t1234

Amen to that

If we were talking about countries with a similar standard of living and per capita gdp then I don't think free movement is such a big deal, the problem started when the EU expanded to let in 8 countries at the same time with much lower wages, it was inevitable that this would drive down wages in other countries, the fact is UK government openly encouraged this as it is good for business. They should have delayed the free movement from these countries until the EU money for infrastructure etc had increased the average wage in these countries. Greedy politicians are to blame, the same ones like Tony Blair who were the most vocal remainers.

I have sympathy for those here that say free markets wouldn't have produced this system just like having sympathy for communists that say communism shouldn't produce stalin. Its happened so move on and accept it, people always corrupt any perfect system. Deregulation has caused this mess so what we need to resolve it is not more of the same deregulation and 'free markets' its massive market intervention to rebalance the economy. High taxation for the wealthy and corporations and massive import duties should they try and relocate. But just like we have heard from uk government they said will build houses in the last 20 years, nothing will be done in the economy as there are too many vested interests in finance and wealth as there are in real estate.

Acknowledging there is a problem costs nothing. Doing something about it will hit the wealthiest in society that's why nothing is ever done to rebalance. Talk is cheap.

There is nothing good about BTL 'investors' being able to get hold of cheaper money vs those buying to live in. These interest only mortgages clearly keep the house prices inflated.

Interesting Telegraph article about affordability restrictions coming in for BTL. This bit shocked me though, Are people really still able to borrow £200,000 for £300 a month ? No wonder we have such crazy prices. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/16/buy-to-let-crackdown-will-end-the-dreams-of-middle-class-investo/

Yes maintaining the inflation figure is the target regardless of real world inflation. Thats why house prices were taken out for so long when rising, now they will be used to counterbalance inflation due to weakening pound

The differences between now and the 70s is there are no unions to bargain for higher wages to keep in line with inflation and companies can recruit freely from countries with lower wages, can't see any of that changing any time soon. Govt policy for years has been to keep inflation down at any cost. Food banks could get busier though.

Also make a date and time note of every time you have contacted the landord about this and what the outcome is. It is very important you have actual facts rather than rough statements.

i had a nightmare once trying to get deposit back. Landlord constantly ignored all my written requests. As you can't enter DPS tribunal unless landlord agrees you have to take them to the small claims court referencing that they are refusing to cooperate by the DPS tribunal rules. One summoned then they will either go to the tribunal or go to court, in my case they went to tribunal and I was awarded 99% of deposit. If it goes to small claims it won't look good on landlord for ignoring requests to resolve the matter by tribunal which they will have already agreed to. good luck and dont' let the f*ckers get you down

Selfish greedy b&st*rds who don't hesitate to exploit their fellow man for their own gain - found in all ages and sexes and background

Years ago when Gordon Brown became prime minister he gave an interview in the guardian where he stated he eventually wanted to see a cashless society. I can remember it clearly as cashless society was one of the key components of the conspiracy theories of the time like the Zeitgeist film, part of the end game of full control of the masses. Social media, records of all your internet searches and emails, mobile phone records and cashless society. The only secret you'd have would be your own thoughts.

Good thread, I have definitley benefited by not have the commitment of a mortgage which has let me take more risk both in going self employed and taking work overseas. However I long for a place that I can call my home, a base. My current plan is to buy my retirement place in France or Spain near the med and live/work out of there as much as I can because at least there you get some value for your money. In reality though I would buy in Greater London if I could get a house at any decent value. My work is in London and I am not willing to spend 4 hours a day travelling to work - I have tried it and its not for me. I have worked hard and earn by any standard a very good wage a top 1% apparently, after all this I can't seem to improve my lot - its very depressing so I don't dwell on it. If I had kids I would steer them away from this country.

I really don't understand this pity the landlord nonsense. In the system we live in people can find themselves unable to pay all sorts of bills when they lose a job or become ill or get hit with a big unforeseen bill. If they are a mortgage payer they seem to get all sorts of sympathy from society, and the bank is always to blame for repossession yet a tenant is always portrayed as feckless when they struggle to meet payments, like the threat of being evicted and having to move house is some sort of jolly game to these tenants. The reality is rent or mortgage is a very big bill that will always be the first to be missed when the money stops coming in. Will live in a messed up society at the moment.

Excellent article, surprised the comments here are trying to belittle it as to me it is pointing out the very sad state of affairs with housing rather than pointing the finger. I hope people aren't put off going and reading for themselves it by the comments here.

There are so many flats going up in East London its crazy Aldgate, Whitechapel, Canary Wharf then out to Stratford. Whilst most of them are being sold as luxury there are still smaller HA blocks going up for shared ownership etc There is a new Barret Aldgate development I walk past daily, cheapest kitchen in lounge one bedder 695000. WTF ???

That zerohedge link names the 4 British mps/lords

its true if i bought my own house i'd get a dog and likely a rescue dog. HPC 'init

That was a long time ago now, the world has moved on. If you want to look and a re-nationalised railway, look at the East Coast mainline.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/aug/04/east-coast-mainline-fury-reprivatisation-plan Some privitisation defied common sense like the trains and the utilities. I wonder how long before any party willing to have the courage to re-nationalise ? Can't see either Tory or Labour for the foreseeable future.

HSBC announce change in policy https://www.newsroom.hsbc.co.uk/articles/statement_on_large_cash_withdrMy link

Radio 4 moneybox had a feature on this today well worth listening to later. I was literally shocked, people trying to withdraw a few thousand in cash to pay the builder or go traveling are being asked for written evidence ie a letter from the builder or hotel bookings. I don't see how anyone can justify this. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03s645z

Here is a columnist from the Mail off to look at people on benefits, to her shock not all people are living it up on a constant 24 hour party ..... Putting a family like this on the program would have been balance. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/columnists/article-2541986/Oh-Im-REAL-tough-cookie-two-hours-Benefits-Street-Im-blubbing-like-baby.html

Looking at the original article, if you want to see what society would look like post welfare state you don't need to rely on imaginative theories you just look at history and see what life was like for the majority of people before welfare policies were introduced. The reality was society failed those who couldn't earn a decent wage, ie the disabled, the sick the elderly. Same with any calls of deregulation, first look at why it was bought in in the first place. Glass steagall being an obvious one.

If that is the best Labour can come up with further proof that no matter who you vote for you're voting for no change. Double nothing = nothing