Public-private wage divide gets 50% wider

macaque_2

carolt wrote: »

Explain please?
Empire building?
Don't disagree for one minute that there are far more public sector workers than there were a decade ago, but just with the idea that public sector workers club together to rule the world. It's about as ludicrous as any other conspiracy theories.
And would it be better if they were all unemployed?

Its just an old expression to describe people building up their departments to increase their influence and pay. I don't mean that they have a plan to build a secret ruling fraternity (although one has to wonder at times).


http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861608193/empire-building.html

practice of enlarging sphere of authority: the practice of attempting to acquire greater power and authority within an organization, especially by adding extra staff or subordinates

carolt

Have you worked in the public sector at all recently, macaque?

Just don't think you're aware of quite the level of cuts recently - at least in central govt.

I can't claim knowledge of local govt, but certainly life on the ground for those in central govt is that far from empire building, they're just desperately hoping not to face further drastic cuts.

Have read recently of huge cuts at several local authorities, though, so I don't think this is limited to central govt.

Linton

macaque wrote: »

Despite having millions of public officials (or perhaps because of), our economy is in its biggest shambles since the second world war. One scandal follows another. Pensions miss selling, endowments miss selling, shares miss selling, mortgages miss selling, bancrupt banks, price fixing etc. The man on the street gets rogered every time.

This really is nonsense. The economy isnt in its biggest shambles since the second world war. The man in the street is richer in real terms than he has ever been.
OK, there is a hopefully temporary down turn. Projections show perhaps a 3% decrease in GDP, which puts it in real terms back to what it was perhaps 3 or 4 years ago. To talk about shambles - do you remember interest rates at 15% and inflation at 24%? Those figures have been reached in the past 35 years.

Banks have been bailed out by the government before - though with a lot less publicity. In the early 1980's if I remember correctly. The difference this time is that we have a global problem.

The various mis-sellings have only been picked up and compensation awarded because of relatively recent government action. They have undoubtedly been happening for many years, probably ever since financial products were invented. It is only in the past 15 years or so that the very concept of financial product mis-selling was invented - previously it was a case of caveat emptor, no compensation for anything. In this area the man in the street is better protected than ever before.

If you are trying to make a political point perhaps you should check when most of the recent Pension and endowment mis-selling occurred and who was in power then. (clue - it was before 1997).

Really it would be more productive and enlightening if people could base their arguments on facts and knowledge of history rather than tabloid rantings..

BACKFRMTHEEDGE

!!!!!!? wrote: »

All the money sucked up by the government to create redundant public sector jobs could be better spent by individuals and businesses.

Like individuals are rational in their spending habits? All they seem to buy is houses, cars and junk from China. Personally, I prefer a Scandinavian Model for an econmy - good strong public sector in health, education and energy and less conspicuous consumption.

And as for businesses, well banks are businesses and how have they spent their money. Yeh, great big fat bonuses for themselves....

BACKFRMTHEEDGE

Old_Slaphead wrote: »

Probably.

Unemployment on the dole costs around £4000pa whereas unemployment in public sector costs a minimum of £15000pa.

There are plenty of useful things people can do in the public sector for £15000. Indeed, the cost of having someone on the dole is not £4k - you haven't factored in the cost of crime and social unrest......

mewbie_2

BACKFRMTHEEDGE wrote: »

Like individuals are rational in their spending habits? All they seem to buy is houses, cars and junk from China. Personally, I prefer a Scandinavian Model for an econmy - good strong public sector in health, education and energy and less conspicuous consumption.

Yep - a Scandinavian Model would be just the thing.

Oh well.

BACKFRMTHEEDGE

macaque wrote: »

This somewhat proves my point. UK education is in a very sorry state despite Ofsted. Many children are emerging from the process illiterate and innumerate. Many of the brighter children end up doing soft subjects.

This is rubbish. You obviously have never been near a school in years and get your views about Education from a Tory newspaper.

BACKFRMTHEEDGE

mewbie wrote: »

Yep - a Scandinavian Model would be just the thing.

Oh well.

Comes with a cost though - higher taxes - are you still in?;)

mewbie_2

BACKFRMTHEEDGE wrote: »

Comes with a cost though - higher taxes - are you still in?;)

No mate I'm married.

BACKFRMTHEEDGE

mewbie wrote: »

No mate I'm married.

:rotfl::rotfl:LOL

Have you ever thought of giving up your day job and taking to the stage? You are funny! No no you are, I'm being serious. You put that over paid wus Jonathan Ross to shame!