Britain to become the biggest country in Europe by 2050

[sasguru]

"In England the regions with the lowest proportions of their workforce in the public sector were the South East and the East Midlands (both 18 per cent). In contrast the North East (24 per cent) and the North West (21 per cent) had the highest proportions."

18 percent vs 21 percent is hardly much of a difference. So apart from 1 slight outlier in a traditionally deprived region (NE) most of the England is homogenous in State provided employment.

Scroll down to see proportion of people with no qualifications by region:

http://www.poverty.org.uk/59/index.shtml

[Foxy Moron]

That seems to contradict the other assertions with the NE and Scotland doing quite well compared to London.

There are a lot of confounding factors at work here. Population mobility/economic migration being one.

[sasguru]

Ok joking aside - it seems to me that London has more in common with New York, say, than Manchester, problems in the City notwithstanding.
There is a particular global outlook here that is not shared in the regions.

[Foxy Moron]

It's the capital FFS, everything economicly trickles from or to it. Therefore, It doesn't just belong to Londoners (many are foreigners anyway with less claim). It belongs to the citizens of the UK. It seems to me apart from a few blackspots, we are all contributting. The economy is much more complex than it used to be, making some of these stats deceptive.

[DimPrawn]

Ok joking aside - it seems to me that London has more in common with New York, say, than Manchester, problems in the City notwithstanding.
There is a particular global outlook here that is not shared in the regions.

Yes, both New York and London finacial centres are both effectively bankrupt.

[denver2k]

I can not understand whats the actual point of discussion here......Started off with population and going towards North/South debate.

Anyways, for me, the way forward is "Abolish benefits system". Only give it to really needy one like Old people,Disabled etc. No benefits for Junkies etc. No housing , council benefits to any one.

And, strictly no benefit at all for people who try "producing" as many kids as possible. Parents are only responsible for their kids. Taxpayers/State must not pay them a penny for Child benefits and stuff (Tax discounts for Parents are fair enought though).

Now, dont get me wrong, I love kids and if i get married i would love to have a cricket team of kids(only if i can afford them). But im just sick of all this benefits culture. Approx 2million people are unemployed at the moment, but im sure about 1 million or 0.5 million had never arsed to do any work anyway and live on benefits.

I read an article about a family in East Glasgow, who'v been on benefits from last 40 years. No one never ever worked and their 17 year also got a kid....

And the fact of life is that people who come from abroad are just here either because there are not enough people to work or ppl here dont wana work and prefer claiming benefits.

So, Reduce taxes and reduce benefits....Bring back lazy people to work and thats the way forward.....

PS: Someone mentioned polygamy. Last time when i checked it was illegal in Britain.There are hundreds of other illegal ways to do nasty things. So dont moan about that please.

[ASB]

Someone mentioned polygamy. Last time when i checked it was illegal in Britain.There are hundreds of other illegal ways to do nasty things. So dont moan about that please.

I can't be arsed to look up the detail but a few years ago there was a guy arrived with more than 1 wife. Naurally only one was recognised. The guy was somewhat affronted and launched a campaign (possibly to Europe) which did eventually get his muliple wives partially recognised.

[oracleslave]

I can't be arsed to look up the detail but a few years ago there was a guy arrived with more than 1 wife. Naurally only one was recognised. The guy was somewhat affronted and launched a campaign (possibly to Europe) which did eventually get his muliple wives partially recognised.

He should have been forced to select the one with the biggest bakery products.

[Foxy Moron]

Fanny Craddock?

[Cyberman]

PS: Someone mentioned polygamy. Last time when i checked it was illegal in Britain.There are hundreds of other illegal ways to do nasty things. So dont moan about that please.

Polygamy is going strong in the UK among muslims and benefits are available to all of a man's wives. The authorities just turn a blind-eye as they seem to do with everything non-English/Christian related. Jack Straw incidentally lives in a marginal seat where there are many polygamists, so do you really wonder.