After 10 years of steady growth and improvement in the British standard of living, under a Labour Government, the world wide banking financial crash of 2008 brought the banking chaos throughout the world. Even the pinnacle of capitalism, USA, began to crack and crumble, their house purchase/mortgage system setting off a chain reaction by offloading their debits to other international banks.
I wrote in this column at the time, a new kind of Banking was urgently needed to sort out the chaotic results of global banking. The banks were allowed to grow too big, a case of dog eats dog, dictate their own terms of business generate vast profits to pay intolerable bonuses.
In the UK this was exasperated by the extreme right wing Thatcher Government of the 1980’s by demutualising the building societies, to get the hands of her rich city friends on them to make even more money.
Before then people could get a 20/25 year mortgage according to their income, hard to pay back at first but getting easy as you progressed through your career with promotion or wage increase. Now it’s all short term mortgages so the bankers can charge even more arrangement fees each time.
Adding to the looming crises was her sell of ‘Social Housing’, council houses to you and me, and not allowing the councils to spend the revenue made on replacement housing, thus the main cause of the shortages today.
The current, Tory led, coalition (LibDemCon) government just propose tinkering around the edges of our banking system, when what is clearly needed is a radical reorganisation of banking with one of a full mixed economy. Even the bank with much public investments remaining nationalised.
The latest catch phrase used by LibDemCon ministers when they don’t know what to do or say is “We'll do whatever it takes”
In the years to come historians of the time will have a lot to say on the ‘Thatcher’ years it was she who sold off the public utilities, electricity, gas and water after the tax payer had paid for the pipe lines, electric grid and reservoirs.
It is morally wrong that a basic human need, like water supply should be sold off for profit making for share holders. It is also ridiculous that the same gas and the same electricity coming down the same pipes and cables to be sold to the consumer at different prices, to make bigger profits for share holders.
The Major government, following Thatcher, realising they would lose the next election rushed through continuation of her rail privatisation, resulting in the hotpotch of rail companies we have now. This costing as much public subsidy as British Railways did, mainly going to their share holders as profits.
Today's crises throughout the World's stock exchanges show they have become no more than the rich man’s betting shop, to gamble with the poor man’s savings and pension funds. ‘Sell’ they yell, to make a quick profit no matter the consequences to the firms, organisations and workers concerned.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
A Personal Note
I have been having considerable trouble in getting my new award agreed, there appears to be to many administrators and managers passing bits of paper from one an other and desk to desk. In all the words they use they do not seem to know the two simplest words in the English language ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ in covering their backs.
I should add here that in 21 years, unfortunately, as a major stroke victim having to rely on the NHS I have nothing but praise for the medical treatment I have received over the years. I give them 10 out of 10 for all their help and consideration. As for administration both NHS and Council social workers, there are far to many and the result dismal, I give them 1 out of 10.
To Whom It May Concern
In 2007 it was suggested I took up the direct payment scheme for my personal care and quality of life. This I agreed and a method was worked out with the help of the Rowan Organisation.
I was awarded £1231.60 (varying by days in the month) This worked very well and efficient until my last admission to Hospital, despite a decrease, in real terms, of some 5/6% due to inflation and increase insurance costs. On discharge I needed help getting into and out of bed and applied for an extra 1 hour a day at the rate I paid my PA (£9.50) for this help.
Over the next 6 months or more my physical condition rapidly deteriorated with the ageing problems compounding on my stroke of 21 years, and many visits were made to my home by Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists and others. Many visits to Kingston Hospital and the Distinct Nursing team continued to call twice weekly.
All these visits reporting I needed more help than that provided and I had asked extra for. Both senior Therapists reporting, in a written report, that now my right and only good arm, was causing concern and not able to be used 90 degrees (the reason for my Hospital visits throughout the last 9 months). These reports were sent to my care manager.
My balance was very bad, and I was a danger to myself trying to cook, and could not reach to get items from the cupboards or fridge. My career now has to cook my main meal each day out of the three hours a day allowed for in the original agreement and award (in fact has been doing many hours’ unpaid help)
In July 2010 I was asked, and supplied a diary over a period of three weeks to show the care my career was giving on a daily basis. Since then I recently supplied a list of the extra help I need as was suggested at the many visits to me at my home by the various agencies.
My December remittance advice shows a sum of £1598.89 an increase of £363.49 (£88.12 a week) over my payments since I first opted for direct payments. This barely covers the extra I asked for in March, and the employer NI contributions increase of £2.10 per week, leaving £19.52 for all the extra help I now need and that recommended.
I want my award looked into again, together with all the reports made into my physical condition over the last year.
To Whom It May Concern continued additions January 2011
With time to reread the above and study with old papers it appears the confusion seems to have arisen by an administration error.
The award made in 2007 for home care and quality of life living was based on the formula of –
75 hours @ £0.00p and
45 hours @ £00.0p
Total payment of £0,000.00p per month to be spent at the reciprocants discretion.
This being worked out with the help of the Rowan Organisation and agreed by the Council @ 3 hours per day for personal care and help in the home, the balance to be spent in maintaining as near a life style as possible. I.e. Attending meetings, attending monthly committee meeting, Theatre visits and participating in the local community as fully as possible as in the past.
On my discharge from hospital and deteriating physical condition I asked, in March 2010, for an extra hour per day for help in getting into and out of bed @£9.50 at the rate I was paying for personal care. All agencies now agree I need more hours than I asked for nearly a year ago now.
It appears the award made December 2010 is based on the draught of ‘My Support Plan’ by Support Broker, Jo Munday, only on the figure I paid my Carer/PA of £9.50 and not on the original hourly rates. I understand m/s Munday had not seen the Occupational Therapist’s report before draughting the plan.
I hope this helps to clarify the matter, although I am very physically affected, mentally I am still 110% fit and quite happy for my carer to bring me to any meeting at any time to meet and discuss this further.
Kenneth Elmes January 2011
I should add here that in 21 years, unfortunately, as a major stroke victim having to rely on the NHS I have nothing but praise for the medical treatment I have received over the years. I give them 10 out of 10 for all their help and consideration. As for administration both NHS and Council social workers, there are far to many and the result dismal, I give them 1 out of 10.
To Whom It May Concern
In 2007 it was suggested I took up the direct payment scheme for my personal care and quality of life. This I agreed and a method was worked out with the help of the Rowan Organisation.
I was awarded £1231.60 (varying by days in the month) This worked very well and efficient until my last admission to Hospital, despite a decrease, in real terms, of some 5/6% due to inflation and increase insurance costs. On discharge I needed help getting into and out of bed and applied for an extra 1 hour a day at the rate I paid my PA (£9.50) for this help.
Over the next 6 months or more my physical condition rapidly deteriorated with the ageing problems compounding on my stroke of 21 years, and many visits were made to my home by Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists and others. Many visits to Kingston Hospital and the Distinct Nursing team continued to call twice weekly.
All these visits reporting I needed more help than that provided and I had asked extra for. Both senior Therapists reporting, in a written report, that now my right and only good arm, was causing concern and not able to be used 90 degrees (the reason for my Hospital visits throughout the last 9 months). These reports were sent to my care manager.
My balance was very bad, and I was a danger to myself trying to cook, and could not reach to get items from the cupboards or fridge. My career now has to cook my main meal each day out of the three hours a day allowed for in the original agreement and award (in fact has been doing many hours’ unpaid help)
In July 2010 I was asked, and supplied a diary over a period of three weeks to show the care my career was giving on a daily basis. Since then I recently supplied a list of the extra help I need as was suggested at the many visits to me at my home by the various agencies.
My December remittance advice shows a sum of £1598.89 an increase of £363.49 (£88.12 a week) over my payments since I first opted for direct payments. This barely covers the extra I asked for in March, and the employer NI contributions increase of £2.10 per week, leaving £19.52 for all the extra help I now need and that recommended.
I want my award looked into again, together with all the reports made into my physical condition over the last year.
To Whom It May Concern continued additions January 2011
With time to reread the above and study with old papers it appears the confusion seems to have arisen by an administration error.
The award made in 2007 for home care and quality of life living was based on the formula of –
75 hours @ £0.00p and
45 hours @ £00.0p
Total payment of £0,000.00p per month to be spent at the reciprocants discretion.
This being worked out with the help of the Rowan Organisation and agreed by the Council @ 3 hours per day for personal care and help in the home, the balance to be spent in maintaining as near a life style as possible. I.e. Attending meetings, attending monthly committee meeting, Theatre visits and participating in the local community as fully as possible as in the past.
On my discharge from hospital and deteriating physical condition I asked, in March 2010, for an extra hour per day for help in getting into and out of bed @£9.50 at the rate I was paying for personal care. All agencies now agree I need more hours than I asked for nearly a year ago now.
It appears the award made December 2010 is based on the draught of ‘My Support Plan’ by Support Broker, Jo Munday, only on the figure I paid my Carer/PA of £9.50 and not on the original hourly rates. I understand m/s Munday had not seen the Occupational Therapist’s report before draughting the plan.
I hope this helps to clarify the matter, although I am very physically affected, mentally I am still 110% fit and quite happy for my carer to bring me to any meeting at any time to meet and discuss this further.
Kenneth Elmes January 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
The LibDemCon Government
The LibDemCon government . . .
Well!! Where do I start? - cracks of seismic proportions are appearing all over the place. The right wing conservative senior partners leading the LibDems ‘up the path’ by the nose.
David Cameron and his millionaire cabinet members (mainly Thatcher’s children) carrying on where she left off dismantling and destroying the welfare state. Thatcher saying there was no such thing as society and selling off social housing and starting the demutualising of the Building Societies to the capitalist system of her rich friends in the Banking world of dog eat dog.
Before Thatcher one could get a mortgage of 20/25 years that got easier to pay as you progressed through your working life with promotion and/or wage increases. Now it’s a case of short term mortgages with their arrangement fees, each time, to add to the bankers profits.
Cameron’s speech today (Feb. 14th. 2011) on his big idea of the “ Society” was no more that a lot of wind and hot air with no substance, a smoke screen to take away one’s mind from the pending cuts. For 55 years from my teens I have always tried to ‘do my bit’ for society with the Scout Movement, Teddington Old Peoples Welfare Committee, Rotary Club, a Borough Councillor (when councillors were unpaid) and a committee member and officer of members clubs.
The schools policy is now under fire with backing for many Councils from the courts over the cancellation of the school rebuilding programme of the previous Government to feed the cash to the new free schools.
The government Forestry sell off policy has been cancelled/postponed by public pressures.
All this, and more, after the work of a Labour Government’s 10 years of steady growth brought to an end after its struggle with the world wide financial crisis caused be greedy banks and bankers with their snouts in the trough.
I predict, that when the next election comes and the Conservatives drop the LibDens, Nick Clegg will join his millionaire friends in the Conservative Party.
To be continued. . . . .
Well!! Where do I start? - cracks of seismic proportions are appearing all over the place. The right wing conservative senior partners leading the LibDems ‘up the path’ by the nose.
David Cameron and his millionaire cabinet members (mainly Thatcher’s children) carrying on where she left off dismantling and destroying the welfare state. Thatcher saying there was no such thing as society and selling off social housing and starting the demutualising of the Building Societies to the capitalist system of her rich friends in the Banking world of dog eat dog.
Before Thatcher one could get a mortgage of 20/25 years that got easier to pay as you progressed through your working life with promotion and/or wage increases. Now it’s a case of short term mortgages with their arrangement fees, each time, to add to the bankers profits.
Cameron’s speech today (Feb. 14th. 2011) on his big idea of the “ Society” was no more that a lot of wind and hot air with no substance, a smoke screen to take away one’s mind from the pending cuts. For 55 years from my teens I have always tried to ‘do my bit’ for society with the Scout Movement, Teddington Old Peoples Welfare Committee, Rotary Club, a Borough Councillor (when councillors were unpaid) and a committee member and officer of members clubs.
The schools policy is now under fire with backing for many Councils from the courts over the cancellation of the school rebuilding programme of the previous Government to feed the cash to the new free schools.
The government Forestry sell off policy has been cancelled/postponed by public pressures.
All this, and more, after the work of a Labour Government’s 10 years of steady growth brought to an end after its struggle with the world wide financial crisis caused be greedy banks and bankers with their snouts in the trough.
I predict, that when the next election comes and the Conservatives drop the LibDens, Nick Clegg will join his millionaire friends in the Conservative Party.
To be continued. . . . .
Friday, December 31, 2010
Forward to 2011
A Happy and peaceful 'NEW YEAR' to all my readers.
May you enjoy good Health throughout the coming year
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Shame on you Dr Cable
Hang your head in shame Dr Cable for bolstering an extreme right wing conservative party. Led by millionaire leaders of the present CONservative party is hell bent on destroying and dismantling the welfare state.
Started by the great 1945 government of Clement Attlee, was supported by conservative governments until along came Margaret Thatcher, declaring ‘There is no such as society, and grab what you can for yourself.
We now know where the LibDems stand – ‘power at any cost’ with the LibDemCon government.
Started by the great 1945 government of Clement Attlee, was supported by conservative governments until along came Margaret Thatcher, declaring ‘There is no such as society, and grab what you can for yourself.
We now know where the LibDems stand – ‘power at any cost’ with the LibDemCon government.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Vince Cable MP and the Student Demonstraters
This weekend (Nov. 2010) we had the spectacle of our member of parliament for Twickenham, Dr. Vince Cable MP, LibDem, in the hot seat of the weekend political T/V programme
A member of the LibDemCon government he looked very embarrassed, squirming and writhing in his seat, trying to justify ‘when is a pledge not a pledge’ and how to break promises.
The pledge and promise he, his party leader Nick Clegg and all libdem MPs, made at the General Election only 6 months ago not to raise tuition fees for students.
My heart, and thanks, go to all the 1,000’s of students across the Nation who turned out to demonstrate against this unforgivable betrayal of an election manifesto promise. My own demonstration, and rough police handling, days go back to the days of German Rearmament the first CND march etc.
I salute you and call on all voters, trade unions and others who feel betrayed by the LibDems to march with you on the next demonstration and swell your ranks.
I hope all Labour voters who voted LibDem to get, and keep, out the CONservatives will return to the fold and vote Labour at the next General and Local elections.
The conservative education minister, Michael Gove MP, of an extreme right wing conservative senior party of a LibDemCon government, on the same news programmes as the demonstrations, looking smug, putting all the blame for the increases in student fees on the shoulders of Vince Cable, Nick Clegg and LibDem MP’s,
Congratulations must go to the LibDemCON government in awakening the protest giant and breeding the next generation, from our schools and colleges, of demonstrators and protesters against injustice.
A member of the LibDemCon government he looked very embarrassed, squirming and writhing in his seat, trying to justify ‘when is a pledge not a pledge’ and how to break promises.
The pledge and promise he, his party leader Nick Clegg and all libdem MPs, made at the General Election only 6 months ago not to raise tuition fees for students.
My heart, and thanks, go to all the 1,000’s of students across the Nation who turned out to demonstrate against this unforgivable betrayal of an election manifesto promise. My own demonstration, and rough police handling, days go back to the days of German Rearmament the first CND march etc.
I salute you and call on all voters, trade unions and others who feel betrayed by the LibDems to march with you on the next demonstration and swell your ranks.
I hope all Labour voters who voted LibDem to get, and keep, out the CONservatives will return to the fold and vote Labour at the next General and Local elections.
The conservative education minister, Michael Gove MP, of an extreme right wing conservative senior party of a LibDemCon government, on the same news programmes as the demonstrations, looking smug, putting all the blame for the increases in student fees on the shoulders of Vince Cable, Nick Clegg and LibDem MP’s,
Congratulations must go to the LibDemCON government in awakening the protest giant and breeding the next generation, from our schools and colleges, of demonstrators and protesters against injustice.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Continued...... The LibDem Con
A lifelong socialist I am one of the first to say my constituency member of parliament, Dr. Vincent Cable MP, is a first class constituency member. Registered severely disabled, for over 20 years, he has helped me considerably over the years with the Boarder agency and other disabled problems.
I was very disappointed, with 1,000s of local Libdem voters when the Libdems bolstered a weak conservative party to give them power, lots of local Libdem voters being former Labour voters wanting to get the Tories out and keep them out. Even I was tempted to vote ‘Cable,’ but now, how pleased I kept my voting over the years 100% socialist.
When I had the honour of being a Richmond Councillor (we were unpaid, and did it as a service to the community) in the mid 1970s we built to a group 17 strong with a parliamentary vote around 15.000 +. In my ward alone, Hampton Hill, we polled over 1,600 votes.
Now is the time to invite these voters back to the Labour Party to once again build a strong opposition group instead of the likeminded LibDem and Conservative parties muddling their way through the running of our Borough.
The 30 years wasted over Twickenham Riverside being just one example. The centre of Twickenham, appalling in comparison to other local town centres with their developments. We can all see examples of mismanagement in our own part of the Borough.
I was very disappointed, with 1,000s of local Libdem voters when the Libdems bolstered a weak conservative party to give them power, lots of local Libdem voters being former Labour voters wanting to get the Tories out and keep them out. Even I was tempted to vote ‘Cable,’ but now, how pleased I kept my voting over the years 100% socialist.
When I had the honour of being a Richmond Councillor (we were unpaid, and did it as a service to the community) in the mid 1970s we built to a group 17 strong with a parliamentary vote around 15.000 +. In my ward alone, Hampton Hill, we polled over 1,600 votes.
Now is the time to invite these voters back to the Labour Party to once again build a strong opposition group instead of the likeminded LibDem and Conservative parties muddling their way through the running of our Borough.
The 30 years wasted over Twickenham Riverside being just one example. The centre of Twickenham, appalling in comparison to other local town centres with their developments. We can all see examples of mismanagement in our own part of the Borough.
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