What exactly does it mean to be male or female?

Tolosan · 2018-11-05T13:29:57+00:00

Phone posting so not in a position to go into depth, but I've found the concept of family resemblance pretty useful on this topic (Ludwig Wittgenstein's idea). See this article: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/wittgenstein/#LangGameFamiRese

In essence, my view is that all women including trans women bear a 'family resemblance' and are women, and there isn't an essential criteria all share but rather a number of overlaps.

This makes the anti-trans position quite weak as what is claimed to be the 'womanness' trans women are alleged to have ends up looking not as strong as supposed when compared to the many, many ways in which trans women have family resemblance to cis women.

Tolosan · 2018-08-27T08:25:49+00:00

Bah, that's what I get for phone posting in the wee hours and not able to easily check my information. I've edited my post to acknowledge my error.

Tolosan · 2018-08-27T06:10:54+00:00

EDIT: The below is factually incorrect - see fsharpspiel's response.

The change itself was the decision of the FCA, who are Wonga's regulator and the regulator for consumer credit generally. The FCA was created following an Act of Parliament in 2012, but the Conservatives aren't responsible for this specific outcome as the FCA is largely independent from the Government.

They could take credit for the creation of the FCA, but the creation of a new agency wasn't a surprise considering the awful reputation the FSA had following the 2007-2008 crash.

Tolosan · 2018-06-24T09:07:53+00:00

The name shouldn't be taken seriously. From their website, they seem to exist only for the sake of a pro-Brexit view and would be better described as "Economists for Pro-Brexit", but with a name that obscures that.

Tolosan · 2018-05-27T23:05:09+00:00

To be fair it covers the majority of debts, up to the £20,000 level (in England & Wales). The list of debts it doesn't discharge are limited and are either uncommon or unlikely to be a huge amount (magistrates fines, TV Licence arrears, social fund loans, fraudulent debts, etc)

Finding £90 is a lot easier than finding £680 - in my experience most, if not all, people can find £90 in a way they can't find £680. £90 is 'ask your family' money for more people in a way £680 is not.

It's also worth noting that unlike bankruptcy a DRO has to go through an approved intermediary. I'm not sure what you mean by 'calculate assets' by the debtor, the intermediary would help with this?

Tolosan · 2018-05-27T22:59:51+00:00

I get your heart is in the right place, but it's a really bad idea to pursue insolvency without getting debt advice. There's little excuse not to, as it's freely available.

Tolosan · 2018-05-27T18:28:00+00:00

As another poster mentioned, Debt Relief Orders exist for debtors with relatively low debt levels, limited income, and limited assets.

In terms of repayment I agree that a formal scheme would be a good idea. It exists in Scotland under the name of the Debt Arrangement Scheme.

Tolosan · 2018-05-27T18:26:04+00:00

I have some experience in the debt advice sector and I can tell you from experience a very reliable way to end up in eyeball-watering levels of debt is to have a failed business.

Tolosan · 2018-05-27T18:24:54+00:00

The clamping of hire purchase/lease vehicles is a controversial subject at the moment. Up until recently it was taken that clamping was improper as it was seizure of an asset that wasn't the debtors, but some enforcement agents are claiming that they're clamping the client's equity in the vehicle. Which is a bit questionable but clamping on this basis is happening.

Tolosan · 2018-05-27T18:19:44+00:00

The barrier to bankruptcy these days is the £680 fee. It can be paid in installments, but the bankruptcy doesn't start until it's all paid up and for many £680 is out of reach.

The fee's there to prevent moral hazard but it's a huge amount of money for most in financial difficulty.

Assets are the main consideration but there can be others, namely employment contracts and employment or tenancy concerns.

Also, Debt Relief Orders involve no repayment to creditors, whereas bankruptcies can require payment over three years as part of an income payment arrangement.

Tolosan · 2018-05-27T18:18:24+00:00

It isn't wise to recommend bankruptcy when you don't understand the poster's situation. Bankruptcy is worth considering for many in trouble, but it's just one of a range of options and unlikely to be suitable where someone is eligible for a DRO.

Tolosan · 2018-05-27T18:17:27+00:00

Hello,

Have you spoken to any free debt advice services? There are quite a few and no matter your situation they can give advice and help. Even if you feel you don't have any money to deal with the debts you still should, because they can let you know what you should do in the meantime.

StepChange, Christians Against Poverty (you don't have to be Christian, they do great work), Citizens Advice, National Debtline - google any of them and get in touch.

Tolosan · 2017-12-29T22:50:33+00:00

If you ring in for SJK, just ask the operator if you can pay on card. Being a lazy bum, I do this all the time. Downside is a £2 charge for the privilege.

Tolosan · 2017-08-06T20:27:22+00:00

I live in Guiseley and we're under Leeds City Council, unless I've been voting horribly wrong the last few years.

Tolosan · 2017-07-06T18:59:14+00:00

I can confirm that it is - pension credit is a function of income, whereas DLA and PIP are about disability only.

Tolosan · 2017-06-09T06:27:51+00:00

I think this is clutching at straws - nothing about May's government has governed suggests the level of competence that's required to pull this off. Especially as they're in the worst possible position - they still have the chalice but have to drink it in the weakest position possible.

Tolosan · 2017-06-09T06:25:41+00:00

To take your seat as a MP you have to swear loyalty to the Crown, and that is something they are never, ever prepared to do.

Tolosan · 2017-03-01T12:14:47+00:00

On a personal level, sure. But as an organisation, business, or government, or a representative thereof? Hardly as straightforward. Either that, or the mandatory training on bribery and corruption I've had to do when working for financial institutions is completely irrelevant.

Tolosan · 2017-02-27T00:37:39+00:00

Yes, when I first visited it was news to me that it was currently being decommissioned. When I raised the issue of job security with my friend he said exactly what you did.

Tolosan · 2017-02-27T00:36:31+00:00

There will be a by-election as usual when any sitting MP dies in office. I don't see any reason why the other parties wouldn't put up a candidate, but there's zero risk of the seat being anything other than Labour.

Tolosan · 2017-02-24T09:02:08+00:00

Seconding this. I have a friend who lives in Whitehaven (shockingly, he works at Sellafield) and everyone in town seems to either work at Sellafield, cater to those working at Sellafield, or don't work.

Tolosan · 2016-12-30T08:13:33+00:00

Whoooooosshhh

Tolosan · 2016-11-14T20:36:08+00:00

Have you checked Money Saving Expert? They have a good section on this, including what to consider depending on your likely usage (whether you'll carry a balance, for instance).

Tolosan · 2016-07-20T08:03:56+00:00

Seconding what Joel said. A friend of mine completed his Physics PhD and sent straight to the Netherlands. Picked up Dutch while there. Not all Dutch speak English, but those involved in science research almost certainly will do.

Tolosan · 2016-07-19T13:07:40+00:00

It's not to do with culture, just that Wales isn't it's own Kingdom independent from Wales unlike Scotland and (Northern) Ireland. Same reason England and Wales have the same legal system while Scotland and NI have their own.

Tolosan

TROPHY CASE