So apparently, according to the BBC budget calculator thing, we will be £420 odd quid a year worse off, and that doesn't include the extra 44 quid a month they want in pension contributions a month for the privilege of working an extra couple of years to get a grand or so less a year of pension.
So lets call it £900 a year to get £1000 less pension that I will statistically die before being able to claim because I had to work longer.
And let's not mention the proposed extra hours teachers might be expected to work (for no extra pay, but we are used to that I guess), no notice inspections and performance management targets to be linked to a new fast track dismissal process.
Nice....
We're all doomed to a life of missery in Rip Off Britain. Awesome.
ReplyDeleteOn the upside, it is an even bigger incentive to commute on the bike more often :-)
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of people will be dusting the bikes off to ride to work this spring/summer with the price of everything going up. Hopefully some will carry it on full time. Be nice to see the UK become a more cycle friendly country. I ride to work every working day in any weather but it's only a few miles away.
ReplyDeleteThe 8.5 miles to work (10.5 on the way back to avoid a particularly nasty hill) isn't the problem. It's the 1,200 feet of climbing on the way in and 1,600 feet on the way back that makes it a bit like hard work. Still, there are plans afoot to speed up the commute (apart from getting a bit fitter ;-) ).
ReplyDeleteTaking the ice tyres off for instance might help! And swapping the frame for an older, but lighter one might also make the hills a little easier...
Wow, that is a tough ride to work by the sounds of it. That will set you up for the day haha. I can see how that would take some motivation to jump on the bike first thing in a morning. Just doing that comute would be the fastest way to get fitter.
ReplyDeleteThose two would proably help a great deal. Good luck with it. :)
It's quite good fun in places, plunging down the steepest hill on my, let me think, 9 year old, relatively poorly maintained hybrid at a top speed (according to the gps) of 56 mph is a rush! Coming back up is a lethal drag so I go around it but all in all it is a pretty good commute. It is a bit catch 22 though. Don't do it that often due to time restraints really, won't get much quicker until I am much fitter, won't get much fitter until I commute more...
ReplyDeleteWow! That steepest hill sounds really fun on the way down... and a bit dangerous. haha. 56Mph is really really fast on a bike, but the old hybrid type bikes are usually the fastest, like old shopper bikes.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean with the catch 22 & having the spare time. The best way to get ride fit is to ride I guess. Incredible weather for it now, it was like a hot summer day when I finished work today. Would have taken the Hardrock for a little off road spin but had to phone the bike shop..... again! Still no joy on that front.