Labour isn't Working - Thread 38

[Nuthatch26]

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/5554358-labour-isnt-working-thread-37?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

None of the NHS organisations i worked for were in a deficit.

Is it?

They tolerate heath tourism, pay over the odds for everything.

Because we all worship at their altar.

You didn't work directly for a Trust? Just a section of the NHS within a Trust?

No, I worked for a CCG (before they became ICBs) and a CSU.

Was it all public sector care or was there any outsourcing involved? Is outsourcing dearer (if you know)?

I thought that ICBs inherited debt from CCGs and the cycle was continuing

I realise you won't want to give too many details, but can you name an ICB that isn't in debt? I know if they're in surplus, they've got to give the money back to the central pot haven't they but I've not heard a named one that has a surplus

Thought usually they like to say that they're running in debt because that gives them justification to ask for more funding

My hip surgeon does this knee operation privately. It says five years it lasts but that's a very conservative estimate, because it's such a new procedure. He's not allowed to do it in the NHS sector he works for which is a pity. The nurses I spoke to said it was simple to do with amazing results. And at around £3k it's inexpensive.

I wrote a long reply but it disappeared, and I cant be bothered to type it all out again.

Just to say, I am not one of your 'visitors'. I haven't been on these threads long, but I'm definitely not a supporter of the labour party or government. Most of my working life was in the private sector.

It's a culture and it's truly dangeous now

Every area including maternity is dire
It's not good enough

A friend when training to be a nurse worked in private and in NHS she said in private every pen was accounted for not so in the NHS just a free for all. That may have changed now but that is an example of the attitudes and slop. However there are many deeper examples of poor communications.and time wasting

DH came home tonight and said have you seen the protests in Thetford. He knows that I lived there for a while.

So off my fingers trot to ✖️. And you tube and there it is.

I admit to shutting my ears to the news this last week I've had a belly full.

So I've screen shot some bits for you from ✖️. The videos are on you tube.

"Thetford residents remain on edge after days of ‘mob rule’ over asylum plans | Norfolk | The Guardian" https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/aug/07/thetford-residents-remain-on-edge-after-days-of-mob-rule-over-asylum-plans

"Police make further arrests as Thetford disorder continues - BBC News" https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c74g1gxvwlvo

I worked at a hospice run on donations and 9% donations from the NHS. I shared an office with the financial directors pa. Believe me every penny was counted. I did my share of counting collection tin monies. The office next door the procurement of medical supplies was done by an amazing ex NHS woman. You could hear her haggling with suppliers for everything. Cotton wool, syringes, hand sterilising lotions, latex gloves and so on. Nothing escaped her.

It seems that so many of the prisoners who were released early re-offended and were returned to prison that it hasn't actually freed up any space in prisons...

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/f7f5d69e2ac77072

All it seems to have achieved is to increase the number of new victims.

Colour me surprised. The probation service won't be able to cope with the numbers. How have Labour released 70,000 in two years when the tories released 10,000 in 14 years? Its shocking. I have never defended the Conservatives on this issue btw. They should have built more prisons and funded justice properly.

I'm very suspicious of Labour's claim that they have created 3200 more prison places as they won't release the net figure. Why?
The Conservatives created around 13,000 prison places, but closed 12,500 so net is only 500.

🙄🙄🙄

Labour will prioritise companies for government contracts if they give trade unions access to their employees, offer higher pay than the minimum wage and provide flexible working.

https://www.thetimes.com/article/fb5a28bd-1071-41dc-bf1f-bc6ce5074b4f?shareToken=b4efedd3699a1136cdbbbfe077f031f8

So, my interpretation is that private companies will need to choose between operating in the private sector - where they need to be competitive and provide good value for money - or else operating in the public sector - where it's all about ticking ideological boxes.

But won't be able to do both.

Isn't this effectively growing the public sector by stealth?

Yeah, and it will prohibit SMEs. We will certainly see growth in professional bid writers. Tough luck for the firms who can't afford to employ them.

Burnham has been accused of dodgy dealings with a firm in GM. The owner of said firm, Renaker, has made a fortune and moved to Monaco off the back of it.
Plenty of local press to read if interested. Just Google Burnham and Renaker.

There's so much grift, it seems to have hit critical mass where it's now normalised.

I used to be so thankful that the UK had a tradition of honest (enough) politics and enterprise. Where enough people played by the rules that it made sense to, and was the norm.

It doesn't feel that way now.

I believe there has always been a large amount of corruption in the United Kingdom, but it was hidden very well with at least the pretence of fairness. Especially when under the governance of the old boys or the Public School set.

These, days there is not even a pretence of corruption for favourable businesses, corruption will always be worse under 'Socialists' because they are always personally, looking for someway to benefit from assigning contracts. Thus, why certain famous developers in Manchester always profess to leaning 'Left' Politically, in order to fulfil their development plans. Certain people know there is enough in the deal to ensure Socialists get their cuts, whether financially or politically while ensuring the Unions are firmly onboard.

I heard someone on Jeremy Vine show last week claim that there are enough prison spaces, it is because we don't have enough prison officers. Must see if I can see who this was.

Politicians are mostly in it for themselves. A lot like everyone else are. It’s not right or fair but the people let it happen because there isn’t much we can do.

That sounds interesting. Please post on here if you find it, would be interesting to read.

It doesn't feel like all other options have been exhausted here imv. There are ideas being put forward, such as releasing non violent men currently on remand, focusing on the men jailed for 'white collar' crimes, releasing women and repurposing female prisons etc, but the govt seem to have jumped straight to releasing violent males early. Its not good enough and this isn't a one-off, it will be ongoing.

I'd be all for higher salary ranges for prison officers - it's a bloody dangerous job.