to believe Lady Starmer should pay for her own clothes and personal stylists?

Only my opinion, but if Starmer axed the 25% CT discount and the free bus pass for pensioners in England it could do for him what the Poll Tax did for Thatcher.

Thanks. I thought so but wasn’t sure.

I agree with you, by the way, that any changes to these is unlikely because of the political and electoral damage it would self-inflict.

I can’t agree that buzz about this online is disinformation though. It’s no worse than most of what’s written about all parties’ policies, options and plans.

England only, as I said in 2nd paragraph of my post. Council tax policy and concessionary fares policy are both devolved.

Angela Rayner refused to answer a direct question and to read some of the posts on here you would think people were mad to wonder why.

In the absence of a definitive answer it's hardly surprising people will speculate but according to Mumsnet those people are "too bloody thick" and spreading misinformation which is "not in the spirit".

Speculation is not yet a crime. For those who wish it was, North Korea welcomes dissidents, they're just not very keen on letting you leave again.

Yes, I agree, this is my feeling too. This said, it would still be possible for them to confirm that the single householder discount was not being scrapped whilst not confirming wider changes to the CT system. This all feels rather odd and I wish there was a little more clarity around their overall strategy, if not the finer details.

The “policy” is speculation. You’re really splitting hairs now.

Personally I’m wondering whether it is being avoided as it would be coming in as part of a wider package of measures on council tax, such as changes to the valuation basis.

To say that Angela Rayner refused to confirm that Labour had no plans to cancel the single person discount is not speculation, it's a fact.

I think it’s speculation. 🙄

Exactly. Nobody said it was going to happen, but that it is being discussed and reported in reputable media sources. As another poster has mentioned, Labour may be 'testing the waters' - but they have certainly evaded answering direct questions about this, when they've been clear on other things. Please watch/listen to this question being evaded in PMQs and other key media interviews with cabinet members if you still believe this is 'fake news' 🙄

I think my post made the uncertainty quite clear but I don't think it's unreasonable to question why they have not clarified their intentions.

To be fair, Starmer was asked the direct question about this and the withdrawal of free TV licences for the over 75s in the House last week several times, and refused to answer. Subsequently number 10 confirmed there were no plans to withdraw the free TV licence but did not do the same for the council tax discount. So, while it is speculation, it's founded on more than just rumour

No, it's not (as you put it) 'fake news'.

Please see earlier post on page 3 where I have listed a number of reputable news sources. If your only source for news is social media then you may have missed all the reporting in proper news outlets.

This may or may not happen, it's a decision for the budget, but it is definitely being discussed as a possibility by journalists in reputable news sources.

I wouldn't take 'no plans to' as a nothing. There have been no plans to then discussions following

In response to @FOJN

Branding it as fake news or lies is pure gaslighting.

As is branding it as certainty. Currently it’s pure speculation.

The government have not confirmed it isn't true, they have not said this is what they intend either.

Angela Rayner said the government was not planning to increase taxes but evaded a more specific question about the single person council tax discount. I suspect they are testing the waters.

All major news outlets reported on her unwillingness to confirm Labour had no plans to cut the single person discount.

Branding it as fake news or lies is pure gaslighting.

but that would probably be the end of his career

How does this happen, what timeframe are you thinking of. He's got some years to go

Those spreading the lie are too bloody thick to understand Westminster does not even have the power to cancel the 25% council tax discount or to cancel the free bus pass for the whole of the UK.

Do you mean that that Westminster can’t make these changes at all, or can make them but only in England?

I disagree. In my constituency it’s so hard labour that there would be no point voting otherwise, unless to make a point. If we had proportional representation, which I still don’t understand why was not more popular, that would be less of an issue

Thanks PandoraSox I did see the council tax thing and reported it but MNHQ didn’t act. Why is MN HQ happy to have misinformation posted on their site? Definitely not ‘In the spirit’

Totally. This lie is being spread all over MN along with the lie that the free bus pass is going to be taken away from older people.

Those spreading the lie are too bloody thick to understand Westminster does not even have the power to cancel the 25% council tax discount or to cancel the free bus pass for the whole of the UK.

In theory, Starmer could cancel the 25% CT discount and the free bus pass in England alone, but that would probably be the end of his career.

Ultimately if you wish to advertise yourself as being more ethical and having more moral fibre than you opposition then you shouldn’t be handing out passes to people who buy you nice things or accepting gifts like clothing etc. Starmer is a millionaire, he can sort himself out you would think. He’s apparently worth 7 million!!

I have no problem with the PM’s wife helping British designers advertise their wares though, anything lent to her to wear is fine.

This Is fake news from social media.
the government have confirmed it isn’t true
Please don’t spread lies on here it could be very worrying for people to read them

Whose fault is it turnout is low? The only people to blame for voter apathy are voters. Perhaps we should make voting compulsory like Australia. If you don’t like it, do something about it. Nobody who didn’t bother to vote is in any position to complain, the answer lies in their hands.

All politicians are the same. Dirty sleazy and corrupt to the core. They are all on the take and all have their greedy snouts in the trough. Starmer and his wife are no different. Revolting.