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ROWS
OVER HOUSEWORK PAIN UNMARRIED VALENTINES
NEW research
shows cohabiting couples in the North West are more worried about
whose turn it is to wash up than securing their future. The
most common arguments between cohabiting couples in the North West
are about housework, according to new research from the
LivingTogether Campaign. But worrying about how the house looks
could be a waste of time for many, as 42% of cohabitants are living
in a home owned or rented in only one partner's name. This means
thousands could find themselves in serious difficulty, with no right
to stay in the property, or claim a share of its value, if the
relationship ended. The 'Mr & Ms' study, conducted by
BMRB, showed 27% of arguments (compared to a national average of
19%) were over domestic chores, and around 16% caused by conflict
over money issues.
Mary Webber, cohabitation expert at legal rights and information
website Advicenow.org.uk, which runs the campaign, says couples in
the North West may be living in a false sense of security, believing
they have legal rights to the shared home and property they simply
don't have:- "The findings suggest cohabiting couples are
worrying about the wrong things" she explains.
"There's still a big difference between what people believe they
would be entitled to if they were to separate from their partner,
and the legal realities. Instead of worrying about whose turn it is
to take the bins out, these couples need to take a look at their
situation, and make sure each partner has a fair deal. The problem
is that too many still don't realise there's any difference between
the rights for married and unmarried couples in the first place."
21% of unmarried adults in the North West are currently cohabiting,
according to the ONS.
Key findings from the research include:-
* Housework is blamed for most arguments among couples in the
region, causing more than 27% of all rows, compared to 19%
nationally
* Money is at the root of around 16% arguments
* DIY and home improvements also featured highly, causing 14% of
conflicts
* 59% of people in the region still believe unmarried couples have
the same rights as married couples after a period of living together
* 42% of cohabiting couples are living in a home owned or rented in
only one partner's name. 31% of men and 38% of women are living in a
home without their name on the paperwork
* 65% of those living in a home owned solely in their partner's name
would expect to get some of the value of the property if they were
to split
* 51% of those who contribute nothing towards buying shared
furniture and appliances, or to the family car, would expect to get
at least half of everything on separation
These expectations are in sharp contrast to the reality for
cohabitants. Without their name on the tenancy agreement or
the deeds of their home, partners will find themselves facing a long
and costly court battle if they want to remain in a property, or
want a share of its value after separation. Unless there's a
written agreement signed by both parties, the same will apply in the
case of any shared furniture, appliances, vehicles or other property
not paid for directly by that partner. This means that many,
particularly women who have given up work to look after children,
can find themselves with little or nothing after a break up.
"There are lots of simple steps people can take to protect
themselves," says Mary Webber. "Couples can easily
write their own Living Together Agreement, setting out how property
is shared, who contributes what towards things like bills and
domestic appliances, and what would happen if they split up. They
also need to make sure their homes are owned or rented in a way that
reflects the reality of how they share that home, so everyone can
feel secure. Of course people don't want to think about
splitting up, but discussing all eventualities can be as much about
making a show of commitment, as about anticipating the worst."
Cohabiting couples can download free guides to making a
LivingTogether Agreement, and covering issues including housing,
finance, wills and children, from the LivingTogether Campaign's
website.
Trust in Yellow
TAMWORTH COACH
ONLY a few
places remain on the coach to Tamworth... Departure Times:-
The Arion, Ainsdale 11.10 The Crown, Birkdale 11.20 The George 11.25
Haig Ave 11.30 Ormskirk 11.45. Prices:- TIY Members paying in
advance £12. On The Day £15 Non Members £18. Bookings can be made
via telephone:- 07790041514. Advance Payments can be
made in the Grandstand Club on Thursday night between 7.30pm and
9.30pm. |
World's first wind and gas offshore energy project given green light
A UNIQUE dual
energy scheme to be sited off the Cumbrian coast was given the
go-ahead by Energy Minister Lord Truscott. The Ormonde project
from Eclipse Energy will be sited 10km from Walney Island near
Barrow in Furness. This innovative hybrid development has the
potential to generate up to 200mw of electricity with almost half
coming from the wind farm comprising up to 30 turbines. This is
enough clean energy for around 70,000 homes. When the wind
isn't sufficient, power will still come via conventional gas sources
pumped from 2 fields in nearby Morecambe Bay for which DTI approval
has also been sought.
Energy Minister Lord Truscott said:- "We are now starting to
see a real flow of approvals for energy projects in UK waters. The
London Array and Thanet schemes in the Thames Estuary went through
in December and the good progress continues in 2007. The
Ormonde scheme is unusual in that it will combine wind and gas power
to produce continuous electricity for the region. It is an exciting
and innovative technological first that will make a contribution to
our renewable energy aims."
Minister for the Marine Environment, Ben Bradshaw, said:-
"This development reinforces the Government's commitment to
renewable energy and combating climate change. All of the
environmental issues and possible impacts on others users of the sea
have been addressed in the planning and consent process."
Commenting on the licence award, Ian Hatton, Managing Director of
Eclipse said:- "Eclipse is delighted to have gained consent
for the world's 1st hybrid energy generation facility. We have
combined both North Sea oil and gas experience and business models
to provide a commercial catalyst to enable us to harness the energy
from offshore natural gas fields and wind power, this is a global
first. Over the next few years the UK's natural gas reserves
will become depleted and we will become increasingly dependent upon
imported energy. It is therefore vital that we explore the
opportunities for producing energy from renewable sources and that
we maximise recovery of the nation's indigenous energy. We
believe that wind power can play a key role by producing electricity
from a clean, free, abundant and inexhaustible resource. We
expect Ormonde to be the first of a series of similar projects where
offshore wind energy is developed using the hybrid concept."
Rob Hastings, Director of the Marine Estate at The Crown Estate
said:- "The Crown Estate is delighted to have been able to
work closely with the developer and the DTI to enable this important
demonstration of transitional technology. The combination of
hydrocarbon and renewable energy is part of the future of energy
production."
The Ormonde project is scheduled for completion in 2010.
NORTH WEST HOT SPOT FOR CAREER CHANGERS
INCREASING
numbers of career changers in the North West are boosting the
region’s teaching population, according to figures released by the
Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA). The number
of over 30s qualifying as teachers in the region has risen sharply
in 5 years. In 2000/01, 1,377 people over 30 gained qualified
teacher status (QTS) at North West institutions, rising to 2,022 by
2004/05, a 46% increase. 24% of new teachers in the North West in
2004/05 were over the age of 30. With nearly 6,000 teacher
training places available in the North West for the academic year
2007/08, the TDA is hosting Train to teach - Manchester, the largest
teaching career fair in the North of England, to tap into the
region’s potential teaching workforce.
Graham Holley, Chief Executive of the TDA, said:- “There are
more than 3,000 schools in the North West which means there are
fantastic opportunities for new teachers. Career changers say they
are attracted to teaching because of the unique combination of
working with young people and the opportunities to use their degree
knowledge and be creative in bringing lessons to life. Very few jobs
can offer such an exciting mix, alongside genuine career prospects.
There are also competitive starting salaries - teachers in the
region start on up to £20,133 and this can rise fast. Whether
you’re contemplating a career change or looking for your first
graduate job, come along to Train to teach - Manchester to find out
how to begin a career in teaching.”
Train to teach - Manchester takes place at the Museum of Science and
Industry in Manchester, Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester, M3
4FP, on 9-10 February 2007. 24 teacher training providers -
universities, colleges and schools - from the North West will be at
the event, and dedicated career consultants and teachers will be on
hand to answer questions and give advice. There will also be a
series of seminars on subjects such as training routes and how to
make a good application.
For further information or to register, please visit
www.teach.gov.uk/tttevents.
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