Public sector net debt was £2,076.8 billion at the end of October 2020, or 100.8% of GDP, an increase of £276.3 billion across the first seven months of the financial year https://t.co/i2U5uk9ikf pic.twitter.com/uj5MpUeRif
The M20 situation is very worrying, we basically live at the westernmost end of it (after it becomes the A20). If roads to Kent become gridlocked then SE London will also become a giant traffic jam. I hope people enjoy their sovereignty.
The M20 situation is very worrying, we basically live at the westernmost end of it (after it becomes the A20). If roads to Kent become gridlocked then SE London will also become a giant traffic jam. I hope people enjoy their sovereignty.
Brexit would be fine if only everybody else in the World did what we wanted.
They should keep the 0.7%, and in the next two years spend it on getting the Oxford jab out there for free.
Seems like a no brainer politically. Make it clear no more funding Chinese musical theatre, and instead we are going to help rid the world of Covid. That would keep both the Daily Mail lot happy, who think the budget is wasted on rubbish and also the Guardian / Churchy types who think we should if anything be doing more.
They should keep the 0.7%, and in the next two years spend it on getting the Oxford jab out there for free.
This is such a no brainer that I can only presume that they did not think that they could announce this until the Oxford vaccine has been officially approved. I wonder if they are simply trying to create the spare capacity for this. If so, they are doing this somewhat ineptly.
A British-Australian academic serving a 10-year sentence in Iran for espionage has been freed in exchange for three jailed Iranians, Iranian media say.
It is a disease that generally happens to women but for the men who suffer from it tend to suffer much worse from it.
It is a horrible horrible disease because lots of people automatically assume that you're an alcoholic and lots of everyday things trigger it.
I know a few people who suffer from it, it is traumatic, one female friend suffers from it, she put on a bit of weight from being pregnant and couldn't shake it off after giving birth, so she decided to do exercise which made it worse, and her kid kept on crying every time she picked her up when she had the red face.
A British-Australian academic serving a 10-year sentence in Iran for espionage has been freed in exchange for three jailed Iranians, Iranian media say.
Not anyone I had ever heard of to be honest but in the scope of the numbers Rishi was dishing up today this seems odd.
The theory I've heard is that Boris Johnson is throwing the Brexit right, who have never been keen on International Aid, some red meat before he shafts them with his EU deal.
It is a disease that generally happens to women but for the men who suffer from it tend to suffer much worse from it.
It is a horrible horrible disease because lots of people automatically assume that you're an alcoholic and lots of everyday things trigger it.
I know a few people who suffer from it, it is traumatic, one female friend suffers from it, she put on a bit of weight from being pregnant and couldn't shake it off after giving birth, so she decided to do exercise which made it worse, and her kid kept on crying every time she picked her up when she had the red face.
When you were asked to expand on saying Edward Leigh had "an incurable medical condition that causes that appearance." I was hoping beyond hope you would reply "He's an alcoholic!"
They should keep the 0.7%, and in the next two years spend it on getting the Oxford jab out there for free.
This is such a no brainer that I can only presume that they did not think that they could announce this until the Oxford vaccine has been officially approved. I wonder if they are simply trying to create the spare capacity for this. If so, they are doing this somewhat ineptly.
Not anyone I had ever heard of to be honest but in the scope of the numbers Rishi was dishing up today this seems odd.
The theory I've heard is that Boris Johnson is throwing the Brexit right, who have never been keen on International Aid, some red meat before he shafts them with his EU deal.
Makes some sort of sense I suppose but we absolutely want the vaccine uptake to be as high as possible everywhere and this seems to me to be a very good use of UK taxpayer's money right now.
I really hope the deal comes this week. Even by EU standards this is getting absolutely ridiculous.
Not anyone I had ever heard of to be honest but in the scope of the numbers Rishi was dishing up today this seems odd.
The theory I've heard is that Boris Johnson is throwing the Brexit right, who have never been keen on International Aid, some red meat before he shafts them with his EU deal.
60% support for cut in foreign aid is a lot more than the Brexit right
I would suggest that any parliament that slams the country into Tier III at the same time as rejecting the cut in overseas aid really really is playing with fire. Really.
I would suggest that any parliament that slams the country into Tier III at the same time as rejecting the cut in overseas aid really really is playing with fire. Really.
When I was about 10 , BlackAdder II was my favourite comedy, to a ridiculous level of anorakness; I reckon I could probably still recite every word. I hadn't seen the first series so went and bought the video with my pocket money, and thought it was shit. Then BlackAdder the Third came on, I was super excited, and felt very let down. "Goes Forth" was better but none of them hold a candle to "II" for me.
Anyway, I digress. A couple of Saturday evenings ago we were watching an episode of The Crown Season One on Netflix, and I said to my missus that it reminded me of a scene from the first episode of BlackAdder II, where Bob/Kate says to Edmund she'd like him to meet her father, Edmund turns around and asks what he thinks is an old beggar loitering in the corridor to move along, not knowing it is his prospective FiL.
The episode of The Crown ends, we switch our tv from Netflix to Sky, (this is 830-9ish on a Saturday Night, Prime Time viewing in lockdown), and what is on BBC1? That very episode, a 35 year old repeat, two mins away from the scene I had described
I became an OAP just a few days ago. Haven't even received my first pension payment yet.
However I have received a letter telling me of the £10 Christmas bonus being paid into my account now.
Completely forgot about this. Can't work out if I am chuffed to bits by the surprised or annoyed by the pointless costs of writing to me and paying such a trivial amount.
When I was about 10 , BlackAdder II was my favourite comedy, to a ridiculous level of anorakness; I reckon I could probably still recite every word. I hadn't seen the first series so went and bought the video with my pocket money, and thought it was shit. Then BlackAdder the Third came on, I was super excited, and felt very let down. "Goes Forth" was better but none of them hold a candle to "II" for me.
Anyway, I digress. A couple of Saturday evenings ago we were watching an episode of The Crown Season One on Netflix, and I said to my missus that it reminded me of a scene from the first episode of BlackAdder II, where Bob/Kate says to Edmund she'd like him to meet her father, Edmund turns around and asks what he thinks is an old beggar loitering in the corridor to move along, not knowing it is his prospective FiL.
The episode of The Crown ends, we switch our tv from Netflix to Sky, (this is 830-9ish on a Saturday Night, Prime Time viewing in lockdown), and what is on BBC1? That very episode, a 35 year old repeat, two mins away from the scene I had described
I`m not a fan of costume dramas. So haven`t watched The Crown. Should I?
A British-Australian academic serving a 10-year sentence in Iran for espionage has been freed in exchange for three jailed Iranians, Iranian media say.
When I was about 10 , BlackAdder II was my favourite comedy, to a ridiculous level of anorakness; I reckon I could probably still recite every word. I hadn't seen the first series so went and bought the video with my pocket money, and thought it was shit. Then BlackAdder the Third came on, I was super excited, and felt very let down. "Goes Forth" was better but none of them hold a candle to "II" for me.
Anyway, I digress. A couple of Saturday evenings ago we were watching an episode of The Crown Season One on Netflix, and I said to my missus that it reminded me of a scene from the first episode of BlackAdder II, where Bob/Kate says to Edmund she'd like him to meet her father, Edmund turns around and asks what he thinks is an old beggar loitering in the corridor to move along, not knowing it is his prospective FiL.
The episode of The Crown ends, we switch our tv from Netflix to Sky, (this is 830-9ish on a Saturday Night, Prime Time viewing in lockdown), and what is on BBC1? That very episode, a 35 year old repeat, two mins away from the scene I had described
I`m not a fan of costume dramas. So haven`t watched The Crown. Should I?
I really like it, binge watching it so we can watch the new series together as my gf has seen series 1-3 already. No idea if it is historically accurate or not, artistic licence used no doubt, but a good story anyway.
I would suggest that any parliament that slams the country into Tier III at the same time as rejecting the cut in overseas aid really really is playing with fire. Really.
Given that it is, I think, accepted that it will be future generations who foot the bill for all this then I guess it comes down to future generations v foreign aid. Which one do you want to prioritise?
0.7% (or 0.5%) of GDP is eye-wateringly high, but it may still be in the national interest to maintain it? Dunno.
I would suggest that any parliament that slams the country into Tier III at the same time as rejecting the cut in overseas aid really really is playing with fire. Really.
Yes, it would be a Farage wet dream
So he's running the show then. Never bothered getting elected but who needs it.
I would suggest that any parliament that slams the country into Tier III at the same time as rejecting the cut in overseas aid really really is playing with fire. Really.
Yes, it would be a Farage wet dream
So he's running the show then. Never bothered getting elected but who needs it.
A less successful politician than the Tory who has held Poshington-on-the-Wold since the late 70s though
Not anyone I had ever heard of to be honest but in the scope of the numbers Rishi was dishing up today this seems odd.
The theory I've heard is that Boris Johnson is throwing the Brexit right, who have never been keen on International Aid, some red meat before he shafts them with his EU deal.
60% support for cut in foreign aid is a lot more than the Brexit right
Big G (and others) is it not possible that:
1. Foreign aid is not popular with the public - it never really has been, except among the well-heeled middle classes. There has always been, and always will be, a majority against it in polls. 2. Nevertheless, foreign aid should continue undiminished, as it is recognised that it helps the poor overseas and, coincidentally but significantly, contributes to Britain's 'soft power'. 3. That's why governments of all stripes have maintained the 0.7% contribution. 4. Therefore this government shouldn't renege on its manifesto commitment - the aid is being reduced anyway, as it's 0.7% of less.
The route to poor governance really is always doing what opinion polls show is "what the people want", rather than what is the right thing to do.
A British-Australian academic serving a 10-year sentence in Iran for espionage has been freed in exchange for three jailed Iranians, Iranian media say.
Don't know the case, but just shows that Iran imprisons westerners as hostages to extract concessions.
In our case I think they want us to pay them some money that they (and I think most reasonable observers) believe we owe them.
My father was a junior civil servant involved in the sale of the tanks (or rather the non sale) to Iran at the time. He often regales the events much to our embarrassment as he doesn't get that he is telling the story of a major cockup. In fairness to him I doubt he was at all responsible.
The cherry on the cake being the tanks were eventually finally sold to Iraq.
Not anyone I had ever heard of to be honest but in the scope of the numbers Rishi was dishing up today this seems odd.
The theory I've heard is that Boris Johnson is throwing the Brexit right, who have never been keen on International Aid, some red meat before he shafts them with his EU deal.
60% support for cut in foreign aid is a lot more than the Brexit right
Big G (and others) is it not possible that:
1. Foreign aid is not popular with the public - it never really has been, except among the well-heeled middle classes. There has always been, and always will be, a majority against it in polls. 2. Nevertheless, foreign aid should continue undiminished, as it is recognised that it helps the poor overseas and, coincidentally but significantly, contributes to Britain's 'soft power'. 3. That's why governments of all stripes have maintained the 0.7% contribution. 4. Therefore this government shouldn't renege on its manifesto commitment - the aid is being reduced anyway, as it's 0.7% of less.
The route to poor governance really is always doing what opinion polls show is "what the people want", rather than what is the right thing to do.
The 0.7% rule has only been around for a few years in the UK.
When I was about 10 , BlackAdder II was my favourite comedy, to a ridiculous level of anorakness; I reckon I could probably still recite every word. I hadn't seen the first series so went and bought the video with my pocket money, and thought it was shit. Then BlackAdder the Third came on, I was super excited, and felt very let down. "Goes Forth" was better but none of them hold a candle to "II" for me.
Anyway, I digress. A couple of Saturday evenings ago we were watching an episode of The Crown Season One on Netflix, and I said to my missus that it reminded me of a scene from the first episode of BlackAdder II, where Bob/Kate says to Edmund she'd like him to meet her father, Edmund turns around and asks what he thinks is an old beggar loitering in the corridor to move along, not knowing it is his prospective FiL.
The episode of The Crown ends, we switch our tv from Netflix to Sky, (this is 830-9ish on a Saturday Night, Prime Time viewing in lockdown), and what is on BBC1? That very episode, a 35 year old repeat, two mins away from the scene I had described
Personally I rate the series in the following order
2 1 (thought it was better than given credit for -including you it seems!) 3 4 (it was just a bit too serious imo)
Not anyone I had ever heard of to be honest but in the scope of the numbers Rishi was dishing up today this seems odd.
The theory I've heard is that Boris Johnson is throwing the Brexit right, who have never been keen on International Aid, some red meat before he shafts them with his EU deal.
60% support for cut in foreign aid is a lot more than the Brexit right
Big G (and others) is it not possible that:
1. Foreign aid is not popular with the public - it never really has been, except among the well-heeled middle classes. There has always been, and always will be, a majority against it in polls. 2. Nevertheless, foreign aid should continue undiminished, as it is recognised that it helps the poor overseas and, coincidentally but significantly, contributes to Britain's 'soft power'. 3. That's why governments of all stripes have maintained the 0.7% contribution. 4. Therefore this government shouldn't renege on its manifesto commitment - the aid is being reduced anyway, as it's 0.7% of less.
The route to poor governance really is always doing what opinion polls show is "what the people want", rather than what is the right thing to do.
The 0.7% rule has only been around for a few years in the UK.
Not anyone I had ever heard of to be honest but in the scope of the numbers Rishi was dishing up today this seems odd.
The theory I've heard is that Boris Johnson is throwing the Brexit right, who have never been keen on International Aid, some red meat before he shafts them with his EU deal.
60% support for cut in foreign aid is a lot more than the Brexit right
Big G (and others) is it not possible that:
1. Foreign aid is not popular with the public - it never really has been, except among the well-heeled middle classes. There has always been, and always will be, a majority against it in polls. 2. Nevertheless, foreign aid should continue undiminished, as it is recognised that it helps the poor overseas and, coincidentally but significantly, contributes to Britain's 'soft power'. 3. That's why governments of all stripes have maintained the 0.7% contribution. 4. Therefore this government shouldn't renege on its manifesto commitment - the aid is being reduced anyway, as it's 0.7% of less.
The route to poor governance really is always doing what opinion polls show is "what the people want", rather than what is the right thing to do.
Of course, if you are a populist then: what people want = the right thing to do.
I became an OAP just a few days ago. Haven't even received my first pension payment yet.
However I have received a letter telling me of the £10 Christmas bonus being paid into my account now.
Completely forgot about this. Can't work out if I am chuffed to bits by the surprised or annoyed by the pointless costs of writing to me and paying such a trivial amount.
Confused!
Was first introduced in 1972, but the amount of money has never changed. If it had kept up with inflation it would be over £130 now!
Not anyone I had ever heard of to be honest but in the scope of the numbers Rishi was dishing up today this seems odd.
The theory I've heard is that Boris Johnson is throwing the Brexit right, who have never been keen on International Aid, some red meat before he shafts them with his EU deal.
60% support for cut in foreign aid is a lot more than the Brexit right
Big G (and others) is it not possible that:
1. Foreign aid is not popular with the public - it never really has been, except among the well-heeled middle classes. There has always been, and always will be, a majority against it in polls. 2. Nevertheless, foreign aid should continue undiminished, as it is recognised that it helps the poor overseas and, coincidentally but significantly, contributes to Britain's 'soft power'. 3. That's why governments of all stripes have maintained the 0.7% contribution. 4. Therefore this government shouldn't renege on its manifesto commitment - the aid is being reduced anyway, as it's 0.7% of less.
The route to poor governance really is always doing what opinion polls show is "what the people want", rather than what is the right thing to do.
The 0.7% rule has only been around for a few years in the UK.
I would suggest that any parliament that slams the country into Tier III at the same time as rejecting the cut in overseas aid really really is playing with fire. Really.
Yes, it would be a Farage wet dream
Presumably the consequence of Farage thinking about himself while asleep.
Not anyone I had ever heard of to be honest but in the scope of the numbers Rishi was dishing up today this seems odd.
The theory I've heard is that Boris Johnson is throwing the Brexit right, who have never been keen on International Aid, some red meat before he shafts them with his EU deal.
60% support for cut in foreign aid is a lot more than the Brexit right
Big G (and others) is it not possible that:
1. Foreign aid is not popular with the public - it never really has been, except among the well-heeled middle classes. There has always been, and always will be, a majority against it in polls. 2. Nevertheless, foreign aid should continue undiminished, as it is recognised that it helps the poor overseas and, coincidentally but significantly, contributes to Britain's 'soft power'. 3. That's why governments of all stripes have maintained the 0.7% contribution. 4. Therefore this government shouldn't renege on its manifesto commitment - the aid is being reduced anyway, as it's 0.7% of less.
The route to poor governance really is always doing what opinion polls show is "what the people want", rather than what is the right thing to do.
Not anyone I had ever heard of to be honest but in the scope of the numbers Rishi was dishing up today this seems odd.
The theory I've heard is that Boris Johnson is throwing the Brexit right, who have never been keen on International Aid, some red meat before he shafts them with his EU deal.
They should keep the 0.7%, and in the next two years spend it on getting the Oxford jab out there for free.
This is such a no brainer that I can only presume that they did not think that they could announce this until the Oxford vaccine has been officially approved. I wonder if they are simply trying to create the spare capacity for this. If so, they are doing this somewhat ineptly.
I agree.
I can just about see them being nervous of doing anything at all that might be thought to impinge on the impartiality of the approval process.
When I was about 10 , BlackAdder II was my favourite comedy, to a ridiculous level of anorakness; I reckon I could probably still recite every word. I hadn't seen the first series so went and bought the video with my pocket money, and thought it was shit. Then BlackAdder the Third came on, I was super excited, and felt very let down. "Goes Forth" was better but none of them hold a candle to "II" for me.
Anyway, I digress. A couple of Saturday evenings ago we were watching an episode of The Crown Season One on Netflix, and I said to my missus that it reminded me of a scene from the first episode of BlackAdder II, where Bob/Kate says to Edmund she'd like him to meet her father, Edmund turns around and asks what he thinks is an old beggar loitering in the corridor to move along, not knowing it is his prospective FiL.
The episode of The Crown ends, we switch our tv from Netflix to Sky, (this is 830-9ish on a Saturday Night, Prime Time viewing in lockdown), and what is on BBC1? That very episode, a 35 year old repeat, two mins away from the scene I had described
Personally I rate the series in the following order
2 1 (thought it was better than given credit for -including you it seems!) 3 4 (it was just a bit too serious imo)
I'd go 2, 3, 1, 4. Did not like season 1 at all and it took a lot to persuade me to watch season 2, but then I was hooked. Found season 4 way to judgmental and preachy - all that I do not like about the direction 'comedy' has gone.
Not anyone I had ever heard of to be honest but in the scope of the numbers Rishi was dishing up today this seems odd.
The theory I've heard is that Boris Johnson is throwing the Brexit right, who have never been keen on International Aid, some red meat before he shafts them with his EU deal.
60% support for cut in foreign aid is a lot more than the Brexit right
Big G (and others) is it not possible that:
1. Foreign aid is not popular with the public - it never really has been, except among the well-heeled middle classes. There has always been, and always will be, a majority against it in polls. 2. Nevertheless, foreign aid should continue undiminished, as it is recognised that it helps the poor overseas and, coincidentally but significantly, contributes to Britain's 'soft power'. 3. That's why governments of all stripes have maintained the 0.7% contribution. 4. Therefore this government shouldn't renege on its manifesto commitment - the aid is being reduced anyway, as it's 0.7% of less.
The route to poor governance really is always doing what opinion polls show is "what the people want", rather than what is the right thing to do.
We are continuing to provide 0.5% of GDP which is better than most other countries and as I understand it it is for one year
I would have preferred it was folded into free covid vaccinations for third world countries but I am more concerned about what is coming next spring when today's announcements will be seen as the starter to many controversial decisions
A British-Australian academic serving a 10-year sentence in Iran for espionage has been freed in exchange for three jailed Iranians, Iranian media say.
Thanks for the article. Very interesting. Two comments:
Why should we trust this or any government not to allow debt to spiral out of control when they never managed to recover, despite endless promises, to the point where the books were more or less balanced following the crash of 2008.
Secondly, you claim 'Western Europeans' are far too ignorant of issues on the eastern flank of the EU. Western Europe is a geographical abstraction. Do you mean the EU (in which case whose army?) or NATO, or big western nation governments, in which case How do you know?
Not a single other comparable economy is honouring the international 0.7% commitment right now so I fail to see why we should either. If we did in the future as part of getting other economies to do the same then that would raise more money but right now us continuing to do so unilaterally is as insane as advocating unilateral nuclear disarmament during the Cold War.
I'd be delighted to restore the 0.7% of GDP commitment to foreign aid, without other economies doing so too, if anyone can explain how the UK can afford to do that this year without a budget deficit. If anyone has any good ideas how to afford that then I'm all ears.
When I was about 10 , BlackAdder II was my favourite comedy, to a ridiculous level of anorakness; I reckon I could probably still recite every word. I hadn't seen the first series so went and bought the video with my pocket money, and thought it was shit. Then BlackAdder the Third came on, I was super excited, and felt very let down. "Goes Forth" was better but none of them hold a candle to "II" for me.
Anyway, I digress. A couple of Saturday evenings ago we were watching an episode of The Crown Season One on Netflix, and I said to my missus that it reminded me of a scene from the first episode of BlackAdder II, where Bob/Kate says to Edmund she'd like him to meet her father, Edmund turns around and asks what he thinks is an old beggar loitering in the corridor to move along, not knowing it is his prospective FiL.
The episode of The Crown ends, we switch our tv from Netflix to Sky, (this is 830-9ish on a Saturday Night, Prime Time viewing in lockdown), and what is on BBC1? That very episode, a 35 year old repeat, two mins away from the scene I had described
Personally I rate the series in the following order
2 1 (thought it was better than given credit for -including you it seems!) 3 4 (it was just a bit too serious imo)
When I was about 10 , BlackAdder II was my favourite comedy, to a ridiculous level of anorakness; I reckon I could probably still recite every word. I hadn't seen the first series so went and bought the video with my pocket money, and thought it was shit. Then BlackAdder the Third came on, I was super excited, and felt very let down. "Goes Forth" was better but none of them hold a candle to "II" for me.
Anyway, I digress. A couple of Saturday evenings ago we were watching an episode of The Crown Season One on Netflix, and I said to my missus that it reminded me of a scene from the first episode of BlackAdder II, where Bob/Kate says to Edmund she'd like him to meet her father, Edmund turns around and asks what he thinks is an old beggar loitering in the corridor to move along, not knowing it is his prospective FiL.
The episode of The Crown ends, we switch our tv from Netflix to Sky, (this is 830-9ish on a Saturday Night, Prime Time viewing in lockdown), and what is on BBC1? That very episode, a 35 year old repeat, two mins away from the scene I had described
Personally I rate the series in the following order
2 1 (thought it was better than given credit for -including you it seems!) 3 4 (it was just a bit too serious imo)
I would agree with your 2, 1, 3 ordering. I'm currently mid way through 4 and so far I'd put it maybe second only to 2 I think.
CNN - Britain's final Brexit choice could prolong the worst recession in 300 years
Doubtful, unless they think it'll undo the Covid bounce.
The government is forecasting growth of over 5% next year. That won't make up what has been lost this year, not even half, but it sure as hell isn't a recession.
I'm increasingly worried the Foreign Aid move is some last gasp Cummings'esque cunning plan to distract from something else. I don't support the move personally, I'd have kept it at 0.7%, but the way people are reacting to a reduction in a pretty arbitrary figure, and which might be set for a classic government u-turn, almost feels tailor made to have distracted from something as it gets very disproportionate levels of attention and moral outrage.
Not anyone I had ever heard of to be honest but in the scope of the numbers Rishi was dishing up today this seems odd.
The theory I've heard is that Boris Johnson is throwing the Brexit right, who have never been keen on International Aid, some red meat before he shafts them with his EU deal.
60% support for cut in foreign aid is a lot more than the Brexit right
Given the way the support for the latter is shrinking, you are surely right.
I became an OAP just a few days ago. Haven't even received my first pension payment yet.
However I have received a letter telling me of the £10 Christmas bonus being paid into my account now.
Completely forgot about this. Can't work out if I am chuffed to bits by the surprised or annoyed by the pointless costs of writing to me and paying such a trivial amount.
Confused!
Was first introduced in 1972, but the amount of money has never changed. If it had kept up with inflation it would be over £130 now!
Suppose I should be grateful it isn't be prorated. It would have been less than a £1.
CNN - Britain's final Brexit choice could prolong the worst recession in 300 years
Doubtful, unless they think it'll undo the Covid bounce.
The government is forecasting growth of over 5% next year. That won't make up what has been lost this year, not even half, but it sure as hell isn't a recession.
Oh thank goodness!
Reminds me a bit of some of the coalition years, in that I don't think it really matters whether you are or are not in technical recession, what matters is whether people feel like they are in one. Enough didn't then (I think with revisions we technically avoided one) to punish the government, more probably will next year even though we won't be, because of the severity of the initial shock and its aftermath.
When I was about 10 , BlackAdder II was my favourite comedy, to a ridiculous level of anorakness; I reckon I could probably still recite every word. I hadn't seen the first series so went and bought the video with my pocket money, and thought it was shit. Then BlackAdder the Third came on, I was super excited, and felt very let down. "Goes Forth" was better but none of them hold a candle to "II" for me.
Anyway, I digress. A couple of Saturday evenings ago we were watching an episode of The Crown Season One on Netflix, and I said to my missus that it reminded me of a scene from the first episode of BlackAdder II, where Bob/Kate says to Edmund she'd like him to meet her father, Edmund turns around and asks what he thinks is an old beggar loitering in the corridor to move along, not knowing it is his prospective FiL.
The episode of The Crown ends, we switch our tv from Netflix to Sky, (this is 830-9ish on a Saturday Night, Prime Time viewing in lockdown), and what is on BBC1? That very episode, a 35 year old repeat, two mins away from the scene I had described
Personally I rate the series in the following order
2 1 (thought it was better than given credit for -including you it seems!) 3 4 (it was just a bit too serious imo)
I'd go 2, 3, 1, 4. Did not like season 1 at all and it took a lot to persuade me to watch season 2, but then I was hooked. Found season 4 way to judgmental and preachy - all that I do not like about the direction 'comedy' has gone.
When I was about 10 , BlackAdder II was my favourite comedy, to a ridiculous level of anorakness; I reckon I could probably still recite every word. I hadn't seen the first series so went and bought the video with my pocket money, and thought it was shit. Then BlackAdder the Third came on, I was super excited, and felt very let down. "Goes Forth" was better but none of them hold a candle to "II" for me.
Anyway, I digress. A couple of Saturday evenings ago we were watching an episode of The Crown Season One on Netflix, and I said to my missus that it reminded me of a scene from the first episode of BlackAdder II, where Bob/Kate says to Edmund she'd like him to meet her father, Edmund turns around and asks what he thinks is an old beggar loitering in the corridor to move along, not knowing it is his prospective FiL.
The episode of The Crown ends, we switch our tv from Netflix to Sky, (this is 830-9ish on a Saturday Night, Prime Time viewing in lockdown), and what is on BBC1? That very episode, a 35 year old repeat, two mins away from the scene I had described
I`m not a fan of costume dramas. So haven`t watched The Crown. Should I?
It’s well produced and acted.
Do Barbour jackets and Wellington boots count as costume drama?
Although The Blackadder had the amazing Brian Blessed in it and this great idea that Blackadder is a useless idiot. Love this bit at the beginning of one episode:
BLESSED: "St Juniper once said, “By his loins shall ye know him and by the length of his rod shall he be measured.” The length of my rod is a mystery to all but the Queen, and a thousand Turkish whores, but the fruits of my loins are here for all to see. I have two sons, Henry and …. another one."
Not a single other comparable economy is honouring the international 0.7% commitment right now so I fail to see why we should either. If we did in the future as part of getting other economies to do the same then that would raise more money but right now us continuing to do so unilaterally is as insane as advocating unilateral nuclear disarmament during the Cold War.
I'd be delighted to restore the 0.7% of GDP commitment to foreign aid, without other economies doing so too, if anyone can explain how the UK can afford to do that this year without a budget deficit. If anyone has any good ideas how to afford that then I'm all ears.
Not anyone I had ever heard of to be honest but in the scope of the numbers Rishi was dishing up today this seems odd.
The theory I've heard is that Boris Johnson is throwing the Brexit right, who have never been keen on International Aid, some red meat before he shafts them with his EU deal.
60% support for cut in foreign aid is a lot more than the Brexit right
Big G (and others) is it not possible that:
1. Foreign aid is not popular with the public - it never really has been, except among the well-heeled middle classes. There has always been, and always will be, a majority against it in polls. 2. Nevertheless, foreign aid should continue undiminished, as it is recognised that it helps the poor overseas and, coincidentally but significantly, contributes to Britain's 'soft power'. 3. That's why governments of all stripes have maintained the 0.7% contribution. 4. Therefore this government shouldn't renege on its manifesto commitment - the aid is being reduced anyway, as it's 0.7% of less.
The route to poor governance really is always doing what opinion polls show is "what the people want", rather than what is the right thing to do.
The 0.7% rule has only been around for a few years in the UK.
Okay sorry, I should have added "since 2013" in my No. 3. Apparently the target was first set by the UN in 1970, so it has quite a long history.
When I was about 10 , BlackAdder II was my favourite comedy, to a ridiculous level of anorakness; I reckon I could probably still recite every word. I hadn't seen the first series so went and bought the video with my pocket money, and thought it was shit. Then BlackAdder the Third came on, I was super excited, and felt very let down. "Goes Forth" was better but none of them hold a candle to "II" for me.
Anyway, I digress. A couple of Saturday evenings ago we were watching an episode of The Crown Season One on Netflix, and I said to my missus that it reminded me of a scene from the first episode of BlackAdder II, where Bob/Kate says to Edmund she'd like him to meet her father, Edmund turns around and asks what he thinks is an old beggar loitering in the corridor to move along, not knowing it is his prospective FiL.
The episode of The Crown ends, we switch our tv from Netflix to Sky, (this is 830-9ish on a Saturday Night, Prime Time viewing in lockdown), and what is on BBC1? That very episode, a 35 year old repeat, two mins away from the scene I had described
I`m not a fan of costume dramas. So haven`t watched The Crown. Should I?
It's pretty boring, so unless you have a general liking for high production values and good acting regardless of content, possibly not.
Not anyone I had ever heard of to be honest but in the scope of the numbers Rishi was dishing up today this seems odd.
The theory I've heard is that Boris Johnson is throwing the Brexit right, who have never been keen on International Aid, some red meat before he shafts them with his EU deal.
60% support for cut in foreign aid is a lot more than the Brexit right
Big G (and others) is it not possible that:
1. Foreign aid is not popular with the public - it never really has been, except among the well-heeled middle classes. There has always been, and always will be, a majority against it in polls. 2. Nevertheless, foreign aid should continue undiminished, as it is recognised that it helps the poor overseas and, coincidentally but significantly, contributes to Britain's 'soft power'. 3. That's why governments of all stripes have maintained the 0.7% contribution. 4. Therefore this government shouldn't renege on its manifesto commitment - the aid is being reduced anyway, as it's 0.7% of less.
The route to poor governance really is always doing what opinion polls show is "what the people want", rather than what is the right thing to do.
The 0.7% rule has only been around for a few years in the UK.
Okay sorry, I should have added "since 2013" in my No. 3. Apparently the target was first set by the UN in 1970, so it has quite a long history.
Yeah, the UK only met it in 2013, and it was only in statute in 2015.
Not anyone I had ever heard of to be honest but in the scope of the numbers Rishi was dishing up today this seems odd.
The theory I've heard is that Boris Johnson is throwing the Brexit right, who have never been keen on International Aid, some red meat before he shafts them with his EU deal.
60% support for cut in foreign aid is a lot more than the Brexit right
Big G (and others) is it not possible that:
1. Foreign aid is not popular with the public - it never really has been, except among the well-heeled middle classes. There has always been, and always will be, a majority against it in polls. 2. Nevertheless, foreign aid should continue undiminished, as it is recognised that it helps the poor overseas and, coincidentally but significantly, contributes to Britain's 'soft power'. 3. That's why governments of all stripes have maintained the 0.7% contribution. 4. Therefore this government shouldn't renege on its manifesto commitment - the aid is being reduced anyway, as it's 0.7% of less.
The route to poor governance really is always doing what opinion polls show is "what the people want", rather than what is the right thing to do.
1: True 2: Not really. I've seen no evidence at all that it meaningfully let alone significantly contributes to UK's soft power. 3: Also not true. For most of Labour's period of office it was running at 0.37% of GDP so even "cut" it will still be more than Labour were spending. 4: It can't be afforded. The deficit is much bigger and this is expenditure we literally can't afford and it does nothing to help the UK's economy. Any other cuts would hurt our economy more.
Also notworthy is that this is the only department not to face austerity in recent years besides the NHS. A return to austerity in other departments isn't really viable, austerity in the NHS isn't viable, so this is the only soft money left. And if we can afford to pay David Milliband millions per year for "charity" or "aid" then this is a sector that can afford some austerity.
How much of the "debt" is owed to the Bank of England? Debt that you owe yourself isn't really debt is it...
but conversely - how much debt is off balance sheet like unfunded pension liabilities . The whole of government accounts list all this in good detail (just google to get it)
Not anyone I had ever heard of to be honest but in the scope of the numbers Rishi was dishing up today this seems odd.
The theory I've heard is that Boris Johnson is throwing the Brexit right, who have never been keen on International Aid, some red meat before he shafts them with his EU deal.
60% support for cut in foreign aid is a lot more than the Brexit right
Big G (and others) is it not possible that:
1. Foreign aid is not popular with the public - it never really has been, except among the well-heeled middle classes. There has always been, and always will be, a majority against it in polls. 2. Nevertheless, foreign aid should continue undiminished, as it is recognised that it helps the poor overseas and, coincidentally but significantly, contributes to Britain's 'soft power'. 3. That's why governments of all stripes have maintained the 0.7% contribution. 4. Therefore this government shouldn't renege on its manifesto commitment - the aid is being reduced anyway, as it's 0.7% of less.
The route to poor governance really is always doing what opinion polls show is "what the people want", rather than what is the right thing to do.
Of course, if you are a populist then: what people want = the right thing to do.
Quite so. And if we'd followed that line, we'd probably never have ended either capital or corporal punishment, and there'd be no immigrants in the UK. And so on.
Not anyone I had ever heard of to be honest but in the scope of the numbers Rishi was dishing up today this seems odd.
The theory I've heard is that Boris Johnson is throwing the Brexit right, who have never been keen on International Aid, some red meat before he shafts them with his EU deal.
60% support for cut in foreign aid is a lot more than the Brexit right
Big G (and others) is it not possible that:
1. Foreign aid is not popular with the public - it never really has been, except among the well-heeled middle classes. There has always been, and always will be, a majority against it in polls. 2. Nevertheless, foreign aid should continue undiminished, as it is recognised that it helps the poor overseas and, coincidentally but significantly, contributes to Britain's 'soft power'. 3. That's why governments of all stripes have maintained the 0.7% contribution. 4. Therefore this government shouldn't renege on its manifesto commitment - the aid is being reduced anyway, as it's 0.7% of less.
The route to poor governance really is always doing what opinion polls show is "what the people want", rather than what is the right thing to do.
The 0.7% rule has only been around for a few years in the UK.
Okay sorry, I should have added "since 2013" in my No. 3. Apparently the target was first set by the UN in 1970, so it has quite a long history.
It is an aspirational target, like NATO military spending. More honoured in the breach than the observance.
CNN - Britain's final Brexit choice could prolong the worst recession in 300 years
Doubtful, unless they think it'll undo the Covid bounce.
The government is forecasting growth of over 5% next year. That won't make up what has been lost this year, not even half, but it sure as hell isn't a recession.
Oh thank goodness!
Reminds me a bit of some of the coalition years, in that I don't think it really matters whether you are or are not in technical recession, what matters is whether people feel like they are in one. Enough didn't then (I think with revisions we technically avoided one) to punish the government, more probably will next year even though we won't be, because of the severity of the initial shock and its aftermath.
An awful lot will depend on how fast the UK jobs miracle fires up again. If we get rising unemployment over an extended period it won't feel like or be reported as growth, even if it is.
Not anyone I had ever heard of to be honest but in the scope of the numbers Rishi was dishing up today this seems odd.
The theory I've heard is that Boris Johnson is throwing the Brexit right, who have never been keen on International Aid, some red meat before he shafts them with his EU deal.
60% support for cut in foreign aid is a lot more than the Brexit right
Big G (and others) is it not possible that:
1. Foreign aid is not popular with the public - it never really has been, except among the well-heeled middle classes. There has always been, and always will be, a majority against it in polls. 2. Nevertheless, foreign aid should continue undiminished, as it is recognised that it helps the poor overseas and, coincidentally but significantly, contributes to Britain's 'soft power'. 3. That's why governments of all stripes have maintained the 0.7% contribution. 4. Therefore this government shouldn't renege on its manifesto commitment - the aid is being reduced anyway, as it's 0.7% of less.
The route to poor governance really is always doing what opinion polls show is "what the people want", rather than what is the right thing to do.
The 0.7% rule has only been around for a few years in the UK.
Okay sorry, I should have added "since 2013" in my No. 3. Apparently the target was first set by the UN in 1970, so it has quite a long history.
Yes it has a long history of not being met.
We can't afford it, we should honour that long history of not meeting it until we can without running a deficit.
When I was about 10 , BlackAdder II was my favourite comedy, to a ridiculous level of anorakness; I reckon I could probably still recite every word. I hadn't seen the first series so went and bought the video with my pocket money, and thought it was shit. Then BlackAdder the Third came on, I was super excited, and felt very let down. "Goes Forth" was better but none of them hold a candle to "II" for me.
Anyway, I digress. A couple of Saturday evenings ago we were watching an episode of The Crown Season One on Netflix, and I said to my missus that it reminded me of a scene from the first episode of BlackAdder II, where Bob/Kate says to Edmund she'd like him to meet her father, Edmund turns around and asks what he thinks is an old beggar loitering in the corridor to move along, not knowing it is his prospective FiL.
The episode of The Crown ends, we switch our tv from Netflix to Sky, (this is 830-9ish on a Saturday Night, Prime Time viewing in lockdown), and what is on BBC1? That very episode, a 35 year old repeat, two mins away from the scene I had described
Personally I rate the series in the following order
2 1 (thought it was better than given credit for -including you it seems!) 3 4 (it was just a bit too serious imo)
I'd go 2, 3, 1, 4. Did not like season 1 at all and it took a lot to persuade me to watch season 2, but then I was hooked. Found season 4 way to judgmental and preachy - all that I do not like about the direction 'comedy' has gone.
I have to vote for 3 because my sister in law is Sally Cheapside.
Not a single other comparable economy is honouring the international 0.7% commitment right now so I fail to see why we should either. If we did in the future as part of getting other economies to do the same then that would raise more money but right now us continuing to do so unilaterally is as insane as advocating unilateral nuclear disarmament during the Cold War.
I'd be delighted to restore the 0.7% of GDP commitment to foreign aid, without other economies doing so too, if anyone can explain how the UK can afford to do that this year without a budget deficit. If anyone has any good ideas how to afford that then I'm all ears.
I don't see an issue, necessarily, with maintaining it even now, nor do I think a failure of others to reach that level in itself means we should do the same or that it is even ok.
However, it does place into context how outraged we should be, and I think when people treat something most others don't do either as beyond the pale, it is a hard sell to the public. Particularly when there is not a magic line wherein you are moral at 0.7% but not at, say, 0.6%.
It's still possible, maybe even reasonable, to criticise based on priorities and moralities, but it really feels more like one of those decisions to be analysed with detachment rather than some great moral outrage.
It is a disease that generally happens to women but for the men who suffer from it tend to suffer much worse from it.
It is a horrible horrible disease because lots of people automatically assume that you're an alcoholic and lots of everyday things trigger it.
I know a few people who suffer from it, it is traumatic, one female friend suffers from it, she put on a bit of weight from being pregnant and couldn't shake it off after giving birth, so she decided to do exercise which made it worse, and her kid kept on crying every time she picked her up when she had the red face.
Not anyone I had ever heard of to be honest but in the scope of the numbers Rishi was dishing up today this seems odd.
The theory I've heard is that Boris Johnson is throwing the Brexit right, who have never been keen on International Aid, some red meat before he shafts them with his EU deal.
60% support for cut in foreign aid is a lot more than the Brexit right
Big G (and others) is it not possible that:
1. Foreign aid is not popular with the public - it never really has been, except among the well-heeled middle classes. There has always been, and always will be, a majority against it in polls. 2. Nevertheless, foreign aid should continue undiminished, as it is recognised that it helps the poor overseas and, coincidentally but significantly, contributes to Britain's 'soft power'. 3. That's why governments of all stripes have maintained the 0.7% contribution. 4. Therefore this government shouldn't renege on its manifesto commitment - the aid is being reduced anyway, as it's 0.7% of less.
The route to poor governance really is always doing what opinion polls show is "what the people want", rather than what is the right thing to do.
1: True 2: Not really. I've seen no evidence at all that it meaningfully let alone significantly contributes to UK's soft power. 3: Also not true. For most of Labour's period of office it was running at 0.37% of GDP so even "cut" it will still be more than Labour were spending. 4: It can't be afforded. The deficit is much bigger and this is expenditure we literally can't afford and it does nothing to help the UK's economy. Any other cuts would hurt our economy more.
Also notworthy is that this is the only department not to face austerity in recent years besides the NHS. A return to austerity in other departments isn't really viable, austerity in the NHS isn't viable, so this is the only soft money left. And if we can afford to pay David Milliband millions per year for "charity" or "aid" then this is a sector that can afford some austerity.
Given the recent promise of large amounts of cash to the military, one can only surmise that the proposed cut in the foreign aid budget represents a shift from the carrot to the stick approach to foreign policy. Popular among some, perhaps a majority, but not necessarily the best investment in the future.
Not anyone I had ever heard of to be honest but in the scope of the numbers Rishi was dishing up today this seems odd.
The theory I've heard is that Boris Johnson is throwing the Brexit right, who have never been keen on International Aid, some red meat before he shafts them with his EU deal.
60% support for cut in foreign aid is a lot more than the Brexit right
Big G (and others) is it not possible that:
1. Foreign aid is not popular with the public - it never really has been, except among the well-heeled middle classes. There has always been, and always will be, a majority against it in polls. 2. Nevertheless, foreign aid should continue undiminished, as it is recognised that it helps the poor overseas and, coincidentally but significantly, contributes to Britain's 'soft power'. 3. That's why governments of all stripes have maintained the 0.7% contribution. 4. Therefore this government shouldn't renege on its manifesto commitment - the aid is being reduced anyway, as it's 0.7% of less.
The route to poor governance really is always doing what opinion polls show is "what the people want", rather than what is the right thing to do.
Of course, if you are a populist then: what people want = the right thing to do.
Quite so. And if we'd followed that line, we'd probably never have ended either capital or corporal punishment, and there'd be no immigrants in the UK. And so on.
Representative democracy over direct democracy every time for me.
Comments
Don't they understand we took back control?
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-55077744
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-51852521
It is a disease that generally happens to women but for the men who suffer from it tend to suffer much worse from it.
It is a horrible horrible disease because lots of people automatically assume that you're an alcoholic and lots of everyday things trigger it.
I know a few people who suffer from it, it is traumatic, one female friend suffers from it, she put on a bit of weight from being pregnant and couldn't shake it off after giving birth, so she decided to do exercise which made it worse, and her kid kept on crying every time she picked her up when she had the red face.
Not anyone I had ever heard of to be honest but in the scope of the numbers Rishi was dishing up today this seems odd.
Never mind
I really hope the deal comes this week. Even by EU standards this is getting absolutely ridiculous.
https://twitter.com/MarcusRashford/status/1331623637733023745?s=20
https://twitter.com/OBR_UK/status/1331597566706933762?s=20
Ross Clark"
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/11/25/debt-exploding-deluded-spendthrift-government-has-no-intention/
When I was about 10 , BlackAdder II was my favourite comedy, to a ridiculous level of anorakness; I reckon I could probably still recite every word. I hadn't seen the first series so went and bought the video with my pocket money, and thought it was shit. Then BlackAdder the Third came on, I was super excited, and felt very let down. "Goes Forth" was better but none of them hold a candle to "II" for me.
Anyway, I digress. A couple of Saturday evenings ago we were watching an episode of The Crown Season One on Netflix, and I said to my missus that it reminded me of a scene from the first episode of BlackAdder II, where Bob/Kate says to Edmund she'd like him to meet her father, Edmund turns around and asks what he thinks is an old beggar loitering in the corridor to move along, not knowing it is his prospective FiL.
The episode of The Crown ends, we switch our tv from Netflix to Sky, (this is 830-9ish on a Saturday Night, Prime Time viewing in lockdown), and what is on BBC1? That very episode, a 35 year old repeat, two mins away from the scene I had described
However I have received a letter telling me of the £10 Christmas bonus being paid into my account now.
Completely forgot about this. Can't work out if I am chuffed to bits by the surprised or annoyed by the pointless costs of writing to me and paying such a trivial amount.
Confused!
0.7% (or 0.5%) of GDP is eye-wateringly high, but it may still be in the national interest to maintain it? Dunno.
1. Foreign aid is not popular with the public - it never really has been, except among the well-heeled middle classes. There has always been, and always will be, a majority against it in polls.
2. Nevertheless, foreign aid should continue undiminished, as it is recognised that it helps the poor overseas and, coincidentally but significantly, contributes to Britain's 'soft power'.
3. That's why governments of all stripes have maintained the 0.7% contribution.
4. Therefore this government shouldn't renege on its manifesto commitment - the aid is being reduced anyway, as it's 0.7% of less.
The route to poor governance really is always doing what opinion polls show is "what the people want", rather than what is the right thing to do.
The cherry on the cake being the tanks were eventually finally sold to Iraq.
2
1 (thought it was better than given credit for -including you it seems!)
3
4 (it was just a bit too serious imo)
https://news.yahoo.com/trump-campaign-sued-for-attempting-to-disenfranchise-black-voters-100000739.html
http://cdn.obr.uk/November_2020_presentation_slides.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_development_aid_country_donors
This would mean the UK moving from the 5th highest donor (by GNI) to 7th
Not exactly the end of foreign aid.
I would have preferred it was folded into free covid vaccinations for third world countries but I am more concerned about what is coming next spring when today's announcements will be seen as the starter to many controversial decisions
Why should we trust this or any government not to allow debt to spiral out of control when they never managed to recover, despite endless promises, to the point where the books were more or less balanced following the crash of 2008.
Secondly, you claim 'Western Europeans' are far too ignorant of issues on the eastern flank of the EU. Western Europe is a geographical abstraction. Do you mean the EU (in which case whose army?) or NATO, or big western nation governments, in which case How do you know?
I'd be delighted to restore the 0.7% of GDP commitment to foreign aid, without other economies doing so too, if anyone can explain how the UK can afford to do that this year without a budget deficit. If anyone has any good ideas how to afford that then I'm all ears.
Probably my imagination.
Reminds me a bit of some of the coalition years, in that I don't think it really matters whether you are or are not in technical recession, what matters is whether people feel like they are in one. Enough didn't then (I think with revisions we technically avoided one) to punish the government, more probably will next year even though we won't be, because of the severity of the initial shock and its aftermath.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BFI_TV_100#Full_list
Do Barbour jackets and Wellington boots count as costume drama?
BLESSED: "St Juniper once said, “By his loins shall ye know him and by the length of his rod shall he be measured.” The length of my rod is a mystery to all but the Queen, and a thousand Turkish whores, but the fruits of my loins are here for all to see. I have two sons, Henry and
…. another one."
Reminds me of the PM for some reason...
https://fullfact.org/economy/how-much-money-does-uk-spend-aid-compared-rest-g7/
Funny how no complaints about the UK aid spending 2008/09....
2: Not really. I've seen no evidence at all that it meaningfully let alone significantly contributes to UK's soft power.
3: Also not true. For most of Labour's period of office it was running at 0.37% of GDP so even "cut" it will still be more than Labour were spending.
4: It can't be afforded. The deficit is much bigger and this is expenditure we literally can't afford and it does nothing to help the UK's economy. Any other cuts would hurt our economy more.
Also notworthy is that this is the only department not to face austerity in recent years besides the NHS. A return to austerity in other departments isn't really viable, austerity in the NHS isn't viable, so this is the only soft money left. And if we can afford to pay David Milliband millions per year for "charity" or "aid" then this is a sector that can afford some austerity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY40__rBvSk
RIP. Let's be magnanimous.
We can't afford it, we should honour that long history of not meeting it until we can without running a deficit.
How is that unreasonable?
However, it does place into context how outraged we should be, and I think when people treat something most others don't do either as beyond the pale, it is a hard sell to the public. Particularly when there is not a magic line wherein you are moral at 0.7% but not at, say, 0.6%.
It's still possible, maybe even reasonable, to criticise based on priorities and moralities, but it really feels more like one of those decisions to be analysed with detachment rather than some great moral outrage.
RIP Maradona, prince of every cwm and glen in the land.
https://youtu.be/3K5ixKDeao8?t=33
Never forgave him.