When the lockdown ends
Comments
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Kj
Assuming that all you are paying extra is a penny or two on income tax it seems to be quite a bargain? I appreciate that not everyone will be able to benefit from all the things you listed but there will be some things everyone will benefit from. I think sometimes we have to look beyond what tax we pay if it gives us a more equitable society.
I quite like both Nicola Sturgeon and Ruth Davidson as they both have the knack being able to speak clearly and press home their points. They don't prevaricate, so whilst you might not like what you are hearing they get their message across clearly - often something that is woefully missing in many English politicians! Perhaps its a Scotish thing?
David
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Yes, a penny on the 20p rate, and a penny on the 40p rate, not sure about above that BUT......the 41p rate kicks in at about £6000 lower income. Makes a big difference to those affected. (Not to me as I do not have that much Income)
Then there is stamp duty, or LBTT as they call it here, much higher rates on the slightly more expensive houses (£250k upwards I think) than in England, and there are plenty of properties affected, and a 4% surcharge on a second property rather than 3%.
And an graduated additional amount added to Council Tax On properties above band D, plus the bandings are lower than in England.
For us this translates into an additional £500 per annum on the CT.
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No I reckon it’s the Scots themselves who support her in vast numbers. That support makes the difference. I hope she eventually leads Scotland to full independence👍🏻. When the lockdown ends.
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I personally can’t stand Sturgeon or her party and have never and will never voted for them but the issue up here at the moment is that there is no opposition to speak of, Ruth Davidson in my opinion is sorely missed but even with the bounce she had for the Tory party up here there are many many people in Scotland who would never vote Tory so the collapse of the Labour Party benefited the SNP I suspect if the Labour Party could sort themselves out then the support they once had here would go back to them. Sturgeon is first minister because people see her as the only credible option at the moment and it has to be said that’s she is popular with many people but also there are many many people who can’t stand her and want rid of her ASAP.
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As an old person, I would get free prescriptions anyway, and I think only a small percentage of people beforehand actually had to pay for prescriptions anyway.
On the free personal care, that is very difficult to get as there is not enough money allocated to it apparently, and it only means help with washing, dressing and eating, so a pretty small proportion of what it costs if you have to pay for your own care.
Free tuition is good, but is partly clawed back by parental contributions to living costs kicking it at a lower income level, and the amount available in Student loans being lower, so you do need to look at the overall picture
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KJ - My two are both at university and the thought of the "debt" they'll leave with terrifies me. They both took out the basic maintenance loan (which doesnt quite cover rent) as I didn't want them to have even bigger loans and we top up both of their rents and living costs.
Both have concerns about whether they made the right decision going to university rather than looking for a job or apprenticeship and with the economy looking very grim for the next few years it's a worry.
I just remember having the freedom and luxury of going to university for free and feel it should still be an option for the whole of the UK.
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Yes, I agree it should be free everywhere.
As a foreign student in UK, I had to pay fees, admittedly a paltry amount back in 1963 compared to what it would be now, but had I studied in Norway it would have been, and still is, free. Unfortunately back then Norway was a relatively poor country and there were not enough places for all who wished to study.The regime was that in your first year you got a loan for fees and living costs, then if you were a good student each year after that you got an increasing amount as a grant.
Unfortunately for me, after 3 years working in Norway, I returned to live and work in UK and the pound crashed, and as my loan was in kroner, I ended up paying back, in pounds, about twIce as much as I had originally borrowed!
We have supported both our children through Uni, no grants or loans for them, so they have finished with no debt, but they both worked while studying to help with the finances.
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Not vast numbers Rocky, it is as I said about 50/50. She leads a minority government and has to rely on the Greens for support.
The number of SNP MPs at Westminster, compared to others from Scotland, does not reflect the make up of the Holyrood Parliament, which I reckon much more reflects public opinion in Scotland.
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I would have loved to be able to pay for both of mine but two lots of £9250 a year for 3 years was just too much! We've helped out as much as we can and they both have part time jobs but as I said previously I'd have happily paid more tax if it meant free university education in England. ☺
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We were fortunate in that both of ours went to Uni here in Glasgow, so no need for rent, just books, travel, a little spending money, and keeping them fed!
Also there is a large age difference, so they were not both at Uni at the same time, our son started in 1988, a 5 year course, and our daughter in 2003, a 4 year course.
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We had a vote a few years ago and the result was stay as part of the UK!!The woman,and all of her followers are on a self indulgent mission and need to be put in their place!!HOWEVER,as far as the present virus situation is concerned I believe she is following the correct path.
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I agree Kj, there are areas of Scotland that she is popular and areas that they just want to see the back of her and her politics.
As to extra tax in Scotland you forgot the alcohol tax
booze trips to England are on the cards for some. Our youngest went to Uni, we bought him a flat in Dundee that he shared with a friend. He was allowed to keep the rent money but was expected to pay for utilities and his food. During the holidays he worked and he joined the OTC which also gave him some extra money. He left Uni after 4 years with no debts thankfully. We sold the flat at a little profit so we were fortunate there.
Eldest joined the Army at 18 and they paid for his further education and degree.
I wish Nicola would open up the garden centres and refuse recycle like Wales. Other than that I'm with her on the 'Stay at Home'
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There was an announcement that Wales recycling centres would re open after the media highlighted the excessive amount of fly tipping, however the reality is different. Monmouthshire has not opened any recycling centres and has pointed out thet it is impossible to open them as there is no recycling industry infrastructure operating. There are no recycling companies working so nowhwere for the material to be sent.
So much for that announcement!
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Is there no way a restricted opening of sites could be achieved that INCLUDES social distancing.
Caravans and motorhomes have their own toilets and (mostly) showers too.
Is it not possible to reopen sites but keep the toilet / shower blocks locked down and enforce visitors use their on-board conveniences. That way we would only need fresh water, drains for grey water and also chemical toilets!
Possibly restrict sites to minimum 7 day stays so there is less in / out traffic!
I know that it is the govt that has made the restrictions but it seems less likely to spread covid-19 on a well maintained site with pitches some 8 - 10 metres apart than going sitting in a park, using park facilities, getting on a bus, going to work, shopping in a supermarket, etc, etc.
Maybe I am missing something here so please feel free to comment :-)
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I happen to agree with DK about The Irn (Bru) Lady. Like her politics or not the fact is she tells it straight when it comes to the current situation which is miles better than anything the English have to put up with and as for the Welsh Daffy, well it's like watching paint dry. I was going to say grass grow but ours is growing very quickly at the moment.
None of them however have covered themselves in glory and it makes me spit to hear them talk about "success". 30,000+ deaths is not a success.
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I think you are missing the point that it possibly will not be up to the club to decide how they operate when the time comes to re-open in (hopefully) July and, also, to operate on reduced occupancy with reduced fees in view of having no facilities open will probably make opening not financially viable.
Minimum stays of 7 days would likely kill the whole idea off anyway and would make little difference to traffic flow as people tend to go out most days.
Let's wait and see what transpires rather than speculating about things at this stage.
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I'm not missing the point at all - I did mention government imposed!
Why reduced occupancy - pitches are set some 8 - 10 metres apart which is far more than the 2m social distancing!
I would expect many members, willing to support their club in difficult times, wouldn't mind paying full (or close to full) rates, just to get out-and-about, I know I for one would.
If people deem toilets and showers an absolute necessity then they can stay away, their choice. As I mentioned it is all about getting sites open, people out and the club going again.
I don't see why a temporary requirement of minimum 7 days stay would kill the idea off, i think many people would find it welcoming just to get away.
No speculation, it was just a thought.
Thanks for the comment though. It's good to get peoples opinions on these matters.
Regards, Stephen
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Stephen, if you read other threads you'll see that a lot of people will not be happy to pay the club for something they're not getting. Prices are an ongoing theme
Pitches are arranged so there is 6m between units and 3m between cars/awnings. To achieve 8-10m will mean reduced occupancy.
What is wrong with 7 days minimum stay? Much. What about weekenders? What about people just breaking a journey overnight before moving on? And, as I said it’s not likely to reduce traffic movement.
Yes, people can stay away so that’s a shame for them.🙁
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Agree with TW. July is already expensive as far as site fees are concerned, we would certainly not consider paying that sort of money for a no facilities site, would rather use a CL!
And why a minimum stay? We rarely spend more than 4-5 nights anywhere. With many attractions and facilities closed I would rather stay at home.
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OK, even 3-6 metres is far more than other distancing measures, as per my last message.
My point, which you may have missed, is about opening sites, getting money in and business back on track.
I agree that not everyone will be happy and that is fine - not everybody agrees with everything! My point is NOT about how things USED to be, but about moving forward with the new NORMAL.
I also understand your point about 'weekenders'. I only came up with an idea, maybe someone could come up with a better one rather than just shooting it down!
Carry on as is could mean no club, no sites and lots of caravans and motorhomes losing a lot of money overnight as there will be nowhere to go for many people!
The 'old way' of doing things is dead for the foreseeable future. We need to come together as a club and think of how to move forward. Not every suggestion is going to please everybody, but at least it is a suggestion!
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My goodness, Steve, I think you have confused CAMC with a forward thinking proactive organisation!😀
Realism tells me that there is no point at all in any of us making suggestions or debating ideas raised. The club will do what it wants to do regardless of well intentioned suggestions.
Btw, have you thought how edgy and stressful life could be on site while social distancing is in place? It's not for me, thanks.
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Dont agree about 7 day minimum stays, also Trailer Tenters and smaller campavans dont have onboard facilities. So not opening facilities would unfairly penalise some Members.
I personally wont be using site showers or toilets though, Wider spacing would mean less pitches in use. Common sense really.
But sure something could be worked out, with distancing etc., We'll see what comes about, that is hopefully fair to ALL Members.
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Thanks for that KJ👍🏻. I thought the SNP increased their vote the last time🤷🏻♂️. You will know more than me😊.
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More inside info, thank you too👍🏻😊
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A very sensible and workable suggestion Steve - I hope that Nick Lomas (Director General) is lobbying the government along these lines on behalf of all caravanners and motorhomers.
Maybe the club could offer reduced rates to compensate for lack of amenities while they remain unavailable. They could probably run some sites with fewer staff. And yes, tough on those with no onboard facilities, but I would guess a very small % now.
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