Or Kier Starmer? Was he a pauper then 🤣. Locally my MP is a Lib Dem, don't care what she earns, but she's brilliant. I'd never vote for Ed Davey in a general election though. Democracy has gone now anyway.. I'm just hoping that by the time Labour give the vote to 16 year olds, they'll have seen sense 😅

Anyone checkout Rishi Sunak?

Yes, ours (Julian Lewis) is on £699 declared - can’t begrudge him that, when he does such a lot for his constituents. I do wish he would use email, though, not insist on letters.

I'm pleased looking at our MP, he's hardly earned anything above his salary.

In Germany if there's a suitable job anywhere near you have to apply to it, dole is paid monthly into banks,, & there are many spot checks.

In UK you sign fortnightly, & can't go out of UK on holiday when claiming dole.

In Rep of Ireland you may go worldwide on holiday & collect dole on return, sign & collect cash at a certain time weekly at local labour exchanges or police stns.

Little Owl - fish and chips now needs to be paid for over several months. 🙂

GJD - not so. The site itself is apolitical but Politics is an accepted subject for debate within the usual restrictions of courtesy, tolerance, etc.

I'm reminded of when some crooked politician thought that the unemployed should be forced to work for their dole money.

If the job exists it should pay the going rate.

I find this "buy now pay later" for days out with the kids amusing. You can walk in the woods, go to a park or a beach and take sandwiches and a flask or lemonade for next to nowt. I know public transport is a problem and it is expensive, but we used to have bus trips to the coast when I was young. We only needed money for fish & chips and ice-cream.

Well said ANN, totally agree with you.

There are jobs out there for those that want them, but so many youngsters these days have seen their parents live on the dole very nicely and want the same. DWP used to say things like TV, computers, nights out, etc were luxuries, and although the internet is pretty much required now many other things are luxuries which if you don't have the money you shouldn't have. That is what work is for, followed by saving. People were being asked on the News, would you use buy now pay later for days out for kids, as they're now talking about paying by Klarna, many said yes. Why??? We were brought up to save and not buy on hire purchase. If you didn't have the money you did without. It's a great incentive to work but people don't believe in it now. They want everything now, on a plate.

I thought that this site was non-political.

Chris, I wrote to the Chancellor recently and suggested that they bring back the proper jobs (libraries, leisure centres, community centres, etc) lost when Cameron and Osborne decided that everything should be run by volunteers or charities. No doubt they thought it was a good idea at the time, but in reality they are paying the same money out in benefits to people who would otherwise have secure jobs with a pension. There also used to be council bungalows with warden houses attached where they had community areas downstairs and the wardens had a home in a flat above. The kind of people who volunteer to run libraries, etc., have all had their pensions stuffed so it was a flawed idea in the first place. I also suggested they give some kind of incentives to employ people on 2-year or 4-year contracts. If you know you have a secure job you can make plans. Instead of collecting litter why don't they crack down on the idiots who drop it in the first place. Years ago, we used to have good YTS schemes - what happened to those.

Criminals haven’t yet realised that, from the exact moment that they commit a crime, their facts are fixed and frozen in time. Crime solving, however, progresses - 40 years ago there was no DNA, 100 years ago there was no fingerprinting. You can’t go back and change what you have done once a new process is found, eg wiping away fingerprints when fingerprinting was found, bleaching surfaces to remove DNA or wishing you had worn a protective tyvek suit.

The death penalty never worked and never will work. Extensive studies have all shown it had no impact on crime rates and just meant that innocent people died. Increasing the certainty of punishment (i.e. getting better at catching crooks) is the only thing that works as a deterrent, not the severity of the punishment itself.

Update: I've just read that all five lads were suspects in several thefts and burglaries and other anti social behaviour, and each was wearing a mask when the bodies were recovered. Well, there was talk on here recently about bringing back the death penalty. I'm guessing a number of people in their town will sleep easier now knowing they won't have to put up with all the trouble they caused. It's really sad they had to involve another family but at least it's the last time they'll cause anyone any more trouble. The death penalty does work.

I wasn't aware why it had happened, only that a car had been driven the wrong way. I'm all for people killing themselves whether through bad driving, drugs or whatever as long as they don't take innocent people with them. I've no thought for the families of those same ones, as they're generally the ones who should have brought them up better. It's like the young kids going out stabbing each other. I just watched a program where an innocent young man had been killed and hadn't been carrying a weapon, but it was later shown he had earlier run through a shopping centre with a machete chasing one of the lads that days later got him back. I say carry on, the less idiots there are the better, just keep innocent people out of it.

@AJR - young people don't actually understand what death is. Partly because many of them have never been exposed to it in the way that we were (many of us had lost a close relative or friend by that age), partly because of an assumption that 'it only happens to other people,' and, I fear, partly because of video games in which, if you are 'killed,' there is a convenient 'Resume' button that lets you carry on.

But, above all this, is this mad obsession with gaining 'likes' on social (???) media because that is how youth culture (sic) values people and that's why young people will do the most stupid things if it will gain another few followers,

The Darwin Awards really should be sponsored by social media firms.

I heard this tragic story and wondered how they came to be driving the wrong way - can't believe people can be so stupid - their poor parents are the ones who will suffer. The people who post these challenges should be jailed.

The Social Media Algorithms should send anyone who looks at these things to a site showing the death and destruction caused by such stupidity.

I read this yesterday and I’m still trying to work out why anyone would do this.

Even worse is the car they hit was a family heading to the airport for their holiday. Horrible.

They're click bait, many don't say what they're for, & very rarely will tell you the price . Dunno why some even bother to advertise, ignore them.

Yes same here but just wondered what they were

.

Yes, I 've seen it a few times but just ignored it.

ESC - The adds are not selected by PMP, they have no control over them, so as Mick says, please ignore them.

Yes, I have had. No idea what it about. Just scrolled past do don't know if there was an option to close.

Haven't seen it (yet) but as it's a Google ad just ignore it, or if it has a blue X top right, click it to remove. If it has 3 dots in that place use that, give a reason and that will remove it .... maybe for a while.

I'm late to the conversation so I'll just say that I'm glad to hear that the boiler is sorted.

Bisto Kid. That may work in some areas. My relative tried in June and didn’t get one response. Maybe if you’re in or near an urban area? The tradesmen in my area are all booked up for many months ahead…ok for a job that can wait but hopeless for something that needs fixing.

Hi Em, So glad you have managed get your boiler sorted. Great advice from all PMP'ers above. I too am clueless when it comes to household fixes. My first port of call is My Builder .co.uk. post the job you want sorting and a list of suitable tradespeople in your area will come up, all are vetted with genuine reviews and you can tick as many as you want. The tradesmen who are interested will reply to you and offer their services. Choose two or three you like the sound of and contact them by their email provided. Being local they will come and have a look at the job, quote and make an appointment. I have had some super people answer my posts from building a shed to fix a dripping tap. I heartily recommend them.

Glad all ok now Em.

Glad you're all sorted Em. Like Beth suggested, it's a good idea to keep a note of reliable tradespeople for future reference. We found a great plumber recommended by our neighbour, so if you find someone like that, keep their number, it's worth their weight in gold! I would also make a note of where important things are that you can check for yourself - like where the stopcock is, how to turn off the gas etc. in a emergency and if you feel up to it, learning some basic DIY skills is another great suggestion.

DIY courses at local colleges have already been mentioned. Many years ago, I did a short course, DIY for Ladies. OK, the first couple of weeks were not the most useful, mainly about wiring plugs (I've had plenty of practice with that!) but it became much more interesting. However, the unexpected benefit was in talking to another of the ladies there, she told me about a social club she belonged to, I decided to give that a try and ended up meeting the guy who is now my husband. Things happen when you least expect it.

Glad your alright now Em. Well done FIL, we do have our uses..

Sorry to hear about your stressful day but great to hear everything’s been sorted.

Some really good advice above…..stored for future use. Nothing is insurmountable on here it seems. 😁

I’m glad it’s all sorted Em. Hooray for Simons Dad😍

Great it got sorted Em. We had that problem when we had the combi boiler installed. Got the plumber to show me what to do when the pressure got low. Used to have to do it every couple of months.

@Em - Worth including Home Emergency Cover in your house insurance when you renew it. A combi boiler doesn't have a hot water tank

Success, father-in-law has fixed it. It was a simple pressure problem and I a) wouldn't have had a clue about which valve it was and b) he couldn't shift it at first, it was incredibly stiff. So I wouldn't have had the strength to do it myself.

Hi Em

I am glad you at least got the bite sorted out.Once again Beth is full of helpful suggestions and I hope the many responses give you some support.

My elderly aunt has Home Serve deal with her boiler and they have always come out very quickly to sort any problems and service the boiler.They charge a monthly fee but boilers are important so might be worth looking into.

Someone also gave you a personal recommendation so if he’s available worth a try?

Beth is right you can do it.No shame in crying but you have already put wheels in motion to help yourself.

Let us know how it goes.

Edit someone else has mentioned Homeserve sorry to duplicate.

Thank you all. My father-in-law is coming any time at all to see if it is something he can help me with and if I can cancel my Friday call out.

The boiler was in our largest bedroom (our room) when we moved in. The kitchen is too small and there is a lean-to enclosing the old outside toilet and the house, so there is nowhere on an outside wall to put it. We paid to have it moved to the loft because the wind from the docks would make the boiler casing move, snap/creak and wake us up. It was the only other place we could put it, without it being in an awful place like our lounge.

This lunchtime I went to see a pharmacist and it was suggested that I buy a hydrocortisone cream and non-drowsy antihistamine then come back if not better in a week. I'm sure it'll soon be fine. Just the itching is so annoying!

Em, it’s time to start your own ‘Info’ book - list the people you try with a note ‘no reply’ or ‘too busy’ or ‘good response’ or whatever. Use a highlighter so if anything happens again you know who to go straight to. You could use the left page for the fault - no hot water, knocking in pipes, no heating or whatever - and the right page for the plumbers you try, and do the same if you need a carpenter, electrician etc. You can do this - you have a good brain and just need to slow down, think it through and ask the right people. Have you got the local Checkatrade leaflets that come through the door? The Herald Online (local free paper) is also very good if you haven’t got an actual copy. Let me know if not and I can look them up for you.

Hi, Em! I hope you manage to find a plumber, preferably one that knows what he's doing! However, I am more concerned about your insect bite. Please make sure you get it looked at by your local pharmacist (as most GPs appear to have gone into hiding) if it looks remotely yucky. Last summer I had a spider bite which required an antibiotic and this summer I have had a bite which needed two courses of antibiotic to shift - it was assumed by a doctor (when I found one!) to be a mosquito bite (after he measured it, took a photo and consulted Dr Google for a good 5 minutes) and it was really nasty. Insects seem to be on the warpath this year, so don't take any chances!

Em,

Give Mike Chivers vortex plumbing and drains a call (I don't want to post his number on here)

Highly recommended!!!

I have cover for the boiler from British Gas which includes annual service. £74 this year. Has been dearer but if you speak to customer services about leaving, the price soon drops. Hope you get sorted Em. Shame some of us aren't nearer and could have had a look. Like PacMan suggested, DIY courses in local colleges may be a good idea and could be good fun. There are lots of female tradespeople now.

I have to agree to no name anon above. We have everything covered through British Gas. It is expensive but we have saved overall. I didn’t agree when my husband added plumbing to it because we had a good reliable local plumber but we had a water leak right under the middle of the house. It took a couple of days to fix and involved Severn Trent. It cost us not a penny more than our usual payment.

I must admit, I wouldn’t have a clue about home repairs. I’ve had annual policies with British Gas for boiler service, repairs and central heating cover and with Homeserve for electrics, plumbing and drains for several years. Have had 3 different issues over 4 years. Really prompt attendance and solutions.

Some people say they’re expensive but I personally consider them essential as I have peace of mind, no panic, no time spent trying to find someone reliable etc.

All my issues were solved on day one. 😊

A neighbour recently spent 3 panicked hours trying to get someone to come to a leak. She couldn’t get hold of tradesmen or they were fully booked.. the person who eventually came did a temporary repair at an extortionate price and she still has to sort a permanent fix.

I know these policies aren’t for everyone but ideal for me!

Em, would it be worth asking the plumber the cost for moving the boiler somewhere more accessible? Then if its a simple case of pushing a button for example, you are easily able to do that.

Second point is that our boiler doesn't always get the signal from the thermostat to ignite. It rarely happens for hot water, but has on occasion for heating. Once we move the thermostat nearer it works ( another reason to get the boiler moved).

Probably sounds odd, but we put salt or vinegar on insect bites as a child. I don't know why I just remembered this as I was bit at the weekend and have been using Sudocrem ?

Em' many boiler faults are often an easy fix, as are many issues around the home. Now may not be the time, but going forward think about looking into DiY courses.

My Children blame me for not teaching them stuff that they need to know as an Adult. Nothing to do with them not wanting to listen ! 🙄😁

They put these boilers in some daft places. Ask them if they could take a photo of the front and send it to your phone so you have some info in case it happens again. I hope it will be an easy and inexpensive fix. Look on the positive side - at least it has happened when the weather is warm.

Turn on all your taps, could be an air lock ❤️. Hope you get sorted, dont contact a plumber until you try all whats been recommended first.

My boiler is in my loft and I struggle to get the ladder down. I can do it, but it is heavy for me. So I can't easily see the boiler and I don't know what I'm looking at. I'd have to hang around in a hot loft Googling.

I didn't know who Simon used to book for our yearly services, but my mother-in-law did. So I found their number & called them. They're not available until Friday morning, but I can cope with my kettle until then and using my parents-in-law's shower tomorrow.

Quick fix for insect bites: dab a bit of toothpaste (any sort will do) on and around the puncture, it takes the itch out almost immediately.

Em, do you have a combi boiler? There should be a fault code on the display. Might be pressure or something to do with the valve. I have had that experience in the winter, when there was snow and ice on the ground, and I had problems with the old combi boiler, Taking a kettle into the bathroom and a vacuum pump flask to try and wash myself, while trying to get dry with a wet towel, as the radiators were not working was horrendous. It is impossible to wash your hair properly, Might be worth going to the haidresser. Happened to me over a weekend (on more than one occasion) and this is a council house so had to wait 3 days for it to be fixed - thought I was going to die in this house. Take an antihistamine while you are waiting to see the pharmacist. Bites can be nasty. Could be just a simple problem to do with the water pressure, Check the type of boiler and just key in a question on the internet, eg combi boiler no hot water.

Thank you for giving me steps to follow, Choc.

Enver, I just don't know!

Low water pressure, there's a video on link page "combi boiler no hot water".

If boilers ignition has gone out, did you turn the electric ignition switch or gas off, is your central heating working, or has someone altered the control for DHW temp (Domestic Hot Water)?

Have you a boiler user manual, should be troubleshooting & a ☎helpline in it?

Is your boiler insured or under extended warranty or a maintenance contract with whoever fitted / services it? Quicker & cheaper than a plumber.

Deep breath first. See if Facebook have produced results. Get a call time off the plumber you choose, then go to the pharmacy. I'm sure Marie will cover for that short time, and you can make it up tonight or tomorrow.