Sunak will soon wish we were still talking about Johnson.

You’re right there GG. A long established practice, unfortunately. It was also particularly rife in the damp proofing industry back in the 80s and 90s to avoid claims.

So 5% - the pain will be largely paid by young families and renters.

We already know that productivity is low in the U.K. which needs investment by businesses to improve, so how on earth does increasing the rate to borrow help this?

fancythat

Saetana

As for inflation, that can be laid firmly at the door of the Bank of England - they should have started tackling it far earlier than they did. Their inaction is what has led to a lot of rate rises in a very short period of time, thus sending mortgage costs skyrocketing. Why on earth Tony Blair made them independent is beyond me! Both the current and previous governors have been useless - no idea why Sunak continues to support them. Although, birds of a feather and all that...

They also seem to fail to make accurate predictions either.

Correct - their forecasting record is truly dreadful, both the BoE and the IMF seem to have difficulty forecasting anything accurately. The only thing we can generally rely on is that their forecasts will be wrong.

Sunak will have different priorities for the success of the country, Tories see low taxes for the wealthy as a sign of success. I don't see him managing any of those 5 targets, it just sounds good and he hopes to impress the electorate as Boris did during the election, he said whatever he wanted and got a huge majority because of it. I'm voting Labour next time, they started the NHS so they can fix it by increasing taxes for the wealthy. Tories say they are spending lots on the NHS but they do so using private companies who charge more in the 1st place than the old NHS model. I think Labour are doing fine, though they seem to be sticking to using private companies, but it will be free to use, that's what I want back

Is the NHS not still free to use?

GSM gps unable to provide any appointments at some surgeries. General taxation and NICs pay for the Nhs - so it’s not ‘free’ in one sense.

ronib

GSM gps unable to provide any appointments at some surgeries. General taxation and NICs pay for the Nhs - so it’s not ‘free’ in one sense.

To quote MaizieD taxation does not fund Government spending

You’re brainwashed GG13- have a look at the King’s Fund!

ronib

You’re brainwashed GG13- have a look at the King’s Fund!

If it makes you happy to think so, go ahead…

ronib

You’re brainwashed GG13- have a look at the King’s Fund!

No she's not. It is absolutely true and I have a lovely piece of rigorous research which proves it.

I have linked to it several times, but I don't think anyone bothers to read it

The tale that taxation funds spending is a fairytale which is very convenient for governments when they need an excuse to cut state funding. It did actually have a grain of truth up to some 50 years ago, but since we now have nothing but trust and confidence backing our currency it is no longer true.

have a look at the King’s Fund!

You can look at anything you like, most people, including government institutions, believe it's true. But it isn't.

Interestingly, most economists will absolutely admit that the government can create its own money but they don't get any further than that...

MaizieD why are we paying taxes and NIC?

Why are the government blaming everything on the Bank of England? Didn’t they choose the new Governor? Is everything always somebody else’s fault?

I personally think its about time this government and Sunak especially start looking at what is happening here and spend money on improving thing for us instead of giving billions away in causes in europe and beyond its time we supported our homeless and give them priority for homes and support our lower paid and pensioners with more support people should not have to go without heat in winter and reply on food banks our NHS is crumbling despite all the hard work our drs and nurses put in we are building sub standard housing with no proper infrastructure in place our country is not being supported by those we voted for and now is the time for change and i dont mean labour

I assume you mean one of the latest UKIP reincarnations?

bear1 are you unaware of the heating subsidies given to every household in the country last winter? Are you unaware of the additional help given to every pensioner household to help with the cost of living? Are you unaware of the extra help given to those on benefits to help with the cost of living? Are you unaware of the £150 that was given two days ago to people on benefits?

The giving of billions away to causes in Europe is I assume, the money being lent to Ukraine. Perhaps you should consider what Zelensky is doing for us. He’s basically fighting WW3 and his country is suffering terribly. We should only be supporting Ukraine, we should be giving the money, not lending it. It should be a gift. The situation in Ukraine is dire for so many people. What they are suffering is not comparable to people in Britain. In Britain it’s a difficult time, very difficult, but not comparable to what is happening in Ukraine.

I think bear1 has an exceptionally poor memory maddy. And she’s by no means alone.

I think Bear1 makes pertinent points about the difficulties many people are facing and, quite honestly, the government handouts are just sticking plaster when it fails to do anything meaningful about the causes of poverty and inequality.

Unfortunately Bearl1 seems to be looking in the wrong direction for any prospect of improvement.

When the Chancellor has openly proclaimed that he would be happy for the UK to fall into recession caused by the BoE's ridiculous insistence on raising interest rates when it's an entirely inappropriate response to the current inflation you have to realise that the government cares not a jot or tittle about the wellbeing of the population it is meant to be serving.

They’re a damn sight better than nothing.

Looking forward to this recession, are you, GSM?

MaizieD

Looking forward to this recession, are you, GSM?

Unpleasant.

Is there any need to say that? Another silly comment.

GrannyGravy13

I wish that I had an iota of faith in the current Labour Party to do any better when they inevitably form the next Government.

I agree, sadly! Our country is in a monumental mess, much of it caused by Tory mismanagement, but made much worse by the war in Ukraine and knock on effects of the pandemic. I doubt any party can reverse all the trends satisfactorily, but the decline in the NHS is due to underfunding over a long period, and the desire of many politicians to bring in privatisation by the back door.

Strikes by NHS workers and teachers were inevitable as salaries have been falling in real terms for many years and the cost of living crisis has simply brought things to a head. Unfortunately the country cannot afford to reinstate the amounts that have been lost however well deserved!

According to an analyst on radio this morning, Putin cancelling the Ukraine wheat export deal, will cause higher food prices and possible shortages.

Which will push up inflation. 🙄

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-61759692

And neither Sunak not Starmer are addressing the Brexit disaster despite the polling data. Today's YouGov poll shows 63% think Brexit was a failure, 57% in hindsight think the Leave vote was wrong and 51% would vote to rejoin (up from 40% in 2021). By contrast only 12% think Brexit was a success. Of course, it's important for Starmer not to alienate unrepentant Leavers but he should be making plans to rejoin even though we shall never get the terms we previously enjoyed.

GrannyGravy13

Whitewavemark2

But we can’t possibly repeat the last 13 years. The U.K. will sink.

I agree, but honestly I have no idea if the Labour Party can pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat

Wouldn’t be at all surprised to have a hung parliament after the next election, and unless they decide to work for the good of the Country, as opposed to their own self interests, cannot see a lot getting done.

I am totally disillusioned with the lot of them, I am holding out hope that we will get a local Independent Candidate (myself and many others are on their case to stand 🤞🏻)

Throughout the pandemic Keir made it clear that he would support the government in any measures that were for the good of the country. That is the way he operates. I don’t see why he would change when he is PM. His political ambition is based on the beliefs he was brought up with as a child, and that is to make this country a better place for everyone, not just his rich friends. I have 100% faith in him to do that but he is facing an uphill struggle after the disaster of having leaders such as Johnson and Truss ( who are merrily making a fortune out of telling everyone either how great they are or, in the delusional Truss’s case, how to run a country ).