Forum Topics

NHS waiting lists surge due to pensions row

I find this truly unacceptable.Waiting lists of routine surgery have risen by up to 50% in England because senior doctors say they cannot afford to work extra shifts.Consultants have begun refusing work beyond their planned hours after receiving unexpected tax bills, following new pension rules in 2016.The limit on the annual allowance has come down from £255,000 a year in 2010-11, to £40,000 a year for those earning broadly less than £110,000 in 2018-19.In addition, a tapered annual allowance was introduced in 2016 for higher earners. This means that the annual allowance is reduced by £1 for every £2 earned, says the British Medical Association (BMA).It says a major problem for doctors is that all their income is taken into account when calculating their annual allowance, including work that is non-pensionable. In addition, the annual allowance is based not just on their annual income, but also on the growth in their pension pot.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-48903913Does the same principle apply to high earners in the City, for example?  Or footballers that earn some £150,000 a week?

Ivonne Holliday ● 2683d5 Comments ● 2683d

Toolstation

there is a new branch of ToolStation opposite PureGym, unfortunately the facade is quite well hidden behind 2 leafy trees so this is the first time I have noticed it despite it being open for 2 weeks. A clear rival to Leyland, I hope there is enough business for both of them.

Adam Tripp ● 2683d1 Comments ● 2683d

New line up of EU leaders

After three days of marathon negotiations and behind closed-door meetings, Europe has a fresh cast of newly unelected leaders. It’s times like this when the completely undemocratic and disconnected nature of the EU is there for all to see.The new EU leaders' fresh commitment to a United States of Europe with an EU Army will further deepen the divide between the EU elite and the public.A failed German defence minister, a failed Belgian PM, a former finance minister found guilty of negligence in a multi-million Euro scandal and a Spanish politician who’s been a cheerleader for repression in Catalonia.It beggars belief that some of the British public want us to stay on this runaway corrupt gravy train.Watch the clip below from Andrew Neil. The only impartial journalist that exists on the BBC.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZlBy1G9BsQ

Paul Game ● 2683d8 Comments ● 2683d

Merger of 6 SW London CCGs

I am not too sure if this is good news or not... Assurances have been given that redundancies will be minimal when six CCGs (Clinical Commissioning Groups) are merged. Croydon, Kingston, Richmond, Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth CCGs could all become one South West London group as soon as August 2020. CCGs are NHS bodies responsible for the planning and commissioning of health care services for their local area. https://www.wandsworthguardian.co.uk/news/17754610.merger-six-south-west-london-ccgs/?fbclid=IwAR33KWjJI6SFFRb7f_6Lk3LJzI7Z4vbu70aoLejIkYAyl9qShocoRzWnE04

Ivonne Holliday ● 2684d3 Comments ● 2684d

Potential Closure of Richmond Park

It is naive to imagine that any  limitation of the use of cars in Richmond Park is anything other than a vacuous gesture, designed to disrupt the lives of all residents in the area.We have a symbiotic relationship with cars and wishing them away is futile; witness the traffic repercussions of Hammersmith Bridge and the further accident on East Sheen.  Without the outlet provided by the park, the knock-on problem(s) would be disastrous.

David McConnon ● 2700d32 Comments ● 2684d

Banning LGBT+ lessons in school

So much better sex education these days than when I was at school in the 60s when we were taught the biological act but nothing about relationships.How dare people want this banned because being gay "is a choice" and it "goes against God".  My gay brother had an awful time in the 60s growing up in an unsympathetic climate as a young gay guy and was terribly upset and confused. In his early 20s he was beaten up and he was no Julian Clary.  He has been in a happy long term relationship now for nearly 40 years.The woman I've just seen on the BBC London News seems to think that being gay is catching.... I can't say the words I want to call her!!These little children are not told any more than they can handle, but hopefully this awful prejudice can be stopped by showing children kindness and open mindedness.

Bunny Payne ● 2689d71 Comments ● 2685d

Political Nervous Bresakdown

I don't necessarily agree with all his comments but that does see quite a good summary of what's happening in the UK's political scene at the moment ...https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48892102

Michael Ixer ● 2685d1 Comments ● 2685d

Putin spells it out

"Vladimir Putin has said liberalism is "obsolete" in an interview before he left for the G20 summit.The Russian president said the ideology that has underpinned Western democracies for decades had "outlived its purpose".The Russian premier also praised the rise of populism in Europe and America, saying ideas like multiculturalism were "no longer tenable"."https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-48795764Crikey!

David Ainsworth ● 2693d102 Comments ● 2685d

Low level?

OK, did you hear that in Putney? Or see it?

David Ainsworth ● 2685d8 Comments ● 2685d

Climate change:  Trees most effective solution for warming

I could not agree more!https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-48870920Trees are being planted in arid Africa and even in the UK.  Trees we need desperately and we should also look after them properly!

Ivonne Holliday ● 2687d2 Comments ● 2685d

Reducing car use - yet more evidence

Interesting interview this morning with Oxford researchers WH have just published a report on reducing energy demands for transport and other things. Evidence continues to mount up that this is what we should be doing, and at a much faster pace.  For those who are unable to drive less, or don’t wish to - you can use to persuade your friends and neighbours to get out of their cars Link to the report here - https://www.creds.ac.uk/publications/shifting-the-focus-energy-demand-in-a-net-zero-carbon-uk/

Ruth Pates ● 2686d1 Comments ● 2685d

Happy weekend!

A few weeks ago someone, I can't now remember, came up with the idea of cheering up the weekend, implicitly leaving aside the political stuff for a couple of days. What a good idea. Here's my suggestion for brightening up the day: try this 1938 recording of Now They Call It Swing by Teddy Wilson's Orchestra, with Billie Holiday's incomparable singing and a fine solo (the one before the final chorus) by Lester Young. Enjoy it, I hope! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAok5aCaz5g

Richard Carter ● 2706d13 Comments ● 2686d

Total lack of security on this site - be careful

Is anyone else worried by the complete lack of security on this site?As well as being horrible to use, with an interface 10 years out of date, the thought that anyone can log on and post messages as any user if they know your email address is, frankly, shocking. No password is needed AT ALL. This is shockingly lax and an unacceptable security risk. In addition the site is not secure to current standards. The site should have been moved to a modern, secure framework years ago. If you use it to post, please remember that anyone can hack your account. All they need is your email address and they're in.

Mark Phillips ● 2690d6 Comments ● 2686d

Brexit Party MEPs excel themselves

Turning their backs on Beethoven's Ode to Joy (but not, of course, to their fat salaries, the hypocrites!) was an infantile stunt that merely made them look foolish, but Anne Widdecombe has really excelled herself in a ludicrous speech to the EU Parliament by referring to the EU as "oppressors" like slave owners, feudal barons and colonialists: "There is a pattern consistent throughout history of oppressed people turning on their oppressors, slaves against their owners, the peasantry against the feudal barons, colonies against their empires and that is why Britain is leaving.  "It doesn’t matter which language you use, we are going and we are glad to be going," https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/07/04/ann-widdecombe-compares-eu-slave-owners-maiden-european-parliament/  (paywall)

Richard Carter ● 2687d12 Comments ● 2686d

Wimbledon 2019

It's good to be able to turn away from all the political horrors for a while to enjoy the tennis. What a brilliant match Cori Gauff played yesterday in beating Venus Williams! When she lost her third match point we were afraid she'd collapse in a (metaphorical) heap, but she's tougher than that. I think we've seen a bit of history being made there, who knows how far she can go?And a big shout-out for Venus, so graceful in defeat. I'd love to have been able to eavesdrop on their exchange at the net at the end of the match, but the warmth was obvious even without that.

Richard Carter ● 2689d10 Comments ● 2686d

Don't panic Mr. Mannering

Now they want to stop showing Dad's Army. Well all I can say is don't watch it if it bothers you. You are in control of your remote control, or forced.

Barbara Stevens ● 2696d10 Comments ● 2687d

voicemail message via email

I've got two voicemail messages on my email - I've not opened or listened to them. It gives their phone numberIs it a form of spam or phishing? Why would someone do that if it's genuine? Wouldn't they just send an email?

Victoria Diamond ● 2687d4 Comments ● 2687d

Putneymead Patient Panel meeting 10.30am on 6 July

Putneymead Patient Panel will be meeting on 6 July at 10.30am - they're just trying a morning meeting to see if any new participants will attend.

Victoria Diamond ● 2699d3 Comments ● 2687d

Voting reform

The LibDems have been a lonely voice in the past on changing the First Past the Post system. With the rise of smaller parties the system has to change if they are to get better representation in parliament. The Greens and the Scottish and Welsh Nats also agree and now I read on the BBC website that Farage and his Brexit Party are joining the new Make Votes Matter Alliance grouping to campaign for citizen’s assemblies which would debate and select a preferred PR system.  The Scottish system used for voting for Holyrood MSPs could be a favourite. I never thought I would agree with anything Farage said or did but this could make a positive difference. Read the BBC here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48847542

Jonathan Callaway ● 2688d4 Comments ● 2688d

Drivers routinely break speed limits

The news section of the site reports that 87% of drivers can't (they mean won't) stick to the 20 mph speed limit in Putney: http://www.putneysw15.com/default.asp?section=info&link=http://neighbournet.com/server/common/20mphzones006.htm Also, DfT research shows that 52% of drivers exceed the 30 mph limit and 46% drive over the limit on motorways. What an indictment of drivers' behaviour! Do they think "We can easily get away with it" (most probably true) or do they just not care about the danger they are inflicting?

Richard Carter ● 2692d42 Comments ● 2689d