Alan de Enfield

Have you managed to solve the problem of insurance not being available to non UK residents (as experienced by others looking to buy a boat but unable to get insurance ?)

But the price has not increased by £2 per litre has it !

£15 fixed fee just seems to be 'gouging'. Lets say a van does ~30 mpg Diesel has increased by ~50p / litre (£2.75 / gallon) if a breakdown requires the engineer to make a 50 mile trip (100 miles round trip) then he will use ~3 gallons of fuel incurring ~£7.50 of additional cost. 50% of the fuel levy they are charging. How many breakdowns will have the 'local' engineer 100 miles away (200 mile round trip), which is the 'break even point'.

That's fine at this time of year but are you not being a bit of a "seasonist"? Some lines re "Spring " I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. The waves beside them danced; but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay, In such a jocund company: I gazed—and gazed—but little thought What wealth the show to me had brought: For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils.

And it would be even 'fairer' to members if the levy as (say) 20p per mile then those who broke down close to the engineers paid less than someone who broke down 100 miles from anywhere. A few years ago (invasion of Ukraine) we had a similar fuel levy applied by Biffa, with the assurance it would be removed when fuel prices dropped - it never was removed.

I suppose it makes sense that if you change companies then you try to find one where you can still use your skills. As the 'breather problem' happened with both companies do you think that you may have been the common denominator ?

The one I used last time has now retired, so he's no help to you. Actually he did come out to the boat (I guess he had a tracker on his car so had to show some mileage) but he just sat in the saloon with a mug of tea and some biccies and wrote it out. 15 minutes from arrival in the car park to leaving - that's what we want !

Why not ask for contact details of an examiner who will just write out your BSS on receipt of payment (save his time and fuel cost and your frustration in dealing with a 'jobsworth') ?

The state pension is currently a 'few pounds' below the threshold to pay tax - next year it will break the threshold and you will pay tax on your state pension. You may well be paying 20% tax (as am I) on private pensions, as the State pension is the first thing to be considered in your allowances and then any other income is taxable.

"Oven bottom"

Cob !

But PLBs do not. They are registered, (but not licenced) with your details and work anywhere in the world- land, sea or air. we have them for scuba diving / hiking / horse riding in the 'wilds' Notification can get to your local rescue services within 5 minutes Cost " a couple of £100" and battery last 5 years minimum and is replaceable, no subscription, licence or call charges. Accurate to about 1 metre.

I'll respond to your accusation, but I'll leave it now as it will be getting 'political' and I have made my point. Or you could simply look at the Government website "universal credit statistics" if you want more detail The figures I quoted are the latest 'provisional' figures, but, are in line with the 2025 figures 1. Main stories there were 7.9 million people on Universal Credit in June 2025, up from 6.8 million people on Universal Credit in June 2024 of people on Universal Credit in June 2025, 76.4% were from the white ethnic group. The Asian/Asian British ethnicity group accounts for 10.3%. The Black/African/Caribbean/Black British ethnicity group accounts for 6.0%. The Mixed/Multiple Ethnic groups accounts for 2.9%, while the Other ethnic group accounts for 4.4% the proportion of people in the ‘no work requirements’ conditionality regime (42%) continues to increase In June 2025, 83.6% of people on UC belonged to the immigration status group “CTA – UK, Ireland, Right of Abode” In June 2025, 9.7% of people on UC were in the “EU Settlement Scheme” group. 2.7% of people on UC were in the “Indefinite Leave to Remain (not EU Settlement Scheme)” group. 1.5% of people on UC were in the “Refugee” group. 1.0% of people on UC were in the “Limited Leave to Remain (not EU Settlement Scheme) including family reunion” group. 0.7% of people on UC were in the “Humanitarian” group. 0.4% of people on UC were in the “Other” group

Currently our local garage has only 1 pump for petrol and 1 pump for diesel, all others are locked-off. He is now 6 days overdue for a delivery and no promises forthcoming about when he will get a delivery. He has fuel but is trying to ration it to 'locals' by 'looking' as if he is out of stock. Edit - Diesel £1.97/litre

Apparently, in the last 18 months an additional 1.6 million have been added onto the number receiving universal credit. Some 46% of the total are not required to 'prepare for work', 'look for work, or, actually do any work.