I’ve also benefitted from the £20 uplift: introduced in April of 2020, to help deal with the financial fallout from COVID.
That was helpful: it’s gone toward my council tax bills.
And to the occasional treat: very occasional.
However … ?
The Government announced, yesterday, that it would be phased out.
My finances will suffer.
So will many others.
So will Brentwood Council’s: I suspect many others, like me, will be unable to pay their council tax bill.
Right at the moment … ?
The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has just been confronted about this, on Radio Four’s Today programme.
And, to my mind? Not been able to answer Justin Webb’s basic question: about an old Conservative belief*.
“How is cutting people’s benefit supposed to get people employment?”
Frankly?
I’ve never voted Conservative.
But would have considered it: had the Government kept the uplift.
Local MP, Alex Burghart?
Will not be getting my vote, in the next General Election.
His government is not helping people survive.
~≈£≈~
Let’s move on, shall we?
Yesterday’s Teaser saw Mum†, Olga‡, Edith^ and Debbiª putting in their answers: with Olga and Debbi scoring five out of five, and Mum and Edith on four.
Let’s see how everyone does with today’s questions, shall we?
* Many in the Conservatives belief low amounts of benefits encourage people back to work, encourages people to take the first job that comes along. From the little I know, and have experienced? It doesn’t.
† Hello, Mum!
‡ It’s a case of slogging away, Olga: and slogging away, and away and away … ! Give my regards to Jordi: and give him my congratulations!
^ Wasn’t it just, Edith? It’s a shame they never reused Crazy Harry!
ª Oh … I’ve copied the General Knowledge section of my quiz file, Debbi: and emailed it too you. It’s going to need a lot of editing, and updating … but could prove useful.
Oh … you can still get some FTP software, Debbi. Whether there’s any FTP sites doing the rounds, I don’t know!
Q5) Germany Yes, I know what you mean. I find some job offers on LinkedIn sometimes, but the number of applicants can be staggering, even only a few hours after publication. They always seem to be looking to fill entry-level positions but demand people with experience, and it's clear they are looking for young people as well, so... And often, if you keep digging, it seems to be a recruitment company rather than anything else. Sorry to hear about the uplift. I hope they might think better of it, but good news don't abound these days.
I love it when someone comments. But, having had anonymous comments I feel may be libellous, actionable or just plain offensive, over the years?
I’d appreciate you* leaving your name — with a link to your website or social-media profile†, for preference — before you post a comment.
Should you choose to use a pseudonym/name, I’d appreciate it if that name were to be polite and inoffensive. I’d rather you kept it clean, and relatively grown up. Comments left with a pseudonym will be posted at my discretion: I really prefer a link.
Contentious, actionable or abusive posts left anonymously will not be posted. Nor will comments using offensive pseudonyms or language, or that are abusive of other commenters.
Thank you.
* I know many value their online privacy. I respect that. But hope you respect my wish to see who’s commenting on my blog: and my wish for you to introduce your self to me, and to your fellow commentors.
† Your Facebook, X/Twitter, Blogger, Instagram, TikTok or LinkedIn profile are acceptable. I also like seeing folks webpages.
Q1) Israel
ReplyDeleteQ2) A UFO
Q3) The Addams Family
Q4) 1889
Q5) Germany
Yes, I know what you mean. I find some job offers on LinkedIn sometimes, but the number of applicants can be staggering, even only a few hours after publication. They always seem to be looking to fill entry-level positions but demand people with experience, and it's clear they are looking for young people as well, so... And often, if you keep digging, it seems to be a recruitment company rather than anything else.
Sorry to hear about the uplift. I hope they might think better of it, but good news don't abound these days.
According to the BBC there are more job vacancies than there are applicants.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57746626
1 Yemen
ReplyDelete2 UFO
3 Th Adams Family
4 1889
5 Germany
Yes, I did see that, @Trevor.
ReplyDeleteThose employers aren’t phoning me …
It sure doesn't help when they don't call back, does it? :)
ReplyDelete1. Israel
2. a UFO
3. The Addams Family
4. 1889
5. Germany
I still think Apple would be lucky to have you on their support team, Paul. I mean that!
1.Yemen
ReplyDelete2. UFO
3. Addams Family
4. 1886
5 Austria
Paul, have you seen this article on Crazy Harry?
https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Crazy_Harry