Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th December 2014

diGriz · Post by **diGriz** » Sat 06 Dec, 2014 11:39 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
StephenDolan wrote:Jesus, is this panel ever going to get its act together?

Theresa May’s child sexual abuse inquiry faces new storm

http://gu.com/p/44x49" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
No, is my take on it - not in its current form. I think the whole thing needs to be scrapped and start again - properly. With proper selection of the panel and thorough negotiation of the terms of reference and form of enquiry - with representation at all stages from the survivors / victims of abuse. As it stands - the current set up is utterly tarnished and not fit for purpose. Take May away from it - she's not handled it capably.

The answer to the question is May but not Theresa.

Spacedone · Post by **Spacedone** » Sat 06 Dec, 2014 11:51 pm

Interesting and fairly long blog post on #CameronMustGo, the media reaction to it and why it's still going strong after two weeks of trending. Hat-tip to voxpoliticalonline.com

http://pawprintsofthesoul.wordpress.com ... -politics/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 12:05 am

Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound · 2h 2 hours ago
IDS also pressing for child benefit to be restricted to 2 kids in future to make welfare savings in next parliament. See Sunday Times

Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound · 2h 2 hours ago
Iain Duncan Smith drawing up plans for line parents to go back to work when kids 2 yrs old not 3 in order to save £12bn

LadyCentauria · Post by **LadyCentauria** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 12:10 am

HindleA wrote:
yahyah wrote:Pickles lying about Labour once only giving pensioners a 50p pension increase.
[Rachel Reeves didn't correct it].

Ok, it was only 75 pence but it was at a time [1999] when pensioner savings were paying higher interest rates than now [over 5% on average in 1999, only 1.75% in 2014] and inflation was only 1.1% RPI.
Labour also announced £100 for pensioner winter fuel allowance & free TV licences for the over 75s that year.

http://paullewismoney.blogspot.co.uk/20 ... p-off.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Posted the above last night if you didn't see it.1.5 million low incomed pensioners will receive 87p increase.

Price then, price now
Amount: (price then)£0.75
Year: 1999
Calculate Result
Result:£1.15

So the 75p increase in 1999 was worth 28p more than this year's 87p increase. Historic price calculated using http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bill ... -1900.html

(Note though that the poorest and richest pensioners will get the full £2.85 increase – it is those who have a small – usually very small indeed - extra pension and rely on the pension guarantee (or whatever it is called) who lose out as that is being reduced by £1.98, leaving them with only an overall increase of 87p)

Whilst here I should correct something I said the other day. I had said that when the £10 Christmas Bonus for some Social Security recipients was introduced (by Ted Heath's Government) in 1972 it had a equivalent spending power of £92. According to this calculator, the correct value should be £123.44. This year, recipients are getting £10.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 12:14 am

goodnight friends
good conversations here today
love
JA

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 12:16 am

rebeccariots2 wrote:
Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound · 2h 2 hours ago
IDS also pressing for child benefit to be restricted to 2 kids in future to make welfare savings in next parliament. See Sunday Times

I don't know why they didn't do this the other year instead of the omnishambles they made instead by trying to means-test it.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 12:18 am

Natalie Rowe retweeted
Amanda @coolchiccy · 1h 1 hour ago
Former Tory home secretary Willie Whitelaw ordered police to scrap inquiry into child sex abuse ring http://dailym.ai/12aJ66R" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Net closing in.

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 12:23 am

StephenDolan wrote:Gove just can't let it go. Is this Morgan trying to get some latitude with teachers? I can't see what the angle / positioning is here.

"A friend of Gove did not deny that the former education secretary was continuing to take a close interest in schools policy, adding that as chief whip he had been asked by the prime minister to feed in advice to No 10 on all areas of government policy"

Education chief fights back in battle with Michael Gove over schools

http://gu.com/p/44x4p" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

From the other article...

Another government source recalled one meeting at the Department for Education: “The atmosphere was creepy and really tense. You could just hear the Gove line being parrotted back all the time.”

Yeah, that'll be Nick Gibb who, IMHO, was only put back into the DfE to make sure that the Gove legacy didn't get watered down.

Why else would they reinstate someone who was sacked two years before?

TechnicalEphemera · Post by **TechnicalEphemera** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 12:55 am

RogerOThornhill wrote:
rebeccariots2 wrote:
Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound · 2h 2 hours ago
IDS also pressing for child benefit to be restricted to 2 kids in future to make welfare savings in next parliament. See Sunday Times

I don't know why they didn't do this the other year instead of the omnishambles they made instead by trying to means-test it.

Because it is a bonkers policy. We need people to have children, it pays pensions for older people. Unless the entire plan is to solve the shortfall by immigration.

Nigel Farage will love that.

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 6:55 am

Went to and returned from pub in good order. Cheek delivered and am feeling somewhat refreshed.

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 7:14 am

Oh - and CMG at #4 more than two weeks on.

Post by **refitman** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 8:22 am

Last night's National Opinion Poll (YouGov):
CON - 32% (+1)
LAB - 32% (-)
UKIP - 17% (+2)
GRN - 7% (-1)
LDEM - 6% (-1)

Come on you Greens!

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 8:24 am

CON - 32% (+1)
LAB - 32% (-)
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Sorry

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 8:31 am

http://www.sundaypost.com/news-views/po ... s-1.723992" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

George Osborne has launched an outspoken attack on his Liberal Democrat colleagues, claiming they could wreak "economic chaos" in a future government.

Presumably positioning themselves for a Tory UKIP pact with the devil.

Oh sorry. They are the devil.

WelshIan · Post by **WelshIan** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 8:40 am

http://voxpoliticalonline.com/2014/12/0 ... uthanasia/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://voxpoliticalonline.com/2014/12/0 ... d-suicide/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

An ESA claimant has explained how an Atos work capability assessor asked her why she had not yet killed herself, after she admitted suffering with depression.

It just gets worse, doesn't it? More than 1 person has been asked this.

I feel physically sick.

mbc1955 · Post by **mbc1955** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 9:07 am

WelshIan wrote:http://voxpoliticalonline.com/2014/12/0 ... uthanasia/

http://voxpoliticalonline.com/2014/12/0 ... d-suicide/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

An ESA claimant has explained how an Atos work capability assessor asked her why she had not yet killed herself, after she admitted suffering with depression.
It just gets worse, doesn't it? More than 1 person has been asked this.

I feel physically sick.

Looking at the first of those two posts put one image immediately into my mind.

A minority among you may be aware of the Dave Sim comic book series Cerebus, a long, complex social and satirical comedy that Sim wrote and drew for 300 issues between 1977 and 2004. At one point in the series, Cerebus becomes the Pope, and uses his position to demand everybody give up to Tarim (the God) all their gold. Because everyone is a fervent believer, they're all doing so.

There's this scene where he's out on the steps of the hotel in which he's staying, haranguing the crowd. For panel after panel, there's a woman at the front holding up a crying, snivelling baby and pleading over and over, 'Bless my Baby, Pope'. After enough time, Cerebus stops, turns to the woman and takes the baby. He kisses the baby on the head, says 'Bless You' and then winds up one hand with the baby and hurls it away over the heads of the crowd, like an American football. The moral he tells the crowd is that sometimes you can get what you want and not get what you want, though it's later referred to as 'One less mouth to feed is one less mouth to feed'.

That was fiction. It was comic, cartoon fiction. It was an outrageous situation in an outrageous setting. It was savage and shocking and utterly hilarious.

I can't believe that's crossed over into real life.

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 9:07 am

WelshIan wrote:http://voxpoliticalonline.com/2014/12/0 ... uthanasia/

http://voxpoliticalonline.com/2014/12/0 ... d-suicide/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

An ESA claimant has explained how an Atos work capability assessor asked her why she had not yet killed herself, after she admitted suffering with depression.
It just gets worse, doesn't it? More than 1 person has been asked this.

I feel physically sick.

Appalling. Any Government that can embrace policies like that has sacrificed the moral right to lead us; anybody who can support such a Government will earn my undying contempt.

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 9:08 am

Sorry. Morning all. Those links infuriated me so much I forgot my manners.

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 9:18 am

Apparently "Tony Blair wants Chuka Umunna to be the next Labour leader"; well, that is his career finished, he may as well give up politics and take up basket weaving or cheese making. *

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... ign=buffer" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

* Both of which, quite frankly, are more worthwhile careers than being a professional politician anyway.

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 9:25 am

Not refreshed for long. That ATOS story is terrifying.

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 9:27 am

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:Apparently "Tony Blair wants Chuka Umunna to be the next Labour leader"; well, that is his career finished, he may as well give up politics and take up basket weaving or cheese making. *

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... ign=buffer" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

* Both of which, quite frankly, are more worthwhile careers than being a professional politician anyway.

If Tony Blair had any sense of anything he would lay low from now on. No-one except Cameron and a bunch of Tories are interested in anything he has to say.

giselle97 · Post by **giselle97** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 9:28 am

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:Apparently "Tony Blair wants Chuka Umunna to be the next Labour leader"; well, that is his career finished, he may as well give up politics and take up basket weaving or cheese making. *

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... ign=buffer" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

* Both of which, quite frankly, are more worthwhile careers than being a professional politician anyway.

Morning. I CAN'T STAND THAT CHUKA UMUNNA BLOKE. REMINDS ME OF CAMERON.

Sorry about the caps - quite intentional to emphasise my rage!

mbc1955 · Post by **mbc1955** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 9:33 am

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:Apparently "Tony Blair wants Chuka Umunna to be the next Labour leader"; well, that is his career finished, he may as well give up politics and take up basket weaving or cheese making. *

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... ign=buffer" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

* Both of which, quite frankly, are more worthwhile careers than being a professional politician anyway.

In a back-handed way, this is actually a tribute to the effectiveness of Ed Milliband in separating Labour from the arid wastelands of New Labour. By the time Ed gets in, Blair's legacy will be shredded.

giselle97 · Post by **giselle97** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 9:35 am

Have a closer look at that Autumn Statement photo. They all look as though they're queuing for the dole!

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014 ... -statement" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I can't seem to get the image in here but zoom in on it in the article. Hilarious

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 9:43 am

tinyclanger2 wrote:
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:Apparently "Tony Blair wants Chuka Umunna to be the next Labour leader"; well, that is his career finished, he may as well give up politics and take up basket weaving or cheese making. *

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... ign=buffer" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

* Both of which, quite frankly, are more worthwhile careers than being a professional politician anyway.
If Tony Blair had any sense of anything he would lay low from now on. No-one except Cameron and a bunch of Tories are interested in anything he has to say.

His messianic complex will never let him admit that his day has passed.

mbc1955 · Post by **mbc1955** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 9:46 am

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
tinyclanger2 wrote:
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:Apparently "Tony Blair wants Chuka Umunna to be the next Labour leader"; well, that is his career finished, he may as well give up politics and take up basket weaving or cheese making. *

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... ign=buffer" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

* Both of which, quite frankly, are more worthwhile careers than being a professional politician anyway.
If Tony Blair had any sense of anything he would lay low from now on. No-one except Cameron and a bunch of Tories are interested in anything he has to say.
His messianic complex will never let him admit that his day has passed.

Recently voted Least Self-Aware Human Being On The Planet for the seventeenth consecutive year (which is impressive whn you consider Simon Cowell's out there).

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 9:52 am

mbc1955 wrote:
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
tinyclanger2 wrote: If Tony Blair had any sense of anything he would lay low from now on. No-one except Cameron and a bunch of Tories are interested in anything he has to say.
His messianic complex will never let him admit that his day has passed.
Recently voted Least Self-Aware Human Being On The Planet for the seventeenth consecutive year (which is impressive whn you consider Simon Cowell's out there).

And Alan Titchmarsh

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 9:56 am

If you think it's appropriate, could someone tweetastic put the ATOS story on CMG - have looked but can't find it and am still counselling self through process of becoming active tweep, twitster, or whatever the term is.

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 9:59 am

tinyclanger2 wrote:If you think it's appropriate, could someone tweetastic put the ATOS story on CMG - have looked but can't find it and am still counselling self through process of becoming active tweep, twitster, or whatever the term is.

Already done.

‏@AndyLucia #CameronMustGo as any Govt that embraces "chequebook euthanasia" is not fit for purpose. With thanks to @MidWalesMike http://voxpoliticalonline.com/2014/12/0 ... uthanasia/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; …

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 10:24 am

Morning ,

Not my place to get annoyed on behalf of others but Clinton cards have got a Christmas card with ten reasons why Santa comes from a Council Estate.It is meant go be funny apparently,maybe me but a poke in the eye with a blunt stick would be more humorous IMHO.

Update.Just tried the latter,not to be recommended but in fact I was correct.I'm a martyr to evidence based "research"

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 10:30 am

George Eaton retweeted
Patrick Wintour @patrickwintour · 16m 16 minutes ago
With Foodbanks report out tomorrow Clegg for first time says Govt should end overnight benefit sanctions and introduce traffic light system.

Isn't that big of him. Just 5 months before an election ...

Mikeems and others here are very right - it's not us that are the cynics. It's phony, self serving moves like this, which have to come from someone who thinks a proportion of the electorate are stupid enough to believe they are acting out of decency .... (Clegg, decency, HAH!) - that show how cynical many of our politicians are.

Dregs Cleggy - you are down with the dregs now.

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 10:33 am

HindleA wrote:Morning ,

Not my place to get annoyed on behalf of others but Clinton cards have got a Christmas card with ten reasons why Santa comes from a Council Estate.It is meant go be funny apparently,maybe me but a poke in the eye with a blunt stick would be more humorous IMHO.

Update.Just tried the latter,not to be recommended but in fact I was correct.I'm a martyr to evidence based "research"

http://www.thejournal.ie/clintons-cards ... 3-Dec2014/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
You piqued my more ghoulish curiosity and it seems the card has been withdrawn since:

Many people felt that the card presented an unflattering view of council tenants.

WARNING: link contains description of card.

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 10:38 am

On the other hand the CMGers are up and tweeting. #CMG back at #1.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 10:39 am

Can tell I'm a bit befuddled this morning. Found myself wondering - for a split second before I realised my mistake - what you meant by goulash curiosity TC ... my eyes, my eyes ... a visit to Vision Express is imminent.

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 10:43 am

Is that as in the Goulash Archipelago?

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 10:43 am

George Eaton retweeted
Tim Montgomerie ن @montie · 1h 1 hour ago
I will run down Whitehall naked (in the spirit of @DPJHodges and @IainDale) if George Osborne ever becomes Tory leader #marrshow

If many more of these bets are made ... Whitehall is going to be a place to be well avoided after the election and resulting fall outs. (no puns or horrid images meant with evil intent).

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 10:44 am

tinyclanger2 wrote:Is that as in the Goulash Archipelago?

Yes - that's right - the Goulash Archipelago as in famous Hungarian dish made with spicy extra long chipolatas.

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 10:53 am

not especially cerebral but I'm afraid this off CGM cheered me up momentarily

: twatt.jpg (32.69 KiB) Viewed 10709 times

danesclose · Post by **danesclose** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 10:57 am

rebeccariots2 wrote:
danesclose wrote:Who'd a thunk it? Osborne's Autumn Statement benefitted his mates in the oil & gas industry!

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014 ... f-comments" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I was rendered speechless for a mo by your avatar - dc. Then I realised ... of course, you're owning being a dog end.

Good on you. We're dog ends and proud of it. But have to say it does look disgusting.

You're right - as someone who stopped smoking 8 years ago even I think it looks awful.
Will have to change it soon

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 11:01 am

Martin Rowson @MartinRowson · Dec 5
Week today @ConwayHall I'll be ranting at length & in truly foul-mouthed way about The Coalition Government. Be there http://conwayhall.org.uk/martin-rowson-2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That might be a good cathartic evening out for someone - or some many. If I were still in London .....

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 11:03 am

danesclose wrote:
rebeccariots2 wrote:
danesclose wrote:Who'd a thunk it? Osborne's Autumn Statement benefitted his mates in the oil & gas industry!

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014 ... f-comments" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I was rendered speechless for a mo by your avatar - dc. Then I realised ... of course, you're owning being a dog end.

Good on you. We're dog ends and proud of it. But have to say it does look disgusting.
You're right - as someone who stopped smoking 8 years ago even I think it looks awful.
Will have to change it soon

Good on you for 8 years without.

I'm 25 years or so without now ... and I still think of it as one of my real 'achievements' - i.e. it was hard, and I managed to do it.

WelshIan · Post by **WelshIan** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 11:35 am

HindleA wrote:Morning ,

Not my place to get annoyed on behalf of others but Clinton cards have got a Christmas card with ten reasons why Santa comes from a Council Estate.It is meant go be funny apparently,maybe me but a poke in the eye with a blunt stick would be more humorous IMHO.

Update.Just tried the latter,not to be recommended but in fact I was correct.I'm a martyr to evidence based "research"

You're in good company in research on blunt sticks and eyes - Newton stuck a darning needle around the side of his eye until it poked the backside in optical experiments!

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 11:37 am

tinyclanger2 wrote:On the other hand the CMGers are up and tweeting. #CMG back at #1.

We've been incentivised.

Will Black ‏@WillBlackWriter · 9h9 hours ago
If you stop tweeting #CameronMustGo God kills a kitten.

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 11:38 am

WelshIan wrote:
HindleA wrote:Morning ,

Not my place to get annoyed on behalf of others but Clinton cards have got a Christmas card with ten reasons why Santa comes from a Council Estate.It is meant go be funny apparently,maybe me but a poke in the eye with a blunt stick would be more humorous IMHO.

Update.Just tried the latter,not to be recommended but in fact I was correct.I'm a martyr to evidence based "research"
You're in good company in research on blunt sticks and eyes - Newton stuck a darning needle around the side of his eye until it poked the backside in optical experiments!

Helluva long needle if he managed to poke his backside.

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 11:41 am

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
tinyclanger2 wrote:On the other hand the CMGers are up and tweeting. #CMG back at #1.
We've been incentivised.

Will Black ‏@WillBlackWriter · 9h9 hours ago
If you stop tweeting #CameronMustGo God kills a kitten.

Is something that cute actually allowed?

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 11:52 am

tinyclanger2 wrote:
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
tinyclanger2 wrote:On the other hand the CMGers are up and tweeting. #CMG back at #1.
We've been incentivised.

Will Black ‏@WillBlackWriter · 9h9 hours ago
If you stop tweeting #CameronMustGo God kills a kitten.
Is something that cute actually allowed?

If it helps get rid of the Tories? Hell yeah!!!

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 12:00 pm

tinyclanger2 wrote:CON - 32% (+1)
LAB - 32% (-)
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Sorry

Let's not forget that many Tory MPs were almost orgasmic after Osborne spoke on Wednesday - and "sources" were claiming they expected a clear poll lead by the weekend.

Whoops

If it makes you feel better, its the third YouGov in a row with the LibDems in fifth

WelshIan · Post by **WelshIan** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 12:34 pm

tinyclanger2 wrote:http://www.bsa-31.natcen.ac.uk/media/38 ... report.pdf British Social Attitudes survey 2014 edition

Big problem with attitudes to unemployment. People live in fear of redundancy yet still blame the unemployed. Any good sources on voluntary and involuntary unemployment? This seems to be an important nut to crack.

I'm not sure if by voluntary you mean those making a 'lifestyle choice'? If you resign a job without a good reason then you can't get JSA for up to 6 months. Even with a good reason you may find it hard to claim!

In response to FOI requests, the DWP has figures for numbers of JSA claimants who have claimed for at least 10 years:

August 2012 - 1,070
Feb 2014 - 1,130

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... b-feb-2014" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Are these people voluntarily unemployed, though, and making a 'lifestyle choice'? We can't conclude that as there are a variety of factors in why they are unemployed. It would be interesting to have an age breakdown of when they 1st became unemployed as some of these may have been made redundant in their 50's and have not been able to get a job since because of their age.

edited to make last sentence read a bit better, I'm sure it could be improved again!

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 12:34 pm

BBC Veteran Paul Lambert joins UKIP's media team as Director of Communications

http://www.ukip.org/bbc_veteran_paul_la ... unications" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Sun 07 Dec, 2014 1:14 pm

Good afternoon.

Coaliton's NewBuy housing scheme is a 95 per cent failure, official figures reveal

A coalition plan to get 100,000 people on to the property ladder by helping them buy new-build properties has actually helped just over 5,000 individuals, official figures have revealed.

Labour said it now takes 22 years to save for a deposit on a typical first home, compared to three years in 1983 for low to middle-income households. (Independent)

Although it should be pointed out that a 95% failure is quite good by the standards of this government.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 08490.html

I see that the Guardian politics page has been dedicated to folk hero Nick Clegg.