There appears to be a common theme to many of the N&S's regional economic articles - Carlisle is in general economic decline!

It seems clear that Carlisle (and the rest of the UK) is going through a very painful economic correction and recession. We had a great time in the 10 years leading up to 2008 ('property prices could never fall', we'd 'buy now and pay later' because we were certain we'd continue to make plenty of cash. Now is the time for the big hangover after the big party.

However, it does seem to be the least well-off and least qualified who bear the brunt in situations like this. You might argue that maybe they should educate themselves, or maybe they should try harder to find work. This would help, of course, but it also misses the central point - the economy is in bad shape, so there are few jobs.

Ian, since you have posted here and there is no other opportunity to ask the question.

Can you please tell us if an editorial policy exists for the decision as to which stories allow comments and which dont? If a policy exists, what is it?

Certain very high profile stories that would generate substantial comment have not had the comments option. I have noticed a pattern emerging about stories that involve specific subject matter not having comments.

I think people should realise that times have changed considerably from the 50's 60''s and 70's. They cannot expect a job for life and must be prepared to lower their expectations. As an employer I am convinced that a person who has taken on a menial job to stay in work has more chance of progressing to a better standard of employment. Most employers appreciate people who are happy to work at a job for which they are over qualified than those who moan about the lack of opportunity. I would also advise young people to grasp the chance to increase their educational standards.

Okay, that's enough.

This is a thread about Carlisle folk being worse off due to the recession - not picking out spelling mistakes etc in messages.

Any further messages that mock a poster for their spelling/grammar or attempt to 'score points' with regard to spelling/grammar will not be released.

Ian
Online editor

SA: "torturous" ??? One 'r' too many, I think in an otherwise succinct, snappy soundbite.

BM, fantastic post!

CL, The reference to Michelle made no reference whatsoever to her 'terms or language'. If Michelles job applications are written in the same non punctuated format as her post, she would stand very little chance of gaining employment with a worthwhile employer.

BM,

A lack of awareness of audience or genre, combined with torturous syntax, might also put off prospective employers. Hmmm?

Mr Blenkinsop, instead of offering the temptation of bizarrely victorian working conditions, why not divide that 72-hour week up into two 36-hour jobs, which would guarantee fresher employees and more efficient work for your money?

Nichola: Why should employers lower their expectations? Spelling and basic grammar are important; they can indicate how conscientious a potential employee could be/is. They may not be perfect but if an effort has obviously been made to express oneself coherently, then it gives the employer(s) some measure by which to gauge the potential of the employee. Pandering to the lowest common literacy denominator is ridiculous: we might as well do away with education altogether and just take everyone's own word for it as to how well they might be qualified. As for dyslexia, this is a recognized condition and it is not that difficult to discern between genuine dyslexia and laziness, ignorance and lack of education through lack of effort. If these forums were a measure of dyslexia in Carlisle then I posit that Carlisle has one of the highest rates of dyslexia in the supposed 'developed' world.

Lowering standards of literacy and increased acceptance of textspeak and abbreviations are reducing this country's competitiveness in the global economy. For example, Regis' contribution contained eight spelling mistakes and at least four punctuation errors in one short paragraph. That represents more than 'just a few'. Consigning an application with that high a density of errors to the bin would be exactly the right thing to do; it shows a lack of care and attention which an employer could reasonably assume might apply to the workplace regardless of the nature of the work.

Hey Regis,
Send me an email address or a telephone number via this News and Star forum. I am a farmer who will offer you a job cutting vegetables and lopping fences.Twelve hours a day six days a week,paying £6.84 per hour.
If anyone else outthere needs work then drop me a line to my email ablenkinsop1962@aol.com to apply