Aibu to think the new Sunak scheme is woeful

[Marg33t]

New scheme is going to make lots of people lose their homes and starve.

Employers to pay 1/3rd of wages is way too high. They will cut viable jobs that will bounce back otherwise.

I'm happy to pay my taxes for all that need it to continue to receive furlough as this scheme will keep people in poverty.

Aibu to think it's a mistep?

Crazy suggestion, sorry. Last thing you want is seeding the virus across the country.

So what do you suggest then? We'd hoped so some sector specific support today but thats not forthcoming either.

I don't see that the arts will be lost, all that isn't possible in this climate is live performances. I think the arts could thrive in other ways.

For whoever is talking about Germany - their top rate of tax is 45%, same as ours. Depends what you class as a high earner but if that's anyone paying top rate tax - as in earning £150,000 I would imagine the majority are employed (top law firms, financial institutions, top accounting firm etc) And everyone at those firms has private healthcare, a lot will use private schools. So no they don't take a lot. And the amount they take vs the amount they contribute is much much smaller than the average person.

Does anyone hear ‘jobs in the arts’ and just think ‘hobby’?

Only people who don't...
ever watch TV
go to the theatre
listen to music
have children who have music lessons
have children who are in a school choir
read a book
have social or medical issues whether their lives are improved by play/music therapists
go to the cinema

I know a lot of people who aren't fans of death and disabling illness though, and are prepared to make sacrifices to prevent it.

Right, so let me get this straight. Anyone who points out that this illness, by and large (and yes ffs I know about long covid), only severely affects the elderly and those with pre existing medical conditions is a callous, awful, evil person who views those people as dispensable. And yet the devastating effects on children, families, working class people from the collapse of the arts and other related industries - well, they're just collateral damage, right? They have to make those sacrifices, all for the greater good?

Fucking beggars belief.

@redstararnie76 exactly, the knock on effect of what will be millions suddenly without employment is going to be huge.
Firstly these sectors do not operate in isolation, there are huge support industries from transport to catering to accounting that rely on them also.
If all these people stop spending, other sectors will be hit hard too. There will be an enormous domino effect.

@pipnchops

I don't see that the arts will be lost, all that isn't possible in this climate is live performances. I think the arts could thrive in other ways.

And yet pubs can open, flights can be full, church services can go ahead. But theatres have to remain closed.

@wokthisway I agree, that doesn't make sense.

@ChromaBook apparently covid is all that matters. The rest is just collateral.

@ChromaBook

I know a lot of people who aren't fans of death and disabling illness though, and are prepared to make sacrifices to prevent it.

Right, so let me get this straight. Anyone who points out that this illness, by and large (and yes ffs I know about long covid), only severely affects the elderly and those with pre existing medical conditions is a callous, awful, evil person who views those people as dispensable. And yet the devastating effects on children, families, working class people from the collapse of the arts and other related industries - well, they're just collateral damage, right? They have to make those sacrifices, all for the greater good?

Fucking beggars belief.

Exactly this.

I thought some theatres were open, or were they just trial events?

So someone working just 33% of their hours will get 77% of their pay. Sounds reasonable.
They could top up with a small part time job or benefits if unable to get another job at present.

Of course it's reasonable. Already employers are using furlough in the wrong way - eg government pays wages - staff not furloughed attempting to do the work of the ones on furlough - now that's not really fair is it?

@lioncitygirl

There is no money - why can’t people just bloody understand that!!!! How long should we keep people on furlough for?!?!! Jesus Christ.

There is plenty of money. The UK government creates money (read the deficit myth by Stephanie Kelton) through quantitative easing However whether a furlough scheme which pays people not to work is a valid question. The government should be using that new money to create real jobs

This is all just kicking the can down the road.

@GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat

Does anyone hear ‘jobs in the arts’ and just think ‘hobby’?

I’m not saying it is by the way, but we’re not taking about saving schools or hospitals or the food chain are we? Some people will have to lose their jobs unfortunately, it’s a pandemic and a shit time but it was very clear at the beginning that not every job would be able to be saved.

Would you be equally dismissive about closing pubs and restaurants? Football and other sports?

Do you think the actors, musicians and dancers who perform are just hobbyists

Can I just say that 'the arts' covers telly, film and theatre as well as ballet opera and galleries. So yes, the british public do heavily value the arts' as they spend hours and hours every week staring at the telly box.

And the way it's been ignored is an utter disgrace.

But some tv programmes are being made now

@lightlypoached

Can I just say that 'the arts' covers telly, film and theatre as well as ballet opera and galleries. So yes, the british public do heavily value the arts' as they spend hours and hours every week staring at the telly box.

And the way it's been ignored is an utter disgrace.

Galleries are open, can people film? I don’t see why not if mitigation in place

Some theatre has been running?

How does the £3.5billion fraudulent claims for furloughed staff fit into this? Sounds like many people have done well out of the pandemic. Disclaimer: I don't begrudge genuinely furloughed staff a penny.

@ineedaholidaynow

I thought some theatres were open, or were they just trial events?

There are some trial events happening, and in some areas permission still hasn't been granted to reopen.

Birmingham Hippodrome are looking at next April I think. That's a long time to have staff laid off who work there, let alone the performers that come through 😥

@lightlypoached

Can I just say that 'the arts' covers telly, film and theatre as well as ballet opera and galleries. So yes, the british public do heavily value the arts' as they spend hours and hours every week staring at the telly box.

And the way it's been ignored is an utter disgrace.

Which TV companies have relied on furlough to pay staff?

@ChromaBook

I wouldn’t want to pay higher taxes to support “the arts

Would you maybe want to pay them so the children of people working in those industries don't go hungry and lose their homes?

Some of you are incredibly short sighted.

I would pay higher taxes so children didn't go hungry, regardless of the sector their parents worked in. It's not just the arts which is suffering. I'm all for higher taxes (and God knows we will all be paying them when this is over) and I am truly sorry for your relative, but I would much rather my higher taxes were pumped into providing a proper safety net for all the families who have suffered significant financial challenges during this. Raising benefit levels and creating a decent base standard of living, including access to nutritious hot food and a safe home environment that is adequately heated coming into the winter months.

@Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd

This is all just kicking the can down the road.

Agree

@GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat

Does anyone hear ‘jobs in the arts’ and just think ‘hobby’?

I’m not saying it is by the way, but we’re not taking about saving schools or hospitals or the food chain are we? Some people will have to lose their jobs unfortunately, it’s a pandemic and a shit time but it was very clear at the beginning that not every job would be able to be saved.

Every TV programme you watch, every book you read, every film or documentary you stream, every music track you listen to, every video you or your child watches on YouTube, every piece or print of art which hangs on your walls so they're not bare white walls... all of those are created by people working in the arts. Not hobbies, no. And without them life would be a lot shitter for everyone.