The Budget

FGS
I am reacting as I want to, the things I wanted in the Budget are there, so that’s me pleased.

growstuff

What was in the Budget to indicate that the UK will be a science superpower? Sorry, I missed something.

you didn`t listen, I did

I think the one big difference between us and other European countries is that a good percentage of our working age people have decided not to go to work any more. I don’t mean those on benefits. A lot of folk have looked at their work/life balance since Covid and if they feel they can afford to get by have sacked off work. Much less so abroad and apparently our economy is suffering as a whole because of it.

Nothing in the budget than was particularly unexpected.
Tax relief on dividends just about disappearing but hey ho

Oreo

DaisyAnne

Oreo

A good Autumn Budget I thought.Much help for the less well off and pensioners, particularly those who really need it.
An increase in the hourly wage.
It was, as promised, a fair budget. I bet a lot of people will be pleased.
Glad to see Sizewell C will go ahead.

Well done. As the Talking Heads on Politics Live said, that's what you are expected to feel.

?
It is what I thought after listening to the Budget thanks.
Couldn’t give a flying wotsit what talking heads on tv say.

No time for experts eh Oreo, sounds familiar. Now, where did I hear that before?

Riverwalk

DaisyAnne

growstuff

What was in the Budget to indicate that the UK will be a science superpower? Sorry, I missed something.

He said it would be. Isn't that enough for you growstuff?

They've also said in the past that we would be a high wage, high skilled economy; they would once and for all sort out social care; and they aspire to low taxes.

What's not to believe!

None of these were in train before Covid and Ukraine before someone brings them up as excuses.

Hmmm! Well, an announcement was made in March to increase funding for research and innovation, but I still can't find anything in this budget.

Oreo

DaisyAnne

Oreo

A good Autumn Budget I thought.Much help for the less well off and pensioners, particularly those who really need it.
An increase in the hourly wage.
It was, as promised, a fair budget. I bet a lot of people will be pleased.
Glad to see Sizewell C will go ahead.

Well done. As the Talking Heads on Politics Live said, that's what you are expected to feel.

?
It is what I thought after listening to the Budget thanks.
Couldn’t give a flying wotsit what talking heads on tv say.

Who were the 'talking heads'?

If they were halfway decent economists I'd give considerably more than a flying wotsit's worth of consideration to what they say.

Budgets and budget statements are usually mostly smoke and mirrors. Aimed at the uncritical voter...

I thought that Rachel Reeves was very focused and accurate in her demolition, a certain amount of humour too. I liked the Dallas, Bobby Ewing shower reference, I have often felt like this since June 2016.

MaizieD

Oreo

DaisyAnne

Oreo

A good Autumn Budget I thought.Much help for the less well off and pensioners, particularly those who really need it.
An increase in the hourly wage.
It was, as promised, a fair budget. I bet a lot of people will be pleased.
Glad to see Sizewell C will go ahead.

Well done. As the Talking Heads on Politics Live said, that's what you are expected to feel.

?
It is what I thought after listening to the Budget thanks.
Couldn’t give a flying wotsit what talking heads on tv say.

Who were the 'talking heads'?

If they were halfway decent economists I'd give considerably more than a flying wotsit's worth of consideration to what they say.

Budgets and budget statements are usually mostly smoke and mirrors. Aimed at the uncritical voter...

A talking head is anybody who gives a considered opinion after reviewing the information available, rather than sticking their fingers in their ears and going La La La.

I wasn't too concerned about anything said in the Budget. Glad the Triple Lock has been restored. I don't have an electric ar (thank goodness) so the introduction of road tax does not bother me. I'm glad the Winter Fuels Allowance uplift, which we are getting this year we will get next year. My tax code will stay the same and we have adjusted out energy direct debits to cover the increases. Unless I am missing something, I can carry on as normal.

Electric Car (pressed "Post Message" by mistake.

That about sums up our position too notgran.

HousePlant Queen
This is a thread for our own opinions on the Budget.
Experts what experts? Talking heads on tv can be anyone, frequently not very impressive.
I get the definite impression that a few on here are so anti Tory that no matter what was promised in a budget would be slammed, also the opinions of anyone who said they were happy with it.Ring a bell with you, hmm?
I’m not a Tory or Labour voter so don’t care about any of that stuff.
So, again am pleased with the Budget, it does a lot for me and my family and for all low earning families, pensioners and those on benefits.

It certainly os a thread to give opinions Oreo, and both of us have given ours! We will all take from it as we wish, but I am a bit bothered by your Pollyanna budget which benefits you and your family, but somehow doesn't benefit mine? What am I missing? Do you understand the implication of personal allowances frozen until 2028? It means that within the next couple of tax years, even OAPs on only the basic state pension will fall into the threshold for paying income tax. Happy with that?

Everyone will pay more tax, that was announced by Hunt today.
If ‘Pollyanna’ means being pleased that there will be much needed money coming to me and my family and all low income families and those on benefits then yes, that’s my name.I was also pleased about other things in the budget too though.
You didn’t like the budget, your opinion and you’re entitled to it.Apparently I’m not though, as I have been told it isn’t my own opinion at all. I am some poor sap who feels what the government wants me to feel, so they say.

Urmstongran

I think the one big difference between us and other European countries is that a good percentage of our working age people have decided not to go to work any more. I don’t mean those on benefits. A lot of folk have looked at their work/life balance since Covid and if they feel they can afford to get by have sacked off work. Much less so abroad and apparently our economy is suffering as a whole because of it.

Do we have facts and figures to support this theory?

Where did the word "certain" come from biglouis

Because there were groups on some means tested benefits who did not get these support payments this year so they will probably not get them next year.

For example Housing Benefit is means tested but recipients were not automatically entitled to the support payment unless they were on a benefit like ESA or UC.

How is much needed money going to all low income families? I listened to the original announcement and have gone through every word that's been reported and can't find anything.

As far as I can see, my state pension will increase by 10.1% minus 20% income tax, so that's 8%, which is below inflation. I'm in the bottom 10% for income, so I think that means I have a low income.

I receive a small amount of Housing Benefit, but the Local Housing Allowance hasn't been increased.

What am I missing?

Yes there will be more money coming to many of those on benefits, pensioners and the disabled. However by freezing the tax allowances it will in many cases be scammed back.

Some people who currently do not pay tax will begin to do so.

Others may be drawn into a higher tax band.

If people on low incomes (who have not previously paid tax) get dragged into a tax band or a higher one then there is no incentive for them to earn more for the tax man to get his grubbly hands on. Instead saavy employed people are going to reduce their hours/go part time and use the spare time to do a tax free/cash in hand side hustle.

Some people who have not considered cheating on their taxes in the past will look at the utterly corrupt and incompetent bunch of hobbledehoys in Westminster, look at their bills and then quietly get on with it with a clear conscience.

There is nothing like a recession for encouraging a black economy.

biglouis is correct. I receive Housing Benefit, which is means tested, but I'm not eligible for any extra support

Urmstongran

I think the one big difference between us and other European countries is that a good percentage of our working age people have decided not to go to work any more. I don’t mean those on benefits. A lot of folk have looked at their work/life balance since Covid and if they feel they can afford to get by have sacked off work. Much less so abroad and apparently our economy is suffering as a whole because of it.

Where on earth did you get that idea from?

He's deferred a lot of tax pain till after the 2024 General Election.

I'm struggling to understand how the fuel support will be a benefit. It would appear that bills are expected to rise by £500pa, which is the same as I will receive in support.

Meanwhile, food bills are forecast to rise much more steeply than the 8% I'll receive in increased pension. I don't really buy much with my disposable income other than fuel, food and transport/fuel.

From Martin Lewis on energy bills:

"Energy maths (on typical bills for illustration)

This winter: £2,500/yr - £400 universal cost of living payment = £2,100

Next winter (unless big drop in wholesale prices): £3,000/yr (no universal payment) so 41% higher

Even to get prices this low likely involves some state subsidy (as price guarantee is lower than price cap)

Those on benefits will have some of this mitigated as their cost of living help rises from £650 this year to £900 next

Pensioners (£300) and disabilities (£150) stay same"

Felt like all smoke and mirrors to me - very low on detail. I feel somewhat torn about the pension triple lock actually - unpopular view, I know. As a pensioner (who had to wait 6 years for her state pension) I will benefit. However, there are many pensioners who genuinely don’t need the pension rise - some of them very well-off indeed. I thought Hunt might limit the rise to those at the lower end of pensions eg. those on pension credit etc. Whilst this would have excluded me, I wonder if it would have saved the country some money? Of course, Hunt didn’t want to p** off the rich Tory voting pensioners! Not sure about it all at the moment - I’ll wait for Martin Lewis to explain.