Election Year or Fear!

[Andy_Faber]

As it happens I wasn’t in the company of anyone with ‘limited mobility’ and I agree there are more fundamental issues.
It was just an observation, especially as we’d been listening to a discussion on the increasing cost of living at a time of huge - and imo unacceptable- supermarket profits, on the way to Nottingham.
As another example there’s a particular wine I’m fond of. Costs nearly 12.00 GBP in Majestic and just under 3 Euros in any Mercadonna. Why?
Petrol more expensive in Spain (not diesel!) Just about everything else…cheaper.

I know from living in Spain (briefly) and because my eldest daughter still does that almost everything?s cheaper, we?ve found the same in Greece over the last month.

[MadAmster]

Here in NL, we pay more for "stuff", food, drink, parking, petrol etc ad infinitum than they do in Germany or Belgium.

It seems the higher prices are not down to just one cause. They say wages for comparable jobs are higher here than in G or B. Taxes are higher too. As well as VAT on new cars, we also have a tax called BPM (Belasting van Personenauto's en Motorfietsen). The level of BPM is determined by the levels of the vehicle's CO2 emissions. There's the price of the car, then the BPM and then VAT over both. Yes, tax on tax (also happens with gas and electricity where there's an energy tax and you get to pay VAT on it...). There's also this Dutch trait of loving deals. BOGOF deals. Buy x amount and get y amount free. Supermarkets charge, as standard, high prices to pay for the deals. Personally, I'd rather have permanent lower prices than raised prices to fund deals.

[SithHappens]

BOGOF deals banned now in UK for certain foodstuffs. Aimed at tackling obesity.

Also banned fast food ads etc before 9pm

Nanny state really. People should be able to buy responsibly and just because they got 2 chocolate bars for 1 doesn't mean they need to war both straight away.

Also banned free refills of 'unhealthy ' drinks too.

[MadAmster]

They should ban those energy drinks and vapes. Experts over here are saying vapes are more dangerous than cigarettes. Why oh why do governments allow things onto the market only to find out too late that the products are killers?

[SithHappens]

Hate vapes, don't get how people do it having never smoked, was surely supposed to be a step towards non smoking

Don't know on energy drinks, isn't the danger drinking too many?

If so make them age restricted maybe?

But I don't get with any of it why people can't just be responsible for what they and their families consume?

If Maccy Ds advertise before 9 so what, just tell the little cherubs they can't have one..

I enjoy a Maccy Ds myself but understand the consequences if I have them too often.

[Geoff Parkstone]

The problem with total freedom of choice, Sith, is the pressure placed on the NHS - see smoking, obesity and to a lesser degree alcoholism and drug abuse. Now a sensible government (of whatever hue because none did it) would have imposed a levy on the "bad products" and stored it away for tomorrows high demand for medical consequences. But of course "we didnt know" is the plea. *******s you didnt.

As for McD we will have to agree to differ. Disgusting ****e that should have stayed in San Diego. Zero tolerance required - Id sooner smerk a tab mesself and I havent done that for many a year

[SithHappens]

My first night at home after my escapades in hospital we ordered a Maccy Ds and took to bed with us.

My wife said what do you want to do when you get home, I said I want to be disgustingly filthy in bed with you...so she said Maccy Ds it is.

Seriously I know the strain in the NHS is huge from poor lifestyle choices, but i still believe there is enough knowledge out there for people to understand about moderation.

[Geoff Parkstone]

I think the reality is tht they dont understand moderation even if the data is out there such that they should do

Not knowing Mrs Sith, but knowing mcD Id say you got the bad end of that deal

[MadAmster]

Just bought 2 ribeye steaks from the supermarket. Total weight 374 grammes, cost 17.44 Euro which translates to 15.15 GBP. How's that compare to UK prices?

[ramAnag]

My first night at home after my escapades in hospital we ordered a Maccy Ds and took to bed with us.

My wife said what do you want to do when you get home, I said I want to be disgustingly filthy in bed with you...so she said Maccy Ds it is.

Seriously I know the strain in the NHS is huge from poor lifestyle choices, but i still believe there is enough knowledge out there for people to understand about moderation.

Too much information young Sith.

I’m not sure how much more unhealthy a Big Mac is than the more traditional Friday night fish and chips of yesteryear. Everything in moderation, even MA’s steak which used to be considered a healthy pre match meal but is now a health risk according to many.

Think my point was that the big 3 UK Supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsburys and Asda) are said to have made 4.3 BILLION GBP profit in the year ending March 2025. At a time of, in everything but name, austerity for many…is that something we find acceptable?