Stephan Bernstein, CEO of GreenRoc, details the PFS results for the new graphite processing plant. Watch the video here.
Are there the skill banks available? Also, funding the costs of such a large additional 'demand' might not be so easy for the builders, especially when the houses required are for lower priced houses. It must be better/easier business for a builder to build and sell half a dozen houses at £500,000 each than thirty at £100,000 each. After all, they are in business to make profit. On a different note, which we have discussed in the past, this word 'affordable' and the associated elements have to be questioned. It may be controversial but the fact is that a lot of 'council' houses are occupied by people who could afford to buy. Of course they stay where they are because they like it, but there are questions. Should the taxpayer be subsidising them is probably the main question? If all those houses could be released to people who need supported accommodation that would make a huge difference. It may be that little can be done about existing council houses but if the Government were to introduce a programme of building 'nice' new houses that a) could be rent supported initially but b) with income related increases on annual review, and c) a help to buy scheme, so that the whole system was financially viable, I think much more could be achieved. Indeed, it may even be possible to set up a 'help to buy' system right from entry, ie: with the first few years subsidised on a reducing scale according to household income and an ongoing mortgage, perhaps with preferential interest charges, This would have the advantage of the occupier gaining equity in the property while the council reduces its equity, thus freeing money to continue building new houses. Ultimately it is about ensuring the right money in the right places. It just seems to me that there needs to be a 'fairness' introduced to the system that relates those who are receiving excess support to those who are not receiving sufficient support while allowing the best use and control of taxpayers money.
As I said a few days ago the development of techno skills will gradually bring the big industries back. At the same time the other large developing nations, like China and India, South America, etc., are increasing their GDPs and standard of living with the inevitable narrowing of price differences. The UK will take advantage of these changes and should be capable of great advances resulting in a swing in the balance of payments equation. It will take some years but we are already on the road and have much to look forward to.
Good discussion, some interesting points. Isn't it all about growth? As the standard of living improves people want and expect more, the difference in the UK over the past 70 years has been phenominal. The demand for fuel and power ran faster than we could keep up with in terms of investment in all our industries and, of course, other countries with lower wage costs could sell us what we needed cheaper than we could produce. But times change, we are well into the techno age and are one of the leading countries in the World, this allows the development of fantastic machinery, products, etc., which is allowing all sorts of production operations to get established and,of course, we can sell the technology around the World. I mentioned a few weeks ago about the return of the textile industry, others will follow, and who knows we may well see steel and shipbuilding again in years to come. I wasn't aware of the weir at Beeston being used to generate electricity, I live quite near, but it seems to have a lot going for it. There are a number of weirs on the Trent which suggests they could all be generating. Similarly with our other big rivers. Even smaller ones. Why not? If out techno people could design a generator that could be produced in numbers at a sensible unit cost and easily fitted that seems to have real potential. It may come.
Re oil - I read that there are ships filled with oil sitting in the oceans pending instructions on where it can be delivered, that in the USA there are thousands of rail tankers similarly filled with oil and nowhere to take it. Who has stopped using oil to this extent? Or, why the over production?
All my SPs are up today. Must be DCs successful negotiations?!!!
Have faith, they will grow. Maybe slowly, but they will. We will have a harvest.
You are right, I didn't mean it just as starkly as you suggest. My thoughts are based on the potential size of the problem, ie: the miliions rather than the thousands. eg: The UK is talking in thousands, could we take in millions? I think not, though I do think we can take many more than present projections, but we will have to be prepared to help fund whatever measures are decided.
I have said it before, in the World that we are living in it must surely be better for Countries to hang together than break apart. Within the EU structure there must always be the intent to share fairly the responsibilities, problems, and advantages,in whatever ways are most appropriate according to population, land area, and gdp. This may need a complete rewrite of the constitution (or whatever the EU version is called). The present principle of the wealthy subsidising the poorer Countries has shown to be out of balance. It seems that discussions are always at a low level of subject matter that should be decided within national governments. Bigger issues should be the basis of the EU Parliament operation. An example of what might be possible is for some poorer Countries with large land availability to absorb greater numbers of immigrants in return for financial input, thus creating an opportunity for their economic growth. Simplistic but worth consideration.
Yes, it seems more and more of those who have helped make our lives so good are leaving us, thanks to them all we have enjoyed the best of times.
Could not agree with you more, it seems to be the fact throughout UK business and politics that no-one is responsible. From the simplest things, like the mis-spellings in supposedly important documents, right up to the failings of HMRC in the collection of tax, the overspends in the NHS, and so much more, it is really unacceptable. As you say, there are supposed to be people checking and auditing but it seems they just want to enjoy good lunches. It is time for change.
I suppose there is another angle, that is the provision of jobs. MP's will always be keen to support companies that employ numbers of people. In our day it was the heavy industries and car manufacturers that got huge subsidies to set up new operations. That is not so easy for coffee shops and online businesses, easier to be soft on corporation tax. I guess it all needs to balance in the end which is really what we are discussing, the present imbalance isn't acceptable.
Absolutely! All you say is the sense of the thing. Maybe much of it is down to public employees who are not equipped for their responsibilities? Or, some who ramp up their spending to justify higher salaries? mailman, yesterday the figure given was £1.5 trillion.
The sale of my van taught me a hard lesson, it took me some time thereafter but I was able to clear myself of all debt and have never owed a penny since. That achievement made a fantastic difference to both my business activities and my personal life, something like the benefits of disciplined dieting, and I would recommend it to everyone, from those on benefit with pay day loans right up to the Chancellor. There really is no need for crippling debt if a relatively short period of serious restraint is undergone. Many won't agree with that but beyond a mortgage at a level well within one's means the result is worth the pain.
As seems to be the case in so many circumstances we are afraid to bite the bullet. I agree with jings and mailman but find it difficult to understand why we sell off working, basic, usable, assets rather than stuff that is of no use whatsoever. In times long past when interest rates were over 20% I wish I had been able to take things from my attic to pay creditors rather than, for example, sell my one and only van which was the quickest source of the cash I needed on the day. I really don't care how the money will be spent as long as the debt stays gone and what is spent can be seen to have good purpose. There is enough culture for people to study and learn to understand, let the culture sector use the stuff in their cellars to increase demand rather than divert it from public needs. I would always rather have a regular bowl of soup, or a plate mince and tatties, than look at a picture on the wall, never mind wrapped up and stored in my attic or cellar. But maybe that is too simplistic?
This morning the National Debt was confirmed at £1.5 trillion. The price of oil and all the World market movements suggest that the Chancellor has no chance of reducing the debt significantly by any of the fiscal options open to him. This would apply to whoever was in the job. A few years back Gordon Brown sold our gold reserves as his alternative strategy. I have a suggestion. We have publicly owned museums, galleries, houses, etc., all around the Country with significant collections of art. Much of this is in store and doesn’t ever see the light of day. What use is it? But, let’s not get into that argument, rather let us consider the arithmetic. If the 5000 biggest museums and galleries were each to select just one item that could be sold for £300,000, or three @ £100,000, there is the National Debt eliminated. Instantly, and no harm to anyone. I am very sure there are 5000 wealthy people around the Country who would be happy to invest in such pieces and, probably, leave most of them where they are. Or, overseas institutions that would like to add these items to their displays. I have no doubt there are those who will argue against this suggestion but, in my simple view, the advantages of bank interest being freed for the NHS, house building, other infrastructure projects, etc., perhaps even humanitarian purposes, far outweigh the value of these items being stored in cellars. Any supporters?
Have you read the RBS recommendation to "Sell everything"? Doesn't inspire.
I seem to remember SH making huge provisions against various failings that had been admitted. These allowed tax advantages at a time when the Bank was under severe stress. As time goes on these matters will be resolved, I think at much lower costs than the 'provisions', and the balance sheet will swing into a very positive shape. Whether this year, or next, or even the one after, I believe there is a good time coming. But then, I have believed this for quite a long time and mailman's 'uncertainty' always has a ring about it. Ah, well.
Yes, I would guess it was early/mid 1980s. I absolutely agree on the quality issue. My golfing buddy is still in the UK textile industry and tells of M&S closing contracts with big local midlands manufacturers for as little as 50p a garment. They got what they deserved. Interestingly, an independent in Derbyshire has managed to keep going all through those years and is still to the fore, though with some problems - sourcing yarns, finding staff, housing for staff, etc.. There are big moves going on towards bringing the industry back to the UK, it will be interesting to see how that works.
It is some years since M&S parted with their clothing buyer. She had been the basis of the many years of great success, she had the eye for what UK women wanted. People had become accustomed to the confidence of finding clothes they liked. Since she left the whole range has missed the mark, they simply haven't had a buyer with the taste and style to hold the customer interest. No doubt succeeding buyers sought to make changes but a company the size of M&S needs to maintain its standards and that has not happened with clothing.
"Quality sells" - there are still plenty of people who buy 'quality' having learned that 'buy cheap, buy twice' is more costly. As those who find it harder going financially start to feel the pain then they, too, will move to being more careful and will come to doing without unnecessary items until they can afford the better quality. It isn't easy, but nor is the 'buy cheap' system. The same with taking care of things, 'a stitch in time' and all like sayings were how people got through two wars, etc.. Looking after things saves them deteriorating and having to be replaced too soon, it is really quite a basic principle.