Boomer life according to the economist
Discussion
brickwall said:
And if it is a problem, let’s just build some schools? I’ve been involved in the building of a new GP surgery, a new school and the expansion of an existing one - of all of them the easiest was the school expansion.
Council came to us (as the board of governors) and said “hey we’re predicting a need for more school capacity locally, can you increase your intake from 3 to 4 classes/yr - at least for the next 3 years but potentially longer”.
We did the planning - went back saying “ok we’ll need capital funding for X, Y, Z”. Council approved it, we started recruiting, and within a year we had the first extra class.
Actually what you tend to find in new developments is that new schools DO get planned/built, but then run into problems because parents actually don’t want to send their kids to a new school with no track record, so languishes under-capacity while the local “well-regarded” school further away is still over-subscribed.
Your council is more enlightened than ours then.Council came to us (as the board of governors) and said “hey we’re predicting a need for more school capacity locally, can you increase your intake from 3 to 4 classes/yr - at least for the next 3 years but potentially longer”.
We did the planning - went back saying “ok we’ll need capital funding for X, Y, Z”. Council approved it, we started recruiting, and within a year we had the first extra class.
Actually what you tend to find in new developments is that new schools DO get planned/built, but then run into problems because parents actually don’t want to send their kids to a new school with no track record, so languishes under-capacity while the local “well-regarded” school further away is still over-subscribed.
We've had capacity issues at Secondary level for over 5 years, none of the schools have any real space (let alone funding) to expand, and they continue to authorise the construction of thousands (yes!) of new houses in the two main towns and the surrounding villages / catchment areas. We're lucky - our lad got into a grammar school who've managed to preserve their intake limit. But a lot of friends' kids aren't...11 form entry into a small-town school is a bit of a joke, quite frankly, and the traffic headaches at school times are testament to that.
At Primary level, a new school was supposed to be built as part of the local housing expansion about 6/7 years ago. Then that turned into relocating an existing school onto a larger site. Then that turned into expanding the existing school through getting rid of some of their playing fields. And that dragged on ad nauseam. We do have JUST enough Primary capacity, but that's as much to do with the ageing population of the region as it is with anything close to "planning". And still houses are being built.
Below that, there are year-long waiting lists for the good local nurseries.
ALL the GP surgeries in town are over-subscribed with long waits for appointments. None of the NHS dentists have been accepting new patients for 2-3 years already, and there are still more houses being built. Congestion in town resembles a big city - it can take you 20 minutes to do 2 miles at the wrong time of day.
I'm NOT a NIMBY. I don't subscribe to that s
t. But I can see how people become that way when the local Council turns ostrich and fails to ensure the local population are looked after....and no, we're nowhere near the crowded SE.
NickZ24 said:
Reading about the woes people have in some parts:
The UK politics turn still around just 2 parties?
Which do basically the same each period.
Could be worse, go the US.The UK politics turn still around just 2 parties?
Which do basically the same each period.
Even if you switch presidency, they still can de dead ducks as the other party controls the senate.
One of the problems in recent times, we haven't had a functioning government in the UK. How many Prime Ministers since 2016? And its been obsessed for most of that with Brexit and then covid.
I'm not a Labour supporter, but I'm slightly positive that they will have 2 terms to tackle some of the inequality- if they can control the loons in Monentum.
At least they can embark on some form of policy (hitherto unknown) - but it can't be worse the utter shower we've had since 2016. Bits of Corbyn's 2019 manifesto had merit, but they went full retard on other stuff (well the manifesto did not that they could implement it).
Even if it is a bit pants here, lots or problems elsewhere. The IMF has said the Eurozone needs to do 3 rate cuts this year and another 3 next. And reign in fiscal support mechanisms that have been running pre-covid.
Can you imagine what would happen here if the BoE did 6 cuts in a year? Fill your boots on leverage lads. I've seen a 5yr BTL mortgage at 75% LTV with a rate of 4.2%. Rental inflation 9.2%.... I have no interest in being a landlord again, but that looks a good trade.
BandOfBrothers said:
Climate is a part of what makes people want to live in the South. You can't suddenly make more places in the South as it's pretty crammed full as it is and people quite reasonably don't want to make it any busier.
This is complete nonsense in every single way, although maybe I am due a parrot. The weather in the South is not that much different to the weather in Scotland. There are parts of Scotland which get less rain than parts of the South and while it is warmer in the South, the difference is only a few degrees. London when the temperature is above 30 degrees is absolutely no fun!
And there is loads of space in the South, even in the SE/commuting distance from London. Drive from London to Brighton and it's fields the whole way, with the exception of Crawley and Gatwick Airport. Similarly Kent has plenty of space.
I refuse to believe for one second anyone goes to the South for the weather unless they are retired and go to Cornwall, they go to the SE for the employment and social opportunities London brings. Once they get to 40 they move out of London but still want to be within commuting distance.
Condi said:
BandOfBrothers said:
Climate is a part of what makes people want to live in the South. You can't suddenly make more places in the South as it's pretty crammed full as it is and people quite reasonably don't want to make it any busier.
This is complete nonsense in every single way, although maybe I am due a parrot. The weather in the South is not that much different to the weather in Scotland. There are parts of Scotland which get less rain than parts of the South and while it is warmer in the South, the difference is only a few degrees. London when the temperature is above 30 degrees is absolutely no fun!
And there is loads of space in the South, even in the SE/commuting distance from London. Drive from London to Brighton and it's fields the whole way, with the exception of Crawley and Gatwick Airport. Similarly Kent has plenty of space.
I refuse to believe for one second anyone goes to the South for the weather unless they are retired and go to Cornwall, they go to the SE for the employment and social opportunities London brings. Once they get to 40 they move out of London but still want to be within commuting distance.
Temps in Scotland are often 10 deg C ccoler, at times 15 or more deg C cooler, than the south of England. That's "much different". For the north south divide in England, the east and south tend to be drier, warmer, sunnier and less windy than locations further north and west, which is hardly surprising given that UK weather is largely dominated by maritime polar air masses moving from the north and west.
Met Office said:
Southern England...is also furthest from the paths of most atlantic depressions, with their associated cloud, wind and rain, so the climate is relatively quiescent.
All of which has been known for a long time. As to moving and economics, location is important but so is family. Younger family members will tend to get richer at some point from family, wherever they are. Just as boomers weren't / aren't responsible for when they were born, nobody is responsible for where, but we do move when the opportunity arises and the direction isn't north. In the list below, the top seven locations aren't exactly northern, and Scotland only enters the fray at 17 out of 20.
https://www.unbiased.co.uk/discover/pensions-retir...
Moving north isn't for weather reasons, it's property prices.
turbobloke said:
Moving north isn't for weather reasons, it's property prices.
Or you can always "Go West" if the Pet Shop Boys are your style of thing,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNBjMRvOB5M
turbobloke said:
Non boomer psittacosis alert.
Temps in Scotland are often 10 deg C ccoler, at times 15 or more deg C cooler, than the south of England. That's "much different". For the north south divide in England, the east and south tend to be drier, warmer, sunnier and less windy than locations further north and west, which is hardly surprising given that UK weather is largely dominated by maritime polar air masses moving from the north and west.
You should really check your facts Turbowaffle. Temps in Scotland are often 10 deg C ccoler, at times 15 or more deg C cooler, than the south of England. That's "much different". For the north south divide in England, the east and south tend to be drier, warmer, sunnier and less windy than locations further north and west, which is hardly surprising given that UK weather is largely dominated by maritime polar air masses moving from the north and west.
Edinburgh has on average 784mm of rain a year, just 62mm (8%) more than London, and has an average maximum temperature of 12.8 degrees, fewer than 2 degrees less than London with 14.6 degrees.
If you don't agree please write to the Met Office and tell them their instruments are wrong.
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps...
Edited by Condi on Saturday 20th April 00:45
Panamax said:
turbobloke said:
Moving north isn't for weather reasons, it's property prices.
Or you can always "Go West" if the Pet Shop Boys are your style of thing,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNBjMRvOB5M
Condi said:
turbobloke said:
Non boomer psittacosis alert.
Temps in Scotland are often 10 deg C ccoler, at times 15 or more deg C cooler, than the south of England. That's "much different". For the north south divide in England, the east and south tend to be drier, warmer, sunnier and less windy than locations further north and west, which is hardly surprising given that UK weather is largely dominated by maritime polar air masses moving from the north and west.
You should really check your facts Turbowaffle. Temps in Scotland are often 10 deg C ccoler, at times 15 or more deg C cooler, than the south of England. That's "much different". For the north south divide in England, the east and south tend to be drier, warmer, sunnier and less windy than locations further north and west, which is hardly surprising given that UK weather is largely dominated by maritime polar air masses moving from the north and west.
Edinburgh has on average 784mm of rain a year, just 62mm (8%) more than London, and has an average maximum temperature of 12.8 degrees, fewer than 2 degrees less than London with 14.6 degrees.
If you don't agree please write to the Met Office and tell them their instruments are wrong.
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps...
Edited by Condi on Saturday 20th April 00:45
Not forgetting Edinburgh has the highest property prices in Scotland.
From my point of view, the weather in the South East isn't good enough for what I'd like, I'll be damned if I'm going somewhere where it's noticeably worse.
Edited by BandOfBrothers on Saturday 20th April 13:33
BandOfBrothers said:
I'll be damned if I'm going somewhere where it's noticeably worse.
I think Condi's point is it ISN'T noticeably worse.8% more rain is hardly noticeable.
Average temp you probably would notice, but I'd venture it's more the distinct seasons in Scotland you'd notice.
My bigger question would be sunlight vs cloud - is there a distinct difference there, as I don't think the UK is warm enough (8 mths+ of the year) for temp to matter that much.
havoc said:
BandOfBrothers said:
I'll be damned if I'm going somewhere where it's noticeably worse.
I think Condi's point is it ISN'T noticeably worse.8% more rain is hardly noticeable.
Average temp you probably would notice, but I'd venture it's more the distinct seasons in Scotland you'd notice.
My point was that the differences between the rain and temperature are NOT the reason people live in the south rather than Scotland!! Access to good jobs and the social scene is going to be far more important than 8% more rain per year and less than 2 degrees average temperature difference.
Otherwise everyone would live in Kent, Devon, Sussex etc, whereas there are areas on the south coast which are very reasonably priced and much cheaper than parts of Edinburgh despite having warmer and drier conditions.
It's a farcical argument that people chose where they live based solely on (perceived!) weather conditions.
Did any of the wise aware economists on here work out HOW TO HUGELY INCREASE THE SUPPLY of available private rental sector properties as a means to reducing rents to manageable levels especially for those on average or below average wages ?
Edited by Portia5 on Saturday 20th April 14:59
Portia5 said:
Did any of the wise aware economists on here work out HOW TO HUGELY INCREASE THE SUPPLY of available private rental sector properties as a means to reducing rents to manageable levels especially for those on average or below average wages ?
Some form of modern prefab?Edited by Portia5 on Saturday 20th April 14:59
borcy said:
Portia5 said:
Did any of the wise aware economists on here work out HOW TO HUGELY INCREASE THE SUPPLY of available private rental sector properties as a means to reducing rents to manageable levels especially for those on average or below average wages ?
Some form of modern prefab?Edited by Portia5 on Saturday 20th April 14:59
Anyone else?
Portia5 said:
Did any of the wise aware economists on here work out HOW TO HUGELY INCREASE THE SUPPLY of available private rental sector properties as a means to reducing rents to manageable levels especially for those on average or below average wages ?
Doubt this is the answer you’re looking for but… hellscape office block conversions? Portia5 said:
borcy said:
Portia5 said:
Did any of the wise aware economists on here work out HOW TO HUGELY INCREASE THE SUPPLY of available private rental sector properties as a means to reducing rents to manageable levels especially for those on average or below average wages ?
Some form of modern prefab?Edited by Portia5 on Saturday 20th April 14:59
Anyone else?
Hustle_ said:
I’m guessing that the answer is some variation upon cutting the base rate and / or reversing the changes to the tenancy regs introduced a year or so ago which rattled so many cages and caused the mass private rented property sell-off apocalypse of 2023 
Short version: Create an encouraging fiscal/legal environment to encourage the business.
However, to prevent 'bad' lanldords I'd also suggest a strong focus on tenants' security of tenure and repairing standards.
Portia5 said:
However, to prevent 'bad' lanldords I'd also suggest a strong focus on tenants' security of tenure and repairing standards.
Isn't this exactly why they introduced the legislation last year to make things less appealing for private landlords? Far easier to enforce standards against a smaller number of large companies than do the same with thousands if not hundreds of thousands of unlicenced, largely unregistered individuals.
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