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

1 hour ago, AKAMD said:

It won't be too long before the only contact we will have for anything is a ruddy computer and you have to do everything yourself.  Take utility companies, they don't read meters any more, you have to do it yourself and send it in either online or on the phone to yet another computerized telephone system; telephone receptionists are now extinct!  Don't do it and they will estimate your usage and before you know it you owe them hundreds of pounds or they've got hundreds of your pounds in their bank.  Even when you go to the supermarket they want you to self check out; even at the Co-op!  Well self service is no service in my book!

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

2 hours ago, El Cid said:

Is that why officially, reports of side effects are only 10%, because no one reports it?

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 

46 minutes ago, petemcewan said:

Two of my close friends have been listed for their vaccination.

They both agree that if they are offered the Astrazeneca vaccine they will accept it. And why are they of that opinion?

Answer:

"There’s still protection in that case against deaths, hospitalisations and severe disease.”

I will be doing exactly the same for the same reasons 

11 hours ago, gluedtopc said:

My wife is classed as extremely vulnerable. She got a text from the Government 3 or 4 weeks ago saying she would be getting an appointment for a jab. We live in Shirecliffe and her GP is Norwood Medical centre and she hasn’t got a date yet for it. Norwood MC isn’t doing jabs according to their literature on the Web so she’ll be going to a nearby hub. Does anyone know if anyone round this area who is a patient at Norwood MC and has had a jab or got an appointment , it’s getting a bit nearer to Feb 15th and she thinks missed the boat. Thanks. 

 

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 

6 hours ago, Bargepole23 said:

If you read the reported quotes from staff at the centre involved, these football club players and staff were the last on the list of people they tried contacting who could arrive in time. Staff who are working 12 hour shifts, only for people to question their judgment from the comfort of an armchair.

 

Never mind, I'm sure they will treat everyone respectfully,  despite it not being reciprocated by some.

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

12 hours ago, MuteWitness said:

Yes really don't see the issue, it is much better than them going to waste, obviously think the staff working at the vaccination centres should be given more priority than players but if they are only getting wasted then crack on.

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

1 minute ago, Thirsty Relic said:

Times change, and not always for the better.  I've noticed that other methods of paying are being promoted when paying on ebay, and I can see a time where you may not be able to pay by PayPal.  In that case, I'd probably look for an alternative - either alternative supplier, or even an alternative to ebay.  Hopefully, it won't come to that though!

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 

15 hours ago, Padders said:

Nobody phones me unless there after summat (usually money)

However I find these scams a welcome distraction from covid, at least I get to talk to someone.

So I'm prepared..

The phone rings this morning.

BRRING BRRING!

 

Hello, Mr Padders speaking, how are you,

 

Hi, I'm fine, my name's Geoff (Indian accent) can you tell me about an accident you had recently?

 

Oh, you mean the one I had on April 1st,

 

Yes, that's the one, can you tell me what happened,

 

Well I was driving to Manchester Airport in my Ford Fiesta, when I accidently took a wrong turn and finished up driving down runway 2, when suddenly a Boeing 747 appeared out of nowhere, I swerved to my left onto runway 3, only to be hit by the said Boeing coming into land,

 

Okay, and did you suffer any injuries,

 

Yes, I was killed,

 

pause, You were ? how can you be talking to me now,

 

Well, I got better.

 

HE HUNG UP.

Don't you just love em.

🤣

14 hours ago, speleo1 said:

No closed ,But the plough as an open new cabin in garden were you can get tea coffee etc.

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. 

12 hours ago, Pyrotequila said:

I wouldn't buy anything online now unless it's via PayPal, the buyer protection against rubbish sellers and products is worth its weight in gold!

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

4 minutes ago, Thirsty Relic said:

Well, I reckon you've got a couple of months before you get asked if you want the vaccine (or get sent an appointment if your doctors decide you're going to have it without asking you), looking at the rate they are passing the vaccine(s) out, the order they are using, and the recent slowdown in supply that's been reported.

 

Perhaps by that time there will be more info that makes sense, or hopefully things will start looking up.

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 

On 26/01/2021 at 17:40, speleo1 said:

Yes remember going to Nags head Bradfield for a pie and a pint,was £5.50/75,now it's £9.50

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. 

5 hours ago, tinfoilhat said:

Not really, sometimes they'd be presented with a list of dos and don'ts but in many cases you're given a key and told to return it the next day. If any staff from the venue were there - which you'd expect at a  venue from that size  - that should have been shut down before the guests turned up.

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