A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

paidinchickens

katieowl wrote: »

I've signed the petition too.

I've just been reading in the Daily Wail about placing homeless families in accomodation out of London to save money -
(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2103298/Send-Hull-London-house-homeless-north-save-money-rent.html) - So that's REALLY going to help isn't it :mad: Dumping a whole load more people in an already disadvantaged area where there's bu&&er all work for those that live there already!



Kate

I thought people in Hull were still living in caravans in their front gardens because of the flooding issues they had??? Or are they going to put them in caravans as well :eek:

Byatt

prepareathome wrote: »

I bought these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ecozone-Biobulb-Energy-Saving-Daylight-Bayonet/dp/B000F5FNXE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329683679&sr=8-1

What I like is it fills whole room with white light where as SAD Lamp is only that a lamp and lights just a small area. I usually don't like having ceiling lights on but this is like having sun shining in the room - its like being in harsh bright light, so I found I had to build up my use of it as I got headaches, so did half an hour a day for a bit then a bit longer etc., etc until I can now have it on hours without it causing any. If you have it on and put a normal lamp on you really can see how white the light is from it and how yellow the lamp light is - normal long life bulbs. It was someone on the preparing for winter thread that mentioned Biobulbs and I will be eternally grateful to them as although expensive I think they are worth every penny ( mine has been in use 4 months now, ok not all day every day but I hope it lasts me the winter, it will be worth buying one a year if it keeps depression at bay). I also have one in the study as so much better for working under and thinking of maybe putting on in the hall as its such a dark deary place no matter how we decorate it but hubby likes to have the hall light on all night and I think we will go through quite a few bulbs then and get a bit expensive, so can't decide.

Thanks PAH, I might give it a go. My cottage is low ceilened and dark, so it would be useful to have a natural light.

Gardenia, I'd give anything to be 43 again. With each passing decade, I realise I didn't appreciate the age I was half as much as I would do now!

Winchelsea

smileyt - I've signed the petition. The least we can do.

Have been doing a catch-up read - thanks all for some good thought-provoking stuff.

Hugs to all those who need them.

Have been to a Quaker event on Sustainability today - very interesting - met a lot of people who would make good MSE-ers!
Lots of ideas on saving energy. One I like is for people who live alone to have shared meals. Take turns to entertain and cook - would save gas or leccy in actual cooking, also no heat being used in your own home while you're eating out! There were a few of us from Bath there, so a possibility this may happen.

anguk

rosieben wrote: »

they're not only telling off, they're deleting the threads! free speech!!

interesting reading here

Argos was one of the places that my DD looked for temporary work over Christmas, I was quite surprised that they weren't taking on Christmas staff because they normally do. Now I know why! They were getting free labour from Workfare! :mad:

I agree that jobless people may need work experience but I think it's a disgrace that these companies are using workfare as a way of getting a free workforce.

Byatt

aaaghhhhhhh, I lost another post whilst trying to save!!! I give up!

meme30

Well mucky part of decorating is done. I was right about the amount of stuff that was in the old wardrobes.:eek: Why is it when you are decorating one room the rest of the house looks like such a 'tip!?' Old wardrobes are going to a new home so pleased about that. Would have been a waste to junk them, freecycle was my next option.
Have spent the weekend catching up on how you are all doing, just no energy to post.
PIC Loved the 'Dobby' image.
MrsLW We have had both butter and cheese in tins before, was very good. We got them abroad tho
PAH Can't believe you stayed of the ciggies! Well done you. Liked the sound of the Bio light, simple help for a complicated condition. Sounds like it's a tough time of year for you.:grouphug:

Have been horrified by the posts about the workfare programme. I have long felt that this government has no idea how the ordinary people of this country think/live/exist! So many people are dependant on benefits in one way or another. Whoever said that people should be paid a decent living wage so that they did not need top-ups was right. A proper wage for a real weeks work....why is it so hard to achieve?
Many younger working people regard tax credits as a normal thing. They really aren't. They trap people in jobs and lull them into a false sense of well being. When you lose them it has a devastating effect on their families.
Both of my DD's work with people who have manipulated their work hours so they will receive the maximum amount of 'free' money. Who can blame them! We all like the sound of that! Having reduced their working hours they are now facing losing that 'free' money with no chance of resuming their former hours. Of course you will have realised that these are women I am talking about. Earning a so called second wage, which has become so essential to pay the bills!

You will have worked out by now that although 'Bu88ered' by the decorating I have been incensed by your posts! Did not have the arms left to write tho!

Have just seen the story about the man in Sweden trapped in a car since 19th December! :eek: Just shows there is hope for them stuck up a hill in Scotland! :rotfl:

debtfreenow

I disagree with some of the ideas now being put forward by the Government. Certainly I have distinct reservations about Workfare (though these centre mainly round not wishing to see paid workers displaced and I think possibly there may be some call for it from the pov of the people themselves, as there are a few people who have chosen to be unemployed rather than having it forced onto them, ie because they cant get a job).

Working Tax Credit was introduced in order to supplement the wages of those on low pay and wasn't designed to enable people to choose to work shorter hours than they otherwise would do. Most of us would like to work shorter hours, but accept that it's not fair to expect to deliberately cut our own hours and ask the State (ie the rest of us) to make up the difference. These young women concerned would have been wise to leave their hours as they were and regard any WTC they got as "extra" money. MSE Martin himself has said that people should never base their budget on any "extra" money they receive.

LavenderBees

smileyt wrote: »

Petition against workfare here if anyone wants to sign it (sorry if it's been shared before, I am losing track!):
https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/29356

Companies like Tesco can afford to pay wages out of their zillions of profits :mad:!

Am off to do some cross-stitch for a while in the hope that I will calm down a bit. I hope all the poorlies on here manage a good night's sleep xxx

Morning, all,

I've signed this petition. Bleeding disgrace! Thanks for highlighting the issue.

LB xx

debtfreenow

GreyQueen

Guessing you've all learnt how to do THE Look when facing occupants of Benefit World then? That is the Look that can be read in 10 seconds flat as "I see straight through you and I'll take no nonsense, so Shut Up and Go".

I think people in the sort of job you are in need quick wits to work out who is Genuinely Unemployed and show appropriate care/concern on the one hand and who deserves THE Look on the other hand.:cool:

I think the shopkeeper in a small shop I'm a regular customer at was thoroughly amused when he was having trouble (again) with a Nuisance Customer when I walked in the other door. Nuisance Customer had been summed up and given THE Look by me in that 10 seconds flat and was on his way out the door:rotfl:. So there are some aspects of a worklife that can come in handy personally outahours;)

VJsmum

Phew!! She's gone. For a moment I thought I was going to have a battle on my hands getting DD (15) to school. She was complaining of headaches and poorly tum but I think it's "I haven't been to school for nearly 2 weeks and just don't want to go". Anyway she's gone and will be fine, i'm sure.

SO, what to do with my day? I have washing and tidying, lunch with friend for a mutual offload (so important, don't you think? ). Have to do some birthday pressie shopping too. My sister wants a couple of Maeve Binchy books, but I think I might scour the charity shops for some decent looking ones and then get her a voucher for a posh clothes shop. I don't think she'd be offended by the second hand books - I once asked her for a pile of charity shop books so I could read them in the bath without guilt. Have to get something for nearly teenage niece so am waiting for some ideas from my brother.

We had friends for lunch yesterday and have left over chicken and sausages - so am going to do a sort spicy jambalya thing for tea. The bones and left over veggies have made stock so that will be soup for tomorrow. We also have left over sticky toffee pudding from yesterday - but I can't see that being left until tomorrow for soup and pud :rotfl: I have some going soft pears and apples so that will be a crumble. Freezer is once again full to bursting so nothing can be frozen. Which is a shame cos the butcher has all sorts of game in, and I really want to make a casserole but won't be able to yet as can't freeze it. I think i will be the only one to eat it. My DD, who isn't much of a meat eater, is horrified at the thought of eating a lovely fluffy bunny - and as for venison _pale_

I have signed the e petition and circulated the workfare and Newcastle hospital stuff on my facebook page - I know it has already been linked to and passed on, so word is spreading. I will endeavour to not shop at Tesco - tho I don't much anyway as it is the only supermarket we don't have. SOmething of a rarity these days.

Have a good day all - i might celebrate my freedom today with a bit of a bath.