bridge too far

Strange you should say that because as at 15 November this year in Britain, where a decade of almost uninterrupted growth has come to a grinding halt the $1.2 trillion debt is still less than half of GDP. The other three European members of the G8 are in even worse shape. They all owe more than half their GDP. Italy, with the lowest GDP of the three, has the highest debt according to the Guardian, at $2.19 trillion. Next is Germany with $2.07 trillion, followed by France at $1.63 trillion. This information can be verified at: http://en.rian.ru/business/20081115/118335408.html

I'm sure someone will find a hole for him

Boom boom!

I think some others are actually far worse than us: http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7767326.stm http://zfacts.com/p/318.html The US national debt is 60-79% of Gross Domestic Product The Russian equivalent is 6% Here's how things are in Europe: Things could hardly be more different in Britain, where a decade of almost uninterrupted growth has come to a grinding halt. But the $1.2 trillion debt is still less than half of GDP. The other three European members of the G8 are in even worse shape. They all owe more than half their GDP. Italy, with the lowest GDP of the three, has the highest debt according to the Guardian, at $2.19 trillion. Next is Germany with $2.07 trillion, followed by France at $1.63 trillion. This information is the most up-to-date I can find, dated 15 November this year. The full version can be seen at: http://en.rian.ru/business/20081115/118335408.html Will you bother to read it, I wonder?

Bob I think ALL PLCs have to publish their accounts annually. I know my (little) company does.

Do skates have DNA - being an alien species and all :confused:

The difference will be neglible I imagine, economy apart. The only difference is that, had the conservatives been today's government, the recession would, in all probability, be longer and deeper than otherwise because of their refusal to recognise that we live in a world where global issues need global solutions. In contrast to the leaders of all the other 'developed' economies they choose to adopt a 'wait and see' attitude and to let the recession 'run its course'. I think this is called having a head in the sand approach.

With a bit of luck we'll have a genuine Labour party in its place

Your architect could possibly put you in touch with a QS.

In the same vein, it's moaning about state intervention and then moaning because 'the state' hasn't intervened in cases of child neglect. Or moaning about state intervention and then moaning because the government isn't forcing the banks to lower their interest rates. Sometimes we just have to understand that government intervention and regulation is for the greater good. Not always, but democracy means we can vote them out if we don't like what they're doing. And if we really don't like what they're doing, we could get off our lardy arses and agitate for change. And some of us do

I can confirm this, apart from the sticky out ears bit

Sadly I'm awake at 4.30 because my ridiculous cat climbed all over me and now I can't get back to sleep So I'm sitting here thinking about your project. If I'm about to tell you what you already know then I apologise. If I'm helping, then I'm happy to do so. Your architect may well be able to act as your project manager - they often do. You should get at least 3 quotes. Try to find companies that belong to recognised trade bodies. It may be that the 'main' contractor (the builder) will sub-contract the other packages. Even so, it's worth asking around for local recommendations and there is an on-line reference thing called, I think, Which Neighbourhood that's worth checking out. Once you've got your contractor, you might want to consider a JCT contract. I'm pretty sure there's one for 'minor' private works. And I think this will refer to stage payments. Once you've agreed the scope of works and you and the contractor have signed up to it, be careful to note any changes you ask for, and get them priced, otherwise the contractor will use the opportunity to charge you over the odds. Make sure you apply a retention (5% is probably realistic) and hold on to this for 12 months to ensure that the contractor comes back to address any defects. It might be worth checking out with the NHBC if the 10 year guarantee applies to private, individual dwellings. Oh - and good luck

That's what I like to see - intelligent debate

Apparently - according to report on Radio 5 Live :shock:

I'm an experienced Project Manager. Never done a house, mind, only hospitals But critical paths are critical paths after all.

Poor child. What a miserable life she would have had, either way. Let's hope she can rise above it all, like Pip obviously has.

I did a lot of work in Manchester last year (Trafford) and two things struck me. Firstly how dire the traffic is from Carrington (where we were staying overnight) into Trafford and secondly how good the public transport is (I had to make short visits to the various Trafford offices). But please don't think I'm an ardent greenie, because I'm not. I am, however, very much in favour of GOOD public transport and use it whenever I can.

Sadly I think you're missing the point boys. I actually posted something that was critical of the current government - AND pointed out that it was published by a green group. I was trying to present some sort of balance to the argument.

And the other one's struggling too

Have a look at this TDD. This is an article by a 'green' lobby and it attacks the 'left wing dictatorship' for reducing the cost of motoring, not increasing it. http://www.roadblock.org.uk/resources/motoringlies.pdf :

Maybe the answer would be to hike the taxes so much that only the rich, like you , can afford to drive. Less congestion, better roads. Makes sense to me

Taxes are not hypothecated in the UK. But I reckon my share of road development and maintenance is far more than the £120 a year I pay. Will that do? However, FWIW, I do believe that RFL should be scrapped and the tax put on fuel instead so that those that use most pay most.

:shock: Apparently the UK database holds DNA of 7.5% of the population compared with the European average of 1%.

You may very well think that - in fact I'm sure you will The come-back would be that a huge proportion of that tax take would have been spent developing the road network to accommodate all the additional cars that people can afford to run because motoring costs are still comparatively low. A sort of self-fulfilling prophecy if you like....

But given that technology is also delivering more miles to the gallon and less frequent servicing, I imagine the cost of motoring hasn't actually increased that much in real terms.