‘Party venue closed!’ – Resident DJ has left the building’
‘Nothing to worry about here – everything is just fine and under control!’
Please just carry on and go about your day-to-day business as usual…
Introducing the UK magic message government lectern
‘Have you noticed everytime the government needs to persuade the public that their ‘message’ is so super important – they roll out the magic message lectern”.
Other important messages
And this…
And this one…
The latest government slogan… ‘LONG-TERM DECISIONS FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE’
Let’s roll out the advertisements to persuade the UK public the government knows best… again.
They convinced me!
Not!
It’s a joke!
The UK government is trying to peruade the public that the recent Sunak climate rollback decision is a good thing… ‘LONG-TERM DECISIONS FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE’
Who are the kidding?
Polluting car and climate push back
New car show room
We just don’t have the funds, do we?
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is reportedly planning to water down some of Britain’s climate commitments, saying the country must fight climate change without penalising workers and consumers.
Sunak issued a statement Tuesday in response to a BBC report saying the prime minister is considering extending deadlines for bans on new petrol and diesel cars – currently due in 2030 —- and on new natural-gas home heating.
The news drew dismay from environmental groups, opposition parties and some members of Sunak’s Conservative Party. It broke as senior politicians from the U.K. and around the world gather at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Biden and Yellen have placed climate high on the agenda.
Senior Tories who have championed net zero policies are reportedly furious at Sunak’s plans to delay or water down green measures. They warn that the decision will cost the U.K. jobs, inward investment and future economic growth that could have been theirs by committing to the industries of the future.
We won’t save the UK by bankrupting its people – Braverman
Home Secretary Suella Braverman says she backs Rishi Sunak’s expected shift on how the UK gets to net zero carbon emissions.
‘We’re not going to save the country by bankrupting the British people,’ she told BBC Breakfast.
It must be true, I’ve just seen it on the news. Is the UK broke? Is this the real reason for the climate roll-back?
‘We’re not going to save the country by bankrupting the British people’.
I for one am very confused??
Does the UK have the money? Is it a too big-a-burden for the UK tax payer? Can the UK generate enough ‘POWER’ from renewables? The UK needs fossil fuels?
Most of the world still needs fossil fuels!
Are we really ready to switch yet? Renewables and fossil fuels will have to work hand-in-hand for some time yet.
UK inflation in surprise fall, a ‘massive’ drop all of 0.1%
ONS says inflation dropped in August 2023
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the UK’s inflation rate dropped unexpectedly in August 2023 to its lowest level since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which led to sharp rises in energy and food costs which were already on the rise due to the pandemic.
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 6.7% in the 12 months to August 2023, down from 6.8% in July. The Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers’ housing costs (CPIH) rose by 6.3% in the 12 months to August 2023, down from 6.4% in July.
The ONS said that the main factors behind the fall in inflation were lower prices for clothing, footwear, and second-hand cars, partly offset by higher prices for transport services and recreational goods.
UK Inflation 1989 – 2023 (ONS data)
The ONS also said that the inflation rate was still high compared with historical levels, and that it expected it to rise further in the coming months due to increases in energy bills and supply chain pressures.
You can find more details and data about the UK inflation and price indices on the ONS website or on the Consumer price inflation, UK: August 2023 time series.
Jeremy says its OK!
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the news showed ‘the plan to deal with inflation is working’. Well Jeremy, your comments are encouraging – if you truly believe a 0.1% fall in inflation is ‘working‘. Where were you when the Bank of England lost control of the ‘2% inflation remit’.
Where were you when the excessive ‘uncontrolled’ government borrowing infected the UK’s economy? With all that ‘free’ money sloshing around the system, what did you really expect would happen..?
‘I think I might start again!’
Planning complete, time to go ahead and build it. I can add the finshing touches later.
Shares vs Covid19 stock chart
As the pandemic hit world economies, share prices plunged. But as the ‘fear’ lifted so too did the share prices.
‘Is it OK to use a doggy poo bag blackberry picking?’
The blackberry
Blackberries are a very healthy food, packed with antioxidants that can help prevent cancer and other diseases.
Blackberries can be picked from late summer through to mid-autumn. The earlier ones tend to be better raw, the later good for cooking.
A ripe blackberry is deep black with a plump, full feel. It should come away easily when pulled from the stem.
Blackberries can stain your hands and clothes.
Blackberry tea was used to cure dysentery.
There are two types of blackberries: thorny and thornless. Thorny blackberries have more flavour, but thornless ones are easier to pick.
Blackberries are also known as brambles in Britain.
Bramble is the plant that produces the blackberry.
Blackberries are related to raspberries, strawberries, and roses. They belong to the rose family, Rosaceae.
‘I told you that was a risky investment!’
Are we failing our children? Closed doors!
CLOSED: ‘How am I meant to get a decent education’?
School and building closures are disrupting our children’s education in the UK. The issues range from asbestos contamination, building material failures, Covid closures and teacher strikes. What the hell?
‘The economy is a mess – but we still got beer’. ‘What’s economy’?
‘What’s the point of HS2 if there is no one to run it?’ ‘Beats me… guess we’re stuck with it!’
‘Is this the end of the line’?
Yet more strike action continues to create chaos for travellers
Much of the UK will have no train services on Friday 1st Septemebr 2023 as the latest major strike action takes place.
Members of Aslef, the train drivers’ union, who work at more than a dozen train companies, have walked out and have refused to work.
Up to 20,000 RMT union members at 14 operators will also strike on Saturday in a long-running dispute
Meanwhile, a consultation closing most ticket offices in England ends.
Ticket office closures
Unions and disability groups have also taken action against other proposed working practices in the industry, such as ticket office closures.
Currently, nearly 300 stations in England run by train companies with Department for Transport contracts have a full-time staffed ticket office – 708 are staffed part-time. Under the proposals, most would close.
Ongoing dispute
The UK train strikes are part of an ongoing dispute between the rail unions and the train operators over pay and conditions.
- ASLEF members at 16 rail operators will strike again on Friday, 1st September 2023 and Saturday, 2nd September 2023.
- RMT members at 14 train companies will strike again on 2nd September 2023. This will severely affect the timetables.
Pay dispute and working practices
The rail unions are demanding a pay rise that reflects the rising cost of living, as well as job security and improved working conditions. The train operators say they need to make changes to the ways of working in order to save money and improve efficiency, especially after the pandemic hit their finances hard.
The Rail Delivery Group, which represents the train operators, has offered a 5% pay rise for 2022, but the unions have rejected it as insufficient and conditional on reforms they oppose.
The train strikes have caused significant disruption and frustration for millions of passengers, especially during the peak summer holiday season. The government has urged both sides to resume talks and find a resolution
‘Take me to your leader. Err… we don’t really have one’!
STOP PRESS! Bank to pay failed boss 2.4 million. Why?
‘It’s good to talk’!
The former boss of NatWest is set to receive a £2.4m pay package this year, despite having quit in disgrace over her handling of the closure of Nigel Farage’s bank account.
A contractual obligation no doubt?
Whatever happened to confidentiality?
‘How difficult can it be to tick the right box on your tax return sir?’
‘How many more times must I tell you – I’m not a banker!’
‘Room 101’
Room 101 phrase origin
The phrase ‘Room 101’ comes from George Orwell’s dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, published in 1949.
In the novel, Room 101 is a torture chamber where prisoners are subjected to their worst fears and nightmares. The name of the room was supposedly inspired by a conference room at the BBC Broadcasting House, where Orwell used to work and attend ‘boring‘ meetings.
Cutural reference
Room 101 has become a popular cultural reference, especially in the UK, where it is used to describe something that is ‘undesirable’ and to be ‘locked away’.
There is also a BBC comedy television series called Room 101, where celebrities are invited to discuss their pet hates and persuade the host to consign them to oblivion in Room 101.
So, now you know.
Hunt – caught in a trap
According to the chancellor Jeremy Hunt, the UK economy is caught in a trap
The UK and other advanced economies are facing a low-growth trap that is hard to escape. This means that the potential growth of the economy, which depends on factors such as productivity, innovation, investment, and labour force, is very low and insufficient to meet the demand and expectations of the people.
Brexit
The UK economy has been hit by huge global shocks that have disrupted its normal functioning and recovery. These include the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused lockdowns, restrictions, and health crises; the energy crisis, which led to soaring gas prices and supply shortages; and the Brexit transition, which created uncertainty and trade barriers.
Inflation
The UK economy is also struggling with high inflation, which erodes the purchasing power of consumers and businesses. Inflation is driven by various factors, such as rising energy costs, global supply chain bottlenecks, labour shortages, and pent-up demand.
The Bank of England has raised interest rates to 5.25% as of August 2023 – the highest level since 2008, to curb inflation and maintain price stability. The Bank of England inflation target is 2%.
The plan?
The chancellor reportedly has vowed to stick to the plan that he believes will bring down inflation and boost growth in the long term.
He said that he will unveil a plan in the autumn statement that will show how the UK can break out of the low-growth trap and become one of the most entrepreneurial economies in the world. He also said that he will not ‘veer around like a shopping trolley‘ and change course in response to short-term pressures.
‘Everything is fine, nothing to see here!’
Dream or reality – did this really happen?
The party-gate scandal lead to SERVING members of the UK government being fined, including the then prime minster (since sacked by the party) – and the then chancellor of the exchequer (now our serving prime minister).
You really can’t make this stuff up.
‘What the hell just happened?’
‘One minute I’m in work and the next…?’ ‘Is this AI again?’
The day the blue bird flew away – Twitter rebrands as X – Taking Stock
‘Didn’t expect to see you here again, thought you’d retired’. ‘Yeah, me too!’
‘What lies ahead?’ – ‘Oh yes, I expect so!’
‘But Miss… If we have to learn ALL the subjects… why can’t you teach ALL the subjects too?’
Wind & Puff – The Hot Air Powering Britain
‘But Sir… If you have ipads, ibooks, ebooks, iplayers, and iphones… what is this?’ ‘Well… that’s a book!’
‘That’s inflation for you!’
