50 word Moneyfesto - Small changes for a big difference 2013

magickid

The cost of travelling on trains can be the same whether you travel 3 or 5 days a week. Part-time workers effectively pay for a full weeks travel as it is cheaper than buying 3 single day tickets. A part-time season ticket which takes this into account would be welcomed.


A little explanation:
I went from working full-time to part-time after I had a baby. I now work 3 days a week instead of 5, and so my salary reflects this.
The cost of a daily ticket for me to get to work is £47.50. The cost of a weekly ticket is £121, so it is cheaper to buy a 7 day ticket than 3 x single days. I'm paying for 4 days of travel I don't use.

I have purchased an annual season ticket at £4516. Monthly, it means I spent 31% of my salary on travel now that I work 3 days a week. When I worked full time, my travel only cost me 18% of my monthly salary.

The cost of travelling very nearly stopped me going back to work at all. I would have just joined the benefit system.

MWES

Years ago local businesses and schools used to close for a two week period. During this time we could afford to go on holiday as we were not being screwed by the travel companies and the airlines as it didnt fall into the usual school holiday period. A return to this would prevent parents taking their kids out of school when they shouldnt. So how about a return to the wake or "wake up"
Mike

Ju_Drops_57

An easy measure for the Government to introduce would be to allow cyclists to ride on pavements AS LONG as they always give priority to pedestrians.I don't mean city centre pavements,these could be signed.I mean underused pavements where people don't walk any more and where cyclists would be safer than doing battle with inconsiderate drivers.

shawzi

In 2006, the Building Regulations, concerning the“Modification of a Thermal Element” were amended.
Councils across the Country required homeowners to submit a“Building Notice-Submission” to check the loft insulation, if they were replacing the roofing felt. My loft insulation cost £99 including labour, SouthSomerset Council, demanded £120.

CDK

The government should introduce a benefit card/voucher or similar which is topped up with whatever benefits that person is receiving either weekly, fortnightly or monthly (I would opt for monthly to teach people to budget). This benefit card/vouchers should only be able to be used for 'essentials' such as food, drinks and toiletries and children's educational toys if the person has young children.

NOT alcohol, cigarettes, Xbox, play station games, TVs, stereos etc.

This would prevent people moaning that they don't get paid enough in benefits as they wouldn't be able to spend it all on luxuries. The government would then be able to see exactly how much benefits people actually NEED not how much they want or say they need.

unoitmakessense

CHANGE UK IN 50 WORDS

Much quantitative easing, with bonds purchased returned to government, erasing debt.Inflation should rise to 5%, effectively erasing more debt. Build new prisonsfor 200 000, creating many jobs. Put more criminals in prison for longer, stopping them sucking the blood out of the economy and improve quality of life for others.:T

timiluke

Sickle cell is a chronic condition like diabetics and patients are required to take medication 3 times a day yet sickle cell patients pay for their medications leaving them out of pocket and unable to afford basic necessities. It is time the government looks into exempting sickle cell /thalassaemia patients in the same way as epilepsy or diabetic patients.:o

MWES

just noticed this post after posting mine 5 minutes later for a return to the wakes holidays to avoid having to take kids out of school and still be able to afford a holiday

DH2

I believe the 25 pence extra per week for pensioners over 80 is ridiculous and an insult. Abolishing it would not cause hardship and would not only save the money paid out but probably a great deal more in administration costs.

Radiantsoul

It would be nice if school holidays could be at different times of the year in different regions. It would reduce the cost of family holidays as there would be different peaks.