catmiss

I think the cuts to services during austerity have meant the police and ,to some extent , A&E who also experienced cuts and performance targets are left to pick up social issues. Mental Health, substance misuse, homelessness etc. crises especially out of hours usually end up with the police

If you paid ‘married woman’s ‘ contributions your lower pension, applicable from age 60,will be topped up by Pension Credit which entitles you, if no other income, to passported benefits such as maximum Housing and Council Tax Benefits and other benefits such as additional fuel allowances and other means tested benefits. If you’re slightly younger, you’ve had to pay or be credited, full NI contributions for at least 40 years, work extra years to get the ‘new’ pension which takes you a bit above Pension Credit entitlement. A friend is in the former group having had a few sporadic part time jobs and I’m in the latter, having worked full time for 50 years-financially she’s better off than me

Might just be me but I’ve submitted monthly meter readings for years so, even before Smart Meters, I can monitor my usage, control my direct debit thus avoiding big bills or large credits. I remember having to wait in for meter readers and the big estimated bills if you were out. I think companies still read meters yearly. Pre pandemic I loved self checkouts for small shops to avoid queuing and there was always ‘service’ available if you got stuck

Perhaps, a bit like the flu vaccine, we might expect to have some mild effects not worth reporting. I remember my kids being a bit off colour and fractious after vaccinations. I’m having mine in the morning and would only report anything other than mild illness

I had to make a complaint to HMRC after they chased me for unpaid tax re an NHS Pension. They were quite receptive and, after I’d provided documentation, found miscommunication between the Revenue and NHS pension at fault so dropped the case. It was no more stressful than dealing with a private company complaint

I will be doing exactly the same for the same reasons

I was in the same position but got a letter on Saturday, I went on the website and have an appointment for Wednesday morning at the Arena and second jab appointment for end of April. The letter did say I could wait for GP contact if I preferred but I’d rather be vaccinated ASAP. Hope your wife is contacted soon

Text this afternoon supposedly from Lloyds bank confirming successful addition of payee to my account. The text directed me to a website ‘Lloyds secure’ if I hadn’t added the payee -I didn’t use the link. My, not Lloyds, bank account looked ok but I rang my bank’s fraud line anyway and they confirmed it was a scam with the link requesting my account details so they could investigate a fraudulent payee

Perhaps we should personally be prepared for the odd peculiarities of the British winter. I’ve got a pair of very unflattering wellies which I tuck my trousers into which has allowed me to negotiate all weathers regularly bypassing the designer trainer and fashion boot brigade, young and old, slipping and sliding about

I think if you read my post you’ll find I did not refer to vaccine centre staff or the footballers in my post but those individuals who obtain a vaccine by using an NHS identity they are not entitled to. I wouldn’t want any vaccine to be wasted but nor would I want, from the comfort of my armchair, people to scam their way up the queue

I don’t have a problem with that although I’m more supportive of the centres who contact local police etc. It’s the people who are deliberately cheating the system to get vaccinated whilst some over 75s are patiently waiting

My GP reportedly have no supply. Just listened to news report of individuals including teachers in the south posing as NHS workers to get the vaccine. Also interviews on Radio 5 with two girls from the south, both-in their early 20s and with underlying health conditions having been vaccinated a few weeks ago whilst here in Sheffield I know of several people in their 70s still waiting. It’s a funny old world!

Don’t drink coffee too often, preferring several mugs of Rosie Lea a day. However, now and then, I fancy a cup of coffee, not the instant in the cupboard (that’s for the tradesmen) nor the elite time consuming pursuit of machine, blend or pod but a good old coffee bag which satiates my desire, particularly if it contains a slug of liquor. Following my brief transgression I return to my favoured thirst questioning beverage

I’ve got a case open with PayPal re a company whose product would seem to be targeted at a vulnerable market. Goods not delivered, phone and emails not answered, hopefully PayPal will get delivery or refund. I feel at a time of lockdown, when many more, often vulnerable, people are forced into getting necessities online there should be some sort of payment protection. I don’t have a credit card and, even if I did, the protection wouldn’t cover my £40 payment

🤣

Just wondered as speleo1 quoted the current ‘now’ price of £9.50 on 26/1/21- perhaps they’re doing takeout which might explain the price hike. I think there’ll be a lot of folk who’ll pay over the odds for a night out in the pub when allowed

The latest statement from Germany that the Astra Zeneca vaccine is not proven to be effective for over 65s, reported to be at odds with the imminent EU evaluation, seems to be another example of Baron99’s argument.

Me too, no PayPal no sale from me via Ebay. I always use PayPal for online purchases for the protection given

I’ve shielded for 10 months, am in the cohort who, according to Boris, should be vaccinated before mid Feb. but that’s looking unlikely given the diminished supply to Yorkshire. My latest ‘Shielding’ letter states I should continue to shield even after 2nd vaccine dose which will be at least mid May. I think many of us will be round the twist by then and be part of yet another statistic

Are the Nags Head open in lockdown?

You lot have done my head in- should I have the vaccine or just stay in ‘til I die of natural causes (hopefully at 66 a bit of a wait). I don’t know who’s stats I ought to be part of

Driver 151 your posts make me think that you may be a good bus driver but a bit lacking in customer service skills. Perfect for the remit of the city’s bus companies

I had smart meters with in home display with Shell energy but changed supplier to EON last spring. Despite constant reassurance that technology would be used to adapt them for use by EON I’m still waiting and have to submit readings monthly or risk my monthly direct debit falling short when the companies yearly read is done.

Reports say that the school had employed a separate company to manage the hall bookings. Accepting or not cancelling the booking during lockdown and covering windows shows a deliberate flouting of the rules but the wedding hosts and guests are equally responsible as they must have also been aware of the restrictions.

The JCVI decided the top 5 priority groups on age and vulnerability to the virus and their care givers to prevent transmission, deaths and severe illness and resulting impact on the NHS. From what I’ve heard they will be considering all front line workers when the next cohorts are decided. As with the pandemic the vaccine programme has brought out the best and worst in people- I’ve heard so many older people complaining about so and so who’s a year younger getting the jab before them. I would imagine the governments eagerness to get kids back to school will give the teaching unions a bargaining tool for inclusion in the post February groups