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There has got to be a better way and surely it’s not beyond the whit of man/woman to solely focus on those with minor disabilities/mental health first and work back from there. I only added the means testing comment to indicate there’s likely to be wastage there as well ie people who compared...

This is a bad take Dave and the neither the stats nor the numerous anecdotal evidence support this. If people don’t think there are large numbers gaming/maximising the system they’re naive. here’s a couple of stats from DWP…. ‘4.4 million people in England and Wales claimed an incapacity or...

In opposition Labour should’ve prepared a short and medium term industrial strategy, linking in public/private employers and further education. What sectors are growing, what are the employment requirements and where, what migration is required, what do we need kids to study, do we...

I was expecting one after Covid and then again when rates spiked around Ukraine war and it’s just not happened (moral of the story don’t follow my predictions !!!). The problem is net migration has significantly outpaced house building, throw in people living longer and demand has just been...

Don’t disagree. But there’s more nuance to it. Do you want large numbers of kids born into borderline poverty just to up the overall birth rate ? Do you want to increase low pay/low skill immigration who over their lifetime will be a net cost to the state, just to bump the total numbers ? Just...

I think after Mahmoods suggested policy changes and recent data they might well address immigration issue by next election. Not totally but sufficiently that it’s less of an issue

Its not just the foreign recipients (I’m aware of the data and Reform will definitely play in this) that will cause resentment The mirror printed an article yesterday that was highlighting the help some desperately need but I can imagine how others who have tried to be sensible by only having...

It hasn’t been too bad considering. A major situation that was caused by Covid supply shocks, Ukraine war and way too much QE. Most developed countries have got it down. The fact that countries had to use QT shows how much extra/unnecessary liquidity was in the system. Also people need to be...

FWIW the answer is ensuring we improve productivity, implement a fair and deliverable (and simpler would be good) taxation system/levels and spend public money wisely. I frankly don’t give a toss what theory people use to get there

MMT is just a convoluted way of getting to the same answer these days…..the amount you are able to spend is ultimately controlled by printing, inflation and taxation You could argue that partial MMT is kinda already utilised when it comes to the QE used worldworld since 2008 and then...

Agree pensions is the main issue. I’d personally change the triple lock and just make it inflation linked. The comparisons with other countries are never usually accurate as I don’t think they always take into account auto enrolment/public sector, free healthcare, pension credits etc. it’s...

Interesting from Peston

Agree that Reeves looked to remain within her fiscal rules, which included building in a bit of extra headroom, to keep markets happy However, she’s avoided any tough decisions that would get pushback from the party like trying to reform welfare (to reduce its forecast increases) and gone...

I presume those that get the most benefit aren’t home owners (so rents covered) and are getting other benefits such as child benefit, PIP etc. appreciate that it won’t deliver a life of luxury but some might prefer it rather than work. Two real life cases recently, one woman who was well looked...

I can understand people wanting to move elsewhere for a better life for themselves or their family but Dubai strikes me a pure tax saving play. Each to their own though

From what I’ve read, very little again on growth (encouraging business investment, employment etc) which is a genuine worry….this was supposed to be the bedrock of their manifesto. Personally think theyve got it the wrong way round, get the growth first which gives more to play with but we are...

Net £3.3k pm. If you’ve got a couple of kids so 3-4 bed house, I can see how people could struggle. Where they live in the country will have a big bearing as well

If you’ve got four kids you’ll get a bit more Edit - just seen they’re reducing energy bills by £150 per annum by removing some levees as well

I know you were but my response remains, I hope some of that spirit/positivity can get back into the country

I hope so. There’s a lot of doom and gloom around at the moment though