Oh, and for the record, I'm not a banker either and have only had one single payrise (2%) in the past four years - despite my "team" effectively being reduced in that time from six people to .... er .... me!
When people hear about massive pay of bankers it is about 1 per cent of the work force. The rest earn an honest wage. I was made redundant end of Jan and am still out of work. My ex colleagues are now in their fourth year without a pay rise. Banking has been hit as much as any other industry but it isn't recognised because of all the ridiculous stories about bankers bonuses.
Oh, and for the record, I'm not a banker either and have only had one single payrise (2%) in the past four years - despite my "team" effectively being reduced in that time from six people to .... er .... me!
When people hear about massive pay of bankers it is about 1 per cent of the work force. The rest earn an honest wage. I was made redundant end of Jan and am still out of work. My ex colleagues are now in their fourth year without a pay rise. Banking has been hit as much as any other industry but it isn't recognised because of all the ridiculous stories about bankers bonuses.
I think what many people are griping about is that bankers bonuses - albeit at the top end seem to be extremely generous at corporastions like Lloyds, RBS etc which had to be bailed out by the tax-payer. However suggestions that those bankers moderate their pay/bonus demands, or are taxed at a higher rate are met by counter-claims that the bankers will de-camp elsewhere for more money, or that extra taxes on the banks themselves will drive the banks overseas to friendlier tax regimes. Having done much to cause the crisis in the first place it doesn't appear that the banking industry are doing their fair share of hair shirt wearing.
Indeed but as RedArmySE7 says is it essential to be able to pass a GCSE with flying colours? Anyway I do not expect you all to be gutted about what is happening down my way, but I could tell you about what is potentially going to occur in London instead
As ex LFB myself, and still in touch with some of the boys on the groundfloor, this cuts have gone on for years and are still going on. The councils (especially in London) have gradually whittled away at appliances and crews for since I was in the job up to the early 80s.
Crews went from 6 to 5, appliances went from 3 to 2 and 2 to 1. How many turntable ladders cover SE London these days? One maybe? that would be in Lewisham/lLadywell probably the next one is possibly Croydon.
Stations shutting left, right and centre, and sold off as flats as many are listed buildings and cant be demolished. Is the money reinvested is it b******* With many first year firefighters earning 19 grand while watching their arses catch light day in day out, scraping peoples remains from mototrways and railway lines they should on double that at least.
Like most jobs the guys on the shopfloor dont earn the money, the ones that do, turn up when there maybe a film crew on the fireground.
We are all affected by these cuts in essential services, you just dont realise until you need them. Ask yourself this.
If there was a fire in your street, where would the appliances come from and how much closer would have they been 5/10 years ago?
I see why I got out now, before the B******* sacked me ; )
Local authorities still seem to be recruiting "Sustainability Officers" and other "Green" posts despite cutting front line services.
Anyone know why that is?
I think you know that you're pushing against an open door with me on those sorts of issues Len. But the fact of the matter is that despite the Daily Telegraph et al managing to come up with literally a handful of headline grabbing 'non-job's' like that (Labour, Lib Dem and Tory councils btw) they are as rare as hen's teeth, probably funded through a grant awarded several years ago for that specific purpose i.e. ringfenced, and designed to help the authourity meet targets set by both the last and current government. Oh and the EU of course... ;-)
Sorry Bournemouth but they exist. Westminster City Council is to loose 200/400 jobs but will apoint two "temp contracted" posts at £180K a pop ! These two posts are deemed essential while the 200/400 arnt ? This being the council that gave us Dame Shirley Porter (now in hiding in TelAviv).
Lives will be lost by these cuts and it dont matter wot spin is put on it thats a fact.
Seeing the people who were HM Gov while this horror hit us moan and gripe is sickening, but not as sickening as seeing people pay with their futures while the people who caused it seem not to have paid much at all.
Yes maybe, but I dont believe all I read in the papers - there is what they print and then there is the truth. The thing I don't like about Eric Pickles is that he seems to relish cutting hard working people's jobs and is too popularist and uncaring- ok, I can understand the arguments on both sides but If only he cut his portion sizes with such relish!
GH, but what are those "temp contracted posts" and how long do they last for? If they are replacing senior managers that have been retired off, and only last for 1 year - 18 months, then that's cheaper than 20 perm staff.
The latest statistics would suggest that fires are reducing - particularly to properties mainly because of tighter Building Regulations, safer electrical installations and appliances and the introduction of the Regulatroy Reforn order in 2006. • In 2008 Fire and Rescue Services attended 727,200 fires or false alarms in the United Kingdom, 10 per cent fewer than in 2007. • A total of 328,000 fires were attended, 15 per cent less than in 2007. Around 73 per cent of all the fires were outdoor fires (240,000), e.g. vehicles, refuse, grassland. A total of 49,600 (15%) were in dwellings. • The total number of accidental primary fires fell by 6 per cent to 77,400 in 2008 – the lowest recorded in this last 14 year period. Deliberate fires decreased by 15 per cent to 53,000.
The latest statistics would suggest that fires are reducing - particularly to properties mainly because of tighter Building Regulations, safer electrical installations and appliances and the introduction of the Regulatroy Reforn order in 2006. • In 2008 Fire and Rescue Services attended 727,200 fires or false alarms in the United Kingdom, 10 per cent fewer than in 2007. • A total of 328,000 fires were attended, 15 per cent less than in 2007. Around 73 per cent of all the fires were outdoor fires (240,000), e.g. vehicles, refuse, grassland. A total of 49,600 (15%) were in dwellings. • The total number of accidental primary fires fell by 6 per cent to 77,400 in 2008 – the lowest recorded in this last 14 year period. Deliberate fires decreased by 15 per cent to 53,000.
Hence the re-branding from Fire Brigades to Fire and Rescue Services, where I am stationed we go to a hell of a lot of car accidents and in 18 years I have been involved in about 20 rescues from buildings and easily that number each year from cars. In truth the nasty car accidents seem to be getting more frequent
I'm neither a banker nor a fireman nor a public sector worker, and I'm sure that the banks really have cocked up. However, I think that when people moan about bankers what they fail to appreciate is that it was the taxes paid by the financial sector that paid for all the last governments public spending for years. I don't recall public sector workers ever thanking the banking industry for their jobs when the government was raking it in.
Sure, we've all got to pay one way or another for the mess and of course some will pay more than others, whilst the government will surely make mistakes in what they cut, but to some extent that goes roughly along the lines of how unfair life is. Perhaps if the public sector hadn't got so bloated then it would be easier for the government to target the genuine waste and make fewer 'unjust' cuts.
Harry I agree taxes paid by the financial sector did get used for the good of the general populace.
However the financial sector were only in a position to pay those taxes as a result of conditions / laws implemented by / on behalf of the general populace. In essence if it worked correctly, it would be a win win scenario, Joe Public would benefit from taxes raised and bankers would be rewarded for their work. It's gone wrong because people went too far (not necessarily illegally).
Why should Joe Public accept part of the blame?
The blame should fall at the door of those who took advantage of the system & those that allowed it to take place (either by ignoring or failing to draft sufficiently strong laws).
I don't believe that the public sector was bloated. Sure perhaps in some area's money could have been spent better, but this is an argument for better use of resources not cuts.
For those that think what happens in rural Kent does not effect them, bad news, it will either of happened / will be about to happen where you live.
Capitalism works through balance - people do need incentives to create wealth but when you give them too much power it gets abused. It is the view of the Tories and New Labour that you let the rich create more and more wealth and get richer and the poor will benefit but the almighty flaw is that without controls, people take risks and exploit and the rich just want to get even richer with some notable exceptions. Our current predicament is testiment that capitalism cannot control itself. Statistics show that as the rich get richer the poor get poorer and the gap has been growing for years.
Despite all this talk about Ed Balls having to make clear what he stands for- every time I read a quote from him I find myself nodding. His latest statement condemning the very rich and the feckless scroungers hit the nail on the head for me. The press has it in for him but he is the first leader in a long time who strikes me as being for the people. Still loads of time to prove me wrong though. I think the establishment are genuinely frightened of him. The proof for me will be when Mandelson (the weasal) leaves the party and joins the tories where he belongs.
Capitalism works through balance - people do need incentives to create wealth but when you give them too much power it gets abused. It is the view of the Tories and New Labour that you let the rich create more and more wealth and get richer and the poor will benefit but the almighty flaw is that without controls, people take risks and exploit and the rich just want to get even richer with some notable exceptions. Our current predicament is testiment that capitalism cannot control itself. Statistics show that as the rich get richer the poor get poorer and the gap has been growing for years.
Despite all this talk about Ed Balls having to make clear what he stands for- every time I read a quote from him I find myself nodding. His latest statement condemning the very rich and the feckless scroungers hit the nail on the head for me. The press has it in for him but he is the first leader in a long time who strikes me as being for the people. Still loads of time to prove me wrong though. I think the establishment are genuinely frightened of him. The proof for me will be when Mandelson (the weasal) leaves the party and joins the tories where he belongs.
Ed Balls is biding his time, its a fools errand being the post-defeat leader - just look at Hague/Foot et al in recent history.
The best thing about Balls is the fact that he is not afraid of getting down and dirty and giving it with both barrels to the enemy, there is an arrogance about him which very few other New Labour politicians have had.
The biggest problem with Blair and Brown was that they spent so much time trying to placate the Tory press and Middle England that they alienated millions of their natural working-class constituents.
My view is that Balls would love David Milliband to take over inevitably lose the next election - and then move in to have a turn himself in much more favorable times for the opposition.
You are quite right, the Tories are very wary of Balls because he really does know his stuff and is one of the very few street fighters Labour has.
Comments
When people hear about massive pay of bankers it is about 1 per cent of the work force. The rest earn an honest wage. I was made redundant end of Jan and am still out of work. My ex colleagues are now in their fourth year without a pay rise. Banking has been hit as much as any other industry but it isn't recognised because of all the ridiculous stories about bankers bonuses.
I think what many people are griping about is that bankers bonuses - albeit at the top end seem to be extremely generous at corporastions like Lloyds, RBS etc which had to be bailed out by the tax-payer. However suggestions that those bankers moderate their pay/bonus demands, or are taxed at a higher rate are met by counter-claims that the bankers will de-camp elsewhere for more money, or that extra taxes on the banks themselves will drive the banks overseas to friendlier tax regimes. Having done much to cause the crisis in the first place it doesn't appear that the banking industry are doing their fair share of hair shirt wearing.
As ex LFB myself, and still in touch with some of the boys on the groundfloor, this cuts have gone on for years and are still going on. The councils (especially in London) have gradually whittled away at appliances and crews for since I was in the job up to the early 80s.
Crews went from 6 to 5, appliances went from 3 to 2 and 2 to 1. How many turntable ladders cover SE London these days? One maybe? that would be in Lewisham/lLadywell probably the next one is possibly Croydon.
Stations shutting left, right and centre, and sold off as flats as many are listed buildings and cant be demolished. Is the money reinvested is it b*******
With many first year firefighters earning 19 grand while watching their arses catch light day in day out, scraping peoples remains from mototrways and railway lines they should on double that at least.
Like most jobs the guys on the shopfloor dont earn the money, the ones that do, turn up when there maybe a film crew on the fireground.
We are all affected by these cuts in essential services, you just dont realise until you need them. Ask yourself this.
If there was a fire in your street, where would the appliances come from and how much closer would have they been 5/10 years ago?
I see why I got out now, before the B******* sacked me ; )
Sorry Bournemouth but they exist. Westminster City Council is to loose 200/400 jobs but will apoint two "temp contracted" posts at £180K a pop ! These two posts are deemed essential while the 200/400 arnt ? This being the council that gave us Dame Shirley Porter (now in hiding in TelAviv).
Lives will be lost by these cuts and it dont matter wot spin is put on it thats a fact.
Seeing the people who were HM Gov while this horror hit us moan and gripe is sickening, but not as sickening as seeing people pay with their futures while the people who caused it seem not to have paid much at all.
The latest statistics would suggest that fires are reducing - particularly to properties mainly because of tighter Building Regulations, safer electrical installations and appliances and the introduction of the Regulatroy Reforn order in 2006.
• In 2008 Fire and Rescue Services attended 727,200 fires or false alarms in the United Kingdom, 10 per cent fewer than in 2007.
• A total of 328,000 fires were attended, 15 per cent less than in 2007. Around 73 per cent of all the fires were outdoor fires (240,000), e.g. vehicles, refuse, grassland. A total of 49,600 (15%) were in dwellings.
• The total number of accidental primary fires fell by 6 per cent to 77,400 in 2008 – the lowest recorded in this last 14 year period. Deliberate fires decreased by 15 per cent to 53,000.
I'm neither a banker nor a fireman nor a public sector worker, and I'm sure that the banks really have cocked up. However, I think that when people moan about bankers what they fail to appreciate is that it was the taxes paid by the financial sector that paid for all the last governments public spending for years. I don't recall public sector workers ever thanking the banking industry for their jobs when the government was raking it in.
Sure, we've all got to pay one way or another for the mess and of course some will pay more than others, whilst the government will surely make mistakes in what they cut, but to some extent that goes roughly along the lines of how unfair life is. Perhaps if the public sector hadn't got so bloated then it would be easier for the government to target the genuine waste and make fewer 'unjust' cuts.
Despite all this talk about Ed Balls having to make clear what he stands for- every time I read a quote from him I find myself nodding. His latest statement condemning the very rich and the feckless scroungers hit the nail on the head for me. The press has it in for him but he is the first leader in a long time who strikes me as being for the people. Still loads of time to prove me wrong though. I think the establishment are genuinely frightened of him. The proof for me will be when Mandelson (the weasal) leaves the party and joins the tories where he belongs.
Ed Balls Mutley? How Freudian.
Poor old Mr Milibean, despite his eloquent statement on hard work yesterday, he does have the charisma of a wet kipper.
Ed Balls is biding his time, its a fools errand being the post-defeat leader - just look at Hague/Foot et al in recent history.
The best thing about Balls is the fact that he is not afraid of getting down and dirty and giving it with both barrels to the enemy, there is an arrogance about him which very few other New Labour politicians have had.
The biggest problem with Blair and Brown was that they spent so much time trying to placate the Tory press and Middle England that they alienated millions of their natural working-class constituents.
My view is that Balls would love David Milliband to take over inevitably lose the next election - and then move in to have a turn himself in much more favorable times for the opposition.
You are quite right, the Tories are very wary of Balls because he really does know his stuff and is one of the very few street fighters Labour has.
cfgs,
What station are you at? I was retained at Horton Kirby 97-2001.
You're not wrong there. I was thinking today about how he could have modified it, "Eddie Balls" is even worse and "Edward Balls" is not much better.
Maybe "Ed Balls" was the best option after all.
To be fair he is not as badly off as Aussie Rules player Jarrod Roughhead. I kid you not.