MonsterMonster @ MonsterMonster @lemmy.world

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261

Joined

2 yr. ago

On one hand this is good news. On the other hand it represents a problem whereby employers exploit workers via low pay and causes low productivity.

That problem isn't going away too soon unless employers change their stance in paying better wages to get better productivity.

As the saying goes "minimum wage, minimum effort" unfortunately.

Here's an article via the LSE on low wage and productivity.

Here you go...

UK GDPPer Capita

Don't forget that London on the whole voted to remain.

Is that picture of Eylon Levy real? It looks as if he's been caught red handed, oh wait.

In our local surgery the reduction in the number of GP's is noticeable. There were four GP's but now there are only two having been replaced by one consultant nurse.

The GP's that do remain tend to have a rather high turnover and don't stay for long.

Failure of Brexit

This You Tube explains why. There's a few follow up videos worth watching but they are a bit drawn out.

But there has to be a properly trained installer base that simply does not exist in the quantities needed. There are a lot of cowboys offering heat pumps.

The problems are huge upfront costs and lack of heat engineering knowledge of the installers resulting in rubbish installations.

These systems are subsidised via grants to the consumer such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme paying up to £7,500 towards the cost. A typical air source heat pump, the most popular, can cost from around £7k to £13k. So you have to ask yourself why are they so expensive given they've been around for decades in Europe? It's a nice money earner for the installers and manufacturers.

As a result we're now seeing all sorts of companies suddenly popping up offering air source heat pumps. An example is a local company that fits roofing facia upgrades who now offer heat pumps. Yes they might have bought in the "expertise" but that is where the second problem is; lack of skilled heat engineers.

There are a lot of plumbers that pose as heat engineers. No doubt there are good plumbers but there are, I think, a bigger number that don't know a two port valve from a bag of candy floss.

Many of the installers have been on a one week course by a manufacturer that sells off the shelf packages based on a one size fits all. But that's where it goes pear shaped. For example, installing an ASHP in a poorly insulated Victorian house, telling the customer they're going to save thousands on their gas bill only for their electricity bill to double, triple, quadruple.

These heat pumps can work so long as they are installed by a suitably skilled qualified heating engineer, in a suitable property.

I looked into heat pumps about 15 years ago. I wasn't convinced then and I'm not convinced now because of the stupid costs and lack of skilled installers. In fact having looked into it recently again I'm less convinced now.

Buyer beware.

Russia will use this as bargaining for Russia to be allowed to compete under their flag rather than the individual neutrals that's has been previously agreed and lob some cruise missiles at Odessa when everyone is watching the 100m final.

In all likelihood Russia will continue its murderous campaign on the region Olympics or not.

I doubt that the current Tory government will do anything to help the NHS Dentistry situation especially if the private health care companies lobby them to stop this happening.

Massive respect to Simo Häyhä and the whole of Finland.

The significance of Finland and Sweden joining Nato is huge especially after reading about the Winter War .

I've said it before and I'll say it again: history is repeating itself with Russia in Ukraine.

The thing is that Russia Ukraine is history repeating itself.

Finland was invaded by the Soviet Union (pretty much Russia so I'll refer them as Russians) in 1939 resulting in the Winter War . This started Nov 1939 and ended in March 1940.

The Finnish put up one hell of a fight that caught out the Russians despite their superior numbers and military strength. It was the intention of the Russians to take over the whole of Finland but they suffered large losses.

The outcome resulted in Finland conceding land bordering Russia and signed the Moscow Peace Treaty. .

This is why Finland was reluctant to join Nato until now. Finland now in Nato is a big thing when you look at the past.

Consequently, Finland has a military that is finely honed to take on a Russian invasion.

Does this ring any bells?

Whoosh

... a school desk.

This Trump, Orban, Putin triangle makes me think of the TV series The Handmaid's Tale where the US slides into civil war and global isolation. Instead of the Sons Of Jacob you have Trump.

Seriously, if Trump is besties with Orban and he beats Biden to the Whitehouse the US is heading for very dark times.

After 14 years of a right wing useless Tory government intent on destroying everything in their path... should we be surprised? No.

Integrity. The editing of the photo introduces elements of doubt as to its authenticity. Editing an image to this degree, bad at that, is a great big "nope" for the agencies.

I must admit at first glance the mistakes aren't that obvious but when they are pointed out it's very bizarre.

When you pause to think that we still use an effectively 120 year technology to move us along yet tech in other areas has soared and superceded others it makes you wonder if it's deliberate to help keep the oil industry going.

This is an interesting read.