Is the U.K. really broken, or does it just need tinkering?

Very, very broken need to do something about those that have other homes in countries with tax advantages use the Infrastructure but don’t pay taxes .

The thing with private enterprise is that they are not in it because they love and respect you. They are in it to make money. There may be a lot of waste in public utilities but at least they are on the side of the people.

I would have more sympathy for RR if I wasn't currently spending a fair amount of my working week supporting families in absolute fear of losing their disability benefits. Not one family in my opinion is taking any
liberties with their claim and they genuinely feat being unable to afford to live without it.
I have explained nothing is decided yet but their fears are very real and placing tremendous stress on families already caring for people with significant health problems and disability. I wonder how much they already save the economy?

There are all sorts of private enterprises nanna8. They are not all huge faceless corporations. Thousands of small businesses support thousands of jobs and this contributes millions to the public purse via taxes. People who start businesses do it because they're interested and care about their product or service whatever that is. They may have borrowed to start the business and may not take any money from it in the early years.
Public service jobs are safe options for those who don't want to take risks.

Are all posted contribution to discussions visible? Or are some edited out? I can’t see what I contributed the other day, and I can’t see that it could have contravened any ethical guidelines…

Notagranyet1234

I would have more sympathy for RR if I wasn't currently spending a fair amount of my working week supporting families in absolute fear of losing their disability benefits. Not one family in my opinion is taking any
liberties with their claim and they genuinely feat being unable to afford to live without it.
I have explained nothing is decided yet but their fears are very real and placing tremendous stress on families already caring for people with significant health problems and disability. I wonder how much they already save the economy?

Have these people actually looked at the changes which are going to be made? I admit that I don't have any personal experience, but my understanding is that people with significant health problems and disabilities won't be affected. In fact, it would appear that some of the most severely ill and disabled will benefit because they won't be called for further assessments.

It seems to me that the media has done a good job at putting the fear of God into people who won't be affected.

The country isn't brilliant, but it's not on the verge of collapse either. I was in Glasgow last month and I know the city still has its problems, but it's a vastly better place than it was in the early eighties. Gang crime has mostly died out, sectarianism is far less of a problem, and large parts of the city have been regenerated. I can remember a walk on the Clyde would have been past derelict docks, empty shipyards, miserable looking council estates and you would have been laughed at for saying this would become a tourist area.
Nowadays Glasgow is a much more vibrant place. The entire western Clyde has been regenerated with television studios, hotels, tourist attractions, new housing and bank offices. People want to come to Glasgow, not try to get out the place, and the city also has a more diverse population than 40 years ago.
This is one example, but many other cities known for their social problems and negatiive image have really changed over the last 40 years. I think obviously there are problems, millions of people are poor and there is a negative mood in the county, but we've been through this before and got through it.

got through it

I suppose a lot of people ( self included) would like more than to be getting through.

I have shaved a bit of my DD for power, meaning I won't be building up credit for winter. Also stopped a charity DD as I can't afford it.

Anyhow, probably too personal.

daughterofbonniebelle

Are all posted contribution to discussions visible? Or are some edited out? I can’t see what I contributed the other day, and I can’t see that it could have contravened any ethical guidelines…

I should have been clearer here, sorry. I was thinking of things like water and electricity, possibly public transport. Certainly not small businesses! They are the lifeblood of our communities.

Reply was meant for Aveline . One of those days ….

Much needs changing, Conservative government in power for 14 years yet Labour under attack after 12 months

butterandjam

There is a lot to fix, but Conservatives had their chance and Reform will never be anything other than incompetent. You only have to look at Farage's ignominious "career" in politics.

Starmer has some redeeming qualities. His understanding of law, and real strengths as a statesman, in diplomacy and foreign affairs and handling Trump, that this country (and the world) cannot afford to lose right now.

Quite - how anyone could wish a return of the Tories at this critical point in time is beyond me. Can you imagine Boris dealing with Trump right now? Or even Sunak?