Downtown Abbey ?

[jennycoo]

The odious ancestors of our present British Government. Bedroom tax and austerity measures ? Check out the no. of bedrooms in that horrific downtown abbey !

[DJHawkes]

it's a real home you know, http://www.highclerecastle.co.uk/ and it's stunning.

[jennycoo]

I think an Earl and Countess live there ! Stunningly stupifying for the ordinary folk ! Don't you think ?

[New Judge]

And of course the big difference is that the Crawley family were not having their rent paid in full or in a large part by the taxpayer.

[DJHawkes]

and neither are the present occupants, have you seen their wedding package? amazing, must cost thousands to get married there

[zebo]

There's no such thing as a "bedroom tax" other than in a certain genre of the media, it puts those in council houses on the same basis as those renting in the private sector and receiving Housing Benefit. Would it be OK for someone renting privately to successfully claim for more space than they need?
Like much legislation, by any Government, the idea is good but it has not been thoroughly thought through in respect of exceptional cases, such as those needing a live-in carer.

[jennycoo]

Hi Zebo. You will find the relevant legislation in the Welfare Reform Act with the specific reference to 'bedroom tax'.

[VHG]

>>>austerity measures ?

The current government are only having to bring in austerity measures because the previous government (Labour) virtually bankrupt the country.

Of course the current government could just carry on spending like Labour did, but then we would finish up like Greece, then people in the UK would REALLY know what Austerity means.

No country can go on spending BILLONS on housing benefit and other benefits while they are in such debt.

We have to do something.

[factor-fiction]

Can you point to the bit in the Act where the Act calls it a bedroom tax please, zebo- I'd be interested to read that bit.

Yes, jennycoo- although there seems to be no link whatsoever between owning a large house and the current 'spare room subsidy' for some current benefit claimants, it was the case that the wealth of the upper classes was far removed from the poverty of most ordinary people, although they did provide jobs and access to the lavish buildings and grounds for quite a few locals.

[emmie]

first off many of these types of houses are in National trust hands now, the taxes on the places, death duties put paid to many of the families being able to afford the upkeep, Highclere is not one of those however, but is lived in, beautiful place by the way. As to odious ancestors, do you know anything at all about the backgrounds, families of those in government, or indeed of those in current opposition, or is it just a case of bash the government whichever way. If you think that Labour won't continue some of the polices currently being implemented then think again. Some of their family backgrounds are wealthy, well to do, then look at odious Blair, his accrued wealth now would keep many families in luxury, and what did he do exactly for his money.

[zebo]

Emmie, your last sentence poses a question that I think only history will answer. Those who carp on about the wealth of the current cabinet need also to look at the Blairs, is there another family who left Downing Street with so much more than they entered it?

[Peter Pedant]

.

er well in real life it is the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon,

and HIS claim to fame was he spent his money on searching for and finding King Tut's tomb.


I dont think any were political