News on the domestic front

Whitewavemark2

Pity they didn’t speak out when it was becoming ever more clear during the Tory government that prison spaces was a crtitical issue!

Were they considering releasing those guilty of manslaughter, in particular a serving police officer?

GrannyGravy13

Whitewavemark2

Pity they didn’t speak out when it was becoming ever more clear during the Tory government that prison spaces was a crtitical issue!

Were they considering releasing those guilty of manslaughter, in particular a serving police officer?

I don’t know - but what I am saying that the right wing press had little to say about the issue which caused the crises of spaces during the Tory government.

+Whitewavemark2* they (Conservatives) commissioned new prisons and spaces.
HMO Five Wells opened in 2022, HMO Fosse Way opened in 2023.

Along with planning/development groundwork for sites like HMO Millsike, Yorkshire, alongside projects in Leicestershire and Buckinghamshire.

Slow delivery and over budget estimates that the full 20,000 target will not be completed until 2031 , 5 years later than the original estimate/plan.

Source AI

Not HMO, HMP 😡

I appreciate not everyone shares my lasting horror at the damage Austerity caused. In criminal justice the disastrous privatisation of the Probation Service, schemes aimed at alternatives to prison closed. redundancy for senior police and prison officers taking much needed experience to support newer recruits. Court timetables further and further behind.
Youth work, family support units, mental health, drug and alcohol treatment units, all decimated.
Prevention, more focus on rehabilitation all confirmed by research to be more effective than prison. HMP is necessary to protect society of course but the focus needs to move from punishment to prevention. It’s financially expensive to try to repair years of underfunding and rejection of research. It’s financially and socially expensive to continue getting it so wrong

Iam64

I appreciate not everyone shares my lasting horror at the damage Austerity caused

The long-term impact of these cuts is now being felt. I understand why they were considered necessary but, as usual, those with the least often bore the greater burden.

... Schools, Hospitals, Justice
... Local Government and Municipal Care
... Transport and Energy

Who hasn't to some degree or other, been affected in these sectors, either through the cutting of capital investment - or decimated budgets?

I think AB abstaining on the ADB is a good thing. In fact, much as the idea of a referendum fills me with dread, I don't think it is the sort of thing that we should allow others to decide for us.

My MP is a religious man, and I fully respect that. But I don't think he has the right to make decisions on my behalf based on his religious views. I voted for political representation, not for religious perspectives.

Wrt grab bags - are people scrabbling for things to criticise? I have had an emergency box since I married at 22. In the event of flood, snow, power outage or other emergency we can put our hands on a torch, primus, batteries, first aid kit and other essential items in the dark, and I keep bottled water and dried food on a 'just in case' basis. I rotate the water, and batteries every now and again, but otherwise it lives in the bottom of a cupboard undisturbed.

I also have a small overnight bag with a nightdress, slippers, a phone charger and travel toiletries in it in case of an emergency hospital visit. There is even a book in there. If I had an accident or something like a burst appendix I could grab it (or tell Mr Dog where it is so he could bring it into hospital) and know I have essentials.

I don't live in fear and expectation of an apocalypse, but it's good to know they are there - if we were asked to decamp to the town hall or somewhere and had to scrabble about for assorted miscellanea it could take ages, and in a stressful situation we'd probably forget something, and I remember when a friend had to go to hospital by ambulance and sent her husband out with a shopping list - it wasn't ideal.

I appreciate not everyone shares my lasting horror at the damage Austerity caused

People might not share your horror, Iam64 but they are experiencing the effects of austerity still and are expressing their displeasure by loss of trust in government and turning to parties like Reform who tell them that the main parties are useless and promise to improve their situation (by getting rid of immigrants).

Austerity has never left us. The Starmer government may have called it 'hard choices', but it was just austerity under a different name and it looks as though Burnham's government is going to be just the same, with the Chancellor, John Healy wittering on about 'maxing out the credit card' and rowing back on the increased spending on defence which he called for when he was the Minister for defence, and resigned over when it didn't look to be forthcoming.

I am in despair right now. Burnham declared that in government he would undo the neoliberal damage caused over the past 40 years but continuing with the same old economic beliefs and policies will do absolutely nothing to repair it.

A country is not a household or a business, it cannot run out of the money that it issues. It doesn't have to make a profit; in fact, it can only make a profit at the expense of making a considerable number of its citizens poorer and putting companies out of business because the government's deficit is the money individuals have available to purchase more than just the necessities of life and save for the future. And if people can't purchase more than just necessities, companies go out of business because no-one is buying from them, That 'no-one' includes the government. Many businesses failed or contracted when the budgets for public services were cut in the name of 'austerity' and 'balancing the books'.

The government issues our money via state spending. The limit on what it can spend without creating inflation is the availability of resources for it to purchase. If the government doesn't issue our money where is it going to come from?

Whitewavemark2

I am disappointed that Burnham has withdrawn his support for the cap on political donations.

Billionaires must be stopped from buying their way into our politics.

This, to me is the most disappointing thing so far. It was one of the most important things going through parliament imo. I can see no justifiable reason to remove it.

Andy Burnham plans to release prisoners who have been kept indefinitely, sometimes 20 years for minor offences - eg stealing a phone. IPP - imprispnment fot public protection. Some of these prisoners have learning problems or are repeat offenders but they are not a danger to the public. Tragicaly some prisoners took their own lives when they were refused release.
This should free up some space in prison?

But it's really important that such prisoners get help when released, not just thrown out into the community with no back up.

MayBee70

But it's really important that such prisoners get help when released, not just thrown out into the community with no back up.

As we apparently still have 'no money' where do you think the help will come from?

Oreo

Butterandjam you must live somewhere really remote and maybe near a river so at danger of floods or somewhere in danger of wildfires, unlike most people in the UK so it makes sense for you do that.
It always is a good idea for all of us to keep torches/camping gas stoves/ and tinned goods in the house for power cuts but for the vast majority of us we do not require grab bags and never have done.

You must be living under a rock.

Stourbridge; 19 homes destroyed by wild fire, July 26
Nethybridge; village of 600 people evacuated during Cairngorm wildfire , July 26
Coalsnaughton, May 26; sudden subsidence , 260 evacuated; 60 homes damaged so severely there will be compulsory demolition.

In 2025, the UK experienced significant flooding, particularly in North West England and the East Midlands. Major incidents were declared by Greater Manchester Police in response to flooding across several areas, including Bolton, Didsbury, Harpurhey, Stalybridge, Stockport, and Wigan. The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service reported attending over 100 incidents and evacuating almost 1,000 people due to the floods.

Yes, flooding is a big risk in some areas, and others get cut off regularly because of heavy snow. Wildfires are increasing in number, and water/power outages can mean people leaving their homes for days.

A grab bag needn't have a lot in it, but if there is a sudden need to go to hospital it can make the difference between having clean pants and a phone charger when you need them and not - not life-threatening, but you'd be much more comfortable at a stressful time. How is keeping a small bag with a few items in it anything other than sensible?

MaizieD

The Starmer government may have called it 'hard choices', but it was just austerity under a different name and it looks as though Burnham's government is going to be just the same, with the Chancellor, John Healy wittering on about 'maxing out the credit card' ...

You just know don't you when a government or politician reduces complex economic policies into these catchy repeatable phrases, that we are entering yet again into the realm of Kitchen-Table Economics - and that's a sure indication of continuing Austerity.

And when they witter on about those "hard choices" we know exactly what that means, it means more of the same-old-same-old.

AB is going to tinker around the edges, but he won't rock the boat.

Iam64 I'm glad you raised the privatisation of probation.

In 2014 the Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition invented "Transforming Rehabilitation" (under Chris Grayling). Well it certainly did that!!

Even the people tasked with explaining it didn't believe it would work - I remember the meetings about it, nobody had any idea how and if it might work and were unable to answer even basic questions about it.

The Community Rehabilitation Companies took the easy pickings (80%) for £££ and took the financial hit for anything tricky. They were bailed out of course.

The ridiculous upheaval lost great comitted and experienced staff and years later they tried to recruit. Obviously new recruits need mentoring by experienced people... oh yes! Of course, really experienced staff had left!

There was NO pilot study - just ideology.

www.crimeandjustice.org.uk/transforming-rehabilitation-evolution-or-revolution?hl=en-GB

there was no pilot study - just ideology

I’m with you in feeling angry at what happened to the Probation Service. Training was over two years and supported by a small salary from the Home Office. Applicants were expected to be over 25, with relevant experience, A level standard education. A relevant degree meant applicants under 25 considered . Recruitment and retention wasn’t an issue. PO’s were drawn from varied age, employment and life experience. The focus continued in the Service’s early aims, to advise, assist and befriend.
The development of alternatives to prison, through care for offenders in prison, group work, bail and longer term hostels wasn’t perfect of course but it was often very good.

Ideology in 2014 seemed focussed on privatisation of public services. Sure Start a prime example of its disastrous impact. The research is clear. Early Years, support services earlier than when crisis is running the show. We need to accept good public services underpin healthier societies, cost money but are cost effective

I think we are often on the same page with this - Probation/Prison and SureStart, Iam

butterandjam

Oreo

Butterandjam you must live somewhere really remote and maybe near a river so at danger of floods or somewhere in danger of wildfires, unlike most people in the UK so it makes sense for you do that.
It always is a good idea for all of us to keep torches/camping gas stoves/ and tinned goods in the house for power cuts but for the vast majority of us we do not require grab bags and never have done.

You must be living under a rock.

Stourbridge; 19 homes destroyed by wild fire, July 26
Nethybridge; village of 600 people evacuated during Cairngorm wildfire , July 26
Coalsnaughton, May 26; sudden subsidence , 260 evacuated; 60 homes damaged so severely there will be compulsory demolition.

In 2025, the UK experienced significant flooding, particularly in North West England and the East Midlands. Major incidents were declared by Greater Manchester Police in response to flooding across several areas, including Bolton, Didsbury, Harpurhey, Stalybridge, Stockport, and Wigan. The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service reported attending over 100 incidents and evacuating almost 1,000 people due to the floods.

My rock is in the South East of England, where’s yours?
Of the cases you mention, there would have been time to stuff a few essentials into a bag before leaving as you have time to see what’s coming your way.
I have no need of a grab bag and neither do most residents of the UK.
It’s a case of if you want one then you have one.

Dickens

MaizieD

The Starmer government may have called it 'hard choices', but it was just austerity under a different name and it looks as though Burnham's government is going to be just the same, with the Chancellor, John Healy wittering on about 'maxing out the credit card' ...

You just know don't you when a government or politician reduces complex economic policies into these catchy repeatable phrases, that we are entering yet again into the realm of Kitchen-Table Economics - and that's a sure indication of continuing Austerity.

And when they witter on about those "hard choices" we know exactly what that means, it means more of the same-old-same-old.

AB is going to tinker around the edges, but he won't rock the boat.

I think MaizieD is right on this but hope it turns out she is wrong in that AB doesn’t go down the conventional austerity route but chooses to be radical.

I think we can decide if we need stuff ready or not.
We used to travel with a spade in the boot of the car in winter in case we got snowed out or stuck in a drift.

Now we have hi-vis puffer jackets in the boot to make us visible in a dark lane or on a motorway if we had an accident.
If we lived in remoter areas of Scotland (say) I expect we might still carry a spade too.

We have a big pantry cupboard and could eat our way through the foods in there easily enough.

Water is another thing altogether though. I wonder how many litres of water people who store water actually keep in stock.
Please can you tell me if you store water and if so, how much?

I don’t store water, other than in the rain tub in the garden. Talking about basic preparations in case of emergency is a prompt to me to get a few things in a bag
This time a year ago I was blue lighted from remote countryside to an A and E an hour away, query series of tia’s.
Luckily I always take my prescription list in a small plastic wallet, along with enough meds to see me throiugh a few more days than I’ll be away.
Even more fortunate, I was with my daughters and two friends who were nurses. They could see I was in an out, confused, exhausted and not myself. Paramedics were wonderful
. The an and e consultant and team waiting. The consultant was relieved he could see my stroke risk from the meds prescribed. He reassured me that as I’m medication compliant, my high risk is lowered.
CT scan full exam chest X-ray )chest rattling). - they admitted me for twenty four hours. My meds were given, my daughters brought my bathroom bag with toothbrush, toothpaste moisturiser and a sweat shirt as I was transported in my nightie.

I’m relieved to say - I had a stroke, I had a heavy viral load that mimics tia symptoms. Probsbly the new Covid variant. I was advised rare but well documented, 6-8 weeks recovery time. They were right 🌞
So thanks for the nudge to have a similar bag ready

If anyone is old and lives on their own a hospital bag could be a good idea ( as long as you’re not so ill or confused that you can’t say where it is).If you live with somebody they can take things in for you, and prescriptions/ lists of meds aren’t necessary now as it can be easily accessed online and the meds themselves are then sent to the ward you’re in from the hospital pharmacy.I know this as DD1 was taken in by ambulance last year.
As for storing water, who does that? Plastic bottles of water have sell by dates and only of use to those who don’t have mains water (how many would that be?)

Glad that you recovered well Iam64 that must have been a very frightening episode for you.
Paramedics are always wonderful I think 😃

That's exactly the sort of situation I mean, Iam. It's particularly important for people who live alone, but I like to think that I've thought of everything, and Mr D wouldn't need to try to find a phone charger, or know which pants I wanted.

NotSpaghetti I usually have maybe 8x 2 litre bottles of water. There's no point in having lentils and pasta, which keep more or less indefinitely, if you can't rehydrate them. It would last a few days if we were careful with it, as there are usually plenty of other things to drink as well.