Nervous/anxious/scared about the Autumn budget 2024

But to look at it from the other perspective aren’t you nervous/anxious/scared about the awful state of public services? The NHS, social care system, schools etc are all in desperate need of more money. And the only way they get money is through the taxation system.

I’m not naive - I know there’s no guarantee that higher taxation automatically results in rapid improvements to public services. But I sure as hell prefer a government that is at least trying to improve these things, rather than the Tories who frankly couldn’t give a shit about state schools, NHS waiting lists etc.

Lord Darzi has no relevant experience? He’s learned nothing in 40 years in healthcare? The high performing teams being used to spread good practice have no relevant experience?

@spanieleyes22 what exactly do you think is going to be proposed to adversely impact you enough to be "terrified"

Honestly all this fuss about a moderately centre left government!

I’ll believe it when I see it, and whether it’s carried out by people with actual relevant experience.

I hate that people like me (those who earn under £250k and aren’t internationally mobile) are and will always be the cash cows for these taxes. The governments of the UK are always too chicken shit to apply taxes where they will raise the most money (corporations).

Then you have your wish because that’s precisely what Streeting is planning.

I think they've pretty much confirmed that they'll be extending the current freeze on income tax thresholds from 2028 to 2030.

That’s good because again some of the lowest paid workers work in warehouses and nobody wants them behind their houses so often away from public transport and can be rubbish hours.

Pay per mile is 100% going to come in at some stage. Perhaps not yet, but definitely in the future.

They've ruled that out.

Have a look at income tax bands in Scotland, we are paying more tax the rUK and I think they might decide to do the sane and adjust bands in England too.

Yes not gonna lie I'm scared. I am literally struggling to have enough for food. I don't understand why they are not going after big business and the richest among us. Plenty of neighbours around my area who have o much money they don't know what else to buy. I had high hopes of Labour tackling the inequality in society but tbh they seem very similar to the tories .

I'm concerned about the rumours of taxing car drivers by the mile. Surely it won't happen?

Starmer delivered a doom and pain press conference weeks before the event, and is still going with harsh fiscal reality lines, what did Labour think people would talk about?

I know it would take years, but they’ve known for years it’s unfit, but I’d love to see a thoroughly researched report on what works and what doesn’t with recommendations to change it. Almost like an inspection but carried out by those who know what they are talking about, so doctors, nurses, people who have hands on realistic experience in critical roles, people who have run businesses (properly) people with financial and restructuring experience who can give a real detailed breakdown and evidence backed recommendations.

The money seems to increase but quality seems to decrease. I understand the population has grown but it seems like there are lots of inefficiencies and I don’t see many plans other than odd pledges and yet more money being thrown into the NHS. It’s just not sustainable as it is but no one seems to have any real solutions.

No money has been thrown at schools. The number of children with SEND has risen massively and there are no changes to help schools meet the needs of these children. When I started teaching, we had speech therapy, behaviour support, learning support, autism support - specialists for all those services have now been removed. The number of TAs has dropped dramatically. The state of education was poor 10 years ago and is diabolical now.

I’m really surprised that unfreezing the tax on fuel is apparently off the table. Raises a lot of money potentially and bumps up their eco credentials.

All these complaints about how they are going to spend the money and throwing cash at the NHs without reforms, we can't know what's coming until the budget, and then after that each department can say what their plans are. I think with the NHS Streeting has said he wants to see changes before the money goes in.
I think too much of this is media created panic. We need to see what she says. It can't be worse than the Tories.

The £2 cap was always going to expire at the end of 2024. Labour are proposing to renew it but raise the cap to £3. It is a cap not a fixed price, bus companies and PTE are welcome to set fares below that - as they do in London.

Also huge amounts of low income people in London use buses. Round here, in an area with no tube, buses are crammed.

@Singinginthespring I meant more in terms of them looking a bit stupid for bringing it in for Jan in the first place.

@mummymeister r · Today 15:26

' yet fares in London arent going up. and who uses buses the most? yes thats right those on the lowest incomes and in rural areas.
so a second announcement hitting those on the lowest incomes following on from the winter fuel saga.'

That's it! it will affect me as someone with a lower income and it won't be a gain for anyone because I will simply reduce my frequency of travel, rather than add money into the pockets of transport operators, and have less disposable income to spend with local businesses. So everyone loses.

Not too late at all. They have only ever published draft docs for consultation and review.

What they are currently asking is all bursars to apply for VAT registration post the budget (when actual plans have been finalised)
get a VAT registration back, work out what needs VAT added and add it to invoices. Normal VAT registrations are taking 3 months currently. 1 Jan is looking totally unfeasible.

So you are fine with the RAC concrete and kids being educated in awful cold buildings.

Ok.

@Startingagainandagain yet fares in London arent going up. and who uses buses the most? yes thats right those on the lowest incomes and in rural areas.

so a second announcement hitting those on the lowest incomes following on from the winter fuel saga.

This is already affecting me as bus fares are going up. I don't have a car, live in a small town and rely on buses to go into the town centre.

It means I will travel less often and spend less money supporting my local shops/businesses...

I really am not sure that they are thinking things through.