As in 2008, this crisis will bring winners and losers. This time, let's get it right | Carys Roberts

Progressives missed an opportunity after the last crash. To fix our broken economy after Covid-19, we need bold new ideas

• Coronavirus – latest updates
• See all our coronavirus coverage

All crises create winners and losers. In 2008 progressives failed to anticipate and define a compelling story about the financial crisis. Over the following years, house prices have risen more than twice as fast as wages and the highest paid chief executives are now paid twice as much as their 2010 counterparts. A crucial chance to transform the UK’s economic model was squandered.

The economic crisis wrought by coronavirus will be different. But a clear diagnosis of the nature of this crisis, the longstanding weaknesses it has exposed, and a progressive story of how we might recover from it, are as vital now as they were in 2008. This is a task for progressives everywhere: in society, in our workplaces, in our politics. For Labour, seeking to rebound from a disastrous election defeat, this task will be critical.

Continue reading...

from Property | The Guardian https://ift.tt/3bzjggM
via IFTTT

A unexpected 'extra' when I cancelled a flexible holiday booking - a voucher

I also had cancellation cover but Holiday Extra has still refused the refund I am due

I made a flexible booking with cancellation cover from Holiday Extras for an airport hotel and parking and, on 11 March, I cancelled it. I was promised a full refund. Two weeks later they offered a voucher, instead. A statement appeared on its website announcing that all customers who cancelled bookings after 17 March would receive a voucher, not a refund, which was irrelevant to my case. I again requested the refund and received another confirmation that I would get my money back within 30 days.

A further month went by and I was informed it was changing its terms and conditions because Covid-19 was a force majeure and I had to accept a voucher. My cancellation wasn’t related to Covid-19. It has now removed the 17 March statement from its website. I don’t understand how, having written to me on three occasions confirming it was processing my refund, it is able to change its terms and conditions.

Continue reading...

from Property | The Guardian https://ift.tt/3bn9AFS
via IFTTT

Nine top tips for finding a quiet property Nottingham Estate Agents

Some people are happy living close to the action in a vibrant area but for others, a quiet home is a priority If you are house hunting, it can be difficult to know (beyond the obvious) what to look out for. What are the signs to be aware of if tranquility is one of your […]

The post Nine top tips for finding a quiet property appeared first on OnTheMarket.com blog.

from OnTheMarket.com blog https://ift.tt/2FLuPEO
via IFTTT

'In lockdown, I do far more domestic work. How do I convince my partner his laziness is harming me?'

There are two points you need to make to your partner, writes advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith: that work should be distributed fairly, and that right now it isn’t

Under lockdown the unequal division of domestic labour between my (male) partner and I (a woman) has become really clear: I do far more of the cleaning, cooking, tidying, making sure we have enough groceries, etc. Which was the case before lockdown but less noticeable when we weren’t both home and having to cook every night. He seems to either not notice these things need to be done or is just used to them happening for him. How do I convince him his laziness is harming me and driving me away?

Eleanor says: One of the problems with housework is that we expect people to do it out of love. What could be a more quintessential expression of kindness than an elaborately prepared meal, presented on a carefully set table? The trouble is that once we think people do this work out of benevolence, it becomes very difficult to get the frameworks of fairness to fit over it. Fairness is about what you’re required to do, and benevolence is about doing more than that. Of course, benevolence is part of the job of a spouse and a parent – but when we expect more of it from mothers and wives, and when we think housework is its natural expression, the result is literally and necessarily unfair.

Continue reading...

from Property | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2SY5JbU
via IFTTT

'In lockdown, I do far more domestic work. How do I convince my partner his laziness is harming me?'

There are two points you need to make to your partner, writes advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith: that work should be distributed fairly, and that right now it isn’t

Under lockdown the unequal division of domestic labour between my (male) partner and I (a woman) has become really clear: I do far more of the cleaning, cooking, tidying, making sure we have enough groceries, etc. Which was the case before lockdown but less noticeable when we weren’t both home and having to cook every night. He seems to either not notice these things need to be done or is just used to them happening for him. How do I convince him his laziness is harming me and driving me away?

Eleanor says: One of the problems with housework is that we expect people to do it out of love. What could be a more quintessential expression of kindness than an elaborately prepared meal, presented on a carefully set table? The trouble is that once we think people do this work out of benevolence, it becomes very difficult to get the frameworks of fairness to fit over it. Fairness is about what you’re required to do, and benevolence is about doing more than that. Of course, benevolence is part of the job of a spouse and a parent – but when we expect more of it from mothers and wives, and when we think housework is its natural expression, the result is literally and necessarily unfair.

Continue reading...

from Home And Garden | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2SY5JbU
via IFTTT

Seven simple ways to upgrade your garden or balcony

Garden centres across England were given the green light to reopen this week after the government announced steps to ease certain lockdown measures.

from Property blog https://ift.tt/2T0Kgz3
via IFTTT

Housing market in England to reopen for 'socially distanced' property viewings

Estate agents back to work on Wednesday as new laws permit key house-hunting activities

• Coronavirus – latest updates
• See all our coronavirus coverage

The housing market in England has been given the green light to reopen after seven weeks of lockdown, with renters and buyers allowed to move home and view properties as long as they observe physical distancing.

Under new regulations, key activities relating to moving home will be permitted, allowing estate agents to get back to work.

Continue reading...

from Property | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2WODtd5
via IFTTT