It is suggested that students should start paying loans back at a lower threshold of £19000. Already priced out of the housing market, having a high unemployment rate, the young are being penalised for COVID which did not really impact on their health. A more sensible approach would be to increase tax on pensioners receiving over £30000 (or whatever is needed to restore an equable relationship between the generations. After all most, like me have paid off their mortgages (which were minuscule compared to what is required today). At present the children of wealthy parents have the distinct advantage.
TRUTH IS NOT A 4 LETTER WORD!
As knucklehead Johnson seems incredibly bad at Maths I thought I would point this out. Could we ask all politicians to take a lie detector test before elections.
The latest farce is Gove refusing to apologise regarding a contract awarded last year to cronies. A judge has found them guilty, but despite this they continue to deny responsibility. And later today we will see doormat Hancock denying that care homes had to accept untested patients from hospital, despite the evidence of numerous emails. Will he rely on the same excuse as last time “he was working very hard”. A phrase open to a lot of interpretation.
In many ways all is well in the world when national daily papers have anything about the royal family on them. Who gives a ****.
G7
Could be interesting. Biden does not seem to want to hang about – so Northern Ireland will possibly be explosive. Diplomats like to prevaricate, but Biden seems to want some action. Trade deals are imperative for the Johnson crew, so threats to that could make interesting reading. Johnson seems to want to keep tax issues as distant as possible whilst Biden has said he wants to increase them (Bezos, Buffet, Musk and 22 other very rich, paid just 3.4% tax over the last 5 years). I am not sure Israel will come up for discussion – but again could be interesting. Will the USA exert a greater influence over proceedings now that Trumps shadow is receding.
IN THE NEWS TODAY – 9 JUNE
Lots of potentially huge stories. Cabinet Office found guilty of concealing the work of one of its elements in obstruction Freedom of Information requests. NHS is to delay sharing patient data. Huge outage affects internet yesterday.
Covid remains dominant in the news, cases up, hospitalisation and death down. Now, more than ever we need clear and firm leadership. To the lay person like myself, it would seem that there is no real reason to carry on with restrictions. However even I can see some warning signs. Cases in North Somerset have doubled in the last week. One jab is only 50% effective. Some restrictions would seem sensible – social distancing where ever possible, mask wearing in crowded indoor areas. Vaccine passports are being used at Wembley for the Croatia game.
Meanwhile the NHS is 35000 nurses short and is recruiting poorly qualified people. And in Cornwall the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro is clearing wards in preparation for the influx of tens of thousands for the G7 conference. People have also even been warned to avoid calling 999.
Cicada – this year is the cycle of the 17 year cicada. Millions will come out, mate and die leaving their 500 eggs to hatch and then burrow into the ground for a 17 year wait.
Siri says it might rain this afternoon. I hope so – the water butts need filling!
My “Pardon the weeds – we’re feeding the bees” sign is on its way! I hope the pots follow soon, as I have at least 12 mints and herbs to repot.
TAKING THE KNEE
Thank you Lee Anderson, aka, knob. The continued discussion generated by taking the knee justifies its continuance. Those who claim it is a political movement are just looking for an excuse to justify their latent racism. And the morons who boo the England team, or any other, are basically announcing to the world that they are useless twats with nothing better to do than condemn someone for having a different coloured skin to their own. So Lee Anderson you can not watch England play football (I often would rather not …!), but your bigotry is offensive.
FOREIGN AID – RANT
The government panders to the small minded and ignorant – again.
The cut is 0.2% of our national budget (GDP). It is not a matter of spending it on poverty in the UK, the government has already choses not to do this. Money spent on aid benefits us in many ways, economically and politically via trade deals. The moral argument is obviously wasted on the selfish bit of the British Public (which unfortunately is rather large). As proof of this statement I would refer to the litter dropped on our beaches, parks and roadsides. The government should not be pandering to this numbskull element of society, but trying to educate them. Bigots should not be a core element for any political party in a democratic society.
G7 makes historic agreement
G7 agree new tax laws on major TNC’s in this BBC story. Can they stick to it? It will probably need G20 approval before adoption. I think I am correct in stating that Ireland will lose out in a major way? UK has already watered down the % from 21% to 15%. And the Sunday Express headlines that this is all UK governments doing (Biden might disagree!).
PAXTON SMITH – I SALUTE YOUR BRAVERY AND CONVICTION
Yet again it is left to a young person, and female (although I did not want to be anti-male), to stand and be counted on issues of importance. Paxton Smith is the valedictorian student of her year at a high school in Texas – i.e. well clever! And was allowed to make a speech of her choosing due to this. Her speech was made about the horrible and vindictive laws about abortion made by the Republican legislature in Texas. I salute you!
SHAMBLES OF THE WEEK
Shapps has made a strong play with moving countries in and out of colour zones like it was a game. Williamson, despite getting lacky Nick Gibbs, to take the flak, remains a hot favourite yet again. First contract given to a Dutch company for tutoring – why? I have yet to see a sensible proposition from anyone in government as to how to help children. A tongue in cheek suggestion of appointing Marcus Rashford to Education Minister is not so silly!
DEPARTMENT for EJITS (DfE)
It really is not that difficult. Year. 11 have no exams so schools have 6 weeks with 20% of their main school students missing. Using some of these hours would not be greatly popular with teachers – but a pay rise would compensate- for individual and small group tuition would seem sensible and practical. Cheaper than the way the government hides its incompetence behind large cash sums (I am sure much of this money will go to private tuition firms.