Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Labour isn't working - Thread 20

1000 replies

TheNuthatch · 17/11/2025 11:40

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/5443813-labour-isnt-working-thread-19?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

Labour isn't working - Thread 19 | Mumsnet

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 eventua...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5443813-labour-isnt-working-thread-19

OP posts:
Thread gallery
40
EmeraldRoulette · 22/11/2025 16:27

I listened to the Fraser Nelson episode of Triggernometry where they discussed the increase in sickness benefit

Apparently, he did a documentary for channel 4 as well

(I know, Fraser Nelson has become something of a meme not surprisingly) but he was quite good on this subject and explaining how the system is at fault in the way it traps people and doesn't leave room for training, etc.

SouthernAccents · 22/11/2025 16:31

Twinkyinthecity · 22/11/2025 14:55

Is it though? I mean I know it is in the circles i move in, the circles other people on this thread move in - because we are the ones who are going be made a lot poorer by the upcoming budget. By this Labour party. But millions of people will be (and already are) better off, the net takers. The ‘workers’. So I think we might be too small a number of people for ‘civil unrest’. Although obviously we pay the majority of taxes. Who cares about where the money comes from, as long as it carries on coming. In future when it stops, then there’s trouble at mill. But for Labour for now they give zero fcks about anything past the next 3.5 years.

I considered this, but people are reliant on the tax payer - consider the number of service sectors including hospitality and retail - much of the consumption is discretionary, and will be the first to be cut from household budgets.

Reeves cannot target the ‘middle’ in isolation, without there being collateral damage inflicted on others. A number of posters on this thread have understandably said they are cutting back etc. That’s lost earnings for someone, ultimately.

Uniquely, this Govt appears to have alienated almost every section of society. When people lose hope, they often behave in ways which would seem irrational.
I have a very real sense that many are losing hope.

Rivalled · 22/11/2025 17:05

Income tax yes @EmeraldRoulette i had a look but it’s of course difficult as taxes vary so much - it looks to be as though France and Germany have a significantly higher percentage paying income tax.

interesting point re council tax.

benefits like UC, carers, and DLA are definitely trapping people in a benefits lifestyle - many bad incentives. Can we ever have a conversation that looks at the economic incentives without making it about personal blame or moral fibre…

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

EmeraldRoulette · 22/11/2025 17:50

@Rivalled probably can't have a conversation on here but in the wider world, we can certainly try. The media would need to actually behave in a responsible way though.

One of the reasons I found the Triggernometry podcast interesting is because they were looking at systemic failures. No questions about moral judgement. There was one case discussed where a man on long-term sickness benefits wanted to do a plastering course, obviously a good trade and he'd be able to get work. He was told - mistakenly, or partly mistakenly - that he would be sanctioned for trying to go on a training course. Apparently, even the staff are so confused by the complexities of the system, they're giving out wrong advice and I don't blame them.

In one workplace, I talked to the CEO about trying to develop a scheme where we could help people cross train - the example I gave was that I was happy to give up a couple of hours to show somebody basic office skills. He was in favour of it in principle but he said "you have no idea how many barriers we will come across by trying to help in any way that's not encompassed by the system." he had some public sector experience. I didn't. So I was happy to take his advice on that and it was clear to me that he didn't want to take it on. And I totally respect that.

Of course dealing with the govt puts everybody off everything. I really admire the people who set up the food waste schemes with restaurants and shops but hopefully they came across a lot more willingness in doing that.

There is an awful lot of red tape preventing people from helping who genuinely want to help. In my building, someone who runs a company has offered to take apprentices from the local college but they said there was no mechanism for that to be done. They have a list of approved contractors and that's that. He looked at the scheme to see if he could put himself on it, but it was too onerous

Sorry, I went off the point. But my thinking is that the systems are fundamentally at fault and no one is going to try and tackle them. I'm under the impression that Liz Truss wanted to do something about it and look what happened to her.

Everyone will just kick the can down the road until it's too late - I don't think there are any parties who won't do that.

I remember after the 2008 crash, with quantitative easing, there was a lot of talk about kicking the can down the road. And here we are. We've run out of road.

Contrary to what some posters might think about these threads, I'm sure none of us are people who are going to sit in judgement about need. Probably a lot of us have been involved with volunteering and trying to help in all kinds of ways.

One of the saddest things about the current situation as it even makes people like us think "why bother?"

EmeraldRoulette · 22/11/2025 17:51

Apologies for the length of that post!

TheNuthatch · 22/11/2025 18:14

Evening all.

Sorry I've been quiet, having a rough ride atm but have been reading along.
Our business is done, I am officially unemployed and our income is currently a big fat zero! This has been brewing for a while but I didn't want to share at the time. We had 8 staff, all trained by dh and like family to us.

I can't put into words how much I despise this government. We survived the financial crash and covid, but we didn't survive Starmer. I am avoiding the news and sm atm so I don't have to look at his face.

OP posts:
percypiggy200 · 22/11/2025 18:20

TheNuthatch · 22/11/2025 18:14

Evening all.

Sorry I've been quiet, having a rough ride atm but have been reading along.
Our business is done, I am officially unemployed and our income is currently a big fat zero! This has been brewing for a while but I didn't want to share at the time. We had 8 staff, all trained by dh and like family to us.

I can't put into words how much I despise this government. We survived the financial crash and covid, but we didn't survive Starmer. I am avoiding the news and sm atm so I don't have to look at his face.

I’m so sorry.

What will you do?

38thparallel · 22/11/2025 18:21

I am so sorry Nuthatch.

DancingFerret · 22/11/2025 18:22

TheNuthatch · 22/11/2025 18:14

Evening all.

Sorry I've been quiet, having a rough ride atm but have been reading along.
Our business is done, I am officially unemployed and our income is currently a big fat zero! This has been brewing for a while but I didn't want to share at the time. We had 8 staff, all trained by dh and like family to us.

I can't put into words how much I despise this government. We survived the financial crash and covid, but we didn't survive Starmer. I am avoiding the news and sm atm so I don't have to look at his face.

I'm so sorry, @TheNuthatch.

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 22/11/2025 18:22

So sorry to hear that.

Really bad news.

EasternStandard · 22/11/2025 18:33

TheNuthatch · 22/11/2025 18:14

Evening all.

Sorry I've been quiet, having a rough ride atm but have been reading along.
Our business is done, I am officially unemployed and our income is currently a big fat zero! This has been brewing for a while but I didn't want to share at the time. We had 8 staff, all trained by dh and like family to us.

I can't put into words how much I despise this government. We survived the financial crash and covid, but we didn't survive Starmer. I am avoiding the news and sm atm so I don't have to look at his face.

Oh @TheNuthatchI’m so so sorry to hear this. Bloody Labour 😓

Legolava · 22/11/2025 18:34

TheNuthatch · 22/11/2025 18:14

Evening all.

Sorry I've been quiet, having a rough ride atm but have been reading along.
Our business is done, I am officially unemployed and our income is currently a big fat zero! This has been brewing for a while but I didn't want to share at the time. We had 8 staff, all trained by dh and like family to us.

I can't put into words how much I despise this government. We survived the financial crash and covid, but we didn't survive Starmer. I am avoiding the news and sm atm so I don't have to look at his face.

I am so sorry. The damage their policies have done to business and private sector jobs are unforgivable.

CandidLurker · 22/11/2025 18:41

Sorry to hear this Nuthatch.

twistyizzy · 22/11/2025 18:41

TheNuthatch · 22/11/2025 18:14

Evening all.

Sorry I've been quiet, having a rough ride atm but have been reading along.
Our business is done, I am officially unemployed and our income is currently a big fat zero! This has been brewing for a while but I didn't want to share at the time. We had 8 staff, all trained by dh and like family to us.

I can't put into words how much I despise this government. We survived the financial crash and covid, but we didn't survive Starmer. I am avoiding the news and sm atm so I don't have to look at his face.

I am so sorry Nuthatch!
Bastards the lot of them

strawberrybubblegum · 22/11/2025 18:43

I'm so very sorry to learn that @TheNuthatch . That's devastating.

EmeraldRoulette · 22/11/2025 18:43

@TheNuthatch all the swear words

I am so sorry.

TheNuthatch · 22/11/2025 18:47

percypiggy200 · 22/11/2025 18:20

I’m so sorry.

What will you do?

Not sure yet for me, tbc. I have a little side hustle that I'll probably expand. Nothing major, think etsy. I used to be a TA but I don't want to go back into education.
Dh has a few options but not yet decided which way he wants to jump. Possibly freelance/consulltancy, possibly ME, but I won't be joining him this time if he goes to the ME.

OP posts:
SouthernAccents · 22/11/2025 18:48

TheNuthatch · 22/11/2025 18:14

Evening all.

Sorry I've been quiet, having a rough ride atm but have been reading along.
Our business is done, I am officially unemployed and our income is currently a big fat zero! This has been brewing for a while but I didn't want to share at the time. We had 8 staff, all trained by dh and like family to us.

I can't put into words how much I despise this government. We survived the financial crash and covid, but we didn't survive Starmer. I am avoiding the news and sm atm so I don't have to look at his face.

Adding my sympathy TNh - so, so sorry.

Reading your post has made me both sad, and furious.

Sending you nothing but love and support.

EasternStandard · 22/11/2025 18:52

Reading the Covid enquiry threads and this makes me so so sad people fell for a campaign that led to this.

A GE which means loss of livelihoods. Just awful.

Legolava · 22/11/2025 18:55

TheNuthatch · 22/11/2025 18:47

Not sure yet for me, tbc. I have a little side hustle that I'll probably expand. Nothing major, think etsy. I used to be a TA but I don't want to go back into education.
Dh has a few options but not yet decided which way he wants to jump. Possibly freelance/consulltancy, possibly ME, but I won't be joining him this time if he goes to the ME.

I wouldn’t go back into education. That’s so sad. All those jobs lost, those families impacted. Your family impacted, your DH’s productivity maybe heading east. I don’t know what makes me more cross to be honest. All the gaslighting from Labour and the immense damage. Or the gaslighting from their supporters who out and out denied the reality of people’s experiences. It’s awful.

Twinkyinthecity · 22/11/2025 18:56

So sorry to hear that @TheNuthatch . The bastards. Good to hear you’ve got a bit of income still coming in.. My DH is looking at the ME too. We can’t go because school exam years (and if me and kids went too, they’d be likely counted as students from abroad when applying to uni which then costs xxx more). None of it is ideal..

Rivalled · 22/11/2025 19:06

So sorry to hear that @TheNuthatch how absolutely horrible for you and your family

Rivalled · 22/11/2025 19:07

@EmeraldRoulette completely agree they’d need to change the spirit of how the systems work to support risk taking to get off/reduce benefits and it’s simply not there.

Catatemyhomework · 22/11/2025 19:18

TheNuthatch · 22/11/2025 18:14

Evening all.

Sorry I've been quiet, having a rough ride atm but have been reading along.
Our business is done, I am officially unemployed and our income is currently a big fat zero! This has been brewing for a while but I didn't want to share at the time. We had 8 staff, all trained by dh and like family to us.

I can't put into words how much I despise this government. We survived the financial crash and covid, but we didn't survive Starmer. I am avoiding the news and sm atm so I don't have to look at his face.

Oh my god. I am so sorry. Your post made me cry as I'm feeling a little emotional too. I'm so sad for you and your husband and the many like you replicated up and down the country. You've been a tower of strength and sanity on here and given us a safe place to vent. If there's anything at all we can do, please say. Happy to take some gunpowder into the houses of Parliament if that helps. Sending hugs 🫂

Legolava · 22/11/2025 19:22

Catatemyhomework · 22/11/2025 19:18

Oh my god. I am so sorry. Your post made me cry as I'm feeling a little emotional too. I'm so sad for you and your husband and the many like you replicated up and down the country. You've been a tower of strength and sanity on here and given us a safe place to vent. If there's anything at all we can do, please say. Happy to take some gunpowder into the houses of Parliament if that helps. Sending hugs 🫂

Ooh careful. People are lurking and reporting. You’ll be registered with Prevent for making such a joke! In all seriousness I agree. Anything we can do, do shout. It’s so sad. It is happening up and down.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is not accepting new messages.
Swipe left for the next trending thread