NORTHERN PLANNER

11 responses to “A few facts”

1. 

   Rob Mortimer

   January 4, 2007

   Brilliant. False Teeth, who’d have thought it?

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2. 

   Lee McEwan

   January 4, 2007

   Very interesting to see the rise in “living comfortably”.
   I think that data comes from the British Social Attitudes Survey. Sadly this survey was canned by the incoming Labour government in 1997.
   http://www.statistics.gov.uk/STATBASE/Source.asp?vlnk=619&More=Y

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3. 

   Lee McEwan

   January 4, 2007

   Ahem … didn’t finish …
   “Year of latest available data: Spring 1997”
   I’m not sure where the rest of the trend comes from. Maybe they moved some of the questions on to a new survey?
   Can anyone help – this data is really useful 😉

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4. 

   Northern Planner

   January 4, 2007

   Hi Lee
   According to this (http://www.natcen.ac.uk/natcen/pages/op_socialattitudes.htm#bsa) they did one in 2006 spanning 1983 to 2006. I’m so pleased they didn’t just cobble stuff together.
   Should be useful and it’s only £15

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5. 

   Rob @ Cynic

   January 4, 2007

   Love it … but then I love all sorts of weird and wonderful data … but the immigration issue you raised is very powerful indeed.
   Sure, the definition of ‘immigrants’ is open to abuse [especially how it is evaluated in terms of %’s] but it seems too many people in the UK are jumping on the immigration issue either without understanding the real numbers involved or tor using it as a convienient validation for their individual shortcomings/lack of opportunities/prejudices.
   Sorry I am getting all political – and I appreciate this is not a view shared by all – but [1] I was quite scared by the myopic views of many people I met when I was in the UK last week [2] I was even more scared by the views of certain media when I was in the UK last week and [3] we’ve just started working with Amnesty so are very aware of the reality of the situation and the real impact it has on local economies [both in positive and negative senses]
   Funny how Benneton haven’t exploited this situation for their crappy, coloured jumpers isn’t it.
   Jeez-Louise … I need a chill pill … which in Singapore means a Diet Coke and an episode of Peep Show.
   Sorry about my rant – but this issue has really got my back up, especially as certain Government ministers are stoking up the debate for their personal agendas.

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6. 

   Rob Mortimer

   January 4, 2007

   The uk media is terrible on that area. Particularly the Murdoch owned media.

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7. 

   Rob @ Cynic

   January 4, 2007

   I suppose it should be shocking Murdoch and his papers amplify the immigration issue given he comes from Australia – a country of multiculturalism – however, given Australian multiculturalism actually means that lots of different nationalities actually live there [even though in the main, they keep themselves, to themselves because of inherent prejudices – often encouraged by media and governments] I guess it’s not that suprising afterall.
   God, I am Mr Angry today aren’t I!

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8. 

   Northern Planner

   January 4, 2007

   I agree with virtually all of the above.
   It’s easy to blame people at large, or even politicians, but the media covers very few issues with anything like a fair assessment of the facts. Be it Europe, the economy, prostitution or immigration.
   By the way, a fact I left out was that 71.6% of UK residents consider themselves Christian (but other stuff suggests this is in the traditional sense, Britain is mostly secular) while 2.7% consider themselves Muslim. Doesn’t feel like that when you read the papers. This is a can or worms of course – but I bet most Mail readers would be shocked by the small number of Muslims alledgely taking over, and a few extremists may not want you to know how insignificant they really are either?
   You’ve got me going now.

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9. 

   Rob Mortimer

   January 4, 2007

   Indeed. I find it really sad that so many people genuinely believe that what they read in Murdoch media (and the Daily Mail)is actually news rather than (mostly) opinion presented as news.
   The things is though, that the mail seems to cater for those whose viewpoints are already to the right. Whereas the Murdoch media actually seems to influence people who in reality should be given the facts.
   I find it mad that people complain about advertising and yet the world’s media is spreading more lies every week than every ad in the history of the world ever.

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10. 

    Rob @ Cynic

    January 4, 2007

    Rise up … rise up … ha!
    Seriously, the media’s manipulation of [many in] the UK population is a bloody great example of just how powerful communication [esp. PR] can be in today’s society … not to mention a perfect example of how lazy people have become in taking ‘news’ on face value.
    As I said, much of its ‘belief’ comes from deep prejudices and a need [from some people] to validate their current lifestyle circumstances [ignoring the fact that they would never want to do half of the jobs many ‘immigrants’ end up doing … nor follow the same work ethic]
    We’re doing some work with the U.N. [not nearly as fancy as it sounds but it is bloody interesting] and if you think we’ve got it bad, I can assure you the situation in far worse in places like Holland and France.
    We NEED to get this sorted out – but unfortunately we’re fast moving to living in a meritology society rather than a humanitarian one. It can change – I just hope it does with everyone pulling in the right direction rather than encouraging ‘issues’.
    Oooooh, I’m Mr Angry – Andy will be soooo proud when he’s back, ha!

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11. 

    Rob Mortimer

    January 4, 2007

    Ive heard very bad things about both Holland and France in that respect too.
    Its such a shame though.

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