The chancellor also needs to heavily rebuke companies engaged on greedflation and announce a series of measures including breaking them up if they don't start passing savings onto consumers. I've said it many times and I'll say it again, if petrol forecourts had honest pricing that a proper functioning market would have rather than one dominated by 2 or 3 big players the pump price would be ~11p per litre lower than today for unleaded and diesel.
We've allowed industry consolidation to go too far and consumers are being ripped off. The chancellor must address this in today's budget either with punitive taxes on those companies or the threat of break up.
If my wife was awake she would be able to tell me the current price at Hawes (community ran not for profit petrol station that does hsave the rural tax discount but that really only reflects the extra delivery costs).
Think its £1.45 a litre of diesel though so that shows the profits being made...
I paid £1.53 at Costco yesterday which is generally close to a true price.
My wife corrected me she paid £1.53 yesterday.
So there is a difference of 11-14p where a town has little competition with no independent station.
It seems to vary so much by locality. Our local garages charge £165.9 for diesel. 10 miles south, it is 10p cheaper. 10 miles north it is even dearer..
Fairlie, I paid 152.9 in Sainsbury's the other day local Morrisons was still at 162.9 though. Maybe jsut waiting on new delivery before they reduce , seems mix at those prices which is unusual
Before I left for the IOW. The cheapest diesel fuel locally was shoreham Tesco at 164.9. Its been that price for some weeks. I think petrol is about 149.9
Diesel was running for a while at 23p a litre above petrol, but this time it was around 10p . 23p difference was criminal.
Regardless of the facts being debated here, an outgoing PM should not be making his father a lord simply because he's his father.
What has Stanley Johnson ever done that needs any kind of public recognition? I vaguely remember him being on some kind of reality TV ('I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here'?) but that might be a pure figment of my imagination. I was aware of him in contexts that weren't wholly related to Boris, but I can't think what. Help!
It does seem incredible, I know, but organisations (RSPCA, RSPC, WWF) have been falling over themselves to give Stanley Johnson prizes. From wiki:
In 1983 he received the RSPCA Richard Martin Award for Outstanding Services to animal welfare. He was for many years an ambassador for the UNEP Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals based in Bonn, Germany. In October 2015 Johnson was awarded the RSPB Medal by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for his role in the creation of one of the cornerstones of Europe's nature conservation policy – the Habitats Directive (1992). In December 2015 he received the World Wide Fund for Nature Leader for a Living Planet Award.
I must admit I am of the opinion that there are too many of these awards -- the Best Circus Pony of the Year, the Tyson Medal Prize for Best Right Hook to a Marital Partner, etc -- but I'm still astonished that Stanley has amassed 3 prizes already.
Regardless of the facts being debated here, an outgoing PM should not be making his father a lord simply because he's his father.
What has Stanley Johnson ever done that needs any kind of public recognition? I vaguely remember him being on some kind of reality TV ('I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here'?) but that might be a pure figment of my imagination. I was aware of him in contexts that weren't wholly related to Boris, but I can't think what. Help!
It does seem incredible, I know, but organisations (RSPCA, RSPC, WWF) have been falling over themselves to give Stanley Johnson prizes. From wiki:
In 1983 he received the RSPCA Richard Martin Award for Outstanding Services to animal welfare. He was for many years an ambassador for the UNEP Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals based in Bonn, Germany. In October 2015 Johnson was awarded the RSPB Medal by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for his role in the creation of one of the cornerstones of Europe's nature conservation policy – the Habitats Directive (1992). In December 2015 he received the World Wide Fund for Nature Leader for a Living Planet Award.
I must admit I am of the opinion that there are too many of these awards -- the Best Circus Pony of the Year, the Tyson Medal Prize for Best Right Hook to a Marital Partner, etc -- but I'm still astonished that Stanley has amassed 3 prizes already.
With awards, I always like to be able to check who nominates, who votes, and the power dynamic at the time.
Regardless of the facts being debated here, an outgoing PM should not be making his father a lord simply because he's his father.
What has Stanley Johnson ever done that needs any kind of public recognition? I vaguely remember him being on some kind of reality TV ('I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here'?) but that might be a pure figment of my imagination. I was aware of him in contexts that weren't wholly related to Boris, but I can't think what. Help!
It does seem incredible, I know, but organisations (RSPCA, RSPC, WWF) have been falling over themselves to give Stanley Johnson prizes. From wiki:
In 1983 he received the RSPCA Richard Martin Award for Outstanding Services to animal welfare. He was for many years an ambassador for the UNEP Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals based in Bonn, Germany.
In October 2015 Johnson was awarded the RSPB Medal by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for his role in the creation of one of the cornerstones of Europe's nature conservation policy – the Habitats Directive (1992).
In December 2015 he received the World Wide Fund for Nature Leader for a Living Planet Award.
I must admit I am of the opinion that there are too many of these awards -- the Best Circus Pony of the Year, the Tyson Medal Prize for Best Right Hook to a Marital Partner, etc -- but I'm still astonished that Stanley has amassed 3 prizes already.
Maybe he'll get a Montgomery Burns Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence.
On topic! 😌 Betting Post 🐎 Cheltenham Day Two. There’s no pause or let up in festival racing 🥳
For horse racing fans, it was a great first day, lots of fascinating contests in front a raucous crowd, lots of emotional back stories to winners. It was largely win too for punters over bookies. The crowd got what they wanted.
Of my four tips, one win two seconds, though those seconds didn’t count for me as I do win bets. And what left me flat as a flat ironed pancake, was Maries Rock and Love Envoi both beaten in the Mares😭
Love Envoi nothing left to give in the final yards after doing all the work. Not fair! I was a proper moody mare myself.
Constitution Hill stole the show on Day 1. Sure you can say it’s the beastly gears at the end of race, rivals can’t match. It’s more than that for me, have you ever seen a horse more relaxed and focussed in the endless parade in front hordes of over excited humans and everything else going on before the race? They said Hilly works eats and sleeps. Being completely unflappable in personality type builds the foundation for the performance, do you see what I mean? A beautiful horse too, you just want to hug and give it lots of kisses. And was expertly piloted. As the consummate professional package, you just want to trust your money on it. Stodge called it right in Mondays header, it was like a graduation day. Keys to the door moment.
My Win tips for Day 2
Good Land for Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (1.30) Geri Colombe to land novice chase handicap (2.10) Edwardstone is the best 2m chaser, is over a bruised foot, and nothing will go wrong here in Queen Mum (3.30) Elixir De Nutz (4:50)
If you want an e/w tip Red Risk has fought valiantly for first and second last two races and currently on double carpet.
And a chance to check form of my Grand National tip DeltaWork, in the Cross Country. If you are unfamiliar with todays big Steeplechase, it is just about 4 miles, 32 unique obstacles with great names, including banks, drops, water. Commentary you couldn’t make up and do it justice, but I’ll try. “So as we move away from the Jolly Rancher, it’s Mywifeknowseverything as we approach the Duck Pond… Slack Sally has gone down there at the Kissing Gate…as we make our way on to Mrs Miggins Flower Garden, Sotallytober from The Geespot”
Good luck!
I don't do betting but good luck to you and all other PB betters at Cheltenham 👍
This reply to a Matthew Goodwin tweet shows why people should never comment on things they don't understand. The person replying makes a totally nonsensical point about what would happen if the poll were conducted in different parts of the country.
Regardless of the facts being debated here, an outgoing PM should not be making his father a lord simply because he's his father.
What has Stanley Johnson ever done that needs any kind of public recognition? I vaguely remember him being on some kind of reality TV ('I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here'?) but that might be a pure figment of my imagination. I was aware of him in contexts that weren't wholly related to Boris, but I can't think what. Help!
Valiant efforts to counter UK’s birth rate crisis, a trait that appears to be genetic. A damp Johnson tissue has only to be left on a train and bang, there’s another of the buggers.
On topic! 😌 Betting Post 🐎 Cheltenham Day Two. There’s no pause or let up in festival racing 🥳
For horse racing fans, it was a great first day, lots of fascinating contests in front a raucous crowd, lots of emotional back stories to winners. It was largely win too for punters over bookies. The crowd got what they wanted.
Of my four tips, one win two seconds, though those seconds didn’t count for me as I do win bets. And what left me flat as a flat ironed pancake, was Maries Rock and Love Envoi both beaten in the Mares😭
Love Envoi nothing left to give in the final yards after doing all the work. Not fair! I was a proper moody mare myself.
Constitution Hill stole the show on Day 1. Sure you can say it’s the beastly gears at the end of race, rivals can’t match. It’s more than that for me, have you ever seen a horse more relaxed and focussed in the endless parade in front hordes of over excited humans and everything else going on before the race? They said Hilly works eats and sleeps. Being completely unflappable in personality type builds the foundation for the performance, do you see what I mean? A beautiful horse too, you just want to hug and give it lots of kisses. And was expertly piloted. As the consummate professional package, you just want to trust your money on it. Stodge called it right in Mondays header, it was like a graduation day. Keys to the door moment.
My Win tips for Day 2
Good Land for Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (1.30) Geri Colombe to land novice chase handicap (2.10) Edwardstone is the best 2m chaser, is over a bruised foot, and nothing will go wrong here in Queen Mum (3.30) Elixir De Nutz (4:50)
If you want an e/w tip Red Risk has fought valiantly for first and second last two races and currently on double carpet.
And a chance to check form of my Grand National tip DeltaWork, in the Cross Country. If you are unfamiliar with todays big Steeplechase, it is just about 4 miles, 32 unique obstacles with great names, including banks, drops, water. Commentary you couldn’t make up and do it justice, but I’ll try. “So as we move away from the Jolly Rancher, it’s Mywifeknowseverything as we approach the Duck Pond… Slack Sally has gone down there at the Kissing Gate…as we make our way on to Mrs Miggins Flower Garden, Sotallytober from The Geespot”
Good luck!
Surprised you did not go for Snow Leopardess in the 4:10 , was that not one of your favourites.
And if President Trump or Desantis pulled back they'd do what exactly? 1-2 of them would directly criticise and maybe 5 would say they were disappointed.
Exactly. For the sake of Ukraine, Europe and the world we need the Democrats to win next year's Presidential election.
Which is bitterly disappointing, that the party of Reagan would have debased itself so much with those two individuals and those who appease them.
RDS is trying to play up to the base. In reality, neither he nor Trump would pull back on Ukraine (and certainly not Trump who - believe it or not - tends to generally take the advice from his military).
People should, no joke, assume politicians will act as they say they will. Loads of people assume they won't and get screwed. Too risky.
Desantis may be an arsehole, but how has he said he will act? Calling the Russian invasion a "territorial dispute" is obviously unacceptable, but he hasn't actually said he would do anything differently has he?
"While the US has many vital national interests, … becoming further entangled in a territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia is not one of them"
What does he mean by further entangled? Current administration policy seems to be to give Ukraine what it needs to defend itself without getting further entangled, so RDS is kind of agreeing there.
"The Biden's administration's virtual ‘blank check’ funding of this conflict for ‘as long as it takes,’ without any defined objectives or accountability, distracts from our country’s most pressing challenges"
So what would RDS do differently? Define objectives better and have more accountability?
I think he has carefully chosen his words to sound critical of Biden, without actually saying he would do anytime materially differently.
And those US politicians, esp Republicans, who disagree with RDS need to explain why it is in the US national interest to defend Ukraine. And to define what US objectives are, or why it is better not to define them if that's what they think. Given the less than 100% fantastic record of US foreign policy, if I was a MAGA-leaning American I probably would need more to convince me than a bunch of senators just saying Desantis doesn't know what he's talking about.
And if President Trump or Desantis pulled back they'd do what exactly? 1-2 of them would directly criticise and maybe 5 would say they were disappointed.
Exactly. For the sake of Ukraine, Europe and the world we need the Democrats to win next year's Presidential election.
Which is bitterly disappointing, that the party of Reagan would have debased itself so much with those two individuals and those who appease them.
RDS is trying to play up to the base. In reality, neither he nor Trump would pull back on Ukraine (and certainly not Trump who - believe it or not - tends to generally take the advice from his military).
Excuse me if I am not confident to put my faith in the idea that RDS or Trump won't be as absurd as they say they are.
Especially since its quite possible to still support Ukraine but to soft-pedal that support rather than be fully committed. We need a President who is committed to support Ukraine, not one that should be committed.
The GOP is a cancer and they will eventually win the presidency and sell out Europe.
Ron DeSantis said that becoming “further entangled in a territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia” was not a vital US national interest, in a sign that he would scale back support if he became president.
DeSantis, 44, who is believed to be preparing a White House run, criticised President Biden for a “blank cheque” commitment to Ukraine.
For a Churchill admirer, he sounds remarkably like Chamberlain.
And I'm not sure even the latter would call a full blown armed invasion 'a territorial dispute'.
Less of that please. Chamberlain extended healthcare and proper public health procedures for poor people.
Apart from that, Mrs Lincoln, how was the play ? In another time, Chamberlain might indeed have been remembered as a decent PM.
Certainly, if he had been PM from 1924-29 instead of Baldwin.
That does of course mean the opprobrium heaped on Chamberlain would be heaped on Gilmour, Inskip or Cunliffe-Lister instead.
Something of a hospital pass for whoever got it. Could even the most far sighted PM have avoided the war (other than by capitulating) ?
No.
Yup. Hitler was one of the few people in Europe who didn’t mind a second World War. So every time he rolled the dice on another aggression, he saw it as win/win.
The GOP is a cancer and they will eventually win the presidency and sell out Europe.
Ron DeSantis said that becoming “further entangled in a territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia” was not a vital US national interest, in a sign that he would scale back support if he became president.
DeSantis, 44, who is believed to be preparing a White House run, criticised President Biden for a “blank cheque” commitment to Ukraine.
I think that this is appeasement of the GOP, more so than Putin.
And we know appeasing fascists never ends well.
A European army is not the answer. There are a number of highly effective joint operations & collaborations between European nations. The U.K. is involved in several of these.
The answer is
1) continuing the disarmament of Russia. They are rebuilding T-62s as a basis for a big chunk of their army. 2) an increased procurement of weapons that work and ammunition to go with them.
Interoperability it a key for ammunition. A joint stockpile of 155mm shell bodies seems like a good place to start. The unfilled shells have a storage life of generations (not Scottish) and are a major issue in ramping up production. A joint European holding of a million? Or more?
And if President Trump or Desantis pulled back they'd do what exactly? 1-2 of them would directly criticise and maybe 5 would say they were disappointed.
Exactly. For the sake of Ukraine, Europe and the world we need the Democrats to win next year's Presidential election.
Which is bitterly disappointing, that the party of Reagan would have debased itself so much with those two individuals and those who appease them.
RDS is trying to play up to the base. In reality, neither he nor Trump would pull back on Ukraine (and certainly not Trump who - believe it or not - tends to generally take the advice from his military).
People should, no joke, assume politicians will act as they say they will. Loads of people assume they won't and get screwed. Too risky.
Desantis may be an arsehole, but how has he said he will act? Calling the Russian invasion a "territorial dispute" is obviously unacceptable, but he hasn't actually said he would do anything differently has he?
"While the US has many vital national interests, … becoming further entangled in a territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia is not one of them"
What does he mean by further entangled? Current administration policy seems to be to give Ukraine what it needs to defend itself without getting further entangled, so RDS is kind of agreeing there.
"The Biden's administration's virtual ‘blank check’ funding of this conflict for ‘as long as it takes,’ without any defined objectives or accountability, distracts from our country’s most pressing challenges"
So what would RDS do differently? Define objectives better and have more accountability?
I think he has carefully chosen his words to sound critical of Biden, without actually saying he would do anytime materially differently.
And those US politicians, esp Republicans, who disagree with RDS need to explain why it is in the US national interest to defend Ukraine. And to define what US objectives are, or why it is better not to define them if that's what they think. Given the less than 100% fantastic record of US foreign policy, if I was a MAGA-leaning American I probably would need more to convince me than a bunch of senators just saying Desantis doesn't know what he's talking about.
How people frame things is a strong indicator how they will act. Yes it's not assured, but it's a signal that cannot be dismissed as mere speculation.
Next time The Met tell you they don't have enough money to work effectively....
The Metropolitan Police is planning to spend £440,000 on mounting certificates and picture frames in what it said was an important measure to maintain morale.
The Met said the framing initiative was a way to “recognise and reward” more than 44,000 officers and staff for their bravery in the line of duty, “innovative instigations”, long service, and for those retiring. The force has advertised for companies to bid for a contract to supply and deliver picture frames and certificates for its “employee recognition programme”. The contract would last for four years.
The move comes despite complaints by Sir Mark Rowley, the commissioner, that the Met is struggling financially.
£440,000 would pay for 4-5 Police officers, when factor in employers expenses etc.
Beyond the superficial…
1) How much of that is “well spent”? I would bet that a large proportion is spent on awards and cases/mounts for senior police officers offices. Further, I would bet that it is spent on a “don’t ask the price, just get me X” basis.
There was a scam where senior officers would get personal use of a big, powerful SUV. Paid for as a police vehicle - concealed blues and twos, radio etc - but they would be using it as personal vehicle. Taking it home etc. technically it would be part of the car pool at the station - keys on the board - but any plod who actually took one out would be in the shit.
I have heard several stories, as a variation on the following - police officer on last day on the job, hears and emergency call in the station. No cars available to respond. Grabs keys of the Big Shiny and redoes Fast & Furious.
2) the flip side of the stupid “not our core business” is that anything you do every god damned day *is* your core business. And you are better off employing people to do it.
If your business needs 20 developers, 300 days a years, you don’t need a contract to software consultancy. You are the proud owner of a software development function. Own it.
In this case, if the police need to spend £440k on awards every year, it would probably be cheaper to have a central function in the Met for making, mounting etc awards. Even in London, that’s more than the turnover on a fair sized framing shop.
Having had to spend another period of time yesterday trying to explain to HY what defamation is, I see that Jonathan Gullis is trying for a new defence - stupidity. He definitely didn't libel Crispbag, he's just too stupid to comprehend what Crispbag actually said.
To be fair to the voters of Stoke on Trent, when they voted Gullis into parliament, it was for the betterment of their kids who had the comedic pleasure of having him as their teacher.
Have you got an answer to the question I asked yesterday, with regards to your comments about Stanley Johnson?
I don't recall seeing your question. As for my comments I refer you to truth, public interest, and honest opinion defences. Worth noting that Fiona Bruce herself didn't tell YAB not to make defamatory remarks, merely that they should be put into the correct context.
Gullis has no such defences should Sir Crispbag want to get a large donation to a charity of his choice.
That's all fair enough, but you seemed very certain about your claims. I was just asking for good sources for your claims (and not repeats of previous claims).
Can I refer you back to the first defence against defamation - truth. Considering who he is, how high profile he became and the age of this story, it is an honest opinion (another defence) that this story is simply actually true. Never denied, backed up by others, even repeated in passing by Bruce as established fact.
Not sure what point you are trying to make here.
You seem to be taking a rather legalistic approach to a simple question - perhaps, if I might make a guess, because you're on the wrong foot here?
I'm asking how you know the 'truth' of the allegations? As far as I can tell (and please correct me if I'm wrong), the allegations were made by his ex-wife in a book. A newspaper (and not one that leftists usually call reliable) claimed anonymous friends had backed the claims up.
What we've seen since then is people referring to those as if it is the truth. They are *allegations*.
Again, I could be wrong. Are there other first-hand sources?
I just go back to my journalism training all those years ago. Who what when where why how. Is it possible that his wife was lying? Yes. Is it possible that the journalist misquoted her, or made it up? Yes. But when you then look at what has happened afterwards those possibilities just fall away.
Again, it happened. No defence or denial has been made. Supporting evidence validating that it happened has been provided by "friends". Over a long period of time. It is established fact whether you are satisfied with how we got here ot n
The chancellor also needs to heavily rebuke companies engaged on greedflation and announce a series of measures including breaking them up if they don't start passing savings onto consumers. I've said it many times and I'll say it again, if petrol forecourts had honest pricing that a proper functioning market would have rather than one dominated by 2 or 3 big players the pump price would be ~11p per litre lower than today for unleaded and diesel.
We've allowed industry consolidation to go too far and consumers are being ripped off. The chancellor must address this in today's budget either with punitive taxes on those companies or the threat of break up.
If my wife was awake she would be able to tell me the current price at Hawes (community ran not for profit petrol station that does hsave the rural tax discount but that really only reflects the extra delivery costs).
Think its £1.45 a litre of diesel though so that shows the profits being made...
In the south I have seen derv at 1.75.9 and 1. 90 on motorway service stations. We are all being royally ripped off but then was it ever thus. Eg... A yr ago a 2 quid bottle of heinz tomato ketchup in tesco is now 4 quid. They are all taking the piss.
There is an element of taking the piss, of course there is. But two things are happening here:
1. Real world inflation on specific items and classes of thing is significantly higher than headline inflation. There is a wish - politically driven usually - to talk down inflation. I get that. But wishing doesn't make it reality, and commodity prices for stuff like tomatoes are sky high. So the material price inflation continues to shoot upwards, compounding previous increases. 2. The ability of sellers to subsidise below-average profit margin lines has been reduced. Two of the big four supermarkets are in massive shit due to their levered PE buyout. All have been clobbered by enormous energy cost inflation in both electricity and diesel. They used to flog things like road fuel at a price disconnected with wholesale to be competitive - they're no longer able / willing to do that.
So "the piss" starts with a belief that prices are falling when they are not, and that market-derived competition can be continued at the previous rate. Neither are true. If the inflation rate of some staples is easing back into the high teens percent from the 40-50% they have been at, the price is still rising. We will never again see a £2 bottle of Ketchup, at least not one of the same size / quality.
This is also the flip side if Sir Stuart Rose’s observation about wages.
The super cheap ranges of food, clothes etc were built on cheap labour, sweating suppliers (see the Tesco interrogation centre) and, as you say, cross subsidies to get people in the shops.
Comments
Did Patent , singles, doubles & treble on
1:30 Hermes Allen
2:10 Gerri Colombe
3:30 Edwardstone
EW bet on 4:10 Snow Leopardess
That's the level we want.
"While the US has many vital national interests, … becoming further entangled in a territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia is not one of them"
What does he mean by further entangled?
Current administration policy seems to be to give Ukraine what it needs to defend itself without getting further entangled, so RDS is kind of agreeing there.
"The Biden's administration's virtual ‘blank check’ funding of this conflict for ‘as long as it takes,’ without any defined objectives or accountability, distracts from our country’s most pressing challenges"
So what would RDS do differently? Define objectives better and have more accountability?
I think he has carefully chosen his words to sound critical of Biden, without actually saying he would do anytime materially differently.
And those US politicians, esp Republicans, who disagree with RDS need to explain why it is in the US national interest to defend Ukraine. And to define what US objectives are, or why it is better not to define them if that's what they think. Given the less than 100% fantastic record of US foreign policy, if I was a MAGA-leaning American I probably would need more to convince me than a bunch of senators just saying Desantis doesn't know what he's talking about.
Especially since its quite possible to still support Ukraine but to soft-pedal that support rather than be fully committed. We need a President who is committed to support Ukraine, not one that should be committed.
The answer is
1) continuing the disarmament of Russia. They are rebuilding T-62s as a basis for a big chunk of their army.
2) an increased procurement of weapons that work and ammunition to go with them.
Interoperability it a key for ammunition. A joint stockpile of 155mm shell bodies seems like a good place to start. The unfilled shells have a storage life of generations (not Scottish) and are a major issue in ramping up production. A joint European holding of a million? Or more?
Police officers, when factor in employers expenses etc.
Beyond the superficial…
1) How much of that is “well spent”? I would bet that a large proportion is spent on awards and cases/mounts for senior police officers offices. Further, I would bet that it is spent on a “don’t ask the price, just get me X” basis.
There was a scam where senior officers would get personal use of a big, powerful SUV. Paid for as a police vehicle - concealed blues and twos, radio etc - but they would be using it as personal vehicle. Taking it home etc. technically it would be part of the car pool at the station - keys on the board - but any plod who actually took one out would be in the shit.
I have heard several stories, as a variation on the following - police officer on last day on the job, hears and emergency call in the station. No cars available to respond. Grabs keys of the Big Shiny and redoes Fast & Furious.
2) the flip side of the stupid “not our core business” is that anything you do every god damned day *is* your core business. And you are better off employing people to do it.
If your business needs 20 developers, 300 days a years, you don’t need a contract to software consultancy. You are the proud owner of a software development function. Own it.
In this case, if the police need to spend £440k on awards every year, it would probably be cheaper to have a central function in the Met for making, mounting etc awards. Even in London, that’s more than the turnover on a fair sized framing shop.
The super cheap ranges of food, clothes etc were built on cheap labour, sweating suppliers (see the Tesco interrogation centre) and, as you say, cross subsidies to get people in the shops.
That suggests that the government is safe… for now…
Great for early morning dog walks though