Really impressed with the budget

[Fullrecoveryispossible]

I’ll give it to the chancellor. He delivered a bloody good budget today. Childcare reform (including increasing rates paid to providers by 30%) and 30 hours free for 1&2 year olds. Uk has avoided recession despite a global pandemic and Ukrainian war, more money on occupational health, plan to get more people into work

NHS budget increase was dealt with the the November budget:

£3.3 billion cash boost for NHS England 2023/24 and 2024/25 compared to previous plans. NHS England spending rises by 2 per cent in real terms

And schools:

schools will receive £2.3bn of additional funding in both 2023-24 and 2024-25

Add in also not being able to take shift work or 12 hour days. "what do you mean you've declined those jobs?......a sanction for you"

@BramleyAppleHotCrossBun my thoughts exactly mine are both primary aged, no wraparound care, not enough childminders in the area, the one my DC go to already does school pick up in another area so can’t have mine for before or after school only holiday care. Was sincerely hoping for a rise in the tax free childcare as we make only just too much to qualify for any help yet are crippled with the costs in the holidays

I think the childcare improvements are good. I got excited at it and realized that it's not coming in right away. I'll be lucky to benefit for a few months which I guess is at least something but it would be great if it came in sooner.

Also, I'm not sure about your comment about not having a recession. I mean that's not much of a compliment to a government? Especially when you look at countries around us doing much better. There's still going to be shrinking and the growth figures have been revised downwards.

That’s a deeply worrying turn.

Especially with the rumoured removed of the ESA work capacity assessment and the replacement of a computer generated opinion.

@YetMoreNewBeginnings I don't think that's a rumour, I'm pretty sure he said the work capacity assessment would be removed.

Yep, agreed.

A childcare pledge they won't be around to deliver on and the military boost to tap into the only 'policy' (Ukraine support) they have positive approval on.

Totally contrived and nothing to do with fixing the UK. They make my blood boil.

The energy price cap is guaranteed at 2,500 pa rather than 3,000. However that's still £200 a month or if you prefer 50 per week. Its probably not that much consolation for already severely impoverished families

Oh and social care as well, all in the November budget:

Social care charging reforms delayed by two years. £2.8 billion more funding in 2023/24 and £4.7 billion in 2024/25 in cash terms

Seriously, no skin the game, but different things get covered in different budgets.

Oops bold fail. Why does bold typing get removed if you @ someone?

ALL of those policies will conveniently only really start coming into play after the election. It's a ploy to win more votes. If they don't get into power they don't have to bother, if they do you can bet they backtrack HARD once they have control.

Ooh, all this on top of the 40 new hospitals that Boris promised in 2019, due to be completed by 2030.

Our cups truly overfloweth.

How are all these sanctions legal. Where are the human right brigade in all this. Even convicted Paedophiles Rapists and child murders eat, FFS

This criticism that they won't be in power so the reform won't happen seems a bit misguided since the opposition party will either implement it or go further.

The real problem is finding the staff to ensure it can happen.

The childcare reforms really incentivise high earners to now go part time to earn under the 100k eligibility cap. For people hiring young professionals esp in the south east/London (where such salaries needed to afford family homes) there will be ever more requests for part time work I expect. ....

But yes broadly a good budget and it is right the priority re chkldcare has gone on those that need it most. I'm just pointing out it will have an odd side effect in some industries ...

Sorry, I wasn’t clear. It’s the computer programme assessment that’s rumoured.

Really?! They're literally just filling potholes. It always amazes me how quickly the British people are appeased when the Tories throw a few quid at them.

Nothing for us surprise surprise!

I didn't see there was a £100k eligibility cap for this scheme. And surely you can use salary sacrifice to get your pay under £100k

I'm surprised no one has mentioned his aim to bring in Wrap sound childcare at all schools to provide all parents with 8-6 child care.

Bet schools will be thrilled with this, it won't only be their responsibility to educate your kids, they'll have to step up and provide childcare.
Disgusting !

To be fair there was some stuff on extra funding for before and after school clubs in the budget, which is a genuinely sensible idea (and a win-win for parents and the Treasury if it stops mothers from losing jobs for want of a tiny amount of wrap around care).

Did you miss the whole of the rest of the budget?

I think he's done really well . I especially like the help to regenerate areas of the north . The only bit I'm a bit meh with is the pensions LTA which will only effect a minority. I understand it was done to keep doctors and surgeons in work but why open it up to anyone .

You don't drive or use grid electric and gas?

The sanctions only come in to play if you don't adhere to the process - same as if I just decide to do half a job I'd have a disciplinary process at work.

Nothing in it for me.

I will benefit slightly from the energy cap being held for 3 months but as a wine drinker that will probably be more than offset from the tax increase there.

Removing the LTA won't tempt me back into work - too late for that to make any real difference to my pension and I no longer have school age children so no benefit there either.