Labour isn't working - Thread 12

[TheNuthatch]

A chat thread for those who don't like this Labour government.

The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.

Previous thread
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5419335-labour-isnt-working-thread-11?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

I’m going to be honest I may occasionally stray into that area for a rant.
We have two elderly cats with dementia and our dog peeing on a real Christmas tree is nothing compared to what cats with dementia get up to. 🫣
So I apologise to all in advance

I’m 37 and have decided against a child as I work full time as a civil servant and can’t afford full time childcare as it would cost all of my salary. I am nothing but a cog in the machine, now. Managed to get a house 3 years ago, though.

@EasternStandard they must really think the British public are idiots if they believed we'd fall for the line that digital id would stop illegal immigration. The same as the 1 in 1 out. I can't bear to watch Starmer, Lammy, Reeves, Phillips or Mahmood anymore. They're so arrogant and self-righteous and seem to sneer at us.

I don’t think the changes suggested are always non starters, they sound realistic. Whether people are ready for fiscal reality is another thing.

Plus Labour will spin out on past stuff, but I think they’ll see their spending is incontinent. Or maybe they won’t, but others will.

Sadly it seems to work with some, going by other threads. Or some people just blindly nod as Starmer says something.

I can't promise not to stray into the feline territory either. I love my cat! But I promise never to utter the words "cat tax" 😂

Many of the policies Labour have done, wouldn’t have been as electorally disastrous with better thought, better positioning and not being rushed in at a level where they were catching too many people.

they were supposed to be a return to competence…

im concerned we’ll see sweeping tax rises to increase nhs funding. There’s definitely a ‘let Labour be Labour’ thought process going on.

I agree, there are many with healthy finances who don't actually need the SP and there are others who are/were lifelong Labour voters for whom the withdrawal of the WFA equalled a significant and painful drop in their total income.

The SP is political hot potato which will probably need to be addressed (goodness knows how) sooner rather than later. I'm just not sure now is the time.

Yes, I'm frankly amazed by anyone who can't see through Starmer and co. People bringing up the fact we had ID cards during the war, so what's the harm in having them again? Anyone who argues against them is labelled as 'hysterical ' or a 'conspiracy theorist'.

This may sound controversial but I'd be in favour of cross party consensus for issues like the NHS, education, DWP, etc. It feels that the government of the day does try to make changes and the opposition just vote against it. We do need reform across the board and I don't mean the party! The NHS really is no longer fit for purpose. If you're lucky enough to get a diagnosis and get treatment, it's great, but mostly it's pretty bad and we go on and on looking for answers. This affects productivity as people become too ill to work while they wait 5 years for their hip operation. It was designed at a time when the population was much smaller and didn't treat every conceivable issue. Welfare and pensions certainly need reform but no one has the guts to do it. This why I feel a cross party consensus is necessary. I've no idea how to fix it but it does need to be a collective effort, otherwise we are constantly in a situation where one government implements something, then the next removes it and round and round we go until we get here, when there is nothing left to spend. I am starting to think the IMF coming in may be the only answer but it will be nasty and painful and there will be gnashing of teeth.

100%

I agree with all of that. Problem is each party just creates more division so we get further away from consensus with each election. I think IMF will be only thing to break the cycle

re triple lock

Parties seem to forget the reason for the triple lock was to bring pensions up to scratch having fell behind for many years
Its a financial catch up mechanism

If we put in a full state pension into a UC calculator as an earned income
and allow for full home ownership and no children, a single person earning the same as a pensioner does ( on a full state pension ) would get
£42.81/month UC

It doesn’t sound like a lot but it should be £0.

It clearly shows pensioners are living on less than UC recognise as the minimum to live on.

That’s before we factor in the higher bills such as heating

It deplorable that state pensions are still floundering behind.

I guess we will get a taster of the IMF when they come for France soon. We will know what to expect. I just don't understand why politicians don't see it. I think they actually really don't care and that, in my mind is thoroughly depressing. These are people's livelihoods, families, businesses. People have mortgages to pay and children in education. They bloody well should care. They seem to have forgotten that they serve us.

The working people they talk about are union members, their chosen. The rise in money in people's pockets is only for union members. Coz I can categorically state every single private sector worker I have spoken to has NOT seen a rise in money in their pockets. It seems only the unions can see the benefit and pretty soon because of this Digial ID thing,which of course will have your union membership recorded on it, only those chosen few will be able to access anything. Not union member? Oh no, the NHS, benefit system, state pension, bank account, jobs, home ownership you name it, isn't for you. 🤮🤮🤬🤬

Can HoL block digital ID?

I think means testing the state pension will happen, but I don't see how they could do it. If they do it immediately it affects all the people who took it into account. If they do it in say 10 or 15 years, people will pay less into their private pensions so they don't lose it. I genuinely don't know how they would implement it. Tax and benefit policies change people's behaviour.

100%

DH was resisting taking his pension when eligible. (He's 70). As soon as the GE was called he applied for it. Said that it was clear that means testing was next.

He's also regretting that he never took a private pension. He preferred to put money into bricks and mortar and we have a small rental. Possibly a mistake......

In a way the IMF enforcing stuff allows a third party to be blamed for changes that are long overdue.

I can’t see how we’d get a consensus with things as they are but agree it would be worth trying.

I could see Labour taxing private pensions at a higher rate than state. That feels like the road we are going down. So you dare to have paid into a private pension? Great you will get taxed double on that if you go over the income level because you're privileged to have one so can afford it

I think it doesn't matter what you've got, they'll find a way of taking it and redistribute it to their "worthier" causes.

It’s ridiculous. But some are very loyal, Starmer or bust etc

Very true. Very very true.

Things to look out for:

https://www.rossmartin.co.uk/sme-tax-news/8648-autumn-budget-2025-what-might-be-announced

God I'm dreading it. One thing's for certain, the noose will get tighter 😢