... to think that Nigel Farage will be our next PM?

[ohime]

Or, more accurately: AIBU to be afraid that truly nasty piece of work Nigel Farage who has, by all accounts, always been utterly useless at (or at least completely uninterested in) the actual business end of governing will be our next PM because everyone is so fed up with all the other parties being, variously or all at once, so corrupt, incompetent and useless that we've collectively abandoned all hope? I will never vote for Farage, who is a horrible man, or any of his party which keeps having to fire people for being just a teensy bit too overtly racist - but it seems from the polls that for many people the choice against the status quo outweighs what we may be choosing. (For an example, I can't believe that Farage's stated position that DOGE in the US didn't go far enough with its swinging cuts to the social safety net would be popular with UK voters who recently elected a government on the basis that it would reverse years of Tory austerity... not that that's worked out so well...)

We already are. It is clear that we have lost influence in international politics.

Most of the benefits bill goes on pensioners.
Cutting what they get will not win votes.

Cutting illegal immigration involves working closely with the EU.
Again not a strong Reform point.

Cutting legal immigration (Ukraine, Hong Kong, Carers, Skilled workers) would not have great outcomes either.

how do the people feel who voted for labour then got their winter fuel removed and will pay more tax on their pension.

Perfectly happy, thank you for asking.

Wouldn’t you agree it would make more sense for you to point me to a link that shows independent schools charitable relief is being removed so private schools can be taxed, rather than me finding a link showing you that you’ve made it up?

No I’ve most definitely not mixed up your posts with someone else’s.

Exactly, there are no magic answers.

Don't worry as Satan himself will appear before then, and drag Farage's body and blackened soul to Hell.
Satan doesn't want to risk any chance of Hell freezing over, IF there is one in a million odds that that pompous, user git gets into Number 10 😈

Screenshot from gov.uk

Screen shot under review, link instead Gov.uk

You were on the right line all along @CleverButScatty . Private schools were previously exempt from VAT as Education is seen as a positive benefit and most private schools were also eligible for relief of business rates due to their charitable status. The Government chose to remove this exemption because it only around 7% of children use private schools.

I don't have a lot so do with private schools in my work, expect SEND schools and colleges paid for by the LA for EHCP learners.

I'm sure if they are referring to something else they will post a link. And if not they'll just not reappear 😂

The USA right now!

How was she along the right lines claiming charitable status has been removed to charge independents schools VAT?. It’s untrue.

Charitable status hasn’t been removed. Independent schools have always paid VAT (well at least as far as I know).

You’ve already posted your own links to the policies, but still utterly failed to comprehend them and think they back up your assertion that charitable status has been removed to charge private schools VAT. I sincerely hope you are not a teacher.

That's a very fair point. And it's going so well over there 😣

You’re correct, charitable status has not been removed.

No they were previously exempt from charging VAT for their services but now they are not. They would have paid VAT on purchases and services they bought but now I assume will be able claim this back. I'm not a tax accountant! They were also eligible for business rate relief due to their charitable status but this has also ended.

It's literally in front of you in black and white. I'm not engaging with this anymore. You are quite ridiculous.

Nobody was referring to anything other than fees.

Dear me. This is a perfect example of the Dunning-Kruger effect. Amazing.

They are no longer entitled to not have VAT added to their fees, which they previously were as part of business rates charitable relief. I will have paraphrased this earlier but situation is clearly explained in both, VAT is now being added to fees as they are no longer able to claim an exemption that charities can.

You really are being silly now. The link to gov UK is there in my precious post to avoid ambiguity.

Good post.

Oh god. I sincerely hope not!!!!

Closer now, but you’re still not there. Give your ‘precious’ links one more read.

Labour is really for those that work in the public sector, that is all they are bothered about.