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[Littlebuddha]

No its not Bevc I did try to find the article again but I thow out my papers when I have finished with them I have been looking for it but cannot find it. Sorry about that but if you want to check it I am sure you could go to the times website you will find it.

[Bevc]

Thanks LB

Actually LB, I think that it was the article, albeit an edited version for online.  Though now, I can't even read what I had read, since I need to purchase a subscription.

I think the report was for the Scottish Government, and though there might be timing issues (through negotiations), Beveridge didn't foresee any major issues with separation from the rest of the UK.

Link to the full report - all 226 pages

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0041/00414291.pdf

[Elly]

^ That's a powerful argument - no doubt about it... 

[Aileen]

^ Care for the elderly is in danger of being compromised by this freezing, and in Edinburgh (and I'm sure we aren't alone) the number of refuse collections has been reduced for the past two years at least.  Bins used to be emptied twice a week, now it's only once, with the result that by the time collections are made many of them, mainly the considerable number of communal ones, are overflowing with rubbish, thereby adding to Edinburgh's litter problem.  The Council though now have plans in place to track down people (by tagging offending bin bags) and slapping them with a fine if they (a) leave bags beside bins because they're full, or (b) put bags in the bins so's the lid can't be closed.  Just how they think this tagging method will work is beyond me.  Also the Council have said that binmen will refuse to empty overflowing bins, something else the logic of which defeats me.

[Bevc]

^ Care for the elderly is in danger of being compromised by this freezing, and in Edinburgh (and I'm sure we aren't alone) the number of refuse collections has been reduced for the past two years at least.  Bins used to be emptied twice a week, now it's only once, with the result that by the time collections are made many of them, mainly the considerable number of communal ones, are overflowing with rubbish, thereby adding to Edinburgh's litter problem.  The Council though now have plans in place to track down people (by tagging offending bin bags) and slapping them with a fine if they (a) leave bags beside bins because they're full, or (b) put bags in the bins so's the lid can't be closed.  Just how they think this tagging method will work is beyond me.  Also the Council have said that binmen will refuse to empty overflowing bins, something else the logic of which defeats me.

Interesting re care for elderly since about a fifth of Scotland's population is over 65.

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-270247

I know our old neighbours in Doncaster complain about refuse collection. Where we live here, you purchase bags for your rubbish. If it's not in the proper bag, they don't take it. It costs about $3 per bag. Recyling is free. We pay for garden waste collection and you have to pay to take items to the tip (apart from recycling).

[Littlebuddha]

Another thing I forgot to mention is the Council Tax which will commence again on the 1st of April. It is to remain at the same cost as last year. So that's good as the cost of living is getting higher over the past couple of months food prices have has a big raise. I am dreading the increases for the cost of power and gas. The UK government are always saying they want the fuel cost to customers to be at the cheapest tariff they are living in cloud cuckoo land. British Gas say they are going to increase there charges by 11%.

[Aileen]

In Fife we have 4 Bins per household. One for paper, plastic and tins, food waste and one for landfill. The bin men work 2 shifts so some bins are emptied in the afternoon. It works pretty well and the streets are clean. The town centre is kept tidy. So no complains from me.

The City of Edinburgh Council is about to introduce bins for food waste in addition to the ones already in existence, but refuse collection will still be once a week.  While it's probably not too bad for single properties, it certainly isn't for the many areas where properties are tenements and where communal street bins are used.

Another thing I forgot to mention is the Council Tax which will commence again on the 1st of April. It is to remain at the same cost as last year. So that's good as the cost of living is getting higher over the past couple of months food prices have has a big raise. I am dreading the increases for the cost of power and gas. The UK government are always saying they want the fuel cost to customers to be at the cheapest tariff they are living in cloud cuckoo land. British Gas say they are going to increase there charges by 11%.

I think this will be the 3rd consecutive year that that has happened.  On one hand, it's welcome news, especially as the State Pension has been increased by a measly amount, but on the other hand, local services are suffering and people start complaining about that.  So

I don't know how British Gas still has any customers left.  £606m in profits last year is obscene, yet they're still going to increase costs?  As far as I know they have the highest costs for gas and electricity of all the energy suppliers.  It's high time Westminster really did put its foot down, both with them and all the other energy companies, instead of just threatening to do so.

[Mark]

I used to hear this guy a lot on Radio 2, giving tips on how to save money.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheapenergyclub

I love Martin Lewis. If I was gay, I'd totally want to marry him