Billions squandered by Home Office!

I'm not suggesting that poor government is the preserve of any particular party. The PFI initiative, introduced by Major's govt in 1992 was greatly expanded by the Blair govt and is frankly, IMO, an appalling way to fund government building projects, be they schools, hospitals or anything else. However, I genuinely think certain government decisions have had huge impacts on our present day experiences. Why anyone thinks it is possible to turn some of these ingrained problems around in a year or so, totally confounds me. Rome wasn't built in a day and the problems facing our society won't be solved with even a one term government but everyone seems to demand quick solutions.

When billions[and that is not even millions] of £s are wasted, no matter what taxes are raised, it wont turn things around properly, economically.

There's another thread on this topic on AIBU. One poster has done two long posts explaining how a national economy works. They are worth reading and digesting.

What isn't understood at all is that any money that the government spends into the economy doesn't disappear down a black hole (which is the assumption made by all the posters banging on about 'waste') The money stimulates economic activity which will be reflected in the GDP figures.

The only real 'waste' that occurs is when this money is not spent by its recipients but is taken out of the economy by being saved or used for speculation on the money markets with the sole objective of increasing the recipient's wealth. This is money that is not being used in productive economic activity.

I do agree though, that there can be a certain lack of rigor in the commissioning of government contracts, with contracts going to companies, organisations etc which make bids containing an excessive amount of profit, but, as it was noted in the hey day of PFI contracts, the civil servants involved in negotiating contracts don't necessarily have the expertise to counter experienced company's wiles when it comes to overcharging...

Whitewavemark2

People clearly don’t understand what the civil service does, judging by the comments on this thread.

Perhaps a thread explaining what it does would be a good resource?

I think you have to start one, Wwmk2 (if you haven't already, I haven't seen all the N&P threads yet)

My small knowledge of the civil service is based on uni lectures from a professor who was a researcher for the Fulton Report in the '60s, from reading some political memoirs and a couple of recent analyses of how the government 'works'. You know it from the inside, I think your view could be valuable.

What isn't understood at all is that any money that the government spends into the economy doesn't disappear down a black hole (which is the assumption made by all the posters banging on about 'waste') The money stimulates economic activity which will be reflected in the GDP figures.

Even if the likes of Ms Mone etc keeps it in her bank account??
Or someone takes the money and keeps it in a foreign bank account?

The reason I am not on the thread I presume you are talking about, is because I am fed up of disagreeing with some posters on the topic.
I dont see the point in reading up on something, only to disagree, yet again.

Visgir1

Well another front page headline about the civil service incompetence let's face it this has been going on for decades, it not just the lone politicians who made these decisions it's the experience Civil servants. Until we start calling out the civil service nothing will change.
Are the Tories finished.. No
I think the Labour Party might be finished if they don't get a hold on this.

In what way is it due to decisions by the Civil Service?

Which decisions?

The Tories are not finished.
They seem to be morphing into Reform just now.

Visgir1

Well another front page headline about the civil service incompetence let's face it this has been going on for decades, it not just the lone politicians who made these decisions it's the experience Civil servants. Until we start calling out the civil service nothing will change.
Are the Tories finished.. No
I think the Labour Party might be finished if they don't get a hold on this.

I don't understand what you mean. Please could you explain.

fancythat

^What isn't understood at all is that any money that the government spends into the economy doesn't disappear down a black hole (which is the assumption made by all the posters banging on about 'waste') The money stimulates economic activity which will be reflected in the GDP figures.^

Even if the likes of Ms Mone etc keeps it in her bank account??
Or someone takes the money and keeps it in a foreign bank account?

The reason I am not on the thread I presume you are talking about, is because I am fed up of disagreeing with some posters on the topic.
I dont see the point in reading up on something, only to disagree, yet again.

You didn't bother to quote my next paragraph, which addreses your point

The only real 'waste' that occurs is when this money is not spent by its recipients but is taken out of the economy by being saved or used for speculation on the money markets with the sole objective of increasing the recipient's wealth. This is money that is not being used in productive economic activity.

This is why 'the wealthy' need to have their opportunities to acquire so much wealth restricted or be subject to higher taxation. The money squirrelled away as you describe, or which is used for speculation, is unproductive, wasteful...

The reason I am not on the thread I presume you are talking about, is because I am fed up of disagreeing with some posters on the topic.^
😕

Other posters read up on things, too. Disagreement is allowed...

GrannyGravy13

My earlier knowledge of the Civil Service was garnered from Yes Minister and the Yes Prime Minister…

Not forgetting the Thick of It!