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 people comment. 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 adult. 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.
If you can also leave you comments on today’s Teaser Video, that would be good.
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: as are Bluesky or Mastodon links. 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