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Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 2:01 pm
by AnatolyKasparov
howsillyofme1 wrote:
SpinningHugo wrote:
AnatolyKasparov wrote:Was the news that Liam Byrne is joining the Labour front bench mentioned here yesterday?

An interesting development - he undoubtedly has something of the Vicar of Bray about him, but his new position (digital development) is one he has a long standing interest in.

Could work well.

Poor sod. Chief Secretary to the Treasury 8 years ago, and now a minor role as a shadow under Tom Watson.

He surely has better things to do with his life. He must see he has no future in Labour as it now is.

I see he was once Minister for the West Midlands. What happened to that? Didn't there used to be a minster for Portsmouth?

So being an MP and representing the people is not sufficient on its own?

Perhaps he could go and whore himself to Middle East dictators or go an take up a few directorships in the City - much better 'things to do with his life' I suppose

Isn't it worthy of some respect that he has held on and stayed with it - even if I am not a fan of his politics?

Says a lot about your values
Its the underlying assumption that "moderates" in Labour were (and are) only interested in personal advancement (and that their only interest in the Labour party is as a means to that end) that gets me tbh. Of course, that's exactly what some Corbynistas like to say about them!

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 2:12 pm
by HindleA
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... or-workers" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Court rules civil service redundancy payment cuts unlawful
Decision on changes to compensation scheme ruling likely to leave government open to legal challenges from public sector workers


Appeal,of course.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 2:18 pm
by HindleA
https://www.theguardian.com/society/201 ... mpensation" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Government 'denying sexually abused children compensation'
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority refused payments to almost 700 children on grounds they gave consent, say charities

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 2:22 pm
by howsillyofme1
Its the underlying assumption that "moderates" in Labour were (and are) only interested in personal advancement (and that their only interest in the Labour party is as a means to that end) that gets me tbh. Of course, that's exactly what some Corbynistas like to say about them!

Indeed - my impression is the vast majority of MPs take their position seriously and, in the main, do a good job at representing and dealing with their constituents. Others don't but I don't think there is an generalisation on party etc

What I criticise some MPs on in Labour is not being sensitive enough to the changing society and party membership - and trying to live in the past. It is more a criticism of their 'big politics' rather than their commitment to the day job which is much more varied

I think the comments that suggest MPs who are not Ministers or who are not in the favour of their leadership should just go and do something more 'worthwhile' are unjust and misplaced

Stella Creasy showed how being a backbench MP can still be influential and Corbyn himself, along with Skinner and others, show how being 'outside the club' can make positive contributions

The current situation makes backbenchers more powerful and the payroll vote is often not the place to go for new and different thinking

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 2:27 pm
by SpinningHugo
AnatolyKasparov wrote:
SpinningHugo wrote:
AnatolyKasparov wrote:Was the news that Liam Byrne is joining the Labour front bench mentioned here yesterday?

An interesting development - he undoubtedly has something of the Vicar of Bray about him, but his new position (digital development) is one he has a long standing interest in.

Could work wel


Poor sod. Chief Secretary to the Treasury 8 years ago, and now a minor role as a shadow under Tom Watson.

He surely has better things to do with his life. He must see he has no future in Labour as it now is.

I see he was once Minister for the West Midlands. What happened to that? Didn't there used to be a minster for Portsmouth?

So being an MP and representing the people is not sufficient on its own?

Perhaps he could go and whore himself to Middle East dictators or go an take up a few directorships in the City - much better 'things to do with his life' I suppose

Isn't it worthy of some respect that he has held on and stayed with it - even if I am not a fan of his politics?

Says a lot about your values
Its the underlying assumption that "moderates" in Labour were (and are) only interested in personal advancement (and that their only interest in the Labour party is as a means to that end) that gets me tbh. Of course, that's exactly what some Corbynistas like to say about them!
I think they want to further what they believe in. Surely better ways of doing that than being a shadow under Tom Watson. Byrne used to be thought able.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 2:32 pm
by howsillyofme1
Byrne used to be thought able.

Did you need to take lessons in pomposity or did you inherit it?

Did you use the Princess Eugenie route into University - of course on the assumption you actually went to one

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 2:42 pm
by HindleA
https://www.theguardian.com/society/201 ... tor-report" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Prisons inspector warns of 'staggering' decline in safety at youth jails
Report says no young offender institution or secure training centre in England and Wales inspected in early 2017 was safe

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 2:44 pm
by howsillyofme1
HindleA wrote:https://www.theguardian.com/society/201 ... tor-report


Prisons inspector warns of 'staggering' decline in safety at youth jails
Report says no young offender institution or secure training centre in England and Wales inspected in early 2017 was safe

As you keep pointing out MrA the infrastructure that supports our society is starting to crumble but the media focus is on political in-fighting, mainly the Tories but still stirring it for Labour and ignoring the fact that we may not have much left to save by the end of Q1 2019

It is not to do with Brexit (although that may exacerbate it) - it is the fact that we have had an incompetent and uncaring Government since 2010 that has put ideology before society

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 3:23 pm
by HindleA
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... eport-2017" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Transparency data
Infrastructure and Projects Authority annual report 2017

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 4:14 pm
by AnatolyKasparov
Seven local council byelections last week:

North Warwickshire DC - Tory hold, beating Labour by almost exactly 3 to 2 in a straight fight. This ward has safely returned 2 Tories at every election since 2003, but last time in 2015 it was relatively close - partly due to GE level turnout, but also due to the intervention of UKIP who took close to 20% in their first showing at this level. The suggestion was clearly that here they hit the Tories more than Labour, and this result backed that up with the Tories getting a double figure increase since two years ago and a clear swing in their favour even though Labour's own share was also up. Might also be worth noting there was a pro-Labour swing of some 3% since the previous two party battle in 2011, though.

Middlesbrough - two contests here, the first was a Labour hold with almost 60% of the vote in a ward where they won both seats in 2015 but had to split with an Independent in both 2007 and 2011 (the Indies also triumphing in a previous 2010 byelection) Last time round second place was actually taken by UKIP who just pipped the sitting Indy into third, in the absence of both this time the Tories took the opportunity to more than double their share to 36% and move from a poor 4th to a decent second - though with Labour also enjoying a double figure increase, the actual swing was modest. LibDems just pipped the Greens to the wooden spoon position, but they took barely 4% between them. The other seat saw the Independents hold in a ward where they took all three seats in 2015 and also topped the poll in 2011 and 2007 (though Labour managed to take a seat on both those occasions) This time round the Indies polled in the mid-50s, up some 3 points since 2 years ago whilst Labour fell by a similar amount. Tories also down a bit, whilst Greens edged out the LibDems for last spot this time. Again no UKIP, after coming 3rd here in 2015.

Three Rivers DC - LibDem hold, with approaching two thirds of the vote. This ward returned three LibDems fairly conclusively in the post boundary change elections in 2014, and though the Tories took advantage of GE-level turnout to score a shock win here two years ago LibDems stormed home last year winning by 2 to 1. They increased that margin still further now with a further swing of over 3% leaving the Tories on little more than a quarter of the vote, this convincing win confirming the single seat LibDem majority on the council. Labour third and hardly changed on 7%, UKIP - who managed third here in 2014 but had fallen away by last year - managed just 1% now in their sole appearance in this batch of byelections. The rather cold comfort was that they managed to beat the Greens into last by a single vote.

South Oxfordshire DC - another "double header", the first contest saw Labour maintain their presence on this council with a fairly convincing hold in a ward which had split 2Con/1Lab in the 2015 election (the first since extensive boundary changes) with Labour the last of the 3, but a swing of close to 5% saw them safely home in a contest where the third placed LibDems got 20% and - unusually - all three parties saw a vote increase due to the absence of UKIP, who polled a respectable third two years ago. The same was true - both UKIP absence after coming 3rd previously, and increases for all 3 "main" parties - in the other contest, though a slightly bigger swing to Labour meant they came close to doubling their representation on the council whilst the LibDems (on 17% this time) hardly advanced at all.

Moray - the first Scottish contest since May's council elections, caused by a newly elected Independent getting cold feet and resigning within days, followed recent trends as it saw a Tory gain with 40% of first choices in a ward which had split 1Ind/1Nat/1Con two months ago. That was the first time the Tories had taken a seat here since STV was introduced - 2007 had seen a 1Ind/1Nat/1Lab split and the Independent seat had gone SNP in 2012 before a previous by-election in late 2014 - as their "tidal wave" was just starting to build - saw them take the Labour seat to enjoy all 3 seats in this division. Things are a bit different now, though there was little swing since May as it was close between the Tories and Nats (both of whom put on vote share significantly) just as it had been then - both in first preferences and the ultimate outcome. Maybe not surprisingly given how this contest came about the Independent vote crashed to barely 5% - which meant Labour could also increase their vote, though they are still some way from getting elected here again.

No fewer than nine contests this week.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 4:27 pm
by citizenJA
@AnatolyKasparov
Excellent work, thank you.
Your systematic and interesting posts on local council by-election results are a nice publication.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 4:52 pm
by HindleA
http://press.labour.org.uk/post/1631326 ... mprovement" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 4:56 pm
by HindleA
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/imme ... melessness" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Arse about face Government.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 5:26 pm
by citizenJA
HindleA wrote:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/imme ... melessness

Arse about face Government.
"The regulations will come into effect from October, and are expected to help around 10,000 jobseekers over the next 4 years"
Fewer than fifty (50) people a year expected assistance from this?
Is my reading of this correct?

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 5:37 pm
by citizenJA
"The department for communities and local government (DCLG) has said that all tower blocks that have had cladding tested have failed fire safety tests. As the Press Association reports, DCLG said 243 buildings in 57 local authorities had failed combustibility tests. These comprise 235 high-rise residential buildings, one combined school and residential building, another school and six buildings at five NHS trusts."

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/bl ... c854047e2c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 5:46 pm
by HindleA
@cja you wouldn't need a system of such assistance if you didn't create the need for assistance in the first place.Sane people consider that first.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 5:47 pm
by Tubby Isaacs
PaulfromYorkshire wrote:Got it!
Across the country we will enable councils to provide first-class bus services by extending the powers to re-regulate local bus services to all areas that want them, and we will support the creation of municipal bus companies that are publicly run for passengers not profit.
Under the Conservatives, bus fares have risen and services have been cut. Labour will introduce regulations to designate and protect routes of critical community value, including those that serve local schools, hospitals and isolated settlements in rural areas.
London-style regulation in each area would be a good idea. They're run for profits, and still very good, even with the last mayor letting the prices shoot up. The big bus companies own huge fleets of vehicles nationally which cascade down from busier routes in big cities to quieter ones in towns and rural areas. The economies of scale must be pretty formidable. How many municipalities are going to want to run their own services? That sounds like a waste of time.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 5:47 pm
by HindleA
@cja Misanthropic bastards don't.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 5:58 pm
by Tubby Isaacs
citizenJA wrote:
"The department for communities and local government (DCLG) has said that all tower blocks that have had cladding tested have failed fire safety tests. As the Press Association reports, DCLG said 243 buildings in 57 local authorities had failed combustibility tests. These comprise 235 high-rise residential buildings, one combined school and residential building, another school and six buildings at five NHS trusts."

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/bl ... c854047e2c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

We need to wait for the report (which as Corbyn says should come in two stages) but it didn't take Einstein to predict that there were going to be other buildings with this sort of cladding on. McDonnell needs to wind his neck in with "social murder". Easy to say when you haven't had responsibility for anything in 30 years.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 5:58 pm
by HindleA
Excuse ignorance what is London style regulation and/or how does it differ from other areas?

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 6:03 pm
by PaulfromYorkshire
Tubby Isaacs wrote:
PaulfromYorkshire wrote:Got it!
Across the country we will enable councils to provide first-class bus services by extending the powers to re-regulate local bus services to all areas that want them, and we will support the creation of municipal bus companies that are publicly run for passengers not profit.
Under the Conservatives, bus fares have risen and services have been cut. Labour will introduce regulations to designate and protect routes of critical community value, including those that serve local schools, hospitals and isolated settlements in rural areas.
London-style regulation in each area would be a good idea. They're run for profits, and still very good, even with the last mayor letting the prices shoot up. The big bus companies own huge fleets of vehicles nationally which cascade down from busier routes in big cities to quieter ones in towns and rural areas. The economies of scale must be pretty formidable. How many municipalities are going to want to run their own services? That sounds like a waste of time.
Hi Tubby

I'm not that bothered about who owns them as long as they treat their employees properly.

But there does need to be coordination and integration between different providers. My pass allows me to travel with any provider in West Yorkshire, but when my kids buy a day ticket it will only be for First. And that's why you have to buy tickets on the buses.

The passengers shouldn't have to worry about who owns the bus. That's the bottom line for me. They should be able to buy a ticket at the newsagents, the bus stop, use an Oyster, touch in and out with debit card or whatever and get fast, connected services.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 6:03 pm
by Tubby Isaacs
As I understand it, TfL in London have much more power to specify routes and timetables.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 6:05 pm
by HindleA
Not buses but trains there has been a card reader thing at our station for about a decade(or seems like it)still not in use.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 6:07 pm
by PaulfromYorkshire
Tubby Isaacs wrote:As I understand it, TfL in London have much more power to specify routes and timetables.
And through ticketing.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 6:08 pm
by PaulfromYorkshire
HindleA wrote:Not buses but trains there has been a card reader thing at our station for about a decade(or seems like it)still not in use.
:roll:

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 6:08 pm
by HindleA
@Tubby cheers.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 6:09 pm
by Tubby Isaacs
PaulfromYorkshire wrote: Hi Tubby

I'm not that bothered about who owns them as long as they treat their employees properly.

But there does need to be coordination and integration between different providers. My pass allows me to travel with any provider in West Yorkshire, but when my kids buy a day ticket it will only be for First. And that's why you have to buy tickets on the buses.

The passengers shouldn't have to worry about who owns the bus. That's the bottom line for me. They should be able to buy a ticket at the newsagents, the bus stop, use an Oyster, touch in and out with debit card or whatever and get fast, connected services.
Hi Paul,

That's a ridiculous situation with your kid's ticket. As you say, coordination needs to be done.

Re workers rights, the bus drivers in London are represented by Unite and have come to some sort of deal with Sadiq Khan that the union were pleased with, and you'd notice a strike if one was happening. Seems to work OK.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 6:09 pm
by tinybgoat
EU diplomats have hit out at Britain’s failure to agree it must pay a hefty financial settlement for Brexit, suggesting the controversy will “stall” the talks.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 47641.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, was preparing to tell the British side that the negotiations served little purpose until Britain engaged seriously with the issue of payments.
“Financial settlement is the priority,” one EU diplomat told the Politico website.
"The EU will not walk away from talks but will stall them. The impression we got so far is that the UK is not ready for these talks."

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 6:14 pm
by HindleA
Have noticed more plusbus things,ie £2 on trainticket then bus.As I have said before the frustration we had was the annoying little journeys by taxis to "integrate"our journeys,but of course I am looking at particularly viewpoint/perspective and don't like spending any money at all mindset.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 6:15 pm
by PaulfromYorkshire
Tubby Isaacs wrote:
PaulfromYorkshire wrote: Hi Tubby

I'm not that bothered about who owns them as long as they treat their employees properly.

But there does need to be coordination and integration between different providers. My pass allows me to travel with any provider in West Yorkshire, but when my kids buy a day ticket it will only be for First. And that's why you have to buy tickets on the buses.

The passengers shouldn't have to worry about who owns the bus. That's the bottom line for me. They should be able to buy a ticket at the newsagents, the bus stop, use an Oyster, touch in and out with debit card or whatever and get fast, connected services.
Hi Paul,

That's a ridiculous situation with your kid's ticket. As you say, coordination needs to be done.

Re workers rights, the bus drivers in London are represented by Unite and have come to some sort of deal with Sadiq Khan that the union were pleased with, and you'd notice a strike if one was happening. Seems to work OK.
Yes I agree London seem to have a workable model.

It just needs rolling out to the rest of the country.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 6:16 pm
by PaulfromYorkshire
HindleA wrote:Have noticed more plusbus things,ie £2 on trainticket then bus.As I have said before the frustration we had was the annoying little journeys by taxis to "integrate"our journeys,but of course I am looking at particularly viewpoint/perspective and don't like spending any money at all mindset.
I've never tried PlusBus precisely because I'd have no confidence that the first bus I got on would accept it.

And as you say that's always assuming you can find the bus stop!

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 6:20 pm
by Tubby Isaacs
Miliband made a fair bit of rolling out the London model to the country, but of course, lost.

I don't recall Livingstone as mayor bothering too much with public ownership of buses, trains, DLR. Even though the tube is publicly owned.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 6:24 pm
by HindleA
I now tend to walk on the basis I'll eventualy find it(hotel usually runs and alone),of course this can backfire and I end up back at the station several hours later and getting a taxi.I still get lost in my own estate.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 6:32 pm
by citizenJA
PaulfromYorkshire wrote:
HindleA wrote:Have noticed more plusbus things,ie £2 on trainticket then bus.As I have said before the frustration we had was the annoying little journeys by taxis to "integrate"our journeys,but of course I am looking at particularly viewpoint/perspective and don't like spending any money at all mindset.
I've never tried PlusBus precisely because I'd have no confidence that the first bus I got on would accept it.

And as you say that's always assuming you can find the bus stop!
Same here!
Many threads below the line and elsewhere I post my request for comprehensive, affordable, easy-to-use, reliable, safe and frequent public transportation. Less pollution, fewer road fatalities, less stress and a realistic alternative for motorists who'd rather not have to own and operate one.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 6:33 pm
by citizenJA
@Tubby Isaacs
Howdy!

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 6:34 pm
by Tubby Isaacs
Hi Citizen!

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 6:35 pm
by 55DegreesNorth
Tubby Isaacs wrote:Miliband made a fair bit of rolling out the London model to the country, but of course, lost.

I don't recall Livingstone as mayor bothering too much with public ownership of buses, trains, DLR. Even though the tube is publicly owned.
Evening folks,
Tyne and Wear used to have a superbly integrated system, with ticketing across bus, metro and ferries, coupled with extensive planned park and ride schemes. It's been a shambles since privatisation, which is why the local authorities tried to take them back under local control a year or two ago. Needless to say, the Tories blocked it.
I got on a bus last week, for the first time in years (from Ebchester to Winlaton Mill, a journey of single figure stops). Being able to pay contactless was nice, paying £4:60 wasn't. I'll stick to the bike or boots in future.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 6:37 pm
by HindleA
Think Leeds had a free city centre bus service linking thing,I may have dreamt it.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 6:38 pm
by PaulfromYorkshire
citizenJA wrote:
PaulfromYorkshire wrote:
HindleA wrote:Have noticed more plusbus things,ie £2 on trainticket then bus.As I have said before the frustration we had was the annoying little journeys by taxis to "integrate"our journeys,but of course I am looking at particularly viewpoint/perspective and don't like spending any money at all mindset.
I've never tried PlusBus precisely because I'd have no confidence that the first bus I got on would accept it.

And as you say that's always assuming you can find the bus stop!
Same here!
Many threads below the line and elsewhere I post my request for comprehensive, affordable, easy-to-use, reliable, safe and frequent public transportation. Less pollution, fewer road fatalities, less stress and a realistic alternative for motorists who'd rather not have to own and operate one.
Exactly.

The truth lies up thread doesn't it? Tories and TBF New Labour felt bus transport and crappy local trains weren't for aspirational folk.

Buses weren't going to win the vote of Mondeo Man :roll:

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 6:39 pm
by PaulfromYorkshire
HindleA wrote:Think Leeds had a free city centre bus service linking thing,I may have dreamt it.
It does. As does Huddersfield.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 6:47 pm
by Tubby Isaacs
Trumpcare not going well. 3 Republican opponents (all women) and this is enough to kill it.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 6:58 pm
by citizenJA
HindleA wrote:Think Leeds had a free city centre bus service linking thing,I may have dreamt it.
You gotta get to Leeds first
Come on, East Midlands Train service!

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 7:02 pm
by Tubby Isaacs
[quote="PaulfromYorkshire"]

Local train services are always going to get the worst trains, cascaded down to them from busier routes. Lots of older than ideal vehicles are still running because of the huge explosion in passenger numbers and train services, plus stuff like overrunning electrification keeps (good) diesel trains going on those bigger lines instead of coming down to smaller lines.

The good news is there are tons and tons of new vehicles coming this year.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 7:03 pm
by citizenJA
55DegreesNorth wrote:
Tubby Isaacs wrote:Miliband made a fair bit of rolling out the London model to the country, but of course, lost.

I don't recall Livingstone as mayor bothering too much with public ownership of buses, trains, DLR. Even though the tube is publicly owned.
Evening folks,
Tyne and Wear used to have a superbly integrated system, with ticketing across bus, metro and ferries, coupled with extensive planned park and ride schemes. It's been a shambles since privatisation, which is why the local authorities tried to take them back under local control a year or two ago. Needless to say, the Tories blocked it.
I got on a bus last week, for the first time in years (from Ebchester to Winlaton Mill, a journey of single figure stops). Being able to pay contactless was nice, paying £4:60 wasn't. I'll stick to the bike or boots in future.
(cJA emphasis)
AAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrRRRRRRRRG!
Get a cab for two+ people for less money door-to-door
Maybe even just one person - £4.60 ????

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 7:05 pm
by citizenJA
I saw an ambulance stuck in traffic trying to get somewhere, emergency
Motor vehicle traffic had to jump the pavement to get out of the way
It wasn't even rush hour
There's a better way

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 7:09 pm
by citizenJA
HindleA wrote:I now tend to walk on the basis I'll eventualy find it(hotel usually runs and alone),of course this can backfire and I end up back at the station several hours later and getting a taxi.I still get lost in my own estate.
The suburban sprawl is designed for individual motor vehicle use

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 7:26 pm
by HindleA
Tubby Isaacs wrote:Trumpcare not going well. 3 Republican opponents (all women) and this is enough to kill it.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/201 ... -obamacare" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 7:27 pm
by citizenJA
citizenJA wrote:
HindleA wrote:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/imme ... melessness

Arse about face Government.
"The regulations will come into effect from October, and are expected to help around 10,000 jobseekers over the next 4 years"
Fewer than fifty (50) people a year expected assistance from this?
Is my reading of this correct?
Immediate access to hardship payments extended to help mental health and homelessness...
The regulations will come into effect from October...
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/imme ... melessness" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(cJA emphasis)
It's not that I think it's wrong helping this demographic, not by any means
Tories have likely created this hardship people are trying surviving through
For mentally ill and/or homeless people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) having had benefits reduced due to sanctions
Less than 2% of all sanctions are JSA benefit related, according to the government's webpage
'Immediate' assistance those eligible will have to wait a couple months before it's available

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 7:37 pm
by HindleA
They are using against UKSA recommendations (mis) use of statistics.

Re: Tuesday 18 July 2017

Posted: Tue 18 Jul, 2017 7:42 pm
by citizenJA
HindleA wrote:They are using against UKSA recommendations (mis) use of statistics you have a one in five chance of being sanctioned.
Tory government are crooked as hell
I can't trust them, their announcements or websites