Batten down the hatches: Idiom
to prepare yourself for a difficult period by protecting yourself in every possible way
Usage notes: When there is a storm, ships batten down the hatches (= close the doors to the outside) as protection against bad weather.
(http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/batten+down+the+hatches)
How do you do it? How do you batten down them hatches?
I use Al Cohol.
I used to do it with Nico Teen but these days it seems...
Tuesday, c'mon, I'd just sent off a somewhat tongue in cheek but also tragic article about my own personal circumstances and a picture of me to fully illustrate the point I was making.
Thirsty work that. Still don't know what response I might get. It was brave, what I did and I always toast my bravery (always? hic!)
Thursday the piece came out. Oh stiggers, what a big nose you have!
All the better to sniff out injustice my dear!
I was on a high. I had a Parent Council training session to go to followed by a Christmas party and I was just really happy, I guess.
Not even the Polish mother could burst my balloon though she very nearly did. A Daily Mail dream that one but I'm not going to write about her (again). It bothers me, that's all I'll say when people have got what they want and still find room to complain when their own country don't offer half what ours does (although the coalition is seeing to that) Not all Polish mothers are the same, Mistress Ha Ha's one but hopefully I don't need to tell you that. She's got more points than me again though..oh don't get me started...
Later that day, the school Christmas disco!! I'm looking after Juggling Mum's boy as her daughter's got a show elsewhere and supping beer with other parents as the boys..where are the boys..oh the boys are alright!
I drop off Juggling Mum's boy and she invites us in for some pasta. Oh wow: "I was going to take him to the Golden Arches," I accept, beaming and oh yes, I'd love a glass of wine!
On the way home, I buy another bottle. Cheap stuff from the corner shop.
When the Foca left me and I cried down a bottle and ended up puking, with my one year old oblivious in his cot, I swore I wouldn't drink alone. And I didn't. For years.
Nico Teen's gone now though.
On Thursday night I knew I had to send my article to the housing minister, shadow housing minister and deputy prime minister (glug glug) and I did that.
The next day, the next morning, I did that. I sent my article to the housing minister, the shadow housing minister and the deputy prime minister altogether under the caption "who cares?"
Oh hells bells, it's Christmas.,, I'll detox in January....
...hic!
Showing posts with label Newspapers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Newspapers. Show all posts
Saturday, 17 December 2011
Published in both local papers
This week I wrote an article in the Ham & High, well a long letter really but I'm getting paid for it!!! So an article, a viewpoint, not a letter!
You read it here first. I can't send you the link but can tell you it was about the Great British Affordable Housing Lottery. It could be you!
Are you homeless? Squeezed middle. I think I included all 'groups'. All the empty properties "Does one belong to you?" Plenty of filthy rich folk in these parts, politicians with a second home allowance? So yes, a very inclusive piece. A nice one I thought, even tempered.
The Ed emailed and said did I want to put a picture with it. Instantaneously I felt sick.
On Tuesday night, after I'd sent it, I was so excited and so frightened that I drank a big bottle of Budvar, then dragged my son out to buy two more.
Then around midnight, deadlines far far over, pissed and on my soap box, I rattled off an email to the Camden New Journal in response to an article they wrote last week about the council selling off hostels cos there's no money.
I can write the original of that one for you. The Ham & High didn't edit my piece (much?), they didn't need to, I sent something polished but the CNJ had to do a proper clean up job; fix spelling mistakes, grammatical flaws, reduce caps, that kind of thing....
Let me get this straight. The council wants to sell some of its hostels in order to reburbish some properties in order to reduce the mighty waiting list of people desperate for a decent affordable home? (Council admits: 'We have no money ' and tries to sell two hostels for £12m' 8 Dec p6)
The council wishes to sell these homes to private developers who wish to build luxury homes out of them which will price out all the 18,000 names on the waiting list desperate for a decent affordable home and will instead simply accerbate the homeless crisis?
Tell me I've got it wrong. I love getting things wrong, especially at Christmas and New Year when you hope people will WAKE UP to the catastrophe before us.
I'm glad the Free School didn't get them. I know schools are needed but what? The children get an education but there's nowhere for them to sleep at night?
I didn't dream they'd publish it and thank both papers. I hope what I've written in both can have a positive outcome for the borough.
That is my Christmas wish!
You read it here first. I can't send you the link but can tell you it was about the Great British Affordable Housing Lottery. It could be you!
Are you homeless? Squeezed middle. I think I included all 'groups'. All the empty properties "Does one belong to you?" Plenty of filthy rich folk in these parts, politicians with a second home allowance? So yes, a very inclusive piece. A nice one I thought, even tempered.
The Ed emailed and said did I want to put a picture with it. Instantaneously I felt sick.
On Tuesday night, after I'd sent it, I was so excited and so frightened that I drank a big bottle of Budvar, then dragged my son out to buy two more.
Then around midnight, deadlines far far over, pissed and on my soap box, I rattled off an email to the Camden New Journal in response to an article they wrote last week about the council selling off hostels cos there's no money.
I can write the original of that one for you. The Ham & High didn't edit my piece (much?), they didn't need to, I sent something polished but the CNJ had to do a proper clean up job; fix spelling mistakes, grammatical flaws, reduce caps, that kind of thing....
Let me get this straight. The council wants to sell some of its hostels in order to reburbish some properties in order to reduce the mighty waiting list of people desperate for a decent affordable home? (Council admits: 'We have no money ' and tries to sell two hostels for £12m' 8 Dec p6)
The council wishes to sell these homes to private developers who wish to build luxury homes out of them which will price out all the 18,000 names on the waiting list desperate for a decent affordable home and will instead simply accerbate the homeless crisis?
Tell me I've got it wrong. I love getting things wrong, especially at Christmas and New Year when you hope people will WAKE UP to the catastrophe before us.
I'm glad the Free School didn't get them. I know schools are needed but what? The children get an education but there's nowhere for them to sleep at night?
I didn't dream they'd publish it and thank both papers. I hope what I've written in both can have a positive outcome for the borough.
That is my Christmas wish!
Thursday, 21 July 2011
While everyone's obsessed with Hackgate
While everyone (by that I mean press and politicians) are all obsessed with Hackgate (and what a story it is so I'm not surprised) the wheels of parliamentary legislations continue to whirr in the background.
I heard on Monday (monday?) that the coalition had earmarked $1bn of NHS services to be put out to 'competition' and of the services likely to be privatised, children in wheelchairs is one....
Very sneaky, very very sneaky...There should be rows about this in the commons but the Tories are probably well happy Miliband won't let go of the coulson/bskyb/ thread so they can pass through a few more punitive policies.
Yesterday I got an email from a guy at Shelter telling me the House of Lords were discussing the housing stages of the localism bill which of course has massive ramifications for everybody.
I was surprised he gave me the link but simultaneously really grateful aswell. I contacted him ages ago to ask if he'd write to Dobson see but they're working on similar projects. This one directly affects me and I write of course on behalf of those in similar situations to me.
I emailed him back asking if Shelter were taking any volunteers in its policy and research departments and he said to keep an eye out for adverts but they do have a "large number of applications"...
Heart sinkage, if you can imagine my heart sinking. The competition not only for jobs, but the competition to work for free... I did all that trying to get into journalism....
Yeah, so while everyone's obsessed with Hackgate I'm feeling a little defeated...the housing bills are going through which I spent two years trying to avert the damage it will cause.
Ah well, best get down the pub. Last week there was a punter there reading the Sun.
"Why do you?" I asked him. "Instead of say, the Mirror?"
"Sport" he replied.
Yep, down at the Last of the Locals, they know who Murdoch is but he isn't someone or this saga something they really care about.
Make mine a double...
I heard on Monday (monday?) that the coalition had earmarked $1bn of NHS services to be put out to 'competition' and of the services likely to be privatised, children in wheelchairs is one....
Very sneaky, very very sneaky...There should be rows about this in the commons but the Tories are probably well happy Miliband won't let go of the coulson/bskyb/ thread so they can pass through a few more punitive policies.
Yesterday I got an email from a guy at Shelter telling me the House of Lords were discussing the housing stages of the localism bill which of course has massive ramifications for everybody.
I was surprised he gave me the link but simultaneously really grateful aswell. I contacted him ages ago to ask if he'd write to Dobson see but they're working on similar projects. This one directly affects me and I write of course on behalf of those in similar situations to me.
I emailed him back asking if Shelter were taking any volunteers in its policy and research departments and he said to keep an eye out for adverts but they do have a "large number of applications"...
Heart sinkage, if you can imagine my heart sinking. The competition not only for jobs, but the competition to work for free... I did all that trying to get into journalism....
Yeah, so while everyone's obsessed with Hackgate I'm feeling a little defeated...the housing bills are going through which I spent two years trying to avert the damage it will cause.
Ah well, best get down the pub. Last week there was a punter there reading the Sun.
"Why do you?" I asked him. "Instead of say, the Mirror?"
"Sport" he replied.
Yep, down at the Last of the Locals, they know who Murdoch is but he isn't someone or this saga something they really care about.
Make mine a double...
Behind the Murdoch masks...
On Tuesday, while Murdoch & Son were being grilled by the Select Committee, I went down to parliament to protest!
Later a Guardian journalist asked me why I'd come and I said: "I don't know!" because, well, I didn't!
My friend had called saying she was going down to Parliament, and although I had to be at a meeting somewhere else, I thought it would be quite cool to go with her and catch the vibe.
We got there and my friend goes: "There they are!" and I'm like: "Who?"
A good looking guy in a suit, another good looking guy not in a suit. A pile of t-shirts at their feet with another pile of masks with Murdoch senior's face on next to those.
"Ooh! I know them! They're the puppeteers!"
It was surreal I tell you, peering out of those masks at all the photographers, some of them coming up so close you thought they could see you through the card.
My heart was beating and I was feeling all flushed and sweaty (like Murdoch junior looked when I later caught the programme on my return home) as though I was doing something wrong, which I wasn't (which is more than Murdoch's junior can say given recent cheque sign offs to hide criminal corporate malpractice...)
That night I watched the news to see if I could see my murdochself but it seems our gathering was eclipsed by a man who'd managed to sneak into the committee room and throw a foam pie at Murdoch senior, and in pure, can't make it up theatricals, Murdoch senior's wife springing into action in kung-fu like fashion throwing the pie back into the protester's face!!!
I've been trying this morning to upload an image of the sea of murdoch faces of which I was one but I can't.
I don't know how other bloggers do it, I pressed the 'add image' icon, but nothing doing but anyway, hope you get the picture!!
Here's the url which isn't quite the same as having the image there but hey ho, just felt like sharing mine and stigs adventure!
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2011/7/20/1311181614160/Avaaz-demonstrates-outsid-008.jpg
Oh, and I did tell one journalist that I was leader of the I Don't Know party, which roughly translates as knowing why I was there but unable to articulate it, so don't quote me, unlike my friend who gave two really quite fabulous interviews about how there needs to be a change of culture in our media!
You gotta play to your strengths see, but nothing wrong in practicing your weaknesses...another time perhaps, another time!
Later a Guardian journalist asked me why I'd come and I said: "I don't know!" because, well, I didn't!
My friend had called saying she was going down to Parliament, and although I had to be at a meeting somewhere else, I thought it would be quite cool to go with her and catch the vibe.
We got there and my friend goes: "There they are!" and I'm like: "Who?"
A good looking guy in a suit, another good looking guy not in a suit. A pile of t-shirts at their feet with another pile of masks with Murdoch senior's face on next to those.
"Ooh! I know them! They're the puppeteers!"
It was surreal I tell you, peering out of those masks at all the photographers, some of them coming up so close you thought they could see you through the card.
My heart was beating and I was feeling all flushed and sweaty (like Murdoch junior looked when I later caught the programme on my return home) as though I was doing something wrong, which I wasn't (which is more than Murdoch's junior can say given recent cheque sign offs to hide criminal corporate malpractice...)
That night I watched the news to see if I could see my murdochself but it seems our gathering was eclipsed by a man who'd managed to sneak into the committee room and throw a foam pie at Murdoch senior, and in pure, can't make it up theatricals, Murdoch senior's wife springing into action in kung-fu like fashion throwing the pie back into the protester's face!!!
I've been trying this morning to upload an image of the sea of murdoch faces of which I was one but I can't.
I don't know how other bloggers do it, I pressed the 'add image' icon, but nothing doing but anyway, hope you get the picture!!
Here's the url which isn't quite the same as having the image there but hey ho, just felt like sharing mine and stigs adventure!
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2011/7/20/1311181614160/Avaaz-demonstrates-outsid-008.jpg
Oh, and I did tell one journalist that I was leader of the I Don't Know party, which roughly translates as knowing why I was there but unable to articulate it, so don't quote me, unlike my friend who gave two really quite fabulous interviews about how there needs to be a change of culture in our media!
You gotta play to your strengths see, but nothing wrong in practicing your weaknesses...another time perhaps, another time!
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Cover-up or coincidence - the dead whistleblower?
You can't make up how this phone hacking story is unfolding - executives resigning, police commissioners resigning - but I did not expect the shock I got last night.
Having watched the brilliant and damning Panorama documentary where an ex News of the World journalist, Sean Hoare, agreed to be filmed blowing the whistle on his old employers if his solicitor was present, I went onto Twitter for some mental company, for my head was full of it. Following a 'trend' would be like talking about the programme, hearing what other people thought about it, 'discussing' it in 140 characters.
There I discovered that Sean Hoare had been found dead at his flat that morning.
I was so shocked.
I'm still shocked.
It's all over the front pages this morning - The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Mail.
His death is "unexplained" but "not suspicious".
It's a blinding coincidence in a local scandal that's finding its way Stateside with each passing day where Murdoch has so much more to lose.
I can't help myself though, all these "unexplained" deaths.
That man Kelly, over the weapons of mass destruction thing, was said to have committed suicide which was contested and contested by people who knew him.
Jennyfer Spencer wrote a note to the CNJ asking them to investigate her death then died and suicide was ruled out in her case, and it was accepted as "unexplained" - Unexplained? Didn't she explain it? In her note?
You just don't know do you?
But England's not as twee and lovely as I like to think it is because the world isn't as twee and lovely as we all know it isn't.
Did you get in the way Mr Hoare?
Thank you for your bravery.
Rest in peace.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/jul/18/news-of-the-world-sean-hoare
Having watched the brilliant and damning Panorama documentary where an ex News of the World journalist, Sean Hoare, agreed to be filmed blowing the whistle on his old employers if his solicitor was present, I went onto Twitter for some mental company, for my head was full of it. Following a 'trend' would be like talking about the programme, hearing what other people thought about it, 'discussing' it in 140 characters.
There I discovered that Sean Hoare had been found dead at his flat that morning.
I was so shocked.
I'm still shocked.
It's all over the front pages this morning - The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Mail.
His death is "unexplained" but "not suspicious".
It's a blinding coincidence in a local scandal that's finding its way Stateside with each passing day where Murdoch has so much more to lose.
I can't help myself though, all these "unexplained" deaths.
That man Kelly, over the weapons of mass destruction thing, was said to have committed suicide which was contested and contested by people who knew him.
Jennyfer Spencer wrote a note to the CNJ asking them to investigate her death then died and suicide was ruled out in her case, and it was accepted as "unexplained" - Unexplained? Didn't she explain it? In her note?
You just don't know do you?
But England's not as twee and lovely as I like to think it is because the world isn't as twee and lovely as we all know it isn't.
Did you get in the way Mr Hoare?
Thank you for your bravery.
Rest in peace.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/jul/18/news-of-the-world-sean-hoare
Monday, 18 July 2011
The hacking scandal - the movie
I've been desperate for a bit of humour surrounding the News International hacking scandal with its twists and turns and dips into farce (news international execs grilled by MPs tomorrow and saying they won't answer all questions...)
Oh the intrigue!!
I love this!
Oh the intrigue!!
I love this!
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Publisher closes local paper
At the weekend I was told the Camden Gazette is being shut down by its publisher.
I laughed when I heard, not because it's funny, because it so isn't, but because a couple of days before an Independent journalist called the News of the World closure a "local issue". Local?! The man must be writing with a "global" mind to think News of the Screws local! So I thought at the time.
Camden Gazette is local. Camden Gazette is free. People are still going to lose their jobs though and its another less newspaper in the market.
Last night on Channel 4 news it was touted that Murdoch might sell his other titles - The Sun, The Times, The Sunday Times.
It almost felt like the beginning of the end of newspapers.
Never I hope. I hope never. With iphones, ipads, iwhatevers able to deliver your news straight to your handheld device, it's easy to see a world where paper no longer has a place.
Oh but it does.
All over my sitting room floor, sofa, table by the looks of things
Perhaps I should tidy up my mess abit
So should you Murdoch
before you leave?
I laughed when I heard, not because it's funny, because it so isn't, but because a couple of days before an Independent journalist called the News of the World closure a "local issue". Local?! The man must be writing with a "global" mind to think News of the Screws local! So I thought at the time.
Camden Gazette is local. Camden Gazette is free. People are still going to lose their jobs though and its another less newspaper in the market.
Last night on Channel 4 news it was touted that Murdoch might sell his other titles - The Sun, The Times, The Sunday Times.
It almost felt like the beginning of the end of newspapers.
Never I hope. I hope never. With iphones, ipads, iwhatevers able to deliver your news straight to your handheld device, it's easy to see a world where paper no longer has a place.
Oh but it does.
All over my sitting room floor, sofa, table by the looks of things
Perhaps I should tidy up my mess abit
So should you Murdoch
before you leave?
Monday, 11 July 2011
Laying bets on BskyB takeover
It's the big question isn't it - Will News Corp take over BskyB?
Not next week of course, not even after the summer, but let this little Parliament/Police/Press scandal die down or better still die and.... well, will Murdoch get his prize of the lion's share of UK broadcasting?
He's flown in to the UK I'm told by each newspaper this morning and says his No 1 priority is Ms Brooks, she who was told to remain as 200 of her staff were given the chop.
She's quite integral to the whole deal isn't she?
She and Cameron are BFF's aren't they (Best Friend's Forever) in their Chipping Norton social set?
She's practically related to all the Murdoch siblings, being Daddy Murdoch's "fifth daughter"... a bridge between Dave and Jim therefore, a News International deal breaker (well, Big Chief actually)
There's so much to play for isn't there?
Amazing turn of events.
A question nagging me all weekend though was why the housing minister Shapps and not the Culture minister Hunt was rolled out onto Newsnight on Friday evening? Is it because a tory housing minister wouldn't be expected to know anything about the BskyB deal so less risk of being tripped up by probing broadcast journalists? Why are all the Tories who are rolled out Tories few people know?
You know, I love the plurality of the media. Yeah, you know I do.
I don't want to lose more of my favourite programmes though the way I lost Lost, just because I have freeview or go with Virgin or like now, have no-one boo hoo hoo, just bbc, itv (1), channel 4 and channel 5 and an aerial that never gives me a clear picture, but still, that's better than nothing I guess.
It's all I'll say on the matter for now, there are two enquiries that are going to begin; arrests, questionings (I know nofink guv)..and at the end of it all Dave's "judgement." You'd think it would be a no brainer ey this bsb lark
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/speakout/time-to-stand-up-to-murdoch
Have I got News for You - I'm missing you. Will you be back in the autumn?
Not next week of course, not even after the summer, but let this little Parliament/Police/Press scandal die down or better still die and.... well, will Murdoch get his prize of the lion's share of UK broadcasting?
He's flown in to the UK I'm told by each newspaper this morning and says his No 1 priority is Ms Brooks, she who was told to remain as 200 of her staff were given the chop.
She's quite integral to the whole deal isn't she?
She and Cameron are BFF's aren't they (Best Friend's Forever) in their Chipping Norton social set?
She's practically related to all the Murdoch siblings, being Daddy Murdoch's "fifth daughter"... a bridge between Dave and Jim therefore, a News International deal breaker (well, Big Chief actually)
There's so much to play for isn't there?
Amazing turn of events.
A question nagging me all weekend though was why the housing minister Shapps and not the Culture minister Hunt was rolled out onto Newsnight on Friday evening? Is it because a tory housing minister wouldn't be expected to know anything about the BskyB deal so less risk of being tripped up by probing broadcast journalists? Why are all the Tories who are rolled out Tories few people know?
You know, I love the plurality of the media. Yeah, you know I do.
I don't want to lose more of my favourite programmes though the way I lost Lost, just because I have freeview or go with Virgin or like now, have no-one boo hoo hoo, just bbc, itv (1), channel 4 and channel 5 and an aerial that never gives me a clear picture, but still, that's better than nothing I guess.
It's all I'll say on the matter for now, there are two enquiries that are going to begin; arrests, questionings (I know nofink guv)..and at the end of it all Dave's "judgement." You'd think it would be a no brainer ey this bsb lark
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/speakout/time-to-stand-up-to-murdoch
Have I got News for You - I'm missing you. Will you be back in the autumn?
Unfair dismissals at the News of the World
I read somewhere (I've not stopped reading) that some journalists from the News of the World are thinking about claiming unfair dismissal following the way they lost their jobs. Apparently Bekky, their chief exec has told them that in time they will understand why the paper had to go.
Gosh, takes me back....
I worked for a magazine which was one of a trio of trade titles. It was the most profitable one of the three.
My magazine was closed, the bimonthly was then made monthly and rebranded.
I didn't understand. They say that all new mothers can feel abit thick, but I really didn't get it.
I challenged my company with unfair dismissal and I was eventually given a job on another of its monthly titles. which was closed five months later. The freelancers were kept on to work on the weekly, and I, the only "member" of staff...
The News of the World has been closed, another may pop up by another name. Word is another will pop up by another name which will run on a third of the workforce than the NoW (for the time being anyway)
260 people worked for the News of the Screws; 200 they say, will be made redundant. They may never understand why their paper had to go or they may come to the same understanding of my profitable mag being closed - corporate politics, executive decisions.
That's it - a few at the top saying get rid of it. The workforce - well, it's not "personal".
I was told not to take my company to court; even if I won, no-one in the industry would employ me afterwards. I was gutted at the time though as I'm sure all those journalists are gutted now.
For me it's all a long long time ago, other factors smashed up the foundations of my life which I'm try to rebuild. I wish luck to all the innocents who have fallen out from this fall-out.
It's a nasty business, a business that "sails so close to the wind" - as I was told mine did, with me - but sadly that is business - "little" people count for very little when it suits.
In the big scheme of things that is.
Gosh, takes me back....
I worked for a magazine which was one of a trio of trade titles. It was the most profitable one of the three.
My magazine was closed, the bimonthly was then made monthly and rebranded.
I didn't understand. They say that all new mothers can feel abit thick, but I really didn't get it.
I challenged my company with unfair dismissal and I was eventually given a job on another of its monthly titles. which was closed five months later. The freelancers were kept on to work on the weekly, and I, the only "member" of staff...
The News of the World has been closed, another may pop up by another name. Word is another will pop up by another name which will run on a third of the workforce than the NoW (for the time being anyway)
260 people worked for the News of the Screws; 200 they say, will be made redundant. They may never understand why their paper had to go or they may come to the same understanding of my profitable mag being closed - corporate politics, executive decisions.
That's it - a few at the top saying get rid of it. The workforce - well, it's not "personal".
I was told not to take my company to court; even if I won, no-one in the industry would employ me afterwards. I was gutted at the time though as I'm sure all those journalists are gutted now.
For me it's all a long long time ago, other factors smashed up the foundations of my life which I'm try to rebuild. I wish luck to all the innocents who have fallen out from this fall-out.
It's a nasty business, a business that "sails so close to the wind" - as I was told mine did, with me - but sadly that is business - "little" people count for very little when it suits.
In the big scheme of things that is.
Friday, 8 July 2011
The dead halt the hacking scandal
From Sunday the News of the World will exist no more.
Hard to believe, a newspaper almost 200 years old, gone. Taking with it 200 odd staff many of whom are innocent of the appalling practices of the few.
It wasn't enough to go after the voicemails of the living, unscrupulous "journalists" had to go after voicemails, emails, any mails of the dead. Milly Dowler; justice has just been served with the imprisonment of her murderer Bellfied, when it comes to light her phone was tapped into days after her disappearance, messages from her friends deleted. Unbelievable.
Families of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, families of service men who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, civilians who died in the 7/7 bombings. Unbelievable.
Murdoch has apparently asked his chief exec Rebekah Brooks, who edited the paper at the time of Milly Downer's phone being hacked, to lead the investigation into the News of World hacking scandal. Unbelievable.
Doesn't fire her, no. That would have been good decisive practice. Call to account all the guilty. Why would he do that? Why?
The BskyB bid doesn't need her. I'm sure she's briliant at her job but everyone's replaceable (aren't they?)
Perhaps she's a scapegoat.
The Tories (in bed with the Murdoch Team) were going to sign off the BskyB deal today in a £9bn deal but it's been delayed until September.
There's still time....
I'm sorry the News of the World has gone; for all its wrongs there were alot of rights. I'm sorry that a load of good journalists have lost their jobs.
Not so sorry I'll buy the Sun on Sunday though.
Unfuckingbelievable if that's true.
Does News International think the British are really that thick?
I'll leave that with you.
Hard to believe, a newspaper almost 200 years old, gone. Taking with it 200 odd staff many of whom are innocent of the appalling practices of the few.
It wasn't enough to go after the voicemails of the living, unscrupulous "journalists" had to go after voicemails, emails, any mails of the dead. Milly Dowler; justice has just been served with the imprisonment of her murderer Bellfied, when it comes to light her phone was tapped into days after her disappearance, messages from her friends deleted. Unbelievable.
Families of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, families of service men who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, civilians who died in the 7/7 bombings. Unbelievable.
Murdoch has apparently asked his chief exec Rebekah Brooks, who edited the paper at the time of Milly Downer's phone being hacked, to lead the investigation into the News of World hacking scandal. Unbelievable.
Doesn't fire her, no. That would have been good decisive practice. Call to account all the guilty. Why would he do that? Why?
The BskyB bid doesn't need her. I'm sure she's briliant at her job but everyone's replaceable (aren't they?)
Perhaps she's a scapegoat.
The Tories (in bed with the Murdoch Team) were going to sign off the BskyB deal today in a £9bn deal but it's been delayed until September.
There's still time....
I'm sorry the News of the World has gone; for all its wrongs there were alot of rights. I'm sorry that a load of good journalists have lost their jobs.
Not so sorry I'll buy the Sun on Sunday though.
Unfuckingbelievable if that's true.
Does News International think the British are really that thick?
I'll leave that with you.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Private rental debates and landlords from hell
Such a pity the Guardian's debate about the private rental sector yesterday wasn't today! Hot on the path of the Channel 4 Dispatches documentary Landlords from Hell with Jon Snow and Shelter, the housing and homeless charity.
Bloody hell! At one point, after showing us a slum landlord cheating his tenants out a home, letting them live in squalor, Snow interviewed Shapps who had the fecking gall to say (something close to) "3/4 of people renting in the private sector are very happy, more than happy, you are talking about a minority."
A minority ey Shapps. Go live in Papier Mache Towers for a few years for a change of perspective.
Even if it is a minority, which to my mind it isn't, with Shelter's research saying 7.5 million people have had problems with their landlords over the past three years and over a million are too afraid to speak up in case they are evicted, even if it is a "minority", they should be helped.
Like it's a "minority" of people who hold the country's wealth but they get tax breaks and all sorts, left clean away to get away with tax evasion or else participate in the very much legal 'tax avoidance' (ey Osborne?)
Labour started to regulate landlords but Shapps thinks this is "too bureacratic" ( a you a landlord Shapps, like your boss, Cameron?) He also thinks scum landlords are the responsibility of the local authority. Oh that's clever isn't it. You enforce cuts and with the huge ever increasing volume of people turning up at the council's door you don't think they have arrangements with most of them. (No more than 5, no more than 2 rogue landlords have been bought to trial in the last few years)
Anyway, earlier in the day I'd participated in the Guardian's private rental sector debate. Really participated!! I wrote comments, people asked questions, I answered them, asked questions of my own. It was great to be part of something I knew something about.
Here it is if you want a read: http://www.guardian.co.uk/housing-network/2011/jul/01/live-discussion-working-with-the-private-rented-sector?&
Watch Dispatches on 4OD so when the benefit cuts strike and the coalition forces families, the disabled, the elderly into the bottom 30% of available properties, you'll know just how they are forced to live.
Please sign the petition to evict Rogue Landlords; you can also access the documentary from Shelter's website.
Thank you!!
http://england.shelter.org.uk/
Bloody hell! At one point, after showing us a slum landlord cheating his tenants out a home, letting them live in squalor, Snow interviewed Shapps who had the fecking gall to say (something close to) "3/4 of people renting in the private sector are very happy, more than happy, you are talking about a minority."
A minority ey Shapps. Go live in Papier Mache Towers for a few years for a change of perspective.
Even if it is a minority, which to my mind it isn't, with Shelter's research saying 7.5 million people have had problems with their landlords over the past three years and over a million are too afraid to speak up in case they are evicted, even if it is a "minority", they should be helped.
Like it's a "minority" of people who hold the country's wealth but they get tax breaks and all sorts, left clean away to get away with tax evasion or else participate in the very much legal 'tax avoidance' (ey Osborne?)
Labour started to regulate landlords but Shapps thinks this is "too bureacratic" ( a you a landlord Shapps, like your boss, Cameron?) He also thinks scum landlords are the responsibility of the local authority. Oh that's clever isn't it. You enforce cuts and with the huge ever increasing volume of people turning up at the council's door you don't think they have arrangements with most of them. (No more than 5, no more than 2 rogue landlords have been bought to trial in the last few years)
Anyway, earlier in the day I'd participated in the Guardian's private rental sector debate. Really participated!! I wrote comments, people asked questions, I answered them, asked questions of my own. It was great to be part of something I knew something about.
Here it is if you want a read: http://www.guardian.co.uk/housing-network/2011/jul/01/live-discussion-working-with-the-private-rented-sector?&
Watch Dispatches on 4OD so when the benefit cuts strike and the coalition forces families, the disabled, the elderly into the bottom 30% of available properties, you'll know just how they are forced to live.
Please sign the petition to evict Rogue Landlords; you can also access the documentary from Shelter's website.
Thank you!!
http://england.shelter.org.uk/
Monday, 4 July 2011
Independence Day
A year ago today I sent my postcard to the coalition asking for the money that Brown had blackmailed the borough with.
The borough has not been paid back.
Should I give up on it?
I can go no further...
Dobson, Miliband, Johnson
Finally wrote to Clegg for it
Well, was addressed to him and Cameron.
No reply from his camp yet
Never any replies from anybody
Yeah, so all three parties have as good as told me to
FUCK OFF
Keep cataloguing the deaths CNJ
The borough has not been paid back.
Should I give up on it?
I can go no further...
Dobson, Miliband, Johnson
Finally wrote to Clegg for it
Well, was addressed to him and Cameron.
No reply from his camp yet
Never any replies from anybody
Yeah, so all three parties have as good as told me to
FUCK OFF
Keep cataloguing the deaths CNJ
Shapps talks SHITE
Oh twitter...twitter twitter twooooo... It leads me to articles that make me angry.
Lastest is this offering from the housing minister Grant Shapps; the same housing minister who won't answer my letter:
http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/tenancies/getting-radical/6516429.article
"Getting 'radical'" The man thinks we're stupid.
Take this little line: Safe house
The private rented sector can give some of these families a safe and secure roof over their heads, and the stability they need to begin rebuilding their lives.
Private sector - safe? secure? stable?
Does Shapps know the meaning of these words?
Homeowner may feel 'safe', 'secure', and 'stable' but renters? "It's not your home, it's somewhere you rent," said the libdem lady when I was being evicted.
Currently, the solution to virtually every case where a household is accepted as homeless is considered to be social housing. But it’s an out-of-date concept that is unreasonable for households which are stuck in temporary accommodation for longer than they need to be, and doesn’t necessarily provide the most effective help to people rebuilding their lives.
And the private sector does, does it Shapps? NO. SOCIAL HOUSING, COUNCIL HOUSING provides people with a stable foundation on which to rebuild their lives.
Our proposed changes will allow councils to use a house or flat in the private sector where they are satisfied that it is suitable for the family’s needs.
Here in Camden that market is saturated now so even in the private sector, people are being moved out of the borough with next to impossible chances of being moved back in.
And councils must ensure that the accommodation is suitable, safe and secure and available for a minimum of 12 months.
Oh you're kind Shapps, a year! And then what? Here in Camden people are being evicted from their private rental schemes. It's not secure at all even if it is temporarily suitable.
Some have made the argument that it is too costly to use the private rented sector to house families. But they ignore the fact that we already pay the huge cost of temporary accommodation for those households accepted as homeless
That's the point isn't it Shapps - hostel rooms, one room costs £400 a week. More than this 2 bed flat which is deemed too expensive for the likes of me - but its the same as rents in the private sector over here but the protection it affords me as temporary housing is that my housing benefit is protected. You don't like that do you?
That’s why I’ve called on councils to start forging closer links with landlords and letting agents, so that when the new powers in the Localism Bill come in they can hit the ground running.
Oh PURLEEEASE. Camden's been doing this for years, the market is now saturated and private landlords. like my ex landlady, think they can get more from 'working professionals' so benefits claimants can f off. You haven't spent any time down here have you Shapps?
But that’s not to say it will be the end to the problem. We need more social homes.
Hooray!!
The new affordable rent model that we are offering social landlords will allow them to charge new tenants who can afford it higher rents and will contribute, as a result, to delivering up to 150,000 new affordable homes over the next four years.
You're heralding the end to secure, affordable, stable social housing aren't you?
Only you won't admit it.
There are names given to people like you but I can't think of it right now, I'm too angry at your shite talk.
Give us something radical, go on, like ending the Right To Buy on council and social housing.
Dare you.
Lastest is this offering from the housing minister Grant Shapps; the same housing minister who won't answer my letter:
http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/tenancies/getting-radical/6516429.article
"Getting 'radical'" The man thinks we're stupid.
Take this little line: Safe house
The private rented sector can give some of these families a safe and secure roof over their heads, and the stability they need to begin rebuilding their lives.
Private sector - safe? secure? stable?
Does Shapps know the meaning of these words?
Homeowner may feel 'safe', 'secure', and 'stable' but renters? "It's not your home, it's somewhere you rent," said the libdem lady when I was being evicted.
Currently, the solution to virtually every case where a household is accepted as homeless is considered to be social housing. But it’s an out-of-date concept that is unreasonable for households which are stuck in temporary accommodation for longer than they need to be, and doesn’t necessarily provide the most effective help to people rebuilding their lives.
And the private sector does, does it Shapps? NO. SOCIAL HOUSING, COUNCIL HOUSING provides people with a stable foundation on which to rebuild their lives.
Our proposed changes will allow councils to use a house or flat in the private sector where they are satisfied that it is suitable for the family’s needs.
Here in Camden that market is saturated now so even in the private sector, people are being moved out of the borough with next to impossible chances of being moved back in.
And councils must ensure that the accommodation is suitable, safe and secure and available for a minimum of 12 months.
Oh you're kind Shapps, a year! And then what? Here in Camden people are being evicted from their private rental schemes. It's not secure at all even if it is temporarily suitable.
Some have made the argument that it is too costly to use the private rented sector to house families. But they ignore the fact that we already pay the huge cost of temporary accommodation for those households accepted as homeless
That's the point isn't it Shapps - hostel rooms, one room costs £400 a week. More than this 2 bed flat which is deemed too expensive for the likes of me - but its the same as rents in the private sector over here but the protection it affords me as temporary housing is that my housing benefit is protected. You don't like that do you?
That’s why I’ve called on councils to start forging closer links with landlords and letting agents, so that when the new powers in the Localism Bill come in they can hit the ground running.
Oh PURLEEEASE. Camden's been doing this for years, the market is now saturated and private landlords. like my ex landlady, think they can get more from 'working professionals' so benefits claimants can f off. You haven't spent any time down here have you Shapps?
But that’s not to say it will be the end to the problem. We need more social homes.
Hooray!!
The new affordable rent model that we are offering social landlords will allow them to charge new tenants who can afford it higher rents and will contribute, as a result, to delivering up to 150,000 new affordable homes over the next four years.
You're heralding the end to secure, affordable, stable social housing aren't you?
Only you won't admit it.
There are names given to people like you but I can't think of it right now, I'm too angry at your shite talk.
Give us something radical, go on, like ending the Right To Buy on council and social housing.
Dare you.
Council tenants - you might not be so safe after all...
A comment in a Guardian article this weekend which could frighten any council tenants who think they are protected from the new localism bill which will end life time tenancies for new tenants (ie me, if I ever get a fecking council flat which is so unlikely...) It's likely to end life time tenancies for them too. Be warned....
skepticscott
3 July 2011 6:22PM
Pickles Hypocrisy Smoke & Mirrors
THE END OF SOCIAL HOUSING
Pickles claims his new Social Housing Charter will not effect existing tenants read the small print and it says it will not effect those with "secure or assured tenancies"
However Pickles is only too aware that the vast majority of secure or assured tenancies are now being declared void due to "uncertainty of term". The precedent is a 1992 Supreme Court ruling in the case of Prudential v London Residuary Body over a piece of pavement which was let until "required for road widening purposes". The Supreme Court declared the lease to be void for uncertainty of term.
More recently in the case of Mexfield v Berrisford Mexfield a fully mutual housing cooperative successfully argued that the tenancy was void due to uncertainty of term and had been replaced by a weekly tenancy.
So unless these exempted secure or assured tenancies have an end date which they do not then the are all void and replaced by a weekly tenancy. So Pickles new social housing charter is a charter to evict all existing social housing tenants.
Recommend? (35)
You may think oh it's said by a commenter so not true but I'm a commenter and I write what I know.
There's so much to challenge with this new bill, so much as the word 'security' is not written out of the dictionary, but its meaning totally changed.
Anyway, here's the full article about the rise in homelessness
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/jul/03/homelessness-communities?commentpage=all#start-of-comments
This was my comment:
stigmum
3 July 2011 9:53PM
Some local authorities are getting rid of their temporary accommodation because it's too expensive and people are being encouraged to accept tenancies in the private sector, which is cheaper for them (the local authorities, not the people) When they are evicted due to these cuts, therefore, there is no temporary accommodation for them, so where then do they go? The coalition doesn't care, as long as it's not on their doorstep.
Another commenter left a link that she was on last night's news. It could be me, it could be you tomorrow:
http://www.channel4.com/news/benefits-cap-could-make-40-000-families-homeless
Oh happy days await the country....
skepticscott
3 July 2011 6:22PM
Pickles Hypocrisy Smoke & Mirrors
THE END OF SOCIAL HOUSING
Pickles claims his new Social Housing Charter will not effect existing tenants read the small print and it says it will not effect those with "secure or assured tenancies"
However Pickles is only too aware that the vast majority of secure or assured tenancies are now being declared void due to "uncertainty of term". The precedent is a 1992 Supreme Court ruling in the case of Prudential v London Residuary Body over a piece of pavement which was let until "required for road widening purposes". The Supreme Court declared the lease to be void for uncertainty of term.
More recently in the case of Mexfield v Berrisford Mexfield a fully mutual housing cooperative successfully argued that the tenancy was void due to uncertainty of term and had been replaced by a weekly tenancy.
So unless these exempted secure or assured tenancies have an end date which they do not then the are all void and replaced by a weekly tenancy. So Pickles new social housing charter is a charter to evict all existing social housing tenants.
Recommend? (35)
You may think oh it's said by a commenter so not true but I'm a commenter and I write what I know.
There's so much to challenge with this new bill, so much as the word 'security' is not written out of the dictionary, but its meaning totally changed.
Anyway, here's the full article about the rise in homelessness
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/jul/03/homelessness-communities?commentpage=all#start-of-comments
This was my comment:
stigmum
3 July 2011 9:53PM
Some local authorities are getting rid of their temporary accommodation because it's too expensive and people are being encouraged to accept tenancies in the private sector, which is cheaper for them (the local authorities, not the people) When they are evicted due to these cuts, therefore, there is no temporary accommodation for them, so where then do they go? The coalition doesn't care, as long as it's not on their doorstep.
Another commenter left a link that she was on last night's news. It could be me, it could be you tomorrow:
http://www.channel4.com/news/benefits-cap-could-make-40-000-families-homeless
Oh happy days await the country....
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
How loud must one SCREAM?????
A new political reality is somewhat inevitable, but a complete abandonment of housing's longstanding values is not. If voices are not heard now, while the policy debate is still open, they may be silenced forever.
Anyway, my point is, that since, since early 2010 I've been chucking my voice about to ministers. Earlier than that to councillors, charities. Oh my, I sent my Election/Eviction story to all kinds of people, got published in the Guardian myself.
Which makes me beg the question, whose voice exactly needs to be heard here?
Clearly not mine. I'm on benefits and although it's dawned on me before, it's dawned on me again that the opinions of those of us on benefits don't count; Don't count and don't matter.
Still, I can't help myself, another article I saw yesterday, this time by the shadow minister for housing, Seabeck. I had a bit of a rant. Should perhaps have used my name (Delilah?) instead of Stigmum's but hell, ours are two voices screaming. There are thousands more, but no-one hears them.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/housing-network/2011/jun/23/cih-2011-alison-seabeck-poverty-ambition
Labour's housing policy won't be rushed she says. Why didn't Labour say that in June last year instead of a year later when damage has already been done by the coalition?
Tempting I tell you, to abandon all hope
Oh I Don't Know
Do You?
This quote from Hannah Fearn's article in the Guardian about her trip to the housing conference in Harrogate last week. One punter exclaimed surprise at how nice one social housing build was. Not allowed I don't think, comfort, when you're skint.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/housing-network/2011/jun/24/social-housing-must-stand-up-for-its-valuesAnyway, my point is, that since, since early 2010 I've been chucking my voice about to ministers. Earlier than that to councillors, charities. Oh my, I sent my Election/Eviction story to all kinds of people, got published in the Guardian myself.
Which makes me beg the question, whose voice exactly needs to be heard here?
Clearly not mine. I'm on benefits and although it's dawned on me before, it's dawned on me again that the opinions of those of us on benefits don't count; Don't count and don't matter.
Still, I can't help myself, another article I saw yesterday, this time by the shadow minister for housing, Seabeck. I had a bit of a rant. Should perhaps have used my name (Delilah?) instead of Stigmum's but hell, ours are two voices screaming. There are thousands more, but no-one hears them.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/housing-network/2011/jun/23/cih-2011-alison-seabeck-poverty-ambition
Labour's housing policy won't be rushed she says. Why didn't Labour say that in June last year instead of a year later when damage has already been done by the coalition?
Tempting I tell you, to abandon all hope
Oh I Don't Know
Do You?
Friday, 24 June 2011
Losing and abandoning Hope
You know me, well, Jen at the Cigarette Diaries certainly knows me; I lose hope all the time. I lose hope, I find hope, I lose hope, I find hope, lose find lose find lose find....
The local paper published my letter! Find!
Thinking about it
Abandon?
Nothing I've written about housing has had a positive impact.
If my letter has no impact, which it's unlikely to given past experiences, should I just abandon all hope that I can achieve anything at all?
I find that I can't.
I cannot abandon hope. I can lose it, I just can't abandon it.
All I need to do is a get a letter. You'd think it would be really easy wouldn't you.
The system I'm caught in wants me to abandon hope. Wants all of us to abandon hope. That's reason, if any needed, not to!
Find me Hope! Hope, find me!
You, only ever abandon hope if it's the right to do.
How do you know?
Your heart tells you.
The local paper published my letter! Find!
Thinking about it
Abandon?
Nothing I've written about housing has had a positive impact.
If my letter has no impact, which it's unlikely to given past experiences, should I just abandon all hope that I can achieve anything at all?
I find that I can't.
I cannot abandon hope. I can lose it, I just can't abandon it.
All I need to do is a get a letter. You'd think it would be really easy wouldn't you.
The system I'm caught in wants me to abandon hope. Wants all of us to abandon hope. That's reason, if any needed, not to!
Find me Hope! Hope, find me!
You, only ever abandon hope if it's the right to do.
How do you know?
Your heart tells you.
Hopes and dreams
Could Frank Dobson be accused of being a bit rich? (I earn £66,000 but I can’t afford to leave council flat June 18) Compared with many of his financially challenged constituents on the waiting list for housing he could be, maybe.
However in this borough of ever increasing rents, one perhaps must concede that £66,000 probably doesn’t go far in the private sector, and certainly doesn’t guarantee a secure tenancy and a stable place to live in the rental market.
Should he be begrudged living in a council flat when he is a staunch and loyal defender of affordable social housing and lobbies on behalf of those who want and need to live in the areas where they have family, community connections, jobs and children in schools?
Over the last seven years I have appealed to Mr Dobson for help with housing a few times; twice on behalf of my family experiencing recurring evictions, once on behalf of the borough following Jennyfer Spencer’s death on account of inappropriate housing and more recently on behalf of our country, having failed in my appeals to Coalition ministers, including the mayor of London.
Mr Dobson has sent me off to get a letter so get a letter I will if it helps stop the unfolding catastrophe my family is still trapped in. You’d think it would be really easy wouldn’t you, but somewhere this century there are streets perhaps not paved with gold but laid with homes for ordinary people to live in, grow in, and age in without fear.
I reserve all judgement knowing Dobson’s the best hope Camden’s got right now.
Guy who runs the Shack said it was "a good read."
Guy who owns the coffee shop said "it's a difficult one..."
Mum who lives nearby said "Go girl!"
Nothing I have written over the years has had any impact, other than a negative one - afterall, look what this coalitions doing to so many of us - on the back of my articles???
Flip, can't abandon hope can I? Or can !? More to the point, should I?
Let's see what happens ey. I'm just very glad it got published!
However in this borough of ever increasing rents, one perhaps must concede that £66,000 probably doesn’t go far in the private sector, and certainly doesn’t guarantee a secure tenancy and a stable place to live in the rental market.
Should he be begrudged living in a council flat when he is a staunch and loyal defender of affordable social housing and lobbies on behalf of those who want and need to live in the areas where they have family, community connections, jobs and children in schools?
Over the last seven years I have appealed to Mr Dobson for help with housing a few times; twice on behalf of my family experiencing recurring evictions, once on behalf of the borough following Jennyfer Spencer’s death on account of inappropriate housing and more recently on behalf of our country, having failed in my appeals to Coalition ministers, including the mayor of London.
Mr Dobson has sent me off to get a letter so get a letter I will if it helps stop the unfolding catastrophe my family is still trapped in. You’d think it would be really easy wouldn’t you, but somewhere this century there are streets perhaps not paved with gold but laid with homes for ordinary people to live in, grow in, and age in without fear.
I reserve all judgement knowing Dobson’s the best hope Camden’s got right now.
Guy who runs the Shack said it was "a good read."
Guy who owns the coffee shop said "it's a difficult one..."
Mum who lives nearby said "Go girl!"
Nothing I have written over the years has had any impact, other than a negative one - afterall, look what this coalitions doing to so many of us - on the back of my articles???
Flip, can't abandon hope can I? Or can !? More to the point, should I?
Let's see what happens ey. I'm just very glad it got published!
Monday, 20 June 2011
Dobson a Labour traitor?
An article in the Sunday Times yesterday from Minette Marrin accusing Dobson of being a labour traitor as he claims he can't afford to leave his council flat.
She writes what's the point of him, the injustice that the well off occupy council flats at the expense of the poor, which you could say yes if you take me and Dobbie but plenty of poor people live in council housing, loads.
She accuses him of being "disingenous", as £66,000 isn't all he gets, which is true. She also says she can't believe he says he doesn't know how much rent he pays, which crossed my mind too.
She accuses him of "greedy shamelessness" and "selfish indifference", questions his "understanding of social reality", indeed, really goes to town on him.
Her piece juxtaposes beautifully with mine, which will (will will will) appear in the Ham and High.
Marrin's piece ends: "There is aboslutely no point in Labour politicians like him."
My piece ends: "Dobson's the best hope Camden's got."
Couldn't resist sending the Ham and High piece to the Guardian. One of their journalists is off to Harrogate for a housing conference this week.
Blimey, I wish I could go! Got pint pulling to do though haven't I...grrr!
She writes what's the point of him, the injustice that the well off occupy council flats at the expense of the poor, which you could say yes if you take me and Dobbie but plenty of poor people live in council housing, loads.
She accuses him of being "disingenous", as £66,000 isn't all he gets, which is true. She also says she can't believe he says he doesn't know how much rent he pays, which crossed my mind too.
She accuses him of "greedy shamelessness" and "selfish indifference", questions his "understanding of social reality", indeed, really goes to town on him.
Her piece juxtaposes beautifully with mine, which will (will will will) appear in the Ham and High.
Marrin's piece ends: "There is aboslutely no point in Labour politicians like him."
My piece ends: "Dobson's the best hope Camden's got."
Couldn't resist sending the Ham and High piece to the Guardian. One of their journalists is off to Harrogate for a housing conference this week.
Blimey, I wish I could go! Got pint pulling to do though haven't I...grrr!
Friday, 17 June 2011
Eclipses
I've barely read or watched the news this week but did see that Ed Milliband said council flats would go to people who worked.
SO PARENTING ISN'T A JOB THEN?????????????
You can hear me, can't you, thinking it.
Well, yesterday, in the Ham & High, an article about Frank Dobson saying he earns £66,000 but still can't afford to leave his council flat!
That's rich ey?!
Ah you have to laugh.
Well, I allowed myself a little chuckle as I wrote a letter in response to it last night, mindful, very very mindful, that I went to see Dobbie two weeks ago and he agreed to help me if I can get the law centre or another organisation to write to him.
I read my horoscopes this morning which told me there a was a lunar eclipse yesterday.
Are you feeling ok after the eclipse yesterday? asks Closer Online.
Well yes, if the paper publishes my letter, if a body (Shelter? Or do I have to do a law degree?) writes a letter, if Dobbie from all that, talks to ministers and and and...
Apparently there are more eclipses on the way.
Does it mean something GOOD Nina? Yeah, I've been listening to that alot this morning, as I emailed my letter across.
Be still
Be still
Be still
Eek !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SO PARENTING ISN'T A JOB THEN?????????????
You can hear me, can't you, thinking it.
Well, yesterday, in the Ham & High, an article about Frank Dobson saying he earns £66,000 but still can't afford to leave his council flat!
That's rich ey?!
Ah you have to laugh.
Well, I allowed myself a little chuckle as I wrote a letter in response to it last night, mindful, very very mindful, that I went to see Dobbie two weeks ago and he agreed to help me if I can get the law centre or another organisation to write to him.
I read my horoscopes this morning which told me there a was a lunar eclipse yesterday.
Are you feeling ok after the eclipse yesterday? asks Closer Online.
Well yes, if the paper publishes my letter, if a body (Shelter? Or do I have to do a law degree?) writes a letter, if Dobbie from all that, talks to ministers and and and...
Apparently there are more eclipses on the way.
Does it mean something GOOD Nina? Yeah, I've been listening to that alot this morning, as I emailed my letter across.
Be still
Be still
Be still
Eek !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Will anyone stop the Localism Bill?
"The localism bill seeks to absolve the state from any responsibility for housing provision, or for cleaning up the mess when the market fails to deliver the homes we need."
The last line of Glyn Robbins excellent article about the Housing Bill due to be read this week.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/may/18/localism-bill-social-housing
In my package to Clegg I wrote "It's not to late to reconsider the bill" on the article I sent him about capping landlords not tenants. Next to my viewpoint was a letter by someone else urging the Libdems to oppose housing policy. A voice added to mine. There are plenty of voices, they are just not being heard.
Only I was, for a short time, yesterday. I spoke, well wrote and I was answered during a live debate taking place on Guardian Online:
How can housing associations tackle unemployment?
Objectively, a great debate. Oh how do we help the helpless? It was also interesting, I'm sure, for the panelists. For me it was really too hard, many things are great in theory but I'm still reeling at the few that profit at the expense of the poor, all legislated by Government.
Anyway, work isn't really Stiggers domain, housing is!!
Housing and work are married of course and these new policies to up housing association rent to 80% of the market share coupled with fixed term leases.. well work is a frightening concept, I for one am so scared the impact will have on my family should I get affordable rent - I stay poor or risk eviction.
The panelists, largely housing association were having a grown up debate (FTT is a Fixed Term Tenancy - the bolding is all me, what I hear):
From the moderator: A quick question for the Panel,
How do you think the introduction of fixed term tenancies will affect social landlords' ability to engage with their tenants and make the most out of their support provisions?
Jo, not panellist, but professional I assume: I don't think there's any denying that they way things look there is a conflict between wanting to get residents into work and the lack of security introduced by FTTs, and this will make consistent engagement, advice and support very challenging. However, I am sure we will see some creative uses of FTTs to encourage people into work and training, I'm just not quite sure how yet!
Tim housing assoc panellist: Interesting question, we would not seek to let at the lower end of the fixed tenancy spectrum as we don't think this provides sufficient stability or opportunity to support them so that they have better choices at the end of the tenancy in terms of housing options.
I believe that if the positives of flexible tenancies are to be realised, we need to support these customers to give them these options otherwise the risks are either continual reissue of tenancies or poorer outcomes - there are clearly risks though and we need to have more active monitoirng and suport during the life of the tenancy.
Anne Marie HA Panel: Its very difficult to gauge but I guess it depends on the standard or avaliability of move-on accommodation. It may be more challenging to get tenants to engage as stability is key and we lose an element of this by offering fixed term tenancies. I guess it depends on how its managed when the tenant signs up to the property. Its needs to be a positive experience with obvious benefits to the tenant.
Andy not a panellist: A fixed term tenancy as short as two years could act as a disincentive to work, with the tenant, rightly or wrongly, concerned that getting a job means losing his or her home. In reality, it is likely that most fixed term tenancies will be for at least five years. Nevertheless, it will still be important for social landlords to engage with tenants throughout these tenancies to ensure tenants will continue to be adequately housed after the term is complete. This is partly about work, but also about changes in household size, health, and other factors. The changes to tenancy will have to be carefully managed.
when I screamed:
RE: Fixed term tenancies. My 8 yr old child and I have been evicted from each of his three homes on lease ends. Now HA, £350wk rent, 2 yr fixed tenancy. My £6 hr job doesn't pay the rent. I chase low rent but when I get it, if I get a "good" job, me and my boy out on our ear again on the fixed term lease? A total, utter, nightmare has been pointed at all future tenants.
And I was heard:
Steve Panellist:
@stigmum
Good points and shows the dilemma / situation that a policy allowing much higher housing association rents in England could make worse.
It does appear that social housing is yet again being seen as the home of last resort and for people on benefit
The lack of security that goes with private rents is a major problem and can be a cause of people losing their jobs if they cannot find a replacement tenancy close to their place of work.
I have had to help a family friend with four children ( one with special educational needs) after they lost their private tenancy through no fault of their own - they are now living in an overcrowded housing association house, but at least they were able to stay in the same school.
The changes to housing and other welfare benefits currently being brought in appear to be creating the ingredients for a perfect storm / mess
A storm yes, a mess absolutely and perfect for whom?
Any political party willing to oppose it?
No, the feckless arseholes are all too busy claiming expenses on their rents and mortgages, or else ey Cameron renting out their gaffes which doesn't fall into "the cheapest 30%" of the area.
Such noise, a terrific noise, not just by me here but no-one in Whitehall, even those Labour ministers who head the rallies I've been to, no-one it seems is willing to properly stand up to what is happening.
Never mind I Don't Know
I Do Not Understand
(My thoughts go out to all those in Joplin Missouri who lost friends and relatives, their homes and their communities in the devasting tornado that struck the town on Sunday Night)
The last line of Glyn Robbins excellent article about the Housing Bill due to be read this week.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/may/18/localism-bill-social-housing
In my package to Clegg I wrote "It's not to late to reconsider the bill" on the article I sent him about capping landlords not tenants. Next to my viewpoint was a letter by someone else urging the Libdems to oppose housing policy. A voice added to mine. There are plenty of voices, they are just not being heard.
Only I was, for a short time, yesterday. I spoke, well wrote and I was answered during a live debate taking place on Guardian Online:
How can housing associations tackle unemployment?
Objectively, a great debate. Oh how do we help the helpless? It was also interesting, I'm sure, for the panelists. For me it was really too hard, many things are great in theory but I'm still reeling at the few that profit at the expense of the poor, all legislated by Government.
Anyway, work isn't really Stiggers domain, housing is!!
Housing and work are married of course and these new policies to up housing association rent to 80% of the market share coupled with fixed term leases.. well work is a frightening concept, I for one am so scared the impact will have on my family should I get affordable rent - I stay poor or risk eviction.
The panelists, largely housing association were having a grown up debate (FTT is a Fixed Term Tenancy - the bolding is all me, what I hear):
From the moderator: A quick question for the Panel,
How do you think the introduction of fixed term tenancies will affect social landlords' ability to engage with their tenants and make the most out of their support provisions?
Jo, not panellist, but professional I assume: I don't think there's any denying that they way things look there is a conflict between wanting to get residents into work and the lack of security introduced by FTTs, and this will make consistent engagement, advice and support very challenging. However, I am sure we will see some creative uses of FTTs to encourage people into work and training, I'm just not quite sure how yet!
Tim housing assoc panellist: Interesting question, we would not seek to let at the lower end of the fixed tenancy spectrum as we don't think this provides sufficient stability or opportunity to support them so that they have better choices at the end of the tenancy in terms of housing options.
I believe that if the positives of flexible tenancies are to be realised, we need to support these customers to give them these options otherwise the risks are either continual reissue of tenancies or poorer outcomes - there are clearly risks though and we need to have more active monitoirng and suport during the life of the tenancy.
Anne Marie HA Panel: Its very difficult to gauge but I guess it depends on the standard or avaliability of move-on accommodation. It may be more challenging to get tenants to engage as stability is key and we lose an element of this by offering fixed term tenancies. I guess it depends on how its managed when the tenant signs up to the property. Its needs to be a positive experience with obvious benefits to the tenant.
Andy not a panellist: A fixed term tenancy as short as two years could act as a disincentive to work, with the tenant, rightly or wrongly, concerned that getting a job means losing his or her home. In reality, it is likely that most fixed term tenancies will be for at least five years. Nevertheless, it will still be important for social landlords to engage with tenants throughout these tenancies to ensure tenants will continue to be adequately housed after the term is complete. This is partly about work, but also about changes in household size, health, and other factors. The changes to tenancy will have to be carefully managed.
when I screamed:
RE: Fixed term tenancies. My 8 yr old child and I have been evicted from each of his three homes on lease ends. Now HA, £350wk rent, 2 yr fixed tenancy. My £6 hr job doesn't pay the rent. I chase low rent but when I get it, if I get a "good" job, me and my boy out on our ear again on the fixed term lease? A total, utter, nightmare has been pointed at all future tenants.
And I was heard:
Steve Panellist:
@stigmum
Good points and shows the dilemma / situation that a policy allowing much higher housing association rents in England could make worse.
It does appear that social housing is yet again being seen as the home of last resort and for people on benefit
The lack of security that goes with private rents is a major problem and can be a cause of people losing their jobs if they cannot find a replacement tenancy close to their place of work.
I have had to help a family friend with four children ( one with special educational needs) after they lost their private tenancy through no fault of their own - they are now living in an overcrowded housing association house, but at least they were able to stay in the same school.
The changes to housing and other welfare benefits currently being brought in appear to be creating the ingredients for a perfect storm / mess
A storm yes, a mess absolutely and perfect for whom?
Any political party willing to oppose it?
No, the feckless arseholes are all too busy claiming expenses on their rents and mortgages, or else ey Cameron renting out their gaffes which doesn't fall into "the cheapest 30%" of the area.
Such noise, a terrific noise, not just by me here but no-one in Whitehall, even those Labour ministers who head the rallies I've been to, no-one it seems is willing to properly stand up to what is happening.
Never mind I Don't Know
I Do Not Understand
(My thoughts go out to all those in Joplin Missouri who lost friends and relatives, their homes and their communities in the devasting tornado that struck the town on Sunday Night)
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