[Travel] The impending Easter weekend 'second homes' exodus

[Bold Seagull]

Top post

Have to admit to a sinking feeling tho when reading reports today that Passport Office staff are being coerced back to work by some high-up hotshot who is using the argument that '80% of us are going to get it anyway' and 'we have a backlog of urgent applications to clear'. Or words to that effect. Quite horrifying really

BBC Horizon tonight very interesting and looks at the concept of herd immunity and potential 2nd wave of infection after lock downs are relaxed.

 

[GT49er]

Top post

Have to admit to a sinking feeling tho when reading reports today that Passport Office staff are being coerced back to work by some high-up hotshot who is using the argument that '80% of us are going to get it anyway' and 'we have a backlog of urgent applications to clear'. Or words to that effect. Quite horrifying really

Being 'coerced' back to work to help process the (literally) millions of UC claims that are coming in at the moment, I believe. Of course, maybe it would be better to make the money-grabbers that want UC wait weeks and weeks before their claims are processed by the usual DWP staff, now genuinely experiencing 'an unprecedented level of calls'..

 

[Bold Seagull]

Being 'coerced' back to work to help process the 9literally) millions of UC claims that are coming in at the moment, I believe. Of course, maybe it would be better to make the money-grabbers that want UC wait weeks and weeks before their claims are processed by the usual DWP staff, now genuinely experiencing 'an unprecedented level of calls'..

WTF!!??

 

[GT49er]

WTF!!??

You could have checked it out yourself, but I'll do it for you.

https://www.pcs.org.uk/news/950000-new-uc-applicants-putting-massive-strain-on-staff

 

[Bold Seagull]

You could have checked it out yourself, but I'll do it for you.

https://www.pcs.org.uk/news/950000-new-uc-applicants-putting-massive-strain-on-staff

I don’t doubt people are applying for UC, it wasn’t that part of your post I was WTFing at...

 

[LamieRobertson]

I don’t doubt people are applying for UC, it wasn’t that part of your post I was WTFing at...

Money grabbers?

 

[Bold Seagull]

Money grabbers?

Nothing like vilifying those most in need, it’s the classic trope.

 

[GT49er]

I don’t doubt people are applying for UC, it wasn’t that part of your post I was WTFing at...

"Some staff are being drafted into help from other government departments such as HM Passport Office".

Perhaps that is why HM Passport Office staff are being called back into work - for a damned good reason, not because somebody wants to bully them, as the OP was insisting!

 

[GT49er]

I don’t doubt people are applying for UC, it wasn’t that part of your post I was WTFing at...

Nothing like vilifying those most in need, it’s the classic trope.

You really didn't read my post properly before replying ...........................

 

[Bold Seagull]

You really didn't read my post properly before replying ...........................

I read it fine.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Being 'coerced' back to work to help process the (literally) millions of UC claims that are coming in at the moment, I believe. Of course, maybe it would be better to make the money-grabbers that want UC wait weeks and weeks before their claims are processed by the usual DWP staff, now genuinely experiencing 'an unprecedented level of calls'..

Read the article - it's about processing routine passport apications

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52219930

'Coronavirus: Passport Office staff told to go back to work'

'There are also claims among staff and their trade union that advice from a government official at the meeting was out of step with government policy.

According to the transcript, the Home Office deputy scientific adviser, Rupert Shute, told those listening that staying at home was important but "we also have to keep functioning our lives".

"You are no more at risk at the workplace as you would be in your home or at the supermarket. It is about minimising it," he said.

"We are working on the assessment that 80% of us, if we haven't already, will get the virus."

He added: "We cannot hide away from it forever."

This echoed previous government briefings that up to 80% of people would eventually contract Covid-19 and that this would help the population develop "herd immunity".

However, that position was sidelined when computer modelling suggested a lockdown would be needed to reduce the infection rate.'

 

[Raleigh Chopper]

I was stuck behind 2 caravans and a motor home, going into the Witterings today.

I had a car like that once.

 

[LamieRobertson]

I was stuck behind 2 caravans and a motor home, going into the Witterings today.

Was one caravan towing the other?

 

[vegster]

Being 'coerced' back to work to help process the (literally) millions of UC claims that are coming in at the moment, I believe. Of course, maybe it would be better to make the money-grabbers that want UC wait weeks and weeks before their claims are processed by the usual DWP staff, now genuinely experiencing 'an unprecedented level of calls'..

My next door neighbour is a self employed single mum who is really struggling now. She works in holistic therapies and holds dance/movement classes for those with long term muscular and skeletal problems, her income has overnight become zero. She was telling me that she has managed to get a mortgage deferral agreement with the building society but she is scrapping Sky completely and reviewing her finances for anything un essential. She said she has only ever claimed Child Benefit before and she has no idea if and what she is going to get and when.

So, a tricky situation for her and an even stickier for the government if it can't process the claims urgently.

 

[Icy Gull]

Was one caravan towing the other?

[MENTION=1721]Mr Putdown[/MENTION] is on the move

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Being 'coerced' back to work to help process the (literally) millions of UC claims that are coming in at the moment, I believe. Of course, maybe it would be better to make the money-grabbers that want UC wait weeks and weeks before their claims are processed by the usual DWP staff, now genuinely experiencing 'an unprecedented level of calls'..

Money grabbers?

 

[Guinness Boy]

Money grabbers?

Strange phrase to use for those who have just lost jobs or livelihoods, wasn't it? Won't be long before some on NSC start moving on to "scroungers" before ending up differentiating between the deserving and undeserving poor.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Strange phrase to use for those who have just lost jobs or livelihoods, wasn't it? Won't be long before some on NSC start moving on to "scroungers" before ending up differentiating between the deserving and undeserving poor.

Agree. Strange, and nasty, as well.

 

[Raleigh Chopper]

You really didn't read my post properly before replying ...........................

I keep reading your post and I keep seeing 'money grabbers' being used for people that have no or less income coming in, as is their right and being encouraged to do so by the government who are processing the claims as quickly as they are able to in difficult circumstances.
Why are you saying read it again?

 

[Mr Putdown]

[MENTION=1721]Mr Putdown[/MENTION] is on the move

I’m sitting by my stretch of river whilst enjoying this glorious sunshine actually.

No need for me to travel, I live in a typical holiday destination where, thankfully all the beachside car parks have been shut for over two weeks.