http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/uk-slides...-083031693.html

Very bad news.

You ain't seen nothing yet. The brown stuff is set to get smellier and deeper.

It is of course a possibility but what makes you say that?

I don't say it is good news, but when the issues are around .1% I do not see death and destruction. In addition, the prime impact is coming from the Eurozone issues, which are totally outside our control. Indeed, some say the forthcoming French elections could lead to a furore that will make Greece look like a day at the races.....

The full impact of the cuts are yet to take affect.

The cuts should infact help us out of recession by saving public spending. In my opinion they have not cut nearly enough on Welfare.

I agree with that.

According to the news, there has been modest growth in most sectors, apart from the construction industry, which at -3% has dragged the overall figure below the line.

Well cuts have helped put us in it, so I'd like to think so. The problem with the welfare cuts are that a large amount of people will be made destitute.

It's complex and provactive and some will really be worse off but there are those that are exploiting the benefits system and perhaps will have to cut down on their beer and fags.

You also have the huge tax credits bill, thousands of families having 4+ kids with no way to support them without their generous tax credits payment each month. Daddy works in tesco, mummy stays home full time and they claim child tax credits, working tax credits and end up as well off as people who much higher end jobs.

Nothing wrong with that. Used to be the norm.

If they can afford to stay home without a huge handout in tax credits then thats fine, when you are collecting more in tax credits than you pay in tax then clearly we have a situation is'nt sensible.

It was also the norm for women to go out cleaning in the evening to help pay for the children that they had. Many also did piece work at home whilst they looked after the kids.
Fathers were also expected to stay around and support their kids.
It's too easy to push out kids and expect the state to pay for their care and upbringing.
There needs to be a change of thinking from both goverment and society.

I think a greater problem than all that, is a decline in meaningful work, compared to the halcyon days of yore.

The rot started as yearly as the 70s with the housing price explosion. Our housing policy on its own has helped screw this country, that and access to unsecured credit.

While some of the detail above might be true, it is way too simplistic, and doesn't make anything right.

If you cut welfare payments, then there will be less money being spent within the economy.

And welfare payments have to be funded by taxation or borrowing. High taxes do not equal growth and interest on borrowing cripples the economy too.

Just think what the figures would be like if Dave and Co had not made everyone dash to purchase petrol and Diesel before the end of March by ordering people to hoard petrol? Even though there was no strike planned on the nearest horizon. Millions extra was purchased so if you take that figure into account then were really are in a serious recession.

There is only so much one can buy oneself.

Far batter to tax those with & give it to those without. The less well off tend to spend more too.

You'd love that eh?

Well of course Brioche is Better than Batter.
As the Queen perhaps said whilst facing a nasty sharpy thing.

I am worth quite a lot but I don't have any money.
So take my house. Sounds like African Politics to me.
ce

I agree with the principle that the wealthy should help the poor. But who are "the rich".

I have some seriously wealthy clients - the very rich, if you like. These people are completely mobile and will domicile themselves and/or invest where they think they will do best. They think nothing of moving themselves and their families around the world to avoid punitive taxation. Like them or hate them, they provide employment.

We need to strike a balance between helping the needy, and not discouraging investment.

Too true.

But as the wealthy provide employment with their spending, so do the less fortunate.

Yes, we need everyone to be out spending more in the shops. But better that money comes from overseas than a tax take from UK businesses and working people.

I think we also need a long term economic strategy that isn't just tied to value added services and housing.

Just being realistic. Just ask yourself why Dave and Co tried to get people to purchase petrol at the ned of the month what was the reason for it?

Even so Dave's plan failed and we are in a recession as predicted by others who he tried to rubbish as talking nonsense when predicting a further recession. Can't escape facts I'm afraid?

Yes, we've become quite the B-ark haven't we. Didn't this government make some promise about supporting the development of manufacturing and engineering? Went the way of the Big Society promise I suppose.

Well after todays downpours.
I am fairly happy with the new roof. (The cost of an affordable home.).....
Which has kept builders,scaffolders, painters,carpenters busy since January.

The company has been decrying the lack of interest in locals to take on work.
It was offered by the company founders son,now in his 80s. (His son retired at 70).
The 80 year old works every day.

From a newspaper article and I loosely post . "They are hungover, don't turn up,and are stupid".
ce

Did you translate that from the original German?

Hmmmm, maybe in your conspiracy laden world............

It is only a technical recession and a tiny drop in output. I think by the end of the year growth will be much more vigorous.

But, I think the government does need to cut taxes to get firms and individuals spending again.

Is there? I have no trouble spending my cash and if I had more I would spend more.

A very noble statement and perhaps you might like to give your money away to the lazy and feckless. Personally I would like the choice to give mine to the deserving and my own family.

For the record it is no harder to buy a house now than it is was in the 70s and 80s, yes prices are high but interest rates are low. The problem these days is peopple want to move out of their parents into a 4 bed detached.

LOL, lazy & feckless - about 0.5% of the population.

I don't care if there were only 5 of them I still don't want to, nor should I be required to, give away my hard earned cash to some tosser or tosseress who can't be bothered to get out of bed in the morning.
I'm very happy to support those that for genuine reasons can't help themselves but there are too many taking the p*ss.

Been watching too much 'Shameless' again?

Sorry I haven't got clue what you mean and what sensible point you are struggling to make.

It ain't rocket science.

If you are struggling, maybe you should cease making generalisations.

I think you have a problem undersatnding what is being written. I haven't made a generalization I have given a personal opinion which, if it's OK with you, I will continue to do.

LOL, carry on. & I'll continue to give my opinion of yours.

anyway, gotta get out of bed & go & cash me giro

That's fine with me.

Why wouldn't that surprise me. LOL priceless.

how else do you think I can be on the NWN forum 24/7.

what's your excuse?

self employed

From the 70s, house prices soared. Yes people like to have a big house, but the problem is there are not enough houses of modest size being built to move to. Couple that with rising underlying unemployment and insufficient job security as we slowly outsource low skill work, we are knackered.


At the end of the day, this isn't just about the welfare state, or the NHS, or the cost of housing, or immigration, or lack of well paid jobs, or inadequate education, or the cost of energy; it is the whole lot.

Failed by a political system geared to short term gain.

Obviously not at the moment.

Actually yes, I'm multi-tasking.