Fuck it - the government will look me

[Phonicshaskilledmeoff]

I am becoming increasingly frustrated with the way our country is run. I love my country, but what on earth can I do to fix it? the Rachel reeves pension and stamp duty rumours have tipped me over the edge.

I believe 90% of our lives is the summation of our own choices. Bar (some of) our own (and families) health and tragic life events, there is very little we can’t choose in this country.

I’m not saying that the playing field is fair - I absolutely acknowledge that some groups face structural barriers that make good choices harder. Others are unaware those choices even exist. That’s where government should step in—not to equalise outcomes, but to equalise access to meaningful choice.

I think we all acknowledge that bad governments are ones that take away choices. This government, however is also taking away choice by incentivising bad choices. Policies should nudge people toward self-sufficiency, not make state reliance easier than self-reliance, or rewarding short-term decisions over long-term

Our Government should be working towards equitable availability of choice (not equal - see below) to make sure those choices are as easy and available to everyone. Policies should be in place to make sure people are encouraged to make the right choices.

I increasingly feel like I make the right choices and think what was the bloody point!

I’m going to wish I never paid into my pension soon and went on holiday instead! Should I just spend my money, move into a smaller house and quit my job. At this point I think I’d be better off.

Jargon Buster - EQUALITY - It’s assumed there is a level playing field and everyone gets the same resources. EQUITY - Everyone gets what they need to succeed, which may mean different levels of support.

i tell you what. Even though this thread has been depressing it's been nice to take the focus off the asylum seekers for a change.

True!

If this was an attempt to refute the fact that ‘entitled’ is not an attitude espoused by a large number of people who argue for benefits, then your post failed to do that.

Subject is social work. I have a relevant degree (the loans for which I have completely paid off through pre parenthood employment) so would be a one year full time or two year part time masters.

Is it really true that current student loan debt is actually a problem for our economy? Is that not a bit like saying mortgages are a problem for our economy? Many people will be paying them off, with silly interests, for the rest of their working lives and therein lies the business model no? Happy to be educated on this if you have links or references, I’ve just always understood debt like this as another commercial product.

Yes I agree pay to train is a brilliant model. I’ve applied for zillions, they’re mega competitive. I’m fairly smart, hardworking, have worked since I was 16, have a good degree, have done CV seminars etc etc never even got an interview for one 😂 . If there were more of them I think that could only be a good thing. We do also need lots of university trained staff like nurses, midwives, social workers and doctors.

But in the mean time I think the rigidity if our benefits system needs a bit of a looking at. I’d never claimed any benefits until I was alone with a child and I’m shocked at how silly some parts of the process are. I can’t tell you how many times a very lovely and diligent DWP employee has said words to the effect of “I know this is ridiculous but I have no power to make any judgement calls here when computer says no”. So they just continue to give me £1100 per month indefinitely while I stack shelves instead of for two years til I get a better job.

ABL...

Someone mentioned culture upthread & I do find that interesting. The majority would argue labours increase on employers NI was wrong & damaged the labour market. But why do higher employer social security taxes work in other countries?

Hey, you can do it too! If it's so easy and such a life of luxury, why aren't you doing it?

I think most of us can agree that this lot are no better than what went before. 🙄

We are/will pay more, and get less. 🙄.

But, we’re stuck with the choices we have. I wouldn’t vote Tory or Labour, but very few choices left. 🤷‍♀️

The global economy is just in a bad state right now. Some countries are doing better than others but there are challenges everywhere. You have to vote for the government that will make the most of a bad situation.

The irony is we live in a time of great freedom and individual rights but services are underfunded and under resourced. Goods are expensive and no one has any money.
Move out of the UK? To where? Spain with a massive unemployment rate? USA with its massive layoffs? Good luck

Maybe they have a work ethic

UK is a service economy and things like retail are being hit hard. Maybe increasing the tax free allowance would have been better than NI increases. I don't know.

The Tories were terrible for taxes and they could’ve done so much more. Tackled the welfare bill. Tackled the cliff edges harming productivity. They didn’t. They kept the triple lock and protected pensioners. They kept upping the welfare spend to record numbers.

The public sector has been shielded, I should know, I work in it. We’ve been given pay rises which are unaffordable as the budget isn’t there. The budget isn’t here because the private sector (which funds us) has taken a hammering. Productivity is down. RR set fire to the private sector with the NI and increase in NMW. Companies stopped hiring, jobs were lost, companies folded,

Without a productive private sector and private sector workers, there is no state sector, services or welfare. It is that simple. RR has actively killed productivity and that needs to be owned. It is possible to think the Tories could’ve done better and think Labour are a compete disaster.

She’s gone for the private sector, private schools. Coming soon: pensioners, pension savings, private sector salary sacrifice, anyone over 50k. The only people left are the majority of the public sector and welfare claimants. Hence the kite flying to whip up anger so they can bring in cuts to the latter.

You’re right, everyone needs to pay. Wastage in the public sector needs cutting as does the welfare bill.

Well that’s a reply with some spice I’ll give you that.

I can see you’re still in the Labour camp, but sadly for them it is declining. I think the budget will be a clincher for even more people.

If they drag teachers, police and train drivers into non working people they’re likely toast.

But, we’re stuck with the choices we have. I wouldn’t vote Tory or Labour, but very few choices left.

I don't feel I can vote for anyone, I won't be voting for Reform.

Sure, but you are increasingly in the minority.

Completely agree!

No, they can send it on taxis. It's for mobility, not for a car specifically.

I hadn’t even thought of that! Give certain sectors much needed pay rises that lift them into non-working people! Talk about voting for Christmas.

The Tories were terrible for taxes and they could’ve done so much more. Tackled the welfare bill. Tackled the cliff edges harming productivity. They didn’t. They kept the triple lock and protected pensioners. They kept upping the welfare spend to record numbers.

So do you think labour should try and reduce welfare?

The public sector has been shielded, I should know, I work in it. We’ve been given pay rises which are unaffordable as the budget isn’t there. The budget isn’t here because the private sector (which funds us) has taken a hammering. Productivity is down. RR set fire to the private sector with the NI and increase in NMW. Companies stopped hiring, jobs were lost, companies folded,

I'm in the public sector now after yrs of private. I think the pay rises are decent but equally the strikes are disruptive. Productivity has been shit for years, not just now.

Without a productive private sector and private sector workers, there is no state sector, services or welfare. It is that simple. RR has actively killed productivity and that needs to be owned. It is possible to think the Tories could’ve done better and think Labour are a compete disaster.

Productivity has never recovered from the 08 crash & much of that was under the Tories, years of which we had low borrowing which should have boosted investment and therefore productivity. Pushing money to pensioners and inflating assets damages productivity so I am confused how you can argue the Tories could have done better when they didn't for years?

You’re right, everyone needs to pay. Wastage in the public sector needs cutting as does the welfare bill.

I would get rid of the NHS model but that would involve cross party consensus.

If they drag teachers, police and train drivers into non working people they’re likely toast

Isn't the average train driver on 50k? A Met officer and London teacher can start on 40k.

Sure, but you are increasingly in the minority.

Am I @Damnthetorpedoes? what are the majority doing?

The Welfare system needs to distinguish between a 54 year person with Autism who has 25 years of NI Contributions who is no longer employable and a 20 year old with 'mental' problems. This is where a contributory amount should be assessed and given to someone with '25 years' worth of NI contributions.

Another very stupid and Short Sighted decision was the closure of 'Remploy' by George Osborne an organisation that could be adapted to employ disabled people in the 8-12 point category of PIP needs. These disabled people could work part time in an environment that could be adapted to differences and difficulties not suitable to a mainstream workplace.

It's only really quite recently that "entitled" has been used to mean "unjustly feels entitled". If you do actually have a right to something, then you are entitled to it. And many people are entitled to claim certain benefits.

8- 12 points = Standard Daily living rate of PIP £333 a month.

People used to bob along not knowing what they were able to claim until the internet came along and signposted everyone to make sure the maximum amount was claimed always.

I guess ‘may be eligible for’ isn’t quite as catchy as Entitledto.