Prezzo Chichester

I visited in October 2012 after doing the hilly Chichester 1/2 marathon.

I had Calamari to start and a large (VIPizza) as a main. The Calamari was hot but nothing special. I'm not sure the VIPizza is any bigger than the classic - and I thought it was slightly bland.

The kids activity sheet was enjoyed by our five year old. The staff were good and the decor nice.

This was my first visit to a Prezzo. And I enjoyed it. But given a future choice between Pezzo and Pizza Express, I think I'd choose the latter.

Why I had the flu jab

Today I popped into Superdrug and had a seasonal flu vaccination.

These are my four reasons why:

1) It only cost £9.99. A bargain if it saves me from 2 weeks missed work, should I get the flu.
2) It will reduce the likelihood that I will get the flu. The vaccine is normally 50-60% effective.
3) It will reduce the chances that I will pass the flu to others. Others who may be much more vulnerable to the flu than I. The more people vaccinated, the more difficult it will be to spread quickly.
4) I do some work on adult immunisation and wanted to see how easy it was. Very.

Location:Bognor Regis,United Kingdom

A day at the barracks

We were lucky enough to get some tickets for the Royal Artillary Barracks (RAB) during the Paralympics. Our tickets allowed us to see the shooting and archery. I'd spent a few days at RAB during the Olympics so I was glad to be back to see it as a punter.

I loved the buildings.

We got to see a bit of shooting, some practicing and a final in the finals hall. Shooting is not really a spectator sport.

And we got to see some Archery. Including a British Paralympian.

Archery at the Paralympics

In the summer we spent a day at the Royal Artillary Barracks watching the Paralympic Shooting and Archery.

We got to have a go at the Archery. It was fun.

Committee on Public Service and Demographic Change

First published at www.ilcuk.org.uk

Before the summer recess, the Committee on Public Service and Demographic Change held its first evidence session. The Committee, whose remit is to consider public service provision in the light of demographic change, opened their enquiry by quizzing demographers on our ageing society.

How reliable is the data?
The experts were asked how reliable different population projections were over the short and long term. The Lords were particularly keen to understand whether the figures could be relied upon for planning purposes.

The ONS pointed out that they project the population up to 100 years ahead. They argued that the projections for the next 10 years are fairly certain. In terms of population ageing, older people are already alive so the birth rate does not impact on the numbers in the short term.

However the witnesses pointed out that beyond 10 or 15 years, the figures become much more uncertain, with the main uncertainties relating to fertility and migration.

The committee sought explanation for different projections from the ONS and the OBR. The witnesses pointed out that the OBR uses the lower migration variant in projections. This assumes migration is lower than if we just pushed forward on current trends.

Migration and fertility
The Committee dedicated a significant amount of time available to debating the impact of migration and fertility on the demography on the UK.

Guy Goodwin pointed out there are two factors which effect the number of births in the country. The first being the fertility rate and the second being the number of women of child bearing age in the population. The latter of these is impacted by women moving to the UK from other places with higher fertility rates and bringing these rates with them. Mr Goodwin explained that this is what is partly what is driving the increased fertility rate. Ben Humberstone noted that the current fertility rate was 1.98, but that it was due to grow to 2 before falling to 1.84.

Suzie Dunsmith explained that higher fertility in the UK over the past ten years has contributed to a slower ageing society than in many European Countries.

Healthy life expectancy
Professor Ludi Simpson noted that “At the moment, expectation of life at birth is increasing by something like more than two months every year, which is wonderful news. Whether it can continue to increase is something that academics disagree about.

The vexed question of whether healthy life expectancy was keeping up with life expectancy was explored by the Committee. Guy Goodwin pointed out that the figures are “not particularly encouraging” noting that “healthy life expectancy for women is broadly increasing at the same rate as life expectancy. But the healthy life expectancy of men is increasing at a lower percentage increase than life expectancy.

Inward migration
The Committee asked about the accuracy of data at a local level, referencing on ONS report which pointed out that “Wales has more aged population than England. Part of the reason is that younger people have tended to migrate out of Wales”. In terms of accuracy of local data, Mr Goodwin noted that as you get “as you get down to a local level, the uncertainties inevitably in some places will rise”. Ben Humberstone added “some areas are more difficult to estimate than others; for example, areas of high population churn, high net migration, students and special populations and so on”.

Where next
The Committee is due to take evidence over the next few months before reporting early in 2013. ILC-UK has contributed evidence to the Committee, which we have published today. Given the relevance of this inquiry to our work, we will be keeping a close eye on proceedings.

David Sinclair
Read the evidence from the first session at: http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/public-services-committee/
ILC-UK Evidence for the House of Lords Select Committee on Public Service and Demographic Change: http://www.ilcuk.org.uk/index.php/publications/publication_details/the_impact_of_demographic_change_on_public_service

Birthday Presents

Look at all the birthday presents I got in September. I am very lucky.

Active Ageing, Assistive Technologies & Reducing the Cost of Care for Older People

On Friday I spoke at an event in Kent on Active Ageing, Assistive Technologies & Reducing the Cost of Care for Older People

Here are my slides:

Active ageing and technology from ILC- UK

Cookery Magic, Singapore

This time last year I visited Singapore with work. I had a few days off to see the sights. The real highlight for me was the Cookery Magic course I did for a few hours one afternoon. Its a bit of a walk from the nearest station (especially in the Singapore sun) but it also meant I got to see a residential bit of the city.

I learnt how to cook

• Char Kuey Teow (fried rice noodles)
• Chilli Crab
• Onde Onde

It was great fun. I was with a group of about 10 people but everyone got to make their own after being shown how to do it. I would love to go back. If you are ever in Singapore do go to Cookery Magic.

This is how you kill a crab!

And here are some noodles I made.

And the final version of Chilli Crab.

Jury's Inn, Manchester

Not a bad hotel at all. The staff were perfectly pleasant. The room overlooked a law firm so not the best view.

The breakfast was plentiful if not particularly inspiring. The location is pretty good.

Stayed over party conference period so the room price was obscene. Certainly I'd expect much more for the price.

Housing crisis highlights delayed adulthood

(First published at www.ilcuk.org.uk) 

Over recent years, the housing market has failed to deliver adequately for both younger and older people. House prices have become too expensive for many younger people, whilst older people who want to downsize or move to retirement properties have found it difficult to sell.


The report found that:
• 73% of over-18s – amounting to around 36 million people – have lived with extended family into adulthood, with the vast majority citing saving money as the reason
• The average duration of this living arrangement is typically up to a year, although 24% say they have lived with another generation for more than five years, and 8% for more than 10 years
• The majority of shared living occurs when children remain in the family home during their late teens and 20s while looking for work. This accounts for 37% of family lodgers
The report also highlighted worrying trends in terms of incomes, debt and savings.
• Average household incomes have fallen by 7% since May 2012, to £2,003
• Family debts creep up by 13% over quarter to £10,563, up from £9,314 in May 2012
• The typical family’s savings fell to £1,131 (Aug 2012) from £1,228 (May 2012) but remain higher than the same period last year (£982 – Aug 2011).

The impact of this trend is highlighted in the latest Aviva Family Finances series, which focussed on the growing trend of intergenerational living.

There is increasing recent academic and social policy interest in delayed adulthood, and this report highlights but one aspect of this trend. ILC-UK has conducted some interesting work with our international partners as part of the ILC Global Alliance looking at multigenerational households around the world. While there are many advantages to intergenerational living, this trend in ‘delayed adulthood’ as well as the economic strains which are causing families to live this way can put pressure on relations between generations.

Maintaining good intergenerational relationships is dependent on managing these issues effectively. It is vital that links between generations are not eroded by the economic tension facing families across the UK and around the world.

David Sinclair and Jessica Watson

Aviva Family Finances report, August 2012

Global Perspectives on Multigenerational Households and Intergenerational Relations

You can follow the ILC Global Alliance on twitter at @ILCGlobal