Ministers say government should not lead on health recommendations. Who is supposed to counter the excess sugar and salt produced by the mega-corporations? And is the cost to the NHS from obesity and related harm not their duty?
BLAME GAME
Public blamed for food insecurity due to lack of cooking skills. Nothing to do with the the billions spent on advertising by mega-nationals then.
FARMING
Firstly it should be protected from the import of inferior produce with duties and protective legislation. (Taking back control!). Secondly there needs to be a distinction between family farms and those run for investment purposes and pure profit. Third it may need support to change to restorative techniques. Fourth the land owned by farmers should be excluded from property development.
FOOD
The cost of living crisis is NOT essentially caused by food costs going up, but by the high cost of housing (mortgages and rents). For too long the landlords and property owners in Parliament have allowed these costs to soar.
COOKING IDEAS -sweet
Strawberry cheesecake with strawberry coulis – recipe from Jane’s patisserie p32
Gin and tonic cake – Coffee and walnut cake – carrot cake – Choc chip cookies – oatmeal raisin cookies – white chocolate strawberry scones
Coconut dream Bars – Skillet cornbread – cinnamon raisin swirl cake – New Orleans beignets
TAXES
Some basic points. The overall tax base cannot be cut without a fall in government expenditure. This can either mean a cut in the services provided by government or an increase in the economy. The latter is increasingly unlikely!
At present we are seeing virtually all sectors of the economy hit by increasing inflation of costs, and higher taxes. This does not appear sustainable. The only sector seemingly immune is the financial sector where record bonus payments have been made, and those who profited from Covid and recent energy rises.
Wages have to go up for most of the population so the answer would seem to be fairly simple. Firstly reverse as much of Brexit as possible. Secondly reduce corporation tax to encourage investment. Thirdly introduce a 60% income tax on all net individual earnings.
Then the whole council tax system needs sorting. Second home owners should pay a premium rather than be exempt if they do not occupy for long enough during the year. People need to rent and let rather than buy to ensure/reflect economic mobility. There needs to be inspectors who can set a fair rent – if the landlord does not like it they can sell. With a fair rent tenants and landlords can be happy. Business tax is destroying the high street by not levying a fee on the likes of Amazon. High Streets provide local jobs and the knock on. Globalisation is anti-localisation. Society needs to rebuild on local levels after covid, with help and community words to the forefront and profit and greed relegated to the bin.
We can build a better society in which we all participate if the media stop creating hate and jealousy.
NANNY STATE
Laws restricting large companies from selling and promoting harmful products are not the nanny state, but an attempt to provide a balance to the public. The true nanny state encourages consumers to over indulge in products that are addictive and harmful (tobacco, alcohol, sugar, salt,) and activities that potentially harm others (driving laws, health and safety laws, etc.). No sensible person would employ a nanny to encourage these things. Yet the looneys on the right are happy to promote these activities for their profit.
ENVIRONMENT
The government is getting worse by the day. It seems that Johnson perceives his hopes of survival on appeasing the right wing of the Cabinet (i.e. all of them). Environmental controls on food are to be slashed, rivers are being turned into sewers, building on Greenfield sites going ahead despite environmental concerns. Where it has power (e.g. railways) wages are being frozen. The talk is all about tax cuts which means job cuts in the current climate. Our economy is wilting under the onslaught of Brexit. The Rwanda shit show horror story continues to be an embarrassment to all sane members of the public.
REWILDING
We need publicity to make wild gardens cool. I have not got a large garden – the front is about 60m2. There are about 90 of these along my street. Some have been paved over for cars at least in part, one has artificial grass, 3 or 4 have sorted plants, one or two are leaving areas to wild, but I am the only one with a concerted lack of plan! 20+ types of mint, 7 thyme, a huge sage bush, 4 rosemary varieties, lemon verbena, Californian poppy tansy, sunflowers, vetch, forget-me-not, and other stuff all encouraging wildlife. If more people joined in we could have our own urban nature reserve. The urban climate would be moderated, rainfall run off (and floods) reduced. And the beauty of herbs and flowers that benefit our senses would be enhanced .
Scones
Tomorrows recipe