Radio 4 and Starmer

Is Keir Starmer perfect - no. Does he have the best interests of this country at heart - yes; unlike:

David Cameron
Boris Johnson
Nigel Faridge

A poster above said she ‘despises’ KS. I have lived with PMs that I despised for almost 14 years (I did not despise Theresa May & Richi Sunak). But I certainly did despise Cameron & Johnson.

As for Faridge, there are no words!

As Casdon says, people don’t join the dots. They say I won’t vote Labour again because they’re cutting benefits … so, I’ll vote Reform. And what is Reform’s policy towards benefits🙈🙈🙈

If Reform wins the next GE (a very big ‘if’) every one of us will pay the price, but hey ho - people will have got what they wanted!

MaisieD is perfectly correct about Reeves having no understanding of economics

Neither have I but I can see incompetence when it stares e in the face. Why Starmer has not sacked her yet is beyond me.

Ilovecheese

But it is the people who voted Labour because they wanted Labour values who are being ignored and sidelined. People who would normally have voted Conservative are surely getting a Government of Conservative values and policies.

Precisely.

I thought these cuts were to encourage people who are on their way to ending up on long-term sick leave, to access support to get back to their old job or change to a new situation that may be less challenging.
There is a developing trend that increasing numbers of working age people are taking sick leave because of stress, other mental health issues, or chronic pain without a progressive diagnosis but not finding a way of getting back to work. The trend is accellerating and has two worrying consequences - first the drain on the benefits system but also most of these people would want to be back working but the longer they are off, the less likely that is to happen.
Absolutely not that they are benefit cheats, just that being off-work too long may be making the original condition worse, & led to a downward spiral in health & confidence.
So making it harder to get the health element of Universal Credit could focus everyone on trying to identify how to get people back into the workplace at the optimal time & in the gentlest way possible.

What is ironic is that even the initial welfare cuts proposed by Labour were considerably less harsh than those proposed by the Tories. People don’t always join the dots.

These cuts are not only cruel, but they are totally unnecessary. The national economy isn't a household or a business. It doesn't have to earn money or run a surplus. It should spend public money, which it creates itself, to maximise the wellbeing of all citizens. We would particularly expect a Labour government to be mindful of that.

As it is, the only wellbeing that is being improved is that of the already wealthy. Are you, for example, aware that when the wealthy buy government bonds with the government money that they have already sucked out of the economy by way of rents and excessive business profits, they are paid interest on those bonds by the government,(at above inflation rates of interest so they are gaining more money all the time) and so are in receipt of even more government money?

Oh, sorry, I see I have quoted from Casdon's post, not Cossy's Apologies, Cossy 😕

Yes I know MaizieD, but that wasn’t my point, which was how short peoples memories are, and how much personal political leanings affect the tone of posts if they don’t compare and contrast before they post.

Just possible that these semi U turns are part of a crafty plan to make them look good.

No WFP . . . Now they’re giving to smaller number and getting praised.

Cutting benefits -but now still cutting them but changing the rules-a victory ?

Will this be the pattern? Harsh cuts then backtrack to a less harsh cut?

PIP does not have a high fraud rate, it is minimal.

Mollygo

Just possible that these semi U turns are part of a crafty plan to make them look good.

No WFP . . . Now they’re giving to smaller number and getting praised.

Cutting benefits -but now still cutting them but changing the rules-a victory ?

Will this be the pattern? Harsh cuts then backtrack to a less harsh cut?

That thought has crossed my mind too Mollygo . There just might be some hope (but don't hold your breath) then for the WASPI women 🤞🤞

Another example of Labour not thinking things through.
They do need to get the able bodied into work. At the moment the 18-25 age group have the highest number of people not in education, training or employment. These young people are the future of our country and it does not bode well to have so many not gaining experience and skills and not contributing to the UK economy.
Unfortunately, Labour lump everyone together in their proposals. We saw it with the WFP and the VAT increase on schools. Both good ideas but rushed through without proper consultation or looking at the bigger picture.

I wasn’t expecting a lot from this Labour Government, so far they are living down to my expectations.

They are very adept at changing their minds, now the backbenchers have the bit between their teeth controlling the front bench, it will be interesting to see what they do (or don’t do) next.

Maybe if that Rachel woman was made redundant and they got a properly qualified and experienced money manager in things might improve? I tend to blame Starmer because he sets my teeth on edge but perhaps it is really her who is causing all the problems.

Our new, young Labour MP is looking very carefully at this new bill and is keeping us informed as to what the implications are. She, like Labour, is getting a lot of flak for changing her mind but politics isn’t straightforward and maybe welfare and social care does need to be changed. In my street there is one house in which a young autistic man lives who has 24 hour care with two people and another on end of life care and nurses are arriving throughout the day and night.It’s made me realise how much social/welfare care costs.

Which one of those people on your street do you think should get less care MayBee70, in order to reduce the costs?

I am pretty sure that's not what Maybee is suggesting.

Ilovecheese

Which one of those people on your street do you think should get less care MayBee70, in order to reduce the costs?

That's a bit unkind. MB70 didn’t imply that either of them deserved less care, only that it exemplified the differing social and welfare costs.

Ilovecheese

PIP does not have a high fraud rate, it is minimal.

I’m sorry but I have to disagree, PIP fraud is on the up and it’s been that way since Covid. Daughter number 2 is a Manager in our local DWP fraud department.

Sarnia

Another example of Labour not thinking things through.
They do need to get the able bodied into work. At the moment the 18-25 age group have the highest number of people not in education, training or employment. These young people are the future of our country and it does not bode well to have so many not gaining experience and skills and not contributing to the UK economy.
Unfortunately, Labour lump everyone together in their proposals. We saw it with the WFP and the VAT increase on schools. Both good ideas but rushed through without proper consultation or looking at the bigger picture.

I actually agree with most of what you say here. Far too many 18-25 not in employment and many mental health issues which need addressing. Work, generally, is good for mental health, provided it’s the right kind of work and proper support s offered.

I also agree with your comments re WFP and VAT.

MayBee70

Our new, young Labour MP is looking very carefully at this new bill and is keeping us informed as to what the implications are. She, like Labour, is getting a lot of flak for changing her mind but politics isn’t straightforward and maybe welfare and social care does need to be changed. In my street there is one house in which a young autistic man lives who has 24 hour care with two people and another on end of life care and nurses are arriving throughout the day and night.It’s made me realise how much social/welfare care costs.

They both need it and yes, it costs us but isn’t that the kind of society we want to be?
Certainly it’s good if younger people can get a job and keep it, it’s what they should be doing, but cutting benefits and saying that’s what will get them a job won’t happen and if they can’t be employed what then?

Ilovecheese

Which one of those people on your street do you think should get less care MayBee70, in order to reduce the costs?

I did not say that they are not deserving of the care they are being given. One of them is someone I’ve known for 50 years and it’s heartbreaking to see them so ill so I’m quite insulted by your accusation. I just pointed out how people, myself included, don’t comprehend how much these things cost.

Cossy

Sarnia

Another example of Labour not thinking things through.
They do need to get the able bodied into work. At the moment the 18-25 age group have the highest number of people not in education, training or employment. These young people are the future of our country and it does not bode well to have so many not gaining experience and skills and not contributing to the UK economy.
Unfortunately, Labour lump everyone together in their proposals. We saw it with the WFP and the VAT increase on schools. Both good ideas but rushed through without proper consultation or looking at the bigger picture.

I actually agree with most of what you say here. Far too many 18-25 not in employment and many mental health issues which need addressing. Work, generally, is good for mental health, provided it’s the right kind of work and proper support s offered.

I also agree with your comments re WFP and VAT.

Proper support won’t be offered, you can bet your boots it’s all talk.All that will happen is that benefits will be cut.

I'll be voting Reform at the next GE. I don't like Farage but despise Labour. In regard to cutting benefits they need to go after the ones who are claiming fraudulently and those that choose not to work but can.

I actually admire Starmer for pulling back on PIP, perhaps he has listened to his colleagues and not dug his heels in!
Money needs to be found I am quite happy to pay more tax (sadly I pay very little)

Stiff

I'll be voting Reform at the next GE. I don't like Farage but despise Labour. In regard to cutting benefits they need to go after the ones who are claiming fraudulently and those that choose not to work but can.

So can you tell me which Reform policies are the ones that have made you decide to vote for them? I thought the whole point of the Labour reforms are aimed at tackling fraud and helping people get back to work? So what don’t you like about them. Are you not concerned at Reforms apparently interest in private health care?