Read just about any job description, and there will be a small section on the benefits of working for whatever company it is. These benefits are in addition to the basic salary.
That definition is spot on.
The only government support that can truly be described as a "benefit" is of course child benefit, since high earning couples are still entitled to it. Many years ago, with a baby to support, I was out of work and everything we got was a necessity.
IDS gets bloody good benefits from home and work. He doesn't have a fucking clue how real people survive.
And completely o/t, if you have an ex-council house about 50 years old - check the bloody stopcock inside the house. Both mine and my next door neighbours both broke within a few weeks of each other. Local plumbers are doing well out of our street!
One of the huge disadvantages of a government of aristos/sub-aristos/filthy rich is that, before they even start they haven't the vaguest idea how their constituents live. The likes of Cameron has no more idea of how people is small flats live than I have of what it is like to live in Holyrood House.
I don't need to know what it's like to live in a palace, but he does need to know what it's like to live in a little box.
I guess stuff over 50 years old does have a tendency to break... but it's a real pain when it happens.
Could not agree more, well said young man. Zog, I have insurance for that emergency, Scottish Water can point you towards it. Mine is around £59 a year and okay if you do not use it, it could be considered a waste of money but boy if you do it is worth every penny. I will say not confined to ex-council houses, one of my neighbours had a leak which needed fixing, if it is on your property you are responsible so that section between the street and your house is the area that can end up costing you a fortune.
God knows Tris, it just doesn't bear thinking about. I have a friend who used to live in a tied house, husband worked for the farm. They finally got a Housing Association house and she was lamenting about the fact that she would never be able to buy it. I said a roof over your head is more important than owning it and so many folk cannot maintain the houses they mortgage themselves to death buying, better with one which is looked after and you pay the rent. That is the problem in this country, owning property, you need to factor in maintenance and I know we definitely found it hard when we were younger.
I've no idea where the notion that you MUST own your house, comes from, Helena.
In a world of stable employment, with decent and secure salaries, it may be a not too bad idea. After all, once your 25 years of paying off god knows how many times the price of your house, you do own it. You have no rent to pay, but of course you have maintenance.
But we don't live in a world of secure jobs, or decent salaries. A lot of us live in a world of part time, or short term contracts, or 0-hour contract. A lot of us don;t know if we will be working next week, or next month.
And we need to remember that we also live in a country with horrifically expensive housing, with the smallest houses in Europe. Frankly I wouldn't buy most of the modern houses if they were half or quarter of the price, because by the looks and feel of them, in 50 years time they will have fallen to pieces.
It was only £120 to fix. We have an excellent local plumber. I've got insurance but not going to waste a claim on what turned out to be relatively minor.
As to house ownership - renting is more expensive than a mortgage. I know that from personal experience. However, getting a mortgage in the first place can be a problem.
Jim I'm not knocking that, but it seems to me the quality of materials leaves a lot to be desired.
About 10 years ago my brother bought a new house. It wasn't cheap; around £350,000, I think. I helped him move in. I can remember how tacky everything was compared to the old house I live in.
And the sound proofing was absolutely hopeless.
You could hear everything through the walls.
I expect the outside of the house was good enough... I bet there is a standard to which they have to work, like the electrics and the gas...
But seriously the inside was like a cheap tv show set...
The point is that with even cheap houses being REALLY expensive, how can people on minimum wage or short term contracts possibly hope to be able to take out a 25 year or 30 year loan?
Now that rents are so high, I take your point that it may actually be cheaper to pay off your mortgage, but what happens when your contract ends or the company shuts down, or they reduce tour hours?
Read just about any job description, and there will be a small section on the benefits of working for whatever company it is. These benefits are in addition to the basic salary.
ReplyDeleteThat definition is spot on.
The only government support that can truly be described as a "benefit" is of course child benefit, since high earning couples are still entitled to it. Many years ago, with a baby to support, I was out of work and everything we got was a necessity.
IDS gets bloody good benefits from home and work. He doesn't have a fucking clue how real people survive.
And completely o/t, if you have an ex-council house about 50 years old - check the bloody stopcock inside the house. Both mine and my next door neighbours both broke within a few weeks of each other. Local plumbers are doing well out of our street!
zog
Yes, I thought it was very accurate.
DeleteOne of the huge disadvantages of a government of aristos/sub-aristos/filthy rich is that, before they even start they haven't the vaguest idea how their constituents live. The likes of Cameron has no more idea of how people is small flats live than I have of what it is like to live in Holyrood House.
I don't need to know what it's like to live in a palace, but he does need to know what it's like to live in a little box.
I guess stuff over 50 years old does have a tendency to break... but it's a real pain when it happens.
Could not agree more, well said young man.
ReplyDeleteZog, I have insurance for that emergency, Scottish Water can point you towards it. Mine is around £59 a year and okay if you do not use it, it could be considered a waste of money but boy if you do it is worth every penny. I will say not confined to ex-council houses, one of my neighbours had a leak which needed fixing, if it is on your property you are responsible so that section between the street and your house is the area that can end up costing you a fortune.
I've heard that Helena. I don't know what people do if they just don't have the money. Water is a kinda a necessity.
DeleteGod knows Tris, it just doesn't bear thinking about. I have a friend who used to live in a tied house, husband worked for the farm. They finally got a Housing Association house and she was lamenting about the fact that she would never be able to buy it. I said a roof over your head is more important than owning it and so many folk cannot maintain the houses they mortgage themselves to death buying, better with one which is looked after and you pay the rent. That is the problem in this country, owning property, you need to factor in maintenance and I know we definitely found it hard when we were younger.
DeleteI've no idea where the notion that you MUST own your house, comes from, Helena.
DeleteIn a world of stable employment, with decent and secure salaries, it may be a not too bad idea. After all, once your 25 years of paying off god knows how many times the price of your house, you do own it. You have no rent to pay, but of course you have maintenance.
But we don't live in a world of secure jobs, or decent salaries. A lot of us live in a world of part time, or short term contracts, or 0-hour contract. A lot of us don;t know if we will be working next week, or next month.
And we need to remember that we also live in a country with horrifically expensive housing, with the smallest houses in Europe. Frankly I wouldn't buy most of the modern houses if they were half or quarter of the price, because by the looks and feel of them, in 50 years time they will have fallen to pieces.
Eh? I'm a brickie you know, I could take offense, but I won't.
DeleteAs for the post, spot on that man.
It was only £120 to fix. We have an excellent local plumber. I've got insurance but not going to waste a claim on what turned out to be relatively minor.
DeleteAs to house ownership - renting is more expensive than a mortgage. I know that from personal experience. However, getting a mortgage in the first place can be a problem.
zog
Jim I'm not knocking that, but it seems to me the quality of materials leaves a lot to be desired.
DeleteAbout 10 years ago my brother bought a new house. It wasn't cheap; around £350,000, I think. I helped him move in. I can remember how tacky everything was compared to the old house I live in.
And the sound proofing was absolutely hopeless.
You could hear everything through the walls.
I expect the outside of the house was good enough... I bet there is a standard to which they have to work, like the electrics and the gas...
But seriously the inside was like a cheap tv show set...
No offence intended.
:)
Glad to hear that Zog.
DeleteThe point is that with even cheap houses being REALLY expensive, how can people on minimum wage or short term contracts possibly hope to be able to take out a 25 year or 30 year loan?
Now that rents are so high, I take your point that it may actually be cheaper to pay off your mortgage, but what happens when your contract ends or the company shuts down, or they reduce tour hours?