ARmy Rumour SErvice

Five MPs argue in a book due out next month, that British workers are among the most idle and should emulate "parts of Asia". "The five MPs - who are all members of the Free Enterprise Group of Tory MPs - say the UK needs to reward a culture of "graft, risk and effort" if it is to compete with fast-growing nations. They go further: "poor productivity" is caused by poor work ethics and attitudes in the UK". Apparently, Britain would do well to "follow work ethics in Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong". This lot, by the way, are the "class of 2010" - MPs elected to Parliament at the last election. So you'd better watch out. The new kids on the block could be on a mission to get all Asian with us.

"Once they enter the workplace, the British are among the worst idlers in the world," they write. "We work among the lowest hours, we retire early and our productivity is poor." "The MPs' arguments will intensify the debate in the coalition government about how to reverse the slide in the economy, which has seen the UK slip into a double dip recession". That's if the British can get in to the work place, at all. And whether they're locals, disabled, getting on a bit, or fit the diversity and inclusion targets. But of course, Britain's proud of and renowned for its fantastic tolerance and diversity. Sounds sarky? Good.

"Many Conservatives on the right of the party argue the government's pro-growth initiatives are inadequate and that changes to the labour market, tax cuts and other "supply side" measures needed to boost competitiveness are being held back by the Lib Dems".

The TUC replied to the five's new book and accusations with "It's not the UK work ethic which is holding the country back but a lack of demand in the economy - a situation that is being made considerably worse by government spending cuts". We do know that British business has been guilty of giving jobs away to foreign imports, even the job creation schemes. Because foreigners accept lower wages and are "more reliable" than the locals. Could be all bollocks, but it's happened.

Now do we have a rising Asian culture influencing British government, who are also pissed off with getting up to sort the Newspapers at six every morning, and think Bill down the road should have his turn. The lazy tw@t. Or is it all just so much rubbish, and this lot are just trying to flog their book. Are there even that many jobs available, and are the larger UK employers just not helping?

Or do these five Tories have a point when they say the UK needs to get Asian about its work attitudes.

Source BBC News - British workers 'among worst idlers', suggest Tory MPs

This would be the MP's who are currently on a 3 month paid holiday?