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Post by stuart1974 on Apr 22, 2024 13:12:28 GMT
Received our letter today. Thankfully it's 'only' a few hundred we've got to pay back. Oh my effing god. That, Stuart, makes me feel sick. I am so sorry. Thanks. Fortunately we can cover it but moving from PIP to UC is a minefield. I feel better knowing that it'll keep Mark Menzies safe, Michelle Donelan solvent and ensure all those thousands of illegals are off to Rwanda soon.
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Post by stuart1974 on Apr 22, 2024 11:59:28 GMT
Looks like Clive and I will be anxiously waiting for the post from now on. "Unpaid carers who have been told to repay thousands of pounds of benefits after accidentally earning too much money years ago say it is wrong and unfair. Two former Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) ministers have told the BBC they are calling for the government to pause its demands for repayments of large sums of money. Gina Price had been looking after her dad for a decade before she realised she could apply for Carer's Allowance in 2013. By this time she was working part-time at a petrol station as well as caring for her father, who had a series of conditions including a hip replacement that did not go to plan. She says she received Carer's Allowance for about five years. She says she would sometimes agree to work an extra shift, but would do fewer other weeks. This way, she believed she would remain under the earnings threshold to qualify for the benefit. But in 2019, she received a letter saying she owed the DWP about £7,600, to cover overpayments for periods over three-and-a-half years to February 2018." www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68774399 Received our letter today. Thankfully it's 'only' a few hundred we've got to pay back.
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Post by stuart1974 on Apr 22, 2024 10:57:24 GMT
Labour must “reset” relations with the EU by negotiating closer political and trading ties if it wins the next election, Sir Tony Blair has said. The former prime minister told Sir Keir Starmer that it “would be wise” to make rebuilding economic bridges with the continent a priority. In an interview with The Sunday Times he said the UK had drifted too far from participation in “the big political union on our own continent”. His intervention comes as the current Labour leader faces searching questions over how he would make the most of Brexit if he wins power. Sir Keir has repeatedly ruled out rejoining the EU or its single market, but he has said he wants to improve the “thin” trade deal struck by Boris Johnson. Asked about how Sir Keir should address the thorny question of the UK’s relationship with Europe, Sir Tony said: “It would be wise to reset it. “There are too many things that affect us that are going on in Europe. In any event, we’ve got a trade negotiation coming up in 2025. “At the moment we’re outside the big political union on our own continent and we’ve got a disrupted trading relationship with our biggest trading partner, so you’ve got to fix this stuff.” Labour has so far committed to seeking a veterinary deal with the EU that would reduce the amount of red tape faced by British food exports. But it is highly likely that Brussels will demand that the UK agrees to mirror European laws on food standards to get one, making negotiations complex. Sir Keir has also said that he wants to secure mutual recognition of professional qualifications so Britons can work more easily on the continent. The EU commission is, however, said to be against the idea, arguing that such rights are inextricably tied to the principle of free movement. Labour has already been forced to quietly drop its hopes of a major renegotiation of the trade deal in 2025 because of opposition in the EU. It is instead focusing on boosting defence and security ties in the immediate aftermath of an election win, which is seen as more realistic. David Lammy, the shadow foreign secretary, said last week that he would consider attending the EU’s foreign affairs meetings to improve ties. www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/04/21/tony-blair-advice-starmer-eu-brexit-get-closer-trade-deal/
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Post by stuart1974 on Apr 22, 2024 10:37:42 GMT
Suella Braverman. 😶
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Post by stuart1974 on Apr 22, 2024 9:20:22 GMT
Each year we have out of contract players that leave, and likely know in advance they are off, yet the club wait until after the season ends to announce departures. How people can say the club not announcing Sam’s departure with two games left to go as poor form is beyond me. He’s been a good servant and I wish him all the best, but to make out that we (or he) has been robbed of a grand farewell is a bit much in my opinion He may also have requested a quiet exit.
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Post by stuart1974 on Apr 21, 2024 11:52:10 GMT
All very tedious whilst in the real world, Ukrainians and Palestinians are dying!! Good point, you missed Israelis off the list of those dying but we can gloss over that. The reason this is an important question (Rayner) is what kind of person do you want at the heart of the UK government? This is precisely the deflection tactic wanted when this came to light. Plenty more important stuff happening and within existing government structures.
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Post by stuart1974 on Apr 20, 2024 22:46:47 GMT
Interesting articles in Saturday's papers. Autumn statement expected in September will increase Stamp Duty (Times) from £250,000 to £300,000 (costing £3bn) and NI to be cut by 2p (FT, costing £9bn).
Also cuts to disability benefits (Mail and i) which have risen from £42bn to £69bn.
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Post by stuart1974 on Apr 20, 2024 22:32:43 GMT
US approves the support package, about time too.
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Post by stuart1974 on Apr 20, 2024 17:00:04 GMT
It’s like watching an ex girlfriend going out with a better looking bloke with a bigger cock than you! But yes, get over him FFS! Sorry about that Marshy , no hard feelings. Can I introduce you to my wife? Please!
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Post by stuart1974 on Apr 20, 2024 16:24:45 GMT
Some harsh comments. Thought we deserved a point tbh. Considering we were playing without a striker against a team who was chasing automatic promotion on the penultimate day, I thought we did ok - especially second half. What were people expecting Too optimistic, are you new here? 👏
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Post by stuart1974 on Apr 20, 2024 8:45:46 GMT
My neighbours house is loads bigger and nicer than mine. They also have a holiday home, several really expensive cars and have 5-6 overseas holidays every year. It’s just not fair. I’ll write to my MP and get something done about it. 😁!!! Sorry Eric, if I'd known it was you I'd have bought you a hot drink. At least it's dry now so your cardboard box won't get quite so damp. 😇
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Post by stuart1974 on Apr 19, 2024 15:02:54 GMT
Bigger site than we have looking at this: "indoor dome was completed, enabling Cherries to train inside on a full-size pitch. Most recently, an outside 4G pitch was opened, whilst work on three full-size grass pitches has begun. By the end of the project, there will be a total of nine full-size grass pitches, three pitches for junior age groups, three further goalkeeping pitches, and two padel tennis courts." Problem is how can a club like Rovers ever compete with those kinds of training facilities if Bournemouth ever hit harder times again and slipped down the leagues? Football is becoming like Rugby Union but with two Premiership divisions rather than the one, probably Brentford, Brighton and Luton will have similar facilities sooner or later. Meanwhile at the other end of the spectrum Torquay are struggling for survival. As things stand, we can't. Just interested to see what could be bought with deep pockets.
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Post by stuart1974 on Apr 19, 2024 14:13:50 GMT
Bigger site than we have looking at this:
"indoor dome was completed, enabling Cherries to train inside on a full-size pitch.
Most recently, an outside 4G pitch was opened, whilst work on three full-size grass pitches has begun.
By the end of the project, there will be a total of nine full-size grass pitches, three pitches for junior age groups, three further goalkeeping pitches, and two padel tennis courts."
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Post by stuart1974 on Apr 19, 2024 10:14:51 GMT
That's a hell of drive from Calais to the places in Brittany you've mentioned some 700km. Are you planning on touring Normandy before? If not Portsmouth to St Marlo ferry crossing would save you 500km. Yeah I’m fully aware of which routes are available. Its just the cost (£600 ! extra on pomp 2 St M) and time wasted sitting on a ferry for hrs , would rather be driving. Going to stop for a night in Normandy . Where do you plan to stop?
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Post by stuart1974 on Apr 19, 2024 9:14:20 GMT
That's a hell of drive from Calais to the places in Brittany you've mentioned some 700km. Are you planning on touring Normandy before? If not Portsmouth to St Marlo ferry crossing would save you 500km. We thought about driving via the tunnel but opted for the 5 hour ferry crossing with a cabin instead. More expensive but probably the better option, pros and cons for both.
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Post by stuart1974 on Apr 19, 2024 9:10:24 GMT
Strewth……Omaha Beach…..of all the landing sites on D-Day that one was the shortest of short straws to pick. Just can’t imagine what went through the mind the brave souls on those landing craft. Bad enough watching it on Saving Private Ryan from the comfort of a cosy armchair. Ever lasting respect to those that were there…… My Grandfather was a Captain with the Royal Engineers and was in landing craft at D-day . He landed on either Juno or Gold Beach. Not sure which as the Engineers landed on both and he never talked about his experience so never divulged which beach. If asked he would just clam up and never said a word. On the reverse he was more than happy to discuss his experience on the beaches of Dunkirk. I was so proud of him. So you should, France, brave man despite what he would have said. Fun fact to lighten the mood - Juno Beach was originally called Jelly in line with fish names for the three British and Canadian beaches (Gold, Jelly and Sword). Churchill thought this was inappropriate so changed it.
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Post by stuart1974 on Apr 19, 2024 8:16:58 GMT
It's the 80th anniversary of D-Day this June, we stayed near Port en Bessin and travelled to Ranville (Pegasus Bridge) through Caen, Arromanche, Omaha beach/American cemetery, Sainte-Mere-Eglise through to Cherbourg. Also took in Bayeux. Had a lovely time and would do it again. Strewth……Omaha Beach…..of all the landing sites on D-Day that one was the shortest of short straws to pick. Just can’t imagine what went through the mind the brave souls on those landing craft. Bad enough watching it on Saving Private Ryan from the comfort of a cosy armchair. Ever lasting respect to those that were there…… Looking at the area you can appreciate the difficulties. The cemetery is amazing, very sombre and respectful. Beautifully kept.
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Post by stuart1974 on Apr 19, 2024 7:43:25 GMT
Did Normandy over Easter, hoping to get back towards the Somme area in the summer. What places did you visit Stu and where abouts in Somme in the summer? It's the 80th anniversary of D-Day this June, we stayed near Port en Bessin and travelled to Ranville (Pegasus Bridge) through Caen, Arromanche, Omaha beach/American cemetery, Sainte-Mere-Eglise through to Cherbourg. Also took in Bayeux. Had a lovely time and would do it again.
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Post by stuart1974 on Apr 18, 2024 22:44:39 GMT
Cheers Yatton 🍺🍺 Although it's snowing I’m over in France last week of May and first week of June in the Moho. Visiting Brittany area for the first time ,Carantec for 3 days then Quimper for 4 days . Second week might head for the gulf of Morbihan or go further south if we’re chasing the sun ! Got any tips for me ? Loved your last tip to go on the great Bernard’s pass 👍 Did Normandy over Easter, hoping to get back towards the Somme area in the summer.
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Post by stuart1974 on Apr 18, 2024 16:23:35 GMT
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