Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-9-2021: Beyoncé

4th September, 2021.

Did I mention chicken stew, yesterday … ?

No I didn’t: it was the day before.

I’m getting heartily sick of the parsnips in it: so I’ll possibly need to change the recipe.

If you can think of a parsnip replacement, I’d be happy to hear about it!

At ANY rate … ?

I’ve run out of chicken: but DO have a bag of frozen mince.

And, as much as I’m ok at making spaghetti sauce — it’s only bolognese if it’s made by Italians! — I’m thinking a change is as good as a rest.

Now … 

If only I can remember my Chilli Con Carne recipe … !

~≈🌶≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3rd September, 2021.

3rd September, 2021.

Yes: it’s true … 

I’ve got a video meeting, today, at the Job Centre in Basildon.

One of the usual ones I have every two to three weeks.

This could be a key one.

I’m signed off ill, at the moment.   The fit note that covers this runs out on the 5th: so I have to make sure the Job Centre know’s my GP’s surgery has told me I can only order the next on on the 6th.

I’m also supposed to have been sent a form to fill in.

That’s not turned up, yet.

All that … ?

And I’m supposed to buy milk, bread and pick up some medications in town!

It’s a busy day, ahead … !

~≈£≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2nd September, 2021.

2nd September, 2021.

Yes: I’m right, aren’t I … ?

Stuff is possibly going to happen.

Possibly … 

I’m quite possibly going to go for a nice healthy walk … and do some nice healthy exercises.

The latter?   Are doing my knee some good, I think.

But frankly?

I’m not EXACTLY finding them a bundle of laughs!

~≈Ê≈~

Did I mention my chicken stew … ?

I make chicken stew, every so often.

I’ve a couple of pots* left: which I’ll alternate with other meals, over the next few days.

I’m thinking, though, that next batch … ?

Won’t have parsnips in it.

I’m getting a bit cheesed off with parsnips.

~≈🥘≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1-9-2021: The Month of September

1st September, 2021.

Yes: it’s the first of September … and officially the first day of meteorological autumn.

Which means … 

Well, not a lot, from where I’m sitting.

It just means that there’s going to be the inevitable slide to a freezing cold meteorological winter: and a ever so slowly declining temperatures.

What makes it REALLY nice … ?

Is that my gas supplier — along side everyone else’s! —  are putting prices up in October.

Wouldn’t you know it?

~≈⛽️≈~

Prices going up … 

And income coming down.

As you know, I’m not working at the moment, and receiving Universal Credit: the standard benefit for unemployed people in the UK.

Which — currently? — includes a twenty pound uplift, introduce in April of last year, to help deal with the COVID 19 crisis.

There’s been calls, over the months, to extend the uplift: call that were partially successful when it was extended to the end of this month.

Yesterday?   I told you that the relevant welfare sections of the UK’s devolved parliaments had called for it to either be extended, again: or to be made permanent.

Today … ?

Today, Work and Pensions Secretary, Therese Coffey, has rejected this.

Saying that “Our ambition is to support two million people move into and progress in work through our comprehensive £33 billion Plan for Jobs.”

I’m … 

Actually, I’m not angry about this.

I’m not surprised about it.

But not angry.

More disappointed.

And curious.

What IS that plan?

And does it have provisions for those of us — like me — who’ve not received a practical job offer in three years.

I serious doubt it.

Given that … ?

I’m going to have to ask Therese Coffey a question or two.

Will she ask the Chancellor to make this permanent?   She’ll make life easier for people claiming Universal Credit.

The other is quite simple.

Ms Coffey, if you’re reading this?   Will you, personally, offer me a job at either your office, or your department?

The way my job hunting’s going, that’s the only way I’ll be ‘moving into work.’

~≈£≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31st August. 2021.

31st August, 2021.

Yes … it’s raining.

In the immortal words of Janet Weiss.

So … ?   Well, I’ve got to go to town, to put in for a new sick note, and a little shopping.

I’m going to get wet … 

~≈Á≈~

I’ve been out of work, now, since 2018: and it can drag.

Especially when you consider the amount we, as benefit claimants, are paid.

What’s help, over the past few months?   Is the £20 per week uplift to Universal Credit the government introduced in 2020.

It’s a godsend.

One that’s due to end on 30th September,  2021.

Understandably, people are upset.

Me, included.

One thing I’m grateful to see?

Was a piece of news I saw yesterday.

It seems the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have all appealed to Westminster — the UK’s central government — to either extend the uplift, again: or make it permanent.

Good for them.

I doubt — right now — that it would work.

After all, the Prime Minister says he wants to concentrate on people having — or getting — paid work.

But, given those better paid jobs aren’t coming my way?

I hope the appeal works.

~≈Á≈~