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Reply | Migrants welcome in Wales says Baroness Morgan
at 23:01 4 Dec 2025
The concept behind the Bill is sound.
The Bill is intended to deliver what Whiterockin as mentioned in his post. If it’s successful and implemented effectively, it would hand ministers and Transport for Wales the power to franchise bus services across Wales, replacing the deregulated model that has operated since 1986 under the Transport Act.
When the buses were deregulated back in 1986, it became a bit of a free for all and there was a lack of integration and joined up services across England and Wales ….. except for London which was not excluded from the provisions of the Act.
If we can get buses to run smoothly, connect with trains etc etc it’ll make life a lot easier for a lot of people. Can’t see the logic in having a system where public transport is disconnected and disfunctional.
The fly in the ointment is whether the politicians can follow through and implement the legislation effectively. |
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Reply | How much?!
at 21:36 3 Dec 2025
It’s extortionate.
I took my mum shopping earlier and she bought a book of second class stamps, was around £7. I had no idea first class stamps were so expensive. A mate of mine was a postie until he retired a few months ago, he recommends sending all post second class as there’s only 1 delivery these days and that’s if your lucky. Even though there’s a requirement to deliver first class letters the next day, “management” want the parcels to have priority even that means not doing the letters as they are supposed to. My mate told me as there is not OT available, if you have a heavy round with lots of parcels letters aren’t delivered and their taken back to the depot for the next day, or the next day or the next day. |
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Reply | Two city rugby
at 22:52 1 Dec 2025
If I owned the Ospreys and loved my team, if the WRU offered me the chance to buy a new franchise at the expense of the team I loved I’d tell them to do one!
Where does that leave St Helens redevelopment? The whole thing is a mess. |
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Reply | Tulip Siddiq sentenced to two years imprisonment
at 12:45 1 Dec 2025
Whatever one’s thoughts are on her, I think we all have to recognise that Bangladesh is a very corrupt country and there’s the possibility these are politically motivated charges and a politically motivated outcome.
Things like this happen in dodgy places, Navalny and Russia, Roman Protasevich in Belarus, Imran Khan in Pakistan and many many others. |
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Reply | The Senedd and trees
at 21:31 30 Nov 2025
I’ve just googled it and it’s £270k per year. No idea about Carwyn Jones. |
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Reply | Harry Wilson goal 😯
at 10:32 30 Nov 2025
Great effort fair play.
At the end of the clip the Spurs keeper looks like he’s having a go at his team mates, he was the cause of that! |
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Reply | Wales Autumn internationals
at 18:15 29 Nov 2025
I only saw some of the second half, but we were outplayed, outmuscled and outclassed. Normally, quite a few of the players in representing Wales today wouldn’t be anywhere near a 6 Nations match day squad.
I appreciate this game was arranged a while ago and before we plumbed to depths we have now, but the people at the top of the WRU need to take a long look at this debacle and themselves.
I mentioned a potential 80 point drubbing in this thread earlier this week, it gives me no pleasure to say I was almost right. A trip to Twickenham on the first weekend of a February is not something we’ll be looking forward to. |
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Reply | Wales Autumn internationals
at 22:41 27 Nov 2025
Agreed.
A hammering will also damage the value of the “brand” and could even put the players at risk. This game, is in my opinion stupid and unnecessary. I could also harm the finances at some clubs because the clubs had to order and pay for tickets a fair while ago and some clubs have really struggled to sell their allocations. You can buy half price tickets on FB from legitimate sources. [Post edited 27 Nov 22:43]
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Reply | Wales Autumn internationals
at 21:16 27 Nov 2025
TBH I’m hoping that’s the case, because if the Saffers put out anything like a first team our reserves will be on the wrong side of a mauling, possibly 80 odd points. That’ll do the game in Wales no good whatsoever. |
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Reply | Migrartion Figures - Latest
at 19:04 27 Nov 2025
Spot on.
Despite the big fall in net migration, the number arriving was still 900,000 which is an enormous figure.
109,000 more Brits left than arrived, could that a flight of the rich, brain drain or pensioners bailing out to sunnier climes?
Less EU citizens coming here to work, it will be interesting to see the breakdown of who is arriv8ng and from where and the SPLY comparison . |
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Reply | Next three games
at 23:09 26 Nov 2025
I think they’re going to be really tough games. None of those teams are enjoying much success, but I was really disheartened watching last nights game. If they carry on in that vein of form it’s not inconceivable they could lose all three games.
I’m going to stick my neck on the block say 4 points. |
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Reply | Child poverty 2 child benefit cap abolished
at 22:59 26 Nov 2025
Your are right about the 60%.
There are 2 definitions of child poverty in the U.K. but a number of other bodies and organisations use ther measures such as ‘deep poverty”
The first official measure of child poverty is defined as “Relative Poverty” which is having a household income below 60% of the national median. Given that the median income is the halfway point, we’re always going to be in a position where half the population gets more than the median figure while the other half gets less. The current medium household income including benefits is £41k per year, so in effect the 60% figure is £24,600pa.
This second measure is “absolute poverty” where the threshold is fixed at 60% of the 2010/11 median income adjusted for inflation. In the 2023/24 financial year, the absolute poverty line is considered to be 60% of the median income in the 2010/11 base year, adjusted for inflation. The corresponding income level after housing costs was approximately £299 per week or £15.5k per annum.
There are a millions in relative poverty and according to the IFS around 520,000 in absolute poverty. Maybe we need to get rid of the relative poverty figure because using that measure it’ll never be eradicated and go for a more meaningful actual figure . |
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Reply | Budget published early - by mistake!
at 22:26 26 Nov 2025
I too am a landlord albeit accidentally. I totally get that some landlords are unscrupulous and that they let out substandard properties that aren’t fit for habitation and there are some pretty poor tenants who have no regard for other peoples property. On the other hand, there are good landlords and good tenants, so striking an effective balance is important.
I personally would have allowed the continuation of Section 21 notices, but ensured that tenants had a long notice period so they could make alternative arrangements. In cases where a Section 8 notices is enquired ( including rent arrears, damage to the property, breach of contract, or anti-social behaviour) these matters should be expedited, however the lack of time at the County Court can result in lengthy delays which can cost the landlord a fortune.
If landlords continue to bail out in large numbers, it’s going to mean less rental opportunities, higher costs and an adverse impact on social mobility for jobs etc. |
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Reply | The (partial) end of trial by Jury
at 21:58 26 Nov 2025
Lots of good points being made in this thread.
There are pro’s and con’s to the suggestion, but for run of the mill cases to me it goes against the concept of “British Justice” and we should retain trial by jury. For the complex cases, massive frauds which take months and months to be heard that should be trial by Judge.
What concerns me is how we’ve got in to the situation where it can take years and years to get a case to Court.
When a defendant is on remand in prison, the Crown has 182 days to get the case to trial or the prisoner will be released on bail unless an application is made to extend the CTL ( Custody Time Limit) however getting an extension of the CTL can be very difficult.
People accused of serious crimes, but not remanded in Custody can wait years for their case to be heard. Imagine an innocent person having been maliciously accused of a sexual offence having to wait 3 years for the chance to prove your innocence…..but it’s not just suspects, imagine being a victim of crime and having to wait years and years for your day in Court and to get justice. A victim (possibly a rape victim) could be waiting years for a Court date if the suspect is out on bail. That can’t be right.
We’re in this situation because of the way Cameron’s government “dismantling” of the criminal justice system. |
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Reply | Budget Speculation - Part Deux 2025
at 21:34 26 Nov 2025
Many outlets reporting the real surprise about the budget was that the government's financial position is nowhere near as bad as had been suggested in the run-up. That said, “Middle England” is being squeezed and expected to pay more in taxes to support the increase in “state benefits.
The question I’d pose is this budget going to make work pay? Based on what I’ve read so far the jury is out, but I can’t see many incentives to encourage people off benefits and in to work. I’ve no issue paying a little extra for better medical services so I can see a doctor when I want to, get an MRI when I need one etc, paying for the roads, care for the elderly, but I can’t say I’m too pleased about shelling out for someone who’s decided to have 5 or 6 or 8 kids and who doesn’t (or may never) have worked. If there’s a need to increase the amount being paid, why not increase it peace-meal, 3 kids you get full allowance for first 2, 60% for the 3rd, 25% for the fourth and nothing after that, with maybe an exception for a multiple birth e.g. triplets or quads during a second or third pregnancy pushing a parent over the threshold. |
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Reply | Immigration. Labour seem more active than the Tories were.
at 20:57 26 Nov 2025
Illegal migrants going missing is not a new phenomenon, it’s been going on for decades and decades and they invariably end up working illegally or in the black economy.
To deal with the issue would require a huge amount of resources, because numbers of border force staff were cut post 2010 and they’d be playing catch up of a back log from many years ago.
Lots of the people and “children” who go “missing” head towards London where they link in with family, friends and other contacts who can sort them out with work. Unless they are locked up in secure environment, it’s impossible to stop them going missing.
What’s happening is a scandal, but it’s not a new issue. [Post edited 26 Nov 21:21]
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Reply | Swansea City v Derby County : Match day thread
at 23:36 25 Nov 2025
I’d have thought Matos would have taken advice or even let Leon and Joey pick the team because I suspect he doesn’t really know a lot about the players.
I’ve just got back from the game, very disappointing effort. Totally agree with your comments about sideways, backwards and farting around. There was very little urgency, very little attacking intent and this triangle ********s trying to play it out of defence has to stop, the whole concept of triangles is pass and move in to space to receive the ball back and that’s not something the Swans players seem able to do, they just pass it around and invite pressure which inevitably comes when they lose the ball.
Ronald had a tough night at the office, he was invariably receiving the ball from short passes which were slow and late and usually when the defender was crawling all over him. He has pace, but didn’t have the physicality to be able to hold off his marker, so under these circumstances playing balls to his feet is ineffective. The midfield need to play the ball early behind the defender so he can run on to it, but when they’re doing the aimless tiki taka @@@@ it’s a complete waste.
Based on tonight, there’s a real chance of being relegated. |
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Reply | Everton send off
at 21:58 24 Nov 2025
Great result for Everton, David Moyes will be pleased. After playing most of the match with 10 men picking up a win is very decent. It also prevents Man Utd going top 5 which is a Brucie bonus. |
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Reply | The Covid Inquiry
at 17:35 24 Nov 2025
I’ve no doubt the wrong person was in charge!
The enquiry referred to February 2020 as “a lost month” and it certainly looks that way. Boris was on holiday for 4 days at his grace and favour country home and on the days he did work there are suggestions it was minimal. On top of his holidays, he failed to attend around 5 COBR meetings some of which were chaired by Matt Hancock.
I’d have thought that staring down the barrel of a potential pandemic and seeing what was happening in Italy, he’d have shown a bit more interest and leadership. I don’t begrudge anyone having a holiday, but if a really serious issues is starting to emerge I’d expect the person in charge to step up to the plate.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/nov/22/boris-johnson-took-four-days-of |
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