The jobless total dipped to 1.69 million in the final quarter of last year, a rate of 5.1%, the lowest since the end of 2005.

More than 31.4 million people are in work, the highest since records began in 1971.

The number of people on the claimant count, including Jobseeker's Allowance, fell by 14,800 last month to 760,200, the lowest since the summer of 1975.

The data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) also showed a record 776,000 job vacancies across the economy after a 23,000 increase in the latest quarter.

The number of people classed as economically inactive, including those on long-term sick leave, looking after a relative or who have given up looking for work, continued a downward trend, with an 88,000 quarterly fall to 8.8 million.

The economically inactive rate for women fell to 27.2%, a record low.

Average earnings increased by 1.9% in the year to December, 0.2% down on the previous month.

I wasn't even aware that they did fragrances for men, to be honest!

(Not that there's anything wrong with a man wearing an arbitrarily 'female' fragrance)

I wasn't even aware that they did fragrances for men, to be honest!

(Not that there's anything wrong with a man wearing an arbitrarily 'female' fragrance)

Quite a few of their scents are universal. I quite like "red roses" as a scent that works well on both men and women

I bought that one for my wife, and it got returned as it 'smells of old lady'.

Pomegranate Noir is the business though.

I've always thought 2-stroke motorcycle smoke was a better scent for men, but I guess that's just me. Worked a treat for me, back in the day. Even Mrs C loved it.

/fetches coat bike jacket

That isn't why your nickname is "Two Stroke" though.

That isn't why your nickname is "Two Stroke" though.

I bought that one for my wife, and it got returned as it 'smells of old lady.

Because I click on every thread really quickly and in a messed up order I thought that was in response to the dildo post.

I can do confirmation bias and cherry-picking too!

http://www.theguardian.com/business/201 ... investment

Man,are you on a charm school offensive or something?

Except that's not, in any way, all you said.

If people can't take the banter they should start their own hardcore politics thread

Look, reading your posts it seems fairly obvious to me that something's pissed you off these last couple of days, but hey, whatever.

Students at a Cambridge University college have voted that a bronze cockerel that stands in its hall should be repatriated to Africa, from where it was looted in the 19th century....According to a report by Cambridge’s student newspaper, Varsity, the proposal that students voted on said: “The contemporary political culture surrounding colonialism and social justice, combined with the university’s global agenda, offers a perfect opportunity for the college to benefit from this gesture.”

The proposal was unanimously carried. But concerns were raised that not enough black students had been consulted on the issue and that the proposal document sought to emphasise the benefit to the college of such a move.

Less contentious, though, given that the start point is that it was looted and Nigeria has asked for it (and similar pieces) to be given back.

The state Nigeria is in, it's probably best it isn't returned.

It's not a terribly stable country, and returning it to The State would probably see it disappear to a private colector due to the corruption present there.

So that's why we're keeping the Elgin marbles!

That's like saying don't give money to the homeless because they'll spend it on drugs.

As of 2015, Nigeria is the world's 20th largest economy, worth more than $500 billion and $1 trillion in terms of nominal GDP and purchasing power parity respectively. It overtook South Africa to become Africa's largest economy in 2014.[13][14] Also, the debt-to-GDP ratio is only 11 percent, which is 8 percent below the 2012 ratio.[15][16] Nigeria is considered to be an emerging market by the World Bank;[17] It has been identified as a regional power on the African continent,[16][18][19] a middle power in international affairs,[20][21][22][23] and has also been identified as an emerging global power.[24][25][26] Nigeria is a member of the MINT group of countries, which are widely seen as the globe's next "BRIC-like" economies. It is also listed among the "Next Eleven" economies set to become among the biggest in the world. Nigeria is a founding member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the African Union, OPEC, and the United Nations amongst other international organisations.

In the 2014 ebola outbreak, Nigeria was the first country to effectively contain and eliminate the Ebola threat that was ravaging three other countries in the West African region, as its unique method of contact tracing became an effective method later used by other countries, such as the United States, when Ebola threats were discovered.[27][28][29]

I have to admit to knowing pretty much fuck all about Nigeria apart from ebola and Boko Haram but this from wikipedia doesn't make it sound like somewhere that an antiquity in the hands of the government will definitely just be sold off by a corrupt politician.

Well, quite. But let's hold onto their property for their own good, eh?

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to:

Borno State
Yobe State
Adamawa State
Bauchi State
Gombe State
Kano city
riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States
within 20km of the border with Niger in Zamfara State
The FCO advise against all but essential travel to:

Kano State
Kaduna State
Jigawa State
Katsina State
Kogi State
within 20km of the border with Niger in Sokoto and Kebbi States
Jos City in Plateau State
Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State
Non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers State
Abia State
On 2 October 2015, bombs exploded in the Kuje and Nyanya suburbs of Abuja. There is a continuing high threat from terrorism.

Most attacks occur in the north east, particularly in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe States. There have also been significant attacks in Kano, Kaduna, Jos, Bauchi, Abuja and Gombe. Further attacks could occur anywhere. Major towns and cities remain particularly at risk, including Bauchi, Kano and Kaduna, and Abuja as the federal capital.

Attacks have taken place around religious and public holidays in public or crowded places, including places of worship. You should be particularly vigilant during these periods.

You should avoid public places where crowds gather, including religious gatherings and insecure public spaces like markets and transport hubs. A heavy security presence often indicates areas of particularly high risk. Avoid affected areas in the immediate aftermath of any attack. See Terrorism

On 12 December 2015 a clash in Zaria, Kaduna State between the Nigerian Security Forces and The Islamic Movement in Nigeria resulted in a number of deaths. Monitor local media for updates on the situation, be vigilant and take local advice on areas to avoid within the city.

There is a high threat of kidnap throughout Nigeria especially in the Kogi region. Recent terrorist kidnaps have occurred mostly in northern Nigeria, but could occur anywhere in Nigeria. Kidnaps can be for financial or political gain, and can be motivated by criminality or terrorism. See Kidnapping

You should be aware of your surroundings and avoid large crowds or public demonstrations as they can turn violent unexpectedly. Follow news reports and be alert to developments. If you become aware of any nearby unrest or disturbances, you should leave the area immediately.

Violent crime is common. See Crime

Demonstrations and civil unrest can occur at short notice. Follow news reports and be alert to developments. If you become aware of any nearby protests you should leave the area immediately. See Local travel and Political situation

Before considering any travel to areas to which the FCO advise against all or all but essential travel, take professional security advice. Be vigilant at all times, keep others informed of your travel plans and vary your routines. You should follow your employer’s security advice, make sure your accommodation is secure and review your security measures regularly. The level of consular assistance available to British nationals in areas to which the FCO advise against all or all but essential travel is limited.

The Department continues to recommend against all but essential travel to the following states due to the risk of kidnappings, robberies, and other armed attacks: Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara. The Department also warns against travel in the Gulf of Guinea because of the threat of piracy.

We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Nigeria due to the high threat of terrorist attack, the high threat of kidnapping, the unpredictable security situation, the possibility of violent civil unrest and the high level of violent crime.
If you do decide to travel to Nigeria, you should exercise extreme caution. The security situation could deteriorate without warning and you could be caught up in violence directed at others.
On 4 December, the US Government warned that terrorists may be planning to mount attacks against hotels in Nigeria that are frequented by westerners. Australians should remain vigilant when at hotels and around areas frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
Bombings have occurred across Nigeria, including in Abuja. Militant groups have threatened to carry out attacks against government facilities and personnel, hotels, educational facilities (including international schools), places of worship, media offices, markets and mass transit facilities.
You should be aware that terrorists may launch attacks during religious festivals and holidays, significant dates and anniversaries. Places of worship have been targeted during the Christmas and Easter periods in recent years.
We strongly advise you not to travel to Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau and Yobe states because of the ongoing very high threat of terrorist attack, the threat of kidnapping and the volatile security situation. If you are in these states you should leave immediately.
We strongly advise you not to travel to the riverine areas (river or swamp areas on or close to the coast) of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta and Rivers states in south-eastern Nigeria because of the very high risk of kidnapping, robbery and other armed attacks especially against foreign oil facilities and personnel.
If, despite our advice, you decide to travel to these regions, you should ensure you have appropriate close personal protection from a professional security service. The ability of the Australian Government to provide consular services to Australians in these areas may be severely limited.
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in the states of Anambra, Cross Rivers, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kwara, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo.
Given the unpredictable security situation in Nigeria, we strongly recommend that you register your travel and contact details with us, so we can contact you in an emergency.

On the other hand, just giving them back to whatever successor state is in place 200 years on from the original theft, knowing full well that (a) said antiquities will be nicked/sold for corrupt gain (b) therefore not accessible to anyone and/or (c) quite possibly damaged and/or lost forever etc. is positively stupid and irresponsible.

As a small-c conservative, aren't you uncomfortable with this paternalistic "big government knows what's good for you" stuff?

I don't think anyone's getting angry here, are they Dave? (I'm certainly not; just a bit bemused and incredulous is all )