Budget Alternative

Dear Mr. Darling,

Please find below  suggestion for fixing Britain's economy. 

Instead of giving billions of pounds to banks that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan.

You can call it the

Patriotic Retirement Plan:


There are about 20 million people over 50 in the work force.  - Pay them £1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire.  Twenty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.

2) They MUST buy a new British CAR.  Twenty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed.

3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed.

4) They must send their kids to school / college /university - Crime rate fixed

5) Buy £50 of alcohol / tobacco a week there's your money back in duty / tax etc

It can't get any easier than that!

P.S. If more money is needed, have all members of parliament pay back their falsely claimed expenses and second home allowances

I think this would work.

:y :y :y  ;D

Fantastic idea, im with you.....

Sounds good to me  :y :y :y :y Only need to make it till the end of the year  ;) ;)

"There are about 20 million people over 50 in the work force.  - Pay them £1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:"

I love that idea Iggy! :y :y ;D ;D ;D ;)

Lizzie Zoom wrote on 29. May 2009 at 20:27:

"There are about 20 million people over 50 in the work force.  - Pay them £1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:" I love that idea Iggy! :y :y ;D ;D ;D ;)

Not to be too un-gallant Ms Zoom, were there to be a queue to be formed  I'm afraid I would be inclined to try and push past you for that particular piece of salvation ;D :y   Have I fallen to avarice :-/   I do hope not - perhaps it's more benifical to be happy and relatively healthy :-/ :-/ :-/   than wealthy  :-/ :-/ :-/

wrote on 29. May 2009 at 21:02:

Lizzie Zoom wrote on 29. May 2009 at 20:27: "There are about 20 million people over 50 in the work force.  - Pay them £1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:" I love that idea Iggy! :y :y ;D ;D ;D ;) Not to be too un-gallant Ms Zoom, were there to be a queue to be formed  I'm afraid I would be inclined to try and push past you for that particular piece of salvation ;D :y   Have I fallen to avarice :-/   I do hope not - perhaps it's more benifical to be happy and relatively healthy :-/ :-/ :-/   than wealthy  :-/ :-/ :-/

Perhaps you are correct Zulu -- but in the interests of scientific protocol the hypothesis promulgated by Iggy should be thoroughly tested --- to put it simply ... I'M  IN !!!

wrote on 29. May 2009 at 21:20:

wrote on 29. May 2009 at 21:02: Lizzie Zoom wrote on 29. May 2009 at 20:27: "There are about 20 million people over 50 in the work force.  - Pay them £1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:" I love that idea Iggy! :y :y ;D ;D ;D ;) Not to be too un-gallant Ms Zoom, were there to be a queue to be formed  I'm afraid I would be inclined to try and push past you for that particular piece of salvation ;D :y   Have I fallen to avarice :-/   I do hope not - perhaps it's more benifical to be happy and relatively healthy :-/ :-/ :-/   than wealthy  :-/ :-/ :-/ Perhaps you are correct Zulu -- but in the interests of scientific protocol the hypothesis promulgated by Iggy should be thoroughly tested --- to put it simply ... I'M  IN !!!

I've carefully considered the moral dilemma HC and have come to the only sensible conclusion possible....I'm also in :y  I think :-/ :-/

Sorry guys, but it must be ladies first!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;) ;)

wrote on 29. May 2009 at 21:20:

wrote on 29. May 2009 at 21:02: Lizzie Zoom wrote on 29. May 2009 at 20:27: "There are about 20 million people over 50 in the work force.  - Pay them £1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:" I love that idea Iggy! :y :y ;D ;D ;D ;) Not to be too un-gallant Ms Zoom, were there to be a queue to be formed  I'm afraid I would be inclined to try and push past you for that particular piece of salvation ;D :y   Have I fallen to avarice :-/   I do hope not - perhaps it's more benifical to be happy and relatively healthy :-/ :-/ :-/   than wealthy  :-/ :-/ :-/ Perhaps you are correct Zulu -- but in the interests of scientific protocol the hypothesis promulgated by Iggy should be thoroughly tested --- to put it simply ... I'M  IN !!!

And me......... :y :y :y

Lizzie Zoom wrote on 29. May 2009 at 21:44:

Sorry guys, but it must be ladies first!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;) ;)

What was I thinking -right - that confirms it, money is the root of all evil and leads to nothing but misery and innapropriate behaviour! :...... and perhaps a nice Bristol Blenheim 3.....or maybe a month in Portofino........or should it be ----- ahhhhh I'm in again OK?:y

Too young but blowing over a fifth on school fees is extreme, (3 children, about £10,000 a year, 7 years)

Bit more than the £2000 for the one on a bursary

Martin Imber wrote on 29. May 2009 at 21:55:

Too young but blowing over a fifth on school fees is extreme, (3 children, about £10,000 a year, 7 years) Bit more than the £2000 for the one on a bursary

Youth, Martin does have some advantages - like not having to get up in the middle of the night to visit the facilities ;D :y

wrote on 29. May 2009 at 22:04:

Martin Imber wrote on 29. May 2009 at 21:55: Too young but blowing over a fifth on school fees is extreme, (3 children, about £10,000 a year, 7 years) Bit more than the £2000 for the one on a bursary Youth, Martin does have some advantages - like not having to get up in the middle of the night to visit the facilities ;D :y

I wish I was younger, mid 40 is bad enough with three pests at 11, 9 and 9.

That said losing weight is brilliant, but have to be careful with food.

Had a lovely steak today, but lots of salad as well.

Martin Imber wrote on 29. May 2009 at 22:07:

wrote on 29. May 2009 at 22:04: Martin Imber wrote on 29. May 2009 at 21:55: Too young but blowing over a fifth on school fees is extreme, (3 children, about £10,000 a year, 7 years) Bit more than the £2000 for the one on a bursary Youth, Martin does have some advantages - like not having to get up in the middle of the night to visit the facilities ;D :y I wish I was younger, mid 40 is bad enough with three pests at 11, 9 and 9. That said losing weight is brilliant, but have to be careful with food. Had a lovely steak today, but lots of salad as well.

Know what you mean Martin - it's keeping it off is the thing.  I wish there was an easy answer to it :y

wrote on 29. May 2009 at 22:10:

Martin Imber wrote on 29. May 2009 at 22:07: wrote on 29. May 2009 at 22:04: Martin Imber wrote on 29. May 2009 at 21:55: Too young but blowing over a fifth on school fees is extreme, (3 children, about £10,000 a year, 7 years) Bit more than the £2000 for the one on a bursary Youth, Martin does have some advantages - like not having to get up in the middle of the night to visit the facilities ;D :y I wish I was younger, mid 40 is bad enough with three pests at 11, 9 and 9. That said losing weight is brilliant, but have to be careful with food. Had a lovely steak today, but lots of salad as well. Know what you mean Martin - it's keeping it off is the thing.  I wish there was an easy answer to it :y

Not eating crap and walking more seems to help.

As soon as it feels like you are dieting it fails

Martin Imber wrote on 29. May 2009 at 22:53:

wrote on 29. May 2009 at 22:10: Martin Imber wrote on 29. May 2009 at 22:07: wrote on 29. May 2009 at 22:04: Martin Imber wrote on 29. May 2009 at 21:55: Too young but blowing over a fifth on school fees is extreme, (3 children, about £10,000 a year, 7 years) Bit more than the £2000 for the one on a bursary Youth, Martin does have some advantages - like not having to get up in the middle of the night to visit the facilities ;D :y I wish I was younger, mid 40 is bad enough with three pests at 11, 9 and 9. That said losing weight is brilliant, but have to be careful with food. Had a lovely steak today, but lots of salad as well. Know what you mean Martin - it's keeping it off is the thing.  I wish there was an easy answer to it :y Not eating crap and walking more seems to help. As soon as it feels like you are dieting it fails

I took some off a while ago and find it easier to manage by having absolutely nothing to eat between meals.  Takes a while to get used to but eventually you get into a routine. 

I always cooked from fresh - no processed stuff - but it helps if you have the routine.  A bit more difficult to follow the doctrine if one has young mouths to feed however :y

Martin Imber wrote on 29. May 2009 at 22:07:

..... mid 40 is bad enough with three pests at 11, 9 and 9. ........

You must've been slow off the mark! ;) I'm in my late/mid 40's  ::) and mine are 20 & 21 ..... & they both live elsewhere!  ;)  ;)


Martin Imber wrote on 29. May 2009 at 22:07:

.... Had a lovely steak today, but lots of salad as well.

That's what I had for my tea tonight!  .......  ;)  ;) :y

Iggy for PM!!!!!!! ;D