Unions protest because contractors are using foreign workers at power station.

Wookster

The fact is that absolutely stupid property prices in the UK make it one of the most expensive places to do business.

High property prices drive up other price levels.

Realistically we need to see another 40% fall in prices for the UK to regain some of its competitive strength.

chopperharris

Wookster wrote: »

The fact is that absolutely stupid property prices in the UK make it one of the most expensive places to do business.

High property prices drive up other price levels.

Realistically we need to see another 40% fall in prices for the UK to regain some of its competitive strength.

I agree but theres a problem.

If the prices decrease then theres no movement on the chain in the middle?Sure the first time buyers benefit but only NEW properties assume those reduce accordingly.BUT if theres neg eq then the next rung they cant or wont move unless they are repossessed and the lender sells at a considerable loss.

its a rubix cube of a pickle.

Wookster

chopperharris wrote: »

its a rubix cube of a pickle.

It is - and that's what makes this recession such a nasty one. All our failing and excesses of the last 16 years are coming home to roost.

The emergent economy will be muchly different to what it is now - there was in interesting article on the FT (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/9a4949b2-e8c6-11dd-a4d0-0000779fd2ac,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9a4949b2-e8c6-11dd-a4d0-0000779fd2ac.html&_i_referer= - I have exceeded my quota so can't quote it) but that seemed to think of much lower growth rates, lower house prices, less immigrants, the first two of which, if we'd had we would have avoided this mess.

Any

b0rker wrote: »

Any,

Where about are you from yourself?

The way you speak/type reminds me of the way my Polish girlfriend speaks/writes.

I am originaly from Czech Republic. Living in England for the last 5 years.

And when I reffered to those Scottish field with strawberies - I used to be on one of them myself.
Long time ago..

Any

Any wrote: »

I am originaly from Czech Republic. Living in England for the last 5 years.

And when I reffered to those Scottish field with strawberies - I used to be on one of them myself.
Long time ago..

And before some of the people accuse me of stealing their job...I doubt it.
When I came over the only work there was was an unskilled work - I work in the fields for £0.70 £1 a box of strawberries picked. Then I met my husband (English) and decided to stay. No qualifications from Czech were recognised and I had to go to College all over again. Noone would give me a job - not even though they could pay me less, if they couldn't recognise that I can do it. Paid thousand of £ for college etc (I am chartered accountant) while working in the pub at night - yes, you guessed it, for minimum wage.
Now I get paid the same level of pay as Brits. Except that I am bosses favourite because I haven't had a day off sick leave in my entire career:-)

hethmar

Ive worked in fields picking strawberries, (its called a chip, not a box ) Ive worked in orchards picking pears - because I had two young children and I couldnt get a full time job. Im not sure about this myth of not being able to get fruit pickers from the English population. I remember some consternation years back because the farmers were paying less to foreigners and students because he was housing and feeding them and it meant those of us who earnt some money doing the work were unable to.

I know many people who have done the job. Oh, and my OH hasnt had one day off sick in 25 years. (Surely if you have been here just 5 years, part of that picking strawberries and then spending thousands on college courses - just how long can your career have been?)

Dont tar the Brits as all being lazy and workshy.

I am happy for people to come here, work their butts off and prosper. I am not happy that I am worried about walking down the street because of the numbers of young male foreigners (not working) standing around in groups, learing at women, spitting on the ground as you walk by and yet getting housed and fed by our taxes. By all means let us have people who contribute to our society but those who choose not to and who break our laws should be shifted back without all the nonsense of appeals and so on.

Any

hethmar wrote: »

Ive worked in fields picking strawberries, Ive worked in orchards picking pears - because I had two young children and I couldnt get a full time job. Im not sure about this myth of not being able to get fruit pickers from the English population.

I know many people who have done the job.

There is a difference between getting English people and getting enough. Noone says that noone wants to work. There are just some people.

hethmar

And had the farmer not paid lesser wages Im sure he would have had more than enough English people.

Im not blaming people coming here for a better life, Im sure Id do the same if I thought Id prosper elsewhere. I dont like any one, including our home grown low lifes, riding on the back of the hard workers who have made this country so desirable for others.

I just hope to god that if the Tories get in they will walk the walk and get the country back to some sort of order and sense with less PC nonsense and a lot more common sense. The British are easy going people who are incredibly tolerant. I think that tolerance is being tested too hard and some people regard our generosity as foolishness to be exploited. That has to end.

hethmar

Oh and Id also add, I know one Doctor of Zoology who is currently employed as a hotel porter and a chartered accountant who is working as a post man. They have been unable to get jobs in their own specialised fields. These arent unskilled labourers. I was even talking to a Professor of Prosthetics recently who fears he is about to be made redundant and is thinking of being a pest controller!

Any

hethmar wrote: »

Oh and Id also add, I know one Doctor of Zoology who is currently employed as a hotel porter and a chartered accountant who is working as a post man. They have been unable to get jobs in their own specialised fields. These arent unskilled labourers. I was even talking to a Professor of Prosthetics recently who fears he is about to be made redundant and is thinking of being a pest controller!

Better person for the job... I have a czech friend - builder who also lost his job.. It doesn't go by nationality..