan Smithhhh

 

Gorgeous George, Gorgeous George, he's sorted the economy out

Gorgeous George, Gorgeous George, no need to sulk or pout

 

White Dee has got champagne on ice

The roses are in bloom

Our house price looks very nice

But you're subletting your spare room

True, it's taken longer than we'd have liked

Cost of living up, utility prices hiked

 

But It was New Labour brought Lehman's down

A global economy run by Gordon Brown

Thankfully, George is sorting out the mess

Massive growth....in soup kitchens, flog the NHS

Buy a post office for a 50p stamp - uh?

More foie gras for the bankers' hamper!

 

The Germans are copying our paradigm

The Scandinavians are next in line

Gyppos and Romanians out the door

Make sure incomes fall through the floor

Millions on the dole, what a poor show!

Still, the reserve army of labour keeps pay low!

 

A zero-hours contract? That sounds neat!

Entrepreneurs need more profits to compete

Posh boys with piggy snouts stuck in troughs

Old Etonians and other toffs

Elected union reps supping at the platter?!

Corporate accountants, they're the ones that matter!

 

Scousers and Mancs? Smack 'em in the mouth!

This country is all about the South

Chocolate-box villages where stockbrokers dwell

Fvck off you Northern cvnts, you're all going to hell!

 

MattP dreams of Maggie in his sleep

But he's still off to Kiwiland to herd sheep

He'll be able to show his leadership status

It'll help to fill a brief hiatus

He feels he has something to offer to their nation

And he's all in favour of immigration

 

Gorgeous George, Gorgeous George, the cream overflows his cup

Gorgeous George, Gorgeous George, blow the fvcker up! (and Gove!)

[Guest MattP]

Take a bow Alf that is absolutely fantastic!

Edited 17 April 2014 by MattP

[DennisNedry]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2606587/Retired-guard-dog-never-puppies-finds-tiny-kitten-park-taken-care.html

[Guest MattP]

I'm not a fan of the Sun and don't read it but as a Tory voter in 2015 it is important to have them on side and I think it's quite clear who they will be backing.

 

Quite significent as well as for the first time in my life they will be backing a party who are behind in the polls (albeit now only 3-4% down rather than 10-12% a year back).

 

 

[Alf Bentley]

I'm not a fan of the Sun and don't read it but as a Tory voter in 2015 it is important to have them on side and I think it's quite clear who they will be backing.

 

Quite significent as well as for the first time in my life they will be backing a party who are behind in the polls (albeit now only 3-4% down rather than 10-12% a year back).

 

 

 

Interesting, but inconclusive, I'd say.

 

Certainly, the Sun would only ever back Labour if Murdoch thought that was the dominant view of the nation (e.g. under Blair), which it's not (yet). However, I heard that it had been quite favourable to UKIP (and even the SNP) in recent months.

 

For me, the key paragraph is: "[The Tory Party must focus] on setting out a bold, tax-cutting agenda as the centrepiece of its re-election drive" (the 2 previous paragraphs are just sops to readers in struggling Northern areas or with unemployed kids etc.). That reads like something of an ultimatum to me.....so expect Osborne to make tax cuts (income tax and/or corporation tax?) in the pre-election budget.

 

Whether Murdoch will be so pro-Tory if UKIP does exceptionally well in the Euro elections and/or Joe Public isn't showing the Tories any appreciation for the state of the economy, I don't know... Election still far too close to call, I'd say.

[MooseBreath]

Just looking at the data from yesterday's ONS release, some interesting stats on job vacancies. Pretty much every sector has seen vacancies up massively over the last year. We really are at the point where anyone who wants a job can get one now. I reckon even leicsmac would have got himself a decent graduate engineering position if he hadn't have been so keen to get back on a few Korean chicks.

[leicsmac]

Just looking at the data from yesterday's ONS release, some interesting stats on job vacancies. Pretty much every sector has seen vacancies up massively over the last year. We really are at the point where anyone who wants a job can get one now. I reckon even leicsmac would have got himself a decent graduate engineering position if he hadn't have been so keen to get back on a few Korean chicks.

Out of money, out of moves last October Moosey my friend. Still, with what you and Matt are piping over all frequencies I'm hopeful for when I return in a few months with a bit of money to keep me going. That's one thing this job is good for. Besides, I thought you'd be happy with a guy finding work rather than being a drain on the taxpayer. ;-)

As for the Korean birds...I think I've said to you before, not really my thing, too much baggage. The expat American/South African/Ozzie ladies...That's a different matter entirely.

Edited 17 April 2014 by leicsmac

[Guest MattP]

Interesting, but inconclusive, I'd say.

 

Certainly, the Sun would only ever back Labour if Murdoch thought that was the dominant view of the nation (e.g. under Blair), which it's not (yet). However, I heard that it had been quite favourable to UKIP (and even the SNP) in recent months.

 

For me, the key paragraph is: "[The Tory Party must focus] on setting out a bold, tax-cutting agenda as the centrepiece of its re-election drive" (the 2 previous paragraphs are just sops to readers in struggling Northern areas or with unemployed kids etc.). That reads like something of an ultimatum to me.....so expect Osborne to make tax cuts (income tax and/or corporation tax?) in the pre-election budget.

 

Whether Murdoch will be so pro-Tory if UKIP does exceptionally well in the Euro elections and/or Joe Public isn't showing the Tories any appreciation for the state of the economy, I don't know... Election still far too close to call, I'd say.

 

I don't think the Sun are coming across as pro-Tory from the things I have read, they certainly are very anti-Balls though and with the economy going to be the big issue is 2015 I can't see them supporting anything that could help the Labour party back to office.

 

As with 2010 Labour could be going into the election with only the Daily Mirror supporting it.

 

I think it's very possible The Sun will back UKIP in the European Elections next month though.

[Rincewind]

If you register as self employed you can claim about £20 less than JSA in benefits and tax credits. You may come out with less but it saves the hassle and aggravation of signing on at the job centre. Also it reduces the jobless figures. There has been an increase in self employed people.

[Strokes]

If you register as self employed you can claim about £20 less than JSA in benefits and tax credits. You may come out with less but it saves the hassle and aggravation of signing on at the job centre. Also it reduces the jobless figures. There has been an increase in self employed people.

Add that to zero hour contracts and its clear nobody is working. Im suprised no one has noticed

[Webbo]

If you register as self employed you can claim about £20 less than JSA in benefits and tax credits. You may come out with less but it saves the hassle and aggravation of signing on at the job centre. Also it reduces the jobless figures. There has been an increase in self employed people.

So all these people who are relying on foodbanks to survive are voluntarily giving up another £20 pw just to save them the bother of signing on and looking for work?

[Rincewind]

No they are looking for work but not being sanctioned and losing out for  the slightest mistake nd getting aggro from the job centre staff. the attitude of some may encourage people to work for cash in hand rather than sign on, Defeating the aim really. I know I would have done that if I could and used any spare time to look for work. I would be drawing money at least equal to JSA but not registered as unemployed. The main reason people use foodbanks is sanctions and late payments of benefits.

[Webbo]

No they are looking for work but not being sanctioned and losing out for  the slightest mistake nd getting aggro from the job centre staff. the attitude of some may encourage people to work for cash in hand rather than sign on, Defeating the aim really. I know I would have done that if I could and used any spare time to look for work. I would be drawing money at least equal to JSA but not registered as unemployed. The main reason people use foodbanks is sanctions and late payments of benefits.

You can work cash in hand while you're signed on so that argument doesn't stack up.

 

If actually looking for work is too much of a hassle for some people then perhaps it's their fault they're unemployed and not the govt's?

[Strokes]

No they are looking for work but not being sanctioned and losing out for the slightest mistake nd getting aggro from the job centre staff. the attitude of some may encourage people to work for cash in hand rather than sign on, Defeating the aim really. I know I would have done that if I could and used any spare time to look for work. I would be drawing money at least equal to JSA but not registered as unemployed. The main reason people use foodbanks is sanctions and late payments of benefits.

Don't you think they might have to fill in a tax return? which in my experience is quite a hassle, as you put it.

[Rincewind]

The cost of setting up Universal credit which is still not ready.

 

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/matter-deep-regret-more-details-emerge-millions-wasted-073913023.html#dBTmkSo

[Guest MattP]

Have you had a look at the job market recently yourself Ken?

So much about, you might surprise yourself and find something you like that pays well.

[Stadt]

Have you had a look at the job market recently yourself Ken?

So much about, you might surprise yourself and find something you like that pays well.

There's too many gifs and memes to choose from for this post.

[lavrentis]

Good news, lav's back.

[Rincewind]

The irony for those working part time any job ventures is that they may have to sanction themselves for not working full time

[Dr The Singh]

Have you had a look at the job market recently yourself Ken?

So much about, you might surprise yourself and find something you like that pays well.

lapdancer???

[Rincewind]

Being retired I am not obliged to look for work.