General Chat

Our local hospital was closed down - it was in the city centre and old, and apparently not a viable proposition to update any more. It is now a housing estate. The new hospital was built miles out of the city, with insufficent access by road so hoohah all about that, nothing else nearby but you still have to pay for carparking, pay on exit., first 1/2 hr free. I just managed to whizz in and get a blood test done and out again to get free parking the other day - made my day.

So Smiling Tony has got back in with his side-kick Gordon and they say they are gonna listen ....... if you believe that you believe anything ! You can bet that National Insurance contributions are going to rise. Then with the revaluation of properties Council Tax will also rise. And thats just for starters ...... at least the Lib Dems appeared to be a little more honest in saying that they would raise Income Tax and if you are honest with yourself that should be the way to go especially with the disastrous figures that are coming out about a 'black hole in the Treasury finances. In my opinion the problem goes back to the time when, for political purposes, the lower rate of tax was reduced to 10p and everybody was happy with that but didnt think whether we could really afford it. So, when the time comes for tax increases the government will blame the Tories years and years ago and especially Thatcher. Petrol prices seem to be highest they ever been - where are the lorries etc., which were blockading the roads at a time , a few years back, when prices rose ? It will be interesting to see what happens to house prices this summer cos if the interest dont come back into a two-way market then a recession will come earlier rather than later. I.m an OAP and can see how pension increases have been eroded in the past five years despite all the 'perks' that appear to have been given .... and I dont see that there is gonna be much change in that position, though it would be nice to have a pension scheme equal to some of our Euro friends.

Lol Bob.

You've paid into the system and you are entitled to avail yourself of the facilities.

Bendy,........And they can park where they like......... very much, tongue in cheek there.............

Ride in an ambulance - they get free parking

lol.

This must be that window of opportunity I keep hearing about. Jan :-))

Too late Jan - every window you have ever owned is on a database somewhere just waiting to be turned into a bill!!

Do I have to stop looking out then. Oh Jeez. May as well stop cleaning them LOL. Jan :-))

I guess apart from the revenue generated, hospital carparks charge to deter people from using them as carparking when they aren't visiting the hospital. As for taxes - just think how useful all our tax returns/council tax forms etc will be for future generations of researchers. They will know by the council tax what kind of property we had. They could probably do an assessment of our major illnesses when they have our health records and see if we got more out of the system than we paid in tax, or vice versa! nell

The window tax may be re-introduced as well Jan - you have been warned, lol.

Oh no Wendy, not more tax!!!! Jan :-)) Actually now I've thought about it, I don't think it's the hospital at all, it's possibly the Local Council. Now what do they do with it - not give it to the hospital I'll wager. J xx

The hospitals need to earn revenue somewhere - if the parking charges are abolished then tax must increase to cover the shortfall.

Peter is that a play on words LOL. I agree, my nearest is the Kent and Canterbury and the parking charges there are horrendous. Jan :-)

Yes, I get less MPG than most of my mates - but I also get very annoyed when I see cars without road tax, when I pay mine. If I paid road tax at the same time as I paid my fuel bill I wouldn't be paying any more than I am now. Not only that people who have no road tax, I believe, also have no insurance. I'll stand corrected if I'm wrong there. Yes, I agree something has to be done and quick. Jan :-))

Are you aware that all county and local councils have had to review and re-assess the pay/jobs of public service employees? Single people who work in benefits offices are so lowly paid that they have to claim benefits!!!! maggie

Something should be done about hospital car parks you go for an appointment...not sure if you will have to wait, so to be safe you buy a ticket for a longer time.......... why can they not introduce a Pay on exit system.? Bob

Jan, bigger car less MPG, so more gallons required to cover the same distance as a smaller engined car......... I DO agree something has to be done about road tax dodgers.........Bob

You've lost me Bob LOL. Some would say I've got a bigger car, but I pay my road tax. Those that don't would have to contribute if the cost of road tax was on fuel instead of people's honesty - or otherwise. Jan