[Cavendish]

The reason the current government and Labour if they remained in power have to make these cut is due to Gordon Brown's economic Policy of borrow borrow borrow and oops lets borrow so more, that and fueling a deregulated banking sector to take Huge risks with investors money, OK you blame him completely but he played a large part.  

If anyone is to blame it is Labour, by overspending and throwing away billions of pounds and gambling that the boom times would back fill the debt they were creating.

There was a program on just before Christmas regarding the countries national debt, bear in mind that this is not the same as the current budget deficit. Several top ranking MPs were asked what the countries debt was, not one of them got the figure right, some said 60bn, 80bn, or 180bn. and the last person was Alan Johnson the former Labour Shadow Chancellor.

All of the MP's thought that the budget deficit was the national debt, these are 2 very different things, the actual debt to the country as stated in the programme is roughly 4 trillion pounds. You could consider the current budget deficit as a short term loan, once we have paid that back everyone will still have to pay back 4 trillion.

The interest paid on the national debt each year amounts to more money then the current deficit, and we are all paying every year! and never getting rid of it.

getting back to the point, selling off the nations forests will make no real dent in the national debt at all, however if they are sold to people who are committed to keeping them in good condition and in tune with nature then I see no problem with selling some of it but perhaps not all of it.  

I hope I have not made you all depressed.

Hopefully the onset of spring should give us all a smile

[doganjo]

The reason the current government and Labour if they remained in power have to make these cut is due to Gordon Brown's economic Policy of borrow borrow borrow and oops lets borrow so more, that and fueling a deregulated banking sector to take Huge risks with investors money, OK you blame him completely but he played a large part.  

If anyone is to blame it is Labour, by overspending and throwing away billions of pounds and gambling that the boom times would back fill the debt they were creating.

There was a program on just before Christmas regarding the countries national debt, bear in mind that this is not the same as the current budget deficit. Several top ranking MPs were asked what the countries debt was, not one of them got the figure right, some said 60bn, 80bn, or 180bn. and the last person was Alan Johnson the former Labour Shadow Chancellor.

All of the MP's thought that the budget deficit was the national debt, these are 2 very different things, the actual debt to the country as stated in the programme is roughly 4 trillion pounds. You could consider the current budget deficit as a short term loan, once we have paid that back everyone will still have to pay back 4 trillion.

The interest paid on the national debt each year amounts to more money then the current deficit, and we are all paying every year! and never getting rid of it.

getting back to the point, selling off the nations forests will make no real dent in the national debt at all, however if they are sold to people who are committed to keeping them in good condition and in tune with nature then I see no problem with selling some of it but perhaps not all of it.  

I hope I have not made you all depressed.

Hopefully the onset of spring should give us all a smile

This is exactly what I said earlier. - the present Government have GOT to make these cuts to pull us back up on our feet.    OK it's going to be hard for some, but hopefully the malingerers will be weeded out too.  I'm just glad I'm on a pension now and not having to wait a great many more years for it.

[Cavendish]

unfortunately for me and My OH were just at the beginning of the whole process of buying our first home and in some years to come hopefully Raise a family. its only going to get harder, which is why I am trying to be as self sufficient as possible, as much as our situation allows anyway.

Alot of people do not realised that the current cuts are only to pay back the deficit and not the actual debt, think of what cuts would have to be made if they wanted to even start paying back just 1p of the current national debt.

[faith0504]

http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/save-our-forests#petition

A link so you can sign a petition 

[knightquest]

That's the petition signed. It makes me so angry.................it was bad enough that we gave all our gold away. It seems now that we want to give our natural resources away too 

I suppose it would be better if they were gifted to say the National Trust. At least they might look after them.

I also understand that we have to cut back but forests???


Need to calm down a little..............

Ian

[Hilarysmum]

I know I havnt been in Uk for some time, but don't a lot of the forests belong to the crown?  Is it these they are talking about selling?

[lazybee]

One think to remember is, most of the forests are barren conifer plantations like Thetford forest planted on ancient heathland (or Breckland locally)  It really depends on what controls are in place to protect native ancient woodlands and mixed deciduous trees. If a conservation group where to buy a conifer plantation and turn it into a mixed woodland habitat I'm all for it. We should be more concerned with the loss of heath and wetlands rather than a few conifers.

[Rosemary]

I think part of th problem in the UK is we want Scandanavian style public services while paying US taxes. Doesn't work. We look too much to the States and follow where they lead - perhaps we should look more to our Scananavian neighbours. I think if Scotland was independent, that would happen as we are naturally more socialist (with a small s) than England. Maybe 'cos we were oppressed for so long.

[Sandy]

Its clear to see that those with big bucks will have choices and people on incomes they can pay thier way on will have non. The fact is, if forests, woodlands are sold off there will not be many purchasers who have others or the woodland and wildlife in mind but a means of linning thier own pockets, in life most people with loads of money are ruthless (sorry all you richer ones) they will do what will bring the best return, woodlands are expensive to look after, I too love the idea of wildlife groups buying and maintaining them, seen programmes where organisations have brought up land etc, nice idea IF it works, money talks......no money...no power!!!

[doganjo]

If woodlands are managed properly they pay for their own keep.  If I could find a few acres of woodland within a few miles I would invest in it - I have the wherewithall and am getting damn all from the Bank for it.  I would fence it properly, perhaps have beehives, and harvest just enough to pay for any upkeep.  It can be done.  I'd be able to run my very fast dogs in a safe and interesting area.  I am not rich, just have money left over from a good couple of house sales.

[Sandy]

Up keep of woodland is expensive, if you let people use the woodland and they trip on wire etc, they sue you and your insurance goes up. Jusst ennquire how much to fell 1 tree, in Devilla forsest loads of trees are falling, the forestry has loads to do in there, pluss the pot holes to fill in!, fences to keep repairing as well as forestry management! My home I had when married backed onto woodland that was poorly kept, its now nearly all gone due to poor woodland management, not all trees live forever and you need to plant in the correct proportion to maintain a good balance, my brother belonged to the forestry preservation in Northants and its more complex than it seems, far toooo ecpensive unless you keep them to yourself and that is the argument/ I love Forests

[HappyHippy]

if you let people use the woodland

As a landowner you can't stop people from coming onto your land (unless you can prove it is dangerous for them, or detrimental to crops)
Have a look at the outdoor access code for more info
http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/outdoors-responsibly/your-access-rights/

[northfifeduckling]

And if it does I'll be buying some

there's one for sale up here, Annie
Norman Wood, Fife - Nearly 8½ acres, £39,000
Glenduckie, Newburgh, Fife
An appealing mixed conifer and broadleaf woodland surrounded by forest, open fields and hilltops.

[doganjo]

It's been sold according to woodlands.co.uk  I did look at it before and it's about an hour from me.  I only drive 20 minutes to community woodlands just now that are deer fenced all the way round - 200 acres of fun for my dogs.  But thanks, anyway, Kerstin.

[Bright Raven]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/conservative/8287080/Forest-sell-off-could-leave-heritage-sites-in-hands-of-supermarkets-and-sleazy-bankers.html

More news, not encouraging for the individuals who may hope to buy and manage a patch of woodland for themselves i'm afraid.