WASPI Compensation

Smart target.
SMART stands for specific,
measurable,
achievable, relevant,
and time-bound
-Thats a good idea.

There’s an accountability clause within the allocation, so part of the funding won’t be paid until councils demonstrate that funding has been spent in a targeted way Mollygo. It’s not enough to solve all the millions of potholes, but we can all count to see if we encounter less than the average six per mile by March 2026. There’s a particular patch of road I’ll be monitoring too, it’s absolutely dire currently - I’m sure we all know similar stretches of road.

The state of the roads is one of my particular interests too. I’m interested in the money for visuals like these because we can actually measure progress around our local areas. We have sent in complaints with measurements and pictures to the local council and county council for several years. Now is the time to follow up the improvements with before and after pictures.
Maybe everyone could take part in that sort of follow up to show how the money has been used.

Iam64

There must be, though so far it’s one of my concerns, that the government is not setting the news agenda. They’re doing some positive things which are drowned outs

I think that’s a really good point. So many things are happening that are barely reported. I wish more publicity had accompanied the announcement about the funding for pothole repairs for example, the beginning of rebuilding the road infrastructure, but nothing was made of it, although it will save motorists millions. The state of the UK roads is one of my hobby horses!

Iam64

It is a steep learning curve and it’s interesting how quick some are to blame this government for the failings of the last.
Aveline - what i could have said is Starmer needs someone like Alistair Campbell to set the daily news agenda

There were, and are criticisms of the last government, often, but not always, with good reason.

However, it’s unclear why you say people are blaming this government for the failings of the last one.

The comments seemed to be about what this government is doing.

e.g. Linking the WFA , to the last government not doing it-remember Starmer’s criticism of that idea, followed by his decision to do just that, is a criticism of this government.

The rebuttal of the black hole existing, followed by the decision that there is one now he’s in power.

We haven’t got the money for WASPIS but millions for a memorial?

There must be, though so far it’s one of my concerns, that the government is not setting the news agenda. They’re doing some positive things which are drowned outs

I know what you mean I am64. I just wished there was someone with his skills around to help.

It is a steep learning curve and it’s interesting how quick some are to blame this government for the failings of the last.
Aveline - what i could have said is Starmer needs someone like Alistair Campbell to set the daily news agenda

Would Alistair Campbell want to come back though?

Iam64

PoliticsNerd, increasingly I want Starmer to bring Alistair Campbell back 🙈. He was a good spin doctor and seemed able to be ahead of the news. I’ve just heard Heidi Alexander interviewed on the Today Programme, she was excellent. We have some good Ministers, the best PM we’ve had in years. Starmer and his cabinet are imo good at politics, less good at mesmerising the population like Johnson did. They’re also telling it like it is, we are in a dreadful mess after 14 years of misrule

PoliticsNerd, increasingly I want Starmer to bring Alistair Campbell back Iam64

Couldn't agree more Iam64. I wonder if he's been popping in and giving the lessons though. They do seem to be improving slowly. It's a steep learning curve for many of them though.

mae13

Given a straightforward, plain choice, would you prefer your GP to give you lies or the hard truth?

Where does the GP come into this?

Throughout history, misinformation, false beliefs, and conspiracy theories have permeated societies, often fueled by fear, uncertainty, and the desire for belonging or understanding.

As an example we have recently had: COVID denial, vaccine skepticism, political conspiracies (Brexit, Trump), just to site a few examples.

Allira well you quoted it and it was the first time I saw it, I was on my phone. Glad you are so easily amused.

theworriedwell

Allira if you look Mollygo said the £100m might help with the increase in NI. I thought that sounded a terrific amount so I checked it and the £100m is certainly going to cover the NI. You want to introduce something else but it doesn't change the fact that the rise in NI will be covered.

Worriedwell it contributes to my unending enjoyment of the LP and KS defence threads when people quote me without having noticed that I wasn’t the original poster of something they have read.

Allira, yesterday at 20:19 wrote (not in italics)

I will just say that poor old Wes Streeting tried to ameliorate the devastation caused by his colleague Reeves by promising £100 million to hospices. Poor chap thought that would help with improving buildings, kit and technology.
There are 200 hospices in the UK.
That sum might help fund the increase in NI so will go back to the government anyway.

I quoted Allira’s paragraph (in italics, which I am given to understand is GN’s method), directly underneath her post at 20:22.

Yet you suggest that she should go and look at what I wrote.

Weird, but entertaining nevertheless and I’m glad you know that the NI will be covered.

How much is left for the improving buildings, kit and technology (quote from W3 ) remains to be seen?

As I mentioned, I will be interested, to see how it impacts and improves the hospice I am associated with. That’s the important part of the promise don't you think?

What would they have done for improvements in infrastructure and equipment without the £100m? Maybe if some of the money that went to cronies for PPE and associated costs had been given to hospices they wouldn't be in such dire straights that a hundred million pounds won't touch the sides?

Representative from a hospice
Which hospice? That would be just one - what about the other 199 or so?

The hospice sector has reported that it is under financial pressure. Hospice UK estimated in September 2024 that the sector is heading for a deficit in the region of £60mn for the current financial year.
With the added pressures of increased NI wages and costs, there really is not going to be much left for improvements in infrastructure and equipment.

Representative from a hospice on BBC this morning seems to think the money will fund improvements. I suppose they should speak to the experts on GN.

Allira if you look Mollygo said the £100m might help with the increase in NI. I thought that sounded a terrific amount so I checked it and the £100m is certainly going to cover the NI. You want to introduce something else but it doesn't change the fact that the rise in NI will be covered.

PoliticsNerd, increasingly I want Starmer to bring Alistair Campbell back 🙈. He was a good spin doctor and seemed able to be ahead of the news. I’ve just heard Heidi Alexander interviewed on the Today Programme, she was excellent. We have some good Ministers, the best PM we’ve had in years. Starmer and his cabinet are imo good at politics, less good at mesmerising the population like Johnson did. They’re also telling it like it is, we are in a dreadful mess after 14 years of misrule

petal53

Nobody prefers lies.

Nobody prefers lies, but some prefer them to be delivered by straightfaced men, and some prefer them delivered by grinning females.

Given a straightforward, plain choice, would you prefer your GP to give you lies or the hard truth?

petal53

Nobody prefers lies.

That's a joke, right?

Nobody prefers lies.

Iam64

It’s a theme on gransnet, that Keir Starmer is some kind of duplicitous bad guy, who enjoys upsetting pensioners, particularly women as he’s a misogynist. It’s just nonsense - I’m back to concluding the only possible response is Keir Starmer ate my hamster.

Many furious anti Starmer posters are relieved they didn’t vote Labour because they knew this would happen. What would happen? That they’d invest in Hospice support, work to improve the NHS and other public services. Try to address the shocking mess left by the previous government.

It's interesting though Iam64. At first I thought Starmer really needed to get better at politics. Now I'm realising it's the forthright honest speaking I was hoping for. We've got so used to the disingenuous smile while telling outright lies that perhaps sometimes the truth is just too hard and some just prefer the lies. Definitely interesting.

BBC just announced that the figure is £126 million.

It will be a stop-gap, nothing left for meaningful investment.

Allira

Wyllow3
Yes, for "improving buildings, kit and technology". 👏

Yeah, if anyone believes that.

Oh I think there will be some of that, and we’ll get to see those bits that actually happen. Less publicity for the money swallowed up in things other than improving buildings, kit and technology

I suppose we could find out how the money is spent under FOI.

So, the hospice nearest
To us is desperately in need of funds. I’ve been involved in the fundraising for personal reasons.
Watching that could be a useful measure of where any money they get actually goes.