To ask what one or two policies you think could make the biggest difference to the U.K.?

[whatkatydid2013]

To me the big one is social housing. I feel like if we could build up a large supply of social housing at reasonable rates all over the country the benefits would be massive. It would make life affordable for many more people and lead to them being less likely to need in work benefits. The affordable rents would cover maintenance and could keep large numbers of people in stable employment doing said maintenance (as well as creating administrative roles). It would make it less challenging to staff key worker roles in more expensive areas. In the short term I appreciate it would be a massive expense but it seems like in the long term it would cost less than our current system on a going basis and it would make many people a lot more financially secure. I find it disappointing that all main parties seem so focused on home ownership in their policy statements. I know there are many important policy areas but this just always feels like one that’s very central and totally glossed over by all parties. Maybe because there isn’t a quick, easy fix?

Free public transport, particularly buses

Is anyone is looking for proof for economic illiteracy and how brain dead the British public is, they should come and read this thread.

There is a wishlist here of everything everyone wants for free. But no suggestion at all on growing the economy. the stuff that actually pays for the freebies.

People have been dumbed down into believing that receiving handouts is the way to go, rather than wondering what the consequences of of those freebies. Our economy is practically on life support, the tiny economic growth comes from masses of low skilled migration while our productivity tanks and per capita GDP drops. There are fewer and fewer net contributors with more than half of the population taking from the system, not contributing. Yet, the zombies want more freebies without wondering about the consequences of ever higher taxes, borrowing and money printing.

Where are all the 1 and 2 bed houses? I’m currently looking for one and there are none around here - they are all 3 bed plus (but I agree not affordable)

Tax wealth more. Rather than raising income tax, create a wealth tax on those that hoard assets like property, held in complex arrangements to avoid taxes, making it harder and harder for those without wealth as it hikes property prices, leaving people stuck paying rent that gives them less and less opportunity to increase their own wealth. Basically we need to lessen inequality.

Massive tax increases on unnecessary high carbon activity.

use the extra public money to improve health, education and social care.

Wsmi

Half the population are taking benefits? I don’t believe that. I know very few people on benefits. What’s your source?

More than half the population receives more in benefits than they pay in taxes, including benefits in kind such as the NHS and education.

I do hope you're not begrudging lower rate tax payers free healthcare and education for their children...zombies wanting freebies?!

Less than half are net contributors. It’s well documented. This country borrows upwards of £20b a month to make up the deficit.

Well there aren't many 1 bed houses because they're a terribly inefficient use of space. Plenty of flats though and loads of 2 bed terraces. More than enough to incentivize downsizing and free up some bigger houses for growing families.

That's not a policy. Just 'eradicate crime'... how? Policy is the HOW.

Also able bodied? Doesn't mean able of mind.

One year of full pay maternity AND paternity. Gets rid of the desire not to hire women and allows greater bonding and more equal caregiving.

Who would buy it? It would cost five times as much as that which is made abroad where cost of living and therefore wages are lower.

That is a brilliant idea , I think the choice should be there to be a sahp if you want to currently it’s looked down on but for some families it’s the right thing

And what about younger people who want to live with friends, or couples who want to live together without buying? Some people aren’t in an area for long. There are a number of reasons people choose to rent. My friend prefers it because he never has to pay for or carry out any maintenance.

Half of the population are now net takers. We have a broken system that is ever reliant on a small number of people on PAYE - they are bang on. Source: the office of national statistics.

36 MILLION people get more from the state than they pay in. That is 54.2% of adults. Highest on record.

83% of income tax is paid by 40% of British adults. The top 10% of earners now pay over half of all income tax (these are the ones now beginning to stop that by changing behaviour or leaving). The top 10% of earners only earn 35% of pre tax income but pay 60% of all income tax. Marginal rates of 70-100% in cases.

None of that is sustainable.

This. It will all be noticed when it’s too late though.

I agree with you and @Wsmi

1st page and people want me to pay for their children. Dear God.

When it comes to economic literacy, most of MN is on par with love island contestants.

Ah, so it’s only families that should have homes with gardens and drives?

I said incentivize. People can live where they want.

that children all need to use a local school, therefore improving traffic, health and social levelling.

Something that will cost nothing to do, the point about the public purse well made by others.

British Summer Time all year round. More can be made of an hour's daylight on a winter afternoon than in the morning. There are probably some cost savings to be had by not changing clocks twice a year.

It makes it crystal clear why we are in such a bad place though. All these expectations about how we can sling money around - with absolutely no concept on how to pay for it. We can only have these nice things if people pay into the system. As it is - not enough are. Those that are, are being taxed so heavily they are reducing that now. Either by stopping working as much, moving, or using pensions. Marginal tax rate of 70% here - would be over 100% with young children. Now paying all the extra into pensions. Instead of the government getting 45% of that chunk plus NI - they now get nothing from it.

Taxing the people who pay for it all, so badly they change behaviour destroys productivity, tax take and the things we can afford. It’s also basic psychology. You can’t have people paying for all this stuff they can’t access. It will stop people being happy to contribute and they will just take their skills elsewhere.

Big old red flags all over the place about this at the moment via several official reports. Huge state reliance at the moment and we are getting into masses of debt as a country to pay for it. There are not enough people paying in even at some of the highest marginal tax rates in the world. It stops people from being productive. Who knew.

In answer to the op this is what I’d change

Yes 100%