We are very much seeing the alignment of MPs after the budget. Starmer opened up PMQs with a statement that the government were issuing new guidance which could cut the cost of baby formula saying parents should save up to £500 a year. I can only agree with Phil Moorhouse that "one of the most visible signs of the desperate poverty we've seen in Britain these past few years is security tags on baby formula in supermarkets."
Back to the Budget and the alignment of MPs. The main themes have been tackling poverty for the left and complaints about expensive "handouts" from the right. The budget boosted the incomes of those struggling the most with the cost of living with particular focus on children via the removal of the two child cap on Universal Credit. On the other hand, the right-wing has attacked the budget as giving handouts to the idle whilst charging hard working people for it. We can see the latter has been picked up by the MSM, read by far-right followers and poured over the pages of Gransnet.
This balance was how PMQs continued. Several Labour MPs asked about the government's moves on poverty, while several of the Tory questions asked why we should even care about poverty. Again, a balance reflected on Gransnet.
After a seated snipe from the Opposition Leader Starmer listed that:
Growth is up this year defeating and beating the forecast.
Wages are up more since the General Election than in 10 years of the Tories.
We've had five interest rate cuts.
NHS waiting lists are down.
We've had record investment into this country.
Badenocks latest reason why Reeves should resign was put forward (oh how they must fear her) and easily dismissed. She then set her aim on the two child cap. She must have thought it was an easy win. The cap has shown to be popular with a majority of voters at this time. But she seems to forget is that child poverty itself, is not popular. The right do try to categorise those on benefit as scroungers, but many work, earning their poverty, or are retired pensioners. The rest are trying to find work. What do these people expect children to do? Starmer's reply was that half a million children had been lifted out of poverty. And that was the answer to all three of her questions on this.
So, this is where the parties are after the budget has had a few days to be considered.
DaisyAnneReturns
JamesandJon33
I read in the paper today that the government pay benefits to households who practice polygamy. Extra wives mean extra money. Is this true ?
I wonder which paper that was, and who owns it?
It’s true. The UK recognise polygamy= more benefits.
If you read the post it says in some places.
Actually I would say life classes might be a better word.
JamesandJon33
I read in the paper today that the government pay benefits to households who practice polygamy. Extra wives mean extra money. Is this true ?
I wonder which paper that was, and who owns it?
Galaxy
Or you know the thousand other possibilities that are available. Such as linking benefits with parenting classes in some places, or looking at what a mess we are making of mental health, etc.
What are you talking about? How do you know that everyone struggling with an a child or children above an arbitrary two while currently struggling with health, pay levels or both, needs parenting classes.
It seems we are heading for a coercive, authoritarian population-control policy if the right has its way.
I read in the paper today that the government pay benefits to households who practice polygamy. Extra wives mean extra money. Is this true ?
GrannyGravy13
Casdon
Moving on from personal anecdotes is helpful I hope. This is what the Independent Health Foundation has to say about the performance in the first year of government on waiting times.
www.health.org.uk/reports-and-analysis/analysis/one-year-on-is-the-government-on-track-to-meet-its-waiting-timesI saw my GP yesterday, i have now been referred to an orthopaedic specialist/surgeon as my knee hasn’t heeled properly after my accident in February this year.
Best case scenario for appointment 9-12 months, GP’s guesstimate 18-24 months.
Is that an improvement?
It could well be. The last governments have certainly driven the NHS into the ground.
Galaxy
I would firstly show some curiosity in the increase in all sorts of non working households since the pandemic in particular. I would look in particular to the growing incidence of young people claiming pip, or we could all just ignore it.
When there are sudden shifts or changes within population it is a good idea to examine that, it tends to be disastrous when those shifts are ignored.
It's quite possible these things are being done. None of thus happens overnight.
GrannyGravy13
Casdon
Moving on from personal anecdotes is helpful I hope. This is what the Independent Health Foundation has to say about the performance in the first year of government on waiting times.
www.health.org.uk/reports-and-analysis/analysis/one-year-on-is-the-government-on-track-to-meet-its-waiting-timesI saw my GP yesterday, i have now been referred to an orthopaedic specialist/surgeon as my knee hasn’t heeled properly after my accident in February this year.
Best case scenario for appointment 9-12 months, GP’s guesstimate 18-24 months.
Is that an improvement?
The figures are based on the average waits for each condition, for the whole of England. I’m not defending long waiting times in any way, just saying that you have to look at the big picture to see what is happening for Mr/Mrs Average.
The LP has always been bad at handling the media. The media is a monster that eats itself in order to get the public riled up and anxious about things which are often not well-researched or even clearly embellished for effect.
Starmer is particularly poor at communicating. I know lots of party members are offered help in public speaking but often this focuses on delivery and not about speaking with passion or conviction. Often the Labour front bench sound like robots.
They could learn a lot from Zak Polanski- who knows exactly what is needed to get people to listen. Passion and conviction without sounding like a robotic-school graduate.
ronib
I am in complete disbelief that resident doctors are going on strike for 5 days again in the middle of a flu attack. If the economy had truly improved, why have resident doctors not felt the benefits?
It’s a complete lie then?
I have no support for this coming strike, especially under the current NHS flu epidemic.
Or you know the thousand other possibilities that are available. Such as linking benefits with parenting classes in some places, or looking at what a mess we are making of mental health, etc.
Casdon
Moving on from personal anecdotes is helpful I hope. This is what the Independent Health Foundation has to say about the performance in the first year of government on waiting times.
www.health.org.uk/reports-and-analysis/analysis/one-year-on-is-the-government-on-track-to-meet-its-waiting-times
I saw my GP yesterday, i have now been referred to an orthopaedic specialist/surgeon as my knee hasn’t heeled properly after my accident in February this year.
Best case scenario for appointment 9-12 months, GP’s guesstimate 18-24 months.
Is that an improvement?
What do you think will happen to the children Mollygo? They could just be left to starve but I think it would be harsh to suggest Galaxy would think that a good idea. Care seemed the best of what is left if you choose not to support them at home.
MD
I'd be interested (genuinely) to know what sort of support Galaxy would suggest for these children while keeping them with their families.
I didn’t know Galaxy had suggested removing children from their families.
If it is being suggested that she did, where is the evidence for that. It’s not a very nice accusation.
I’d be equally (genuinely) interested to know what MD would suggest as a way to support the 1.2 million children from workless families.
I would firstly show some curiosity in the increase in all sorts of non working households since the pandemic in particular. I would look in particular to the growing incidence of young people claiming pip, or we could all just ignore it.
When there are sudden shifts or changes within population it is a good idea to examine that, it tends to be disastrous when those shifts are ignored.
DaisyAnneReturns
eazybee
I would say the electorate is split between those who feel so proud of helping 'The Poor' and rescuing the young from 'child poverty', and those who know something of the benefit system and despise the workshy.
Many on benefits are pensioners and many of those were women. Are you suggesting a 90 year old women is workshy.
58% of benefits go to pensioners. Many on benefits are working. I haven't got time to find the stats for you so the prejudiced can go on believing they are hard done by but I'm not sure where that gets anyone - other than a slight feeling of superiority.
According to government figures (straight from the ,gov.uk website, not AI) some 1.2 million children lived in 'long term workless' households in 2024.
Do we have evidence that this means they are all badly treated, neglected, badly educated etc? Or that they all grow up to avoid working themselves?
I suspect that the term 'long term workless' covers a number of scenarios, not all of which involve being
work shy'.
I also suspect that some of these families are 'working' quite actively..... in the black economy.
I'd be interested (genuinely) to know what sort of support Galaxy would suggest for these children while keeping them with their families.
🤣🤣🤣
As I said. If your experience has been shorter waiting times, you will believe any figures, produced by anybody that backs up your experience.
If your experience is worse or at least, not any better, you will know that those figures are not accurate for everyone.
😂
Moving on from personal anecdotes is helpful I hope. This is what the Independent Health Foundation has to say about the performance in the first year of government on waiting times.
www.health.org.uk/reports-and-analysis/analysis/one-year-on-is-the-government-on-track-to-meet-its-waiting-times
Mollygo exactly, the waiting times are being massaged to fit the message.
Over a year ago I was referred for a hospital appointment, the letter arrived quickly but the appointment was for a fortnight ago, which was just about a full year later.I couldn’t believe my eyes when the letter arrived.
It is often how things affect people personally that colours their view of what’s going on in politics.
E.g.
We are currently worse off financially than we were and RR didn’t help.
I have been on a waiting list for treatment since October 2024.
DH has been told it will be up to a 6month wait to get a referral which will get him onto a waiting list for treatment.
When the letter saying that arrived, we were so convinced that it was an error that we rang up and had it confirmed.
So when I listen to “waiting lists are down” it sounds like a lie.
Well no I never mentioned taking children into care, I don't think it is compassion to not address the issue of families who don't work, there is also the concern around the increase in not working in young people. It isn't compassion it is neglect not to address these issues.
I am in complete disbelief that resident doctors are going on strike for 5 days again in the middle of a flu attack. If the economy had truly improved, why have resident doctors not felt the benefits?
It’s a complete lie then?
Galaxy
If parents are in families where no one works or will ever work those children aren't being rescued they are being abandoned.
How many families does that actually apply to Galaxy? Where are the statistics that show the truth or otherwise of what you are saying. And are you really saying it's better to take those children into care than let loving, albeit disabled or currently unemployed parent/s care for them if they are able to do so with help? Doesn't this have shades of the poorhouse. What has happened to compassion?
If parents are in families where no one works or will ever work those children aren't being rescued they are being abandoned.
Registering is free, easy, and means you can join the discussion, watch threads and lots more.
Register now »Already registered? Log in with:
Gransnet »Get our top conversations, latest advice, fantastic competitions, and more, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
