We are now able to deliver to Europe and Ireland via our Amazon shop.

Fighting Inflation Part 2

January 14, 2023

Fighting Inflation Part 2

...continues from newsletter

Is it old age that gives rise to ranting and casting opinions on authority? Or just that most of the people dictating our lives are younger than me now? But then hairdressers have always had opinions along with black-taxi drivers. They’re the only people that really know how to run the country as the late comedian George Burns joked.

The collapse in productivity and raging inflation is a worry for all of us. We’re back to the 1970s with masses of unemployment hiding in plain sight, and in our interconnected society, one person’s overpaid under-productive cushy job is another person’s membership to the food bank. Inflation and high taxation is linked to this. As a service economy most of UK inflation is now caused by declining productivity from the shrinking workforce - ‘it’s the taxation stupid!’ to misquote Bill Clinton.

The Passport Office are now patting themselves on the back because 95% of applications are processed within 10 weeks. Ten Weeks! And so they feel ready to raise prices in February.

Not just the Passport Office, many big companies and government agencies are becoming hopeless at customer service. So bad that they have to put up signs, the gist of which is … our ‘service’ is so awful and we’ll annoy you so much that you’ll probably lose your temper (or the will to live) and if you’re rude to our staff we’ll have you thrown out or arrested. Blah blah. 

Imagine going to a nice restaurant, hotel, clothes boutique, or salon and seeing a sign like that. You wouldn’t because you’re free to choose. And there lies the problem. Big companies and government agencies don’t have proper competition, so you’re tied in or trapped. No longer a customer to please and win over, more a supplicant to fleece, control, and who has to beg for service.

Read Fighting Inflation Part 1

Michael Van Clarke





Also in Blogs

Gaby's Bakery - Puff Pastry Mince Pies
Gaby's Bakery - Puff Pastry Mince Pies

November 30, 2023

It's Christmas, and thank you, I don't mind if I do - yes, I like a mince pie. But often with the ones I'm offered, I find the balance of pastry overwhelms the filling. These are not quite the traditional pastry mince pies, but are made from puff pastry to be lighter, airier and absolutely delicious.

Continue Reading

In the Chair - Real Hair Real People - Coral
In the Chair - Real Hair Real People - Coral

November 29, 2023

Sometimes it's just nice to have a change; a bit of fun. And the range of colours with easy application and little commitment mean you can dip in and dip out to suit your mood or the season.

Continue Reading

Gaby's Bakery - Chickpea Cookies (Nan-e nokhodchi)
Gaby's Bakery - Chickpea Cookies (Nan-e nokhodchi)

November 25, 2023

This Persian recipe is always brought out for their new year but can be enjoyed anytime by everyone as it’s vegan and gluten free. Using chickpea flour gives a delicate and crumbly melt-in-your-mouth biscuit with fragrant flavours of cardamom, pistachio and rose water carrying you eastward.

Continue Reading