Who is responsible for our debt?

mm2000

lynzpower wrote:

I do disagree with You mm2000.

You make out that civil servants are on some sort of gravy train. Most of the money that comes into my team ( older peoples social services) isnt going on salaries really, its going on client care, be it paying for someone s meals on wheels, or putting in stairlifts or whatever. Do away with us, and what have you got? Likewise in educations, childrens social work, the bin men, whatever. It all costs money, and most of the revenue in London is raised from business rates and not from council tax.
How much of council tax gets wasted by the council hierarchy. Most councils recycle, this reduces waste and increases revenue so why should Council Tax increase, if your Council tax has only risen by £10.00 which I doubt but good for you if it has, Mine has risen by £300 approx. over the last 3 years. That is on a two bedroom ex- council flat so not becuse I've made alterations to the property as I can't. As far as education goes I am being asked by my sons schools to provide stuff that in the past schools provided, so that makes me feel I am paying twice. If most of the revenue in London is as you say raised by business rates who'se gonna pay when the businesses are gone. I work in Dagenham in Essex where the London Development agengy is tearing down industral places of work to make way for housing developments. Less work and housing for who exactly, probably all the immigrants and refugees
I dont think my income tax has risen while I can remember, certainly last year I got an extra 40 quid a year tax free, I have a middle income ( in fact this government has consistently raised the tax free allowances for all of us since coming in) and of course the minimum wage, and tax credits. Council tax has risen slightly but then I look at my local enviroment & services have improved consistently ( more recycling, better street lighting, less litter, parks better kept) so I dont mind paying an extra tenner a year or whatever it works out at for me.
The Labour government has not increased thresholds every year, Married tax allowances were withdrawn, National Insurance has increased by 2% over recent years and with the abolition of the upper limit more NI can be raised.
The government by not increasing the upper earnings limit for 40% tax has meant more people have fallen into this area of taxation, resulting in more revenue raised. If none of this is not a stealth tax then what would you call it. Other counties have secured EU backing and subsidies to try to protect their industry, but not in this country, that is why it is so easy to make British workers redundant. If I were to be made redundant tomorrow, I get 1 weeks wages for every years service plus en extra 1/2 week for every years service over the age of 41. My German counterparts in the same company get at least 2 years wages, this is a government stipulation, not ssomething negotiated with the unions.[/B]

I do not accept that things are getting worse, in fact for my clients at the very margins of society are getting more.

I disp[ute your point aobout other european countries restricting movement as this is illegal under EU law. Anyone within EU can freely move to other EU countries, and live and work there. FYI, benefits are not available to accession country applicants until they are ordinarily resident which on some of the cases Ive worked on, its a year or more before some get any money, after disablement for example.
If other european countries are not restricting entry to immigrants and refugees then why are they all coming here, why do you think the BNP gained so many more seats in last weeks Local elections.

I dont understand all this blahing about "stealth taxes" thats newspaper speak. Most of them are known for speed cameras ( dont speed then) increase in petrol ( there are alternatives) and the like.

What alternatives are there to petrol, I don't have the £1500 pound to convert my car to LPG nor are there many filling staions that sell it. How long before the government raises the duty on that too.
I take it from your reply you are a Civil Servant, let me ask you one thing would you be happy with a pay cut, are you really likely to get a pay cut or am I likely to be taxed more to keep you earning. I hope for your sake you don't have to suffer such cutbacks but some of us are not so fortunate.
Existing Civil Servants are gauranteed their pensions, but the rest of us are not, even people's private and company pensions are not realising the money that they should. As I said before in a previous post when the manufacturing industry has gone what will be left, what remains will not produce export revenue for the government, this country is dying on its feet and the Labour government is filling its boots whilst the rest of us will sink.

lynzpower

MM2000

You want to be very careful that your responses do not get classed as racist, I folr one take offence at them. Its my opinion that "immigrants" keep london going, doing the jobs that no one else will do. there was also a programme on c4 not so long since about farming in norfolk going to the dogs as no one but "immigrants" are willing to work for the minimum wage on the farms packing veg fro the supermarkets. It does sound to me, and from reading in the press that the area you live in is racist too blaming the so-called outsiders for precieved problems in the community.

I wont take a pay cut as I am at the top of my scale, which also means I am not entitled to any more payrises.

At the end of the day, alternatives to driving are
a) LPG ( its not easy being green showed them making LPG out of old chip fat in a shed, not for everyone but it can be done), buying a pushbike, having electric run cars, or even walking or getting the bus, tube/ trains. "how long before the governement raises duty on that too " well we dont know, but NOW its cheaper, as is walking or getting a bike.

You say " when all the businesses are gone". quite frankly thats doomsday talk and its not gonna happen. We are all going to need businesses. As regards to outsourcing to the developing world, many companies are actually bringing thier call centres and fulfillment back to the UK, as we all know that calling india to pay a bill is fraught with problems and is a major complaint of consumers.

roversbabe

Great thread - this has made very interesting reading.

My debt was MY fault - no-one elses. There were emotional reasons for my overspending, I've gone into detail on other posts. Getting into debt was my responsibility, as was getting out of debt.

I thank my lucky stars (!) that I had my lightbulb moment before I allowed my debt to spiral out of control.

The media does not help, the 'buy now, worry later' culture has to stop and I do feel that in some small way, people on this site are starting to stand up to the 'must have' advertising that is forced down our throats on a daily basis. Also, I believe that financial education is essential in stopping people getting in this horrible situation in the first place.

This site has been a real inspiration. Martin, you're doing a cracking job.

rb x

domestic_goddess

I think that although my debt is my fault - I applied for the cards, I spent the money and I have only been paying the minimum payments back up till now.
I also feel that the banks and store card companies are to blame in a way as within a few weeks of me turning 18 I had the option of credit cards and store cards offered many times. I was still at college with a low earning part time jobs and was not financially savvy enough to decide whether to get these cards or not. I did and I am still paying the price now. The comapnies seem to target the vulnerable so although yes I did spend on the card willingly I was not old enough or wise enough to realise the consequences

lynzpower

Credit cards companies are sending unsolicited credit cards with 2k credit limit to central london homeless hostels.

I learned this while on a poverty action training day with work.

Bunnyinthelights

mine, all mine.
Plain ignorance ('not knowing due to lack of education'), stupidity, fear, pride, the list goes on...
But my fault.
I should never have signed the forms, agreed to the loans, hid the truth from my husband, lived a lie, not asked for help earlier-but, I am learning and I am paying it off.
Bunny

In_Search_Of_Me

I'd like to say unbelievable but these days its not is it!! Thinking more about this...while banks are merrily giving money away & then having to sue/accept DMP/IVA/bankrupcy the costs come from...us as account holders surely?! Got us again eh!

lynzpower wrote:

Credit cards companies are sending unsolicited credit cards with 2k credit limit to central london homeless hostels.

I learned this while on a poverty action training day with work.

Montymoo_2

me although the pittence i was given on JOb seekers didnt help

youngandreckless

At the end of the day its my own fault. I know full well why I got into debt and I'm paying for it now! I just like nice things. Well liked, as now I have a better grasp on the value of money I find less things nice now. Obviously I'll always hanker for nice shoes, bags and beauty products, but I appreciate them more now that I don't just automatically get them.
My job is no longer as stable as it was and I'm learning a new trade that should set me up for a better future.
I refuse to beat myself up for being in debt (and neither should anyone else beat themselves up) as I'm human, I made mistakes and I'm not perfect. I had a blast on some of my debt and at the time I was young. I know I'll be debt free one day and that keeps me going.

Kevicho

Does anyone else agree that if you dont take responsibility for your debt, then it will never be paid?

Unless of course you fluke a lottery win

Of course this country is expensive, solution, vote for a better government (why do you think i also started a thread regarding ousting the royal family)

We all are in the same boat, we all have different situations, but the same goal.

In life you have to MAKE things happen yourself, no amount of moaning about divorce, the government,or whatever else will change that fact