Another one bites the dust!

[rtbcomp]

Who needs manufacturing industry anyway? the service industry does, that's who.

No manufacturing = no service = no economy.

Plus the fact in a lot of cases putting (say) ex-miners into (say) call centres is putting round pegs in square holes.

 

[dutchman]

I like the advise from Weldequip: Learn Chinese and move to Beijing.

Oh, did you know that HUGE flows of capital from Asia to the US helped create a bubble in asset prices in the west? Yes, Asia wasn't only performing the work for us, but also provided a large amount of the money...
They were saving while we were spending it. Given their standard of living that makes you think doesn't it. It had to get messy sometime.

 

[jimmy shoes]

well im not working...yet hopefully soon though, i am a little worried actually if i ever find a job seems that the motor industry has been hit.

one of my brothers who work in design&manufacturer has been flat out working, while my other brother who works for Hugh james solicitors (IT) will be out of the job very soon along with many others

 

[madkayaker]

Well Jimmy at least your hobby would keep you busy..

 

[bill_gj]

It made me laugh out loud a couple of weeks ago when, during a critical speech regarding the govts handling of this fiasco, David Cameron started telling us all that a manufacturing sector was vital to the health of the Country's economy.

I suppose that, on the basis of his youth and being an Old Etonian, he can be excused for not being a student of his own party's past. It was Mrs T and co. that set about conversion of UK Plc from a manufacturing base to a financial/services base.

 

[Muggins the Mug]

'Tis a sad fact that we've hardly got any decent heavy industries left. Fred Dibnah would be turning in his grave at the state of heavy engineering in this country.

 

[bill_gj]

Too true Muggins.
It makes me sick to see how little is now done in the UK. If you visit one of the heritage museums or visit the motor museum at Gaydon, take a trip to the Science museum or whatever, it's NOT jingoism to be proud of all that Britain did / produced / gave to the world in the period from about 1650 to 1939.
Given the population of the UK, it's out of all proportion. I would guess that the post-1939 equivalent would be Japan in terms of the volume and variety of industry.

I suppose it's the debt associated with two World Wars, plus the value of stuff GIVEN AWAY to the USA and incompetant politicians that helped to finally get us here.

There, that should generate some shrapnel from abroad.

 

[ben8vgte]

'Tis a sad fact that we've hardly got any decent heavy industries left. Fred Dibnah would be turning in his grave at the state of heavy engineering in this country.

lol i would have thought he's spinning so fast he's bored his own mine shaft.

 

[rtbcomp]

lol i would have thought he's spinning so fast he's bored his own mine shaft.

Don't say that, he'll have a Hitler from the Town Hall round, that at least is a growth industry

 

[jimmy shoes]

who's Fred Dibnah

 

[wyn]

Don't say that, he'll have a Hitler from the Town Hall round, that at least is a growth industry

From what i understand civil servants in this country now number around 5 million Final salary pensions paid by taxpayers ?

Nice little number, i wouldn't mind some of that myself.

 

[ben8vgte]

who's Fred Dibnah

steam and flat cap need i say more?

 

[rtbcomp]

who's Fred Dibnah

Do a Google

 

[bill_gj]

Wyn - you didn't happen to hear an interview on Radio 4 'Today' prog this morning, did you?
It was about how much it costs the UK to fund the pensions of the 'public sector'. I lost count of how many noughts there were in it.
I'll see if there's a BBC link for it.

 

[bill_gj]

Audio:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7783000/7783239.stm

..it's billed as to do with the Post Office pension fund, but discusses public secotr in general.

'Who's Fred Dibnah' indeed

 

[wyn]

Bill_gj......just watching the news. They say parts of royal mail may be privatised and taxpayers lumbered with the "pensions timebomb".

I'll have a look at the link thanks.


Just listened to it..........Another £Trillion for the taxpayer to pick up the bill for. Nothing to worry about

 

[bill_gj]

Yea, no sweat, just carry on paying your income tax, National Insurance, VAT, road fund licence, TV licence, community charge, stamp duty, special taxes on alcohol, fuel and vehicles and it will all be OK.

 

[rtbcomp]

Yea, no sweat, just carry on paying your income tax, National Insurance, VAT, road fund licence, TV licence, community charge, stamp duty, special taxes on alcohol, fuel and vehicles and it will all be OK.

Or just don't bother and get a free house or flat.

 

[Archie]

Don't know what you're complaining about. Our problems have all been solved by the 2.5% VAT cut......

 

[bill_gj]

Oh yea, forgot that 2½% VAT reduction. It will make all the difference.
Quite what gear Mr Brown's advisors had been doing when they came up with that one is beyond me. Many smaller retailers said they'd not be passing it on and other retailers said it was costing more in admin than was worth.

I did have a small skip of the heart last night when I drove past my local, usually expensive, Esso station - diesel was finally down to 99.9 pence.
I know it's been sub-£ in some places for a little while, but it's thie right direction.

Rtbcomp - yes, you have a point. Why struggle against two tides?

On the one hand, there's the financial geniuses that steered the economy into this mess. Some of their minions have paid the price and will no longer be clerks in banks and insurance houses. Doubtless, many of these creatures will still have their jobs and the bonus might be a bit thin this year.

On the other hand.....if I have a day off during the week, I am amazed to see how many people of what I'll call "working age" are out and about the shops. I wonder what proportion of the UK population is actually bloody working for a living !!!! Grrrrr. Tablets...where are they....that's better.....must not get worked up.

I agree, sometimes.
Why struggle? Become a senior Chav. Skive. Ponce off the Nation. Do nothing. Do not aspire. Have no feeling of shame.

Nah, can't do it. It's against the principals my old Dad taught me.
Can't say what I'd do to wasters if I were in charge. They suck up the resources that are there to protect the ones that can't look out for themselves.