It does strike me as odd that the 1997-2010 Labour government which sanctioned a big expansion in the state sector, a big expansion in state spending, a big expansion in welfare spending, open door immigration, limitless welfare, that renationalised network rail in 2002, that devolved power in Scotland, Wales and N Ireland etc is now characterised as a Tory-lite government.
It comes across as an act of denial, as though people can't accept that Labour did most of the things it always dreams of and it didn't work.
It borrowed big, spent big and failed.
Osborne agreed to match Labour Public Spending
Except Labour didn't stick to the spending totals Osborne agreed to match. so that is nul and void.
If I was a steel worker, I would be pretty p----d off with the media standing outside the gates and telling me there are going to xxxx job losses before it has been announced.
All the broadcasters trying to create the narrative that it is the "government's fault." They knew this was coming but once again are reacting instead of being proactive. They never learn. Those "events" are coming thick and fast!
What's most surprising about that article is the comments. They seem to be broadly supportive of the tax credit cuts for the same reason I am. People are severely overestimating the damage they will do to the government.
I'd say people fall into two groups: those overestimating the potential damage to the Conservatives and those underestimating the potential damage to the Conservatives. People in work who are put into real hardship are going to feel, with some justification, seriously pissed off. They are not going to be shy about voicing their opinions. Hard luck cases will circulate rapidly on twitter and facebook. The number of hard luck cases may be quite low, but the reputational damage may be considerable.
I doubt it's a poll tax in the making but it's an entirely avoidable serious blunder worthy of the omnishambles budget. The general principle would be at least tolerated but the public would expect the hardest hit to be given more help than they are currently being offered. The government would be very well-advised to ameliorate the worst hardships.
King Cole, opposing bad oversight is a good thing.
Not when you appear to believe that no oversight at all is better!
No one in the Tory party said no oversight though? As I read it was the splitting of functions that was opposed and the creation, or at least remodeling, of the FSA into a massively powerful regulator, but with no power to backstop broken banks. In the end the Bank took over a lot of the FSA's functions in 2008/9 because the FSA were so ill equipped to handle a crisis.
Less regulation is generally a good thing, but it needs to be good regulation, not just mindless box ticking and diversity seminars.
Quite. The FSA was far more interested in process than fundamentals. The criticisms Lilley made when Brown's triple-headed regulation was first brought in were perceptive.
The argument between 'more' and 'less' was a typical Brownite misleading dividing line, assuming, as it did, that more automatically meant better. It didn't and it doesn't.
But Brown didn't argue for more at the time. They broadcast loud and clear how banking regulation in the UK was "feather light".
His criticism of the Tories after the event was that we argued for 'even less' beforehand.
What's most surprising about that article is the comments. They seem to be broadly supportive of the tax credit cuts for the same reason I am. People are severely overestimating the damage they will do to the government.
The main reason for the over-estimating is that almost everyone seems to think that the entire 'loss' is actual money taken away from recipients, but it isn't so. Polly, bless her, makes this error very clearly:
After all, 3.2 million low-paid families will see their tax credits fall by on average £1,300 a year.
No, they won't. A much smaller number than that will see their tax credits fall (because of the change in the tapering rules), and the loss will be less that that. She, and most of the other critics, are bundling in the changes on new claimants and the freeze into their figures. These parts of the changes won't cause tax credits to fall in nominal terms for existing claimants.
If I was a steel worker, I would be pretty p----d off with the media standing outside the gates and telling me there are going to xxxx job losses before it has been announced.
All the broadcasters trying to create the narrative that it is the "government's fault." They knew this was coming but once again are reacting instead of being proactive. They never learn. Those "events" are coming thick and fast!
Radio 5 were whipping up a storm over the problems at Caparo yesterday, and seemed somewhat disappointed when a spokesman for the Administrators said that they expected most of the business to remain in operation and only some job losses.
The curious thing is why so many steel companies are closing down at the same time? Or is it simply that the media are taking an interest and reporting ongoing closures that have been taking place all year?
What's most surprising about that article is the comments. They seem to be broadly supportive of the tax credit cuts for the same reason I am. People are severely overestimating the damage they will do to the government.
tim late of this parish claimed child benefit cuts would cost the Conservatives the 2015 election.
What's most surprising about that article is the comments. They seem to be broadly supportive of the tax credit cuts for the same reason I am. People are severely overestimating the damage they will do to the government.
I'd say people fall into two groups: those overestimating the potential damage to the Conservatives and those underestimating the potential damage to the Conservatives. People in work who are put into real hardship are going to feel, with some justification, seriously pissed off. They are not going to be shy about voicing their opinions. Hard luck cases will circulate rapidly on twitter and facebook. The number of hard luck cases may be quite low, but the reputational damage may be considerable.
I doubt it's a poll tax in the making but it's an entirely avoidable serious blunder worthy of the omnishambles budget. The general principle would be at least tolerated but the public would expect the hardest hit to be given more help than they are currently being offered. The government would be very well-advised to ameliorate the worst hardships.
The hardest cases I think are those where someone works 16 hours a week. Which can be alleviated by upping hours I think. Given the increase in childcare this should not be an issue.
If Brown were a doctor he would've prescribed 100% oxygen. Because more is better, you know.
On dynasties: don't forget Pitt the Younger.
Still it is amusing that a republic has stronger political dynasties than a kingdom.
Yes, but only one example of a PM being father to a PM, and that before 1832 when politics was even more a family business than it is now (not least because it was just as legitimate for a PM to come from the Lords, and more likely - because of the money there - that a peer would lead a faction or party).
There are plenty of examples father-son combos to have made cabinet level, and a few which extend to more than two generations, but none I can think of where a son or grandson (or, these days, daughter), has come close to following in their father's footsteps into No 10. Curiously, the closest may be where the child has gone further than the parent, with perhaps the Chamberlains as the best example.
It does strike me as odd that the 1997-2010 Labour government which sanctioned a big expansion in the state sector, a big expansion in state spending, a big expansion in welfare spending, open door immigration, limitless welfare, that renationalised network rail in 2002, that devolved power in Scotland, Wales and N Ireland etc is now characterised as a Tory-lite government.
It comes across as an act of denial, as though people can't accept that Labour did most of the things it always dreams of and it didn't work.
It borrowed big, spent big and failed.
Osborne agreed to match Labour Public Spending
Except Labour didn't stick to the spending totals Osborne agreed to match. so that is nul and void.
What's most surprising about that article is the comments. They seem to be broadly supportive of the tax credit cuts for the same reason I am. People are severely overestimating the damage they will do to the government.
I'd say people fall into two groups: those overestimating the potential damage to the Conservatives and those underestimating the potential damage to the Conservatives. People in work who are put into real hardship are going to feel, with some justification, seriously pissed off. They are not going to be shy about voicing their opinions. Hard luck cases will circulate rapidly on twitter and facebook. The number of hard luck cases may be quite low, but the reputational damage may be considerable.
I doubt it's a poll tax in the making but it's an entirely avoidable serious blunder worthy of the omnishambles budget. The general principle would be at least tolerated but the public would expect the hardest hit to be given more help than they are currently being offered. The government would be very well-advised to ameliorate the worst hardships.
The hardest cases I think are those where someone works 16 hours a week. Which can be alleviated by upping hours I think. Given the increase in childcare this should not be an issue.
It can be hard to increase hours however. Retailers especially have got used to a model of having several people working part time, even when they want full time jobs, to maintain more flexibility and cover. With an endless supply of willing workers from Eastern Europe and the taxpayer subsidy, the pressure from workers to provide more hours is not that strong.
Tories losing in Canada, with excellent economy proves that it is not just the economy, stupid. Add good politics. Harper didn't empathise with the electorate. Boris will be great politically, although poor in parliament. George is too dry. Corbyn is appealing to some people. If that will be enough, who knows. Hope not.
As we're speaking of hereditary stuff, it's notable that the Golden Age of Imperial Rome involved a number of adopted heirs become emperor, not blood relatives. That ended when the overrated, oblivious Marcus Aurelius decided his successor should be his son* Commodus.
*Although, as Aurelius' wife had many affairs, he may not have actually been his son.
What's most surprising about that article is the comments. They seem to be broadly supportive of the tax credit cuts for the same reason I am. People are severely overestimating the damage they will do to the government.
I'd say people fall into two groups: those overestimating the potential damage to the Conservatives and those underestimating the potential damage to the Conservatives. People in work who are put into real hardship are going to feel, with some justification, seriously pissed off. They are not going to be shy about voicing their opinions. Hard luck cases will circulate rapidly on twitter and facebook. The number of hard luck cases may be quite low, but the reputational damage may be considerable.
I doubt it's a poll tax in the making but it's an entirely avoidable serious blunder worthy of the omnishambles budget. The general principle would be at least tolerated but the public would expect the hardest hit to be given more help than they are currently being offered. The government would be very well-advised to ameliorate the worst hardships.
The hardest cases I think are those where someone works 16 hours a week. Which can be alleviated by upping hours I think. Given the increase in childcare this should not be an issue.
I don't understand why Osborne has got himself into this mess. Maybe it is a case of not paying attention to details whilst busy scheming ways to shaft Labour? Whatever the reason, this will be a real test for Cameron-Osborne. Will they follow Ken Clarke's advice and put on a tin helmet and stick it out, or will they use the House of Lords or some other device to quietly backtrack a little.
If Brown were a doctor he would've prescribed 100% oxygen. Because more is better, you know.
On dynasties: don't forget Pitt the Younger.
Still it is amusing that a republic has stronger political dynasties than a kingdom.
Yes, but only one example of a PM being father to a PM, and that before 1832 when politics was even more a family business than it is now (not least because it was just as legitimate for a PM to come from the Lords, and more likely - because of the money there - that a peer would lead a faction or party).
There are plenty of examples father-son combos to have made cabinet level, and a few which extend to more than two generations, but none I can think of where a son or grandson (or, these days, daughter), has come close to following in their father's footsteps into No 10. Curiously, the closest may be where the child has gone further than the parent, with perhaps the Chamberlains as the best example.
Lord Salisbury was Arthur Balfour's uncle (hence "Bob's your uncle"). Balfour succeeded Salisbury directly as Prime Minister: a literal case of nepotism.
If Brown were a doctor he would've prescribed 100% oxygen. Because more is better, you know.
On dynasties: don't forget Pitt the Younger.
Still it is amusing that a republic has stronger political dynasties than a kingdom.
Yes, but only one example of a PM being father to a PM, and that before 1832 when politics was even more a family business than it is now (not least because it was just as legitimate for a PM to come from the Lords, and more likely - because of the money there - that a peer would lead a faction or party).
There are plenty of examples father-son combos to have made cabinet level, and a few which extend to more than two generations, but none I can think of where a son or grandson (or, these days, daughter), has come close to following in their father's footsteps into No 10. Curiously, the closest may be where the child has gone further than the parent, with perhaps the Chamberlains as the best example.
Lord Salisbury was Arthur Balfour's uncle (hence "Bob's your uncle"). Balfour succeeded Salisbury directly as Prime Minister: a literal case of nepotism.
I'm not sure it was 'literally nepotism' in that Balfour was widely respected during Salisbury's leadership and remained a significant figure long after his uncle's death; he may well have become PM anyway. But yes, good example.
If Trudeau makes good on his promises regarding electoral reform, cannabis legalisation and less damaging environmental policies he will have made the world a better place. The centre of gravity on the hypocritical, damaging drug war is soon to reach the point of no return. Not that you'd know it from this government's execrable and unenforceable Psychoactive Substances Bill, which if it becomes law will rank as one of the most illiberal, nonsensical and authoritarian laws ever passed in this country.
Other countries legalising is a useful step forward - if deemed to be a success then easier to push for the change here.
How does EU law influence decriminalisation - Dutch seem to be cracking down whilst Portugal are going the other way.
If us two are both on a similar page you know something must be ridiculous! Any of the Tory ultra-loyalists here care to try and defend the lunacy of the Psychoactive Substances Bill?
If Trudeau makes good on his promises regarding electoral reform, cannabis legalisation and less damaging environmental policies he will have made the world a better place. The centre of gravity on the hypocritical, damaging drug war is soon to reach the point of no return. Not that you'd know it from this government's execrable and unenforceable Psychoactive Substances Bill, which if it becomes law will rank as one of the most illiberal, nonsensical and authoritarian laws ever passed in this country.
Other countries legalising is a useful step forward - if deemed to be a success then easier to push for the change here.
How does EU law influence decriminalisation - Dutch seem to be cracking down whilst Portugal are going the other way.
If us two are both on a similar page you know something must be ridiculous! Any of the Tory ultra-loyalists here care to try and defend the lunacy of the Psychoactive Substances Bill?
Don't think this is a left / right issue - more authoritarian/libertarian issue. Its a futile waste of money frankly this "war on drugs".
I think the maths of the tax credit cuts are confusing, but one thing I do believe is that the more Osborne cuts now, the more he will have to give away in tax cuts in three or four years' time.
I suspect the opposition knows this too. If they really thought credit cuts were a 10p tax moment, they would keep quiet about it, and let Osborne make the mistake.
The real debate here is about people who are wedded to the state. The left fears that, by the end of the parliament, fewer will be.
I think the maths of the tax credit cuts are confusing, but one thing I do believe is that the more Osborne cuts now, the more he will have to give away in tax cuts in three or four years' time.
I suspect the opposition knows this too. If they really thought credit cuts were a 10p tax moment, they would keep quiet about it, and let Osborne make the mistake.
The real debate here is about people who are wedded to the state. The left fears that, by the end of the parliament, fewer will be.
Yes but thats still a win - slash tax credits but raise the allowance or cut taxes further - its a much better place to be at the end of it.
I think the maths of the tax credit cuts are confusing, but one thing I do believe is that the more Osborne cuts now, the more he will have to give away in tax cuts in three or four years' time.
I suspect the opposition knows this too. If they really thought credit cuts were a 10p tax moment, they would keep quiet about it, and let Osborne make the mistake.
The real debate here is about people who are wedded to the state. The left fears that, by the end of the parliament, fewer will be.
Tax cuts? What happened to running a surplus? Cynics might suspect Osborne is one of them.
I did hear some truly ludicruous arguments against, which by and large I won't repeat.
One friend suggested it was unheard of that we should operate a whitelist. I pointed out a large part of our financial regulation was based on such a principle. He didn't come back with any further points on that line.
I think the maths of the tax credit cuts are confusing, but one thing I do believe is that the more Osborne cuts now, the more he will have to give away in tax cuts in three or four years' time.
I suspect the opposition knows this too. If they really thought credit cuts were a 10p tax moment, they would keep quiet about it, and let Osborne make the mistake.
The real debate here is about people who are wedded to the state. The left fears that, by the end of the parliament, fewer will be.
If they're not wedded to the state where the hell do you think they'll be? I've seen these sort of comments on here for so long. These are not individuals with thousands in savings we're talking about, it's families who spend every penny that they EARN in paying rent, utilities, and raising their families. Maby of them are going to be umbilically joined to the state because they'll be homeless with their families in temporary accommodation paid for by the state. Economists warn of the effect of mortgage interest rises next year - these cuts are equivalent to £100-£200 a month mortgage rises...that is going to be catastrophic
''Economists warn of the effect of mortgage interest rises next year - these cuts are equivalent to £100-£200 a month mortgage rises...that is going to be catastrophic''
Well if that is the case, you'll be back in government soon enough.
Interestingly the Conservatives haven't actually dropped that many votes - down from 5.8million in 2011 to 5.6 million in 2015. Even factoring in around 1 million of population growth over the past 4 years that's worth noting.
Harper's base seems pretty loyal; they just seem to have been swept aside by a massive Liberal tsunami.
It does sort of suggest that until the Liberals become unpopular again, or the Tories significantly expand.their base, they will be out of office for a while.
Interestingly the Conservatives haven't actually dropped that many votes - down from 5.8million in 2011 to 5.6 million in 2015. Even factoring in around 1 million of population growth over the past 4 years that's worth noting.
Ed Miliband increased the Labour vote at the last election
''Economists warn of the effect of mortgage interest rises next year - these cuts are equivalent to £100-£200 a month mortgage rises...that is going to be catastrophic''
Well if that is the case, you'll be back in government soon enough.
Mortgage interest rates going up are good news for pensioners and those with savings.
If Trudeau makes good on his promises regarding electoral reform, cannabis legalisation and less damaging environmental policies he will have made the world a better place. The centre of gravity on the hypocritical, damaging drug war is soon to reach the point of no return. Not that you'd know it from this government's execrable and unenforceable Psychoactive Substances Bill, which if it becomes law will rank as one of the most illiberal, nonsensical and authoritarian laws ever passed in this country.
How are the Lansley reforms impacting the NHS right now?.
Not as well as they would have done if they'd been implemented according to the original Lansley plans, before the LibDems got cold feet and forced additional layers of complexity to be introduced. Still, things seem to have gone quite well:
John McDonnell @johnmcdonnellMP · 3h3 hours ago I congratulate Liberal Party of Canada on resounding election victory on clear anti-austerity & investment to grow economy platform.
''Economists warn of the effect of mortgage interest rises next year - these cuts are equivalent to £100-£200 a month mortgage rises...that is going to be catastrophic''
Well if that is the case, you'll be back in government soon enough.
Mortgage interest rates going up are good news for pensioners and those with savings.
Indeed - the very group that have been insulated from the cuts more than any other.
Interestingly the Conservatives haven't actually dropped that many votes - down from 5.8million in 2011 to 5.6 million in 2015. Even factoring in around 1 million of population growth over the past 4 years that's worth noting.
Ed Miliband increased the Labour vote at the last election
True, but that's in seeking office. Harper almost stood pat whilst losing office to a Liberal Tsunami.
''Mortgage interest rates going up are good news for pensioners and those with savings.''
Maybe. Mortgage rates going up in 2016 is still a big if. I still don;t believe this tooth and nail opposition to tax credit cuts from the party that gave us the 10p tax is out of altruism.
It is more than that. The debate is about cutting the apron strings of the state, which the left are desperate to avoid.
''Economists warn of the effect of mortgage interest rises next year - these cuts are equivalent to £100-£200 a month mortgage rises...that is going to be catastrophic''
Well if that is the case, you'll be back in government soon enough.
Mortgage interest rates going up are good news for pensioners and those with savings.
Indeed - the very group that have been insulated from the cuts more than any other.
Mike's allowed a little self-interest after all the time & money he's put into this site :-)
Indeed - the very group that have been insulated from the cuts more than any other.
Really? Savers?
You mean those who have accumulated their wealth in the past, benefited from property booms whilst the kids and grand kids will struggle even to rent a home of their own, let alone buy one. Saving is a freakin' aspiration for millions in this country.
John McDonnell @johnmcdonnellMP · 3h3 hours ago I congratulate Liberal Party of Canada on resounding election victory on clear anti-austerity & investment to grow economy platform.
Will Jeremy be on a steam boat to Canada to be the first to congratulate him ?
Indeed - the very group that have been insulated from the cuts more than any other.
Really? Savers?
You mean those who have accumulated their wealth in the past, benefited from property booms whilst the kids and grand kids will struggle even to rent a home of their own, let alone buy one. Saving is a freakin' aspiration for millions in this country.
''Economists warn of the effect of mortgage interest rises next year - these cuts are equivalent to £100-£200 a month mortgage rises...that is going to be catastrophic''
Well if that is the case, you'll be back in government soon enough.
A 0.5% rise in rates (as much as we'd get) would be around £85 extra a month for a £200k mortgage.
Impact will probably be staggered as most of us are now on 2/3/5 year fixed rate deals.
Indeed - the very group that have been insulated from the cuts more than any other.
Really? Savers?
You mean those who have accumulated their wealth in the past, benefited from property booms whilst the kids and grand kids will struggle even to rent a home of their own, let alone buy one. Saving is a freakin' aspiration for millions in this country.
No, it's a discipline.
You live in a completely different world to a whole lot of people...
I thought labour and the liberals were in favour of shifting the burden of helping the low paid from the tax payer to nasty horrible large corporations. I thought this was a labour policy.
Now the tories are implementing it, they are against...???
If Brown were a doctor he would've prescribed 100% oxygen. Because more is better, you know.
On dynasties: don't forget Pitt the Younger.
Still it is amusing that a republic has stronger political dynasties than a kingdom.
Yes, but only one example of a PM being father to a PM, and that before 1832 when politics was even more a family business than it is now (not least because it was just as legitimate for a PM to come from the Lords, and more likely - because of the money there - that a peer would lead a faction or party).
There are plenty of examples father-son combos to have made cabinet level, and a few which extend to more than two generations, but none I can think of where a son or grandson (or, these days, daughter), has come close to following in their father's footsteps into No 10. Curiously, the closest may be where the child has gone further than the parent, with perhaps the Chamberlains as the best example.
My family had 4 cabinet ministers (3 direct line, 1 first cousin) plus one father-in-law and one grandfather-in-law in the Cabinet during the 20th century. Plus, I'm sure, assorted other cousins with further degrees of separation.
''Economists warn of the effect of mortgage interest rises next year - these cuts are equivalent to £100-£200 a month mortgage rises...that is going to be catastrophic''
Well if that is the case, you'll be back in government soon enough.
A 0.5% rise in rates (as much as we'd get) would be around £85 extra a month for a £200k mortgage.
Impact will probably be staggered as most of us are now on 2/3/5 year fixed rate deals.
What do you think a 1% rise would have on homeowners?
Indeed - the very group that have been insulated from the cuts more than any other.
Really? Savers?
You mean those who have accumulated their wealth in the past, benefited from property booms whilst the kids and grand kids will struggle even to rent a home of their own, let alone buy one. Saving is a freakin' aspiration for millions in this country.
No, it's a discipline.
You live in a completely different world to a whole lot of people...
There are plenty of people across the developing world who save money despite having far lower incomes, even on a PPP basis. Too many people have a mentality in this country of "if I have money in my account, I can spend it". Some of those apply that to an overdraft too.
I can't actually remember any time - not even in the New Labour boom years when Brown was pouring money in like it grew on trees - when the NHS didn't claim to be in near-terminal crisis.
@steve_hawkes: Confirmed: Zac Goldsmith, David Davis and Stephen McPartland signing Frank Field's call for a Commons motion forcing rethink on tax credits
I can't actually remember any time - not even in the New Labour boom years when Brown was pouring money in like it grew on trees - when the NHS didn't claim to be in near-terminal crisis.
Despite that it does surprisingly well. Maybe some people are exaggerating the problems?
I can't actually remember any time - not even in the New Labour boom years when Brown was pouring money in like it grew on trees - when the NHS didn't claim to be in near-terminal crisis.
Of course it's in permanent crisis, because its mechanism for matching supply with demand is the queue.
I thought labour and the liberals were in favour of shifting the burden of helping the low paid from the tax payer to nasty horrible large corporations. I thought this was a labour policy.
Now the tories are implementing it, they are against...???
Brown was only interested in buying votes with tax payers money. It will take years to unravel the financial disaster Brown left us with.
It is difficult when money's tight, though. And when that's the case, but things improve, it can be tempting to spend a lot, almost in relief that it's actually possible.
I quite like that schuldig is the German word for both debt and guilt.
If Brown were a doctor he would've prescribed 100% oxygen. Because more is better, you know.
On dynasties: don't forget Pitt the Younger.
Still it is amusing that a republic has stronger political dynasties than a kingdom.
Yes, but only one example of a PM being father to a PM, and that before 1832 when politics was even more a family business than it is now (not least because it was just as legitimate for a PM to come from the Lords, and more likely - because of the money there - that a peer would lead a faction or party).
There are plenty of examples father-son combos to have made cabinet level, and a few which extend to more than two generations, but none I can think of where a son or grandson (or, these days, daughter), has come close to following in their father's footsteps into No 10. Curiously, the closest may be where the child has gone further than the parent, with perhaps the Chamberlains as the best example.
My family had 4 cabinet ministers (3 direct line, 1 first cousin) plus one father-in-law and one grandfather-in-law in the Cabinet during the 20th century. Plus, I'm sure, assorted other cousins with further degrees of separation.
@steve_hawkes: Confirmed: Zac Goldsmith, David Davis and Stephen McPartland signing Frank Field's call for a Commons motion forcing rethink on tax credits
I can't actually remember any time - not even in the New Labour boom years when Brown was pouring money in like it grew on trees - when the NHS didn't claim to be in near-terminal crisis.
More intriguing was the instant dismissal of public opinion about the NHS.
I can't actually remember any time - not even in the New Labour boom years when Brown was pouring money in like it grew on trees - when the NHS didn't claim to be in near-terminal crisis.
So you can remember an NHS regulator calling a "worst in a generation financial crisis" before?
When?
Oh and the SoS agreeing the NHS is in grip of "worst financial crisis in its history".
Oh and waiting lists getting worse and more targets been missed than hit.
Thanks for your in depth knowledge on this.
I will sleep easier now.
FFS Richard why dont you just admit you were wrong re Lansley
''Economists warn of the effect of mortgage interest rises next year - these cuts are equivalent to £100-£200 a month mortgage rises...that is going to be catastrophic''
Well if that is the case, you'll be back in government soon enough.
A 0.5% rise in rates (as much as we'd get) would be around £85 extra a month for a £200k mortgage.
Impact will probably be staggered as most of us are now on 2/3/5 year fixed rate deals.
What do you think a 1% rise would have on homeowners?
Double the above. I always check I can afford a 3% rise, if push came to shove.
Anything more than that and we're all buggered so there's no point in planning for it.
Just Google 'NHS crisis NNNN' where NNNN is any year from 2000 to 2015 and you'll get zillions of hits. 'Twas ever so.
Of course there are heavy pressures from the demographics. Luckily we have a government which has been able to protect the budget in real terms, but there is certainly a need for improved efficiency.
''Economists warn of the effect of mortgage interest rises next year - these cuts are equivalent to £100-£200 a month mortgage rises...that is going to be catastrophic''
Well if that is the case, you'll be back in government soon enough.
A 0.5% rise in rates (as much as we'd get) would be around £85 extra a month for a £200k mortgage.
Impact will probably be staggered as most of us are now on 2/3/5 year fixed rate deals.
About to fix for 10 years at 3% for the new place. Some deals out there are amazing for people with larger mortgages. It will give me a lot of security knowing that for 10 years my liabilities are fixed and at the end of the 10 year period one hopes to be in a position to significantly reduce the total mortgage amount thereby making it easier to remortgage for a decent rate even if interest rates are much higher than today.
Anyone who doesn't fix in today's climate is an idiot.
If Brown were a doctor he would've prescribed 100% oxygen. Because more is better, you know.
On dynasties: don't forget Pitt the Younger.
Still it is amusing that a republic has stronger political dynasties than a kingdom.
Yes, but only one example of a PM being father to a PM, and that before 1832 when politics was even more a family business than it is now (not least because it was just as legitimate for a PM to come from the Lords, and more likely - because of the money there - that a peer would lead a faction or party).
There are plenty of examples father-son combos to have made cabinet level, and a few which extend to more than two generations, but none I can think of where a son or grandson (or, these days, daughter), has come close to following in their father's footsteps into No 10. Curiously, the closest may be where the child has gone further than the parent, with perhaps the Chamberlains as the best example.
My family had 4 cabinet ministers (3 direct line, 1 first cousin) plus one father-in-law and one grandfather-in-law in the Cabinet during the 20th century. Plus, I'm sure, assorted other cousins with further degrees of separation.
Indeed - the very group that have been insulated from the cuts more than any other.
Really? Savers?
You mean those who have accumulated their wealth in the past, benefited from property booms whilst the kids and grand kids will struggle even to rent a home of their own, let alone buy one. Saving is a freakin' aspiration for millions in this country.
No, it's a discipline.
You live in a completely different world to a whole lot of people...
There are plenty of people across the developing world who save money despite having far lower incomes, even on a PPP basis. Too many people have a mentality in this country of "if I have money in my account, I can spend it". Some of those apply that to an overdraft too.
The trick is to have a standing order to a savings account very early in each month that you view as a bill, like council tax or utilities.
Even £100 a month can make a big difference over the course of a year, when the unexpected comes up.
I thought labour and the liberals were in favour of shifting the burden of helping the low paid from the tax payer to nasty horrible large corporations. I thought this was a labour policy.
Now the tories are implementing it, they are against...???
Brown was only interested in buying votes with tax payers money. It will take years to unravel the financial disaster Brown left us with.
and I suppose, cutting inheritance tax for properties worth £2 million and subsidised interest rates for pensioner savers with £100k to invest isn't buying votes ?
I can't actually remember any time - not even in the New Labour boom years when Brown was pouring money in like it grew on trees - when the NHS didn't claim to be in near-terminal crisis.
Despite that it does surprisingly well. Maybe some people are exaggerating the problems?
Hunt or Monitor?
Both say its in worst crisis of a generation/ever.
@steve_hawkes: Confirmed: Zac Goldsmith, David Davis and Stephen McPartland signing Frank Field's call for a Commons motion forcing rethink on tax credits
Indeed - the very group that have been insulated from the cuts more than any other.
Really? Savers?
You mean those who have accumulated their wealth in the past, benefited from property booms whilst the kids and grand kids will struggle even to rent a home of their own, let alone buy one. Saving is a freakin' aspiration for millions in this country.
No, it's a discipline.
You live in a completely different world to a whole lot of people...
There are plenty of people across the developing world who save money despite having far lower incomes, even on a PPP basis. Too many people have a mentality in this country of "if I have money in my account, I can spend it". Some of those apply that to an overdraft too.
The trick is to have a standing order to a savings account very early in each month that you view as a bill, like council tax or utilities.
Even £100 a month can make a big difference over the course of a year, when the unexpected comes up.
Yeah?...well that £100 standing order has just been gobbled up by a £200 a month drop of family income from the Tax Credits cuts hasn't it...so what now when the unexpected comes up?
@steve_hawkes: Confirmed: Zac Goldsmith, David Davis and Stephen McPartland signing Frank Field's call for a Commons motion forcing rethink on tax credits
@steve_hawkes: Confirmed: Zac Goldsmith, David Davis and Stephen McPartland signing Frank Field's call for a Commons motion forcing rethink on tax credits
When did Davis turn into such a wet?
Ever since Cameron didn't give Davis his job back after that by election.
Quitting the EU could improve the chicken tikka masala served in Britain’s Indian restaurants, MPs claimed today.
Paul Scully, Tory MP for Sutton and Cheam, said that “Brexit” — a British exit from the European Union — would return control to Britain of its borders and could allow more chefs from Asia to come to this country.
If Brown were a doctor he would've prescribed 100% oxygen. Because more is better, you know.
On dynasties: don't forget Pitt the Younger.
Still it is amusing that a republic has stronger political dynasties than a kingdom.
Yes, but only one example of a PM being father to a PM, and that before 1832 when politics was even more a family business than it is now (not least because it was just as legitimate for a PM to come from the Lords, and more likely - because of the money there - that a peer would lead a faction or party).
There are plenty of examples father-son combos to have made cabinet level, and a few which extend to more than two generations, but none I can think of where a son or grandson (or, these days, daughter), has come close to following in their father's footsteps into No 10. Curiously, the closest may be where the child has gone further than the parent, with perhaps the Chamberlains as the best example.
My family had 4 cabinet ministers (3 direct line, 1 first cousin) plus one father-in-law and one grandfather-in-law in the Cabinet during the 20th century. Plus, I'm sure, assorted other cousins with further degrees of separation.
You don't sound like a Benn?
I'm not... and I'm not a Mandelson either...
(George V) I said to your predecessor: 'You know what they're all saying, no more coals to Newcastle, no more Hoares to Paris.' The fellow didn't even laugh.
Said to Anthony Eden on 23 December 1935 following the furore that erupted over the Hoare-Laval Pact.
If Brown were a doctor he would've prescribed 100% oxygen. Because more is better, you know.
On dynasties: don't forget Pitt the Younger.
Still it is amusing that a republic has stronger political dynasties than a kingdom.
Yes, but only one example of a PM being father to a PM, and that before 1832 when politics was even more a family business than it is now (not least because it was just as legitimate for a PM to come from the Lords, and more likely - because of the money there - that a peer would lead a faction or party).
There are plenty of examples father-son combos to have made cabinet level, and a few which extend to more than two generations, but none I can think of where a son or grandson (or, these days, daughter), has come close to following in their father's footsteps into No 10. Curiously, the closest may be where the child has gone further than the parent, with perhaps the Chamberlains as the best example.
My family had 4 cabinet ministers (3 direct line, 1 first cousin) plus one father-in-law and one grandfather-in-law in the Cabinet during the 20th century. Plus, I'm sure, assorted other cousins with further degrees of separation.
Are the Cecil's still in business? I seem to remember that when the Hereditaries were to be slung out it would be the first time in 400 years that they would not have a least one member of the family in Parliament.
Personally I think the ability of the old families to survive and prosper is one of the glories of England. The Fitzalan-Howards being a very good example, not even having members executed for treason and their lands and titles seized (never mind inheritance tax) have stopped them from still being the biggest landowners in Sussex and still owning Arundel Castle. One can think of other families, of course, the Drax clan down in Dorset for example and there are new, modern, families building their own dynasty, e.g. the Wates of building company fame.
The trick, and the benefit to wider society, seems to be in regarding oneself as a steward with a duty to hand on to the next generation a concern in better shape than when one inherited it. Oh, and not to much inbreeding.
Quitting the EU could improve the chicken tikka masala served in Britain’s Indian restaurants, MPs claimed today.
Paul Scully, Tory MP for Sutton and Cheam, said that “Brexit” — a British exit from the European Union — would return control to Britain of its borders and could allow more chefs from Asia to come to this country.
Indeed - the very group that have been insulated from the cuts more than any other.
Really? Savers?
You mean those who have accumulated their wealth in the past, benefited from property booms whilst the kids and grand kids will struggle even to rent a home of their own, let alone buy one. Saving is a freakin' aspiration for millions in this country.
No, it's a discipline.
You live in a completely different world to a whole lot of people...
Quite probably I do. When I started work, in a summer job in 1992, I earned £1.50/hr. After university, I was unemployed for several short periods between temporary jobs and it took several years before I made it to something that might be considered a graduate position (admittedly, I handicapped myself by pursuing a political career at the same time). When I came off Bradford Council in 2003, I took about a 60% drop in income. Despite all that (or perhaps because of it), I saved what I could, when I could and paid my mortgage off in five years. I didn't have expensive holidays, I didn't have Sky TV, I didn't smoke or drink to excess and I didn't drive a big car (I had a Vauxhall Nova at the time).
As you say, a different world to a whole lot of people.
@steve_hawkes: Confirmed: Zac Goldsmith, David Davis and Stephen McPartland signing Frank Field's call for a Commons motion forcing rethink on tax credits
When did Davis turn into such a wet?
Well, it causes trouble for Cameron/Osborne.
It is said that the Tory whips have a colour coded system for their MPs.
Blue for the loyal Tories who will vote with the Government, Green for the those that might rebel on a specific issue, and for David Davis, he has a colour all on his own, brown, for a shit who will always vote against the government.
Indeed - the very group that have been insulated from the cuts more than any other.
Really? Savers?
You mean those who have accumulated their wealth in the past, benefited from property booms whilst the kids and grand kids will struggle even to rent a home of their own, let alone buy one. Saving is a freakin' aspiration for millions in this country.
No, it's a discipline.
You live in a completely different world to a whole lot of people...
There are plenty of people across the developing world who save money despite having far lower incomes, even on a PPP basis. Too many people have a mentality in this country of "if I have money in my account, I can spend it". Some of those apply that to an overdraft too.
The trick is to have a standing order to a savings account very early in each month that you view as a bill, like council tax or utilities.
Even £100 a month can make a big difference over the course of a year, when the unexpected comes up.
Yeah?...well that £100 standing order has just been gobbled up by a £200 a month drop of family income from the Tax Credits cuts hasn't it...so what now when the unexpected comes up?
If Brown were a doctor he would've prescribed 100% oxygen. Because more is better, you know.
On dynasties: don't forget Pitt the Younger.
Still it is amusing that a republic has stronger political dynasties than a kingdom.
Yes, but only one example of a PM being father to a PM, and that before 1832 when politics was even more a family business than it is now (not least because it was just as legitimate for a PM to come from the Lords, and more likely - because of the money there - that a peer would lead a faction or party).
There are plenty of examples father-son combos to have made cabinet level, and a few which extend to more than two generations, but none I can think of where a son or grandson (or, these days, daughter), has come close to following in their father's footsteps into No 10. Curiously, the closest may be where the child has gone further than the parent, with perhaps the Chamberlains as the best example.
My family had 4 cabinet ministers (3 direct line, 1 first cousin) plus one father-in-law and one grandfather-in-law in the Cabinet during the 20th century. Plus, I'm sure, assorted other cousins with further degrees of separation.
You don't sound like a Benn?
I'm not... and I'm not a Mandelson either...
(George V) I said to your predecessor: 'You know what they're all saying, no more coals to Newcastle, no more Hoares to Paris.' The fellow didn't even laugh.
Said to Anthony Eden on 23 December 1935 following the furore that erupted over the Hoare-Laval Pact.
@steve_hawkes: Confirmed: Zac Goldsmith, David Davis and Stephen McPartland signing Frank Field's call for a Commons motion forcing rethink on tax credits
When did Davis turn into such a wet?
Ever since Cameron didn't give Davis his job back after that by election.
That was such an idiotic move. Given how Dave runs his Cabinet (slow and steady) Davis could still be Home Sec today, resisting all of these illiberal moves that May is being spooked into by the Spooks.
I can't actually remember any time - not even in the New Labour boom years when Brown was pouring money in like it grew on trees - when the NHS didn't claim to be in near-terminal crisis.
Of course it's in permanent crisis, because its mechanism for matching supply with demand is the queue.
The ridiculous thing about the NHS is how much it has failed to come up with solutions to stop the waits being ridiculously inconvenient to the consumer. If you have to wait a month for a consultant appointment or two weeks for a GP appointment, you need to have the flexibility of being able to change it easily, or to see cancellations at a glance, or to switch providers.
Yet getting an appointment generally means calling at a set time (usually the beginning of a workday), waiting for a long time in a queue. Equally, consultant appointments can only be arranged by your GP, often during a mess of a process where the GP surgery and the hospital talk to each other via faxes that get lost. It is also incredibly difficult to change GPs: you have to do it in person, during a certain window during the working week, and only to a handful in your catchment area. And working out which GP can best cope with demand is very difficult: the various rouses they use to prevent wait times appearing too long is by refusing to take appointments too far out, limiting when you call etc masks the picture.
The government really needs to force all surgeries to have electronic booking, abandon catchment areas, allow new sign-ups during most of the week, take all appointments and to publish their waiting times for making and attending an appointment.
Comments
All the broadcasters trying to create the narrative that it is the "government's fault." They knew this was coming but once again are reacting instead of being proactive. They never learn. Those "events" are coming thick and fast!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_political_families_in_the_United_Kingdom
I doubt it's a poll tax in the making but it's an entirely avoidable serious blunder worthy of the omnishambles budget. The general principle would be at least tolerated but the public would expect the hardest hit to be given more help than they are currently being offered. The government would be very well-advised to ameliorate the worst hardships.
After all, 3.2 million low-paid families will see their tax credits fall by on average £1,300 a year.
No, they won't. A much smaller number than that will see their tax credits fall (because of the change in the tapering rules), and the loss will be less that that. She, and most of the other critics, are bundling in the changes on new claimants and the freeze into their figures. These parts of the changes won't cause tax credits to fall in nominal terms for existing claimants.
The curious thing is why so many steel companies are closing down at the same time? Or is it simply that the media are taking an interest and reporting ongoing closures that have been taking place all year?
Could you go through that first?
There are plenty of examples father-son combos to have made cabinet level, and a few which extend to more than two generations, but none I can think of where a son or grandson (or, these days, daughter), has come close to following in their father's footsteps into No 10. Curiously, the closest may be where the child has gone further than the parent, with perhaps the Chamberlains as the best example.
*Although, as Aurelius' wife had many affairs, he may not have actually been his son.
Surely you should look at their merits at the time they put themselves forward?
3% to them is 'king deficit', over here it was 'abolishing boom and bust'.
Any of the Tory ultra-loyalists here care to try and defend the lunacy of the Psychoactive Substances Bill?
Given Canada has gone into recession, I would be very surprised if it continued to run a surplus.
I suspect the opposition knows this too. If they really thought credit cuts were a 10p tax moment, they would keep quiet about it, and let Osborne make the mistake.
The real debate here is about people who are wedded to the state. The left fears that, by the end of the parliament, fewer will be.
http://www.headoflegal.com/2015/06/08/psychoactive-substances-labours-february-2015-amendment-to-the-serious-crime-bill/
Yesterday Dom Lawson, today Iain Martin and Tata themselves.
I did hear some truly ludicruous arguments against, which by and large I won't repeat.
One friend suggested it was unheard of that we should operate a whitelist. I pointed out a large part of our financial regulation was based on such a principle. He didn't come back with any further points on that line.
Well if that is the case, you'll be back in government soon enough.
How are the Lansley reforms impacting the NHS right now?
Thanks
Ultra Loyalist.
http://www.cbc.ca/includes/federalelection/dashboard/index.html
Interestingly the Conservatives haven't actually dropped that many votes - down from 5.8million in 2011 to 5.6 million in 2015. Even factoring in around 1 million of population growth over the past 4 years that's worth noting.
Harper's base seems pretty loyal; they just seem to have been swept aside by a massive Liberal tsunami.
It does sort of suggest that until the Liberals become unpopular again, or the Tories significantly expand.their base, they will be out of office for a while.
Mortgage interest rates going up are good news for pensioners and those with savings.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-31018004
"Incompetence, not cash, to blame for NHS crisis"
Rachel Sylvester
I congratulate Liberal Party of Canada on resounding election victory on clear anti-austerity & investment to grow economy platform.
Worth noting, I'd say.
Maybe. Mortgage rates going up in 2016 is still a big if. I still don;t believe this tooth and nail opposition to tax credit cuts from the party that gave us the 10p tax is out of altruism.
It is more than that. The debate is about cutting the apron strings of the state, which the left are desperate to avoid.
Thats good news then
http://www.hsj.co.uk/newsletter/comment/panic-and-denial-wont-solve-funding-issues/5090395.article?WT.tsrc=email&WT.mc_id=Newsletter170#.ViYZ_H6rQol
Impact will probably be staggered as most of us are now on 2/3/5 year fixed rate deals.
Now the tories are implementing it, they are against...???
Richard N?
It is difficult when money's tight, though. And when that's the case, but things improve, it can be tempting to spend a lot, almost in relief that it's actually possible.
I quite like that schuldig is the German word for both debt and guilt.
Edited extra bit: Mr. Herdson, could be a Chamberlain.
When?
Oh and the SoS agreeing the NHS is in grip of "worst financial crisis in its history".
Oh and waiting lists getting worse and more targets been missed than hit.
Thanks for your in depth knowledge on this.
I will sleep easier now.
FFS Richard why dont you just admit you were wrong re Lansley
Anything more than that and we're all buggered so there's no point in planning for it.
Of course there are heavy pressures from the demographics. Luckily we have a government which has been able to protect the budget in real terms, but there is certainly a need for improved efficiency.
Anyone who doesn't fix in today's climate is an idiot.
Even £100 a month can make a big difference over the course of a year, when the unexpected comes up.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/5485814/NHS-will-face-15bn-budget-shortfall-due-to-effects-of-recession-managers-warn.html
Both say its in worst crisis of a generation/ever.
Take your pick.
RN says its doing fine though
but happy to take your assurances things are going well.
Quitting the EU could improve the chicken tikka masala served in Britain’s Indian restaurants, MPs claimed today.
Paul Scully, Tory MP for Sutton and Cheam, said that “Brexit” — a British exit from the European Union — would return control to Britain of its borders and could allow more chefs from Asia to come to this country.
http://bit.ly/1PDBe3h
Said to Anthony Eden on 23 December 1935 following the furore that erupted over the Hoare-Laval Pact.
Personally I think the ability of the old families to survive and prosper is one of the glories of England. The Fitzalan-Howards being a very good example, not even having members executed for treason and their lands and titles seized (never mind inheritance tax) have stopped them from still being the biggest landowners in Sussex and still owning Arundel Castle. One can think of other families, of course, the Drax clan down in Dorset for example and there are new, modern, families building their own dynasty, e.g. the Wates of building company fame.
The trick, and the benefit to wider society, seems to be in regarding oneself as a steward with a duty to hand on to the next generation a concern in better shape than when one inherited it. Oh, and not to much inbreeding.
Although, I have to agree, i don't see why we can't train up more excellent curry chefs domestically.
As you say, a different world to a whole lot of people.
Blue for the loyal Tories who will vote with the Government, Green for the those that might rebel on a specific issue, and for David Davis, he has a colour all on his own, brown, for a shit who will always vote against the government.
Yet getting an appointment generally means calling at a set time (usually the beginning of a workday), waiting for a long time in a queue. Equally, consultant appointments can only be arranged by your GP, often during a mess of a process where the GP surgery and the hospital talk to each other via faxes that get lost. It is also incredibly difficult to change GPs: you have to do it in person, during a certain window during the working week, and only to a handful in your catchment area. And working out which GP can best cope with demand is very difficult: the various rouses they use to prevent wait times appearing too long is by refusing to take appointments too far out, limiting when you call etc masks the picture.
The government really needs to force all surgeries to have electronic booking, abandon catchment areas, allow new sign-ups during most of the week, take all appointments and to publish their waiting times for making and attending an appointment.