Radio 4 and Starmer

Never LizzieDrip, though some posters (sorry names escape me ) say Reform. This seems strange to me, of course it does given my belief systems but. Farrage wants to privatise the NHZ. He has the moral compass of the snake oil salesman that he is.
Cruticise Labkur/tories/ libdems. Especially the tories currently but - those three parties do have long established belief systems that currently they’re trying to bring into today’s challenging world

Iam64

I agree Mamie. The government has started the policies outlined in its manifesto. I know it’s tiring to repeat it but, they inherited a dreadful mess. Every public service in chaos, underfunded, under staffed etc. we knew it was bad but austerity /cameron etc aren’t criticised in the way this govt is.
Those who say we need rid of them - who will be an improvement

Agree Iam.

There appeared to be very little criticism, questioning or challenging of austerity - from any quarters.

We rarely get an answer to your final question, do we🤷‍♀️

I agree Mamie. The government has started the policies outlined in its manifesto. I know it’s tiring to repeat it but, they inherited a dreadful mess. Every public service in chaos, underfunded, under staffed etc. we knew it was bad but austerity /cameron etc aren’t criticised in the way this govt is.
Those who say we need rid of them - who will be an improvement

love0c

The sooner Starmer has gone and taken all his herd with him the better!

Who would you like to replace them love0c?

The sooner Starmer has gone and taken all his herd with him the better!

I think he has done well on the international stage and has built strong relationships with allies. I think the Home Front has been let down by some poor decisions and terrible comms, but there have been achievements.

He’s been successful in the herding cats job that goes with being labour leader . I hope he’s now aware he needs to listen, communicate effectively and fairly rather than assume his mp’s will continue to do as he says

Allsorts

My opinion of Starmer hasn't changed. He should listen more, this new 2 tier system is a farce. Not a fan of Rachel but I see her as a lone figure taking the flack for others decisions. Why can’t he have how own opinions and lead but he sways to and fro. Just as he did through Covid, he sits on the fence until he sees whats favourite no doubt he is pleasant chap but so soppy as a leader.

I agree in that I think Starmer is a decent person but a poor PM so far.
Hoping he will grow as a leader.

I only know what my local school provides Mollygo. Perhaps others can check theirs too and feed back.

My opinion of Starmer hasn't changed. He should listen more, this new 2 tier system is a farce. Not a fan of Rachel but I see her as a lone figure taking the flack for others decisions. Why can’t he have how own opinions and lead but he sways to and fro. Just as he did through Covid, he sits on the fence until he sees whats favourite no doubt he is pleasant chap but so soppy as a leader.

Not sure you know too much about the purchasing power of schools.

NotSpaghetti

Of course our cancer treatment is good here but we present late for screening so apparently tend to have more intractable disease.

My brother in law (a doctor whose family were French) said the French hypochondria serves them well in regards to disease.
He said, they don't tend to sit on minor symptoms.

I suppose most things ard also cheaper if caught earlier.

Yes I would say that is true 😂.
Everyone wants details of my husband's treatment in a way that I don't think people would ask in the UK.
Everyone (including delivery drivers) says, Comment va votre mari? and Bon Courage. 😊

Casdon

Neither does the school breakfast menu, in my local school anyway. Fresh fruit, porridge, peanut butter and high fibre cereals. They use the 50/50 bread as some children won’t eat wholemeal bread. Schools have discretion to purchase food that is suitable.

Thanks Casdon
All this endless meaning is tedious,

Of course our cancer treatment is good here but we present late for screening so apparently tend to have more intractable disease.

My brother in law (a doctor whose family were French) said the French hypochondria serves them well in regards to disease.
He said, they don't tend to sit on minor symptoms.

I suppose most things ard also cheaper if caught earlier.

Cossy

Thank you Mamie Seems your system works pretty well.

However my understanding is Farage favours the USA system of (non) health care

Like everything in France the bureaucracy is massive, but it does work. We have our green cards where everything done is registered by doctors and hospitals and the top-up dealt with without our intervention. As an individual you are responsible for a lot more, so manage your appointments (online) and keep copies of all your records. You also get to see the cost of treatment.
We hand over 30€ to the GP and then get reimbursed. Outside of hospitals medical professionals are effectively self-employed, but well regulated. We get a GP appointment with our own doctor within three days.
DH has had amazing, cutting-edge treatment for cancer.

Neither does the school breakfast menu, in my local school anyway. Fresh fruit, porridge, peanut butter and high fibre cereals. They use the 50/50 bread as some children won’t eat wholemeal bread. Schools have discretion to purchase food that is suitable.

Cossy

Thank you Mamie Seems your system works pretty well.

However my understanding is Farage favours the USA system of (non) health care

You do know that, despite their 'insurance' system, the French state directly invests more money into their health service than does the NHS?

www.health.org.uk/features-and-opinion/features/how-does-uk-health-spending-compare-across-europe-over-the-past

LizzieDrip

eazybee
Free school breakfasts, healthy eating?
Cereal, toast. jam and over sweetened fruit juice?

Sounds fine for children as a start to the day.

Bread and breakfast cereals are fortified with vitamins and minerals. The milk on the cereals = calcium. A bit of jam is fine. The orange juice will probably be a small portion so hardly detrimental in the great scheme of things.

Far better than what many children were having (or not having) for breakfast, I would imagine - and at no cost to parents.

What’s the problem🤔

I agree about the better than nothing,
but since DH has been lectured on the danger of eating meals principally carbohydrates which will encourage diabetes, and the Second Nature course I was referred to for lower cholesterol and to reduce the chance of developing diabetes, claims that breakfast should not be mainly just carbs.
I don’t think the House of Commons Breakfast menu offers just cereal and toast.

Thank you Mamie Seems your system works pretty well.

However my understanding is Farage favours the USA system of (non) health care

LizzieDrip

Cossy

I have some questions too:-

Mamie What is the current rate/s of Income Tax and do you pay National Insurance.

Teazel What exactly is covered by BUPA for £100 a month? That seems incredibly low? How old are you and are you in perfect health?

Last time I had BUPA cover (as a work “benefit”), it was worth £400 a month, it did not cover any pre-existing conditions and had an excess. I just cannot see how BUPA can offer a service such as this for £100 a month?

I was also thinking that the £100 per month for BUPA seems very low, Cossy … interested to know what it covers🤔

We are pensioners, not working, so don't pay the equivalent of National Insurance. We are taxed as a household and get exemptions for age. I think taxation starts at 11,500€ per household, but if you Google tax thresholds in France, the details appear. We are in a higher bracket.
As far as I can tell, for a single person household the threshold for top-up insurance seems to be 10,500€.p.a.

Casdon

I’m guessing eazybee is proposing gruel as the alternative?

Hahaha In my children’s breakfast club, which is still going and was always free, choice of cereal, both sugar free, toast, with or with jam or marmalade, milk or water to drink. For children a very satisfactory breakfast.

Hope it was clear. I didn't have time to edit as our neighbours appeared to help with our glut of cherries

Yes, it was very clear and very informative Mamie.

I am generally interested in how these things work in other countries. Obviously it’s possible to google, but much better to gather experience ‘from the horse’s mouth’.

TBH I hope we don’t go down that road in the UK … but forewarned is forearmed. Much appreciated!

Enjoy the cherries🍒🍒🍒

Labour had an easy time in Opposition for years and are clearly unprepared for the much harder task of Government. I am very disappointed so far and quite shocked that they haven't spent time in Oppositon developing policy and how to implement it. Of course the Tories were even worse but I fear if Starmer doesn't get a grip we shall see Farage in No. 10 which would be an even worse shot in the foot than Brexit.

Mollygo

eazybee

Free school breakfasts, healthy eating?
Cereal, toast. jam and over sweetened fruit juice?

Please don’t say that! KS promised healthy breakfasts.

Give them a nice sugar rush to start the day...🙄

LizzieDrip

Thanks Mamie.

Hope it was clear. I didn't have time to edit as our neighbours appeared to help with our glut of cherries!