Labour isn't working - Thread 19

[TheNuthatch]

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

We are bracing for the budget 😬

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

Previous thread
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5441764-labour-isnt-working-thread-18?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

The chancellor did a briefing more or less saying ‘ tax rises’ ( but not in so many words ) now it’s all change.
I feel that people are just fed up with it all now.

@Southernecho I read your post with interest and would welcome further contributions.

Are the OBR credible in suddenly changing the outlook for the UK economy. How can you go in one week from informing the markets and public in 'their' own way that Income tax rises and possibly VAT increases are inevitable, and then suddenly say the forecast is better than we have been proposing for months.
Do the OBR just work for the Labour Party and give information and numbers requested or desirable to Reeves and Co.
This is also unbelievable that 2 weeks from a Budget just before the crucial Christmas period we are somehow in a better economic position.

This, all this kiteflying that's cause unwarranted worry to so many people.

So, surely the amount of money that Reeves needs to close the gap in the budget is settled now? Did we ever get a final figure of how much additional taxation will be collected from the public. If there isn't going to be an increase in income tax then I can't imagine how they are going to square this circle.

NEETS is a significant factor, I think.

Happy to debate this with you, but noted that you will not be coming back to the thread.

Thanks.

There is still a fiscal gap of GBP 20 bn (according to the OBR) versus the 35 bn Reeves had mentioned.

I am not confident in these figures, and nor should anyone be, frankly.

I also think the nonsense from Reeves shows we need a Chancellor who is 'wealthy' in their own terms. I say this because we need someone who does not need the salary, hence when made to look ridiculous they can walk away. The stupidity from Reeves is evidently caused because she cannot afford to lose her Salary as Chancellor .

Apparently Reeves was booed at the Lloyds British Excellence Awards we she had the 'stupidity' to give an award out.

An expert on lbc last week mentioned the ‘ neets’
It sounded really grim, but they don’t want to work in caring or retail and low paid work when there isn’t any kind of rewards for doing so. I left a job this year and they charged me for training that I couldn’t do the job without , some places are so penny pinching it is ridiculous ( yet make a tidy profit )
No wonder so many young people are choosing not to work.

Fair point and agree.

Apart from the usual Labour loyalists they have entirely squandered any political gain. People are angry at being played and gaslit.

Probably a bigger gap now with this ‘ black hole’ because they paid the doctors and the train drivers more money. The conservatives wouldn’t have done this. Although I am only guessing here that it had a big effect.

Thanks @Damnthetorpedoes Yes, those figures have been all over the place £52/42/35/20 billion. It's not pocket money difference, is it? 🤷🏼‍♀️

Okay, at the risk of flirting with the other side, I am enjoying Streeting going full falling down on LBC about the doctors strikes and the BMA today.

https://x.com/LBC/status/1989267664598880359?s=20

very well said Wes Streeting.

the80sweregreat

it is going to come to the point where anyone under 25 will have to work (without extreme difficulties) or they will receive no 'benefits' what so ever. This is why a law needs to be passed where no future job with a salary of less than £50K can be given to a non UK Citizen. Hopefully, we can give everybody a job in the industries where 'cheap' foreign labour exists caring, retail etc. This is not racism nor is it against individuals from African countries, but the reality of the UK's situation. There would be plenty of jobs available for under 25 if they were 'given' those particular jobs and told you do it !

The other obvious reason why we have so many young people unemployed is also down to the fact that a 21 year old earning £12.22 is farcical Particularly, if experienced nurses of 20 years are earning £20 a hour !

I listened to a doctor this morning, pay aside the jobs thing is ridiculous.

I can’t stand Labour rn so there’s that.

No, I think you are correct.

I could not agree with you more.

It’s all very well saying that the neets and under 25s must work ( if they can snd there no other disabilities or health problems and so on) but who is going to police this. Stop the benefits of they don’t take any job? Make sure they don’t take it and then leave after a few months ? Make sure that employers don’t exploit them ? It’s not as easy as it seems , but you

I tell you what won’t help young people get jobs. That NI increase and workers’ bill.

It is now, for sure. Not good. Thanks Reeves. Again.

Amongst other things ‘Business leaders have also said Labour has sapped hiring activity after the chancellor’s £25bn increase in employer national insurance contributions in last year’s autumn budget, and complain that the rising minimum wage and changes to employment rights are driving up unemployment.’

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/oct/21/labour-urged-to-rethink-scrapping-minimum-wage-youth-rates-amid-neets-rise

I don't consider this thread to be just tribal politics. It is just anti Labour (this current Labour government, really) and it is filled with a number of disgruntled ex-Labour voters( like me) and people who say they are politically homeless (also like me) because none of the options appeal.

What any strong democracy needs are voters who are willing to change their thinking and positions based on whatever shit show is being offered up to them at any one time.

The anger at how people are being treated by this Government is very real and has a right to be expressed on this forum.

Yes, fewer jobs and a general public who is so dizzy from prospective tax hikes that they are clinging to their disposable income like safety rafts.

It's a horrible self-compounding combination.

Apparently the Mauritian government is in crisis over the Chagos deal. They are demanding certain concessions given to UK be scrapped.
The cynic in me thinks this is all down to China. They have looked at the deal and have seen these concessions and don't like them one bit!

The country's Deputy PM Paul Berenger has threatened to pull his party’s support from the country's coalition Government over disagreements surrounding the deal.
Mr Berenger is believed to have voiced concerns about conservation belts which would enclose the Diego Garcia military base.
The belts, which have surrounded the joint UK-US military base for almost five decades, restrict the access of Mauritians to the sensitive base.
Mr Berenger is also understood to have raised objections over surveillance around the Indian Ocean islands.

Mauritian Government faces collapse over Chagos 'surrender' - MPs warn BRITAIN is getting too much

That is very telling.

This nonsense has to stop. I hope the Americans pitch in heavily and this can be unravelled.