I’m no longer living in the UK and it’s been awful to see the decay.
Both parties are as bad as each other. The reality is lack of education has resulted in a need for mass immigration. It would be cheaper in the long run to educate our own but it’s less work to import the talent.
Childcare is a massive problem in the UK because it’s not worthwhile working more than the minimum required. My friends who work full time are using a patchwork of cover which is unbelievably stressful. This is why most of my friends work very part time, about 2-3 days a week or 4 days a week during school hours only.
The reality is the benefits paid out are because taxation is so high and doesn’t consider the different circumstances affecting households. I still see young people having children before they are in a position where they can afford the child. The outcomes are not good for the mother or child. There have been improvements but I think there needs to be a whole lot more done to discourage this choice. My suggestions are requiring consistent full time hours of 35 hours of work to qualify for support, updating legislation and the process so men are required to pay child support and the abolition of zero hours contracts. I would require anything over 40 hours a week be paid at overtime rates with an exemption for those making more than £150k a year. Society pays a very heavy price for working more than 40 hours a week. Ironically the NHS is one of the worst offenders out there pushing staff to work for free.
For families, childcare should be fully deductible from wages of the parent who is the lower earner first regardless of marital status. Being in school to get an education in an area where there is a shortage of labour should be fully supported and paid a weekly wage.
Id also eliminate minimum wage. We have a social safety net which ensures everyone has their basic needs taken care of. I hire skilled workers in the Uk and they are incredibly good value for money. The unskilled admin does not deliver value close to what minimum wage pays. It’s better overall for society to subsidize these workers and see them with jobs than pay for them to sit at home, where the often resulting depression and poor health lower living standards in these homes.
The NHS needs to restructure in terms of the care they provide. Luxury care such as IVF needs to be private only. You get two children on the NHS. After two children you need to pay privately for subsequent pregnancies and the children or have an abortion at no cost. Everyone should have an annual physical with a nurse and if you are overweight for non medical reasons you must attend 150minutes of gym exercises at your local leisure center or you pay a premium to the NHS.
I say this as a mother of 3 children. No one needs 3 children. Outcomes are lower because there aren’t enough hours in the day or enough of you to properly care for 3+ children.
Finally we need more homes. I’d build what’s needed close to transport hubs and SE. Greenbelt is a joke of an excuse. It’s basically land not controlled by the aristocracy so they called it greenbelt to prevent its development. This preserves the value of the aristocracy’s wealth. Before raiding pensions, I’d raid land held by the wealthiest and build some homes for people. Imagine the impact if housing was 25% of your budget instead of 50%.