The autumn budget should cut benefits before increasing tax

[Leett]

There is talk of Labour breaking their election pledge and increasing income tax by 2p. I doubt they'd do that because voters will revolt. However they need to do something with the state pension due to increase by 4.7% next year.
I really hope they cut benefits / pensions before the deciding to increase taxes.

The raise might take her above pension credit.

@IAmNotASheep I'm not sure why you want to keep arguing with me. There wasn't the same yrs of wage stagnation. and house prices vs salaries were quite the same ratio. But you will keep disagreeing.

Yes I would have a two tier system. There needs to be rewards for contribution.,

Not if she’s on the old state pension. Of the people who retired after April 2016 many fewer will be eligible for pension credit because the basic pension is higher.

I think they need looking at. One of my team leaders openly admits he tops his pension up so much so he is taking home the same as us. His partner doesnt work, i assume this is so their benefits dont have deductions. Why should he be able to squirrel money and keep getting benefits when he has more than enough to live off?

That's a bit short sighted. Some people fall on hard times through no fault if their own. Some people are born into difficult circumstances and never get the same opportunities. My husband and I work full time but things can change in a heartbeat. For some single parents they can't afford to work because of the cost of rent, childcare etc. As a society we need to support those who cannot support themselves (obviously within reason). That's just my opinion. Others will more self serving and that's their opinion.

You’re their mum. You’re not wider family. And I was talking specifically about wider family being expected to make care and financial contributions towards supporting a disabled family member.

I think the very wealthy should be taxed more before pensions/benefits are reduced. YABU

I am not misunderstanding
Not many working people have DB pensions now so we cannot compare ( and it is accepted that they were a stupid an unaffordable mistake )

Those born after 2000 will have the benefit of employer contributions which many now retired and soon to retire never had.

Thats a big plus

It’s my opinion too. Unfortunately society being expected to support the most vulnerable doesn’t fly on MN.

For the record, my parents are dead. Any other ridiculous suggestions?

@IAmNotASheep younger people are not going to have the same private pension pots as today's pensioners as a group.

My grandfather paid off his house which cost £4800 in a year. And my nan didn’t even work.

But I have a mortgage which I will pay off shortly before I die in all probability, and both my husband and I have to work full time.

Yet, we are the ones who have to keep dipping into our pockets to fund the state.

I genuinely feeling like sacking off the job, which I hate with a passion, and joining the benefits line. I don’t care if I don’t live a life of luxury, I am just knackered and would rather not work another day, if I’m going to keep getting squeezed.

And then we’ll see how long this growing welfare state can keep going…especially when the pool of workers shrink.

You haven’t answered my second question. At some point you have to think about the people who haven’t contributed through no fault of their own. The system you’re proposing is one of a certain type of means testing and would be cumbersome and expensive to administer. And a two tier system inevitably leads to more poverty. And you’re saying you want that ?

No I’ll stop now because there’s no point.
You are not considering the lives of others and only looking at a wider picture
‘
As others have pointed out

You are not considering the lives of others and only looking at a wider picture

It's about the bloody bigger picture though 🤦🏻‍♀️

Given you have hoped that I die. I have reported your post, since that is a fragrant breach of the site rules. I have requested that MNHQ use their discretion and ban this user.

That’s nothing more than a sound bite. ‘Tax the Rich!’.

The rich can avoid tax. The rich can leave.

That’s why ‘tax the rich’ never materialises. Because it’s not ever going to happen.

The rich can avoid tax. The rich can leave.

And when you strip out those 0.1%s and look at the 1%s a large amount are pensioners.

I've always wondered why all the politicians ever do is tinker around the edges.
Are they incapable of coming up with a cohesive and coherent plan or are we incapable of acceting such a change?
And then of course our 5 yearly elections mean no government can ever start a long term plan.

I've begun to despair that anything will really change in my lifetime.
Where are the politicians with enough bottle to go for it?

I do agree.
Its exhausting especially after years of work and kids and constantly listening to envy from those that have made something more than they started with.
Tax Tax Tax
seems the ONLY answer for some

Where are the politicians with enough bottle to go for it?

But voters won't vote for them

I know we're talking about now, but DT won't be president for ever (thank god) so at what point DO we make them pay?