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The State Of British Pensions Under Mr. Brown

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kathy
  • Start date Start date
Sorry, Kathy. I mistyped. I receive 1/80 of my final consecutive 12 months salary for every year I teach so if I work for 40 years (sob) then my final pension will be half of my final 12 months salary. I know there are better schemes than this but I think it is very good. I also get a one off final payment of one and a half times that final salary I think.
 
Kathy,

I was probably a bit unfair in my post. I just get pissed off reading hysterical rantings like the articles you have quoted. Sorry if I came across as too bolshie or as a know-it-all.

I have no love for the government at all either. Blair is a liar and a crook. Iraq has pissed me off no end, as has the failure of a supposedly socialist government to make a lasting impression on transport and the health service. Brown has buried his head in the sand for far too long, seemingly intent on not rocking the boat politically.

But he has been a damned fine chancellor.
 
I sought independent advice at the time and was advised that there was a chance I could gain by opting out of my pension scheme but the risks were unlikely to be worth taking and that since the teachers' pension scheme was a relatively good one the soundest advice was to stay with it. It was enough to stop me from opting out.

I'm very grateful for Brian's input to this thread: well-informed, balanced and unbiased. It certainly helps me see through the media clamouring.
 
Nevermind the pensions - it's damned criminal that a litre of Absolut vodka costs £6 in Gibraltar yet £19.99 in the UK!!! It's the same stuff!!! :eek: :rant:
 
Originally posted by Bar the Bull@Apr 4 2007, 09:52 AM
Kathy,

I was probably a bit unfair in my post. I just get pissed off reading hysterical rantings like the articles you have quoted. Sorry if I came across as too bolshie or as a know-it-all.

I have no love for the government at all either. Blair is a liar and a crook. Iraq has pissed me off no end, as has the failure of a supposedly socialist government to make a lasting impression on transport and the health service. Brown has buried his head in the sand for far too long, seemingly intent on not rocking the boat politically.

But he has been a damned fine chancellor.
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BtB, I love a discussion, and a rant with the best of them. All I wanted on this thread was a discussion. I have said before I am willing to listen and learn, and I think that this forum has a great variety of people that contribute from all age groups, from all walks of life and with varying opinions on many hot topics, hence I would expect a variety of replies both negative and positive on a subject such as the Chancellor!

I think the pension/politics/budget topics are great subject matter for people to let rip - voice their opinions and sometimes learn at the same time!
 
Shadow, I have two words to say to you: reflux still! :D Now surely your Dad has a garage he doesn't use, some copper tubing, a couple of clean metal drums, and a temperature gauge? Water, sugar, yeast and four runs are essential. Then you've got gallons of the stuff for years on end - enjoy! :nuts:

I've never Googled for it, but I wonder if there's an Internet version of 'The Blue Flame'? Believe it or not, it was a printed handbook the Saudi oil co. used to hand out to its American expats, to ensure that in making their stills to make their moonshine, they'd do it the right way and not blow themselves up!
 
Originally posted by krizon@Apr 5 2007, 12:01 AM
Shadow, I have two words to say to you: reflux still! :D Now surely your Dad has a garage he doesn't use, some copper tubing, a couple of clean metal drums, and a temperature gauge? Water, sugar, yeast and four runs are essential. Then you've got gallons of the stuff for years on end - enjoy! :nuts:

I've never Googled for it, but I wonder if there's an Internet version of 'The Blue Flame'? Believe it or not, it was a printed handbook the Saudi oil co. used to hand out to its American expats, to ensure that in making their stills to make their moonshine, they'd do it the right way and not blow themselves up!
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:ph34r: Now I'm worried.... I'm sure my old man had a copy of that when he was there in the late 70's/early 80's........
 
:D Well, I was there from 1972 to 1992, but not with Capri Charles, if that's a relief for you! :laughing: A lot of the booklets got copied and handed around. I had a load of friends who 'made their own', but I just used to buy a couple of gallons at a time and cut it myself at home. Mmmm... remind your Dad of the taste of 'sadiki' with really cold tonic, ice, and lemon! If he's still got a copy, perhaps you could run off a duplicate for Shadow Leader? :)
 
Originally posted by krizon@Apr 5 2007, 02:01 AM
Shadow, I have two words to say to you: reflux still! :D Now surely your Dad has a garage he doesn't use, some copper tubing, a couple of clean metal drums, and a temperature gauge? Water, sugar, yeast and four runs are essential. Then you've got gallons of the stuff for years on end - enjoy! :nuts:

I've never Googled for it, but I wonder if there's an Internet version of 'The Blue Flame'? Believe it or not, it was a printed handbook the Saudi oil co. used to hand out to its American expats, to ensure that in making their stills to make their moonshine, they'd do it the right way and not blow themselves up!
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I suggest you would still have reflux if you drank that !
 
Good heavens! :eek: Outstanding work, betsmate! Right, I'm off to Homebase tomorrow... :D Well, there you are, Dom - very helpful stuff from bets there, and you can put your chums to work on getting Dom's Distillery off the ground in time for summer!

Ardross, so long as you run the alcohol through the still four times, it's the best stuff I've ever enjoyed. You have to ply yourself very thoroughly to end up with a hangover - in 20 years, I think I only had about four, and one was down to my hosts forgetting to cut the stuff! As it comes off at a stonking rate, around 140 proof, that's a bit much for even a seasoned imbiber to handle! I used to cut my supplies at 60% water to 40% alcohol, which presented an effective, but not eye-crossing drink.

You really CAN drink it steadily all night long and feel none the worse the next day, provided you eat something, too. That's why the parties lasted for ages and rarely resulted in a day off work the next day. If it did, it was mostly down to hosts not getting the cut quite right, and as for anyone drinking it at 2nd or 3rd run, the risks of organ damage were quite high. When I did a year in Libya, one silly man downed a lot of 2nd run and went permanently blind, while his companion died.
 
Whey-hey! You have ze outbuildings, Phil has the mechanical ability, there's the isolation, and peace and quiet of the countryside... anyone blunders in on it, and it's a trial new milking machine!
 
Actually I could always empty Dad's garage - it's only got some old heap of junk in it that hasn't been driven for over a year now.....
 
Originally posted by krizon@Apr 5 2007, 06:15 PM


Ardross, so long as you run the alcohol through the still four times, it's the best stuff I've ever enjoyed.
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Don't tell the winemaker at Belle Epoque !
 
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