‘Rudderless ship lacking conviction’
Just a quick follow up on yesterday’s posting. I’ve had some very interesting mails overnight so thanks everyone for writing in.
Clearly we have to differentiate between two parallel financial funnels that are currently working in conjunction with one another: the credit crunch and the rising cost of living. They’re separate entities that are happening to take effect at the same time. I don’t think I conveyed this yesterday, so it needed to be pointed out.
So, in the rising cost of living column, we can now add football season tickets!
This will not be a big deal for everyone, but I found the figures published yesterday quite interesting. First and foremost, my beloved Chelsea is the only Premiership side to freeze season ticket prices next year.
This will be scant consolation for fans both reeling from the Champions League melodrama, and cringing at the current managerial merry-go-round. Plus, at an existing average cost of over £700 per season ticket, I can’t see the Chelsea directors going short next year.
Elsewhere, fans of Premiership clubs can expect to pay an average of 7.2% more to watch their favourite side next year. Sunderland, Spurs, Portsmouth and (this will make you laugh) Manchester United fans face the steepest price hikes overall. In the current financial climate, it really doesn’t help.
Also, I read the following headline this morning in the newspaper:
‘Brown calls for global action on oil price’
….and it reminded of the following headlines I’ve written myself over the last few months:
‘British Gas Next to Raise Prices, Brown Lends His Voice’
‘Government to Intervene in Energy Price Debate’
‘Darling gets Bullish with Banks’
‘Government to Settle Egg Card Dispute’
The net result of these government actions? Well, British Gas managed to raise their prices, and raise them again. Energy prices are still on the increase overall. Banks steadfastly refuse to pass profits onto their customers, and Egg pretty much got away with cancelling 160,000 customer accounts for no viable reason.
Do I expect the Prime Minister’s call for action to be heeded by global oil companies?
No.
And finally, if you would deign to read my news article today, you’ll notice it describes the people most likely to become victims of ID theft. Somewhat alarmingly, I’m ticking pretty much all the boxes.
I live in NW3, South Hampstead, fifth on the list of the top 25 ID theft hotspots. I’m most definitely aged between 26 and 45, and I’m a tenant in a rented flat. Better be careful with my personal correspondence then.
It’s a good job I don’t earn £50,000 a year or I’d be really screwed.
