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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Ways to change the UK for the better....

145 replies

allsquareknickersnofurcoat · 14/02/2011 21:27

We always see suggestions in random threads of what we need to do to improve life in the UK for the average working person. I'm curious what you would do, with all the ideas together in one thread...

(PS before anyone points it out, I know its not an AIBU, but I'd like to see the honest answers that this area produces. Plus you can decide if each others ideas are Unreasonable Wink)

I shall be back asap with my own list.............

Heres a controversial one to get you started: If you are a young mum that still lives with your parents and doesnt work, you shouldnt get healthy start vouchers to spend on formula

OP posts:
twirlymum · 14/02/2011 22:24

pink that's a good one. I know a couple in a 4bed council house, their DC's have grown up and moved out, they are rattling around in it.

usualsuspect · 14/02/2011 22:24

No not lucky ..just not a daily mail reader Smile

goodkate · 14/02/2011 22:25

However, I do like the idea of free wine vouchers.

PinkIceQueen · 14/02/2011 22:26

Exactly the sort of thing I was getting at twirly. There are others desperate for more room, or even a house at all!

I also think council tenants should maybe be reassessed periodically, to see if they really do still need that benefit. Probably talking out of my arse, but some seem pretty wealthy!

Original poster
allsquareknickersnofurcoat · 14/02/2011 22:26

For Gods sake, check my posting history if you think I'm a troll, I'm a regular and am on here rather frequently!

I have recently namechanged from spongebobsquareknickers, and I have namechanged before that as I gave too much info.

So what, because I have an opinion that YOU dont agree with, even though others have, I must be trolling?

OP posts:
Original poster
allsquareknickersnofurcoat · 14/02/2011 22:27

And I dont read the Daily Mail.

OP posts:
Original poster
allsquareknickersnofurcoat · 14/02/2011 22:28

TBH, that is the most offensive thing in this thread IMO... Grin

OP posts:
goodkate · 14/02/2011 22:35

OP don't take it to seriously, I'm probably more hardline than you are.

I see what you are getting at in your initial thread but I think you picked a brave subject and the vultures are out waiting.

Talking of vultures did you see Human Planet the other night - yum yum.

ilovemyhens · 14/02/2011 22:35

Ways to change the UK for the better:

Give everybody free multivitamins Grin

Give everyone a garden or access to some land to grow stuff on or just have a nice tree and a patio area/space for a picnic Grin

Make everyone wear a silly hat every Thursday Grin

Make all fruit and vegetables free Grin

Buy everyone a pet chicken, 'cos they are fun and cheer people up! Grin

PinkIceQueen · 14/02/2011 22:38

Switch off the internet to all school children once the clock hits midnight. (Don't ask me how this can be achieved btw).

xstitch · 14/02/2011 22:38

I think somewhere to grow stuff is a great idea but I can't agree with the multivitamins. I personally don't believe people should take vitamins unless there is a specific medical need in which case they should then be on prescription.

PinkIceQueen · 14/02/2011 22:39

Sanitary products should be free - I agree with that.

fedupofnamechanging · 14/02/2011 22:43

If you are going to make council tenants swop houses as needs change, then there needs to be something in place to ensure that people who have cared for their houses aren't made to exchange with people who've treated their houses like shit holes. People will not have an incentive to improve their council house, so it is better when it re enters the system.

I don't get why advertising formula is seen as a bad thing. Selling it in plain containers, like it is something 'under the counter' will make women feel bad about making a perfectly valid choice. FF is not akin to mainlining crack! I was very grateful for it when I had mastitis and I don't think the Hipp organic formula that my baby had was worse than my antibiotic affected bm.

magicmummy1 · 14/02/2011 22:44

PIQ - Yes, international students (excluding EU) pay much higher tuition fees than UK students - typically around 3 or 4 times what the UK students pay. Without international student fees, lots of university courses (and probably lots of universities) would collapse.

Fabbychic - it really isn't that easy to come to the UK without money or qualifications, unless you are from the EU or seeking asylum (which you can do in Australia too). It's even harder to qualify for UK benefits, too - the vast majority of new immigrants are ineligible to claim until they have paid into the system for a couple of years. Of course, it's somewhat different for EU citizens, but then, that's a reciprocal arrangement from which UK citizens can also benefit.

PinkIceQueen · 14/02/2011 22:48

That's a given Karma, thought tenants had a duty to look after the property? If not, then they should.

Ty to those that answered about the students... that's ok then Wink

Here's another - ban Tracey Beaker, omg just how many re runs of the same programme can the BBC show??!

fedupofnamechanging · 14/02/2011 22:58

PinkIceQueen - My mum did an exchange with someone (my mum wanted to live in a different area). She gave up a beautifully decorated house that she and my dad had really put a lot of effort into and got a house, which although it had a lot of potential, was so filthy that my mum became very, very ill cleaning it. There were toys blocking the loo, doors with holes in, hanging off the hinges etc. I think councils/HA's are not very good at enforcing rules. Also, if you do a house swop, you have to accept it in the condition it is in and you can't get any repairs for a certain length of time

fedupofnamechanging · 14/02/2011 22:59

Not sure how UK citizens benefit from going to other European countries whose welfare system isn't as good as ours

bubbleymummy · 14/02/2011 23:00

Karma, plain packaging would avoid all the nonsense claims that grab customers attention and misleading them by making them think that their product is the best or has something that the other products don't.

Fwiw, there are many antibiotics that can be taken alongside bf and actually yes, even bm from a mum taking antibiotics is better than formula. Your problem was your milk disappearing after the trauma though, not the use of antibiotics. That actually reminded me that I think there should be a bigger and more easily available milk bank for such situations or for cases such as XStitch's

fedupofnamechanging · 14/02/2011 23:04

My doctor told me to stop bf because the antibiotics were not good for the baby, which is why I stopped then. I've had 4 DC and have bf for between 4 weeks and 4 months. My experience of bf each time has been so different, not sure why that is, because you'd think it would be the same (mastitis aside).

TheCoalitionNeedsYou · 14/02/2011 23:08

There's fuck all point making sentencing harsher. We know that makes no difference, and we know what does is the LIKELIHOOD of punishment.

Arresting and successfully prosecuting is the but we have to get better - which is to no avail if there is no where to imprison people (when appropriate) as the prison is full of people serving long sentences.

xstitch · 14/02/2011 23:08

bubbleymummy is right in fact I would say the majority (but not all) antibiotics can be taken whilst breast feeding and you can time the doses to reduce the baby's exposure further. for those that can't be taken there is often a suitable alternative. IME experience some doctors can't be arsed to check it out (they only have to read the BNF btw). So anyone in that situation I would push the GP for a suitable alternative if you want to bf. I have spent many an hour comforting a new mother and giving the doctor a metaphorical kick up the arse. That's another education issue come to think of it.

They should definitely enforce the rules of people looking after their properties.

PinkIceQueen · 14/02/2011 23:09

Karmabeliever, that is sad. Lets add House Inspectors to the list.

xstitch · 14/02/2011 23:09

I meant the GPs need education, sorry didn't make that clear Blush.

magicmummy1 · 14/02/2011 23:10

Erm, people benefit from the opportunity to work elsewhere in the EU. It isn't all about benefits, and in any case, there are restrictions on EU citizens claiming benefits in this country if they are not habitually resident here.

And incidentally, lots of EU countries have brilliant welfare systems, and healthcare that is infinitely better than our own.

PinkIceQueen · 14/02/2011 23:12

Reduce class sizes. During primary education, teach children how to read, write and socialise, forget the rest until they are at Junior school.