I've spent my whole political life being told by right-wingers that the country was going to be bankrupted by lefties voting for higher government handouts and I should be amused that instead it's going to be bankrupted by right-wing voting pensioners, but I can't take any comfort from my antagonists being proved wrong.
I am 64 (although not yet losing my hair), not too far off my pension now and I think the triple lock is ridiculous and needs to stop. Pensioners are a very mixed group. Some are genuinely poor but many, more certainly, are very comfortable indeed. In spending our limited resources on those that are comfortable we leave less for those that are not and unfairly increase the burden on those paying for it.
Personally, I would go much further. Those whose pensions are, say, 2x average incomes (not completely fixed on what the limit should be), should not get the State pension at all. It needs to be means tested, albeit on a generous scale to stop discouraging those who might lose out from saving for a pension.
Our State commitments are simply unaffordable. We need to find a lot of different ways of cutting the obligations so that they fall in line with the taxes we are willing to pay. This, in my view, is where we start.
I mean, the trouble is the private sector cost of replicating an inflation-linked full state pension for a married couple is in the order of £450k (according to Gemini calculation that looks plausible).
That is a huge cliff edge to means test. Especially as any fair means test would need to look at total wealth not just pension or other income.
I think the state pension forms part of our social contract and shouldn't be means tested. Better to reduce it and add a means tested top-up benefits for those who need it.
NEW: Cabinet ministers are scrambling to secure positions in a future Andy Burnham government after his selection triggered what one Labour insider described as a full-scale “race for jobs” inside the party.
Senior ministers are preparing visits to Makerfield amid growing expectations in Westminster that Burnham could ultimately take the Labour leadership – and with it the power to appoint the next Cabinet.
NEW: Cabinet ministers are scrambling to secure positions in a future Andy Burnham government after his selection triggered what one Labour insider described as a full-scale “race for jobs” inside the party.
Senior ministers are preparing visits to Makerfield amid growing expectations in Westminster that Burnham could ultimately take the Labour leadership – and with it the power to appoint the next Cabinet.
Have to say Bournemouth are a good team to watch. Very slick football.
I don't think teams fear Man City quite like they used to. A couple of seasons ago most teams were first and foremost parking the bus shit scared of getting ripped apart by Man City attack.
NEW: Cabinet ministers are scrambling to secure positions in a future Andy Burnham government after his selection triggered what one Labour insider described as a full-scale “race for jobs” inside the party.
Senior ministers are preparing visits to Makerfield amid growing expectations in Westminster that Burnham could ultimately take the Labour leadership – and with it the power to appoint the next Cabinet.
Of course he will. Leon, last to every match, is almost the only one who can’t see it. Burnham is as good as our PM already, the only question being whether Labour is foolish and self-destructive enough to put us through an extended summer contest, or whether he gets handed the crown with the minimum of fuss, once he’s won his by-election.
I am 64 (although not yet losing my hair), not too far off my pension now and I think the triple lock is ridiculous and needs to stop. Pensioners are a very mixed group. Some are genuinely poor but many, more certainly, are very comfortable indeed. In spending our limited resources on those that are comfortable we leave less for those that are not and unfairly increase the burden on those paying for it.
Personally, I would go much further. Those whose pensions are, say, 2x average incomes (not completely fixed on what the limit should be), should not get the State pension at all. It needs to be means tested, albeit on a generous scale to stop discouraging those who might lose out from saving for a pension.
Our State commitments are simply unaffordable. We need to find a lot of different ways of cutting the obligations so that they fall in line with the taxes we are willing to pay. This, in my view, is where we start.
Well said - I'm 18 years older than you and I fully agree with what you say. The difficulty is how to get this done with our politics. It was easy for George Osborne and Steve Webb to introduce the triple lock in 2010 - who objects to goodies now when the costs accumulate later? The problem for politicians is how to extricate ourselves from this ludicrous yet popular prodigality. Fortunately the extra income to well off pensioners is taxed at their marginal rate, but it's not enough.
I am 64 (although not yet losing my hair), not too far off my pension now and I think the triple lock is ridiculous and needs to stop. Pensioners are a very mixed group. Some are genuinely poor but many, more certainly, are very comfortable indeed. In spending our limited resources on those that are comfortable we leave less for those that are not and unfairly increase the burden on those paying for it.
Personally, I would go much further. Those whose pensions are, say, 2x average incomes (not completely fixed on what the limit should be), should not get the State pension at all. It needs to be means tested, albeit on a generous scale to stop discouraging those who might lose out from saving for a pension.
Our State commitments are simply unaffordable. We need to find a lot of different ways of cutting the obligations so that they fall in line with the taxes we are willing to pay. This, in my view, is where we start.
I mean, the trouble is the private sector cost of replicating an inflation-linked full state pension for a married couple is in the order of £450k (according to Gemini calculation that looks plausible).
That is a huge cliff edge to means test. Especially as any fair means test would need to look at total wealth not just pension or other income.
I think the state pension forms part of our social contract and shouldn't be means tested. Better to reduce it and add a means tested top-up benefits for those who need it.
Just increase the state pension by CPI only. Private defined benefit schemes typically only go up by CPI often with a low CPI cap. Defined contribution/money purchase schemes have no explicit link to inflation at all.
NEW: Cabinet ministers are scrambling to secure positions in a future Andy Burnham government after his selection triggered what one Labour insider described as a full-scale “race for jobs” inside the party.
Senior ministers are preparing visits to Makerfield amid growing expectations in Westminster that Burnham could ultimately take the Labour leadership – and with it the power to appoint the next Cabinet.
I am confident it’s going to be an extremely short leadership contest.
Lammy’s jury changes out, Chagos out for good, improved comms, I guess we will see quickly if that is a good start and whether Starmer really is dragging Labour down.
Have to say Bournemouth are a good team to watch. Very slick football.
I don't think teams fear Man City quite like they used to. A couple of seasons ago most teams were first and foremost parking the bus shit scared of getting ripped apart by Man City attack.
Yes, I agree. They miss de Bruyne terribly. His passing and vision made them so much more dangerous. Foden really should have been his creative replacement but he's had a very ordinary season by his high standards.
Have to say Bournemouth are a good team to watch. Very slick football.
I don't think teams fear Man City quite like they used to. A couple of seasons ago most teams were first and foremost parking the bus shit scared of getting ripped apart by Man City attack.
Yes, I agree. They miss de Bruyne terribly. His passing and vision made them so much more dangerous. Foden really should have been his creative replacement but he's had a very ordinary season by his high standards.
Its was alluded to earlier in the season that there is something going on off the pitch with Foden. He was obviously a naughty boy on England duty once, but after that seems to be very steady lad with family etc.
I have no idea what it is, but there has lots of talk of players getting addicted to sleeping pills and painkillers.
NEW: Cabinet ministers are scrambling to secure positions in a future Andy Burnham government after his selection triggered what one Labour insider described as a full-scale “race for jobs” inside the party.
Senior ministers are preparing visits to Makerfield amid growing expectations in Westminster that Burnham could ultimately take the Labour leadership – and with it the power to appoint the next Cabinet.
Of course he will. Leon, last to every match, is almost the only one who can’t see it. Burnham is as good as our PM already, the only question being whether Labour is foolish and self-destructive enough to put us through an extended summer contest, or whether he gets handed the crown with the minimum of fuss, once he’s won his by-election.
And, yet again, you raise my name for no reason at all, in a conversation where I have been absent, and in a context where I am almost irrelevant
It's fucking weird. Do you have a small shrine of me in your Ventnor bungalow, a photo of me in a Whitby jet frame, surrounded by burning black candles, ancient Coptic crosses, and piles of eerie dead songbirds?
I am 64 (although not yet losing my hair), not too far off my pension now and I think the triple lock is ridiculous and needs to stop. Pensioners are a very mixed group. Some are genuinely poor but many, more certainly, are very comfortable indeed. In spending our limited resources on those that are comfortable we leave less for those that are not and unfairly increase the burden on those paying for it.
Personally, I would go much further. Those whose pensions are, say, 2x average incomes (not completely fixed on what the limit should be), should not get the State pension at all. It needs to be means tested, albeit on a generous scale to stop discouraging those who might lose out from saving for a pension.
Our State commitments are simply unaffordable. We need to find a lot of different ways of cutting the obligations so that they fall in line with the taxes we are willing to pay. This, in my view, is where we start.
I mean, the trouble is the private sector cost of replicating an inflation-linked full state pension for a married couple is in the order of £450k (according to Gemini calculation that looks plausible).
That is a huge cliff edge to means test. Especially as any fair means test would need to look at total wealth not just pension or other income.
I think the state pension forms part of our social contract and shouldn't be means tested. Better to reduce it and add a means tested top-up benefits for those who need it.
It doesn't have to be an absolute cliff edge. You could have a taper. But your figure shows the absurdity of the present position. Most people are given a pension at 67 or whatever which is worth far more than they have paid into the system in their entire working life.
Grant Shapps quits aerospace firm after watchdog probe
He said he had had no involvement in the deal or the company's military work and, despite a title of "chairman", had not chaired its board or been a director, but was "one of several co-founders".
Trump's DOJ just proclaimed the entire Trump clan exempt from any investigation by the IRS.
BLANCHE: "The United States...is hereby FOREVER BARRED and PRECLUDED from prosecuting or pursuing...examinations or similar or related reviews" against Trump "or related or affiliated individuals," including family members or related companies and trusts. https://x.com/TylerMcBrien/status/2056802063854576007
WATCH: Laila Cunningham says the "perception" of Reform in London is "very polarised"
"I went to a basketball court with some kids... said I'm running to be London Mayor. They said oh sh*t, you're running for Reform? You're going to deport my mum! I said what? No!"
I am 64 (although not yet losing my hair), not too far off my pension now and I think the triple lock is ridiculous and needs to stop. Pensioners are a very mixed group. Some are genuinely poor but many, more certainly, are very comfortable indeed. In spending our limited resources on those that are comfortable we leave less for those that are not and unfairly increase the burden on those paying for it.
Personally, I would go much further. Those whose pensions are, say, 2x average incomes (not completely fixed on what the limit should be), should not get the State pension at all. It needs to be means tested, albeit on a generous scale to stop discouraging those who might lose out from saving for a pension.
Our State commitments are simply unaffordable. We need to find a lot of different ways of cutting the obligations so that they fall in line with the taxes we are willing to pay. This, in my view, is where we start.
I mean, the trouble is the private sector cost of replicating an inflation-linked full state pension for a married couple is in the order of £450k (according to Gemini calculation that looks plausible).
That is a huge cliff edge to means test. Especially as any fair means test would need to look at total wealth not just pension or other income.
I think the state pension forms part of our social contract and shouldn't be means tested. Better to reduce it and add a means tested top-up benefits for those who need it.
All well if you are wedged up say it has to stop. Its still a pittance in comparison with what it costs to live. Perhaps deduct £ for£ if you earnings are greater than?? Say 50k????
HS2 is grim enough by itself, but it is also symptomatic of a much deeper, grislier malaise in the UK body politic
We are now in a much worse place than we were in the late 70s, when Thatcher rode in to save the day
Its not just HS2, Hinkley point still miles off being done and not just the UK. I was talking to a German friend the other day and he was saying same sort of things are happening there when it comes to building big infrastructure projects.
This is actually really bad, given there are huge amount of golf swings on the internet. It switches from an iron to a driver and then the model hasn't worked out the guy is swinging a driver off a tee and so there won't be a divot. The swing itself is also weird.
We're getting to the stage with this "local candidate" business where ever having been spotted outside the constituency will disqualify you as a candidate. I do accept Makerfield is perhaps a little more insular than most.
WATCH: Laila Cunningham says the "perception" of Reform in London is "very polarised"
"I went to a basketball court with some kids... said I'm running to be London Mayor. They said oh sh*t, you're running for Reform? You're going to deport my mum! I said what? No!"
NEW: Cabinet ministers are scrambling to secure positions in a future Andy Burnham government after his selection triggered what one Labour insider described as a full-scale “race for jobs” inside the party.
Senior ministers are preparing visits to Makerfield amid growing expectations in Westminster that Burnham could ultimately take the Labour leadership – and with it the power to appoint the next Cabinet.
Any hint of authority or power is drifting away from Starmer at a remarkable pace. Ever since Streeting pointed out the Emperor really had no clothes its been a total collapse. Even if Burnham doesn't make it Starmer is surely finished.
HS2 is grim enough by itself, but it is also symptomatic of a much deeper, grislier malaise in the UK body politic
We are now in a much worse place than we were in the late 70s, when Thatcher rode in to save the day
Its not just HS2, Hinkley point still miles off being done and not just the UK. I was talking to a German friend the other day and he was saying same sort of things are happening there when it comes to building big infrastructure projects.
Yet in the 70's-80's, the private sector could build a town on stilts in the North Sea, capable of withstanding the once-in-a-century wave - with no risk of cost overruns breaking 10%.
Ouch. China eating their Currywurst? It does back up what my German mate was saying to me. He is recently on the job market, highly qualified and finding it hard to get something.
We're getting to the stage with this "local candidate" business where ever having been spotted outside the constituency will disqualify you as a candidate. I do accept Makerfield is perhaps a little more insular than most.
There was a poet guy originating from Makerfield on Monty Don's BBC2 Chelsea flower show just now.
HS2 is grim enough by itself, but it is also symptomatic of a much deeper, grislier malaise in the UK body politic
We are now in a much worse place than we were in the late 70s, when Thatcher rode in to save the day
Its not just HS2, Hinkley point still miles off being done and not just the UK. I was talking to a German friend the other day and he was saying same sort of things are happening there when it comes to building big infrastructure projects.
Maybe societies. cultures, civilisations, simply tip into helpless decline, like the Romans, and there is nothing to be done. They lose something without realising: that inner self confidence, that sense of purposeful identity. Britain, the uniquely brilliant nation that invented the railway, cannot build a railway. Germany, the home of great engineering and remarkable science, struggles to erect an airport. Italy, where they supposedly love babies, has no babies
HS2 is grim enough by itself, but it is also symptomatic of a much deeper, grislier malaise in the UK body politic
We are now in a much worse place than we were in the late 70s, when Thatcher rode in to save the day
Its not just HS2, Hinkley point still miles off being done and not just the UK. I was talking to a German friend the other day and he was saying same sort of things are happening there when it comes to building big infrastructure projects.
Yet in the 70's-80's, the private sector could build a town on stilts in the North Sea, capable of withstanding the once-in-a-century wave - with no risk of cost overruns breaking 10%.
Was that before the consultancy industry was invented?
We're getting to the stage with this "local candidate" business where ever having been spotted outside the constituency will disqualify you as a candidate. I do accept Makerfield is perhaps a little more insular than most.
NEW: Cabinet ministers are scrambling to secure positions in a future Andy Burnham government after his selection triggered what one Labour insider described as a full-scale “race for jobs” inside the party.
Senior ministers are preparing visits to Makerfield amid growing expectations in Westminster that Burnham could ultimately take the Labour leadership – and with it the power to appoint the next Cabinet.
Any hint of authority or power is drifting away from Starmer at a remarkable pace. Ever since Streeting pointed out the Emperor really had no clothes its been a total collapse. Even if Burnham doesn't make it Starmer is surely finished.
Yes, I agree
Even if Burnham fails at the BE, Rayner or Miliband or someone will surely challenge, and win
I am 64 (although not yet losing my hair), not too far off my pension now and I think the triple lock is ridiculous and needs to stop. Pensioners are a very mixed group. Some are genuinely poor but many, more certainly, are very comfortable indeed. In spending our limited resources on those that are comfortable we leave less for those that are not and unfairly increase the burden on those paying for it.
Personally, I would go much further. Those whose pensions are, say, 2x average incomes (not completely fixed on what the limit should be), should not get the State pension at all. It needs to be means tested, albeit on a generous scale to stop discouraging those who might lose out from saving for a pension.
Our State commitments are simply unaffordable. We need to find a lot of different ways of cutting the obligations so that they fall in line with the taxes we are willing to pay. This, in my view, is where we start.
I mean, the trouble is the private sector cost of replicating an inflation-linked full state pension for a married couple is in the order of £450k (according to Gemini calculation that looks plausible).
That is a huge cliff edge to means test. Especially as any fair means test would need to look at total wealth not just pension or other income.
I think the state pension forms part of our social contract and shouldn't be means tested. Better to reduce it and add a means tested top-up benefits for those who need it.
It doesn't have to be an absolute cliff edge. You could have a taper. But your figure shows the absurdity of the present position. Most people are given a pension at 67 or whatever which is worth far more than they have paid into the system in their entire working life.
It's not a fund, it's always been paid out of current tax receipts, so mainly paid by the working population to the ceased working population.
Easy to work out the commercial cost, it's the price of a £12k index linked annuity, cheaper for the state to provide as there's no one taking a cut.
According to the link 2 greens resigned because they were teachers. You'd have thought their agents or even them realised this.
Activists and agents can sometimes grossly overestimate how much they know about electoral administration, and get lazy. The ones who do know what they are doing are very useful indeed.
I am 64 (although not yet losing my hair), not too far off my pension now and I think the triple lock is ridiculous and needs to stop. Pensioners are a very mixed group. Some are genuinely poor but many, more certainly, are very comfortable indeed. In spending our limited resources on those that are comfortable we leave less for those that are not and unfairly increase the burden on those paying for it.
Personally, I would go much further. Those whose pensions are, say, 2x average incomes (not completely fixed on what the limit should be), should not get the State pension at all. It needs to be means tested, albeit on a generous scale to stop discouraging those who might lose out from saving for a pension.
Our State commitments are simply unaffordable. We need to find a lot of different ways of cutting the obligations so that they fall in line with the taxes we are willing to pay. This, in my view, is where we start.
I mean, the trouble is the private sector cost of replicating an inflation-linked full state pension for a married couple is in the order of £450k (according to Gemini calculation that looks plausible).
That is a huge cliff edge to means test. Especially as any fair means test would need to look at total wealth not just pension or other income.
I think the state pension forms part of our social contract and shouldn't be means tested. Better to reduce it and add a means tested top-up benefits for those who need it.
It doesn't have to be an absolute cliff edge. You could have a taper. But your figure shows the absurdity of the present position. Most people are given a pension at 67 or whatever which is worth far more than they have paid into the system in their entire working life.
Could the average person afford half a million over a lifetime? Seems unlikely with housing costs being what they are. You might as well scrap the state pension and have a generous pension credit scheme for most and a taper for those higher earners.
We're getting to the stage with this "local candidate" business where ever having been spotted outside the constituency will disqualify you as a candidate. I do accept Makerfield is perhaps a little more insular than most.
There was a poet guy originating from Makerfield on Monty Don's BBC2 Chelsea flower show just now.
NEW: Cabinet ministers are scrambling to secure positions in a future Andy Burnham government after his selection triggered what one Labour insider described as a full-scale “race for jobs” inside the party.
Senior ministers are preparing visits to Makerfield amid growing expectations in Westminster that Burnham could ultimately take the Labour leadership – and with it the power to appoint the next Cabinet.
Any hint of authority or power is drifting away from Starmer at a remarkable pace. Ever since Streeting pointed out the Emperor really had no clothes its been a total collapse. Even if Burnham doesn't make it Starmer is surely finished.
Yes, I kind of feel bad for him. I feel like he will just set out a timetable to go when Andy is elected as the 'dignified' option, even though I think he should insist upon an actual challenge - no one is fooled by such exits, it would be absolutely clear he was forced out, so at least get those who want you gone be forced to put their names down in writing for it, and make the ouster work for it.
WATCH: Laila Cunningham says the "perception" of Reform in London is "very polarised"
"I went to a basketball court with some kids... said I'm running to be London Mayor. They said oh sh*t, you're running for Reform? You're going to deport my mum! I said what? No!"
What's that saying about lying down with dogs?
State education in inner London outperforms the rest of the UK
It's hard to say what the 'correct' percentage should be, but given how rarely such things are reported those numbers, particularly the Green one (which looks a little high?) are probably still significant.
According to the link 2 greens resigned because they were teachers. You'd have thought their agents or even them realised this.
What's the reasong behind not being able to be a councillor if you are a teacher?
If you work for a maintained school you are paid by the LA. I used to work for the Council that way. And are therefore an employee. (Assuming you've been elected to the same council I think).
According to the link 2 greens resigned because they were teachers. You'd have thought their agents or even them realised this.
What's the reasong behind not being able to be a councillor if you are a teacher?
If you work for a maintained school you are paid by the LA. I used to work for the Council that way. And are therefore an employee. (Assuming you've been elected to the same council I think).
According to the link 2 greens resigned because they were teachers. You'd have thought their agents or even them realised this.
What's the reasong behind not being able to be a councillor if you are a teacher?
If you work for a maintained school you are paid by the LA. I used to work for the Council that way. And are therefore an employee. (Assuming you've been elected to the same council I think).
What if you’re a temp, via an agency ?
Then you are employed by and paid by the Agency I guess. Always was that way on my payslips.
Trump's DOJ just proclaimed the entire Trump clan exempt from any investigation by the IRS.
BLANCHE: "The United States...is hereby FOREVER BARRED and PRECLUDED from prosecuting or pursuing...examinations or similar or related reviews" against Trump "or related or affiliated individuals," including family members or related companies and trusts. https://x.com/TylerMcBrien/status/2056802063854576007
Doesn't the USA have a proviso that no government can bind a later one?
Ouch. China eating their Currywurst? It does back up what my German mate was saying to me. He is recently on the job market, highly qualified and finding it hard to get something.
A disabled man says he has been left "rotting away" in hospital for the last eight months after his local NHS board stopped his 24-hour home support.
Ravi Mehta, who has a life-limiting disability, was admitted to hospital in September 2025 for a routine appointment to fix his ventilator settings. He was supposed to go home three days later - but months on he is still stuck in a hospital ward.
According to the link 2 greens resigned because they were teachers. You'd have thought their agents or even them realised this.
What's the reasong behind not being able to be a councillor if you are a teacher?
If you work for a maintained school you are paid by the LA. I used to work for the Council that way. And are therefore an employee. (Assuming you've been elected to the same council I think).
It's hard to say what the 'correct' percentage should be, but given how rarely such things are reported those numbers, particularly the Green one (which looks a little high?) are probably still significant.
In the four months after the 2025 locals, there were 6 by elections against 1,641 elected - or about 0.3%. In a week we're up to 13 against 5,066 elected or about 0.25%.
The really useful analysis would be the failure rate of new blood, but that info doesn't look to have been collated anywhere.
Arsenal avoid the inevitable pratfall of dropping points at Palace and being 2nd. So if Spurs pull it back against Chelsea that's nothing to play for Sunday
I am 64 (although not yet losing my hair), not too far off my pension now and I think the triple lock is ridiculous and needs to stop. Pensioners are a very mixed group. Some are genuinely poor but many, more certainly, are very comfortable indeed. In spending our limited resources on those that are comfortable we leave less for those that are not and unfairly increase the burden on those paying for it.
Personally, I would go much further. Those whose pensions are, say, 2x average incomes (not completely fixed on what the limit should be), should not get the State pension at all. It needs to be means tested, albeit on a generous scale to stop discouraging those who might lose out from saving for a pension.
Our State commitments are simply unaffordable. We need to find a lot of different ways of cutting the obligations so that they fall in line with the taxes we are willing to pay. This, in my view, is where we start.
I mean, the trouble is the private sector cost of replicating an inflation-linked full state pension for a married couple is in the order of £450k (according to Gemini calculation that looks plausible).
That is a huge cliff edge to means test. Especially as any fair means test would need to look at total wealth not just pension or other income.
I think the state pension forms part of our social contract and shouldn't be means tested. Better to reduce it and add a means tested top-up benefits for those who need it.
It doesn't have to be an absolute cliff edge. You could have a taper. But your figure shows the absurdity of the present position. Most people are given a pension at 67 or whatever which is worth far more than they have paid into the system in their entire working life.
It's not a fund, it's always been paid out of current tax receipts, so mainly paid by the working population to the ceased working population.
Easy to work out the commercial cost, it's the price of a £12k index linked annuity, cheaper for the state to provide as there's no one taking a cut.
Arsenal avoid the inevitable pratfall of dropping points at Palace and being 2nd. So if Spurs pull it back against Chelsea that's nothing to play for Sunday
According to the link 2 greens resigned because they were teachers. You'd have thought their agents or even them realised this.
What's the reasong behind not being able to be a councillor if you are a teacher?
If you work for a maintained school you are paid by the LA. I used to work for the Council that way. And are therefore an employee. (Assuming you've been elected to the same council I think).
What if you’re a temp, via an agency ?
Who pays you or whose the contract with?
The contract would be with the agency who’d pay you either directly or via Ltd co/Brolly.
Presumably in that case as an agency worker they could be a councillor ?
Arsenal avoid the inevitable pratfall of dropping points at Palace and being 2nd. So if Spurs pull it back against Chelsea that's nothing to play for Sunday
I am 64 (although not yet losing my hair), not too far off my pension now and I think the triple lock is ridiculous and needs to stop. Pensioners are a very mixed group. Some are genuinely poor but many, more certainly, are very comfortable indeed. In spending our limited resources on those that are comfortable we leave less for those that are not and unfairly increase the burden on those paying for it.
Personally, I would go much further. Those whose pensions are, say, 2x average incomes (not completely fixed on what the limit should be), should not get the State pension at all. It needs to be means tested, albeit on a generous scale to stop discouraging those who might lose out from saving for a pension.
Our State commitments are simply unaffordable. We need to find a lot of different ways of cutting the obligations so that they fall in line with the taxes we are willing to pay. This, in my view, is where we start.
I mean, the trouble is the private sector cost of replicating an inflation-linked full state pension for a married couple is in the order of £450k (according to Gemini calculation that looks plausible).
That is a huge cliff edge to means test. Especially as any fair means test would need to look at total wealth not just pension or other income.
I think the state pension forms part of our social contract and shouldn't be means tested. Better to reduce it and add a means tested top-up benefits for those who need it.
Index linked annuities are 5% ish i think for a 65 y/o, so £250k buys you the state pension. That doesn't count the triple lock tbf, just inflation part.
Ouch. China eating their Currywurst? It does back up what my German mate was saying to me. He is recently on the job market, highly qualified and finding it hard to get something.
The 2030s might look like the 1930s at this rate.
To be fair who could have guessed that embracing nationalism, protectionism and might is right diplomacy could have led us that way?
I am sure this has been discussed but Reform have gone for the local plumber angle. Not a particular surprise as he seemed the standout candidate.
Another 'I'm a local' video. Quite good but without the political depth (and music licensing spend) of Burnham's effort. Being "a local" is not in and of itself of benefit to the nation.
Burnham video 8.5 Plumber video 7.0
However, he does seem articulate and to have potential to be an asset to Reform if he gets it.
According to the link 2 greens resigned because they were teachers. You'd have thought their agents or even them realised this.
What's the reasong behind not being able to be a councillor if you are a teacher?
If you work for a maintained school you are paid by the LA. I used to work for the Council that way. And are therefore an employee. (Assuming you've been elected to the same council I think).
What if you’re a temp, via an agency ?
Who pays you or whose the contract with?
The contract would be with the agency who’d pay you either directly or via Ltd co/Brolly.
Presumably in that case as an agency worker they could be a councillor ?
Yes. However, if you're suggesting why don't they just go on supply then? (You may not be, but others might), it's effectively a different job in terms of your responsibility. And what's expected of you.
I am sure this has been discussed but Reform have gone for the local plumber angle. Not a particular surprise as he seemed the standout candidate.
Another 'I'm a local' video. Quite good but without the political depth (and music licensing spend) of Burnham's effort. Being "a local" is not in and of itself of benefit to the nation.
Burnham video 8.5 Plumber video 7.0
However, he does seem articulate and to have potential to be an asset to Reform if he gets it.
Comments
That is a huge cliff edge to means test. Especially as any fair means test would need to look at total wealth not just pension or other income.
I think the state pension forms part of our social contract and shouldn't be means tested. Better to reduce it and add a means tested top-up benefits for those who need it.
caroline wheeler
@cazjwheeler
NEW: Cabinet ministers are scrambling to secure positions in a future Andy Burnham government after his selection triggered what one Labour insider described as a full-scale “race for jobs” inside the party.
Senior ministers are preparing visits to Makerfield amid growing expectations in Westminster that Burnham could ultimately take the Labour leadership – and with it the power to appoint the next Cabinet.
https://x.com/cazjwheeler/status/2056801406095421919
Lammy’s jury changes out, Chagos out for good, improved comms, I guess we will see quickly if that is a good start and whether Starmer really is dragging Labour down.
I have no idea what it is, but there has lots of talk of players getting addicted to sleeping pills and painkillers.
It's fucking weird. Do you have a small shrine of me in your Ventnor bungalow, a photo of me in a Whitby jet frame, surrounded by burning black candles, ancient Coptic crosses, and piles of eerie dead songbirds?
He said he had had no involvement in the deal or the company's military work and, despite a title of "chairman", had not chaired its board or been a director, but was "one of several co-founders".
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgzjlqv1q9o
Was a Mr Micheal Green the chair of these board meetings?
BLANCHE: "The United States...is hereby FOREVER BARRED and PRECLUDED from prosecuting or pursuing...examinations or similar or related reviews" against Trump "or related or affiliated individuals," including family members or related companies and trusts.
https://x.com/TylerMcBrien/status/2056802063854576007
Perhaps deduct £ for£ if you earnings are greater than?? Say 50k????
We are now in a much worse place than we were in the late 70s, when Thatcher rode in to save the day
https://x.com/Rengle820/status/2056800886396010890?s=20
This is actually really bad, given there are huge amount of golf swings on the internet. It switches from an iron to a driver and then the model hasn't worked out the guy is swinging a driver off a tee and so there won't be a divot. The swing itself is also weird.
So far its Greens 8 Reform 5.
https://x.com/electionmapsuk/status/2056828601178214650?s=61
I do accept Makerfield is perhaps a little more insular than most.
https://www.bild.de/politik/deutschlands-wirtschaft-verliert-stellen-von-januar-bis-maerz-486-000-jobs-weg-6a0c0a078e860638feccde93
They'll need the money.
Even if Burnham fails at the BE, Rayner or Miliband or someone will surely challenge, and win
Easy to work out the commercial cost, it's the price of a £12k index linked annuity, cheaper for the state to provide as there's no one taking a cut.
Really heartbreaking story of his early life.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemn_Sissay
And are therefore an employee. (Assuming you've been elected to the same council I think).
Ravi Mehta, who has a life-limiting disability, was admitted to hospital in September 2025 for a routine appointment to fix his ventilator settings. He was supposed to go home three days later - but months on he is still stuck in a hospital ward.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2e2zvlyy38o
The really useful analysis would be the failure rate of new blood, but that info doesn't look to have been collated anywhere.
My aged Ma opines (our woman on the spot)
"It's a bit of a brave gamble as it will be no pushover. But he's really, really popular round here. I hope he wins but it isn't certain."
Arsenal avoid the inevitable pratfall of dropping points at Palace and being 2nd.
So if Spurs pull it back against Chelsea that's nothing to play for Sunday
The Tories have much to answer for here
Presumably in that case as an agency worker they could be a councillor ?
And relegation places
Another 'I'm a local' video. Quite good but without the political depth (and music licensing spend) of Burnham's effort. Being "a local" is not in and of itself of benefit to the nation.
Burnham video 8.5
Plumber video 7.0
However, he does seem articulate and to have potential to be an asset to Reform if he gets it.
However, if you're suggesting why don't they just go on supply then? (You may not be, but others might), it's effectively a different job in terms of your responsibility.
And what's expected of you.
Man City's "natural" position is a middling Prem club imv