British goods
 

As a tax payer I am indirectly paying anyone who works for the government such as nurses, police officers, doctors and politicians. If I want to stay in this country I have no choice in paying these taxes so in effect for these services I have to buy British. I therefore think anyone who is employed by the government should buy British goods. If they buy foreign goods they are not creating any wealth whatsoever for Britain. Similarly anyone on benefits should only be buying British. If all government workers didn't buy any British goods at all there would be no money to pay them

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Do we have any British Goods worth buying at a right price?

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I would hazard a guess that this is another one of those fishing threads - you need a bigger worm. You definitely need a bigger worm.

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Even a bigger rode Margaret

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Depends what size of catch he is expecting......but definitely needs a bigger, fatter, juicier bit of bait.

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Bless.

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Anyone wi a grain of sense will buy the best quality goods at the best price they can get em, British or not.

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I don't know about that ... from what I read, the British manufacturing sector is shrinking way too quickly ... I do believe that the consumer should try his darndest to support the national and local producer.

I always make an attempt to buy Canadian ... My car, a GM product, was manufactured in Oshawa, Ontario. Many of the parts on my Harley were manufactured in Canada ... Food and booze, I try to buy local ... at least from Ontario. (Ok ... I drink Bomber when I can get it:D) But the Lancashire chesse I had the other day comes from Ontario ... The yanks, by the way, are finally creating jobs ... and a lot of this has to do with "Buy American". The national economy has a better chance of prospering if nationals support it by buying, in your case, British made goods.

Also, governments should provide incentives to other countries to establish plant in their country ... I remember when GM and Chrysler (never buy one;)) were closing plants a few years ago at the height of the recession, Toyota opened a factory in Woodstock, Ontario. This was because the government of Ontario were very persuasive in selling Ontario as a place to do business. And Toyota Canada employs union labour ... Canadian Auto Workers Union all the way.

So I def do see long term advantages to supporting the national and the local economy ... might cost a few more bucks in the short term; but I believe the long-term benefits are worth it.

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Oh i do Eric, but a sad fact of life is it aint always the best these days, n if in my opinion it aint, Then i aint gonna buy it, simple as.

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Agree 100% with Eric - buying local is the best thing to do, though it can cost more. It's so important to support local producers both in agriculture -foodstuffs, and manufacturers- consumer goods. While i see there is a big drive on in the UK to promote local produce from farmers, market gardeners etc. it is much harder to find goods that are" Made in England" these days -even many of the big name British brands when you looks closely are made in China, India or who knows where...

Cashy from the jobs you have talked about on here you have earned the right to buy non British goods by working in manufacturing. The government hasn't payed your wages.

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Just wondering if you actually live in the real world

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As a public sector worker, and taxpayer, I am entitled to buy what I like, made by whomever, I like. Without us Nurses, Midwives, Doctors etc. many people who are now alive, would be long dead...... As far as I'm concerned, I earn every penny honestly and will spend it how I please.

Of course, I'm sure that Claytoner40 would rather not pay tax and NI, but pay for all of the services you use, when you use them.. Based on what they pay in other countries, this is far more expensive. My friend just had to pay NZ$3500 for simple dental fillings. If we had to pay for our Health, Education etc at the point of use, we wouldn't be able to afford to buy anything else, never mind British..:)

I'm not doubting you earn your money honestly. If all public sector workers bought non British goods there would be no money to pay you. It's simple economics. You couldn't buy anything. I'm happy to pay NI and tax to fund the public sector. You should do your bit by buying British and helping us out in manufacturing. You have a choice to help us. We have to pay you

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See....you can even catch some fish with thin and scrawny worms...think what you'd catch with fat juicy ones :D

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I think you are forgetting that Lettie and her fellow public sector workers also pay tax and NI just like you say you do. Therefore, they are also helping to fund the public sector just like other taxpayers and don't need people like you telling them how they should spend their money.

But the money they are spending has come from manufacturing !!!!!!! They have to spend on British or they are putting nothing back. As I said previously if they only buy non British goods they will have nothing to spend. Don't take it personal. Think about it

Susie - not just say I do. I really do. Every month

31000 posts tell me you live in front of a computer screen

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You do talk a load of cobblers:hehetable

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Take a look at how long I've been a member and the reasons why I use Accy Web so much:rolleyes:

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I think you are out to cause a stir and are an insensitive and not very nice person who could do to stop and think.
I am also a very hard working public sector worker and will spend my money as I choose thank you. You speak rubbish in my opinion.

Thanks Anne. You have every right to spend as you want. Think about it though, if all you public sector workers never bought British goods how would you eventually get paid?

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Well obviously by public spirited people like you, us public sector workers can't afford to buy British, what with not having had a pay rise for the last three years and not likely to have one for some years to come, and at the same time having our pensions slashed whilst paying more for them!

Anne think about my argument. You should have bought British. There's not enough manufacturing left to pay for your pension. There's not enough to give you a pay rise. You cannot get blood out of a stone. If we don't manufacture and sell things there is no money for anyone. That's me and you. Don't feel hard done by we are in this together

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Whatever you've been smoking.... stop it now!!!! It is seriously addling your brain. This country is not entirely dependent on British made goods... We make very few goods these days compared to 50 years ago. Manufacturing is all but dead here. If I choose to buy goods made by a Chinese disabled peasant child, paid 1p/hr then so be it. Whatever I earn, I will spend as I please.
The world is an economy now and as Economists continue to tell us, the recession is global. We are interdependent whether you like it or not. You have no credible argument, so forget it and move on....:D

The world is lots of economies not just one. If everyone is going to buy just Chinese will China pay British nurses to nurse British patients? Ask the German what he thinks of bailing Greece out

I agree we do make fewer goods than we did 50 years ago that only goes to SUPPORT my argument. Civil servants got decent pensions and pay rises then because the manufacturing industry was strong enough to support it

Your argument is a typical I'm ok Jack argument - I will do as I want

My argument is credible you don't understand money in and money out principals. It's simple - you can't spend what you haven't got.

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Exactly!!!! We haven't got it.... I am currently sucking on a British made Chocolate Lime and wishing I'd bought the cheaper Indian one. As previously discussed, I am also a tax payer. Public sector have had no pay rises for years. We still have British mortgages, use British public transport to get to work or drive foreign cars and pay British parking fees. We go on foreign holidays from British airports and pay all the relevant taxes there.
I would like to know exactly what you manufacture Claytoner40, as I am sure it will be nowhere near as entertaining as the good old British Bulls**t you're currently spouting.:D
Of course, if you actually manufacture something useful and affordable, I may consider buying it:D

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Perhaps you could tell me which British goods I could buy then, because I believe they are very few and far between, and even if you think you are buying British, the goods very often have components which are manufactured abroad.

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Why should we as taxpayers opt for only buying British goods if the same items can be bought cheaper elsewhere?
Does the government do this?-- No. Giving contracts to foreign companies when we have the ability to do the same and maybe a better job .
:mad:

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Have you any real idea why there aint enough money in Pension Funds, Cos its obvious to me yeh aint. Its certainly sod all to do wi folk not contributing enough to fund it.:rolleyes: Yer arguments nonsense n i reckon yer just a poor wind up merchant.

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I heard that get income from worldwide banking and insurance services.
When that system collapses we will be in the compost, and the phrase 'Dig for Victory' will be replaced by 'Dig or Starve'.

That solves the obesity problem at a stroke :D

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Saw my Uncle yesterday, who used to work for Philips -he told me that about 250 workers are left working in the UK to support 12,000 now on the pension for the company -a sign of the times surely....most manufacture is now in the Eastern block.

Better to spend your money supporting your own community at the end of the day surely.

At last an objective view. You are quite correct. The civil servants on here cannot see the money they earn isn't real. Sure they work hard and do worthy jobs but their money comes from manufacturers. If they don't put back into their OWN ECONOMY the money will run out and there's none left for anyone

So the British government buys ships from abroad. British shipyards shut down. More people on dole. Less people paying the civil servants. Less money. Point proved m'lud

The government are civil servants of course they should buy British

You buy as cheap as you want and earn the money of the cheapest manufacturing bases. I'm alright Jack

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Yawn........ You're going round in circles Claytoner40. You'd have been much better off aiming the buy British argument at everybody, instead of trying to single out public service workers.

All you've managed to do is get everybody's back up with your unconvincing arguments. The irony is that the few remaining British manufacturers are staffed with Eastern European employees, Express Gifts springs to mind..:)

I have the patience of a saint, but I'm bored with you now and have better things to do..:D

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So lets get this right, you want a new telly, so you go into Dixons and there are two tellies virtually the same, a British made TV costing £800 and a Japanese made TV costing £400, you would buy the British TV. This would lead me to believe that you have 1 of three problems, 1) your not wired up right, 2) you've more money than sense, 3) your a secret lottery winner and have told nobody about your win:rolleyes:

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Ho hum, another day, another plonker attention seeking on Accyweb. :rolleyes:

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Think the clue may be in the username?:D:D

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Well this chap has started 3 rather controversial threads, Pet Owners Lazy Women and this one, ya think your right Wyn defo an attention seeker:rolleyes:

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Didn't take long for you to realise that John - we are only three pages in.:)
Didn't you suss it out from the first post?

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I don't know why you are being so hard on Claytoner40?

Just a suggestion that was taken up by the Government a few years ago. Remember the 'Buy British' campaign ?

Of course we don't though. Shop for the best bargains at the best prices. I am guilty of this myself, however, do feel proud of myself if I have picked an item up with the Union Jack on it. :)

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Are you casting apsersions because he comes from Clayton Cashy :D.
I'm from there too (by way of Accrington first)!

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Yer accrington born n bred simple as, regard yeh as a missionary down yon, attempting to bring education to em.;):D

Accy is only Clayton with no good bits

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LOL ... that is as perfect a 'get-out' you will ever come across.

I might be guilty of a small wind up but there is a lot of sense in buying British. My argument was very simplistic but there is truth in it.

It didn't take long for people to start insulting me but hey do what

Margaret and Cashy can spot wind ups from miles away. Cashy you should move to Clayton

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You're right but the thread starter was picking out public sector workers which is unfair.

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True, Sue, but they do appear to be the Aunt Sally in any controversy (which is unfair).

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I wouldn't concern meself too much, yeh aint been really insulted as i can see, Have a root back at some owd threads n yeh will see what insulting really is.;):D

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Until a few years ago I was still referred to as 'that girl from Accrington'...even though I haven't been a 'girl' for many a long year.

Clayton and Accrington are much the same in reality, there are some good bits in both places, and some not so good bits...there are some very pleasant people, and some that aren't quite so pleasant. It depends on your perspective.

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I haven't moved out...so that must say something!

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While what you say has some point to it....the buying British. It isn't always possible to buy what you want from a British company.
The manufacturing base has shrunk so much over the years.
Tell me, do you know of any british company that makes cotton sheets?

Lancashire was once the biggest producer of woven cotton goods......but during the years when we were exhorted to export(Do you remember the Queen's award for Export ?- given to companies who exported most of their goods abroad) we exported the machinery that was used to spin cotton, to card cotton, to weave cotton. We exported skills abroad too.

I don't know whether the powers of the time, realised that by exporting such machinery, we were, in fact exporting jobs to countries with lower manufacturing costs......slitting the throats of the British worker, the British manufacturer....making it impossible for them to be competitive in the world market. That is a reality that you cannot get away from.
You cannot buy British made, if Britain doesn't make it.

And I know you started this thread to provoke a reaction........you got a reaction.
I have not commented much until now because I felt it was a contentious thread with not much substance....posted as a poke in the ribs to public sector workers.
However, on the plus side, some good points have been raised as a result of what you said.

As an aside, I was an NHS worker for most of my working life....and would like to say.....all would have nurses, doctors, ambulance personnel, police officers there when they need them, but many would still poke them with the stick...most of them do a brilliant job, a job that is thankless and unpleasant at times....it would be good for us to give them our thanks for the work that they do.(yes....I know they get paid, but they go above and beyond the call of duty).
That's me DONE!

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Well said Margaret.. I could give a local example of our manufacturing in good old Emerson & Renwick. This local engineering firm export their machinery to China, Russia, Italy, France, Poland, to name a few places. They make wallpaper making machinery such as embossers and winders.

Their machinery is then installed in foreign factories, keeping local lads at Emersons in a job. These factories then go on to produce wallpaper and other paper products which are then sold worldwide. If we didn't buy some foreign goods, such as some of the lovely wallpaper that comes out of Italy (made on British machinery), our lads at Emersons would be out of a job.:D

Of course, if Claytoner40 disagrees with this then that's his/her choice, but for those of us who can be bothered to think of a reasonable argument, we are not so short sighted as to believe that simply buying British will solve our economic woes.

As for insults, you chose to single out a certain faction of society. Did you really expect to do that on an open forum and not get a bit of flack??

Maybe, in order to avoid future insults, you should do a bit more research, apply a bit more thought to your subject and learn to acknowledge other people's opinions. That way, you will decrease your chances of looking like a complete moron.....:D

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Thanks Lettie. I worked in the cotton industry until 1967......and I loved that job. It was noisy, it was dusty.....but I liked creating something that was going to be used.
I would have stayed in that job probably for life.....but David Whitehead, the company that I worked for, were forced to move lock stock and barrel to South Africa........some of the single young fellas who had no family ties went with them. I was just married and couldn't think of doing that.
I had to look at what was going to be best for me and my family...chose nursing and the rest is history....but I haven't forgotten how towns like Accrington were devastated when the mills closed. Whole families depended on manufacturing for their livelihoods.

When I retired I spent a good deal of time in Australia......there you could buy Autralian made goods very easily....and most people felt unpatriotic if they didn't do so......but if you tried to buy a souvenir that was Made in Australia, you would be very hard pressed to find one...unless you bought aboriginal artefacts of art(and even these were being replicated in China).

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I suppose what brings Public Sector workers to the fore, is that they are making the biggest noise about cuts, because they can and are a large body.

Lots of Private Sector workers are being subject to the same cuts, but cannot voice their frustrations so readily, for fear of reprisals.

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Well said Marg was of the same mind myself and was just coming on to do a post but you beat me to it. Maybe the question should be "why did successive goverments (of all persuasions) not fight to keep more manufacturing jobs in Britian?" Perhaps if they had tried to stop jobs being taken abroad we would now have more jobs on offer for the populace with the added bonus of Btitish goods at reasonable prices.

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Seems one area of British manufacturing is set to do well...

UK car-makers to break manufacturing record by 2015 | This is Money

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Didn't take long for you to start insulting Jaysay either. You know his circumstances; perhaps you'd care to apologise...or are you just too pig ignorant?

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You know your getting there Margaret when they call you that Lass from Accy:D

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Back in the 70s a mate of mine bought a brand new Mini when he got it there were just 13 miles on the clock, that car was the biggest load of crap I've ever seen, it spent more time in the garage than on the road, after 8 months he gave up to it and he's never had another British cars since

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When I was coming back to live in Hyndburn HBC offered me a flat in Clayton, right down near Wilsons playing fields York Place I think it was called, I got a decorator to go right through the flat measured up for carpets, then HBC withdrew the tenancy because they found out it needed a new damp proof course, they then offered me one in Mallard Place Ossy, what a lucky escape that was:D:D

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Yes, John, I reckon in another twenty years they will take me to their hearts:D.

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In another 20 years they'll be calling you Queen Margaret of Clayton:D

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Everythings sorted Wyn:mosher:

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Glad to hear it, mate!

My wife has lived in Clayton for 23 years. She's still a Geordie. She was the first fresh breeding stock in Clayton since the war

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Poor Lass Claytoner40, I bet she's been treated like n illegal immigrant at times down yon?:D

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Its a wonder they didn't make her wear a blue star on her back coming from Newcastle:D:D

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Right on ... a lucky escape for Clayton;)

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By the way, I realize that a lot of you guys keep yourselves informed about what is going on in the world; so, you know about the massive problems with child labour and outright slavery, particularly in South East Asia. By buying products manufactured in this area ... I think the Nike case was a high profile one ... you are supporting this abomination.

There's lots that can be done by the consumer to support British manufacturers, what's left of them anyway. I know that many Canadians buy Toyotas ... damn fine cars ... but they are Toyotas manufactured in Canada, by Canadians. Find out about products. Find out how much of your car, for example, is made in the UK. Eat food grown in Britain. Drink British beer:theband: It's like being environmentally responsible: every little bit helps.

Oh ... and support Stanley, not the foreign owned multi-national marketing giants masquerading as football clubs.:alright:

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To be honest Eric, there are some people that do not have the luxury of being able to buy/choose ethically produced goods.......their budgets mean that they have to go for the economic option - the one they can afford. It is either that or do without. That's the reality.

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By saying "that's the reality" I hope you don't mean, as Thatcher would have said: "There is no alternative." There's always an alternative. And that is doing what you can. Informing yourself about issues that many in power, both in the economic sector and in government, wish would stay hidden is a start. It's ok to express outrage at the killing of 100s of children in Syria, but what about the millions of kids in Asia who are sold into slave labour in the factories, sweat shops, and brothels? Seems like lots of folks, particularly in Europe care more about the fate of baby seals than they do about children slaving away in unsafe conditions in Asian factories. And the kids in Thailand working in the sex tourism industry.

And an aside: You and I grew up in a time when doing without was normal. Didn't kill us, did it? Maybe made us stronger in the long run.;)

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Informing yourself is a good start, but when you don't have the money to make the ethical choice, then all the information in the world doesn't give you the power to choose the ethical option.

Yes, we did grow up in a time when doing without was the option...the alternative. But the young people of today have become a 'Want it now' generation.We were happy to have shoes on our feet.....it didn't matter too much that they had come from a jumble sale or they had been worn by our cousin/sister/brother - today children are brand orientated.......and I'm not saying that it is right.....and if they go out with their mates and don't have branded trainers(or whatever it is the young folk wear these days) then they are likely to be bullied.......yes, we got that at school too...and that didn't kill us either.......today is not the time we lived in...it isn't remotely like the time we grew up.

So No, I'm not saying there isn't an alternative, but, that the alternative is unpalatable for some people who actually, never give a thought to where the product they are using has come from, or what efforts were expended, and by whom, to put it on their table, their back, or their feet.

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I think the days have gone when you can pick and choose, its now the best you can get for your money irrespective of where it was made

It's bad enough me knowing without everyone else knowing ;-)

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Eric, by todays standards, we were 'deprived' children.
My deprivation gave me a good work ethic and an independence that could not be gained any other way.......if you do something yourself, and earn whatever it is you desire, then how much sweeter it is to own something that was attained by your own hand.

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Well if she's a canny Lass they'll know when she says out:D ya can't really disguise a Toon accent:rolleyes:

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Always words of wisdom Margaret, can't fault that:)

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Thanks John. I know it makes sense to me, and I feel that it is what is lacking from the generations that followed. Those that seemed to get everything handed to them on a plate.
No-one ever gave me anything...what I have, I have worked for.

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Totally agree with you Margaret. When they get married today they want everything straight away. They dont want to work and save for it like we did. You appreciated the goods more then and looked after them. We got married in 1969 with not much but we worked through it and brought up two children .

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Yes, we started our married life with mismatched furniture - much of it second hand or gifted to us, a carpet square bought at a fire damaged sale(it smelled of smoke for ages).....an antique gas cooker and a very basic washing machine, complete with a mangle(yes it was electrically operated, but a mangle nevertheless).
This was so that we didn't go into debt. This would never do for many of the newly weds of today.

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Most of our furniture still is second hand... bought in auction sales when we bought our first house and still with us. The fact that a couple of pieces are now probably worth in the thousands of pounds is beside the point -they were dirt cheap when we got them. Most of the rest of our stuff is from IKEA or similar.

We also had an antique gas cooker at first and didn't get a washer until about 1990 - went to the launderette every week till then. And our TV is still only about 22 inches (not quite sure exactly!).

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I first got married in 67 Frank and we were the same, second hand anything you could get your hands on and you were grateful too, funny enough the only thing I still have from my first ever home is a mirror which hangs in the bedroom, wonder if anybody else in our age group still have thing from way back then, around 45 year

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Well I'm in your age group but didn't set up home with my partner till 78 but still got most of the stuff we had then, see my previous post.

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Yes, John I have a couple of pyrex dishes and a bread saw.........and like you a mirror that was a wedding present.......in a Teak frame......very 1960's but I can't part with it.

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Ya mines in a teak frame too Margaret its like an elongated heart shaped thing on a teak backing fixed with mirror screws

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Has It got a crack in it?:p:D

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Only when I look in it Beni:D:D then the cracks get mixed up with the wrinkles

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Is it on the wall, or on the ceiling?;)

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It is now firmly on the wall:rolleyes: