The Tory way of governance

You mean the basic wage? Am I right in thinking it was raised not long ago, along with the bar which eliminated taxes for those on low incomes, including pensioners? Those steps introduced by the present government which benefitted so many people feeling the pinch? I felt that was compassionate, fair and much needed legislation.

You really think that 'this Government' is setting out to be divisive GGM2 because I don't see that at all, they are not encouraging anybody to see 'the other' as an enemy.
Brexit has ( naturally) divided the Nation, but once we have triggered article 50 IMHO things will settle down a bit.
Typical Labour voters now are not what typical Labour voters used to be, and if that fact isn't taken on board then Labour will fail at every GE.

No not the basic wage. Basic income is something completely different.
It's on the link.

Exactly, the minimum wage went up by quite a lot the other year.

And my father cried himself to sleep over the NHS care my mother received and that was bugger all to do with the Conservatives.

We each have stories we can tell good or bad I suppose that will mirror other posters tales.

Nothing that Theresa May has done has shown that under her leadership the tory government recognises all stratas of society. Like Margaret Thatcher,in her inital speech on taking office she mouthed a few platitudes about a government that works for all but nothing she has done since has demonstrated any concern for those in dire need, or for the support of the public services on which a large part of the population depends for education, healthcare and welfare.

Fitzy threw some figures at us out of context. Yes, indeed, they are spending a shedload of peoples' money. That's what governments do. If you look at the helpful link provided to the source of those figures you find that, in real terms, there is absolutely nothing impressive about those figures. Education spending has gone down or remained just about static. Pensions spending has to increase as more and more of us 'boomers' reach pensionable age. Welfare spending has gone down since 2012 and isn't much more than it was in 2010 (that's without inflation factored in). Health care appears to have increased significantly but we all know that the NHS is at breaking point and that experts are repeatedly saying that it is seriously underfunded.

And all that without Brexit, which is going to be an economic disaster..

I doubt if anyone is going to have it as good as us again for a very long time...if ever...

More gloom and doom scenarios!

You don't have to read them, roses.

GracesGran, it might not be your time, but it is certainly mine!!!

I have spent my lifetime working and supporting others. I raised my children and did what I could for them. They are out in the world working, struggling, learning, just as I once did.

Life has to be lived by everyone, no matter their age or circumstances. Our generation worked to ensure life would be better, if possible for our children. We also did all that striving so that we could enjoy our later years. The younger generation have to make what they can of the time in which they live.

It was always thus.

As parents we were responsible for raising them, caring for them, educating them and giving them a framework of moral standards.

It may be their turn now to be the movers and shakers, and good luck to them.

It's my turn to have more time to get involved in whatever I choose, including current affairs, local politics, local charities. My time is far from over. In fact I may be having more influence on my small corner of the world than ever before. Pensioner power....it exists.

What a load of cliches, Day6.

Maisie...you mean Brexit the economic disaster which influenced that billion dollar organisation Apple to want to set up in the UK.?

My cliche, my truth, my life. You do exactly the same thing DJ. You wouldn't be wanting to suppress other views by any chance, would you?

As opposed to gloom and doom cliches djen?
Why do people still believe in this idea of economic disaster ( oh yes, that would be Cameron and Osborne) threatening the end of the world.

Day6 you have my total respect. Your posts are clear, concise and without recourse to personally attacking anyone else's pov. And you speak, very well, for many who are on this thread.

www.basicincome.org

basicincome.org/news/2017/01/france-hamon-becomes-socialist-party-presidential-candidate-following-basic-income-focused-campaign/

Chewbacca

[URL=http://www.sherv.net/][IMG]http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/laughing/rolling.gif[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://www.sherv.net/][IMG]http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/laughing/rolling.gif[/IMG][/URL]

I am pleased that the Lords booed Tebbit for saying that they were only concerned about foreigners.

Thank you DJ. I opened the link to the thread. I've heard snippets about basic income. In theory I think it's a good idea. I am not sure how it would be financed though, but I am in favour of any fair move which might/could ensure everyone has a decent standard of living.

I don't want to suppress anyone's views, Day6. I like it when they show themselves up.

Thanks Chewbacca. Much appreciated.

sorry - I clicked send by mistake - you get the emotion you created though

Social work, nursing etc all operate in the same kind of way. The agencies are raking in loadsamoney. It also means that agency staff don't have the same commitment to the school/social work team etc, than permanent staff do.
What we didn't realise was that some staff permanently employed by eg the NHS then work for an agency in their holiday time. One nurse who was treating me in out-patients said that he had a fortnight's leave due, we asked if he was going anywhere and he said he was coming back in through the agency to cover his own leave. So he got paid leave and also paid for covering it - but no break from work.