The Good News thread, local jobs, economy etc

[Rincewind]

Perceptions are not reality

 

Ipsis Mori poll 2013

 

I found the info in less than five minutes

[Rincewind]

That is quite bad tbf. I think there are things in there that should be tackled nonetheless but it is a bit disheartening to hear that people get it so wrong.

I don't blame the main stream media entirely. They can only report on the information that they have, been given or investigate themselves.. With the rise of social media however there are more independent outlets and organisations such as the NHS and charities who have their own press team at grass root level with up to date  reports about  what is happening within their sector that they work in.

[Webbo]

I don't blame the main stream media entirely. They can only report on the information that they have, been given or investigate themselves.. With the rise of social media however there are more independent outlets and organisations such as the NHS and charities who have their own press team at grass root level with up to date  reports about  what is happening within their sector that they work in.

These independent media organisations that you believe unquestioningly(as long as it suits your prejudice) even though most of the articles you post are nothing more than uninformed opinion. You are the most easily manipulated person on here.

Edited 30 September 2014 by Webbo

[leicsmac]

We've had this discussion before. Some people on here understate the influence of the media. Others overstate it.

 

Looking at this particular piece, it seems like an authentic source (can't see how IPSOS/Mori have an axe to grind in this particular instance) so it would seem that a lot of people are grossly misinformed that certain hot-potato issues are more of a problem than they are (immigration, teenage pregnancy, crime rates etc).

 

Evidently they are being misled by something - whether that's the media they read and see, the company they keep, or a mixture of both is open for debate.

 

I will say though that fear sells, so fuelling misconceptions like this to fuel that same fear can make a lot of money for media groups - regardless of their political bent.

Edited 30 September 2014 by leicsmac

[Rincewind]

Exactly that is why I try to look at many different sources rather than just one or two because they fit in with their views and dismiss anything else that does not. If a doctor working at an hospital's A&E was to write an article in a NHS publication about waiting times that was false then it would soon be noticed by other doctors.  People have spent countless hours obtaining information under the FoI act often facing refusals and delaying tactics.

If one person at Shelter says the number of calls they have received has gone up I would question the validity of the statement. If a hundred said the same thing I would want to know more, if 10000 said it I would start to question why and wonder how accurate counter statements are.

[Darkon84]

After 4 years of doing a job i love in a place a hate

I finally went out there to hunt for a better prospect, today I got the call that I got a new job from the first interview i have ever had to do and the opportunity of the job is amazing!!!

Happy as a peado in a playground!

 

Congratulations mate, it must feel like a weight off of your shoulders. I'm in a similar situation, I enjoy the job but the place drains me and I'm definitely not the same person I used to be, because of it. I keep considering taking the plunge too. Well done to you and hopefully I can get a similar result!

[Webbo]

We've had this discussion before. Some people on here understate the influence of the media. Others overstate it.

 

Looking at this particular piece, it seems like an authentic source (can't see how IPSOS/Mori have an axe to grind in this particular instance) so it would seem that a lot of people are grossly misinformed that certain hot-potato issues are more of a problem than they are (immigration, teenage pregnancy, crime rates etc).

 

Evidently they are being misled by something - whether that's the media they read and see, the company they keep, or a mixture of both is open for debate.

 

I will say though that fear sells, so fuelling misconceptions like this to fuel that same fear can make a lot of money for media groups - regardless of their political bent.

it depends who, s paying them to do the survey. I do surveys for yougov and valued opinions and you can always see when they're trying to steer you into answering in a certain way.if you ask the question in the right way you can get the answer you want.

that is immaterial though, I dont doubt a lot of people believe a lot of things. Im sure that a large percentage dont believe there is a govt deficit and that the cuts are just being made for spite, im sure nobody thinks that the establishment has manipulated anyone into thinking that.

also, if anyone can find an article in a British newspaper that claims 31% of the population are immigrants I'll be amazed.

[Guest MattP]

Britain's economy grew more quickly than previously thought in the second quarter and its recovery from the financial crisis has been less sluggish than first estimated.

 

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/30/us-britain-economy-idUSKCN0HP0QC20140930

[bovril]

We've had this discussion before. Some people on here understate the influence of the media. Others overstate it.

 

Looking at this particular piece, it seems like an authentic source (can't see how IPSOS/Mori have an axe to grind in this particular instance) so it would seem that a lot of people are grossly misinformed that certain hot-potato issues are more of a problem than they are (immigration, teenage pregnancy, crime rates etc).

 

Evidently they are being misled by something - whether that's the media they read and see, the company they keep, or a mixture of both is open for debate.

 

I will say though that fear sells, so fuelling misconceptions like this to fuel that same fear can make a lot of money for media groups - regardless of their political bent.

 

I imagine it is greatly down to the rise of the internet - so easy it is to manipulate, change, share, like and spread. Some of the 'facts' I see floating around cyber space are unbelievable.

[Alf Bentley]

Britain's economy grew more quickly than previously thought in the second quarter and its recovery from the financial crisis has been less sluggish than first estimated.

 

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/30/us-britain-economy-idUSKCN0HP0QC20140930

 

 

Good news, in theory, provided that some of the extra wealth eventually ends up in the hands of employees and other real people, rather than in company balance sheets......That is taking an awful long time to happen. GDP figures have been improving for 2-3 years now, haven't they, while average real pay continues to fall?

 

Things are going to get rough otherwise, if real pay continues to fall and the Tories are re-elected with their plan to further reduce the income of low-paid working people via tax credits so as to redistribute the money to rich Tory-voting pensioners.

 

They've made an amusing change to the way that the figures are calculated, mentioned on the BBC lunchtime news. The output of drug dealers and prostitutes is now included in the GDP figures. I think the BBC said that the former added about £4bn and the latter £5bn+ to GDP! Before it is suggested that I'm wrongly accusing the government of fiddling the figures, it seems that this is a change at EU level to bring us in line with other EU countries, not a fiddle.

Here's the BBC bit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29422267

"The figures from the ONS include a new methodology for calculating gross domestic product (GDP). The new measure includes factors such as spending on research and development, as well as the economic contribution made by drug dealers and prostitutes"

[leicsmac]

I imagine it is greatly down to the rise of the internet - so easy it is to manipulate, change, share, like and spread. Some of the 'facts' I see floating around cyber space are unbelievable.

 

No disagreement there. But it has also shown that the 'established' news agencies can (in some circumstances) not be trusted either. Everyone reporting on something political has an agenda. Everyone.

 

Basically...it's all shit, and you have to sift through as many sources as you can to find some semblance of the truth.

[Rincewind]

It's all a blatant set up. They'll pull a shithouse trick and they'll try and wind you down through their deliberately appalling service so that you never get your money back. That's how I see it.

 

If there are genuine targets of how many people you have to get off JSA completely disregarding people's situations then that is pretty sinister. The problem is for the people who work there they either have to go through with this or potentially become a victim themselves due to not meeting targets.

 

 

I've been on it on two different occasions and I can tell you it is a lot stricter now than it used to be. They try and fob you off on any old crap nowadays though. They seem very intent on finding me an apprenticeship despite the fact I've already done one and really would rather go into proper work now.

 

I've had money stopped in the past for absolutely nothing. No justification, not a single notification of why it was stopped so I just spam called them until they gave it to me.

 

Truly is awful being on JSA. Not saying it should be good at all, but they take the total wrong approach for me.

Just seen a post on FB about someone with hepatitis who was sanctioned for doing 33 hours job search rather than the 'obligatory' 35 They are now in hospital. If it is correct that rule is not even in the guidelines. How would they monitor or even know how many hours a person has spent? It is going to appeal at more cost to the tax payer.

For a person new to job seekers or not having an understanding of forms etc. it would just  be accepted.

There have been ex-employees saying how they used to enjoy the work when it was helping people find work but now it is a requirement for them to try and find ways to sanction people.

[Guest MattP]

Good news, in theory, provided that some of the extra wealth eventually ends up in the hands of employees and other real people, rather than in company balance sheets......That is taking an awful long time to happen. GDP figures have been improving for 2-3 years now, haven't they, while average real pay continues to fall?

 

Things are going to get rough otherwise, if real pay continues to fall and the Tories are re-elected with their plan to further reduce the income of low-paid working people via tax credits so as to redistribute the money to rich Tory-voting pensioners.

 

They've made an amusing change to the way that the figures are calculated, mentioned on the BBC lunchtime news. The output of drug dealers and prostitutes is now included in the GDP figures. I think the BBC said that the former added about £4bn and the latter £5bn+ to GDP! Before it is suggested that I'm wrongly accusing the government of fiddling the figures, it seems that this is a change at EU level to bring us in line with other EU countries, not a fiddle.

Here's the BBC bit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29422267

"The figures from the ONS include a new methodology for calculating gross domestic product (GDP). The new measure includes factors such as spending on research and development, as well as the economic contribution made by drug dealers and prostitutes"

 

I'm just having a quick read on google about the new way of calulating it now, does seem a bit odd with the factors that are considered. A bit more reading to be done when I get home I think.

[FoxInTheBirstallBox]

Congratulations mate, it must feel like a weight off of your shoulders. I'm in a similar situation, I enjoy the job but the place drains me and I'm definitely not the same person I used to be, because of it. I keep considering taking the plunge too. Well done to you and hopefully I can get a similar result!

You have no idea how it must feel. Been very controlled over my job with a willy puller boss who manipulates you. and now, it truly feels free. with a job opportunity that could, if i set my mind to it, set me up for life.

All i can say is, if you are feeling like how i felt then 100% take the plunge! 

I was last week supposed to be going away to newquay with my (now ex) girlfriend but we split up so i had the week off work, got browsing for jobs, the first one i applied for i got an interview and 2 days later got offered the job! Its fate

[Darkon84]

You have no idea how it must feel. Been very controlled over my job with a willy puller boss who manipulates you. and now, it truly feels free. with a job opportunity that could, if i set my mind to it, set me up for life.

All i can say is, if you are feeling like how i felt then 100% take the plunge! 

I was last week supposed to be going away to newquay with my (now ex) girlfriend but we split up so i had the week off work, got browsing for jobs, the first one i applied for i got an interview and 2 days later got offered the job! Its fate

 

 

I've got something coming up at work in a few weeks which could potentially change things for the better, so we will see in a months time. I'll either be in a better place at work, or I'll be diving head first in to something more deserving and rewarding, like yourself.

[Rincewind]

This is an interview with a benefits adviser wiho has many years and is experienced in the job so should know what he is talking about.

 

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/30/welfare-rights-shame-iain-duncan-smith-nick-dilworth-reform?CMP=twt_gu

 

A very well educated man.

[Guest MattP]

Outstanding speech from Cameron here at his conference, had he promised a few of these things he might not have lost a lot of his core support to UKIP.

 

Promises for 2015.

 

Scrapping the Human Rights act

Tax rate for starting payment goes from 10.5 to 12.5k.

Upping of 40% tax rate to only people earning 50k+

100,000 new homes to be bult that landlords cannot buy.

Renegotiation in Europe must include an end to the freedom to movement agreement.

English votes for English laws.

Ending of zero hour contracts.

 

Nice to see him speak passionately about the NHS as well, he should make more of the fact of how much he used it with his dying son and how the snipes from Labour over it are becoming personal.

Edited 1 October 2014 by MattP

[purpleronnie]

It was pretty obvious stuff given the UKIp votes he's losing.

 

the real party of compassion and social justice

 

the irony of camerons comment after osbournes speech.

[Guest MattP]

the irony of camerons comment after osbournes speech.

 

I know this is pointless as you appear to been hacked by Ken, but for the 3rd/4th time, any chance you can back up these claims of the Tories attacking the NHS or the poor?

 

I've just seen a commitment to raising the tax threshold to 14.5k a year, which is something more than any government I can remember doing for the working poor.

Edited 1 October 2014 by MattP

[purpleronnie]

100,000 new homes to be bult that landlords cannot buy.

 

That's a strange one. The tories have already sold off more social housing than they have built and now they are removing the levy that is usualyy reinvested into the local community and which usually requires affordable houses to be built as part of the develoments. . Social housing is critical if we are going to solve the housing crisis.

[Guest MattP]

Didn't think so.

 

Building more social housing is actually quite pointless until the renegotiating of the freedom of movement laws within the EU, how can you plan for how much social housing you are going to need when you have no control over what your population is doing to be day to day?

 

We've had benefit tourism, health tourism, we'll just have housing tourism next.

[purpleronnie]

I know this is pointless as you appear to been hacked by Ken, but for the 3rd/4th time, any chance you can back up these claims of the Tories attacking the NHS or the poor?

 

I've just seen a commitment to raising the tax threshold to 14.5k a year, which is something more than any government I can remember doing for the working poor.

Cuts will mean a typical working family will lose £500 every year, In-work poverty has already increased by 40,000 under the Tories, the fact 60% of children who live in poverty have at least 1 parent working makes the tories 'making work pay' hypocritical.

 

freezing benefits when rising living costs continue.

 

 

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said that the benefits freeze would hit “largely working-age families in the bottom half of the income distribution”.

 

[purpleronnie]

Didn't think so.

 

Building more social housing is actually quite pointless until the renegotiating of the freedom of movement laws within the EU, how can you plan for how much social housing you are going to need when you have no control over what your population is doing to be day to day?

 

We've had benefit tourism, health tourism, we'll just have housing tourism next.

Plan? We needed them 4 years ago and we need them now.  Whether the freedom of movement laws ever change who knows, if they are how long will it take, more social housing is desperately needed, you're blind.  Benefit tourism has already been proven to be a myth.

Edited 1 October 2014 by purpleronnie

[Guest MattP]

Cuts will mean a typical working family will lose £500 every year, In-work poverty has already increased by 40,000 under the Tories, the fact 60% of children who live in poverty have at least 1 parent working makes the tories 'making work pay' hypocritical.

 

freezing benefits when rising living costs continue.

 

Again, any proof for these claims? What is a 'typical working family?' for a start? The lower end have been completely taken out of the tax bracket so I don't see any way how that can stack up unless you include external factors often out of the governments control.

 

We obviously have very different ideas on what the term 'poverty' actually means.

[purpleronnie]

I guess we do, let's save time and agree to disagree.