To think putting vat on private healthcare when many people use it because the NHS won't treat them is monstrously cruel

There literally just going to confirm day to day until the budget. VATs not changing today, then next the day nope VATs not changing today, until we get to budget day when they go baam VATs going up to 25% today.

Just to keep the markets on their toes.

wtf is this 😬

Hilarious. What numpties they are

No idea, just Darren Pocket Money Jones saying that they have kept their pledge to not raise VAT...but now it's tomorrow today...and that if you are confused, don't worry about it.

🤷🏼‍♀️ No clue

wtf is this 😬

The government have been clear on this: Don't worry about it.

"Sir Keir Starmer’s right-hand man has said “you don’t need to worry” about a potential rise in VAT.

Challenged on his remark that the manifesto pledge not to raise VAT “stands today”, Darren Jones, the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister said: “Now it’s tomorrow today and it still stands.”

Pressed to explain his language, Mr Jones said: “You don’t need to worry about it.”

Because Labour lied about the figures and impact. They sold it as "kill the rich" policy and then gaslit everyone. They ran it on incredibly divise language which Phillipsob continues to use. They try to drag us back to 1960s class warfare.

That's why some people supported it. I'm not sure there's any evidence that people voted Labour ij specifically for this policy? Majority just wanted Tories gone and would have voted for Labour if the manifesto had been a blank piece of paper.

Jumping an NHS queue for a private hysterectomy is the same as getting your SEND kid the private educational help they need. The only difference is one recipient is old enough to vote, the other isn’t. Or do you value kids less?

It isn't even a lottery - there is a top rated state school in the next county to me and the house prices in the catchment area are extortionate compared to a similar properties in neighbouring areas. Over the last 2 decades house prices just in catchment have rocketed. Rich people move there to get their child in, then sell up once the child or children leave. Anyone who can't afford a million for a house has no chance.

Yet its not. In NE we constantly and consistently get lowest GCSE and A level grades in England whilst London get the top. Education is a postcode lottery. Blaming independent schools is a distraction from Labour and yourself from not improving state schools.

Does she come across as someone who has any idea whats going on? In her conference speech yesterday she spoke about all the money she spending but nothing about where it is coming from. Simply to quote: "I will make my choices at that Budget." Helpful - she has 4 weeks and presumably praying for a miracle.

I think she will say nothing until she has the forecasts then go big and hope. My money is on VAT going to 25%. That would raise £40bn job done in one hit.

Yet its not. In NE we constantly and consistently get lowest GCSE and A level grades in England whilst London get the top. Education is a postcode lottery. Blaming independent schools is a distraction from Labour and yourself from not improving state schools.

Accident of birth shouldn't determine the quality of your education. Well resourced education should be an option for 'All' children and here in the UK, we are massively letting down our children with this two tier approach.

I think she will say nothing until she has the forecasts then go big and hope. My money is on VAT going to 25%. That would raise £40bn job done in one hit.

Where the fuck have I said that? You're putting words into my mouth which don't exist.

I am saying that for SOME families, they could afford independent schools but instead spend money on buying houses in best catchment areas for best state schools. That's optional so why not tax them? If you can afford a £2M house you can afford a 2-4K tax per year. After all that's what we were told!

So much of the budget is going to rest on how much we will be charged in interest on our debt mountain. And at the moment she has her fingers crossed that it will come down.

"Twisty's" posts were promoting the idea that private school is not exclusive and that any old person can afford it giving an example of £6000 fees, well I'm afraid that is bubble talk as you need to categorically have money to be able put aside £6000 for an education. Everybody I know who uses private school at least has £150000 income, this is for secondary age. Equally, as I am in the south east the parents are always 50 + as they have property bought when it was still affordable. I do have friends that would never choose private school as they think it is a waste of money but it isn't envy politics- believe me.

I don't actually think it is a big money raiser but to say it is available for all is just massively misleading and unfair on people who have no choice and live in dire situations. Just be thankful that you don't.

It just annoys me that there was an editorial choice to illustrate poverty with an approximation of neglect. It's not you fault, it just pisses me off.

Why don't we let the poor be represented with a bit of dignity?

She needs to go through the OBR process first. She probably doesn’t know how much is needed.

How do you know Reeves doesn't know what shes planning?