London congestion charge.

[Phili Buster]

The real question is can we have any faith in what the so called experts tell us and tell the powers that be, who are in charge?

 

It was on advice from the experts that the change in road tax was introduced to encourage car owners to change from petrol to diesel. It would seem that the experts are now advising car owners to change to all electric cars. I wonder what problems will be encountered with that advice in the future? Perhaps how to dispose of all the worn out batteries or perhaps there will be some other problem?

 

It does not seem all that long ago that the experts were predicting electrical blackouts if we encountered a harsh winter. Without some major increases in electricity generation how are we to cope when all these new all electric cars are a reality?

 

Back to my original question about believing what the so called experts say. I remember the go to work on an egg slogans and adverts. I also remember the experts advising that eggs were not good for you but now surprise, surprise, eggs are good for you.

 

It is the same with bread. Whatever you do, do not eat white bread, it is not good for you. However we are now advised that white bread may be better than brown. What are we to believe?

 

Then with your bread how about some butter, or not. For many years butter (and saturated fats) were the big no no. But now we are advised that butter may well be good for you (in moderation of course) after all.

 

And so we go on, we are advised to take statins to control cholesterol but now there are reports that cholesterol-lowering drug statin may lead to a heightened risk of type 2 diabetes among patients already deemed to be at high risk of the condition.

 

Just who and what are we to believe

[davyboy]

I did what I was told for once!

 

Yes

 

Yes

 

 

Yes

 

 

Could you be a bit more precise.?

[ANGELFIRE1]

Will an extra £10 tax have any effect on pollution levels in central London?

Will it discourage drivers in older cars who have to go into /through central London from entering the area?

Will it encourage drivers to purchase a new car?

 

One word answers please.

 

No

Doubtful

No

 

Angel1

[sgtkate]

Could you be a bit more precise.?

 

No. You wanted 1 word answers. Be careful what you ask for?

[The Joker]

Will an extra £10 tax have any effect on pollution levels in central London?

Will it discourage drivers in older cars who have to go into /through central London from entering the area?

Will it encourage drivers to purchase a new car?

 

One word answers please.

 

Yes

 

Yes

 

 

Yes

 

Could you be a bit more precise.?

 

No. You wanted 1 word answers. Be careful what you ask for?

 

she got you there, davyboy

[davyboy]

It was an attempt at humour but evidently it failed:D

 

---------- Post added 26-10-2017 at 08:34 ----------

 

The real question is can we have any faith in what the so called experts tell us and tell the powers that be, who are in charge?

 

It was on advice from the experts that the change in road tax was introduced to encourage car owners to change from petrol to diesel. It would seem that the experts are now advising car owners to change to all electric cars. I wonder what problems will be encountered with that advice in the future? Perhaps how to dispose of all the worn out batteries or perhaps there will be some other problem?

 

It does not seem all that long ago that the experts were predicting electrical blackouts if we encountered a harsh winter. Without some major increases in electricity generation how are we to cope when all these new all electric cars are a reality?

 

Back to my original question about believing what the so called experts say. I remember the go to work on an egg slogans and adverts. I also remember the experts advising that eggs were not good for you but now surprise, surprise, eggs are good for you.

 

It is the same with bread. Whatever you do, do not eat white bread, it is not good for you. However we are now advised that white bread may be better than brown. What are we to believe?

 

Then with your bread how about some butter, or not. For many years butter (and saturated fats) were the big no no. But now we are advised that butter may well be good for you (in moderation of course) after all.

 

And so we go on, we are advised to take statins to control cholesterol but now there are reports that cholesterol-lowering drug statin may lead to a heightened risk of type 2 diabetes among patients already deemed to be at high risk of the condition.

 

Just who and what are we to believe

 

There seems to be a tendency to interview/study a few hundred/thousand people and extrapolate the results to the total population.

Is it statistically correct to come to that conclusion?

Today it was said on the radio that 300,00 jobs are lost through mental health issues.

Can we believe that?

Edited October 26, 2017 by davyboy

[Padders]

It was an attempt at humour but evidently it failed:D

 

---------- Post added 26-10-2017 at 08:34 ----------

 

 

There seems to be a tendency to interview/study a few hundred/thousand people and extrapolate the results to the total population.

Is it statistically correct to come to that conclusion?

Today it was said on the radio that 300,00 jobs are lost through mental health issues.

Can we believe that?

 

They just massage the figures, and come up with whatever suits.

[sgtkate]

Could you be a bit more precise.?

 

Time to give a full answer

 

q1) the revenue collected will go directly towards projects designed to reduce pollution in London. Whether that is converting more buses to hybrids, planting trees in key areas, improving public transport etc, so there absolutely should be a measurable impact of the charge.

 

q2) yes, people may decide to park at a station towards the end of the tube and ride in, or get the train as it may end up costing less than driving when parking, petrol and the additional charges are added up.

 

q3) the biggest target will be businesses with older vans. these will most definitely take in account the charge in their profit and loss projections and for some the figures will work out better for them to change their vehicles. private owners may well take a similar approach but i'd expect that to be the minority as if you could afford a newer and more efficient car you'd probably already have one...

[rogets]

The mayor of London has announced that older vehicles will be changed extra for driving into central London. Is this an attack on the poor or a sensible decision?

 

 

 

Its certainly not an attack on the poor,its just a chance for people to consider alternative to the car

 

I am a fully commited socialist

 

But I too have done my bit

 

I've traded in my diesel jaguar for a less polluting mercedes e class

 

Tough choices have to be made by everyone, I've had to say goodbye to the jag.

 

---------- Post added 27-10-2017 at 16:13 ----------

 

Have poor people never heard of bycycles?

[tinfoilhat]

Its certainly not an attack on the poor,its just a chance for people to consider alternative to the car

 

I am a fully commited socialist

 

But I too have done my bit

 

I've traded in my diesel jaguar for a less polluting mercedes e class

 

Tough choices have to be made by everyone, I've had to say goodbye to the jag.

 

---------- Post added 27-10-2017 at 16:13 ----------

 

Have poor people never heard of bycycles?

 

I didnt think they made kiddie cars with real engines?