Current Affairs

[Stephen]

If the Scots want independence let'm have it providing we stop funding them and it doesn't put my the whiskey price up .

[towny44]

I had to laugh this evening when that twit Ashworth was spouting off in the House of Commons saying that there should be more money available - and who will be shouting the loudest when it comes to increased taxes and reduced spending when we start having to pay these massive loans back.

Do these people not realise that money does not grow on trees, and neither does the Government have any money - they borrow it and borrowed money has to be paid back.

It should be made clear that the government will provide more funding but it must be claimed back through the council tax and/or other local taxes (ooohhhh, a federal UK). The local representatives may be less likely to be ranting on social media then.

The Barnett formula already creates a federal funding situation, and I have no real issue with the principal, however it should be applied to all regions of the UK, and in Scotland, Wales and N Ireland the funding, whilst handled by the devolved govts, should be broken down further to ensure it goes to the most deprived areas. But that is for general funding, the issues about extra covid tier funding is totally separate.

[Kendhni]

I had to laugh this evening when that twit Ashworth was spouting off in the House of Commons saying that there should be more money available - and who will be shouting the loudest when it comes to increased taxes and reduced spending when we start having to pay these massive loans back.

Do these people not realise that money does not grow on trees, and neither does the Government have any money - they borrow it and borrowed money has to be paid back.

It should be made clear that the government will provide more funding but it must be claimed back through the council tax and/or other local taxes (ooohhhh, a federal UK). The local representatives may be less likely to be ranting on social media then.

The Barnett formula already creates a federal funding situation, and I have no real issue with the principal, however it should be applied to all regions of the UK, and in Scotland, Wales and N Ireland the funding, whilst handled by the devolved govts, should be broken down further to ensure it goes to the most deprived areas.

The Barnett formula was only meant to be a temporary sticking plaster written on the back of a fag packet, but for some reason it has never been properly reviewed. I agree with you that it should be applied equally across the UK, however that may actually make little difference since it already does target areas of deprivation.

However you have to be careful what you wish for since it is effectively London that effectively subsidises the vast majority of the UK.

Arguably, if we did away with the Barnett formula then we could then move to treating each region of the UK equally, with an equal vote in all matters that affect the UK as a whole.

But that is for general funding, the issues about extra covid tier funding is totally separate.

Again I agree, but it wasn't me that took it off topic.

[Gill W]

Burnham asked for the money to help people in Manchester.

The £65m is small compared to the £12BN spent on the poorly functioning Track and Trace system, and tiny compared to the ever spiralling cost of Brexit.

It may be small Gill but when other authorities have accepted the same amount, it would only lead to anger and rancour, and of course would need to be retrospectively paid to the others and any that follow; and of course that figure I believe was what the govt actually offered Manchester, but Burnham wanted more.
Incidentally the majority of the cost of track and trace is for the test kits and chemicals needed to undertake the tests, and the lab costs would be very similar regardless of who did the work. You, and many others complaining about private firms involvement, are just clouding the issue to make a political point.

Not my point at all.

For months, years even, this forum has kept quiet about the billions that have been spent on Brexit, and the money that has been wasted during the Covid crisis.

Yet it takes a relatively small amount of money, that will help actual people, to spark everyone up.

That’s what I was getting at.

[towny44]

Burnham asked for the money to help people in Manchester.

The £65m is small compared to the £12BN spent on the poorly functioning Track and Trace system, and tiny compared to the ever spiralling cost of Brexit.

It may be small Gill but when other authorities have accepted the same amount, it would only lead to anger and rancour, and of course would need to be retrospectively paid to the others and any that follow; and of course that figure I believe was what the govt actually offered Manchester, but Burnham wanted more.
Incidentally the majority of the cost of track and trace is for the test kits and chemicals needed to undertake the tests, and the lab costs would be very similar regardless of who did the work. You, and many others complaining about private firms involvement, are just clouding the issue to make a political point.

Not my point at all.

For months, years even, this forum has kept quiet about the billions that have been spent on Brexit, and the money that has been wasted during the Covid crisis.

Yet it takes a relatively small amount of money, that will help actual people, to spark everyone up.

That’s what I was getting at.

You do seem to have a warped view of your fellow posters Gill.
Govt expenditure for whatever purpose has ultimately to be paid for by taxpayers so I hope that govts of whichever persuasion always take great care not to spend it carelessly. However I am only aware of one govt that left nothing behind and that was the last (hopefully forever) labour govt.

[oldbluefox]

Had Boris rolled over and granted Burnham everything he wanted he would have also had to grant it to everybody else. It is naive to think it would have been a one off to Greater Manchester.
I wonder if those who danced around Piccadilly Circus, celebrated Liverpool FC's success, Leeds FC's promotion, crowded Bournemouth's beaches (Durdle Door and other resorts), partied in the Greek Islands and joined in with BLM protests ever reflect on their actions and their part in spreading the virus from manageable proportions. We have only ourselves to blame. And I wonder how many of them caught the virus.

[david63]

If anyone thinks that today's leaders are incompetent then when you read stories like this the future looks pretty grim - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-n ... e-54631524

[screwy]

The mind boggles,but it’s all Boris’s fault obviously.

[Stephen]

Why the government was negotiating with Manchester I don't know. They should've just said 'your in the sh*t because you can't follow the rules so you only have yourselves to blame. 'Your going into tier 3, end of'.

There was non of this pussy footing about with the rest of the country when they were told, so why should Manchester be any different.

And this why when you watch the video clip towards the end of the news bulletin.

Rishi Sunak expected to increase tier 2 jobs support https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54639713

[Onelife]

Why the government was negotiating with Manchester I don't know. They should've just said 'your in the sh*t because you can't follow the rules so you only have yourselves to blame. 'Your going into tier 3, end of'.

There was non of this pussy footing about with the rest of the country when they were told, so why should Manchester be any different.

And this why when you watch the video clip towards the end of the news bulletin.

Rishi Sunak expected to increase tier 2 jobs support https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54639713

This is the problem when you lay down three options.....We àlways want the one that best suits our own personal circumstances.

[Kendhni]

Why the government was negotiating with Manchester I don't know. They should've just said 'your in the sh*t because you can't follow the rules so you only have yourselves to blame. 'Your going into tier 3, end of'.

There was non of this pussy footing about with the rest of the country when they were told, so why should Manchester be any different.

And this why when you watch the video clip towards the end of the news bulletin.

Rishi Sunak expected to increase tier 2 jobs support https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54639713

This is the problem when you lay down three options.....We àlways want the one that best suits our own personal circumstances.

I was just reading an article last night and it was talking about the arrival of a vaccine and it was saying that it would be issued like the flu jab to the elderly first. Someone was actually questioning this and saying it should be issued to those in employment first since they are needed to get this country back up and running, the elderly can remain locked down for a few more weeks/months until supplies become available.

I would have said that those in need of operations, chemo treatment etc. should be well up the lists to get them the treatment they need, but otherwise I sort of agree that we need to get the economy going as a matter of urgency.

[david63]

it was saying that it would be issued like the flu jab to the elderly first. Someone was actually questioning this and saying it should be issued to those in employment first since they are needed to get this country back up and running, the elderly can remain locked down for a few more weeks/months until supplies become available.

For weeks/moths read years.

There is no right or wrong answer to this and much will depend on the supply of vaccine.

There is an alternative argument that vaccinating the most vulnerable first will be a better way to get the country back up and running as we will not need as many of the restrictions that we have now.

I read a report some time back that said that the distribution of any vaccine will be regulated world-wide so that the "poorer" countries are not left out so, at best, the early distribution will only be for 20% of the population and when that has been achieved then another phase will be rolled out worldwide. This of course precludes USA, Russia and China who want to do their own thing and could not care less about other countries!

No doubt this will become another contentious subject when the time comes - if it ever does.

[Manoverboard]

The young are already out there spending money so give the jab to us oldies that we can join them amd release those pounds in the Bank that are doing nothing at the moment.

[Onelife]

Why the government was negotiating with Manchester I don't know. They should've just said 'your in the sh*t because you can't follow the rules so you only have yourselves to blame. 'Your going into tier 3, end of'.

There was non of this pussy footing about with the rest of the country when they were told, so why should Manchester be any different.

And this why when you watch the video clip towards the end of the news bulletin.

Rishi Sunak expected to increase tier 2 jobs support https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54639713

This is the problem when you lay down three options.....We àlways want the one that best suits our own personal circumstances.

I was just reading an article last night and it was talking about the arrival of a vaccine and it was saying that it would be issued like the flu jab to the elderly first. Someone was actually questioning this and saying it should be issued to those in employment first since they are needed to get this country back up and running, the elderly can remain locked down for a few more weeks/months until supplies become available.

I would have said that those in need of operations, chemo treatment etc. should be well up the lists to get them the treatment they need, but otherwise I sort of agree that we need to get the economy going as a matter of urgency.

Hi Ken,

The obvious answer will be to protect those who protect us ....basically all those that work in hospitals and doctors surgeries.

I predict a vaccine will be rolled out for the above at the start of December.... consisting of two jabs 28 days apart......mom's the word Mob.

[Stephen]

So many experts

At the end of the day what will be will be.

[oldbluefox]

So many experts

At the end of the day what will be will be.

I feel a song coming on.............

[Onelife]

So many experts

At the end of the day what will be will be.

Say ta-ra ta-ra......whatever.....

[Manoverboard]

So many experts

At the end of the day what will be will be.

Say ta-ra ta-ra......whatever.....

Case ehrah ehrah .... Mom's the word

[Stephen]

So many experts

At the end of the day what will be will be.

I feel a song coming on.............

All together now...........

[Gill W]

Why the government was negotiating with Manchester I don't know. They should've just said 'your in the sh*t because you can't follow the rules so you only have yourselves to blame. 'Your going into tier 3, end of'.

There was non of this pussy footing about with the rest of the country when they were told, so why should Manchester be any different.

And this why when you watch the video clip towards the end of the news bulletin.

Rishi Sunak expected to increase tier 2 jobs support https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54639713

This is the problem when you lay down three options.....We àlways want the one that best suits our own personal circumstances.

I was just reading an article last night and it was talking about the arrival of a vaccine and it was saying that it would be issued like the flu jab to the elderly first. Someone was actually questioning this and saying it should be issued to those in employment first since they are needed to get this country back up and running, the elderly can remain locked down for a few more weeks/months until supplies become available.

I would have said that those in need of operations, chemo treatment etc. should be well up the lists to get them the treatment they need, but otherwise I sort of agree that we need to get the economy going as a matter of urgency.

A week or two ago there was an article doing the rounds giving a proposed ‘pecking order’ for the jabs.

I can’t find it now, but from memory, health and care workers would get it first, then over 85s, over 80’s, over 75s, over 70s, over 65s, vulnerable people under 65, over 60s, and finally 50 to 59 yr olds. It was not proposed that anyone under 50 would get the vaccine ( apart from those with vulnerabilities)

[Gill W]

Hi Ken,

The obvious answer will be to protect those who protect us ....basically all those that work in hospitals and doctors surgeries.

I predict a vaccine will be rolled out for the above at the start of December.... consisting of two jabs 28 days apart......mom's the word Mob.

December, but what year?

My flu jab was booked for Monday, and, no surprise to me, it was cancelled.

No pharmacies round here are taking new flu jab appointments and my doctor is not yet doing the 50-64 age group.

I will be lucky if I get a flu jab by the start of December, so can’t see any possibility of a new COVID vaccine being approved, manufactured and a roll out started in just 6 weeks time.

[Kendhni]

This is the problem when you lay down three options.....We àlways want the one that best suits our own personal circumstances.

I was just reading an article last night and it was talking about the arrival of a vaccine and it was saying that it would be issued like the flu jab to the elderly first. Someone was actually questioning this and saying it should be issued to those in employment first since they are needed to get this country back up and running, the elderly can remain locked down for a few more weeks/months until supplies become available.

I would have said that those in need of operations, chemo treatment etc. should be well up the lists to get them the treatment they need, but otherwise I sort of agree that we need to get the economy going as a matter of urgency.

A week or two ago there was an article doing the rounds giving a proposed ‘pecking order’ for the jabs.

I can’t find it now, but from memory, health and care workers would get it first, then over 85s, over 80’s, over 75s, over 70s, over 65s, vulnerable people under 65, over 60s, and finally 50 to 59 yr olds. It was not proposed that anyone under 50 would get the vaccine ( apart from those with vulnerabilities)

That may have been the same article. I agree with healthcare workers and those with immediate medical issues first but then I would go onto those in the workforce followed by age determination. Get the economy working first.

[Onelife]

December, but what year?

I may have been mistaken but the tea leaves definitely indicated 2020.....time for anther cuppa me thinks

My flu jab was booked for Monday, and, no surprise to me, it was cancelled.

Had mine this morning......didn't cry this time :thumbup....btw us oldies get a double whammy dose..more protection so l was told.

No pharmacies round here are taking new flu jab appointments and my doctor is not yet doing the 50-64 age group.

I will be lucky if I get a flu jab by the start of December, so can’t see any possibility of a new COVID vaccine being approved, manufactured and a roll out started in just 6 weeks time.

Stay positive Gill......

[Onelife]

I was just reading an article last night and it was talking about the arrival of a vaccine and it was saying that it would be issued like the flu jab to the elderly first. Someone was actually questioning this and saying it should be issued to those in employment first since they are needed to get this country back up and running, the elderly can remain locked down for a few more weeks/months until supplies become available.

I would have said that those in need of operations, chemo treatment etc. should be well up the lists to get them the treatment they need, but otherwise I sort of agree that we need to get the economy going as a matter of urgency.

A week or two ago there was an article doing the rounds giving a proposed ‘pecking order’ for the jabs.

I can’t find it now, but from memory, health and care workers would get it first, then over 85s, over 80’s, over 75s, over 70s, over 65s, vulnerable people under 65, over 60s, and finally 50 to 59 yr olds. It was not proposed that anyone under 50 would get the vaccine ( apart from those with vulnerabilities)

That may have been the same article. I agree with healthcare workers and those with immediate medical issues first but then I would go onto those in the workforce followed by age determination. Get the economy working first.

The way to go Ken

[towny44]

That may have been the same article. I agree with healthcare workers and those with immediate medical issues first but then I would go onto those in the workforce followed by age determination. Get the economy working first.

I have to disagree Ken, the vast majority of under 50s without health issues would not significantly improve the economy if given preference for a jab, they should already be working anyway if there employer is open. However the over 50s certainly would once they no longer need to stay indoors to stay safe, they would quite probably add significantly to the economy, since the UK economy relies heavily on the service sector, of which the hospitality industry is a major part, and the retired are a major contributor to cafe, bar and restaurant activity.