Almost as if the QT audience had no bias.
It’s well known for it. 😁
Are you irritating in RL? (light hearted)
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What has Labour done in the first 100 days?
(432 Posts)A round-up - curtesy of the Guardian.
Economy
One of Rachel Reeves’s first actions as chancellor was to stand in front of the Commons and accuse the previous government of leaving a £22bn hole in this year’s public accounts. Every year, government spending diverges slightly from what was budgeted, but this was an unusually large amount, driven both by the higher-than-expected costs of housing asylum seekers and public sector pay deals.
Reeves’s solution to this was to put an immediate halt to various projects, including the road tunnel under Stonehenge and the A27 Arundel bypass. Boris Johnson’s promise to build 40 new hospitals has also been placed under review, with the prime minister, Keir Starmer, accusing his predecessor of making the promise without allocating the money.
Energy
When Michael Gove was asked at Tory conference to name the most effective Labour cabinet ministers so far, one of those he listed was Ed Miliband. The energy secretary has returned to a post he last held 14 years ago with a flurry of activity.
On 8 July, the first Monday after winning the election, Miliband announced he was removing the previous government’s de facto ban on onshore wind power. A day later, Reeves, unveiled the national wealth fund, a £7.3bn scheme designed to invest in green infrastructure such as clean steel and carbon capture.
Later that month, Miliband brought forward a bill to set up Great British Energy, a nationally owned energy production company that the government has put at the heart of its net zero strategy. The bill gives the company power to produce and distribute clean energy and spend money on energy efficiency schemes.
Keir Starmer announced in his Labour conference speech that GBE would be based in Aberdeen.
Transport
The first bill to pass the Commons under the Labour government was the rail nationalisation bill. The bill automatically brings rail networks back under public control once their existing franchise contract is over, or earlier if they breach their contracts.
The transport secretary, Louise Haigh, has also passed a bill to set up a new company called Great British Railways to manage both the track and the trains service. Some have questioned, however, why the rolling stock is not also being brought under national control.
Last month, Haigh reversed another piece of privatisation in the transport sector, allowing local authorities across England to run their own bus services once more. The transport secretary has also said she wants to make it simpler and easier for local leaders to conduct the franchising process.
Education
Labour has promised that it will introduce free breakfast clubs in every primary school in England, but it is starting slowly. Reeves announced at the Labour conference that 750 English schools would be invited to be part of a pilot programme.
Housing
Labour has promised to liberalise the planning regime and began soon after taking over government, not only overturning the restrictions on onshore wind power but also reimposing population-based housing targets on local authorities.
The Conservatives had given local planners a series of loopholes to avoid meeting those targets, in a move that housebuilders said had hampered new development, pushing housing approvals to a 10-year low.
Other reforms are planned, including making it easier for public bodies to issue compulsory purchasing orders and making it easier to build on green belt land.
Meanwhile, Matthew Pennycook, the housing minister, has introduced a package of renters’ reforms, which passed their second reading in parliament this week, despite the objections of the Conservatives. That package picks up on some of the ambitions originally championed by Gove when he was housing secretary, including bringing an immediate end to no-fault evictions and forcing landlords to make timely repairs to properties.
Campaigners, however, are unhappy that the Labour government has so far not enacted another package of protections for leaseholders, whom they worry are slipping down the government’s agenda. The government has promised to bring in a bill to restrict leasehold and boost the rights of tenants, but has so far not even enacted the measures passed through parliament under the last government.
Employment
Starmer promised that his government would bring forward a package of workers’ rights in his first 100 days, a deadline which was just about met when Angela Rayner, his deputy, published the employment rights bill on Thursday.
Her reforms include giving workers protection from unfair dismissal and paternity leave rights from the first day of their employment, rather than having to wait two years. The bill also bans employers from forcing workers to sign zero-hours contracts and stops them firing staff only to hire them back on lower pay, unless the company is threatened with bankruptcy.
While the bill was published in the first 100 days it will take another two years for it to come into force. Officials and ministers will spend that time consulting businesses and trade unions about the exact measures involved and how to police them.
Some of the pre-election promises have not made it into the bill. There will be no statutory right for workers to switch off outside their working hours, and the government will now consult on having a single status of worker. Unions have long campaigned for a single worker status to replace the distinction between those who are employed and self-employed, in part to tackle exploitation in the gig economy.
Immigration
As promised, Labour has ended the previous government’s Rwanda scheme, which had not sent a single asylum seeker to Rwanda but was already costing the government money. Scrapping it saved more than £2bn over two years.
In its place, Starmer and his home secretary, Yvette Cooper, have introduced a border security command to focus on people-smuggling gangs. However, the prime minister is still trying to sign returns agreements with European countries, agreements that might mean Britain having to accept migrants in return.
Since the election, nearly 12,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats, slightly fewer than in the same period last year.
Justice
A week after the election, the justice secretary, Shabana Mahmood, announced an early release scheme that would see some offenders who had committed less serious crimes leave prison after serving 40% of their sentence. Mahmood blamed the prisons crisis she inherited from the previous government, which had left jails in England and Wales almost entirely full.
The early release scheme was controversial, but its purpose was underlined later in the summer as riots engulfed parts of the country. Speaking to journalists from the Downing Street garden after the riots had subsided, the prime minister described the decisions he had had to make while they were unfolding.
“I shouldn’t be sitting in the Cobra room with a list of prison places across the country on a day-by-day basis, trying to work out how we deal with disorder,” he said. “But that’s the position I was put in.”
Health
If Starmer is to show progress in one public service by the time he goes into the next election, it will have to be the NHS. His health secretary, Wes Streeting, commissioned Ara Darzi, a former Labour minister, to outline the scale of the challenge. Lord Darzi’s report, which was published last month, found that long delays for hospital, GP and mental health services were leading to thousands of unnecessary deaths.
Darzi suggested a range of changes, including focusing more on prevention and making companies pay “health levies” for things such as alcohol and tobacco.
I sincerely hope Ms Reeves is nice and toasty at home, which is much more than many a terrified pensioner will be now the temperatures have taken a distinct nosedive.
Shame on you for your heartlessness!
If Starmer is to show progress in one public service by the time he goes into the next election, it will have to be the NHS. His health secretary, Wes Streeting, commissioned Ara Darzi, a former Labour minister, to outline the scale of the challenge. Lord Darzi’s report, which was published last month, found that long delays for hospital, GP and mental health services were leading to thousands of unnecessary deaths.
(Quote from O/P)
This issue going got be one of the most difficult and crucial issues he has to tackle. Millions waiting to see how they manage to make a start.
mae13
I sincerely hope Ms Reeves is nice and toasty at home, which is much more than many a terrified pensioner will be now the temperatures have taken a distinct nosedive.
Shame on you for your heartlessness!
Yes or a child in a private school having to be forcefully removed, education disrupted because parents can't afford the vat now being charged. Yet gambling is vat exempt,just think of the money they could raise if they put vat on it. Vat could also be put on designer children's clothing, after all who needs £100 trainers. No they would rather disrupt children's education. Heartless bunch .
It’s known as Any Fascists in some circles, so convinced are some that it’s biased to the right
BBC Question Time needs a shake up. It is patently biased in its coverage of events here in the UK.
Freya5
mae13
I sincerely hope Ms Reeves is nice and toasty at home, which is much more than many a terrified pensioner will be now the temperatures have taken a distinct nosedive.
Shame on you for your heartlessness!Yes or a child in a private school having to be forcefully removed, education disrupted because parents can't afford the vat now being charged. Yet gambling is vat exempt,just think of the money they could raise if they put vat on it. Vat could also be put on designer children's clothing, after all who needs £100 trainers. No they would rather disrupt children's education. Heartless bunch .
Gamblers are about to be put in the spotlight
www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/oct/11/labour-tax-gambling-firms-treasury-public-finances
"Labour considers up to £3bn tax raid on gambling firms"
Good news about the gamblers, but they are only considering it
Looking pretty good when you look at the backers in the article.
Discussions with DP World are still going ahead tomorrow as the PM has backed transport secretary Louise Haigh after she called ferry firm a ‘rogue operator’, threatening investment summit.
Be interesting to see how they can resolve the issues of investment and maintain adequate commitments to workers rights.
www.theguardian.com/business/2024/oct/12/starmer-louise-haigh-p-and-o-rescue-global-summit-london
So Starmer's flipped again.
eazybee
So Starmer's flipped again.
No, he hasn't.
growstuff
eazybee
So Starmer's flipped again.
No, he hasn't.
He must have if he’s now backing Haigh and her comments!
It was all ‘those are her words and not those of the government’ yesterday.
Labour thought they could blame the Tories for everything that went wrong, how little do they understand politics. The MSM gave them a free ride all the way through the election. None of their policies will have a positive effect on growth. None.
There is no economy that has significantly increased growth by taxing businesses, rising taxes for those who invest, increasing energy costs, having even more regulations for employees, creating uncertainty and fear in the markets… and paying off unions, they always come back for more.
Why would anyone go to this conference tomorrow … unless you are a supplier to the government.
For goodness sake - the PM actually works with senior cabinet members to change his mind on an issue.
If he hadn't, no doubt there would've been complaints from all and sundry he was ruthless and refuses to listen to his team
I thought it was a big plus, frankly. Hats off to them both - Haigh making the point, KS listening
I'm 78 years old and live solely on my state pension and for the first time in my life I'm frightened of what will happen to me. I keep my fuel usage as low as possible but the standing charges are 6 times the amount of my actual gas and electricity charges. Losing the winter fuel allowance is a massive blow. But my biggest fear is if Starmer removes the 25% single occupancy on council tax. I have no ability to pay the extra for that alongside losing assistance with winter fuel bills. I'm dreading the budget so much I feel physically sick with fear.
I can understand that, so I looked up what could be found:
There were rumours earlier in September abounding after reporters questioned the L Party re single allowance and KS wouldn't say "yes or no" as he wouldn't on many of the rumours spread this summer which ave abounded on GN
(ie you dont announce a series of budget issues in advance)
but later in the month
The Telegraph, 22nd September reported there had been an answer:
*Reeves won’t scrap single person council tax discount
Treasury confirms Chancellor will not end scheme, claimed by four million pensioners, that gives 25 per cent off for those living alone*
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/09/22/rachel-reeves-budget-single-person-council-tax-discount/
Further details:
Sky News
news.sky.com/story/single-person-council-tax-discount-will-not-be-axed-downing-street-suggests-13220781
Martin Lewis top money expert announces it on X
x.com/MartinSLewis/status/1838133634202521849#
Its not been in the news subsequently that I can find.
Wyllow3
For goodness sake - the PM actually works with senior cabinet members to change his mind on an issue.
If he hadn't, no doubt there would've been complaints from all and sundry he was ruthless and refuses to listen to his team
*I thought it was a big plus, frankly. Hats off to them both - Haigh making the point, KS listening*
Precisely. I'm getting fed up of every story about the government by the media having a negative spin put on on it. The deal is still going ahead, P&O are rogue traders and the government have implemented plans to stop them treating their staff badly. Which, imo, is a successful outcome. Especially as it has been highlighted how awful P&O treated their staff [something that I bet a lot of people had forgotten about]. As for the Taylor Swift security story, it needs to be pointed out just how much the security cost compared to the massive amount of money [billions I believe]her concerts poured into the economy [along with the money she personally gave to charities]. And how much it would have cost had she pulled the concert at the last minute. She was genuinely scared.
Yesterday: her words are not those of the government;
Today: Keir Starmer expressed his full confidence on Saturday in the transport secretary, Louise Haigh, after an explosive cabinet row cast fresh doubt over his Downing Street operation and threatened to overshadow a key international investment summit in London.
Rather more frightened of the Unions, I fear.
Louise Haigh has also struck a deal for train guards working for Cross County to receive a £300 bonus for working a five day week. That is, £300 a day if they work the Saturday shift. Good to see the winter fuel allowance being put to good use.
(Grunty ...so until the budget it cant be certain, just wanted to give you all the information available)
eazybee
Yesterday: her words are not those of the government;
Today: Keir Starmer expressed his full confidence on Saturday in the transport secretary, Louise Haigh, after an explosive cabinet row cast fresh doubt over his Downing Street operation and threatened to overshadow a key international investment summit in London.
Rather more frightened of the Unions, I fear.
Louise Haigh has also struck a deal for train guards working for Cross County to receive a £300 bonus for working a five day week. That is, £300 a day if they work the Saturday shift. Good to see the winter fuel allowance being put to good use.
Unlike the Conservatives prepared to speak to and negotiate with the unions. What a scary country this would be if we left the ECHR and got rid of unions. I think many people forget that the unions are there to represent working people and it isn't all about pay rises.
Basically Cross Country would have had to more or less close down, driver shortage built up over years and years in all rail areas.
CrossCountry has been affected by a shortage of drivers, which has led to cancellations and reduced services. The average age of a train driver is 48, and many are due to retire in the next five years
Problems were known about in 2022
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-63840082
Whether this payment was the only way out I don't know, to just keep the services running. Yet another example of neglect and build up come to breaking point.
Investment summit being held by the government in London today.
Big beasts flying in to attend, include Google, Goldman Sachs and BlackRock.
The King is to hold a reception later this evening.
Most economists believe business investment is crucial to unlocking gains in productivity and driving economic growth. For decades the UK has trailed the G7 on investment spending, particularly since the 2008 financial crisis – matching a period when living standards have stagnated, showing there is scope for improvement.
Last week, Starmer hailed Labour’s “new deal” for working people as the biggest upgrade in workers’ rights in a generation. Though it was attacked by some business leaders as an anti-growth charter that would damage Britain, the prime minister believes the measures are vital.
The plan acknowledges that modern capitalism doesn’t always work without guardrails – as shown by the rise of zero-hours contracts, more than a decade of sluggish wage growth and rising in-work poverty.
Labour will also prioritise investment alongside the private sector, through the National Wealth Fund and GB Energy, with the idea that co-investing can help leverage private investment and ensure that the state shares in some of the proceeds of growth.
MayBee70
eazybee
Yesterday: her words are not those of the government;
Today: Keir Starmer expressed his full confidence on Saturday in the transport secretary, Louise Haigh, after an explosive cabinet row cast fresh doubt over his Downing Street operation and threatened to overshadow a key international investment summit in London.
Rather more frightened of the Unions, I fear.
Louise Haigh has also struck a deal for train guards working for Cross County to receive a £300 bonus for working a five day week. That is, £300 a day if they work the Saturday shift. Good to see the winter fuel allowance being put to good use.Unlike the Conservatives prepared to speak to and negotiate with the unions. What a scary country this would be if we left the ECHR and got rid of unions. I think many people forget that the unions are there to represent working people and it isn't all about pay rises.
What negotiation, non that I can see. Just give in to their demands,no negotiation on the Gov side, just unions demand and Gov deliver. Wish Nurses got 300 pounds for working a weekend,you don't die if the trains aren't running. This Gov is a shambles.
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