That's exactly the attitude of the current Scottish Government. In spite of sneers from south of the border about us 'expecting more free stuff', making tertiary education freely available is simply a case of the country investing in its future by investing in its citizens. I don't really agree that education re debt is poor - it's simply quickly reaching a too-hard-basket stage thanks to outside pressures. It's hard to point the finger of blame, but mine points directly to the joint evils of rapidly reducing levels of disposable income & ever-increasing levels of aggressive advertising. Parents and teachers face an increasingly hard battle to properly educate kids on the topic these days.
Of course it is easy for Scotland to offer free education due to the unfair distribution of government funds through the Barnett formula. Agreed, the aggressive advertising and dodgy role models on rubbish TV programmes like TOWIE and Made in Chelsea create demand for products that many do not need or can actually afford. I visited Hemel Hempstead's shopping area yesterday ( excellent Chinese 3 course lunch for £3.95) and was appalled at the rows of betting shops, cash converters and pawn shops. Very sad to see.
When I said "education re debt is poor" I meant that in a broader sense. The responsibility does not rest with teachers. It is a problem for society and society as a whole needs to address it.
The amount of gambling advertising is appalling, too. Again, this is now another 'normalised' activity.
I think they have their priorities right, SH, it's not that they are rolling around in cash. I agree with every word of the rest of your post.
On a side note, I wanted to say how I view this thread (and the Brexit one). I have left these threads in the past as I have seen them either as dividing Watford fans or a source of anxiety trying to persuade people of the gaping holes in their arguments (I gave up on one where the use of private healthcare was seen as making space for someone else and therefore not part of the national spending on health - I tried a couple of times, then gave up - head / brick wall). I don't see myself as closed to skilled and intelligent argument and have found the posts of cologne, Toby and even yorkshire () enlightening at times. Keep them coming.
I have mentioned before about the unease I have with having a gambling company sponsoring my chosen football club. I would prefer another sector although I know it opens a whole can of worms.
Sorry Andy, I presume you mean me? I would still argue that there is room for private healthcare and private education which takes pressure off of the national purse. I know it is an emotive subject but that is my view, we can accept we have differing views. Like some Labour politicians I am entitled to do the best for my family. Maybe if we get the national debt down and stop subsidising the EU we can have excellent education and healthcare for all.
Glad you agree - but I did mention parents too. Quite probably the two main sources of such education.
It wasn't you. I accept you have a differing view. I assume you would accept that your spending on BUPA/whatever is part of the national spending on health? As you are part of the nation. Fair point re Labour politicians, at least those who say they are against private health. I believe the extent to which a society prioritises the health and education of its people is a measure of how civilised a society it is.
Skilled and intelligent in arguing? Not too sure about that - brevity has always been both my downfall and my forte...
"Racist and discriminatory language is becoming more acceptable inside Scottish schools in the wake of the Brexit vote, teachers have warned. Although there has been no spike in recorded hate crime in Scotland following the vote to leave the EU, there are fears that the result has legitimised hate speech among young people, MSPs at Holyrood were told." This is the next generation, and I wonder what trouble people are storing up for the future.
i wouldn't say it's becoming more acceptable, but it's certainly on the increase. Our school have been having problems with the children of a family of fourteen - three currently at the school and one to start next year unfortunately - the fight against their racist (and, strangely enough from the daughter, misogynist) language has been ongoing. I've had to call the parents in about it on numerous occasions - and the last time even involved a police liaison officer. As yet, and to their credit, the other children in the school just ignore the racist references & don't talk to them until they stop - but I guess the bigger inner-city schools face far worse. What I find really puzzling is that the parents and the older boy in school are otherwise very pleasant - the boy & I enjoy football banter as he knows I support Watford & he supports his hometown team Burnley.
There is a poll within the article and after 77k votes the current standings are are interesting... currently 57-43 in favour of a second referendum to ratify any brexit deal.... not that we'll get either a referendum or any sort of worthwhile deal. This, remember, the Daily Naz.. sorry Daily Torygra... sorry... Telegraph!! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/201...n-lib-dem-plot-to-force-government-to-hold-a/
Currently 61% want a second referendum in that poll and that is from 86k who have voted. I wonder when the paper will start to tell the readers that they will support them in a call for one?
There were probably a couple of discreet "relaxing massage" (rub and tug) parlours around too, if you'd looked hard enough.
