Very unlikely but it would be welcome. Most fair minded people can see that she's been held to far higher standards than those expected of Farage.
Rayner's problem is she got caught. Farage is so smart he won't get caught and besides the media or social media have no desire to catch him out. Farage is the working man's working man. Now doff your cap in awe!
Rayner's problem is the amount of hay she made with her opponents. Most fair minded people can see she's been holding others to standards she is failing to reach herself.
But your lot were corrupt as can be, PPE scandal, Freebies from their Lordships and loads more and they got caught out, but no one followed it up.
Suggesting Starmer Labour have unfairly punished your bunch, they have been guilty of dereliction of duty and done nothing.
What PPE corruption is this? Do the police know? Do you have any evidence of anyone in the government involved in PPE corruption?
I have absolutely no idea why there have not been police investigations and subsequent charges and prosecutions.
* I could have cited loads more studies.
"These figures show Whitehall departments award almost £4.1bn to suppliers with political connections"
I will save you reading the report. All MPs and Lords were asked if they knew any firms that could help in the supply of PPE or in the distribution of drugs. They were given an exclusive weblink to send queries to. This is what happened to the infamous "hancock pub landlord" who also ran a packaging firm, messages his MP, who is health minister, MP sends him the link, and then on his request sends a follow up. And that was it.
There has been no charges of prosecutions because outside of the fantasies, there wasn't corruption. You could argue the Marone woman (who is not a member of the government), her company acted fraudulently, but that's not the same as corruption.
We have a police forced that broke a government minister for his wife accepting points on her driving license, a police force that fined both the Prime Minister and Chancellor for something that, if they appealed would have been thrown out quite sharpish. If there was corruption there, those involved (and MPs and ministers are never involved in the awarding of contracts) would be getting chased without mercy.
Was there corruption? I dont know, but I do know if there was evidence the police would not be taking cover for those politicians involved.
Don't forget a Labour MP has been prosecuted. I suspect at some stage when all the inquiries are complete there will be prosecutions.
Starmer is also twinned with Sleepy Joe as far as prosecuting his opponents for genuine industrial scale wrongdoing is concerned.
Their first act of the COVID crisis was to tie suspension of procurement procedures to the emergency measures bill. They then proceeded to ignore experienced suppliers in favour of their spiv mates, the reason there aren't prosecutions is that the NCA weren't given the funding needed to investigate.
It is possible for two things to be true at once:
1) For at least the that six months we needed a permission procurement regime and to buy what was offered, even if some it turned out to be useless tat, in order to ensure we had some stuff and we had it quickly; and
2) some people took advantage.
Category one will include thousands of hardworking public servants, well meaning politicians, and suppliers who through they could do a job and failed in good faith. Let’s not tar them all with the brush of category two. If we do, more people will die next time.
Instead, let’s find those who took advantage wilfully and throw the book at them.
No doubt many took advantage and saw the opportunity to make quick money.
Apparently people made money producing weapons in the first and second world wars. Absolute bastards.
Actually, there were severe restrictions in the UK. I am not au fait with the details, but there were some attempts to stop or claw back excess profits in the Great War and in WW2. Armaments Proftis Duty in WW1 at 80%, Excess Profits Tax in WW2.
In the Second War, there was some de facto nationalisation - the Government would take over inefficient factories for instance, such as the Castle Bromwich factory for Spitfires that was being badly run by Nuffields (and was in any case largely paid for by the state as a shadow factory).
The formulae used penalised the railway companies particularly heavily, and left them with a very badly run down system at the end of both wars.
Maybe an Excess Profit Tax over 20% margin (which is higher than normal NHS supply chain). Anyone who refuses or goes bankrupt gets assessed and potentially investigated for fraud.
Given what the bubble is doing to computer component prices I can't wait for it to pop.
The way the global economy is structured at the moment, the popping of the AIbubble is going to be at best a 2007 event, and at a worst a 1929 one. A lot of people out on a lot of limbs with AI. Getting a cheaper 5090 graphics card will be the last of your worries.
It's not graphics cards that bother me, it's watching DRAM and NAND prices soar. The AI "investment" is consuming so much of the future semiconductor production that it's already creating scarcity for essentially every other use for computing hardware. It's nuts.
Given the AI releases this past week I don't think we are anywhere near an AI bubble bursting. Big leaps forward from Google, Meta and Anthropic. The one that hasn't got much attention is Meta releases, they have real practical uses for visual computing.
Very unlikely but it would be welcome. Most fair minded people can see that she's been held to far higher standards than those expected of Farage.
Rayner's problem is she got caught. Farage is so smart he won't get caught and besides the media or social media have no desire to catch him out. Farage is the working man's working man. Now doff your cap in awe!
Rayner's problem is the amount of hay she made with her opponents. Most fair minded people can see she's been holding others to standards she is failing to reach herself.
But your lot were corrupt as can be, PPE scandal, Freebies from their Lordships and loads more and they got caught out, but no one followed it up.
Suggesting Starmer Labour have unfairly punished your bunch, they have been guilty of dereliction of duty and done nothing.
What PPE corruption is this? Do the police know? Do you have any evidence of anyone in the government involved in PPE corruption?
I have absolutely no idea why there have not been police investigations and subsequent charges and prosecutions.
* I could have cited loads more studies.
"These figures show Whitehall departments award almost £4.1bn to suppliers with political connections"
I will save you reading the report. All MPs and Lords were asked if they knew any firms that could help in the supply of PPE or in the distribution of drugs. They were given an exclusive weblink to send queries to. This is what happened to the infamous "hancock pub landlord" who also ran a packaging firm, messages his MP, who is health minister, MP sends him the link, and then on his request sends a follow up. And that was it.
There has been no charges of prosecutions because outside of the fantasies, there wasn't corruption. You could argue the Marone woman (who is not a member of the government), her company acted fraudulently, but that's not the same as corruption.
We have a police forced that broke a government minister for his wife accepting points on her driving license, a police force that fined both the Prime Minister and Chancellor for something that, if they appealed would have been thrown out quite sharpish. If there was corruption there, those involved (and MPs and ministers are never involved in the awarding of contracts) would be getting chased without mercy.
Was there corruption? I dont know, but I do know if there was evidence the police would not be taking cover for those politicians involved.
Don't forget a Labour MP has been prosecuted. I suspect at some stage when all the inquiries are complete there will be prosecutions.
Starmer is also twinned with Sleepy Joe as far as prosecuting his opponents for genuine industrial scale wrongdoing is concerned.
That's what the lane was for, i repeat MPs were asked if they knew any companies that could provide the equipment needed, and if they could to direct them to the link they were given. They were doing what they were asked to do.
This is not evidence of corruption.
PS. Anyone found guilty of corruption, taking bribes should be doing hard time. This isnt it, its inuendo hoping no one will notice that that is all it is.
There are examples of companies who specialised in medical equipment who had procurement contracts with the NHS who could provide CE marked equipment, and they were overlooked in favour of friends and family buying tat via AliExpress which turned out to be not fit for purpose.
There were Ministers of state who in my opinion saw an opportunity to grift in the face of a deadly pandemic. There was a moral depravity on display that I cannot comprehend.
If you have evidence of corruption, then please let the police know, and MPs/Ministers are not involved in the awarding of contracts.
I don't believe there is any doubt that friends and family fast lane fraud took place. Whether pursuing prosecutions for corruption or for providing non conforming equipment is deemed relevant is not down to people like me. If it was up to me I would pursue with a particularly enthusiastic vigour.
Or there’s nothing to pursue. As I mentioned before. A constabulary that hounded a minster for getting his wife to take his speeding points, is not going to shy away from taking someone down for corruption. A career making case.
The really important bit is that we have prepared for next time
1) PPE time expires because it is made of biodegradable plastic* 2) So a couple of years worth at massively increased rates of use would be a vast pile, huge amounts of which would have to thrown away, unused every year, as we bought more 3) So that didn’t happen 4) PPE factories in the UK as a standby capability - also too expensive. And need feedstock. Which needs chemicals… 5) Non-disposable PPE for crises is unthinkable. Apparently.
So next time we are prepared to… do exactly the same again!
As I understand it, there’s quite a lot to unpack in the decision around “use by” dates based on it perishing. Clearly there isn’t a single day it magically “goes off” and instead much more of a curve. There must be a a risk based analysis to be done on said curve, especially during a pandemic, and I understand it the situation pre-pandemic was that we really didn’t know how long the stuff was good for.
We were issied with PPE sometimes years past its use by date. They just put a new sticker over the original date. Was it still good? Who knows?
Given the AI releases this past week I don't think we are anywhere near an AI bubble bursting. Big leaps forward from Google, Meta and Anthropic. The one that hasn't got much attention is Meta releases, they have real practical uses for visual computing.
This week has been quite crazy. SAM3, Gemini 3/LLM/Image, and the slew from Anthropic (the huge price-drop on Opus if nothing else). We're already looking at SAM3 for some of our nano-fabrication processes.
Given what the bubble is doing to computer component prices I can't wait for it to pop.
The way the global economy is structured at the moment, the popping of the AIbubble is going to be at best a 2007 event, and at a worst a 1929 one. A lot of people out on a lot of limbs with AI. Getting a cheaper 5090 graphics card will be the last of your worries.
It's not graphics cards that bother me, it's watching DRAM and NAND prices soar. The AI "investment" is consuming so much of the future semiconductor production that it's already creating scarcity for essentially every other use for computing hardware. It's nuts.
The DRAM supply crunch is going to be horrendous. With OpenAI having bought up much of Samsung's and SK Hynix's production for 2026, there's very little capacity left to serve the rest of the world (which is the point, OpenAI did this to starve their competitors of compute power - can't build new datacentres if there's no DRAM to put in the servers).
Everything with memory is going up; PCs, Laptops, phones, tablets, consoles, TVs. I'm pretty confident a PC costing £1500 today will be north of £3000 a year from now. Cloud based services like Netfilx, Spotify, et al, will probably go up too given the increased cost of replacing hardware in their datacentres as it breaks.
Given what the bubble is doing to computer component prices I can't wait for it to pop.
The way the global economy is structured at the moment, the popping of the AIbubble is going to be at best a 2007 event, and at a worst a 1929 one. A lot of people out on a lot of limbs with AI. Getting a cheaper 5090 graphics card will be the last of your worries.
It's not graphics cards that bother me, it's watching DRAM and NAND prices soar. The AI "investment" is consuming so much of the future semiconductor production that it's already creating scarcity for essentially every other use for computing hardware. It's nuts.
Tangential due to the glittering prize - but I rewatched "The Glittering Prizes" recently. Tom Conti's speech ep3 or 4 is still an amazing bit of writing and delivery.
Looks like the Mansion Tax is being scaled back to affect only 100,000 properties and raise £0.5bn. Given the effort and time involved in revaluing 2.4m properties in Council Tax bands F G and H, is it worth it?
Need to start the revaluation process for all properties really. Starting at the top and raising a few quid not a bad place to start.
Hopefully a Trojan horse for wider property tax reform down the line.
Aside from proper reform of local taxation. Is there (no laughing at the back there) a reason they don't just revalue the bands every 3-5 years based on sale values? The data is, surely, 'out there'.
I say that knowing that I've had to re-implement our 'org chart' twice as our HR team won't give us access to even anonymised data, and the Office365 team refuse point blank to give us access to anything.
"Cartel de los Soles" which is the name the US has given Maduro and the Venezuelan generals involved in drug trade, has been marked a Foreign terrorist Organization by the State Department as of this morning.
By designating the entire Venezuelan regime a terrorist organisation, Trump has given himself the power to go to war without consulting Congress. Which is a novel end run around the Constitution.
It’s not a war, it’s a “special military operation”…
UK abolishes its "de minimis" rules which exclude cheap imports below £135 from paying tariffs. A massive deal for the fast fashion/cheap Chinese imports sector: this is the so-called loophole used to great effect by SHEIN and Temu. Should also bring in some tariff revenue https://x.com/EdConwaySky/status/1991969702629826917
Given the AI releases this past week I don't think we are anywhere near an AI bubble bursting. Big leaps forward from Google, Meta and Anthropic. The one that hasn't got much attention is Meta releases, they have real practical uses for visual computing.
How/where do you keep track of the latest AI news?
Given the AI releases this past week I don't think we are anywhere near an AI bubble bursting. Big leaps forward from Google, Meta and Anthropic. The one that hasn't got much attention is Meta releases, they have real practical uses for visual computing.
This week has been quite crazy. SAM3, Gemini 3/LLM/Image, and the slew from Anthropic (the huge price-drop on Opus if nothing else). We're already looking at SAM3 for some of our nano-fabrication processes.
Although social media has got very excited by nano banana pro, I am probably least excited about that. Yes it is very good, but trying to guide it and edit things feels a lot like taking a small child down the sweetie aisle. Its great for prototyping graphic design etc, but hasn't solved the problem and its a constant battle of change this, oh no you have changed that....And it isn't helpful to have to write a prompt that is 500 words long. Then another 500 telling if it can't have Haribo and Skittles.
I think SAM3 and SAM3 Body can be applied today to problems.
Given the AI releases this past week I don't think we are anywhere near an AI bubble bursting. Big leaps forward from Google, Meta and Anthropic. The one that hasn't got much attention is Meta releases, they have real practical uses for visual computing.
How/where do you keep track of the latest AI news?
Combination of contacts, carefully curated twitter follower list and I am in the weeds every day so I have quite a good idea of the core people involved in driving these innovations. On a quiet day I might spend an hour "keeping up", on a busy day 2-3hrs. I read a lot of academic papers every week too.
Very unlikely but it would be welcome. Most fair minded people can see that she's been held to far higher standards than those expected of Farage.
Rayner's problem is she got caught. Farage is so smart he won't get caught and besides the media or social media have no desire to catch him out. Farage is the working man's working man. Now doff your cap in awe!
Rayner's problem is the amount of hay she made with her opponents. Most fair minded people can see she's been holding others to standards she is failing to reach herself.
But your lot were corrupt as can be, PPE scandal, Freebies from their Lordships and loads more and they got caught out, but no one followed it up.
Suggesting Starmer Labour have unfairly punished your bunch, they have been guilty of dereliction of duty and done nothing.
What PPE corruption is this? Do the police know? Do you have any evidence of anyone in the government involved in PPE corruption?
I have absolutely no idea why there have not been police investigations and subsequent charges and prosecutions.
* I could have cited loads more studies.
"These figures show Whitehall departments award almost £4.1bn to suppliers with political connections"
I will save you reading the report. All MPs and Lords were asked if they knew any firms that could help in the supply of PPE or in the distribution of drugs. They were given an exclusive weblink to send queries to. This is what happened to the infamous "hancock pub landlord" who also ran a packaging firm, messages his MP, who is health minister, MP sends him the link, and then on his request sends a follow up. And that was it.
There has been no charges of prosecutions because outside of the fantasies, there wasn't corruption. You could argue the Marone woman (who is not a member of the government), her company acted fraudulently, but that's not the same as corruption.
We have a police forced that broke a government minister for his wife accepting points on her driving license, a police force that fined both the Prime Minister and Chancellor for something that, if they appealed would have been thrown out quite sharpish. If there was corruption there, those involved (and MPs and ministers are never involved in the awarding of contracts) would be getting chased without mercy.
Was there corruption? I dont know, but I do know if there was evidence the police would not be taking cover for those politicians involved.
Don't forget a Labour MP has been prosecuted. I suspect at some stage when all the inquiries are complete there will be prosecutions.
Starmer is also twinned with Sleepy Joe as far as prosecuting his opponents for genuine industrial scale wrongdoing is concerned.
That's what the lane was for, i repeat MPs were asked if they knew any companies that could provide the equipment needed, and if they could to direct them to the link they were given. They were doing what they were asked to do.
This is not evidence of corruption.
PS. Anyone found guilty of corruption, taking bribes should be doing hard time. This isnt it, its inuendo hoping no one will notice that that is all it is.
There are examples of companies who specialised in medical equipment who had procurement contracts with the NHS who could provide CE marked equipment, and they were overlooked in favour of friends and family buying tat via AliExpress which turned out to be not fit for purpose.
There were Ministers of state who in my opinion saw an opportunity to grift in the face of a deadly pandemic. There was a moral depravity on display that I cannot comprehend.
If you have evidence of corruption, then please let the police know, and MPs/Ministers are not involved in the awarding of contracts.
I don't believe there is any doubt that friends and family fast lane fraud took place. Whether pursuing prosecutions for corruption or for providing non conforming equipment is deemed relevant is not down to people like me. If it was up to me I would pursue with a particularly enthusiastic vigour.
Or there’s nothing to pursue. As I mentioned before. A constabulary that hounded a minster for getting his wife to take his speeding points, is not going to shy away from taking someone down for corruption. A career making case.
The really important bit is that we have prepared for next time
1) PPE time expires because it is made of biodegradable plastic* 2) So a couple of years worth at massively increased rates of use would be a vast pile, huge amounts of which would have to thrown away, unused every year, as we bought more 3) So that didn’t happen 4) PPE factories in the UK as a standby capability - also too expensive. And need feedstock. Which needs chemicals… 5) Non-disposable PPE for crises is unthinkable. Apparently.
So next time we are prepared to… do exactly the same again!
As I understand it, there’s quite a lot to unpack in the decision around “use by” dates based on it perishing. Clearly there isn’t a single day it magically “goes off” and instead much more of a curve. There must be a a risk based analysis to be done on said curve, especially during a pandemic, and I understand it the situation pre-pandemic was that we really didn’t know how long the stuff was good for.
The French tried issuing expired PPE - literally fell apart.
The original expiry dates were there for a reason
Such re-estimates of failure of materials tend to be bullshit - see the story of DTD683. Or, more recently RAAC concrete. Politically driven estimates, in both cases.
Apparently Whiskey Pete on behalf of the Commander in Chief has instructed the Department of War to recall Mark Kelly to the Navy. Kelly can then be court martialed. Treason is a capital federal crime.
UK abolishes its "de minimis" rules which exclude cheap imports below £135 from paying tariffs. A massive deal for the fast fashion/cheap Chinese imports sector: this is the so-called loophole used to great effect by SHEIN and Temu. Should also bring in some tariff revenue https://x.com/EdConwaySky/status/1991969702629826917
Wait. Is she about to abolish a policy she brought in just a few months ago?
Big name British brands made clear in the Government's review of the ‘Low Value Imports’ regime launched by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in April, that the current system and rapid growth in international imports is hurting high streets and impacting prospects for growth and jobs.
Isn’t that “a review…launched by” rather than a review of “the regime launched by”?
Has anyone posted the latest Trump AI monstrosity? Set aside the crown and the golden armour and the golden throne and the European leaders subdued at his feet. That reet big fascist eagle behind him.
And if, for some unimaginable reason, it's not fine, there is no way that anyone will discover the not-fine-ness.
And if the world turns impossible and it turns out that someone apart from the government publishes a GDP estimate, that won't cause any trouble at all.
Very unlikely but it would be welcome. Most fair minded people can see that she's been held to far higher standards than those expected of Farage.
Rayner's problem is she got caught. Farage is so smart he won't get caught and besides the media or social media have no desire to catch him out. Farage is the working man's working man. Now doff your cap in awe!
Rayner's problem is the amount of hay she made with her opponents. Most fair minded people can see she's been holding others to standards she is failing to reach herself.
But your lot were corrupt as can be, PPE scandal, Freebies from their Lordships and loads more and they got caught out, but no one followed it up.
Suggesting Starmer Labour have unfairly punished your bunch, they have been guilty of dereliction of duty and done nothing.
What PPE corruption is this? Do the police know? Do you have any evidence of anyone in the government involved in PPE corruption?
I have absolutely no idea why there have not been police investigations and subsequent charges and prosecutions.
* I could have cited loads more studies.
"These figures show Whitehall departments award almost £4.1bn to suppliers with political connections"
I will save you reading the report. All MPs and Lords were asked if they knew any firms that could help in the supply of PPE or in the distribution of drugs. They were given an exclusive weblink to send queries to. This is what happened to the infamous "hancock pub landlord" who also ran a packaging firm, messages his MP, who is health minister, MP sends him the link, and then on his request sends a follow up. And that was it.
There has been no charges of prosecutions because outside of the fantasies, there wasn't corruption. You could argue the Marone woman (who is not a member of the government), her company acted fraudulently, but that's not the same as corruption.
We have a police forced that broke a government minister for his wife accepting points on her driving license, a police force that fined both the Prime Minister and Chancellor for something that, if they appealed would have been thrown out quite sharpish. If there was corruption there, those involved (and MPs and ministers are never involved in the awarding of contracts) would be getting chased without mercy.
Was there corruption? I dont know, but I do know if there was evidence the police would not be taking cover for those politicians involved.
Don't forget a Labour MP has been prosecuted. I suspect at some stage when all the inquiries are complete there will be prosecutions.
Starmer is also twinned with Sleepy Joe as far as prosecuting his opponents for genuine industrial scale wrongdoing is concerned.
That's what the lane was for, i repeat MPs were asked if they knew any companies that could provide the equipment needed, and if they could to direct them to the link they were given. They were doing what they were asked to do.
This is not evidence of corruption.
PS. Anyone found guilty of corruption, taking bribes should be doing hard time. This isnt it, its inuendo hoping no one will notice that that is all it is.
There are examples of companies who specialised in medical equipment who had procurement contracts with the NHS who could provide CE marked equipment, and they were overlooked in favour of friends and family buying tat via AliExpress which turned out to be not fit for purpose.
There were Ministers of state who in my opinion saw an opportunity to grift in the face of a deadly pandemic. There was a moral depravity on display that I cannot comprehend.
If you have evidence of corruption, then please let the police know, and MPs/Ministers are not involved in the awarding of contracts.
I don't believe there is any doubt that friends and family fast lane fraud took place. Whether pursuing prosecutions for corruption or for providing non conforming equipment is deemed relevant is not down to people like me. If it was up to me I would pursue with a particularly enthusiastic vigour.
Or there’s nothing to pursue. As I mentioned before. A constabulary that hounded a minster for getting his wife to take his speeding points, is not going to shy away from taking someone down for corruption. A career making case.
The really important bit is that we have prepared for next time
1) PPE time expires because it is made of biodegradable plastic* 2) So a couple of years worth at massively increased rates of use would be a vast pile, huge amounts of which would have to thrown away, unused every year, as we bought more 3) So that didn’t happen 4) PPE factories in the UK as a standby capability - also too expensive. And need feedstock. Which needs chemicals… 5) Non-disposable PPE for crises is unthinkable. Apparently.
So next time we are prepared to… do exactly the same again!
What you need is PPE factories in the UK supplying normally and accept we need to pay more for it. But the premium is effectively an insurance premium (“resilience”)
UK abolishes its "de minimis" rules which exclude cheap imports below £135 from paying tariffs. A massive deal for the fast fashion/cheap Chinese imports sector: this is the so-called loophole used to great effect by SHEIN and Temu. Should also bring in some tariff revenue https://x.com/EdConwaySky/status/1991969702629826917
It’s excellent news. People spend too much on tat
Not so sure. As most of the high street's stock comes from the east anyway all Argos et al seem to be are expensive middle men. I see little value in paying 100% more when the slow boat will get my goods here without the overheads.
UK abolishes its "de minimis" rules which exclude cheap imports below £135 from paying tariffs. A massive deal for the fast fashion/cheap Chinese imports sector: this is the so-called loophole used to great effect by SHEIN and Temu. Should also bring in some tariff revenue https://x.com/EdConwaySky/status/1991969702629826917
It’s excellent news. People spend too much on tat
Not so sure. As most of the high street's stock comes from the east anyway all Argos et al seem to be are expensive middle men. I see little value in paying 100% more when the slow boat will get my goods here without the overheads.
Per a link I posted earlier, for recent US changes:
"Although the changes initially wreaked havoc for major e-commerce suppliers, many – especially Temu and Shein – have since adapted by shipping “duty paid” parcels and increasingly fulfilling orders from domestic warehouses."
Given what the bubble is doing to computer component prices I can't wait for it to pop.
The way the global economy is structured at the moment, the popping of the AIbubble is going to be at best a 2007 event, and at a worst a 1929 one. A lot of people out on a lot of limbs with AI. Getting a cheaper 5090 graphics card will be the last of your worries.
It's not graphics cards that bother me, it's watching DRAM and NAND prices soar. The AI "investment" is consuming so much of the future semiconductor production that it's already creating scarcity for essentially every other use for computing hardware. It's nuts.
Tangential due to the glittering prize - but I rewatched "The Glittering Prizes" recently. Tom Conti's speech ep3 or 4 is still an amazing bit of writing and delivery.
Very unlikely but it would be welcome. Most fair minded people can see that she's been held to far higher standards than those expected of Farage.
Rayner's problem is she got caught. Farage is so smart he won't get caught and besides the media or social media have no desire to catch him out. Farage is the working man's working man. Now doff your cap in awe!
Rayner's problem is the amount of hay she made with her opponents. Most fair minded people can see she's been holding others to standards she is failing to reach herself.
But your lot were corrupt as can be, PPE scandal, Freebies from their Lordships and loads more and they got caught out, but no one followed it up.
Suggesting Starmer Labour have unfairly punished your bunch, they have been guilty of dereliction of duty and done nothing.
What PPE corruption is this? Do the police know? Do you have any evidence of anyone in the government involved in PPE corruption?
I have absolutely no idea why there have not been police investigations and subsequent charges and prosecutions.
* I could have cited loads more studies.
"These figures show Whitehall departments award almost £4.1bn to suppliers with political connections"
I will save you reading the report. All MPs and Lords were asked if they knew any firms that could help in the supply of PPE or in the distribution of drugs. They were given an exclusive weblink to send queries to. This is what happened to the infamous "hancock pub landlord" who also ran a packaging firm, messages his MP, who is health minister, MP sends him the link, and then on his request sends a follow up. And that was it.
There has been no charges of prosecutions because outside of the fantasies, there wasn't corruption. You could argue the Marone woman (who is not a member of the government), her company acted fraudulently, but that's not the same as corruption.
We have a police forced that broke a government minister for his wife accepting points on her driving license, a police force that fined both the Prime Minister and Chancellor for something that, if they appealed would have been thrown out quite sharpish. If there was corruption there, those involved (and MPs and ministers are never involved in the awarding of contracts) would be getting chased without mercy.
Was there corruption? I dont know, but I do know if there was evidence the police would not be taking cover for those politicians involved.
Don't forget a Labour MP has been prosecuted. I suspect at some stage when all the inquiries are complete there will be prosecutions.
Starmer is also twinned with Sleepy Joe as far as prosecuting his opponents for genuine industrial scale wrongdoing is concerned.
Their first act of the COVID crisis was to tie suspension of procurement procedures to the emergency measures bill. They then proceeded to ignore experienced suppliers in favour of their spiv mates, the reason there aren't prosecutions is that the NCA weren't given the funding needed to investigate.
It is possible for two things to be true at once:
1) For at least the that six months we needed a permission procurement regime and to buy what was offered, even if some it turned out to be useless tat, in order to ensure we had some stuff and we had it quickly; and
2) some people took advantage.
Category one will include thousands of hardworking public servants, well meaning politicians, and suppliers who through they could do a job and failed in good faith. Let’s not tar them all with the brush of category two. If we do, more people will die next time.
Instead, let’s find those who took advantage wilfully and throw the book at them.
No doubt many took advantage and saw the opportunity to make quick money.
Apparently people made money producing weapons in the first and second world wars. Absolute bastards.
Actually, there were severe restrictions in the UK. I am not au fait with the details, but there were some attempts to stop or claw back excess profits in the Great War and in WW2. Armaments Proftis Duty in WW1 at 80%, Excess Profits Tax in WW2.
In the Second War, there was some de facto nationalisation - the Government would take over inefficient factories for instance, such as the Castle Bromwich factory for Spitfires that was being badly run by Nuffields (and was in any case largely paid for by the state as a shadow factory).
The formulae used penalised the railway companies particularly heavily, and left them with a very badly run down system at the end of both wars.
Maybe an Excess Profit Tax over 20% margin (which is higher than normal NHS supply chain). Anyone who refuses or goes bankrupt gets assessed and potentially investigated for fraud.
As TT wants to go back to WW2, perhaps it should be the penalty that would have been imposed back then for knowingly supplying armaments not fit for purpose?
Very unlikely but it would be welcome. Most fair minded people can see that she's been held to far higher standards than those expected of Farage.
Rayner's problem is she got caught. Farage is so smart he won't get caught and besides the media or social media have no desire to catch him out. Farage is the working man's working man. Now doff your cap in awe!
Rayner's problem is the amount of hay she made with her opponents. Most fair minded people can see she's been holding others to standards she is failing to reach herself.
But your lot were corrupt as can be, PPE scandal, Freebies from their Lordships and loads more and they got caught out, but no one followed it up.
Suggesting Starmer Labour have unfairly punished your bunch, they have been guilty of dereliction of duty and done nothing.
What PPE corruption is this? Do the police know? Do you have any evidence of anyone in the government involved in PPE corruption?
I have absolutely no idea why there have not been police investigations and subsequent charges and prosecutions.
* I could have cited loads more studies.
"These figures show Whitehall departments award almost £4.1bn to suppliers with political connections"
I will save you reading the report. All MPs and Lords were asked if they knew any firms that could help in the supply of PPE or in the distribution of drugs. They were given an exclusive weblink to send queries to. This is what happened to the infamous "hancock pub landlord" who also ran a packaging firm, messages his MP, who is health minister, MP sends him the link, and then on his request sends a follow up. And that was it.
There has been no charges of prosecutions because outside of the fantasies, there wasn't corruption. You could argue the Marone woman (who is not a member of the government), her company acted fraudulently, but that's not the same as corruption.
We have a police forced that broke a government minister for his wife accepting points on her driving license, a police force that fined both the Prime Minister and Chancellor for something that, if they appealed would have been thrown out quite sharpish. If there was corruption there, those involved (and MPs and ministers are never involved in the awarding of contracts) would be getting chased without mercy.
Was there corruption? I dont know, but I do know if there was evidence the police would not be taking cover for those politicians involved.
Don't forget a Labour MP has been prosecuted. I suspect at some stage when all the inquiries are complete there will be prosecutions.
Starmer is also twinned with Sleepy Joe as far as prosecuting his opponents for genuine industrial scale wrongdoing is concerned.
That's what the lane was for, i repeat MPs were asked if they knew any companies that could provide the equipment needed, and if they could to direct them to the link they were given. They were doing what they were asked to do.
This is not evidence of corruption.
PS. Anyone found guilty of corruption, taking bribes should be doing hard time. This isnt it, its inuendo hoping no one will notice that that is all it is.
There are examples of companies who specialised in medical equipment who had procurement contracts with the NHS who could provide CE marked equipment, and they were overlooked in favour of friends and family buying tat via AliExpress which turned out to be not fit for purpose.
There were Ministers of state who in my opinion saw an opportunity to grift in the face of a deadly pandemic. There was a moral depravity on display that I cannot comprehend.
If you have evidence of corruption, then please let the police know, and MPs/Ministers are not involved in the awarding of contracts.
I don't believe there is any doubt that friends and family fast lane fraud took place. Whether pursuing prosecutions for corruption or for providing non conforming equipment is deemed relevant is not down to people like me. If it was up to me I would pursue with a particularly enthusiastic vigour.
Or there’s nothing to pursue. As I mentioned before. A constabulary that hounded a minster for getting his wife to take his speeding points, is not going to shy away from taking someone down for corruption. A career making case.
The really important bit is that we have prepared for next time
1) PPE time expires because it is made of biodegradable plastic* 2) So a couple of years worth at massively increased rates of use would be a vast pile, huge amounts of which would have to thrown away, unused every year, as we bought more 3) So that didn’t happen 4) PPE factories in the UK as a standby capability - also too expensive. And need feedstock. Which needs chemicals… 5) Non-disposable PPE for crises is unthinkable. Apparently.
So next time we are prepared to… do exactly the same again!
What you need is PPE factories in the UK supplying normally and accept we need to pay more for it. But the premium is effectively an insurance premium (“resilience”)
Why not make a long-life version from non biodegradable plastic, 30 year shelf life. Order a pandemic worth, stick it on the shelf, problem solved for 25 years. Order another batch in year 25, use the existing stock up in the NHS over the next five years.
This is a problem entirely created by us demanding the stuff is biodegradable for environmental reasons. We're perfect capable of designing plastic chemistries that are stable for tens, if not hundreds, of years. As usual, by trying to be environmentally friendly, we end up shafting the environment by scrapping thousands of tonnes of the stuff because it's gone out of date.
(as for the "what happens when we do use it" environmental argument - just incinerate it, like we do with most contaminated medical waste anyway).
UK abolishes its "de minimis" rules which exclude cheap imports below £135 from paying tariffs. A massive deal for the fast fashion/cheap Chinese imports sector: this is the so-called loophole used to great effect by SHEIN and Temu. Should also bring in some tariff revenue https://x.com/EdConwaySky/status/1991969702629826917
It’s excellent news. People spend too much on tat
Not so sure. As most of the high street's stock comes from the east anyway all Argos et al seem to be are expensive middle men. I see little value in paying 100% more when the slow boat will get my goods here without the overheads.
Per a link I posted earlier, for recent US changes:
"Although the changes initially wreaked havoc for major e-commerce suppliers, many – especially Temu and Shein – have since adapted by shipping “duty paid” parcels and increasingly fulfilling orders from domestic warehouses."
That's the fatal flaw with this policy. Anything that sells in quantity (ie, the 'cheap tat') will just be moved to a local warehouse. So UK retailers/re-sellers don't benefit.
But anyone buying stuff on Temu or AliExpress, etc, that isn't available in the UK has to pay more. I use both of those sites to buy electronic components that I can't get anywhere else. Now I will have to pay more for them.
Yet another reason I won't be voting Labour in future, as if more were needed.
Very unlikely but it would be welcome. Most fair minded people can see that she's been held to far higher standards than those expected of Farage.
Rayner's problem is she got caught. Farage is so smart he won't get caught and besides the media or social media have no desire to catch him out. Farage is the working man's working man. Now doff your cap in awe!
Rayner's problem is the amount of hay she made with her opponents. Most fair minded people can see she's been holding others to standards she is failing to reach herself.
But your lot were corrupt as can be, PPE scandal, Freebies from their Lordships and loads more and they got caught out, but no one followed it up.
Suggesting Starmer Labour have unfairly punished your bunch, they have been guilty of dereliction of duty and done nothing.
What PPE corruption is this? Do the police know? Do you have any evidence of anyone in the government involved in PPE corruption?
I have absolutely no idea why there have not been police investigations and subsequent charges and prosecutions.
* I could have cited loads more studies.
"These figures show Whitehall departments award almost £4.1bn to suppliers with political connections"
I will save you reading the report. All MPs and Lords were asked if they knew any firms that could help in the supply of PPE or in the distribution of drugs. They were given an exclusive weblink to send queries to. This is what happened to the infamous "hancock pub landlord" who also ran a packaging firm, messages his MP, who is health minister, MP sends him the link, and then on his request sends a follow up. And that was it.
There has been no charges of prosecutions because outside of the fantasies, there wasn't corruption. You could argue the Marone woman (who is not a member of the government), her company acted fraudulently, but that's not the same as corruption.
We have a police forced that broke a government minister for his wife accepting points on her driving license, a police force that fined both the Prime Minister and Chancellor for something that, if they appealed would have been thrown out quite sharpish. If there was corruption there, those involved (and MPs and ministers are never involved in the awarding of contracts) would be getting chased without mercy.
Was there corruption? I dont know, but I do know if there was evidence the police would not be taking cover for those politicians involved.
Don't forget a Labour MP has been prosecuted. I suspect at some stage when all the inquiries are complete there will be prosecutions.
Starmer is also twinned with Sleepy Joe as far as prosecuting his opponents for genuine industrial scale wrongdoing is concerned.
That's what the lane was for, i repeat MPs were asked if they knew any companies that could provide the equipment needed, and if they could to direct them to the link they were given. They were doing what they were asked to do.
This is not evidence of corruption.
PS. Anyone found guilty of corruption, taking bribes should be doing hard time. This isnt it, its inuendo hoping no one will notice that that is all it is.
There are examples of companies who specialised in medical equipment who had procurement contracts with the NHS who could provide CE marked equipment, and they were overlooked in favour of friends and family buying tat via AliExpress which turned out to be not fit for purpose.
There were Ministers of state who in my opinion saw an opportunity to grift in the face of a deadly pandemic. There was a moral depravity on display that I cannot comprehend.
If you have evidence of corruption, then please let the police know, and MPs/Ministers are not involved in the awarding of contracts.
I don't believe there is any doubt that friends and family fast lane fraud took place. Whether pursuing prosecutions for corruption or for providing non conforming equipment is deemed relevant is not down to people like me. If it was up to me I would pursue with a particularly enthusiastic vigour.
Or there’s nothing to pursue. As I mentioned before. A constabulary that hounded a minster for getting his wife to take his speeding points, is not going to shy away from taking someone down for corruption. A career making case.
The really important bit is that we have prepared for next time
1) PPE time expires because it is made of biodegradable plastic* 2) So a couple of years worth at massively increased rates of use would be a vast pile, huge amounts of which would have to thrown away, unused every year, as we bought more 3) So that didn’t happen 4) PPE factories in the UK as a standby capability - also too expensive. And need feedstock. Which needs chemicals… 5) Non-disposable PPE for crises is unthinkable. Apparently.
So next time we are prepared to… do exactly the same again!
What you need is PPE factories in the UK supplying normally and accept we need to pay more for it. But the premium is effectively an insurance premium (“resilience”)
Why not make a long-life version from non biodegradable plastic, 30 year shelf life. Order a pandemic worth, stick it on the shelf, problem solved for 25 years. Order another batch in year 25, use the existing stock up in the NHS over the next five years.
This is a problem entirely created by us demanding the stuff is biodegradable for environmental reasons. We're perfect capable of designing plastic chemistries that are stable for tens, if not hundreds, of years. As usual, by trying to be environmentally friendly, we end up shafting the environment by scrapping thousands of tonnes of the stuff because it's gone out of date.
(as for the "what happens when we do use it" environmental argument - just incinerate it, like we do with most contaminated medical waste anyway).
You’d need to build a specific factory to manufacture
UK abolishes its "de minimis" rules which exclude cheap imports below £135 from paying tariffs. A massive deal for the fast fashion/cheap Chinese imports sector: this is the so-called loophole used to great effect by SHEIN and Temu. Should also bring in some tariff revenue https://x.com/EdConwaySky/status/1991969702629826917
It’s excellent news. People spend too much on tat
Not so sure. As most of the high street's stock comes from the east anyway all Argos et al seem to be are expensive middle men. I see little value in paying 100% more when the slow boat will get my goods here without the overheads.
Per a link I posted earlier, for recent US changes:
"Although the changes initially wreaked havoc for major e-commerce suppliers, many – especially Temu and Shein – have since adapted by shipping “duty paid” parcels and increasingly fulfilling orders from domestic warehouses."
In order words they’re setting up an actual British operation, using British logistics, employing British workers, and paying British duties and taxes, rather than posting millions of small parcels directly from China.
UK abolishes its "de minimis" rules which exclude cheap imports below £135 from paying tariffs. A massive deal for the fast fashion/cheap Chinese imports sector: this is the so-called loophole used to great effect by SHEIN and Temu. Should also bring in some tariff revenue https://x.com/EdConwaySky/status/1991969702629826917
It’s excellent news. People spend too much on tat
Not so sure. As most of the high street's stock comes from the east anyway all Argos et al seem to be are expensive middle men. I see little value in paying 100% more when the slow boat will get my goods here without the overheads.
Per a link I posted earlier, for recent US changes:
"Although the changes initially wreaked havoc for major e-commerce suppliers, many – especially Temu and Shein – have since adapted by shipping “duty paid” parcels and increasingly fulfilling orders from domestic warehouses."
In order words they’re setting up an actual British operation, using British logistics, employing British workers, and paying British duties and taxes, rather than posting millions of small parcels directly from China.
That’s exactly how they should be operating.
And, of course, it enables them to ship them to the destination country at the same value they paid the factory for the goods, rather than the final price paid by the seller.
Morning all, so today’s the last day of the 1st Ashes Test. 🤣
Today is the last day to stock up on candles, baked beans and toilet rolls before Rachel Reeves crashes the economy tomorrow with her 57 varieties of ‘raid’ as detailed in the right wing press.
Morning all, so today’s the last day of the 1st Ashes Test. 🤣
Today is the last day to stock up on candles, baked beans and toilet rolls before Rachel Reeves crashes the economy tomorrow with her 57 varieties of ‘raid’ as detailed in the right wing press.
There must be something positive about today, surely!
Morning all, so today’s the last day of the 1st Ashes Test. 🤣
Today is the last day to stock up on candles, baked beans and toilet rolls before Rachel Reeves crashes the economy tomorrow with her 57 varieties of ‘raid’ as detailed in the right wing press.
There must be something positive about today, surely!
Morning all, so today’s the last day of the 1st Ashes Test. 🤣
Today is the last day to stock up on candles, baked beans and toilet rolls before Rachel Reeves crashes the economy tomorrow with her 57 varieties of ‘raid’ as detailed in the right wing press.
There must be something positive about today, surely!
UK abolishes its "de minimis" rules which exclude cheap imports below £135 from paying tariffs. A massive deal for the fast fashion/cheap Chinese imports sector: this is the so-called loophole used to great effect by SHEIN and Temu. Should also bring in some tariff revenue https://x.com/EdConwaySky/status/1991969702629826917
It’s excellent news. People spend too much on tat
Not so sure. As most of the high street's stock comes from the east anyway all Argos et al seem to be are expensive middle men. I see little value in paying 100% more when the slow boat will get my goods here without the overheads.
Per a link I posted earlier, for recent US changes:
"Although the changes initially wreaked havoc for major e-commerce suppliers, many – especially Temu and Shein – have since adapted by shipping “duty paid” parcels and increasingly fulfilling orders from domestic warehouses."
In order words they’re setting up an actual British operation, using British logistics, employing British workers, and paying British duties and taxes, rather than posting millions of small parcels directly from China.
That’s exactly how they should be operating.
And, of course, it enables them to ship them to the destination country at the same value they paid the factory for the goods, rather than the final price paid by the seller.
A Florida judge has dismissed a defamation suit filed by Truth Social's parent company Trump Media against @Guardian over reporting on the federal criminal investigation into $8m loans it accepted in 2021 https://x.com/hugolowell/status/1993080889144746095
Very unlikely but it would be welcome. Most fair minded people can see that she's been held to far higher standards than those expected of Farage.
Rayner's problem is she got caught. Farage is so smart he won't get caught and besides the media or social media have no desire to catch him out. Farage is the working man's working man. Now doff your cap in awe!
Rayner's problem is the amount of hay she made with her opponents. Most fair minded people can see she's been holding others to standards she is failing to reach herself.
But your lot were corrupt as can be, PPE scandal, Freebies from their Lordships and loads more and they got caught out, but no one followed it up.
Suggesting Starmer Labour have unfairly punished your bunch, they have been guilty of dereliction of duty and done nothing.
What PPE corruption is this? Do the police know? Do you have any evidence of anyone in the government involved in PPE corruption?
I have absolutely no idea why there have not been police investigations and subsequent charges and prosecutions.
* I could have cited loads more studies.
"These figures show Whitehall departments award almost £4.1bn to suppliers with political connections"
I will save you reading the report. All MPs and Lords were asked if they knew any firms that could help in the supply of PPE or in the distribution of drugs. They were given an exclusive weblink to send queries to. This is what happened to the infamous "hancock pub landlord" who also ran a packaging firm, messages his MP, who is health minister, MP sends him the link, and then on his request sends a follow up. And that was it.
There has been no charges of prosecutions because outside of the fantasies, there wasn't corruption. You could argue the Marone woman (who is not a member of the government), her company acted fraudulently, but that's not the same as corruption.
We have a police forced that broke a government minister for his wife accepting points on her driving license, a police force that fined both the Prime Minister and Chancellor for something that, if they appealed would have been thrown out quite sharpish. If there was corruption there, those involved (and MPs and ministers are never involved in the awarding of contracts) would be getting chased without mercy.
Was there corruption? I dont know, but I do know if there was evidence the police would not be taking cover for those politicians involved.
Don't forget a Labour MP has been prosecuted. I suspect at some stage when all the inquiries are complete there will be prosecutions.
Starmer is also twinned with Sleepy Joe as far as prosecuting his opponents for genuine industrial scale wrongdoing is concerned.
That's what the lane was for, i repeat MPs were asked if they knew any companies that could provide the equipment needed, and if they could to direct them to the link they were given. They were doing what they were asked to do.
This is not evidence of corruption.
PS. Anyone found guilty of corruption, taking bribes should be doing hard time. This isnt it, its inuendo hoping no one will notice that that is all it is.
There are examples of companies who specialised in medical equipment who had procurement contracts with the NHS who could provide CE marked equipment, and they were overlooked in favour of friends and family buying tat via AliExpress which turned out to be not fit for purpose.
There were Ministers of state who in my opinion saw an opportunity to grift in the face of a deadly pandemic. There was a moral depravity on display that I cannot comprehend.
If you have evidence of corruption, then please let the police know, and MPs/Ministers are not involved in the awarding of contracts.
I don't believe there is any doubt that friends and family fast lane fraud took place. Whether pursuing prosecutions for corruption or for providing non conforming equipment is deemed relevant is not down to people like me. If it was up to me I would pursue with a particularly enthusiastic vigour.
Or there’s nothing to pursue. As I mentioned before. A constabulary that hounded a minster for getting his wife to take his speeding points, is not going to shy away from taking someone down for corruption. A career making case.
The really important bit is that we have prepared for next time
1) PPE time expires because it is made of biodegradable plastic* 2) So a couple of years worth at massively increased rates of use would be a vast pile, huge amounts of which would have to thrown away, unused every year, as we bought more 3) So that didn’t happen 4) PPE factories in the UK as a standby capability - also too expensive. And need feedstock. Which needs chemicals… 5) Non-disposable PPE for crises is unthinkable. Apparently.
So next time we are prepared to… do exactly the same again!
What you need is PPE factories in the UK supplying normally and accept we need to pay more for it. But the premium is effectively an insurance premium (“resilience”)
Why not make a long-life version from non biodegradable plastic, 30 year shelf life. Order a pandemic worth, stick it on the shelf, problem solved for 25 years. Order another batch in year 25, use the existing stock up in the NHS over the next five years.
This is a problem entirely created by us demanding the stuff is biodegradable for environmental reasons. We're perfect capable of designing plastic chemistries that are stable for tens, if not hundreds, of years. As usual, by trying to be environmentally friendly, we end up shafting the environment by scrapping thousands of tonnes of the stuff because it's gone out of date.
(as for the "what happens when we do use it" environmental argument - just incinerate it, like we do with most contaminated medical waste anyway).
I don't think any of our PPE is recycled or biodegradeable. It all goes in the yellow bag for incineration.
The poblem of storage is more to do with the quantities needed in a pandemic, rather than what it is made of.. We coild get through a years supplu in a few weeks.
UK abolishes its "de minimis" rules which exclude cheap imports below £135 from paying tariffs. A massive deal for the fast fashion/cheap Chinese imports sector: this is the so-called loophole used to great effect by SHEIN and Temu. Should also bring in some tariff revenue https://x.com/EdConwaySky/status/1991969702629826917
It’s excellent news. People spend too much on tat
Not so sure. As most of the high street's stock comes from the east anyway all Argos et al seem to be are expensive middle men. I see little value in paying 100% more when the slow boat will get my goods here without the overheads.
Per a link I posted earlier, for recent US changes:
"Although the changes initially wreaked havoc for major e-commerce suppliers, many – especially Temu and Shein – have since adapted by shipping “duty paid” parcels and increasingly fulfilling orders from domestic warehouses."
In order words they’re setting up an actual British operation, using British logistics, employing British workers, and paying British duties and taxes, rather than posting millions of small parcels directly from China.
That’s exactly how they should be operating.
And, of course, it enables them to ship them to the destination country at the same value they paid the factory for the goods, rather than the final price paid by the seller.
But then they have VAT and UK profits to tax
They have VAT, sure, but if you think the UK subsidiary has taxable profits, then I have a bridge to sell you.
Given what the bubble is doing to computer component prices I can't wait for it to pop.
The way the global economy is structured at the moment, the popping of the AIbubble is going to be at best a 2007 event, and at a worst a 1929 one. A lot of people out on a lot of limbs with AI. Getting a cheaper 5090 graphics card will be the last of your worries.
It's not graphics cards that bother me, it's watching DRAM and NAND prices soar. The AI "investment" is consuming so much of the future semiconductor production that it's already creating scarcity for essentially every other use for computing hardware. It's nuts.
The DRAM supply crunch is going to be horrendous. With OpenAI having bought up much of Samsung's and SK Hynix's production for 2026, there's very little capacity left to serve the rest of the world (which is the point, OpenAI did this to starve their competitors of compute power - can't build new datacentres if there's no DRAM to put in the servers).
Everything with memory is going up; PCs, Laptops, phones, tablets, consoles, TVs. I'm pretty confident a PC costing £1500 today will be north of £3000 a year from now. Cloud based services like Netfilx, Spotify, et al, will probably go up too given the increased cost of replacing hardware in their datacentres as it breaks.
The basic £150 style hp stream/chromebook are easily going to add £100 onto their mrp, with a standard no frills acceptable laptop moving to £450. This will be rpi influencing changes.
I am fairly sure that the budget will be a damp squib.
Sure therr will be pearl clutching from the DT over some new "pasty tax", but not much else.
I expect some restrictions on pension tax relief and a reduction in the pension tax free lump sum (not sure why this even exists), but these get trailed at every budget.
I don't think the ISA allowance should be cut, but I've never managed to squirrel away more than £6 or £7k a year.
I think that was under Covid - when I wasn't spending much.
The ISA limit is being cut - the put it in a bank account limit is.
You can still save £20,000 and still save it in an almost risk free way, you just need to buy a money market trackers...
Explanations of how to do it will appear over the weekend I expect.
To be honest it'd be a good lesson in teaching people about money market funds. Much safer than cash in the bank account, and often higher returning, ignore the FCA protections.
I am fairly sure that the budget will be a damp squib.
Sure therr will be pearl clutching from the DT over some new "pasty tax", but not much else.
I expect some restrictions on pension tax relief and a reduction in the pension tax free lump sum (not sure why this even exists), but these get trailed at every budget.
In which case it will have done severe damage to UK economic growth for nothing.
Comments
Everything with memory is going up; PCs, Laptops, phones, tablets, consoles, TVs. I'm pretty confident a PC costing £1500 today will be north of £3000 a year from now. Cloud based services like Netfilx, Spotify, et al, will probably go up too given the increased cost of replacing hardware in their datacentres as it breaks.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Glittering_Prizes
I say that knowing that I've had to re-implement our 'org chart' twice as our HR team won't give us access to even anonymised data, and the Office365 team refuse point blank to give us access to anything.
I think SAM3 and SAM3 Body can be applied today to problems.
The original expiry dates were there for a reason
Such re-estimates of failure of materials tend to be bullshit - see the story of DTD683. Or, more recently RAAC concrete. Politically driven estimates, in both cases.
Apparently Whiskey Pete on behalf of the Commander in Chief has instructed the Department of War to recall Mark Kelly to the Navy. Kelly can then be court martialed. Treason is a capital federal crime.
https://x.com/atrupar/status/1993064427176816732
"Although the changes initially wreaked havoc for major e-commerce suppliers, many – especially Temu and Shein – have since adapted by shipping “duty paid” parcels and increasingly fulfilling orders from domestic warehouses."
This is a problem entirely created by us demanding the stuff is biodegradable for environmental reasons. We're perfect capable of designing plastic chemistries that are stable for tens, if not hundreds, of years. As usual, by trying to be environmentally friendly, we end up shafting the environment by scrapping thousands of tonnes of the stuff because it's gone out of date.
(as for the "what happens when we do use it" environmental argument - just incinerate it, like we do with most contaminated medical waste anyway).
But anyone buying stuff on Temu or AliExpress, etc, that isn't available in the UK has to pay more. I use both of those sites to buy electronic components that I can't get anywhere else. Now I will have to pay more for them.
Yet another reason I won't be voting Labour in future, as if more were needed.
That’s exactly how they should be operating.
James Donald Vance Jr said he would put the vice-president in a ‘body bag’ if he visited his city again
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/11/19/jd-vance-threat-jailed-kill-vice-president/ (£££)
Exactly 15 weeks to the Cheltenham Festival.
Good morning, everyone.
When Trump actually goes to court, he loses.
A Florida judge has dismissed a defamation suit filed by Truth Social's parent company Trump Media against @Guardian over reporting on the federal criminal investigation into $8m loans it accepted in 2021
https://x.com/hugolowell/status/1993080889144746095
I think that was under Covid - when I wasn't spending much.
Well it was until last night when the Ukranians bombed it.
https://x.com/visegrad24/status/1993120562307026998
You can still save £20,000 and still save it in an almost risk free way, you just need to buy a money market trackers...
Explanations of how to do it will appear over the weekend I expect.
The poblem of storage is more to do with the quantities needed in a pandemic, rather than what it is made of.. We coild get through a years supplu in a few weeks.
I say bring back budget purdah, all these months of speculation and supposed leaks have done no good for anyone.
Sure therr will be pearl clutching from the DT over some new "pasty tax", but not much else.
I expect some restrictions on pension tax relief and a reduction in the pension tax free lump sum (not sure why this even exists), but these get trailed at every budget.
NEW THREAD
Presumably no news is not good news...