Are you saying that someone employed by the agency selling the house bought it themselves? Sounds illegal if so!
One each occasion the next door neighbor of the guy who owned the estate agency bought the property. On one occasion the guy even had the cheek to offer to lease it too me as he was 'aware' I was interested in the site !!!
my point is the systematic and ideological attack on social housing, has resulted in the present 'crisis'-- it is a very crude policy that seeks to enslave people to a 'mortgage'
It could be said that our current approach to social housing is part of the problem. Social housing is needed, but for those that need it, not those that needed it once and then stay put on reduced rents stopping others from getting onto the ladder.
What we need is social housing that does not ghettoise (made up word) those dependant on it for shelter that does not become an ongoing burden on the state. We see a constant churn int he social housing stock. Once people get to the point where they do not warrant subsidised social housing they should have three options, stay where they put down roots and purchase the property from the social landlord at market rates (might be good for the social landlord to help with a deposit etc.), continue to live there paying commercial rent or move on. Either way the momeny generated should then be ploughed back into new social housing that is not huge estates. That way the housing is available to people who really need it, the social housing stock is renewed / expanded and we can start to reintegrate social housing back into the more affluent areas and break down the council estate ghettos.
Ironically Maggie started this process in the eighties, the only issues were that money was ring fenced and could not be used for new housing (which was morally wrong and plain stupid) and she was gerrymandering (which was illegal).
OI!! stumpyjon!!! Don't you be bloody well coming on here with your rational and reasoned analysis!
This place is going to the dogs!! 🙄
Further to your comments, hasn't this 'homes for life' aproach to social housing, resulted in a huge percentage of London properties being subsequently sub-let by their 'tenants' at a huge profit?
There's a report somewhere [not looking right now] that shows repo's typically sold for 15 - 20% below market value.
[quote=stumpyjon ]
Ironically Maggie started this process in the eighties, the only issues were that money was ring fenced and could not be used for new housing (which was morally wrong and plain stupid) and she was gerrymandering (which was illegal).
The good news is that the Labour government that followed her reversed the process, stopping council house sales and ensuring that councils had to rebuild their social housing stock.
Oh - wait.....
and that I'd be on an expensive lease he probably can't get out of - no doubt up for repo too
Na, it was an 04 or 54 plate, too old for a lease. (Probably, awaits story of 8 yr car leases 🙂 )
The good news is that the Labour government that followed her reversed the process, stopping council house sales and ensuring that councils had to rebuild their social housing stock.
I think your mistaking nu labour for the labour party, they were actually just tories with red ties.
I was lambasted a week ago in some other thread about social problems where I was 'yelled' at for suggesting that sort of thing occurs.
The sad thing is the banks are more than happy to do this, and people who aren't in trouble are more than happy to ignore it/pretend it doesn't happen UNTIL it happens to them.
Horrible how people are treated sometimes.
This is the 21st century for ****s sake and we still haven't solved homelessness!! WTF!
We can fly from gatwick to sydney, we can drive from dover to the south of france, we can cure once incurable diseases, we live longer than ever before, we have a robot on mars - but we can't keep families off the street 🙁
As opposed to the present labour party, which is doing its best to about be as electorally relevant as Oswald Mosely's black shirts
It was refreshing to see Wallace addressing the pressing issues of the day, and giving a speech on not giving public sector jobs to people who can't speak English
I know its a massive problem, that effects millions, and a topic that's been troubling me for some time. I've lost sleep
This is the 21st century for **** sake and we still haven't solved homelessness!! WTF!
Its worse than that! We're going backwards, at a rate of knots! We've got soup kitchens feeding people on wages so low they can't afford to eat! And a bunch of braying buffoons in charge who literally couldn't care less. Here they are delivering the news that they're cutting benefits to the very poorest in society
We can fly from gatwick to sydney, we can drive from dover to the south of france, we can cure once incurable diseases, we live longer than ever before, we have a robot on mars - but we can't keep families off the street
we COULD... but if they're lazy good for nothings who aren't willing to work/contribute then why should we ??
The good news is that the Labour government that followed her reversed the process, stopping council house sales and ensuring that councils had to rebuild their social housing stock.
No, they didn't - the scheme stayed in place with a cap on the discount of ~£40K IIRC
we COULD... but if they're lazy good for nothings who aren't willing to work/contribute then why should we ??
That's not who I was talking about, but I can't speak for others. Did you even watch the program?
Its worse than that! We're going backwards, at a rate of knots!
hmmm. You may well be right.
I've lost my job during in 2008 and know all too well how quickly pretty much everything you took for granted starts to fall apart, but i think at least part of the problem is the difficulty in realising its happening.
The stress can be overwhelming, a priority number one is finding another job which can take more time than actually going to work. This makes it difficult to manage the situation in the most rational way. Seeing other solutions like selling the house, remortgaging, renting out the house and moving into a friends house, bedsit or house share can be difficult when you've got so much on your mind. And before you realise the situation is serious enough to warrant these measures, its too late. I can't imagine how much worse it is with a family.
The program didn't seem to cover these issues though, more of a look at the "human side" of events once its too late.
[Are you saying that someone employed by the agency selling the house bought it themselves? Sounds illegal if so!]
there was an employee at a local major bank/estate agent in my town, that, between him and a solicitor friend, managed to purchase a lot (100+) of undervalued property in the mid 90's
he valued them low and his "friend" bought them to rent, he got caught and got asked to leave with a golden hand shake(£250k)
i have a few properties i rent and i wouldn't trust any of them!
I've lost my job during in 2008 and know all too well how quickly pretty much everything you took for granted starts to fall apart, but i think at least part of the problem is the difficulty in realising its happening.
Can happen to anyone. In 2007 I went from highly successful executive to unemployed gibbering wreck in a matter of a few weeks. All due to work induced stress resulting in a nervous breakdown - was quite a humbling experience. It's quite amazing how everything can collapse so quickly and you can do nothing to stop it. Has taken several years to get back to where I was and only thanks to our Social Safety Net (in this case the NHS) and my family. If I hadn't had my parents to fall back on I could easily be on the streets now as a homeless object of hatred for the Conservative party.
That's not who I was talking about, but I can't speak for others. Did you even watch the program?
Yes, however i did miss the first 15 mins.
TBH, apart from one bloke with the family, no-one else seemed to work. When the Investment banker went into the hostel it was full of crack heads... I doubt they're looking for work.
How about Mr Investment banker gets a job in a bar in the evenings and a job in the day stacking shelves in Tesco, i bet he wouldn't need a shared housing association type place.
How much does a bus driver in London earn? 30-35k?Plus his missus could work part time as the kids looked school age
I'm sure they could rent privately with an income touching 40k surely
How about Mr Investment banker gets a job in a bar in the evenings and a job in the day stacking shelves in Tesco, i bet he wouldn't need a shared housing association type place.
Have you tried this from being an ex-professional? You appear to have no idea.
I have tried and if you have tertiary/professional qualifications you won't get a look in. Those jobs go to workfare clients of the job centre or those that the supermarket don't think will cause them problems by leaving when things pick up.
17 months unemployed from 2008 to early 2010, I reckon it is worse now.
Have you tried this from being an ex-professional? You appear to have no idea.I have tried and if you have tertiary/professional qualifications you won't get a look in. Those jobs go to workfare clients of the job centre or those that the supermarket don't think will cause them problems by leaving when things pick up.
17 months unemployed from 2008 to early 2010, I reckon it is worse now
No, but i find it hard to believe i can't walk into one of the many bars in Reading/Oxford who have "wanted, bar staff" etc signs in tht window and being refused for being over-qualified. I may be wrong as i've not had to... but it would suprise me.
Sandwich - MemberHave you tried this from being an ex-professional? You appear to have no idea.
I did.
Went from being a manager in a precision engineering company to working for minimum wage.
Went from living in a three bed semi by myself to a house share.
Rent and bills (ex food) was costing me £175 per month.
This wasn't in some grotty sink estate, it was in a nice old market town.
I've known few others that have slid down the ladder to avoid being a burden though. Most simply don't try.
The last Thatcherite scum government used mass unemployment,poverty and homelessnes as a method of ruling class discipline. Why did any of you think it would be any different this time round.
I honestly believe anyone that wants help and wants to get off the street will not only find help but will be able to stay off the streets and get work.
If anyone can provide a real example of someone who has tried hard and worked to get a roof over their head somehow, and been let down by our government/councils/society to the point they are sleeping outdoors begging for a living, then please share details.
I honestly believe anyone that wants help and wants to get off the street will not only find help but will be able to stay off the streets and get work.
please expand on your thesis, it does intrigue me and probably others, maybe your after some govt tsar position ?
Some people on here seem to inhabit a different Universe!
The programme was incredibly shocking but I feel that it gave a balanced view. For example, the (large) family failed to deal with various communications from the Council hence ending up where they did. The father was working hard, give him his due. I think they genuinely needed some support and help with life skills.
And, yes, please answer rudebwoy's pertinent question.
Why? Do you disagree?
Anyone willing to work hard and take responsibility for their own life won't struggle in the way lazy *bleeps* do. And can either of you provide any examples to the contrary?
* shakes head *
Try asking my son the same question! When he left Uni with a proper degree, how long did it take him to find employment?
Employers with menial jobs to offer wouldn't talk to him cos they knew that he'd be outta there as soon as something/anything better came along.
Edit: ooh cheeky disappearing post, NOT!
Cg is he homeless? That's what this is about
OK take the example of the chap who'd run his own company abroad. We didn't hear the finer detail but he came across as reasonably intelligent and sensible. Forced to live in a local park for a few weeks 🙁
How is that right?
glasgowdan-- you answer a question with a question, your belief that anyone can help themselves,is an old ruling class joke, but if you would care to explain your ideas and theories of social welfare, we are all eyes !
monkeycmonkeydo - MemberThe last Thatcherite scum government used mass unemployment,poverty and homelessnes as a method of ruling class discipline. Why did any of you think it would be any different this time round.
So I take it you have a job now we haven't had a conservative government for some time?
cinnamon_girl - MemberTry asking my son the same question! When he left Uni with a proper degree, how long did it take him to find employment?
Employers with menial jobs to offer wouldn't talk to him cos they knew that he'd be outta there as soon as something/anything better came along.
So he got a degree but still wasn't intelligent enough to "tailor" his CV for specific jobs?
I could show you two of my CVs and you wouldn't know they were for the same person, which was exactly the idea.
I honestly believe anyone that wants help and wants to get off the street will not only find help but will be able to stay off the streets and get work.please expand on your thesis, it does intrigue me and probably others, maybe your after some govt tsar position ?
In Brighton there is a burgeoning population of 'homeless' people. All of whom have been approached by the rough sleepers team who work for the council. If they have local connections they are offered a place over their heads. If they are not local then they are offered a train/bus ticket to where they are from and the council WILL accomodate them. Some accept the offer, some don't. However if they are willing to accept there is always housing. It may not be in trendy Brighton, it may be in Eastbourne, but there is housing.
I have asked a number of beggars why they beg, and they always quote a lack of jobs. When I point out that there is a high percentage of foreign workers in hotels and the service sector and that there are always cleaning jobs etc available I get the response that they don't want to be cleaners or on minimum wage..
This has made me somewhat cycnical but there is help out there.
Stop throwing pearls at the swine CG,their minds are closed just like their wallets.
OK take the example of the chap who'd run his own company abroad. We didn't hear the finer detail but he came across as reasonably intelligent and sensible. Forced to live in a local park for a few weeksHow is that right?
Feel very sorry for this poor chap but he didn't really seem to be trying to help himself did he? Was he knocking on the door of every place looking for work? No, he was relying completely on other people to sort himself out and holding out for someone to employ him again as an investment banker. Not sure how realistic this was when he seemed unable to look after his own money and company.
The young of today find themselves in a difficult situation and there are less jobs around at the moment. But with the internet and easy access to the rest of the world there are also more opportunities out there than we ever had when we were young.
Finding a job in this competitive world is not about sending your standard CV off to the same adverts as everyone else. It's about offering to work for free for a few weeks to get your foot in the door. It's about going to companies and meeting the people that could give you a job - face to face. It's about doing something a bit different to what everyone else is doing so that you stand out. Half the time it's about doing what you actually say you will (turning up on time and being reliable and trustworthy). And when you do hand across your CV it needs to be tailored for each job you apply.
I recently spent about 6 months without a proper job after being laid off. Did I sit around sulking? Well for two weeks I did before picking myself up and signing up with an agency who placed temporary staff. I ended up working in warehouses, driving vans, washing dishes, waiting on, typing data into computers - all sh*t jobs but so much better that sitting around complaining that there wern't any jobs. To top it off I got paid reasonably okay, and got loads of unique experience in the bargain.
What about starting a business? You don't need to be a genius to become a gardener or set up a car valeting service? What about going abroad to find work?
Christ - anyone who sits on their arse and whinges that there's no work out there needs a bit of a wake up call.
some of you really do live in a parallel universe, yeah its easy setting up a gardening business-- you need a few quid for tools, a vehicle, an address, phone no, oh and some contacts, and er some idea about gardening-- i take it you are being sarcastic ?
monkeycmonkeydo - MemberStop throwing pearls at the swine CG,their minds are closed just like their wallets.
Got a job yet?
rudebwoy - Member
some of you really do live in a parallel universe, yeah its easy setting up a gardening business-- you need a few quid for tools, a vehicle, an address, phone no, oh and some contacts, and er some idea about gardening-- i take it you are being sarcastic
My mums gardener does the basic stuff... we're not talking about lanscaping here or planting floral displays. We're talking mowing a lawn, trimming a hedge and pulling out a few weeds.
Her gardener works all day every day...seems to do well enough.
rudebwoy - Membersome of you really do live in a parallel universe, yeah its easy setting up a gardening business-- you need a few quid for tools, a vehicle, an address, phone no, oh and some contacts, and er some idea about gardening-- i take it you are being sarcastic ?
I've got a mate that does gardening, using second hand tools that he tows in a trailer pulled by his 20 year old push bike.
When I was a teenager, I did gardening work using tools that belonged to the customers (to start with), and quickly had quite a bit of work through word of mouth alone.
A PAYG phone can be had for £10 with £10 of credit.
No one is saying it's easy, but it is possible if you are prepared to get your hands dirty, drop the defeatist attitude, and actually want a job.
The small-minded, little Englander mindset of some people on here depresses me at times. Repeating their spoon fed, middle class mantra's that these problems don't [i]really[/i] exist in this country. People must have somehow brought it upon themselves. All the help is there, they just don't want it. Blah, blah, blah
Just kidding. I really admire you.... because you're so bloody clever, and achieved everything through your staggering intelligence and hard work etc etc etc
Nothing so paltry as lucky breaks or having parental-delivered advantages for you eh? Nope. Its all a level playing field out there. You're where you are, quite simply, because you're absolutely ****ing brilliant!!
Well done you!!! Give yourself a pat on the back. 🙄
You're where you are, quite simply, because you're absolutely ****ing brilliant!!
Thanks man 🙂
binners - MemberWaffle...
Lovely non-specific sarcastic whinging there binners, are my posts not visible to you?
Care to comment a bit more specifically?
I'd wager that I've pulled myself up and out of deeper and darker holes than 99% of this forum's population, so I know what it takes.
Nothing so paltry as lucky breaks or having parental-delivered advantages for you eh? Nope. Its all a level playing field out there. You're where you are, quite simply, because you're absolutely ****ing brilliant!!
Ever heard about making your own 'luck' Binners? I think you will find that most people who have so called 'luck' have simply worked very hard for that 'luck'. Sure there's a few who have had a priveleged upbringing but you only need to look at the number of troubled drug addicts leaving private schools to know that that's not a sure fire route to success.
There are plenty of people who have done really well for themselves despite having the most terrible of upbringings. It just depends what you want in life really? If you're happy to watch daytime telly and blame everyone else for life's problems then so be it, but don't berate those people who actually get up off their arses to actually work hard and make their own 'luck'.
Rudebwoy, I used the gardener example because that's exactly what my brother did. He left school with no qualifications and very little money but by buying almost worthless second hand equipment set up a business knocking on local doors. Didn't even have a van at first but now he's got more work than he can handle and a nice shiny new van to boot.
Ever heard about making your own 'luck' Binners?
BINGO!!!! 😆
Only joking... you're right. Everyone who is in financial difficulty at the moment is there because of their own lazy-arse failings. If they didn't spend their days watching Jeremy Kyle on their huge telly, smoking fags and drinking, in their PJ's and Ugg boots, then they'd probably be running their own business, or something. Its that easy
Which planet do you presently live on BTW?
there is a world of difference, with people who are homeless, and those like your brother--sure he had a nice warm house to go to ?
so a homeless guy/girl turns up on your door step-- you going to give them a job over the established people with vans and tools-- in case you haven't noticed there is a glut of unemployed , but yep keep blaming the poor,sick, for their own predicament-- if it helps you sleep easy...
