Excellent Guardian article

[MrGongGong]

Let's put it another way. £53 a week is £2,756 a year, and I don't believe anyone could live on that. Housing, heating, food, clothing, shoes, soap. You really can't get any more basic than that, and I don't see how it could be done.

He couldn't
he is a liar
I thought April fool jokes were supposed to be a surprise ?

[eighthobstruction]

A petition at Change.org ....
Iain Duncan Smith: Iain Duncan Smith to live on £53 a week.
is now up to 43,000 since this morning.....

[eighthobstruction]

44,000

[Frances_iom]

S... who can spot the April Fool in this Shetland newsletter, I wonder?

http://move.shetland.org/april-2013-newsletter?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=html&utm_campaign=MSO%2BApril%2B2013%2BNewsletter#shetland-birdwatchers

[/URL]

I presume it's the bit "The man behind 'Hugh's Fish Fight' has been highly critical of the way that many scallops are caught around the UK, using dredges which scar the seabed. In Shetland, however, the scallop fishery is regulated locally with the aim of ensuring that it's sustainable. Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall has argued that the rest of the country should follow Shetland's example." as it is scotish based dredgers who wrecked a prime inshore Manx scallop fishing ground less than 2 years ago.

I suspect he visiting birds around Tingwall will soon be dispersed by the busy adjacent airport and the motorway to the bright lights of Sullom Voe

[Flosshilde]

I presume it's the bit "The man behind 'Hugh's Fish Fight' has been highly critical of the way that many scallops are caught around the UK, using dredges which scar the seabed. In Shetland, however, the scallop fishery is regulated locally with the aim of ensuring that it's sustainable. Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall has argued that the rest of the country should follow Shetland's example." as it is scotish based dredgers who wrecked a prime inshore Manx scallop fishing ground less than 2 years ago.

A report containing the findings of detailed surveys conducted by the Department of Marine Science and Technology at the NAFC Marine Centre has led the Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation (SSMO) to alter the boundaries of sea areas around Shetland that are closed to scallop dredging in order to conserve and protect sensitive habitats. (06 March 2013, http://www.nafc.ac.uk/innovative-clo...p-fishing.aspx)

May 1, 2011 – The SSMO fishery has been independently certified to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) environmental standard for sustainable fishing.

[Richard Tarleton]

I suspect he visiting birds around Tingwall will soon be dispersed by the busy adjacent airport and the motorway to the bright lights of Sullom Voe

The April Fool is the flamingo story - just that. You're all reading too much into it. There are no flamingoes. It contains (like the other best stories today) an element of plausibility, however remote, and is tipped over the edge by the pink bannocks. Birders will get it

[Frances_iom]

likewise if you know Shetland the airstrip is little used (basically just for the service to Fair Isle + some light aircraft when I was there) and of course there is no motorway ! tho there are very bright lights at Sullom Voe (Oil terminal which has is own airstrip for light planes + helicopters to rigs)

[Anna]

Let's put it another way. £53 a week is £2,756 a year, and I don't believe anyone could live on that. Housing, heating, food, clothing, shoes, soap. You really can't get any more basic than that, and I don't see how it could be done.

I suspect, as all his living expenses are paid for, he was just thinking about his daily Starbucks quota ..... anyway, one only needs a single pair of shoes, one pair of trousers, one jacket, and soap - ? - who buys soap, surely a rub down with a damp flannel every other week will suffice!

[Bryn]

Good job Duncan Smith the younger is no longer at Eton. Even with his music scholarship the fees would have wiped out his dad's £53 a week.

[My mistake. Looks like the musician son is still at Eton, his scholarship being topped up by his maternal grandfather.]

[mangerton]

I suspect, as all his living expenses are paid for, he was just thinking about his daily Starbucks quota ..... anyway, one only needs a single pair of shoes, one pair of trousers, one jacket, and soap - ? - who buys soap, surely a rub down with a damp flannel every other week will suffice!

[Resurrection Man]

So, trying to keep this thread light-hearted as I presume was the OP's intention , who can spot the April Fool in this Shetland newsletter, I wonder?

http://move.shetland.org/april-2013-newsletter?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=html&utm_campaign=MSO%2BApril%2B2013%2BNewsletter#shetland-birdwatchers

I have sadly come to the conclusion, Mr Pee, that with this bunch of whinging hypocrites it is impossible for any thread started by you, me, Simon et al not to be jumped on by the children's playgroup cowards...hiding behind the anonymity of the internet. Any thread will get hijacked sooner or later. They must love typing with one hand...while.......

[MrGongGong]

I have sadly come to the conclusion, Mr Pee, that with this bunch of whinging hypocrites it is impossible for any thread started by you, me, Simon et al not to be jumped on by the children's playgroup cowards...hiding behind the anonymity of the internet. Any thread will get hijacked sooner or later. They must love typing with one hand...while.......

You missed April 1st matey

[Resurrection Man]

You missed April 1st matey

I have a job for you, GongGongGooley. It involves SEX and TRAVEL.

[Beef Oven]

I have sadly come to the conclusion, Mr Pee, that with this bunch of whinging hypocrites it is impossible for any thread started by you, me, Simon et al not to be jumped on by the children's playgroup cowards...hiding behind the anonymity of the internet. Any thread will get hijacked sooner or later. They must love typing with one hand...while.......

[ahinton]

I have sadly come to the conclusion, Mr Pee, that with this bunch of whinging hypocrites it is impossible for any thread started by you, me, Simon et al not to be jumped on by the children's playgroup cowards...hiding behind the anonymity of the internet.

I'm not sure if you're including me in such a group, but you would be wrong to do so if you are. I will listen to sensible arguments whoever presents them and, if I disagree with any parts of them or if I think that they are not sensible, I might write to say so. Either which way, I do not hide behind internet anonymity as many, including you, Mr Pee and Simon, do; anyone reading a post from me knows who wrote it.

They must love typing with one hand...while.......

Ah, sorry; I should have read your entire post before responding to the first part of it, for it is now clear that you do not include me in the aforesaid group, as I am unable to type with one hand (as I know to my cost from failed attempts to do so when holding the phone with one while typing with the other).