@gwickenden.bsky.social
The average cost of car ownership £3,600
The average cost per tax payer to provide free public transport for all £1,000
(& there's a similar number of cars as tax payers)
The average cost per tax payer to provide free public transport for all £1,000
(& there's a similar number of cars as tax payers)
November 9, 2025 at 10:02 AM
The average cost of car ownership £3,600
The average cost per tax payer to provide free public transport for all £1,000
(& there's a similar number of cars as tax payers)
The average cost per tax payer to provide free public transport for all £1,000
(& there's a similar number of cars as tax payers)
it's just because "tax" is seen as bad whilst paying for something is seen as good
maybe there needs to be a change in perception that some taxes are paying for services (just on an ability to pay basis)
maybe there needs to be a change in perception that some taxes are paying for services (just on an ability to pay basis)
July 19, 2025 at 8:43 PM
it's just because "tax" is seen as bad whilst paying for something is seen as good
maybe there needs to be a change in perception that some taxes are paying for services (just on an ability to pay basis)
maybe there needs to be a change in perception that some taxes are paying for services (just on an ability to pay basis)
the mad thing is, the costs of public transport is a figure of circa £1,000/tax payer (vs average government spend of £32,000/tax payer)
the average cost of car ownership £3,600
in theory we could have free public transport for less per person than nearly everyone pays to own a car
the average cost of car ownership £3,600
in theory we could have free public transport for less per person than nearly everyone pays to own a car
July 19, 2025 at 8:41 PM
the mad thing is, the costs of public transport is a figure of circa £1,000/tax payer (vs average government spend of £32,000/tax payer)
the average cost of car ownership £3,600
in theory we could have free public transport for less per person than nearly everyone pays to own a car
the average cost of car ownership £3,600
in theory we could have free public transport for less per person than nearly everyone pays to own a car
That's before you look at the impact of reducing immigration on the ratio between working aged population and those of pension age:
www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
UK population projection explorer - Office for National Statistics
An ONS interactive tool showing UK population projections based on changes to life expectancy, fertility and migration.
www.ons.gov.uk
June 9, 2025 at 9:53 PM
That's before you look at the impact of reducing immigration on the ratio between working aged population and those of pension age:
www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
Indeed, and even 1 of the regions in the north do better than the southeast!
Of course the other thing to note is this is infrastructure spending, so doesn't include other transport spending (like support for railways)
Although, I do agree that there's should be more spending across the UK
Of course the other thing to note is this is infrastructure spending, so doesn't include other transport spending (like support for railways)
Although, I do agree that there's should be more spending across the UK
June 9, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Indeed, and even 1 of the regions in the north do better than the southeast!
Of course the other thing to note is this is infrastructure spending, so doesn't include other transport spending (like support for railways)
Although, I do agree that there's should be more spending across the UK
Of course the other thing to note is this is infrastructure spending, so doesn't include other transport spending (like support for railways)
Although, I do agree that there's should be more spending across the UK
Nationally, the cost to provide all the buses for free in the country works out at about £300 per tax payer (to include trains as well it's about £1,000) - note that's not extra as there's already subsidy being paid to provide public transport
June 9, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Nationally, the cost to provide all the buses for free in the country works out at about £300 per tax payer (to include trains as well it's about £1,000) - note that's not extra as there's already subsidy being paid to provide public transport
The mad statistic is that nationality if every home which pays council tax paid £500 per year that would likely be enough funding for all buses to be free for everyone (to put that in perspective the average cost of car ownership is £3,600 per year, so most could be better off)
June 9, 2025 at 9:27 PM
The mad statistic is that nationality if every home which pays council tax paid £500 per year that would likely be enough funding for all buses to be free for everyone (to put that in perspective the average cost of car ownership is £3,600 per year, so most could be better off)
The first chart isn't that surprising given that the average cost of car ownership is £3,600 per year (requires extra income of £5,000 for basic rate tax payer)
June 9, 2025 at 9:24 PM
The first chart isn't that surprising given that the average cost of car ownership is £3,600 per year (requires extra income of £5,000 for basic rate tax payer)
Predicted total UK population growth from 2022 to 2042 is expected to 4.6 million
Predicted >65 population growth for the same time period 4.7 million
Ratios between working age & >65 are falling (2008 it was 3.2 to 1, by 2050 it's due to be 2.0 to 1)
Without immigration it'll be worse
Predicted >65 population growth for the same time period 4.7 million
Ratios between working age & >65 are falling (2008 it was 3.2 to 1, by 2050 it's due to be 2.0 to 1)
Without immigration it'll be worse
January 6, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Predicted total UK population growth from 2022 to 2042 is expected to 4.6 million
Predicted >65 population growth for the same time period 4.7 million
Ratios between working age & >65 are falling (2008 it was 3.2 to 1, by 2050 it's due to be 2.0 to 1)
Without immigration it'll be worse
Predicted >65 population growth for the same time period 4.7 million
Ratios between working age & >65 are falling (2008 it was 3.2 to 1, by 2050 it's due to be 2.0 to 1)
Without immigration it'll be worse
15% of £42,500 (to allow for general inflation from £4,000 in 1973) would be £6,375
That same home would be worth £165,000 (using national home price inflation) so to pay the same value of interest the rate would be 3.9% (there are currently no interest rates available at less than 4%)
That same home would be worth £165,000 (using national home price inflation) so to pay the same value of interest the rate would be 3.9% (there are currently no interest rates available at less than 4%)
January 6, 2025 at 6:56 PM
15% of £42,500 (to allow for general inflation from £4,000 in 1973) would be £6,375
That same home would be worth £165,000 (using national home price inflation) so to pay the same value of interest the rate would be 3.9% (there are currently no interest rates available at less than 4%)
That same home would be worth £165,000 (using national home price inflation) so to pay the same value of interest the rate would be 3.9% (there are currently no interest rates available at less than 4%)
20% interest on £54,000 home (allowing for inflation) is £10,800
2% interest on a £540,000 home is also £10,800
Just because the interest rate is higher doesn't mean that you are necessary paying more if the overall value has increased
2% interest on a £540,000 home is also £10,800
Just because the interest rate is higher doesn't mean that you are necessary paying more if the overall value has increased
January 6, 2025 at 6:42 PM
20% interest on £54,000 home (allowing for inflation) is £10,800
2% interest on a £540,000 home is also £10,800
Just because the interest rate is higher doesn't mean that you are necessary paying more if the overall value has increased
2% interest on a £540,000 home is also £10,800
Just because the interest rate is higher doesn't mean that you are necessary paying more if the overall value has increased
Thing is, 20% (don't think they ever got that high) of £220,000 (if house prices had matched wage increase) is £44,000, to be paying the same amount in interest for a £2 million home interest rates would have to be 2.2%
It's why comparing the percentage when the value has changed is problematic
It's why comparing the percentage when the value has changed is problematic
January 6, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Thing is, 20% (don't think they ever got that high) of £220,000 (if house prices had matched wage increase) is £44,000, to be paying the same amount in interest for a £2 million home interest rates would have to be 2.2%
It's why comparing the percentage when the value has changed is problematic
It's why comparing the percentage when the value has changed is problematic
One thing to be aware of, initially traffic volumes will reduce, however over time they will return to where they are currently
However, don't let people confuse this with traffic levels being worse than without the charges as there would have been traffic growth anyway
However, don't let people confuse this with traffic levels being worse than without the charges as there would have been traffic growth anyway
January 5, 2025 at 8:13 AM
One thing to be aware of, initially traffic volumes will reduce, however over time they will return to where they are currently
However, don't let people confuse this with traffic levels being worse than without the charges as there would have been traffic growth anyway
However, don't let people confuse this with traffic levels being worse than without the charges as there would have been traffic growth anyway
It depends, whilst population estimates have the UK population growing (2022 to 2043) by 4.6 million people, however the overall 65 population is due to grow by 4.7 million people
December 29, 2024 at 10:00 AM
It depends, whilst population estimates have the UK population growing (2022 to 2043) by 4.6 million people, however the overall 65 population is due to grow by 4.7 million people
In 2008 there were 3.2 people of working age for each person over 65, this has already fallen to 2.4 and by 2050 is expected to reach 1.7
Without any immigration the fall in the ratio between working aged and over 65's would be far faster
Without any immigration the fall in the ratio between working aged and over 65's would be far faster
December 29, 2024 at 8:16 AM
In 2008 there were 3.2 people of working age for each person over 65, this has already fallen to 2.4 and by 2050 is expected to reach 1.7
Without any immigration the fall in the ratio between working aged and over 65's would be far faster
Without any immigration the fall in the ratio between working aged and over 65's would be far faster
Of course, if you (Larry) got him you'd deal with Feathers swiftly and finally, by doing what you did to most of those Christmas gifts from your true love and your Christmas Eve breakfast (of a mouse) - eating him
December 26, 2024 at 6:50 AM
Of course, if you (Larry) got him you'd deal with Feathers swiftly and finally, by doing what you did to most of those Christmas gifts from your true love and your Christmas Eve breakfast (of a mouse) - eating him
Part of the issue is people not understanding some of the numbers
HS2 was based on the assumption of 2.5% growth year on year, but due to growth in the early years of over 4% by 2019 instead of having 131 passengers for every 100 in 2009 there were 171, the expected numbers for 2033
HS2 was based on the assumption of 2.5% growth year on year, but due to growth in the early years of over 4% by 2019 instead of having 131 passengers for every 100 in 2009 there were 171, the expected numbers for 2033
December 19, 2024 at 7:55 PM
Part of the issue is people not understanding some of the numbers
HS2 was based on the assumption of 2.5% growth year on year, but due to growth in the early years of over 4% by 2019 instead of having 131 passengers for every 100 in 2009 there were 171, the expected numbers for 2033
HS2 was based on the assumption of 2.5% growth year on year, but due to growth in the early years of over 4% by 2019 instead of having 131 passengers for every 100 in 2009 there were 171, the expected numbers for 2033
Even when looking at the years where net migration when it increased the population over 50 years would have only needed 3.5 million more homes
As such, whilst migration is a factor in needing more homes it's not even the largest factor
As such, whilst migration is a factor in needing more homes it's not even the largest factor
December 18, 2024 at 9:44 PM
Even when looking at the years where net migration when it increased the population over 50 years would have only needed 3.5 million more homes
As such, whilst migration is a factor in needing more homes it's not even the largest factor
As such, whilst migration is a factor in needing more homes it's not even the largest factor
Why's that relevant?
Well, as people age, they live in smaller household sizes, between 1970 and 2020 the average household size shrunk by enough that even with a static population there would have been a need for 8 million more homes
Well, as people age, they live in smaller household sizes, between 1970 and 2020 the average household size shrunk by enough that even with a static population there would have been a need for 8 million more homes
December 18, 2024 at 9:32 PM
Why's that relevant?
Well, as people age, they live in smaller household sizes, between 1970 and 2020 the average household size shrunk by enough that even with a static population there would have been a need for 8 million more homes
Well, as people age, they live in smaller household sizes, between 1970 and 2020 the average household size shrunk by enough that even with a static population there would have been a need for 8 million more homes
UK population up 13% over the last 20 years, however the working population (18-64) has risen by only 10%, the extra growth isn't from children (0-18 is up about 6%), rather those over 65 where it has risen by 35%
December 18, 2024 at 9:29 PM
UK population up 13% over the last 20 years, however the working population (18-64) has risen by only 10%, the extra growth isn't from children (0-18 is up about 6%), rather those over 65 where it has risen by 35%
TfL have some food guidance on this (and the provision of shelters):
content.tfl.gov.uk/the-planning...
content.tfl.gov.uk/the-planning...
content.tfl.gov.uk
December 18, 2024 at 9:15 PM
TfL have some food guidance on this (and the provision of shelters):
content.tfl.gov.uk/the-planning...
content.tfl.gov.uk/the-planning...
Just look at the tube to see how willing people are to change if the frequency is high, then compare that to services with an hourly frequency where connections are poorly timed (even if they aren't, a small delay can result in a much longer journey)
December 16, 2024 at 5:40 PM
Just look at the tube to see how willing people are to change if the frequency is high, then compare that to services with an hourly frequency where connections are poorly timed (even if they aren't, a small delay can result in a much longer journey)
Even a near empty bus with just 8 people on board will typically remove 5 cars from the road but only take up the space of 2 cars
December 16, 2024 at 5:38 PM
Even a near empty bus with just 8 people on board will typically remove 5 cars from the road but only take up the space of 2 cars