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Debate House Prices & the Economy

BBC had a refugee on the news this morning
and they showed his journey, from Sudan, via Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and then boat to Greece. So, how did he get from the safety of Greece to the UK? Surely he was safe in Greece (or Turkey, or even Jordan). Then he was safe in the other umpteen countries he went through to get here. The question is: 1. Why did he wait to…
Tory housing association policy was condemned by their own minister 18 months ago!
Perhaps the Tories are so desperate for populist policies, they will repeat the disastrous sell off of council properties which led to the long term shortage of social rented accommodation. However, this statement from the Tory housing minister 18 months ago proves they fully understand the problems, and are far more…
They think its all over....It is now...
The HPC gang really have thrown in the towl this time...:beer: http://www.housepricecrash.co.uk/forum/index.php?/topic/204118-is-it-time-to-give-up/
The Stakhanovite desire to be Really Useful Engines
AKA When Economists Breed: https://medium.com/bull-market/the-economics-and-politics-of-thomas-the-tank-engine-8bbc05494b08 This examines the ownership structure of the railway system on Sodor. Their polity, e.g. is The Earl a mere figurehead or holder of genuine power holder as a balance to the clear hegemonic position of…
every little had better help... Tesco massive loss
Breaking news on Sky, will put link up when I get one. Sky reporting that Tesco likely to report a £5bn loss tomorrow, one of the largest ever in UK corporate history. ETA.. link: http://news.sky.com/story/1469652/tesco-loss-to-be-among-biggest-in-uk-history
The economy and the Green argument
Just occasionally, you hear a snippet on a debate program which makes you think. Most of these debates are the usual old rhetoric statements. The debate was about being Green and each party was doing it's utmost to mostly talk about how worthy they were. A point was then made. If you factor in the services and goods…
The Lawyer Apocalypse of Uber
I've posted before that Uber's business model is basically to set up an illegal minicab service dressed up as a software platform. Well it looks like I'm not the only one that thinks so: http://www.breitbart.com/california/2015/04/16/with-catastrophic-liability-jury-trial-looming-uber-dumps-counsel/ According to the…
Land Reg.. fall of 0.8%
Release date: 20 April 2015 March House Price Index - headline figures from Land Registry’s HPI show an annual price increase of 5.3 per cent with the average price in England & Wales now £178,007 compared with a peak of £181,049 in November 2007. Monthly house prices down 0.8 per cent since February 2015.…
UK debt 900% of our economy......
The debt time bomb that is Britain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy5NwxeQzGM
The Economics of Money and Banking
Upcoming free Coursera course. Given how many times we've discussed this subject hereabouts I thought there may be a few takers. It's in two parts. The Economics of Money and Banking part I, starts 3rd May https://www.coursera.org/course/money Part I covers: Course Syllabus Introduction 1: The Four Prices of Money 2: The…
Rent Seeking
I have occasionally sought to explain economic terms as I see them and thought I would look at rent seeking. To start with what it isn't, it's not renting stuff out: it's not Air BnB or Uber! Rent seeking occurs as a result of Government actions in the economy. An example of rent seeking is the use of subsidies in…
Has Capitalism Met the Marxist Utopia?
https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/download/Marx_Critque_of_the_Gotha_Programme.pdf Karl Marx's most famous quote was probably, "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need". For many people that sums up Marxism at a stroke: you do an honest day's work and you receive in return what is…
Boomers at my work boasting of property wealth
Two boomers at my work were boasting about their property wealth this lunchtime, loudly so the whole office could hear. One and a half million quid plus between them. Both on lower positions than me as they near retirement. All the other boomers were nodding and smiling in satisfaction. Meanwhile the Gen X'ers and…
Unemployment down to 5.6%
At the last general election it was 7.9% and climbing. I generally support the idea that running a huge deficit is unsustainable and therefore the budget had to be tightened but would never have bet that whilst this was going on we would have seen a sharp fall in unemployment, indeed I thought an increase to 10% much more…
Manifest Stupidity V: Stitched up Like a Kipper
This time I've got the pleasure of reading the UKIP manifesto so you don't have to. I expect it to be long on almost-racism and short on love but we'll see. Economy. Less income tax (highest tax free threshold of the larger parties), no IHT, less VAT. Leave the EU which means tax can be the purview of the UK Government.…
I wonder who made money out of this?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32314895 Looks like some dodgy dealings here. No doubt their share prices rocketed after the announcement and I'm sure there are few on the inside who have done rather handsomely out of this.
Nick Clegg: The choice is me, Salmond or Farage
:eek: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32311736 ........................
Manifest Stupidity IV: The SNP Launch A Thousand Manfesti
For some reason, the SNP seem to be launching several manifestos/manifesti. I have no idea why this is a good reason but then I have no idea why the SNP are a good idea. I will try to collate them and post them here. Any help with links would be greatly appreciated. I have the families manifesto:…
Manifest Stupidity III - Tory Toffs and the Terrible Plots
Now we're on to the Tories who apparently have a plan for every stage of your life which is more than I have for mine....... > Economy. Run a surplus. Increase tax thresholds to £12,500 and £50,000. No VAT increase just like last time. Crack down on tax evasion and 'aggressive avoidance'. Reduce spending by 1% a year from…
Why is nobody selling?
At least that's the way it seems. Saw a headline the other day saying % of houses sold every year has dropped from 12.5 to 5. Normally there are a dozen or so properties on in our area, with most gone by summer. Now there are only two or three, which go immediately. The same is true in the area we would like to move to.…

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