Radio 4 and Starmer

Luckygirl3

We need higher taxes and more services for everyone, including the resurrection of Sure Start.

Scandinavian countries have high taxes and excellent services. Do the citizens bugger off to low tax countries? No they don't. They have a sense of loyalty and community and understand that you have to pay in to get the benefits.

But dear Thatcher convinced everyone that "there is no such thing as community" and it is every man for himself and profit is god. WE have yet to shake this off.

Starmer is dithering about not wanting to offend the Thatcherite vibe that runs through our society now, rather than getting on and pursuing socialist policies to improve our infrastructure and services - we are just getting a watered down version of what came before. And as for the visuals of going straight for the benefits system and the winter fuel payment ..... does he not have PR advisors who might tell him that this is not a good look for a Labour government? I am surprised he should need telling - his backbenchers are telling him now.

What is the point in my and many other millions of people voting Labour if they do not behave like a Labour government?

I admire his stance on the international stage though - he is playing that one just right I think in the face of lunatics in charge in the US, China, Israel, Russia etc.

This.

The important thing imo ( and I thought the government were going to do this) is to educate people from an early age in a healthy lifestyle*. Which I think they’re doing with free breakfasts etc. It will cost more than Sky subscriptions etc to pay for private health care.
*although I must point out that the older I get the more I realise that a lot of awful medical conditions are just downright bad luck .

Teazel2 What happens if one can't afford Sky subscriptions or healthcare?

Those who can afford private health care are already making use of it, while still contributing to the NHS.

MayBee70

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?

I think private healthcare may not be such a bad idea, other countries so this and it seems to work, it may be better to prioritise this before Sky subscriptions etc. healthcare is so important and if it delivers prompt treatment may be a price worth paying. Obviously there would need to be a safety net for those unable to do so.

Whiff, I hope my post didn’t imply everyone claiming pip is a fraud. My point remains that the system needs an overhaul. Not a rush to try and save money, an overhaul. One of the proposals is once granted claimants won’t have to jump through the hoops repeatedly.
We need mh , including drugs/alcohol services rebuilding.
I don’t envy this government faced with all our public services, including the nhs on their knees

Anyone considering a Reform vote needs to look at its policies forensically. Farrage a snake oil salesman and plans to privatise the nhs

Iam64 it took me 35 years to get disability benefits and I was born disabled. The robots at PIP gave me zero on everything. This was March 2022. The only way I got PIP was the Brain Charity got me a solicitor so I could go to tribunal which I went to in August 2023.

Thankfully a support worker from the charity went with me incase I needed a hand to hold . I didn't think I would win . But the judge apologised for the way I had been treated and awarded me enhanced PIP for living and enhanced PIP for mobility indefinitely. The decision comes on Crown court paper. So the buggers can't take it off me . And the judge backdated it to went I asked for the forms .

I had nothing but money worries since 2004 when my husband died . The money my husband left ran out just as my mom died and got have of her inheritance.

PIP saved me from having no money . As I had worked out that my savings would have run out before I got my state pension last year. Told my daughter who told me they would pay my bills but no way would I have accepted them doing that.

CA helped me get less than £100 pension credit but it meant I got warm home discount from EON and winter fuel allowance. The winter before I only had my heating on 3 hours a day. Which made my neurological condition worse as my limbs are effected and made my heart condition worse.

We are no all frauds . My brother is carer to my sister in law who has MS because he gets his state pension this year. It will be taken off him .And yet my sister in law needs more care and in a wheelchair went out of their bungalow.He will be £2 over to get any pension credit. My sister in gets her state pension in 3 years. She was only awarded enhanced PIP for living and enhanced PIP for mobility 18 months and she had to retire at 52 because she worked for the NHS she got her private pension. But it was taken off her when she married my brother and told she will get it back when she gets her state pension. They have been married 9 years.

Thankfully they said PIP payments will not be taken of us. But next year it will be harder to get PIP.

I don't mean to offend you, Maybee70 but point out that those are the decisions that have to be made in order to save money . (and save Rachel Reeves career)

The pip and sickness benefits system needs over hauling. Like Cossy, I’ve seen fraud in both. I’ve seen decent hard working people with less disposable income than their neighbours who get e tra benefits due to substance addictions.
We have growing numbers of 18-24 year olds on sickness benefits because of anxiety and depression. Isolating in their. Bedrooms is no solution. The increasing dependence on an unfair system is unsustainable.

Let’s hope Starmer, his ministers and advisors now understand the need to discuss the changes needed with their
MPs

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?

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)

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 🤞🤞