Do you want to discuss boring politics? (20 Viewers)

[Skybluekyle]

High street banks were closing in their droves before the pandemic, they have inadvertently helped to create the conditions for new entry from the challengers.

Agree in part that high street banks were closing before the pandemic (apologies, my statement was too restricted - difficult to be succinct on the internet sometimes), but the conditions for the rise of challengers was not created by the industry but by the challengers themselves, assisted by the Prudential Regulation Authority and the rise of fintech firms in wake of the financial crises in 2007-2008.

It was deemed that there was a gap in the market place for digital services which were ignored by the high street banks. The traditional banks invested in digital operations, and naturally came with it a decrease in footfall in branches, the industry dynamic changed and forced the high street banks to adjust their long-term strategy - in attempt to avoid the Netflix/Blockbuster scenario.

 

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[Skybluekyle]

I think there’s some chicken and egg going on there. Bank closures forcing a change in customer behaviours.

Hmm, disagree here, in the main. The major challengers were established prior to the climax of branch closures, forcing an industry dynamic change to keep ahead of changes to customer behaviour, high street banks investing in digital services to ward off the threat posed by the challengers, who were assisted by the Prudential Regulation Authority to obtain banking licenses (which I am all for, by the way).

With that being said, I do not disagree that the change in customer behaviour is maybe influenced by the continued branch closures, but it is a percentage rather than an absolute cause.

 

[shmmeee]

The Tories left a banging economy update:

 

[MalcSB]

So, rather than reduce our fuel bills by £300 per annum, that mad man Milliband will be increasing them by £150.

Ed Miliband adds £150 to household bills with wind turbine building spree

Profits from record-breaking green expansion will go to foreign energy firms

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[shmmeee]

So, rather than reduce our fuel bills by £300 per annum, that mad man Milliband will be increasing them by £150.

Ed Miliband adds £150 to household bills with wind turbine building spree

Profits from record-breaking green expansion will go to foreign energy firms

www.telegraph.co.uk

That would be the price set by the Tories after the last one failed to get any bids because it was unrealistic? That mad man Milliband?

You really need to stop reading the Telegraph, it’s Sunday Sport levels of seriousness.

 

[CCFCSteve]

The Tories left a banging economy update:

View attachment 38315

If I was being pedantic id say that you need to start those figures from H2 2010 or 2011 earliest when the Tories/coalition came to power and had the chance to impact data. There was a big drop in real earnings following the financial crisis which was under the Labour government, albeit this obviously wasn’t directly their fault. You can then add the worldwide inflation caused post pandemic/war which took a massive chunk out of real wages. This has been gradually recovering over the past 12 months or so.

That’s not to say real wage growth hasn’t been poor since the financial crisis, it has, just that there were two major global issues that would’ve had a significant impact on these figures in addition to any government policy

 

[shmmeee]

If I was being pedantic id say that you need to start those figures from H2 2010 or 2011 earliest when the Tories/coalition came to power and had the chance to impact data. There was a big drop in real earnings following the financial crisis which was under the Labour government, albeit this obviously wasn’t directly their fault. You can then add the worldwide inflation caused post pandemic/war which took a massive chunk out of real wages. This has been gradually recovering over the past 12 months or so.

That’s not to say real wage growth hasn’t been poor since the financial crisis, it has, just that there were two major global issues that would’ve had a significant impact on these figures in addition to any government policy

It’s global issues every five minutes these days. Politicians need to stop looking for excuses, other countries manage.



If anything things got worse in 2010 when the Tories came in and started dismantling the recovery plans.

 

[Como]

I thought the priority is to save the planet? Not for ever ending growth.

 

[shmmeee]

I thought the priority is to save the planet? Not for ever ending growth.

Why not both? Why do you assume saving the humans (the planet will be fine whatever) means fewer humans?

 

[MalcSB]

Germany considering Rwanda deportations using UK facilities after Labour ditched plan

Downing Street said it would not comment on the discussions between two foreign governments

www.independent.co.uk

Obviously a bonkers idea . I wonder what the EHCR will make of it.

 

[shmmeee]

Germany considering Rwanda deportations using UK facilities after Labour ditched plan

Downing Street said it would not comment on the discussions between two foreign governments

www.independent.co.uk

Obviously a bonkers idea . I wonder what the EHCR will make of it.

TBF Germany has gone mental recently. See their blowing up nuclear plants.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

The far right crunching down on the important issues

The Italian town that banned cricket

Nearly a third of Monfalcone's residents are foreign, and the mayor says the "cultural essence" of the town is in danger.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Earlsdon_Skyblue1]

The far right crunching down on the important issues

The Italian town that banned cricket

Nearly a third of Monfalcone's residents are foreign, and the mayor says the "cultural essence" of the town is in danger.

www.bbc.co.uk

The cricket thing is stupid, but there is a bigger picture here which is reflective of the state we find ourselves in within Europe:

"The mayor has received death threats because of her views on Muslims - and that’s why she’s now under 24-hour police protection."

Sounds like a nice tolerant bunch of people. At least the continent hasn't been important people with similar mindsets en-masse.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

The cricket thing is stupid, but there is a bigger picture here which is reflective of the state we find ourselves in within Europe:

"The mayor has received death threats because of her views on Muslims - and that’s why she’s now under 24-hour police protection."

Sounds like a nice tolerant bunch of people. At least the continent hasn't been important people with similar mindsets en-masse.

The truth is we need more people on both sides trying to help those already here to integrate into society while we try to reduce our reliance on foreign labour. That Italian mayor assumes from the start that foreigners are bad so makes no attempt to help them integrate.

The answer to making immigration manageable though lies in serious investment in education, training and making certain types of work more attractive. It would also require people to be patient as it would take years to have the desired impact.

It may or may not surprise you that I don’t actually want the UK to be relying so heavily on foreign labour. The problem is that deep down the Tories do because it’s cheaper, while Labour have too many afraid to have the discussion.

 

[Grendel]

The truth is we need more people on both sides trying to help those already here to integrate into society while we try to reduce our reliance on foreign labour. That Italian mayor assumes from the start that foreigners are bad so makes no attempt to help them integrate.

The answer to making immigration manageable though lies in serious investment in education, training and making certain types of work more attractive. It would also require people to be patient as it would take years to have the desired impact.

It may or may not surprise you that I don’t actually want the UK to be relying so heavily on foreign labour. The problem is that deep down the Tories do because it’s cheaper, while Labour have too many afraid to have the discussion.

The EU philosophy has always been to encourage cheaper labour from the poorer countries into the wealthy ones.

Thats the real reason for freedom of movement

 

[wingy]

Seems to work for me and every nation within the block, bring poorer nations up while satisfying the demand!

 

[CCFCSteve]

It may or may not surprise you that I don’t actually want the UK to be relying so heavily on foreign labour. The problem is that deep down the Tories do because it’s cheaper, while Labour have too many afraid to have the discussion.

Both left and right have difficulties because different elements of their core support have different views on immigration

A lot on the liberal left are happy with open borders and also appreciate that more migrants are likely to support/vote for them. The further/more socialist left worry about cheap labour flooding the market and suppressing wages etc

The further and/or older right want to minimise immigration because many don’t want the change that it brings, while the business focussed/capitalist right will want the cheap labour that comes with it as you mentioned

It’s probably why both main parties struggle with coherent and consistent policy on immigration and also struggled with Brexit to differing extents

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Both left and right have difficulties because different elements of their core support have different views on immigration

A lot on the liberal left are happy with open borders and also appreciate that more migrants are likely to support/vote for them. The further/more socialist left worry about cheap labour flooding the market and suppressing wages etc

The further and/or older right want to minimise immigration because many don’t want the change that it brings, while the business focussed/capitalist right will want the cheap labour that comes with it as you mentioned

It’s probably why both main parties struggle with coherent and consistent policy on immigration and also struggled with Brexit to differing extents

I don't think there are many with this view at all to be fair.

 

[CCFCSteve]

I don't think there are many with this view at all to be fair.

‘open ish borders’

As in relaxed about high levels of immigration. There’s plenty

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

‘open ish borders’

As in relaxed about high levels of immigration. There’s plenty

Not quite the same as about wanting the floodgates opened as it suggests...but yes more in the 'open ish' category.

 

[CCFCSteve]

Not quite the same as about wanting the floodgates opened as it suggests...but yes more in the 'open ish' category.

The point was more that both sides have some elements/factions that are happy with high levels of immigration but also have others that want low/lower numbers (for differing reasons)

 

[Ian1779]

‘open ish borders’

As in relaxed about high levels of immigration. There’s plenty

At the very least we should accept refugees and asylum seekers from any country where we choose to sell arms to their aggressors, or anywhere we decide we are going to take part in conflict.

 

[Sick Boy]

The cricket thing is stupid, but there is a bigger picture here which is reflective of the state we find ourselves in within Europe:

"The mayor has received death threats because of her views on Muslims - and that’s why she’s now under 24-hour police protection."

Sounds like a nice tolerant bunch of people. At least the continent hasn't been important people with similar mindsets en-masse.

Yeah, because La Lega and their supporters are a model of tolerance and fairness.

 

[shmmeee]

The cricket thing is stupid, but there is a bigger picture here which is reflective of the state we find ourselves in within Europe:

"The mayor has received death threats because of her views on Muslims - and that’s why she’s now under 24-hour police protection."

Sounds like a nice tolerant bunch of people. At least the continent hasn't been important people with similar mindsets en-masse.

Is your contention that all 2bn Muslims are violent?

 

[Sick Boy]

Is your contention that all 2bn Muslims are violent?

If a politician said Christians couldn’t pray, wear some sort of traditional clothing or play a certain sport, they’d be outrage amongst a few on here.

 

[shmmeee]

A Great British economic success story at last!

OnlyFans owner paid £359m dividend as company’s revenues grow 20% in a year

Both creator and fan accounts on the platform grew 30% during ‘strong year’ in which its users spent more than £5bn

www.theguardian.com

 

[fernandopartridge]

*screams into void which is where Wesley's brain is supposed to be*



The public already don't like you Wesley

 

[Grendel]

AWes Streeting is very good.

 

[MalcSB]

*screams into void which is where Wesley's brain is supposed to be*



The public already don't like you Wesley

He really is an arsehole.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

What a pity they painted themselves into a corner on refusing to raise taxes on anything except private school fees.

 

[Grendel]

What a pity they painted themselves into a corner on refusing to raise taxes on anything except private school fees.

I wouldn’t worry about that. Plenty of taxes he can work on

 

[MalcSB]

Labour appear to be no longer prepared to commit to the £300 saving in energy bills despite £8 billion (30% of the “black hole”) going in to GB Energy.

 

[wingy]

Laura's looking ropey this morning!
Hàgard!

 

[Grendel]

Laura's looking ropey this morning!
Hàgard!

She’s got Starmer on the ropes

 

[MalcSB]

What a pity they painted themselves into a corner on refusing to raise taxes on anything except private school fees.

They had said they would leave the pensioners winter fuel allowance in place. Just lying bastards.