Jules-and-Boo

prices will not come down. BTL properties going on the market attract CGT so landlords will pay more tax than a residential seller would attract and will therefore try and inflate the selling price to cover it. In London, even a greater supply will not curb prices as buyers include corporations, overseas investors who do not have the same restrictions a normal person does.

Let's not overlook the number of properties bought via oversees with no clear indication of where the money came from (i.e. profit from crime laundered in London property market). Coupled with tax free profits, there are many oversees buyers forcing up prices (able to pay higher costs) and reducing demand. Property - not JUST new builds = should be prioritised to UK owners as other counties do. There is new legislation afoot to challenge buyers to prove their cash is clean if oversees money, but will this actually force sales?

yes - I agree RH - sees a weakness and is looking to exploit it.

Without our faults we are all perfect. Without the war, WMD..... not really minor flaws, are they.

oh, snowflakes?

is it a Santa one, or stockings?

Years of incompetence. Really can't be hidden anymore. She certainly has a lot on her plate and a lot of criticism for anything she does. I don't envy her at all.

Blair to the rescue

search for dipping bowls with trays....

good line RPC "They're TK Maxx cars - entry level for idiots"

The staff at Peckham Rye station. Always very nice.

....

Just like to add my recommendation for Steve - he came out really quickly - bang on time, which is perfect for a busy mum like me! Very quick analysis of problem and solution. Can't thank him enough - really need more reliable people like this!

well, they DO have a preview night where profits go to charity, but generally my assumption on their mission being one of making money would be based on the fact that with that turnaround of visitors, they could cover their costs at a lower price than ?9 per ride. With most things, it seems at Christmas, it's about making money. And as to the question, "why should they?" why shouldn't they? Christmas is a time of giving - or have we forgotten that?

are you suggesting they're not being festive but are trying to make money? Last Christmas they had 2.5million visitors. That is one hell of a lot of money to be made....in fact, it doesn't bear thinking about. I bet they don't do anything charitable with it.

You may be able to delay the meeting until you have a union rep available. This is the ACAS helpline. They're open at 8am - give them a call and find out for certain where you stand and what you need to do. http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2042

London = traffic = noise. TO be honest, that's life. There are worse evils out there. There are more buses on the road to reduce car volumes - especially on school routes. I think it's a good thing. You can petition TfL to reduce the number of buses.... perhaps to commute hours, but they do have a bigger strategy, which is largely driven by the Major.

any suggestions? I thought I'd got it but it's not working I have android-sms-tranfser.... it asks me to find .db files but I can't see any (or don't know where to look - it can find my phone but then I get stuck Help greatly appreciated. I can't send texts so guess I need to clear the ones I have and of course, I want to keep them...

hope you hug better than you spell ;-)

It's nice to have a bit of a plan.... and see what else happens when you get there! no doubt you'll find some gems too :-)

I'm sorry, but I don't actually know what to say when there are people on our streets who have nowhere to go - especially in the context of your request - for Christmas Day. If your friend needs to see her family, then the specifics of dates wouldn't really be such a big deal - would they? It would be cheaper after Christmas holidays, for instance. Have you thought about sending her a video? I'm guessing you talk to her regularly?

KK - bit naughty, really rather funny.

A car knocked an older gentleman off his bike earlier (around 8pm)on Peckham Rye and he cycled off before anyone could get his details. If anyone knows who he is - please let him know that the police came and have taken the driver, It may help if he came forward. And I hope he is ok - it must have been very scary.

I'd like to take my nan to Australia to see her elderly brothers for Christmas - but any time actually - they'd love to see each other anytime - even for one minute. It would never have crossed my mind to ask for donations. Maybe you're starting something.

fab idea