Can you name one area where things are working better than 13 years ago.

NotAGran55

Banking.

No banks round here. Banking works if you are competent online, otherwise it only works for the bankers.

The very rich are becoming extremely rich and yacht builders are doing very well.

And yesterday the Tories voted to ensure our waterways and seas are continually polluted.

Well it’s definitely not dentistry!

I was discussing the same thing with a friend today. We agreed that the justice system, the health system, the education system, the transport system, public utilities, etc, etc, are all in a terrible mess.

No doubt there are some people who are doing OK - I count ourselves as quite fortunate compared to many - but in many ways even people who are doing well are affected by things beyond their control - the pollution of our waters for instance. In any case, it seems wrong that so many people are suffering, even if some are doing quite well.

Saggi

Online shopping…. I can’t drive and have bad arthritis…. it’s a boon!

Online shopping is an improvement - especially for old folk - but absolutely nothing to do with the government.

DaisyAnne

I have a friend, well into her 80s, who doesn't use technology and doesn't drive (her husband did, but he died). Many of the advances we have seen miss her out. That doesn't mean they are not advances, but it would be good if we took those, who live without these things with us, until we get to a population with the knowledge and access to use them.

Agreed. I helped my sisters, while alive. 'Being the younger - I understand technology.' Not true, but they thought so.

I have a friend, well into her 80s, who doesn't use technology and doesn't drive (her husband did, but he died). Many of the advances we have seen miss her out. That doesn't mean they are not advances, but it would be good if we took those, who live without these things with us, until we get to a population with the knowledge and access to use them.

M0nica

Baggs you cannot expect perfection

Oh shucks! Can't I? 😉

Reuseable nappies are brilliant, use is growing.

In a word, no!

Another thing to go out the window is a sense of humour. Sadly, with the death of irreverent Barry Humphries, things will only get worse.

I have to say that, after a days worth of comments, I haven't really seen anything that tells us the government has added to the better workings of those things they control.

However, the people and the businesses have been busy making the best of it all and that does cheer me up.

ruthiek

Daisy Ann what concerns me is that if the other lot get in they will say there us no money to change things and it will be the same old situation , I really don’t see anything getting better anytime soon , I no am disgusted with the lot of them 🤬

You know that is just an opinion, don't you ruthiek?

You cannot know what will be done but Labour should find out what is available in the Access talks the opposition has with the civil servants before a GE.

The Conservatives have, in the past, held these talks back in the run-up to an election. So you are right, Labour may find things they didn't expect. However, each major opposition party has sight of the "accounts" before the election unless the government chooses to change the convention. They should have enough information to make a start on the priorities they have published in their manifesto which we will have seen.

Labour couldn't bring any policies forward for the last 13 years as they have had no power. Should they win, it will be worth seeing what they can do with what is left to them (good or bad) before panicking. Being in Government is so very different to being in opposition.

I don't know if it helps to have someone else's opinion. Mine is that I don't know what is going to happen should Labour win but expect to be told more in the run-up to the election. That's how it always has been.

Online shopping…. I can’t drive and have bad arthritis…. it’s a boon!

Daisy Ann what concerns me is that if the other lot get in they will say there us no money to change things and it will be the same old situation , I really don’t see anything getting better anytime soon , I no am disgusted with the lot of them 🤬

Baggs you cannot expect perfection

People seem more aware of the foods they eat, imo.

Crisps, sweets, biscuits, fizzy drinks aren't allowed as often.

And that reminds me of road tax and MOT simplifications, from drivers' point of view. One used to have to go and buy a road tax badge and stick it in one's window. Now it's all done online.

And if one needs to insure one's car temporarily for another driver, one can do it literally minutes before it's needed.

Definite improvements.

The only two improvements I've noticed in the last thirteen years are Pupil Premium (LibDem policy enacted during the coalition) and shops charging for plastic bags (the only thing this appalling government we've endured since 2016 has done for the greater good)

M0nica

But in many cases the government were in charge of the funding and implementation of the new techology - for example passports.

Yes. And computing systems for GPs.

But in many cases the government were in charge of the funding and implementation of the new techology - for example passports.

Mind you, I suppose this is down to technological progress rather than actual government policies, though I daresay those were involved too.

Repeat prescription arrangements are an order of magnitude better than thirteen years ago. Back then I had to post my repeat prescription requests or take them by bus to the surgery. Then I'd have to go back to the surgery to collect them and work out if there was time to go to the pharmacy for them to be made out before the bus (once an hour) came back the other way. Bus fares were expensive.

Now I send requests by email. They are sent automatically to a pharmacy near where I work and the pharmacy texts me when they are ready so I can go in when passing.

I can't think of a single thing that the government has 'improved' (for the majority) - just everything run down and underfunded. There have been leaps forward in community action, though, so it's not all bad.