Positive action - what do you/can you do?

carolt

Lots of threads on here every day about everything that's wrong with Britain/the economy/life in general.

I was inspired yesterday by coming across these chaps:

http://www.pricedout.org.uk/

in this article in the Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/mar/15/first-time-buyers-priced-out

They're clearly not very large scale yet, given even I, with my obsessive interest in all things house-price related, hadn't heard of them, though they've been around since 2006 and claim to have 2000 members.

I plan to become member 2001 - save me setting up an equivalent organisation myself - no need to reinvent the wheel and all that.

Anyone fancy joining me? I reckon they could do with a hand on the old publicity front - doesn't appear to be their strong point (yet).


Or if not, what else do you personally plan to do to improve our economy/Britain?

All positive suggestions welcomed.

When_is_the_reset?

Thanks for the pointer to this group, it looks interesting.

Anyone with this message gets my support.

Graham_Devon

PricedOut is the only independent group that campaigns on behalf of priced out first time buyers and owner occupiers. We represent the 1.2 million first time buyers who have been denied their own home because government policy gives billions in tax breaks to property speculators. We actively campaign the Government to increase housing affordability by:

• Increasing taxation on buy-to-let and multiple home ownership;
• Building more homes;
• Improving tenants' rights;
• Improving the sustainability of the housing market, preventing a further boom in house prices.

Can't say I can argue with the four main points. Seem rather sensible to me. I just hope they mean multiple property ownership in terms of holiday homes, and not a bedsit in london for the week job and a family home somewhere else.

carolt

Don't think that would be defined as 'multiple'.

Why not join them, Graham, and help define their stance?

A man with your drive and writing abilities...?

Graham_Devon

carolt wrote: »

Don't think that would be defined as 'multiple'.

Why not join them, Graham, and help define their stance?

A man with your drive and writing abilities...?

F'k that if I have to write something

Kohoutek

Graham_Devon wrote: »

[
[/I]

• Increasing taxation on buy-to-let and multiple home ownership;
• Building more homes;
• Improving tenants' rights;
• Improving the sustainability of the housing market, preventing a further boom in house prices.

Can't say I can argue with the four main points. Seem rather sensible to me. I just hope they mean multiple property ownership in terms of holiday homes, and not a bedsit in london for the week job and a family home somewhere else.

It rewards people who see property as being a place to live, a fundamental necessity, and penalises people who see it as an 'investment'. So in other words, the majority of people on this board will hate it!

fc123

carolt wrote: »

Or if not, what else do you personally plan to do to improve our economy/Britain?

All positive suggestions welcomed.

I read the link and it seems to be only about house prices etc not ideas to revive the economy etc??

I was full ofeconomy reviving ideas but it was HP-centric.

Personally good for them though the whole lack of social housing, like in the olden days, seems to be more of a driving factor as loads of 'investors' bought/are buying up stuff to let to those on HB or part HB as on tax credits and low pay. Private LL are providing the new 'council houses' and the rents are picked up by HB.
Some accountant/maths wizz deep in the bowels of Westminister has worked out this is cheaper/less hassle for Govt. than building and renting subsidised housing.


We started out in LH concrete flat and it was cheap, depressing, infested but dry ...but we got the chance to save, move out and buy. When we first moved in, raising the rent each month was a struggle for the 1st year but we worked and earnt more and had enough to save.

Took 3 years and we gave it back when we left.

My very good friend is trapped by HB and tax credits system as the more she earns, she can't save as her take home remains static.

carolt

Kohoutek wrote: »

It rewards people who see property as being a place to live, a fundamental necessity, and penalises people who see it as an 'investment'. So in other words, the majority of people on this board will hate it!

You've not been here that long, Kohoutek, so I'll forgive you that amusing error.

If truth be told, there are only actually about 3 'bulls' on here - Hamish, chucky and Really (plus all chucky's 'friends and relations...ahem) - actually, the vast majority of posters on here are far from bullish. But - they have jobs, so don't post non-stop all day. And don't share Hamish's obsession or indeed, his stamina (few could ).

Don't fall into the trap of imagining that balance of posts = balance of posters.

Some posters are just rather more prolific than others. To an extent that michaels suggested Hamish might actually be a full-time Labour apparatchik, paid to tip the balance of opinion re the housing market (and hence the election) via non-stop postings on here and elsewhere. :eek:

Which I think is somewhat unlikely.

However, there is no doubt that Hamish's posting barrage tends to obscure the real direction of the forum. Whether intentionally or accidentally.

Do not be misled.

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

carolt wrote: »

I plan to become member 2001 - save me setting up an equivalent organisation myself - no need to reinvent the wheel and all that.

That smacks of desperation.....

If you were really convinced house prices will be crashing soon, you'd have no need to join a campaigning organisation.;)

The bears sure are getting rattled.:rotfl:

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

carolt wrote: »

However, there is no doubt that Hamish's posting barrage tends to obscure the real direction of the forum. Whether intentionally or accidentally.

Do not be misled.

I think we all know what the majority of people on this forum think will be the future direction of house prices.

The reason we know is because Martin has helpfully provided a poll, and the sheer number of responses makes it "too big to rig" by the hpc crowd.

Last time I checked, 70% or so were expecting prices to remain stable or rise.;)

carolt

fc123 wrote: »

I read the link and it seems to be only about house prices etc not ideas to revive the economy etc??

I was full ofeconomy reviving ideas but it was HP-centric.

It is about house prices - specifically re FTBs, which as you know is a particular bugbear of mine.

But that's not to say it's the only issue or even the main issue that needs sorting out there in the economy - that's why I asked for suggestions generally. Little or large.

Obviously, we tend to have a bit of a housing bias on this board, but our collective interests are wide and our knowledge deep, so I'd like to think we - the MSE Shadow Cabinet - can come up with some other solutions to major issues.

Any more thoughts, fc?