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’ve never been worried about a budget before. This time im not only worried about my own position, but the economy as a whole

We are not a poor country just a very unequal one.

Correct

They might avoid some of tbe best ones unless you educate them a bit better about taxes.

Well, stop basing your opinions on things you "heard", and look into it yourself.

You don't pay stamp duty when you sell. Everyone knows this, so now you sound like you're just trolling.

What "annual charge"? Is this another made up thing that you "heard"?

If you're trying to make serious points, at least get the facts right and try not to "mispeak", whatever that means.

@Phonicshaskilledmeoff why were you not worried about economy before the election?!

Would the pension change ( if it happens) even affect you?

Do you use Salary Sacrifice for your pension?

For clarity - someone sacrificing £10k into a pension would end up paying £640 NI - that’s all.

They would save £4000 in income tax by lowering their taxable earnings, as most who Sal sac are higher rate tax payers.

Net gain of £3360.

Did you miss the Truss budget?

Yes, you're worried because the world economy is in a very difficult position, with wars, tariffs, lunatics in power in other countries.

Also, because the press and other media is so anti the current government that it's whipping up a frenzy which you seem to have fallen for.

Honestly, maybe stop worrying and read something useful, preferably that's not on the internet.

A million young people simply choosing to live on benefits.

@WildLimePoet can you link to the above.

Also, I hate to say it, but those who can afford to put £10k pa into their pension are already quite privileged. I say this as someone who used to put £3k pm in mine (it wasn't sal sac, so the NI change, if it happens, would not have impacted me at all). That's how come I can now work one day a week (and still put £2k pa into my pension, with employer's contribution).

It's just a non issue for the vast majority of people. And a tax on the wealthy. Which seems on-brand for Labour.

" I believe 90% of our lives is the summation of our own choices"

I probably thought similar when I was young. Wisdom gained with life experience has shown me I was wrong.

These are the rumours re the new budget, widely publicised in both right and left leaning newspapers ….

Why so immediately rude rather than as you put it, looking into it yourself?

www.theguardian.com/money/2025/aug/18/rachel-reeves-stamp-duty-property-tax-council-tax

Reeves didn’t do a pre budget press conference because things are rosy for Labour.

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.

Evidently, you are not alone in the way you feel, OP.

Ha oddly I wasn’t worried before …… just afterwards!

Why do you have a problem with notability cars? You know people who have them fund them themselves, right?

Do you use SALARY SACRIFICE?

Can you point me to a source for this stat please?

There’s really no need to be so rude to the OP. This is a discussion not a political thesis.

And some of your assertions are incredibly naive btw. ‘You don’t pay stamp duty when you sell’ - well, you don’t atm, but any government could choose to change that, and that’s the point. They can scrap state pensions, charge stamp duty on rent deposits, do whatever the hell they like. All we know is that this next budget has a shitload of tax it needs to raise, and someone is going to have to pay it.
I think being fearful it will fall on you personally is perfectly natural, especially with the COL as it is right now, and people already being right up against it to maintain their lives, financially.

Because everyone is equal, right?

"But motability cars for ADHD is a thing. "

How many people have a motability car where ADHD is their only diagnosis?

Because there are a million of these sorts of articles, all guesses. "Widely publicised" doesn't mean anything, they just print each others stories, they're not all independently researched.

Of course she is considering it, she will be considering everything. Looks like a good proposal to me though (but I very much doubt it will be in this year's budget, other than maybe as a policy announcement, rather than a new tax you have to pay immediately). Again, it's on-brand for Labour, do not really a surprise. A tax for the wealthy (who seem to all think they are "middle income", lols).

As I said, read something sensible. But generally, wait until the actual budget.

Please advise what you believe is a sensible news source

They "could choose" to change anything, obviously.

What's the point of a discussion of hypotheticals?

Maybe they should tax per word on internet forums.

I think OP has a point, enjoy your life, spend your money, work until you’re 70 then go on pension credit with housing paid and all the other benefits that come with that.

I'm rather envious of my MIL, who's worked for less than 10 years of her entire life. She gets pension credit, which is only around £7pw less than I get in state pension after working constantly from the age of 17 to 70, plus she gets full housing benefit and 100% reduction in her council tax.

Some of my working life was in the public sector, and my "gold plated" public sector pension is a princely £240 a month after tax. My council tax is £153 a month and I'm not entitled to any reduction save for the 25% single occupier discount. But the bit I'm most envious of is that whenever something goes wrong with MIL's house, she just picks up the phone and the council come and sort it. I have to find a tradesman to sort it and fork out for repairs. And she's still living in the spacious 3-bed house she's lived in since 1960 - no "bedroom tax" for pensioners.