Nigel on the politics show today?

Independent UKIP · 23-10-2008, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C_steam

either way, you'd hardly be able to make a living out of it! I'm a bit lost as to why the difference between no payment and a small one - off payment (if not an expenses payment) is such a big deal?

You must be living comfortably C_steam. Millions are not. I would far prefer UKIP to appeal to them more than making any changes in order to get you back.

£150 divided by a 37.5 hour week is £4.00 per hour (before income tax & national insurance is taken by our Labour party governed state.

)

The National Minimum Wage: introduction : Directgov - Employment

Quote:

New National Minimum Wage rates from 1 October 2008

The rates from 1 October 2008 are:
adults (which means people aged 22 and over), £5.73 an hour
workers aged 18-21, £4.77 an hour - the 'development rate'
young people (those older than school leaving age and younger than 18; you're under school leaving age until the end of summer term of the school year in which you turn 16), £3.53 an hour

Of course different people work different hours but 37.5 hours seems a fairly typical working week to me before any overtime takes place. I know plenty whose standard working week is lower than that. On the 37.5 basis Petrina's £150 from several years ago is considerably more than what the state considers to be an appropriate minimum wage for those aged between 16-17 and I speculate that with the above inflation upratings that have occurred is broadly equivalent to the rate for those aged 18-21 at the time she appeared on the programme. Someone aged 40, for example, working today in an office for 35 hours a week at £5.73 an hour receives for their 5 days work a grand total of £50.55 more than what Petrina received for appearing on Question Time several years ago. And as, unlike Petrina, they have to pay all their travel and food expenses out of that money that £150 for one hours work appears considerably more generous to me than some here seem to think.

Especially as even those aged between 16-17 who are in receipt of the minimum wage & who live alone, and who like the overwhelming majority of us own television receiving equipment are legally required on pain of serious legal consequences to pay over 2% of their pre-tax weekly wage to the state broadcasting authority so that people like Petrina Holdsworth can be paid £150 for appearing on Question Time. BBC taking from the poor to needlessly benefit the well off. That is disgusting.

On a final note I see that Petrina did not refuse her £150. I trust she will let us know how that £150 (after tax) benefited UKIP, other Euro-realist organisations or charitable organisations/'good causes'. I'm sure that having appeared on Question Time as a representative of the UK Independence Party and having received £150 which she rightly or wrongly declared on her tax return the remaining money was not used for her personal benefit. If not that would also disgust me but presumably be of no concern to those who oppose the current UKIP leadership as Petrina is not one of them.

SponPlague · 23-10-2008, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Croucher

Could it be because they ask for specific MPs? Perhaps ones with ministerial or leadership positions?

The government have banned Phil Woolas from appearing on QT:

Jacqui Smith bars Phil Woolas from BBC Question Time - Telegraph

Quote:

His contentious views on the break up of the Church, which differs from Government policy, is the latest from the gaffe-prone minister.

It follows controversial remarks he made about immigration and asylum. Mr Woolas suggested the population of Britain could be capped at 70 million, only to withdraw the comments 24 hours later.

The BBC was informed on Wednesday that he was no longer available to take part as the Government's representative on Question Time, the flagship discussion programme, it was disclosed.

A Home Office statement announcing Mr Woolas's withdrawal said: "The Government decided that the economy and jobs were very live issues and wanted a minister at Cabinet level who could deal with these issues. We expect Mr Woolas will appear on the programme in the future."

Work and Pensions Minister Tony McNulty was offered as an alternative.

The other members of the panel in Peterborough are Alex Salmond, the SNP leader; Baroness Warsi, Shadow Communities Secretary; Jo Swinson, Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokeswoman; and Lionel Barber, Editor of The Financial Times.

Mr Woolas, who was only promoted to the job three weeks ago, was said to be 'completely furious' about the decision, according to reports.

Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, made the decision after consultation with Number Ten.

"This was not a punishment. It was for damage limitation" a source told the Daily Mail.

Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve said: "If the Government do not have confidence in their immigration minister, how can they expect the public to trust their ability to deliver the reform we sorely need?"

C_steam · 23-10-2008, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Independent UKIP

You must be living comfortably C_steam. Millions are not. I would far prefer UKIP to appeal to them more than making any changes in order to get you back.
Of course different people work different hours but 37.5 hours seems a fairly typical working week to me before any overtime takes place. I know plenty whose standard working week is lower than that. On the 37.5 basis Petrina's £150 from several years ago is considerably more than what the state considers to be an appropriate minimum wage for those aged between 16-17 (etc)

I think you're stretching a point. Most of us understand that appearing on QT is not a full time occupation, therefore, as I stated, you could hardly make a living out of it!

SponPlague · 23-10-2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C_steam

I think you're stretching a point. Most of us understand that appearing on QT is not a full time occupation, therefore, as I stated, you could hardly make a living out of it!

David Dimbleby excepted

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