I wish I lived in the UK you apparently think we do, it sounds much nicer than the one I see every day.
All those pensioners living it large on their… hang on.. £241.30 a week full state pension.
Well yes. I know you’re saying it in a sarcastic voice, and think the statement is absurd. But that is a quite straight accurate statement. Give me the opportunity to give up work and live on £241 (plus housing benefits and various other perks) a week and I’d bite your arm off.
Would you, though? Which other “perks” do you think our aged population are getting? How much do you think they’re worth? Do you think you could “live large” off £12,500 a year in the UK?
It is pretty funny that someone who’s loudly complaining about their tax burden is simultaneously insisting that an annual income of slightly under the tax-free allowance is plenty to live on.
Doesn’t seem to me like spending money to subsidize public transit is “diverting” it from climate mitigation efforts. Rather, it’s a very effective use of such funds (assuming it is used efficiently in a way that actually encourages ridership, of course).
From what I understand of their distribution, there’s probably a Tesco within a mile of everywhere, and probably some Tescos sited within other Tescos.
Sounds like you need to get a new job, if you hate the one you have that much. Might want to vote for a government that will work to provide better jobs.
And just to be sure I’m following: “Net Zero” is a goal of zero net carbon dioxide emissions?
Yes, with a target date of 2050. There’s a new “carbon budget” every 5 years on the way there. It is a big undertaking, covering every sector of the economy and while it involves investment and job creation in some areas, it also involves e.g. reduction in oil and gas extraction which means that people currently well paid to do skilled trades are at risk of losing those jobs. Managing that transition in a way that minimises both actual pain and lost votes is the political challenge.
Another day, another positive bit of retail politics from Burnham - business rates for pubs, clubs and entertainment venues to be cut, paid for by increased rates on unspecified other businesses.
There is a case for this, and for reform of business rates for high street retailers generally, given that costs for businesses are climbing (energy, but also minimum wage and employer contributions to national insurance mandated buy Starmer’s government) and this is hurting growth. But framing it in terms of helping out he local pub is very considered presentation.
So I agree that defence and nuclear power are underfunded (but on nuclear power that’s very much my decarbonastion/Net Zero preference coming through.) I would also add housebuilding to the list.
But all this is about trade-offs. As a whole, the people of the UK want to have Western European standard public services on US tax rates. Without borrowing. And really, this is a “any 2 of the 3” situation.
Good stats here: How do UK tax revenues compare internationally? | Institute for Fiscal Studies
Notably, UK tax rates on the median earner are not even further below the OECD avreage than our overall tax rates.
We could cut spending on the NHS and pensions and justice and transport and welfare etc, which would cut borrowing massively and/or allow tax cuts. But with the exception of your good self, I don’t think many Brits would actually want that.
Unfortunately, successive election results suggest enough of us do - until we can’t get an NHS appointment right now, can’t see our friendly neighbourhood burglar on trial for eighteen months, have to wait an hour for a bus, etc., etc… Human nature is ever consistently inconsistent.
My new political party “The Unicorns and Puppies Alliance”, with its slogan “All the good stuff, none of the costs, you know its only fair” is poised to sweep to victory.
I dont’ how the word “not” got into that sentence, but a full inquiry is being held and the perpetrators will be shot.
Add “All foreigners to be flogged” and you’ve got Reform down pat.
It’s like how Binface promises “I will lower your taxes, and raise everyone else’s”.
I always liked that particular part of his platform
The truth will set you free.
There really is a lot to be said for a platform that’s nonsense in simple words. Which helps point out that everyone else’s platform is the same nonsense, just in more complicated words.