It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

cw18

I've never heard of a council tentant having to contribute towards routine maintainance - and if it's an 'update' instigated by the council then there's no way a tenant should be expected to chip in for that either. The only thing I would see it as acceptable for is an upgrade the tenant has asked for - such as adaptation for disabilities.

My DD recently had workmen replacing the roof on her council house - plus putting an 'overhang' above the front door. The only paperwork she had to complete was a 'survey' as to which colour slates she preferred, and a question as to which of two styles of overhang she wanted. She works, but was never asked about her income/savings.

[Deleted User]

I have only read the last few posts so far as I have so much to catch up on. That sounds like quite some debate there, I`ll catch up later

Well the light at the end of the tunnel is getting much brighter now and if things progress as I think they will, then I will be able to start a new thread about how we DID MANAGE to cling on.

I can`t believe how quickly the time has gone since feb 2006 when this dreadful time was just about to start rearing it`s ugly head. The overall feeling is that life has become more simplistic for many and maybe a new community spirit has been born

We are nearly nearly through, so keep your chins up and stay strong

Churchmouse

ceridwen wrote: »

It was there in the article on that Sky News link published above.

Yes I've read the allegations of workers waving £10 notes out of windows. What I'm looking for is a link to photographic evidence of this, either still photos or video. I find it incredible that nobody would have snapped them doing it, either on proper cameras or on their phones As PP pointed out there were plenty of cameras trained on the first guy to vandalise the bank's window. Unless I see evidence I think I will now totally discredit these allegations. I suppose a lot of spurious allegations are made, to support either side. It now turns out the "protester" who died last night, was a passerby on his way home. So much for the implication his death was somehow associated with police action. Still sad for his family.

zippychick

tim_n wrote: »

BigMummaF - you don't pay them the same because one went through many years of college and university, especially these days where they rack up huge debt and the other could pretty much leave school at 16 and start earning.

Start paying the student who's studying hard (it's a job in itself) and you might have a deal. But I'm guessing the person who might have left school to do the mucky job might be a bit peeved that rather than sticking his hands in smelly u-bends etc he could be at college still learning.


Read the Dispossessed by Ursula LeGuin

How can you be sure the "cleaner" left school at 16 and intended to become a cleaner? All sorts of people end up doing all sorts of jobs, so I wouldn't necessarily assume a cleaner was poorly educated and left school at 16. Circumstances dictate various things as we go through life.

Of course i may have read your post quite wrong and if that is the case i apologise.

daska

tim_n wrote: »

BigMummaF - you don't pay them the same because one went through many years of college and university, especially these days where they rack up huge debt and the other could pretty much leave school at 16 and start earning.

Start paying the student who's studying hard (it's a job in itself) and you might have a deal. But I'm guessing the person who might have left school to do the mucky job might be a bit peeved that rather than sticking his hands in smelly u-bends etc he could be at college still learning.

Capitalism is complex and unfair, but it generally works which is why it's more in use today then ever before.

Trouble with the world is that we're on it. We don't control population, everyone is generally free to do what they want. Put in place population control so we'd reach a sustainable level, make sure everyone obeys the laws and everyone is allocated a job and we'll truely have our orwellian future!

Read the Dispossessed by Ursula LeGuin

I studied hard and had a good job then had to give up work through illness and now survive on benefits. What should I be paid? The same as the person who didn't bother or a rate comensurate with my effort? BTW, they do pay students from poor families to stay in education - up to £30/week.

Soubrette

tim_n wrote: »

BigMummaF - you don't pay them the same because one went through many years of college and university, especially these days where they rack up huge debt and the other could pretty much leave school at 16 and start earning.

Start paying the student who's studying hard (it's a job in itself) and you might have a deal. But I'm guessing the person who might have left school to do the mucky job might be a bit peeved that rather than sticking his hands in smelly u-bends etc he could be at college still learning.

Capitalism is complex and unfair, but it generally works which is why it's more in use today then ever before.

Trouble with the world is that we're on it. We don't control population, everyone is generally free to do what they want. Put in place population control so we'd reach a sustainable level, make sure everyone obeys the laws and everyone is allocated a job and we'll truely have our orwellian future!

Read the Dispossessed by Ursula LeGuin

Tim, you can't have it both ways I'm afraid - either we follow a capitalist system where jobs in demand command a premium or we follow a meritocracy where people are rewarded for their efforts.

There are plenty of my rather clever friends who went to university and resent the fact that plumbers and other manual workers are paid much better than they are - but that is supply and demand.

(maybe they shouldn't have done archeology and philosophy degrees (I'm teasing) )

BigMammaF -you could try reading BF Skinner's book Waldon2 for some ideas on how everyone could be paid (his idea was more that unpopular jobs were paid more rather than we were all paid the same).

Sou

bunny999

zippychick wrote: »

How can you be sure the "cleaner" left school at 16 and intended to become a cleaner? All sorts of people end up doing all sorts of jobs, so I wouldn't necessarily assume a cleaner was poorly educated and left school at 16. Circumstances dictate various things as we go through life.

Of course i may have read your post quite wrong and if that is the case i apologise.

I've known lots of graduates who have worked as cleaners. These days there are plenty of graduates who can't get a job as a cleaner or anything else.

ceridwen

kittie wrote: »

Well the light at the end of the tunnel is getting much brighter now and if things progress as I think they will, then I will be able to start a new thread about how we DID MANAGE to cling on.

I can`t believe how quickly the time has gone since feb 2006 when this dreadful time was just about to start rearing it`s ugly head. The overall feeling is that life has become more simplistic for many and maybe a new community spirit has been born

We are nearly nearly through, so keep your chins up and stay strong

Well....I'll keep my chin/s up kittie...but I'm still sitting here chortling with laughter thinking "Maybe I need a blood transfusion of Kittie's optimism"....'cos I must admit from where I'm sitting right now things still look on a downward slope to me

...course being a Transition Towner I see a brighter long-term future:D ....but I'm not laying any bets for the next couple of years or so me.....

Penelope_Penguin

BigMummaF wrote: »

We need dustmen as much as a brain surgeon so why not pay them the same :wall:

Are you serious Surgeons are paid a premium as they need a vast amount of knowlege. Maybe, even more importantly, they take a huge amount of responsibility. If a bin-collector makes a mistake, you get scruffy streets; if a surgeon makes a mistake the results can be catastrophic.

Pay everyone the same, and why would anyone train

Penny. x

mardatha

I worked all my life is rubbish jobs inc mills and cleaning - yet I could have gone to Uni & was a member of Mensa. But putting shoes on kids' feet was more important LOL ! I found many great and intelligent people in the oddest places in life.