Firering Strategic Minerals: From explorer to producer. Watch the video here.
"they will be ruling our country" is a bit divisive and unhelpful?
Mind you I did get called a ****** for saying he was a small brown man.
I was proved wrong when I said they wouldn't elect him - think they would have lasted longer under Mordaunt though. She has less hubris to target and would look less tiny against Starmer at PMQ's.
"The Tories didn't even want Sunak otherwise he would have already have the job prior to Truss."
I agree. Seems a delusion to expect him to last very long, various very good reasons have already been given. Having a conflict of business interests by marriage and not the faintest idea of how ordinary income families live have already set the clock ticking.
Lots of pussy footing around followed by losing a general election - thats what I'm anticipating him doing.
Gate
TFE's post was well written, calm and reflective and non adversarial. Although Brexit wasn't my vote, I also believe its best to accept it and think about where we are now and not harp on about it. Clearly it struck a chord with the majority that read it, to have attracted 30+ recommends.
Although it didn't receive even a third as many as that endorsements, my favourite post of the week has to be UncleDoug's list of Brexit benefits. It was absolutely priceless. I am beginning to be persuaded of the Brexit dividends myself now; its the gift that keeps on giving. Four Tory Prime Minsters despatched and certainty that they will lose the next time they face the public.
"Should be more but the BoE are gutless pussies"
I wouldn't be surprised to see as little as 0.5% increase in Nov. I would have thought 0.75% max. Only three of the MPC wanted 0.75% in Sept and one wanted 0.25%. Most recent comment was to suggest rates are overestimated by the market and could remain under 5%.
Grayling
"you already have 35 full years on your NI record the pension projection may still say that you can increase your state pension......by making a category 3 voluntary NI contribution"
These can help fill in any gaps in qualifying credits to help you reach 35 years and I took it from RogerA this is what he has done. This is in the context of being told he was entitled to the maximum, currently £185.15 for men of a certain age. On nearing retirement he was told he was required to pay in around three years vol contributions to qualify for this amount, despite previously being assured he had met the threshold. They always make it painfully clear during your working life that its a state pension forecast, not a statement of fact.
I am not aware that you can make any further class 3 contributions that will increase a New State Pension beyond the above amount.
https://www.gov.uk/pay-voluntary-class-3-national-insurance
RogerA
Don't underestimate the amount of mistakes that are made by DWP. They seem to respond quite well to challenges. A detailed account of all your NI contributions throughout your working life should be available on line. This will help you clarify if any were regarded as missing or incomplete.
RogerA
Its worth checking out whether you have been stitched up - my understanding is once you accrue 35 years full credits you have already met the maximum threshold of income you can receive.
Complicating factors will include any opting out of S2P you may have made when you were in a final salary scheme as this will mean deductions. But the decision should be based on whether your entire history of full NI contributions equals 35 or more - not just the ones you made during the last 35 years before reaching an age when you can claim.
WW
"the benefit of paying into a fund which is what all pensions did in paying into the state pension"
LTI is correct in saying there is no "fund" - this is quite a crucial point. We just have a record of qualifying years credits and a political commitment that we will be paid the level of pension decided for the year we become eligible. That will be based on the amount of public spending that is deemed affordable, not from an accrued pot of money that exists somewhere as with private pensions. Similarly with public sector pensions some eg NHS are paid from that years receipts instead, others eg Local Authorities are paid out of drawings from an asset backed fund.
Agreed words are tricky but we have to do our best with them. I am not trying to twist your meaning. I guess the distinction I would make is that workplace or private pensions were historically an individuals choice to invest in or not and they remain personal investments not "benefits" which I am using in the context of state provision rather than personally owned wealth.
WW
There are a range of non means tested benefits of which State Pension is one. It is a universal, non-means tested benefit available to all, at stepped rates according to how many contributing years of NI Credits someone has by the time they reach the age where it becomes payable. There are also non-contributory non means tested benefits such as disability or carer related claims that are ignored from income and do not require NI credits.
Pension Credit is a means tested benefit so it is targeted on ensuring a basic level fo income almost equivalent to the State Pension for those that didn't accrue enough credits and hove minimal other assets.
There are also statutory benefits payable for sick pay maternity leave etc payable through your employer.
I don't really enjoy being pedantic but its a necessary part of challenging the misperception that "benefits" are something just for scroungers to claim.
beat
Look at the duration of claims in the link below, it doesn't quite fit your statement. Perhaps there are also low income households you deliver to that are less visible than your long term scrounger stereotype?
https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/work-pay-and-benefits/benefits/jobseekers-allowance-how-long-people-claim-for/latest
"I feel justified in taking the £400"
As I said before, it is a matter of personal belief that you feel justified in taking this but others should be "forced to work".
"Because its fair, why not?"
I would suggest a better use of public funds is to ensure they are used to help people whose need is because of their low income, instead of a generalised handout for all.
Which of those choices is "fair" is a question of the values and believes you hold in relation to the purpose of state help.
"We do not expect anything from anyone"
Are you giving back your state pension in the future, or do you expect that?
"Why the hell should pensions and benefits go up by inflation"
I don't think there is any choice for working age benefits, unless you fancy trying to make £77 per week sustain a human life.
State Pension is far more generous at £185 per week, but hardly a luxurious sole income.
Why are rich people getting help with energy costs? Do you think thats crazy government as well - or just greed?
"faith that 10 billion will be peak and climate will normalise before Armageddon arrives is I reckon misplaced"
agreed
UN still maintains exceeding 11 billion by 2100.
Those that contest their argument estimate 9.6 Billion.
Imagine that in the context of rises in sea level of 1m by mid century with potential to reach 2m by 2100.
Go figure.