The Budget

I'm sure it will be for some more than others. Surely there won't be big mistakes again. However, we're all happy for other people's money to be spent!

Absolutely dreading it.

If only I could avoid the whole circus, and as for the constant leaks and U turns on the leaks 🤬🤷‍♀️

I dread the never ending bashing of pensioners, all our fault for daring to live too long apparently. I worked for a local authority for ten years and left to start a family. My pension contribution was returned, no choice regarding freezing my pension, so lost what had been paid in by the council. When I returned 10 years later part time staff were not allowed to join the pension scheme. But always paid full NI stamp. Full time job later has provided a small pension which never increases due to the tax threshold. Would like to see more help for single people of all ages.

Retirees on the full state pension set to pay back £200 winter fuel payment in tax

Newspaper headline this morning.
But define full state pension
Those on the newer, Larger state pension, or those on the smaller full state pension?

[confused[ doesn't that have to be paid back if someone's income including their pension is £35,000?

Mollygo

^Retirees on the full state pension set to pay back £200 winter fuel payment in tax^

Newspaper headline this morning.
But define full state pension
Those on the newer, Larger state pension, or those on the smaller full state pension?

It will be based on total income, you pay back if you are over the tax threshold, not related to whether you are on the old or new scheme, because some on both schemes are above the threshold. If they don’t raise the personal allowance, more people will be above the tax threshold next year due to the rise in pensions from April.

Liloldlady

I dread the never ending bashing of pensioners, all our fault for daring to live too long apparently. I worked for a local authority for ten years and left to start a family. My pension contribution was returned, no choice regarding freezing my pension, so lost what had been paid in by the council. When I returned 10 years later part time staff were not allowed to join the pension scheme. But always paid full NI stamp. Full time job later has provided a small pension which never increases due to the tax threshold. Would like to see more help for single people of all ages.

I can sympathise Liloldlady
I worked for a local authority for ten years and left to start a family. My pension contribution was returned, no choice regarding freezing my pension, so lost what had been paid in by the council
Ditto but luckily when I returned to work when the youngest started school, I joined the Civil Service instead and could join their pension scheme so every little helps.

And yes, a tax increase more or less wiped out any increase in the CS pension in April.

I think that RR should have kept her nerve and increased income tax. We need to pay more to improve public services. I hope she commits to an overhaul of the council tax system.

These odds and ends she seems to be proposing risk annoying everyone without achieving enough.

She needs to boost the economy though. Making employers pay more national insurance contributions led to job losses and price increases. She needs to be smarter all round.

A dribble today - a sugar tax on milky drinks and coffees.

I don't buy them but I'm sure they go into children's lunch boxes and yes, the sugar in them is far too much and should be reduced.
However, it will just be replaced by that disgusting aspartame, which is far worse for children's health.

I doubt many will object to that being imposed though, as it just brings milk based drinks in line with other sugary drinks.

Casdon

I doubt many will object to that being imposed though, as it just brings milk based drinks in line with other sugary drinks.

I don't like aspartame being used in any drinks.

There must be another way.

Do you think aspartame would be added to milk based drinks, I don’t think that’s been done before? I’d hope they would just be less sweet with maximum 4.5% sugar, but still palatable without additives. I sometimes drink oat latte, and I’d definitely be happier if it had less sugar.b

Crisp manufacturers have managed to cut down on salt without using a substitute, I'm sure the same could be done with reducing sugar in these drinks.

Maybe children accustomed to the sweeter version might not like them at first (it is completely unnecessary to give children sugary drinks in the first place) but it wouldn't bother children who are new to them.

Headline just now in the Telegraph:

“Reeves betraying voters with benefits giveaway, say Labour MPs”
Chancellor’s plan to increase welfare spending by £15bn in Budget is ‘for the party and not the country’.

It’s an eye watering sum isn’t it?

Remember years ago when Budget speculation wasn’t this rife?
What happened?

Yes.
I have been listening to all the speculation, and that is what it seems like to me; tailored to suit the party (so they will retain votes) not the pressing needs of the country.
A weak leader who can't control the back benchers?
We shall see. It may be smoke and mirrors.
Remember when we were worried about the price of petrol, alcohol, cigarettes?

Allsorts

Buckle up,it's going to bepainfull.

Oh goody. Someone who's already seen the budget, the complete analysis and is going to tell us all about exactly why feelings aways beat facts for some people.

Funny to think a few weeks ago they wanted to CUT welfare by £5bn, now they are going to spend another £15bn.

Walking through town today, it’s quite obvious who will benefit from the removal of the 2 child cap.

Does that £15bn include the £3.5bn it will cost if the 2 child cap is lifted or will that be in addition?

Can I ask where this information is coming from, as I can’t see any announcements yet, apart from the sugar in milk drinks one?

Casdon

Can I ask where this information is coming from, as I can’t see any announcements yet, apart from the sugar in milk drinks one?

And Minimum and Living Wages have gone up.

Casdon

Do you think aspartame would be added to milk based drinks, I don’t think that’s been done before? I’d hope they would just be less sweet with maximum 4.5% sugar, but still palatable without additives. I sometimes drink oat latte, and I’d definitely be happier if it had less sugar.b

As I never add sugar to coffee at home or when out, I don't understand why sugar is added to those sold as ready drinks. Unless it's as a preservative?

It's on the BBC I player running commentary. - I suggest people read that before commenting further

*also announced is a rise in the minimum wage

*also announced is going the way of other big cities all over the world who have already laid a modest tax on tourists visiting the UK

*also announced is a new health plan to give very quick access to walk in heath care by 2035 (ie taking pressure off A and E except fro genuine A and E cases as well as taking pressure off GP's