Austerity measures?

[mummamiaherewegoagain]

Once all this is over, it’ll of been very expensive for the government so I feel like there’s going to be some austerity measures - what do you think will happen?
I think schools are going to reduce to 3 days for 2/3+ years, with reduced school funding that isn’t proportionate to reduction of days.
I think they’ll be tax a couple everyday things like meat or toilet roll.
Plus benefit caps/ reductions. Limiting the amount of time you can be on undo please benefit like the states.

Why would they reduce the school week?

I just think it’ll be one of the things they cut funding on. Hopefully I’m wrong, I just think it will happen, curious to know what everyone else thinks the measures will be.

The government will do what they always do and focus on making things more difficult for the poor and the vulnerable, whilst leaving their rich mates richer.

I’ve just realised a typo in my OP. Limit the amount of time on unemployment that should be, even though there will be an increase in unemployment, I think BJ is going to say it works in America And necessary measure (I’m not an expert but I don’t think it does, there’s a lot of poverty over there).

@FatAlbert definitely!

There are lots of different models to consider when you look at economic recovery. I couldn't even pretend to know which is best, but I know austerity isn't the only option.

I wonder a little if we will go back to a more 1950s economy style...

If Coronavirus has taught us anything it is the role of schooling in providing childcare so people can be productive.

I think we will see tax increases and cut a across the board, along with a movement for longer school hours but less focussed on education to get people back working longer and harder.

Schools won’t go to a 3 day week as that has implications for working parents.

The chancellor has already hinted at tax rises. Although these will most likely be fair modest so as not to become counter productive. A really good policy that should have been introduced years ago is means tested co-payments for state services. There’s simply no reason to be providing completely free education or healthcare to people that could comfortably be able to afford a copayment.

I doubt they’ll cut school hours. Too much impact on working parents.

They’ll have to raise taxes.

There’s simply no reason to be providing completely free education or healthcare to people that could comfortably be able to afford a copayment.

You seriously think they will end free education for all? I seriously doubt that. I think it is a horrifying idea.

I agree they’ll be reducing school hours, I think working parents will be told to pay for additional days, whether it’s at a private school or some state schools offering this, childminders, I don’t know. But I think that’s likely, with means tested childcare/school help with fees like nursery but 3 days being offered as standard the same as 15 hours of nursery is to 3&4 year olds. Tax and benefit cuts/limiting also seems likely. I think there will be an increase in funding to nhs though.

I think taxes will rise and actually I think that people won't mind paying extra taxes because they will realise how lucky we are to have the NHS and will be thankful to have survived. Obviously many people already appreciate this but I think more people will not mind paying extra. We'll also perhaps realise how all those 4 foreign holidays a year ( for some)are not necessary. My fb page is full of people having constant days out/ theatre trips/ meals out all the time/ weekends away/ spa weekends/ afternoon teas and people will have to cut back and realise they are not essentials. People will cut back on non essentials and unfortunately businesses will suffer.

Don’t expect tax increases because so many will be unemployed after this there will be literally nothing to tax people on. Think a lot of governments will collude to just wipe the debts clear and start again.

They wont cut school hours surely ?

Wehtam - That's true, there will be no-one left to pay increased taxes. My eyes are watering thinking about the benefits bill. 105, 000 claims for Universal credit in a 24 hour period plus the extra they are giving to current claimants, plus no doubt a lot of new claims for sickness elements for anxiety/ stress/ mental health issues r those left with lung damage or increase frailty as a result of Coronavirus. the bill doesn't bear thinking about.

I wonder about the NHS - I can see this being used as justification for more open and extensive privatisation or charging

Who knows, depending on how long this goes ob they might have to think completely outside the box. This isn't a situation where cutting some benefits will help much at all.

I’m expecting taxes to rise significantly

@MordredsOrrery but after we've just used the nhs and other services to get through a pandemic, they'll have to be very careful with what they do, because more than ever the public will have very strong opinions about it.

esjee definitely agree. If anything all the government will be able to do is put in place a structure where once the second wave comes in the autumn we are better equipped to deal with it. We will be stockpiling face mask, ventilators and clinical equipment like never before. Simply plodding on as society as our pre vivid lives were is not an option any more.

@esjee people have very short memories. When this is over and 'normal' resumes, the fear will abate and people will remember that they've waited a long time for that knee replacement and now they have to wait even longer. They will go back to being annoyed that they're never first in the queue. And politicians are adept at playing on these.

Imagine the scenario: the NHS are wonderful, they've just saved us all! Wasn't it awful how hard it was for them, though? They should be better funded. How about a rise in taxes to pay for it? Also, the NHS could have more money faster if this or that contract was put in place - don't we all agree they deserve better? Plus, you'd get seen quicker! And what about putting a small charge on the door at A&E - that would keep out those people who don't really need to be there and who put such a burden on the NHS at the expense of those who really need it...

Not forgetting this is the country who believed politicians when they said the NHS would be getting an extra £350m per week right about now