Britain: Woman in coma told to find work
“A mentally ill woman forced on to the Coalition’s Work Programme is in a coma ― but is still being sent letters by benefits assessors.
"Bipolar patient Sheila Holt, 47, was sectioned in December after being taken off Income Support. Days later she had a heart attack and fell into the coma.
“This weekend, Miss Holt, of Rochdale, Gtr Manchester, was sent a letter by Atos to ask why she was not working.”
-- January 22, Mirror.co.uk.
British Lords whine about food and service
“Members of the House of Lords have lodged a series of extravagant complaints about their taxpayer-subsidised restaurants, expressing their anger about the size of menus, 'chaotic' table layouts and 'inferior cappuccinos'.
“Peers can enjoy seared scallops, foie gras and champagne risotto at the Barry Room private restaurant, part of a group of facilities catering to them and their guests which are subsidised by the taxpayer at a cost of ￡1.3m a year … But this has not stopped a steady stream of complaints being sent to Lord John Sewel, the Chairman of Committees, which were released in redacted form to The Independent following a Freedom of Information request.
“One impassioned Lord complained of a 15-minute wait to be seated, which they said lost 'some of the finesse of the afternoon' … while another said he had been left 'scarred' after his dinner booking was cancelled suddenly. He complained that his wife was 'unable to lunch elsewhere' because she was wearing a tiara ...
“In last year’s list of complaints, which were also unearthed through Freedom of Information laws, Lords complained about the quality of their subsidised smoked salmon, scallops and the lack of Chilean wine for a distinguished guest.”
February 2 Independent.
'I'm experiencing austerity too', says princess
“Princess Michael of Kent has explained how she and her husband have been hit by austerity; meaning they can no longer dine out as it's 'too extravagant'.
“The Princess, who is an interior designer and author, told The Times in an interview to promote her debut novel: 'I am in very austere economic times too, thank you very much!'
“'We’ve cut back dramatically …' The Princess, who lives with her husband at Kensington Palace, added: 'We invite people here [Kensington Palace]. I cook. Well, if I’m giving a dinner party I get in help.'
“She also told the interviewer of her love for budget carrier easyJet, saying: 'it’s the only direct route to Biarritz [a luxurious seaside resort in southern France].
“'We always fly tourist-class anyway in Europe. For long-haul we go club,' she added.”
-- December 9 Independent.