I think we need to come away from this idea of where to save money. It’s hurting all of us except the really rich. We need to be think about where to be investing the money the state actually has. For that my list is:
They could put more money into education particularly for SEND children many of whom are out of education due to no appropriate provision. These kids will become adults without qualifications and without family support will need to rely on the state to fund them. While still school age if out of school many are in expensive packages for very low quality provision- spend that money on appropriate SEND schools and these kids get a future at no extra cost to the tax payer.
they could put more money into the NHS reduce wait times. Early treatment could save many people from becoming disabled by their conditions and/or get those unable to work due to ill health back working sooner with prompt treatment thus relying less on the state. better maternity services would mean less PTSD from the experience less high cost interventions. Better outcomes for mothers and babies.
bring utilities back under the state. Profits then get ploughed back to the state not into the already rich pockets. Or prices come down significantly.
address misogyny and save the next generation from it. All research shows better for everyone with low levels of misogyny.
require minimum attendance for MPs in the house of commons and in their constituency offices. So the people who actually go for that job really do care not just want good expenses package. Reduce the expenses by providing a reasonable accommodation for MPs when in London - same standard for nurses accommodation. I think half our problem is our country is mismanaged by idiots who are privately educated and only out for what they can get for themselves and their rich friends. Joe blogs working full time minimum wage jobs around caring responsibility isn’t in their radar
address the issue of career landlords and corporation landlords. Tax % on income from property increases the more you make so those renting out their home while they are away for work or moved in with a partner still make money but those with 4,5,6 etc properties don’t make enough to justify the effort. Rents may not reduce but more housing stock will be available helping more people invest in their retirement nest eggs and need less support from the state in old age and housing benefits.
better public transport. Enabling the lower earners to travel for work and earn more like those who can afford cars can.
better funding and quality childcare. Sooo much evidence that better early years childcare leads to better long term outcomes for these children and less reliance on the state once adults. Makes no sense to me how the funding and grants for early years has been whittled back to nothing since the days of Tony Blair and every child matters. It’s kicking a bigger can down the road and we are seeing that play out now.
make absent fathers pay for their kids. Single mother can then can either afford to get back into work and/or these kids have better outcomes through not growing up in poverty. Less reliance on the state (although it anti CMS being factored into benefits calculations to protect those who’s ex withholds money). Continue CMS past children adult age and direct it into the mothers pension to balance out the hit her pension took raising those kids for him. Less cost to the state for poverty in the future elderly.
build more prisons and put money into proper rehabilitation. Particularly address the low sentenceing for violence againt women and girls. Men who rape essentially get the first one free these days- it’s no deterrent and adds to the fear women have in society. More stringent safeguarding for children. Children with trauma are more likely to have substance abuse issues and mental health struggles. Abused children are statistically more likely to abuse their own children and perpetuate the cycle (I dislike this stat nd think it should be separated by sex to see if it’s actually universal trait or more likely in abused men). Reduce the levels of abuse and long term it will reduce the cost to the state. Dealing with the first instance of a person breaching safeguarding will mean less financial compensation for the children failed and better outcomes for these kids and less reliance on state support if there are less mental health disorders resulting from childhood trauma. Eg the pedophile taxi driver rings, children home abuse, pedophilic medical staff. Many times there are multiple complaints that are dismissed before proper investigation is carried out.