Childcare costs outstrip the wages.....

[Workingman]

..... of one earner, according to Aviva..

So "experts" are calling for more childcare support for children aged one and two, as well as raising the NI threshold and maintaining Child benefits, working tax credits and so on.

The suggestion is that 4% are "paying to work" and need help. Well I have a suggestion for the experts: promote a system where the minor earner, whoever that is, stays at home and does the childcare. Instead of paying to work they would be in-pocket come the month's end.

Having more stay-at-home mums and dads would also benefit the families, society, education and the economy: a win-win situation.

[TheOstrich]

Couldn't agree more with the logic of that argument, WM, but society today doesn't run on logic.

Another topical example: we allow NHS staff go out to Sierra Leone, and then let them back into the country on normal flights, via Heathrow to Glasgow airport. This latest infected woman turned herself in after symptoms showed up last night - what if they hadn't showed up until January 1st, and she's spent New Year's Eve celebrating on the streets and in the clubs? That's all it takes to start an epidemic .... but don't worry, the inestimable Ms Sturgeon's got it all in hand and tells us all, on TV, not to panic, and by the way, the BBC has a special telephone number for you if you were on Flight number Doodah, so please give it a ring ....

Let's face it, logic flew out of the window a long time ago in this country.

[Workingman]

I could not disagree, Ossie, people who stay at home to look after their children, be they mums or dads, are not valued. In the modern world they have to be worker drones otherwise they are "scroungers" of the first order and are an economic drain.

Regarding the Ebola case in Glasgow. The health worker involved has done the right thing by turning herself in to th NHS at the first sign that she was ill. It must be one of the worst decisions a person can make, but thankfully she has done it. However, there are others who would have shrugged it off, gone out on NYE for a bit of a blast, got drunk, thrown up...... We cannot even begin to think "then what?" it could be too late!

The NHS health worker came in via Casablanca. Had she wanted to she could have arrived direct in Glasgow via Frankfurt or Schiphol - Amsterdam, and never have been "flagged up". She could have been free to roam had she not been the dedicated medical professional she obviously is.

I wish for her a speedy and full recovery.

[TheOstrich]

I note that in the Ebola case, I am not the only person saying the way it is dealt with in this country is illogical.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/d ... ine-system

And that's from the doctor who was sitting next to her on the plane.

You know, they are all working on the basis this virus is not contagious until symptoms develop ..... well, do they really know that?

WM, you say she is a dedicated medical professional. OK. But please excuse me if I slightly disagree. That, she may be, but I also think she is cavalier, and has been allowed to be cavalier by British authorities who are themselves cavalier about this virus ....