onlooker

Was there something preventing women becoming gravediggers (if they were trained to use an excavator) or binmen (if they were strong enough or could drive a truck)? Or preventing men from cooking school dinners?

But my grape vine is loving it!

No I believe countries have significantly different ways of calculating GDP. One issue arose during the pandemic, where the UK calculated teachers' work on the basis of actual hours taught, but most of the EU countries calculated on the basis of hours of salary paid, irrespective of how much teaching was done. As a consequence, the UK's GDP was lower than those EU countries. Plenty of other differences I believe.

Local councils are subject to two things in recent years. Firstly parking charges are one of their few remaining sources of income which they are empowered to increase themselves, without referring to central government. Secondly (judging by my own and nearby councils), recent elections have seen Greens and LibDems rise in power, and they favour cycling and buses over cars. These councillors will do anything to make town centres no-go areas for cars, even at the cost of economic stagnation.

Since you took office, the country is run by a zombie Parliament where nothing meaningful has happened. What exactly has been done or have you achieved? Anyway, the by-election will probably be about a week before the Conservative Party conference (good timing by Dorries), so delegates there will have plenty to discuss behind the snake's back. https://order-order.com/2023/08/26/nadine-dorries-blasts-rishi-in-resignation-letter/#comments

At the time, British management was regarded as a laughing stock, largely incompetent and completely unable to build and run successful companies. Maybe there is some connection between success and rewards.

In what way does the ECHR protect us from the UK's main political parties?

Prepare to repel boarders!! Staying under the ECHR means we do not control our own borders.

Over promotion accounts for some of it: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/08/09/crackdown-over-promotion-cut-civil-service-wage-bill/ Crackdown on over-promotion to cut Civil Service wage bill Downing Street concerned by way in which Whitehall has ‘inflated’ officials’ pay grades Downing Street is concerned by the way in which Whitehall has “inflated” officials’ pay grades to get around successive Government attempts to rein in salary increases.

Are you saying the Swiss don't employ waiters, cleaners or other low paid unqualified staff?

Will Hutton is a left wing economist whoi has frequently written articles in the Guardian. Big supporter of Gordon Brown I believe.

This rather illustrates a point I have made several times about housebuilding. It does not increase exports. It does not contribute positively to the economy. It is a luxury to house people in larger homes than they have at present. If it was an economic good for the country, private enterprise would have no problem raising the cash to build.

They need the houses for all the new arrivals Labour will be inviting to stay.

Big tax bills for some is just a reflection of the fact that a lot of other people don't pay much tax.

Having recently walked the towpaths of rural sections of the Kennet & Avon canal and the River Medway, I am horrified by how urban they have become, with boats clearly permanently moored. Some turning into watery slums.