However it’s difficult for people to make decisions when the rules are vague.

 

The town I work in was on the News tonight (the woman who cleans my classroom was actually interviewed *.* ) because it’s half in England and half in Wales and the confusion is too much. England going a different way is completely barmy and that’s down to Boris and his inept government.

 

Indeed you are correct but in general terms most reasonable people know the risks and social distancing rules from stage 1 of the crisis. The slogan the communications team used this time was awful though which is unusual for Johnson as they usually get it right if you compare to the first stage motto and the election a few months ago.

 

Wales will see what it's like for us Irish citizens living in NI now with the south having differing rules.

Hang on, I didn't know that you were a Thatcherite Steve?! Her whole 'no such thing as society' speech was about not blaming our problems on society and not expecting society to take actions on our behalf. The government keep banging on about how the virus doesn't discriminate, which to an extent is true, but sadly our society effectively DOES and so those in less secure employment are put at a much greater risk. It's ok for people like Rooney and myself in middle class type jobs where we can mostly work from home or cycle safely to work but that option just isn't avaliable to everyone.

 

@1259809811379695616

 

I think there is a subtle shift here in trying to move the blame to the public, we've seen it already with the messages on social media shaming people for meeting in parks, sunbathing on beaches etc. Ultimately the government are entrusted by the public to protect us, and the multiple failings highlighted in this thread - of which an enquiry will no doutbt highlight many more - shows how much this trust has been broken and how entitled we all are to blame those in power.

 

:lol: I knew someone would point that out. I'm very much a democratic socialist from the Bennite left but from a practical point I encounter the difficulties of the system every day and how people are very hard to please and take on advice we give them.

 

I also daily get people coming in for accommodation who are homeless and refuse a reasonable place for whatever reason and say they are blaming me because they will have to stay on the streets tonight....

 

 

Northern Ireland announced its plans in the past hour. No immediate changes for now, and a timetable for reopening has been announced, although with no firm dates for when this is to happen.

Furlough scheme extended until October. The details are sketchy, but looks like the Government will support part-time working until October too. So I guess it will become a Flexible Furlough scheme of sorts. No idea if this was a Governmental led policy or whether the Unions stepped in to suggest it.

 

But all in all, I think that's fairly decent.

@1260151385754144768

 

This story has really broken me today. The UK has failed to protect workers — her employers knew she had underlying respiratory problems but didn't sign her off work. People have no choice — and all this talk of rushing to save the economy or going back to normal is at the expense of the working class and their lives.

Absolutely disgusting, you get some scum :(

That is absolutely awful blacksquare, I just haven't got any words for how deeply sad that story is.

 

Good to see the Chancellor extend the furlough scheme, I've been reasonably impressed by how Rishi Sunak has performed throughout this crisis - measured and competent - unlike his contemporaries. I still can't quite bring myself around to praise him however because he used to work for crony capatilist bank Goldman Sachs, but as it's his 40th Birthday today I'll resist making any critical remarks... !

Furlough scheme extended until October. The details are sketchy, but looks like the Government will support part-time working until October too. So I guess it will become a Flexible Furlough scheme of sorts. No idea if this was a Governmental led policy or whether the Unions stepped in to suggest it.

 

But all in all, I think that's fairly decent.

 

I haven't read the detail yet but will the employer not take on some of the % from July?

That is absolutely awful blacksquare, I just haven't got any words for how deeply sad that story is.

 

Good to see the Chancellor extend the furlough scheme, I've been reasonably impressed by how Rishi Sunak has performed throughout this crisis - measured and competent - unlike his contemporaries. I still can't quite bring myself around to praise him however because he used to work for crony capatilist bank Goldman Sachs, but as it's his 40th Birthday today I'll resist making any critical remarks... !

 

He looks about 21!!

Well done to the unions for fighting for that 80% to remain. Most of the government response to this crisis has been a giant mess, but the furlough scheme has been exactly the decisive action we needed.

Edited May 12, 20205 yr by blacksquare

He looks about 21!!

 

Well he's only just started as Chancellor, the stress may soon show!!

 

Well done to the unions for fighting for that 80% to remain. Most of the government response to this crisis has been a giant mess, but the furlough scheme has been exactly the decisive action we needed.

 

Yes absolutely - it shows how incredibly important the role unions play and how important it is to join a union. I've been impressed with the way that the government has been prepared to work with Frances O'Grady.

The furlough scheme is brilliant. It is something I would prefer to stay indefinitely. Germany’s equivalent system “Kurzarbeit” has been around for years and really helps otherwise viable companies that have hit a rough patch through reasons that are outwith their control

 

 

@1260151385754144768

 

This story has really broken me today. The UK has failed to protect workers — her employers knew she had underlying respiratory problems but didn't sign her off work. People have no choice — and all this talk of rushing to save the economy or going back to normal is at the expense of the working class and their lives.

This makes me equal parts sad and utterly furious. There had better be murder charges filed against the awful person who spat at her and gave her Corona. What kind of sick c**t does that to another human. Vile

That is horrific, I really really hope that they find whoever did it. Who knows who else they passed it onto, if they were knowingly going out with the virus.

 

Great news regarding the furlough scheme extension, one area that they have acted very well in.

Well done to the unions for fighting for that 80% to remain. Most of the government response to this crisis has been a giant mess, but the furlough scheme has been exactly the decisive action we needed.

 

Without it there would have been anarchy on the streets or people would have been back at work within a week!

Well he's only just started as Chancellor, the stress may soon show!!

Yes absolutely - it shows how incredibly important the role unions play and how important it is to join a union. I've been impressed with the way that the government has been prepared to work with Frances O'Grady.

 

Indeed lol!

 

What about Red Len?!

Surely you don't actually believe 87% of people have a garden? I'm not one for going Trump but I'm totally calling fake news on that. Most terraced housing in the UK does not have a garden and nor does anyone who lives in any sort of flat/apartment. They may have access to a shared garden. But that is not what I would call a private garden, which I am assuming that is what people are infering.

 

Like I've said, I see the point and I'm not against it either, but to convey that in a message is difficult.

 

It didn't say "private garden" so I do believe it if you take the view that most flats have ample garden space for joint use of residents - it might be shared space, but it's not public space and it's easy to maintain the 2m distance as much as it is easy to keep 2m away from your neighbours out in their garden while you are out in yours (most people dont have huge vast gardens, most are modestly-sized). Plus, in terms of being practical, most buildings with flats have shared access areas so in practical terms they are already sharing air, door-handles etc with every Tom Dick & Harry. The shared-garden is much safer!

 

I was born in a terraced house with an outside toilet, no central heating, no bath, no shower, no fridge, no car, no telephone, no anything much "You were lucky! I were born in a paper-bag etc." :lol: - but we had back gardens. Most old housing has a garden. Pretty much all Council houses and flats have gardens or open spaces (even the flats - see Shared). More recent private developments like to do away with gardens to increase profits and yes this is increasing year on year, but they are usually in expensive city centres or desirable areas. You can get an idea on mapping how many properties have open space attached currently by having a gleg at Ordnance Survey mapping and looking for buildings without any....

It speaks volumes about the general calibre of the government that the Chancellor is getting so much praise simply for being competent.

 

The unions were pressing for more flexibility with the furlough scheme and it's good that the government has acted on that. I think part of the issue was that they wanted to get the furlough scheme up and running as quickly as possible which meant keeping it simple. Now that it is in place (and seems to be running smoothly so far) it is possible to start tweaking it.

That is absolutely awful blacksquare, I just haven't got any words for how deeply sad that story is.

 

Indeed. :(

Good news about the Furlough scheme extension. It'll likely benefit my work place further. Currently they're having half the staff furloughed this month (me included) and the other half next month. That might continue for the rest of the scheme unless things get back to normal.

It didn't say "private garden" so I do believe it if you take the view that most flats have ample garden space for joint use of residents - it might be shared space, but it's not public space and it's easy to maintain the 2m distance as much as it is easy to keep 2m away from your neighbours out in their garden while you are out in yours (most people dont have huge vast gardens, most are modestly-sized). Plus, in terms of being practical, most buildings with flats have shared access areas so in practical terms they are already sharing air, door-handles etc with every Tom Dick & Harry. The shared-garden is much safer!

 

I was born in a terraced house with an outside toilet, no central heating, no bath, no shower, no fridge, no car, no telephone, no anything much "You were lucky! I were born in a paper-bag etc." :lol: - but we had back gardens. Most old housing has a garden. Pretty much all Council houses and flats have gardens or open spaces (even the flats - see Shared). More recent private developments like to do away with gardens to increase profits and yes this is increasing year on year, but they are usually in expensive city centres or desirable areas. You can get an idea on mapping how many properties have open space attached currently by having a gleg at Ordnance Survey mapping and looking for buildings without any....

 

But the bigger problem with any sort of garden, is to access it you have to enter through the house in lots of cases. I just don't see it as a plausible option to send as a message. But again, I totally get your point, I just think it is just a minefield.

The furlough scheme is being reduced to 60% of your salary, no?

 

I hope you guys can survive that. If that were me I'd be screwed - my rent is 60% of my salary so I'd have nothing left for food or anything else.