To wonder how the UK will look in 3 years time?

[Labradorlover987]

I was inspired to write this after reading the UC post that was just reported - the govt’s welfare bill has passed but was watered down so unlikely to make any real savings.

I earn 40k, have a school age child and just feel like I am living hand to mouth 😩 I 100% think there should be a welfare systems that supports people on low incomes but I wonder how the current system will be sustained in the long run?

Just wondered what other people thought.

I actually wouldn’t mind paying more in taxes if we could be guaranteed more in services etc - for example my council tax just went up and the services seem even worse this year than usual.

Which decisions?
I agree with most, disagree with some. Who on earth agrees with every policy of the party they voted for at the last election?

You’ve misquoted me/EasternStandard, @floormats . Easily done.

Oh I don’t
We might be for a Parliament, but state pension would be means tested, health insurance for any of the new treatments as you age would be crippling, you might get A&E cover, insurances would rise because there would be unrest, many services would strike because they would have their public service pensions slashed.

Better off only works in a stable society, you might be financially cushioned, but I doubt many would be better off.

Home security firms would make a killing, with commission to the offshore Coutts account though.

And we would be a target for conflict, because no one would come to our aid, most likely not physical more likely cyber, Farage would probably handover network keys himself, for a commission. And allow insurance companies not to pay out for any damages, because acts of war are removed from most affordable policies.

It would be a fucking car crash of embarrassing proportions.

The reason for more UC claimants is that people who were receiving other benefits have been moved onto it - the clue is the "Universal" part.

It would be a fucking car crash of embarrassing proportions.

Embarrassment would be the least of our worries.

@EasternStandard you are misunderstanding. In principle I don't see an issue with employers contributing more to NI if we want better public services and better social security.

Should they have been honest? yes.

The number of people claiming both in and out of work benefits continues to defy expectation in terms of growth.

More people claiming both every year, and they are claiming a wider range of support.

Pretending it’s all fine and just needs to be met by the UK, is the ‘head in the sand’ approach.

@MrsSkylerWhite sorry

Who on earth agrees with every policy of the party they voted for at the last election?

Quite

In every GE one of the two major parties so far. I’m wondering how someone can’t see the fuck ups that the previous gov made... Guess we are all fallible.

Most of the welfare benefits paid out goes back into the economy or the exchequer in VAT, income tax and spending on retail or services. If you cut benefits to fund other public services you reduce profits and tax receipts. It’s a double edged sword.

I would also add that the people of this country seem to want fully funded public services such as NHS, Education, Care etc but nobody wants to pay for the true cost of it and all we do is squabble over which group of people pay for it. And blame immigrants.

It would be the embarrassment that paralysed you!

I am assuming we could reinstate the monarch’s powers and get people executed for treason! Let’s go back to the real fun of days, and we could all route for King Charlie to protect us …………

We also have more zero rated VAT items vs other European countries but increasing VAT would be an issue.

We don't tax lower and middle earners as much as other EU countries but as I already said the issue is housing costs.

I would also add that the people of this country seem to want fully funded public services such as NHS, Education, Care etc but nobody wants to pay for the true cost of it and all we do is squabble over which group of people pay for it. And blame immigrants.

Basically

Does this make you feel better?

Yes, Tory vote is a lost one now so people turn to Reform to escape Labour. And judging by this and parallel threads a lot of Labour voters are moving to Reform as well.
Aren't you terrified by this? I am.

Although most likely, as for pps, Reform would be better for my family financially

I think the UK has learned to live with embarrassment these past several years.

@Happyher you are being unfair
we also complain about the weather and neighbours fences!

People think we all want to Iive around some village green watching cricket, sipping tea and watering hanging baskets for the local church - honestly weI would grab one of those Dover boats and head to Calais!

Most of the welfare benefits paid out goes back into the economy or the exchequer in VAT, income tax and spending on retail or services. If you cut benefits to fund other public services you reduce profits and tax receipts. It’s a double edged sword.

If welfare benefits were made time limited/restricted people would be forced into jobs means generate some taxes and preserve most of spending. This would also be beneficial both for mental health (idle mind and all) and role modelling for their children. So no, it's not just direct saving on welfare, it's also growing economy.

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Sure for a start I voted remain and thought lockdowns and high spending were off, and said as much at the time.

We have Labour in now and most don’t feel as you do, only 13% do.

Sure for a start I voted remain and thought lockdowns and high spending were off, and said as much at the time.

We have Labour in now and most don’t feel as you do, only 13% do.

We have Labour in now and most don’t feel as you do, only 13% do

what do I feel?

In theory though, it is absurd that two people working full time on the National minimum wage from 18-65 are not paying enough tax to cover the cost of themselves to the country, at the point they are working. It is basically stealing from the future generation.
I am sorry but the triple lock has to go and pensioners who can have to pay the equivalent of NI into an NHS top up fund. It should not be that a pensioner drawing a 50000 pension a year is better of than a worker with 2 kids, it makes no sense for society.

More positively about Labour than most. What would you choose dissatisfied or satisfied with Labour in an approval poll?

Very true.