The national Living Wage.

[fallen-archie]

As today sees the start of the National Minimum wage for over 25s I was interested to hear a debate this morning in which many bosses and small businesses said that the cost could see many more people on the dole and price increases. There are definately some areas particularly small businesses, some retail and the care sector which may struggle and yet one very interesting statistic showed that if every person earning £100,000 per year reduced their pay by £1.30 per day that would cover the entire increase. Why is it that the gap between the lowest and highest paid in the UK is so wide, much wider than many European countries and it's not just wages, pensions too seem to be at risk with the masses yet the higher paid have more lucrative schemes. My question is are Bosses bigging themselves and their value up unreasonably in order to gain substantial salaries and benefits.

[fallen-archie]

I'm sure I remember you once having an Airedale CD, great looking dog, sorry if you no longer have one but I have two dogs, had dogs all my life and there is nothing wrong with chatting with dog walkers whatsoever, it's the kind of networking one does when retired. Also I believe there are people who behave as you describe, go into your local ASDA its full of em but they and their habits are not to be taken as the norm for the majority, certainly there is a worrying trend where people are becoming slaves to the latest designer accessory, Cell phone, car and Holiday But that is their choice and who are we to dictate how they live their lives? My point remains the use of housing to drive the economy, which in my opinion is harming our country and leading people down the kind of route you describe using money they have never earned.

[cee-dee]

Yes, I did.

No, they're probably not "the majority" but they're probably the majority of moaners about their lot.

Like I said (!!), if that's what you want, fine but don't moan about housing if you're not satisfied with what you've got.

The property market isn't a licence to print money unless you pick the right sort of property and also the "right" time to buy and/or sell.

There's a house here (well, 3 miles away) that's been up for sale for years and I mean years. it's £390k, grade 2 listed. Fine example of its type but they just can't sell it. It started off at over £400k but has been reduced to what it's advertised for now. Why won't it sell at the current price? It's a barn of a place, 7 bedrooms but.......

Another, they want over £400k for it. It's on a very small "estate" of 5 (I think). They're all around the £250K mark but the pricy one has been over extended. It's far too much for what it is and where it's located. You can't stick a palace in the middle of ordinary houses.

[fallen-archie]

I see the wail is all over this, they are claiming the rise will start a new surge of immigrants seeking the extra 50p, they also run a story about B&Q cutting staff benefits to afford the extra 50p. And of course they conclude by saying how there will be more rebellion in the Tory party with many opposing the increase.
I often wonder what agenda the Wail is working to, but more intriguing is who the heck reads the rubbish they churn out?

[cee-dee]

People like you?

[artful_dodgings]

---

@fallen-archie wrote:

I often wonder what agenda the Wail is working to, but more intriguing is who the heck reads the rubbish they churn out?

---

Well obviously you for a start.

Might I suggest 'The Sunday Post' instead ? Much more in keeping. There's a nice article in this week's edition about Bob Danvers-Walker might interest you.

[fallen-archie]

Thank you both for that character assassination 🤕 Far more likely to find me reading Tit Bits or Daltons weekly😀

[cee-dee]

You did it yourself. Wouldn't The Beano suit you better?

[evoman3957]

To be honest with you, I stopped believing what I read in ANY newspaper a long time ago; or at least taking it with a BAG of salt. Anybody and everybody, who wields any kind of power or influence, has their own agenda and will put their own slant on things. You'd think that, in this wonderful Country, that has freedom of the press and all it's other freedoms; getting the actual FACTS, shouldn't be too difficult........but they are like Kids telling a tale, it gets ever more wild and fantastic with each additional retelling.

[fallen-archie]

Not really, I did enjoy the Hotspur and the Eagle.

Evo, well said, so much secrecy, planned agendas, managed leaks but truth? Have no idea how we get back to a bit of honesty.