That’s a bit rich, George

THE FRIDAY THING:

WE have further evidence this week that George Osborne lives on a different planet to the rest of us.

We all know only too well that George moves in different, richer circles than we ordinary mortals but can he really believe that people who have to pay the 40p tax rate feel successful, as though they have arrived in some new super-rich and super privileged elite.

Said George: “Let us not forget there advantages in more people paying the 40p tax, it means they are successful and joining the aspirational classes.”

More than a million people will find themselves tied into the 40p tax rate; only the already super-rich will be flying bunting and holding celebration parties.

But here’s news to put a smile on our faces and to really appreciate the effort of our Government to make our lives better and richer in so many ways.

MPs who travel around London on their bicycles can, and no doubt do, claim expenses for using their bikes to get around. The sums are not huge - figures such as £11.60, £7.20 and £2.40 are not uncommon so there are no home improvements involved. But can MPs on enviable salaries really need to charge 20p a mile for riding their bikes around London?

Try it on your boss and see how far it gets you. A place in the queue at the DWP is probably the likely result...



FINAL WORD: I am not convinced Oldham Council’s response to the ever-growing, deeper and more dangerous rash of potholes that blight the borough carries any weight.

Councillor Dave Hibbert, cabinet member for environment and housing (and potholes) cites examples of potholes that have been repaired with some alacrity, but that is no more than the tip of a mountainous iceberg.

The bottom line is that potholes in Oldham have been ignored and left unattended for far too long, turning them into a major, borough-wide problem.