The idea of leaving Manchester at 200mph sounds a reasonable investment to me..

Actually, food banks are not the only booming UK industry. Travel agents that specialise in ski can't be doing too bad. I'm in Tignes at present enjoying a good holiday and the hotels are packed, the flight over was full and as to having today away from the slopes to look at apartments for sale, they seem to be commanding a much higher price than when we first started looking two years ago. Once emails are checked, I'm back on the piste. Most of Val Claret is British owned and bought by private individuals in the last couple of years. Might not bother buying. If this sounds provocative or crass, I apologise but fed up with those who think there are alternatives to growth and individual success if those less fortunate are to get a suck on the teat. A social programme needs paying for and whilst your average GROLIES might not realise it, the economic boost to infrastructure spending is good news not bad. Or at least it should be if your aim is helping others to get on. A hand up, not a hand out, as it were.

I don't agree with much this government has done, but public investment in rail, building up infrastructure etc is a better kick start the economy than their hitherto austerity measures. Sustainable growth is the only way to afford raising the safety net. Not that ignorance was a bar to ranting socialist twaddle about eat the rich and associated nonsense ....

Now, about Mudcat discussion forums ......