To think Labour is not the party of the working people.

But in answer to your earlier question it’s your posts on this thread that indicate you’re a Labour supporter

What posts on this thread illustrate I am a labour supporter?

And tell me when we had good growth?

We have the highest prices for electricity in the developed world. Thats down to government policy. Sorry. Green levies mainly. And the cost of renewables. Nick Clegg said no to nuclear too, the fool.

But why would Labour do that when data shows that is not where its core support lies?

But people don’t want to pay more tax, employers pay higher social security taxes, lower & middle earners pay more tax, etc. But housing costs here make it difficult to increase tax on those people.

Yes, before that it was due to the Ukraine crisis. Unfortunately, we get most of our electricity from burning gas, not oil. Oil-fired power stations have never been a big thing in the UK. One that was built near me in the ‘70s spent most of its life mothballed, only used during miners’ strikes.

No where did I post that? I think Labour have more issues than one.

But in answer to your earlier question it’s your posts on this thread that indicate you’re a Labour supporter.

I've got no judgement re who is in the benefits class and who isn't. Its just useful description at the moment because it relates to who Labour is pandering to.

I can give you figures as this has come up before. In 2023 there were around 307,000 live male births in England and Wales. Muhammad was the top choice for parents naming their baby boys in England and Wales in 2023, with around 4,600 being registered with that name. Closely followed by Noah with 4,382.

And those who can't make their ends meet despite no health issues

Yep

Hopefully by 2029 you will get a clearer picture and be able to vote positively. Its very tricky at the moment I agree.

So it’s cyclical - higher contributions mean higher pensions with the higher contributions funded by less need to contribute to private pensions. Most European countries also fund healthcare more per capita than the UK. Perhaps we should take a leaf from their books.

My issue is that I just don't see anyone better to vote for.

I will never vote Tory or Reform.
I don't feel confident about Lib Dems or Greens and feel like it would almost be a wasted vote.

So I am left with Labour. It's like a vote for my least favourite because I don't particularly like any of them.

We have one of the worst Old Age Pensions in Europe despite being one of the richest countries in the world. ( ie the low pensions, high age at which we get them.)

But based on what the average person pays in it’s not enough for the state pension & the current healthcare model.

You cant compare our state pension to other European countries which tend to be based on actual contributions (like other benefits are) rather than our flat rate contribution. Those other countries don’t also have the same private pension reliance.

Plus they are now making it harder to save into a pension and considering taking 30 hours childcare away from those they deem to be higher earners.

If you lose your job you will have to wait 5 weeks before you get any money.This is why Food Banks are needed. Most people don't have money to last that long.

Unemployment pay ( Job Seekers Allowance ) is 18-24 £72.90, 25 + £92.05 per week. If for example you can't afford the fare to get to your Job Seekers appointments, after rent, food , utilities etc you will be sanctioned ie get no money for upto 12 weeks.

There is a benefit cap in place. So the maximum total for all benefits for a single person is £14,753 a year. £22,020 pa for a couple. Compare £24,784 pa is the national minimum wage ( 37.5 hours a week from 1/4/26) so £44, 040 pa for a couple. With rents, food prices etc rising people are struggling.

This Government has forced employers to end exploitative zero hours contracts (where people are left hanging not knowing whether they will be offered work or not.) ie they will have to guarantee a minimum amount of work with reference to the previous 12 weeks

We are subsidising bad employers who won't pay a proper wage/salary, who have sacked people and then rehired them on a lower wage. Amazon etc who are making huge profits can afford wages that don't need to be subsidised by us.

We have one of the worst Old Age Pensions in Europe despite being one of the richest countries in the world. ( ie the low pensions, high age at which we get them.)

It's a question of political will. We, the working people of the UK, subsidise bad employers to enable them to pay poverty wages and amass billionaire wealth.

The richest 50 families in the UK now hold more wealth than the poorest half of the population ie 34 million people. They would barely notice an extra 5, 10% wealth tax.

What I find most depressing is that there is a small window of opportunity to turn things around although I am less sure now with the Iran issue. However people won’t vote for cross party solutions or long term initiatives & outcomes. So many want short term fixes and don’t seem to actually understand the fundamental challenges we are facing and how we got here.

It is true. What’s your new definition of business? Merchant banking? Hedge fund managers?

@EasternStandard when was growth good?

You think our problems are just down to youth unemployment?!

@Whybother2 I get it, it’s one reason I’m p/t.