Election Year or Fear!

[Andy_Faber]

There are also additional worries about Labour adding VAT to private school fees

There's a legal challenge being submitted by the parent of a child with disabilities claiming an infringement of the child's human right to an adequate education, which, she argues, can't be provided by the state sector. An interesting battle in prospect, and you can sort of bet that any such challenge will be well funded...

Ironically the ultimate arbiter may be the ECHR so don't go pushing for its abolition too hard Tricky

[Trickytreesreds]

There's a legal challenge being submitted by the parent of a child with disabilities claiming an infringement of the child's human right to an adequate education, which, she argues, can't be provided by the state sector. An interesting battle in prospect, and you can sort of bet that any such challenge will be well funded...

Ironically the ultimate arbiter may be the ECHR so don't go pushing for its abolition too hard Tricky

lol, ok thanks.

Why do I feel, there is a targetted war going on with the current Labour crew?
Pensioners/ private services/ having an opinion against the grain?

This is going to end in tears big time.

[Andy_Faber]

lol, ok thanks.

Why do I feel, there is a targetted war going on with the current Labour crew?
Pensioners/ private services/ having an opinion against the grain?

This is going to end in tears big time.

If you're suggesting the imminent demise of HMG you're having a laugh, you're just going to have to suck it up for a few years

[Trickytreesreds]

If you're suggesting the imminent demise of HMG you're having a laugh, you're just going to have to suck it up for a few years

Never said that. I mean trouble for all of us across the board, as kick backs start.
I still believe this plank won't last a year.
The Labour cowards who abstained yesterday, showed the feelings. The cheering after the vote sickened folks.

He will fall down from within, as just like the Tories, they will tear into each other.
meanwhile strikes and demos will come after the next budget.

[ramAnag]

Never said that. I mean trouble for all of us across the board, as kick backs start.
I still believe this plank won't last a year.
The Labour cowards who abstained yesterday, showed the feelings. The cheering after the vote sickened folks.

He will fall down from within, as just like the Tories, they will tear into each other.
meanwhile strikes and demos will come after the next budget.

Looks like the opposition leader is likely to be either Jenrick or Badenoch and I’d take a bet that Starmer will outlast either of them.

In the meantime…only seen the ‘highlights’, but maybe Trump’s new theme tune should be the Allman Brothers, ‘Ramblin’ Man’…great song, that I’m sure he wouldn’t get permission to use, but what a clown! As if his Covid nonsense wasn’t stupid enough he’s now surpassed even that.
More fitting that he should be sectioned than allowed to run for President…imo.

[MadAmster]

So Trump says he "lost by a whisker" and "came up a little bit short" and when confronted with that claims "I was being sarcastic".

I sincerely hope I'm not the only one on here who doesn't believe him.

[Andy_Faber]

So Trump says he "lost by a whisker" and "came up a little bit short" and when confronted with that claims "I was being sarcastic".

I sincerely hope I'm not the only one on here who doesn't believe him.

my only query is did he just make it (the animal thing) up or has he seen a story buried somewhere from history, from elsewhere in the world, whatever, I’m not excusing him but I’d love to understand what goes on under that Barnet

[ramAnag]

my only query is did he just make it (the animal thing) up or has he seen a story buried somewhere from history, from elsewhere in the world, whatever, I’m not excusing him but I’d love to understand what goes on under that Barnet

Don’t forget that ‘Barnet’ covers where he took, in his words, ‘a shot to the head’, AF…or, as others might say…a highly suspicious and slightly grazed ear that appears to have totally miraculously recovered.
You’d have to be crazy to understand what goes on in there.

[swaledale]

I personally think it should be means tested. My concern is that while those most in need will get, what normally happens is you have that percentage of the population that fall in between, not able to claim pension credit but still struggle to properly make ends meet, it those where the concern is.

It's the lateness in the year that I don't like, those that have been expecting to be in receipt are being told at very short notice they won't get it, for those in that 'gap ' had they had notice they could have put a bit more away or topped up their DD extra through the cheaper spring and summer months. If the government had said we are removing it from next year or at least staggered the removal so it was only reduced slightly this year then fully next year.

It has been handled very badly, though I don't remember many pensioners protesting over things like 2 child cap on benefit, bedroom tax and the like so maybe its time the older generation actually had some pain?

Lets not forget that when Gordon brown brought it in, it was because the state pension was so low and inflation wasn't uprating it. Since then we have had the "triple lock" which has massively uprated state pensions. So means testing it seems a good move to me. BUT I am concerned that we seem to be heading for a repeat austerity orthodoxy, which history shows doesn't work as intended. There are many ways the funding gap could be bridged, revising Council tax so million pound plus properties pay more, 1% higher tax on the very high earners, capital gains tax etc. etc.

[ramAnag]

It has been handled very badly, though I don't remember many pensioners protesting over things like 2 child cap on benefit, bedroom tax and the like so maybe its time the older generation actually had some pain?

Lets not forget that when Gordon brown brought it in, it was because the state pension was so low and inflation wasn't uprating it. Since then we have had the "triple lock" which has massively uprated state pensions. So means testing it seems a good move to me. BUT I am concerned that we seem to be heading for a repeat austerity orthodoxy, which history shows doesn't work as intended. There are many ways the funding gap could be bridged, revising Council tax so million pound plus properties pay more, 1% higher tax on the very high earners, capital gains tax etc. etc.

Agree with that…and let’s also remember that as things are at the moment - and I know this could all suddenly change - our domestic fuel is significantly cheaper now than it was 12-24 months ago.

As regards the U.S. elections…is there a danger that Harris v Trump will soon turn into Swifties v Muskovites?