|
36 million busy Britons
are using 'dead time' to be more organised and have more fun
36 million of Britons are
using time that was previously 'dead time'; such as their
lunch break, their commute to work or time spent waiting for an
appointment; more productively allowing them to make the most of
their free time, according to the latest findings from NS&I's
Quarterly Savings Survey.
74% of Britons are using 'dead time' in their day to carry
out personal admin tasks. This is making for a more tranquil and
contented nation; as 43% of those using their 'dead time' for
personal admin state they are more able to use their actual free
time to be able to relax while 43% say that carrying out personal
admin in 'dead time', is a satisfying way of using the time
efficiently.
The ability to use this time to finish previously postponed personal
admin tasks is helping the nation become more organised. 39% of
those using their 'dead time' admit that if personal admin
does not get done in this time then it will never get done, while
22% say that by finishing jobs in breaks from work or while waiting
for an appointment is also helping them make the most of their free
time.
Advances in technology have played a significant part in enabling
the nation to complete more personal admin tasks in their 'dead
time'. 52% of Britons doing personal admin in this time use
phone-calls and text messages to carry out these tasks and 44% use
email. (27%) have taken advantage of new technology by using apps on
a smartphone to complete their personal housekeeping, while 25% use
electronic documents or online notepads on their smartphone or
tablets.
50% of Britons doing personal admin in their 'dead time' are
using this time to manage their money, and more strikingly, 81% who
make efficient use of this time say that they feel in control of
their finances. Technological advances are also playing a part in
the search to be more financially secure as 75% of Britons prefer to
manage their finances online, making this the most popular method of
administration.
John Prout, NS&I Retail Customer Director, said:- "Whether it
is taking advantage of this previously redundant or restricted time
in our day to make important calls to friends or carrying out money
management tasks, as a result millions of Britons are enhancing
their control over aspects such as their finances and also buying
themselves more free time in which to enjoy themselves. This
positive trend also shows that half of the nation are using this
time to manage their money. The ability to now undertake more tasks
online often means that you can take back control, and our research
suggests that three quarters of Britons prefer to manage their
finances online."
62% of Britons state that the use of mobile technology;such as
internet connections on smartphones, mobile apps, tablets and
laptops; is helping them to achieve more in their 'dead time' than
ever before.
Other tasks Britons are undertaking in their 'dead time'
include:-
► 58% are using the time to keep in touch with friends and relatives.
►
51% plan their weekly shop.
►
49%, in a bid to become more
organised, compile a 'to do' list.
►
41% carry out research such as
planning their next holiday
►
37% opt to schedule appointments
with their doctor, dentist or bank manager during their 'dead
time'.
►
15% spend this time planning
celebratory events such as weddings or birthdays.
John Prout continued:- "The
internet and other advances in technology have really helped people
use their time more efficiently, and this is really positive move if
it gives people more time to manage admin, such as their finances,
better."
23% of Britons, take advantage of the 'dead time' in their
day in order to have more time to enjoy their hobbies, while over a
fifth of Britons, 21%, use the time saved to socialise and have more
fun. While lots of Britons have embraced the trend of using this
time in their day to complete personal admin tasks, there are still
those who prefer more traditional ways of passing the gaps in their
day. For example, 31% of those not using this time for personal
admin prefer to read books, magazines or newspapers, 28% like to
spend the time browsing the internet, 26% enjoy listening to music,
10% prefer to spend the time catching up on 40 winks.
|
 |
Celebrating of
the music of John Denver
THE music of John Denver
still brings joy to music lovers all over the world. We are
absolutely delighted that on Friday 15 February, local musician
Chris Bannister will be performing a selection of music by John
Denver in a concert supporting Queenscourt Hospice.
Taking place at the Park Golf Club, Southport, the evening will
feature some of Denver's biggest hits, like:- "Annie's Song,"
"Take Me Home Country Roads," "Rocky Mountain High," and
"Leavin on a Jet Plane."
Chris who hails from Wigan, now lives in Tarleton is an amazingly
talented musician and sounds incredibly like John Denver. He was
invited to Aspen in Colorado last autumn by Steve Wiesberg (John
Denver's former lead guitarist) to perform at an annual John Denver
convention. Steve first saw Chris on a You Tube video and was so
impressed that he invited him along to perform. Everyone loved his
performance so much that he has been invited back this year.
This special performance for Queenscourt on Friday 15 February takes
place at the Park Golf Club which is on Park Road West in Southport
and tickets are £15.00; this includes the entertainment and a hot
supper.
Chris is giving his time up free of charge, which is very generous
it is guaranteed to be a great evening. Tickets are available from
Queenscourt Hospice Reception and for more information please
contact Carolyn Lowry on:- 01704 517420 or via emailing:-
clowry@nhs.net.
You can get a taste of Chris by following this
link.
Mayor acts to
mitigate impact of Council tax benefit cuts
LIVERPOOL is to
significantly reduce the impact of a Government reduction in Council
Tax Benefit. From 1 April 2013, the current national scheme of
Council Tax benefit is being abolished and a new Council Tax Support
Scheme is being transferred to local government. This carries a 10%
reduction in funding compared to the current arrangements.
In real terms this means for Liverpool a reduction of around £6.2
million available to support those residents most in need. It
is part of a wider set of welfare reform changes that will directly
affect people's lives and the places where they live, as well as
impacting on a proportion of people who are in work. Mayor Joe
Anderson is to recommend to Council not to pass on the full impact
of these financial reductions. It means the City Council will accept the government's one off
Transition grant of £1.5 million and will match this with £1.7
million to ensure that Liverpool residents do not feel the full
force of the cuts. The 44,700 working age people who were set
to be affected will only face an 8.5% reduction, rather than the
17.5% originally proposed. Pensioners are exempt from any cuts.
A typical claimant will be required to pay an additional £1.70 per
week, rather than £3.41 under the original proposal.
Mayor Anderson said:- "I have been thinking long and hard
about whether or not to accept the Government grant.
It is only for one year and does not solve the problem in the long
term. We will have to see what Government announces for 2014/15 and
of course examine our own financial position. This is as much as we
can do given our current financial position.
After grappling with this issue for several weeks, I have concluded
that it is the right thing to do to take the money in order to
offset the impact on the most vulnerable people in the City."
NEXT OF KIN APPEAL - MR JOHN
POLARTY
MERSEYSIDE Police are
appealing for the next of kin or any other family members, of Mr
John Polarty, to contact the Sefton Coroner's Office on:- 0151 777
3481. Mr Polarty was found dead at his address in Summers Road,
Bootle on 9 January 2013. "The death of the 68 year old is not
being treated as suspicious." said Merseyside Police. |
