The calm after the storm
It's strangely calm after yesterday's excitement. "Strangely" is our word of the day, after one of the newspapers described me as "". I'm not sure if that's a compliment or not, though as they used a 15-year-old photo where I am both younger and thinner, I'm not going to complain that much.
We're looking at Iceland this morning. Those of you with money in those Icelandic banks are emailing us with lots of questions - mostly along the lines of 'when will I get it back?'. Some interesting queries too from people who thought they'd moved money out but have yet to see it re-appear in other accounts. We're looking into those and will have some answers for you. Please do keep emailing us: working.lunch@bbc.co.uk
In the news, Iceland's financial watchdog has now . We'll resist the temptation to refer to it as that "Kaupthing-thing".
Oh - and did you notice that their, oh wait, OUR money with these Icelandic banks? They say they were acting in the interest of council tax payers by getting the best interest rates. Who knew your town hall treasurer was scouring the best-buy tables at the back of the papers while you were cooking the Sunday roast? We're trying to find out if that money is now at risk, and if our council tax bills will rise if it does go missing. Let me know what you think about that in the comments.
Naga is spooning - no, make that shovelling - porridge down her throat. I'm trying to snap a photo on my mobile to show you, but she's on to me and keeps ducking.
Comment number 1.
At 9th Oct 2008, JamesStGeorge wrote:This system is broken!
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Comment number 2.
At 9th Oct 2008, JamesStGeorge wrote:When Gorgon cuts saver's income he should have the power to cut wages the same percentage. ANY in the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ want to take the same pay cut 10% off your pay?
Why is the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ so on the side of the house prices rising? Your expert today told you how negative equity is no real problem, yet as usual you and the news departments portray it as 'Oh calamity' another drop in prices of houses. Try that attitude on with fuel prices!
Only 12.4% down is chickenfeed irrelevance. Shares are back to 1997 prices, so should houses be. So far the house price drops are minuscule, and the lower the better. As the public tells you too when asked but as usual the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ has an in house official attitude, house prices up GLEE.
The ONLY reason people have come to think of a house as a 'savings scheme' is directly related to the despoiling of the retun on simple deposits in banks and the serial cheating of them of a decent interest rate. Almost entirely for political ends, for a 'boom with no bust'. 'Feel good factor'. Middle class chatter of their illusory 'gains'. All for power at saver's expense, even pensions ruined.
Halve house prices, double interest rates, savers treated decently, house owners happy, banks happy, economy happy.
Can not have that can we!
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Comment number 3.
At 9th Oct 2008, JamesStGeorge wrote:Typical! Why present it so? In reality that is a £1000 a year income/pay CUT for the poor person whose savings were used.
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Comment number 4.
At 9th Oct 2008, JamesStGeorge wrote:You open with the Glee
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Comment number 5.
At 9th Oct 2008, JamesStGeorge wrote:LOL yes the whole problem preventing the post going up as one was the 'foul' word 'g l e e'. Swapped for 'joy' to get through.
Hilarious had it not caused me so much trouble! Now my post is all upside down, read from the post 4 up.
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Comment number 6.
At 9th Oct 2008, JamesStGeorge wrote:of mortgage payers saving
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Comment number 7.
At 9th Oct 2008, JamesStGeorge wrote:1000 on a 200,000 debt.
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Comment number 8.
At 10th Oct 2008, Doug wrote:Declan Curry! I thought I recognized the name!
We used to see your business reporting from London on one of our network news programs in the US. (CBS late-night, I believe.)
Wherever did you go? Oh, of course- to Working Lunch. :-)
Is there still an omnibus count under your broadcasts?
Doug
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