I feel, even though I’m a LP supporter, quite irritated already with Andy Burnham.
Quite honestly, even for the poorest, £45 (on average) reduction in an entire year (offset by cap rises plus the fact that this isn’t necessarily going to last for an entire year) and re-capping bus fares at £2 per journey, is this really what people want and does it truly make a “cost of living” difference.
Why, oh why, couldn’t he have simply increased the tax threshold and benefitted all low paid workers and pensioners?
We all know personal income tax will need to rise. Why not bite the bullet and just raise the threshold, then tax income tax at a higher rate?
I know he’s said he’ll look again at tax thresholds later, but it was said in such a way that I feel it simply won’t be unfrozen.
He faces all the same problems as Starmer, yet the two years work Starmer has done to try and stabilise things like the economy will simply become part of Burham’s legacy.
Maybe I need an early night and a nice glass of something? 🍷🥃🍸🍹
foxie48
"Why is alcohol more important than tea, coffee etc?"
Perhaps because the government receives a lot of revenue from those places that sell alcohol. There is an alcohol duty as well as a 20% VAT.
👏👏👏
Maremia
In attempting to cut the welfare bill, who do you 'sacrifice'?
Exactly. Helping to remove family’s barriers to work, decent work related training, better links with JCP work coaches to their local labour market, longer, more dedicated appointments with JCP work coaches, and very good career advice whilst in secondary school and finally easy and quick access to mental health services, will automatically cut welfare as people enter the labour market.
Tbf, it’s not rocket science.
"Why is alcohol more important than tea, coffee etc?"
Perhaps because the government receives a lot of revenue from those places that sell alcohol. There is an alcohol duty as well as a 20% VAT.
He can’t win. Whatever positive measures he introduces to support some businesses, others will scream unfair, and his opponents will scream why didn’t you do xyz as well, or instead. I don’t think cafes are struggling as much as pubs are on average, there seem to be new ones opening all the time, and they are busy, it’s a leisure activity of choice these days, but maybe it should be extended to restaurants as they are closing in numbers too.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a 20% business rates cut for pubs, social clubs, and live music venues in England, starting April 2027 to support the alcohol-serving hospitality industry.
The relief is designed to "prioritise the businesses that bring people together" and act as the "beating heart of our communities.
It’s a great idea for some of the places that have never really recovered since Covid.
For many people, old and young, restaurants and particularly cafés are also important as places to bring people together, so why are they excluded from the relief?
Why is alcohol more important than tea, coffee etc?
We are divided as a nation, and as Gransnetters, into people who think as you suggest, and people who do not object to paying more tax to support a fairer society Subshinegirls.
Well I'm certain most hardworking alarm clock britons infact anyone who has to pay tax doesn't want to pay anymore, why would they, we are taxed to the hilt.
Sunshinegirls
Why don't the so called Patriotic Millionaires get together and do something good for the country ie help the homeless etc etc or some other worthy cause they could get behind or just send some money to the tax man if they are that keen on paying more tax instead of all this virtue signalling.
I would imagine that most of them do charitable deeds; the best people don’t publicise it though so you often only find out after they’ve died. ( eg George Michael).
I find it strange too, Casdon . I'm certainly not in that category but I'd be happy to pay more tax because I want to live in a less divisive and fairer society. I already contribute to charities of my choice as do most of the "Patriotic millionaires" but this should be about government policy, not personal choice.
They have a website which explains all Sunshinegirls, here you are.
patrioticmillionaires.uk/
What have they actually done?
Sunshinegirls
Why don't the so called Patriotic Millionaires get together and do something good for the country ie help the homeless etc etc or some other worthy cause they could get behind or just send some money to the tax man if they are that keen on paying more tax instead of all this virtue signalling.
They aren’t ’so called’, they are part of a formal organisation of millionaires in the UK who lobby for a fairer society:
‘Patriotic Millionaires UK, exists to change the current economic system which is failing us all. We believe extreme wealth must contribute more so working people and those on low incomes aren’t endlessly picking up the pieces of a broken economy.’
It seems strange for people to object to their aims to me.
You’re more than welcome MayBee70☕️🍷
The group of millionaires are asking the government to tax them in their wealth over £10 million.
Why don't the so called Patriotic Millionaires get together and do something good for the country ie help the homeless etc etc or some other worthy cause they could get behind or just send some money to the tax man if they are that keen on paying more tax instead of all this virtue signalling.
NotSpaghetti
I am drinking wine with Cossy and Lizzydrip
"quick and gimmicky" is correct I feel.
Don’t drink wine but can I have a cup of tea with you all please?
Damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t, let’s give him a few months and then judge.
I am liking things so far.
Not sure what people would make of that as I am a floating voter.
Burnham should have everything sorted now and everyone off on a spending spree don't you know
Maybe he should … he’s been plotting this for 10 years.
I’m opening another bottle of wine Cossy & ‘NotSpaghetti’ 🍷
Patriotic Millionaires is the group of 120 asking to be taxed more.
I am drinking wine with Cossy and Lizzydrip
"quick and gimmicky" is correct I feel.
He's produced a palpable feel good factor. Obviously is aware of how the nation groaned when the first thing Keir did was remove the winter fuel allowance. He's off to a positive start.
I'm pleased that he's got Scotsman Sarwar right at the heart of Westminster govt. A poke in the eye to Scottish govt.
Yes, but this is how it starts, little niggles and denigrations and a quick post to gransnet - for what? . Sheesh!
Maybee70
So far: some bus fares capped to £2 instead of £3 for the whole of 2027.
Reduction of VAT on household electricity from 5% to zero for 6 months from October. This includes the electricity charges for all those fortunate enough to afford an EV who have a charger at home.
Public site charging costs will remain at 20%.
70%-80% of homes in the north use gas for their main heating source, but so far, no reduction on VAT for that.
As long as he doesn’t become another Michel Foot who you may remember was also just a leader of the Labour Party, very left wing and was known for wearing such shaggy clothes.
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