The government actually IS doing a consultation on bringing back imperial measurements!

[Kendodd]

I thought it was a joke.
AIBU to think this is a complete load of bollocks waste of money?

The questions don't even give you the option of saying just keep metric.
Example question -
For Consumers,

a) If you had a choice, would you want to purchase items:

(i) in imperial units?

(ii) in imperial units alongside a metric equivalent?

www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1079711/choice-on-units-of-measurement-markings-and-sales-consultation.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjchIqM1pT4AhXIPsAKHWSZBW0QFnoECAUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw05usEgoqbR2NHfgE3SzAYH

But he’s got a cousin. In fact he’s got half a dozen.

So the "consultation" doesn't even give the option of: c) Metric.

Lol. It’s a fact we use either/both in this country so I don’t know why people are up in arms about it. Any excuse to complain, eh?

Cute that you’re having a tantrum over nothing.

Oasis not Pulp but made me think of aging imperial singing pop stars

Do they mean UK imperial or US imperial?

No it doesn't.

I agree with NancyDroo. Don't most people use a combination of metric and imperial, I know I do.

After this is done they should consult on bringing back pre-decimalised currency, and maybe the workhouse. Go full on Victorian theme park.

I’m 48 and I was taught metric! This is utter nonsense

Actually I think hanging is the one they really can't wait to bring back.

Of all the ways they could choose to spaff money up the wall.... I didn't think it was legal to have a consultation if they have already decided the outcome?

I don't understand all the furore about this. Give companies and people the choice of what to use. If people don't want to use imperial, very few companies will use it and things won't really change at all. Clearly a lot of people do still use imperial measurements in daily life, miles for distance, feet and inches for height, stones and pounds for weight, pints for milk and beer. Who cares if someone wants to buy a quarter of sweets or a pound of apples? Why shouldn't a private business be able to sell goods in imperial measurements?

Oh Lordy - what a complete waste of time, energy and, what's worse, money. What idiotic, wastrel dummy thought that one up, Boris? It's not as though the country wasn't in loads of debt already and the costs ending up with the poor end user is it? 🌹

No they are NOT just wanting to give a choice, and some of it may well be mandatory.

Note questions 1a and 1b on the consultation:

1b) Are there any specific areas that you think should be excluded from a choice in units of measurement, and why?

So they are entertaining the possibility of things being sold only in imperial (or only in metric) and if you respond to the consultation and answer YES to this question, that is what you are giving approval for.

1c) If an item is sold in imperial measures, should there be a requirement for a metric equivalent alongside it?

Again they are clearly entertaining the possibility of things being sold only in imperial. Even if you are in favour of that, think of others when answering this question.

Calm down people. They’re just wanting to give a choice, none of it is going to mandatory. We were not happy when the EU banned us from using imperial measures, now people are not happy we might revert and allow either or both.

The resistance to removing imperial measurements was simply about change, people were accustomed to buying their potatoes by the pound and didn't want that to change. There were quite a few people who felt they had been conned when we decimalised currency in 1971 and were worried they'd end up paying more money for less product under the metric system. In some instances they were right, two pints of milk is a greater volume than 1 litre but I don't recall the price of milk falling.

People are resistant to this because large numbers of the population are now more use to the metric system but my primary objection is the absolute waste of money. It's hardly as if we have well funded public services and surplus cash to waste on this kind of thing.

Like a PP, I use both in a fairly arbitrary way.

Im 54 and started school in 1973, only ever taught metric.

I've heard it all now.

The rest of the world managed to learn the metric system. And they did it because it made it easier to understand and trade with others.

Not a priority for this county, obviously 🤦

We’ve used metric in this country since 1965. There are only two countries in the world that are still using imperial - the US and Liberia. Great idea to join that club.

What a leading question!!

The EU did not ban us from using imperial! We’ve always been able to use both, as your examples demonstrate. I’m 50 and never learned about pounds and ounces, it’s just madness to consider introducing them again.

Why can't shopkeepers offer their goods in whichever system they choose? Remember that the court case which started this off involved a shopkeeper who had both imperial and metric scales to suit individual customers. He was hounded to his untimely death by the inspectors for that.

I'm in my 20s and happily use whichever system fits a given situation. It's usually easier to estimate in imperial, whereas metric is often better for precision work.

Pointless bringing it back. Decimal money came in during 1971. So kids would have been getting taught Decimals before then so kids who were born in 60s if not before wouldn't have been taught imperial.
The last people to be taught imperial must be hitting retirement age.

The nurse converted my babies weight to 6lb 14, 2 out the 4 grandparents who were taught in imperial said the same thing "is that not 7lb" before their partner corrected them 16oz in lb. No point in going back the way now if half the oldies can't remember it.

The EU did not ban us from using imperial!

Sorry, should’ve been specific. It is currently illegal to weigh eg food solely in pounds and ounces. Grocers have been prosecuted for doing so.

I'm in my thirties and much more comfortable with imperial measurements for most things. That's what my parents taught me at home. I'm sure we must have used metric at school, but my only strong memory of it is being asked my height in centimetres as part of a maths lesson and not only not knowing the answer, but not knowing what sort of number would be a sensible estimate. I knew there were a hundred in a metre, but couldn't mentally picture that like I could a foot!

I'd be all in favour of individual businesses deciding which to use, or advising the use of both. No need to ban either.

This is an obvious squirrel and will likely not even go any further; just be another waste of money. Although, having said that, it probably will go further if JRM (or similar) wins a leadership election.