Tory cuts could be mighty unpleasant

Thrugelmir

carolt wrote: »

But I thought that in order to get the economy out of recession we were all being encouraged to save less, spend more? Not sure how jacking up the price of everyday goods like clothes etc via taxation is going to encourage people to spend more. And if shops absorb the cost, surely that's going to hit them?

In a general context I was talking about luxury items, non-essentials. Some VAT I agree is unavoidable to pay, on petrol for example, if you need a car to travel to work. Clothes are cheap by historic standards and are almost throwaway if you buy from Primark and similar retailers.

Income tax is a certainty to rise in some form or another anyway. Whether the Tories will take the opportunity to reform the system for the lower paid is another matter. I hope so, as to earn a livable wage tax free would be a major step in addressing the inequalities in our society and reduce the dependancy on the state. In itself creating more economic activity.

StevieJ

bendix wrote: »

And not just running, skipping and jumping neitherm . . .

Positively racing towards it, eyes open, celebrating and crying out joyously.

The contrast between Osborne's honesty about the fiscal state of the country and the harsh measures needed, with Brown's shuffling non-mentions has been breathtaking.

Are you not aware that 'Osborne's honesty about the fiscal state of the country' is just a political tactic that may or may not pay off :rotfl: BTW the harsh measures apparently raise about 5% of what is needed

Thrugelmir

StevieJ wrote: »

Are you not aware that 'Osborne's honesty about the fiscal state of the country' is just a political tactic that may or may not pay off :rotfl: BTW the harsh measures apparently raise about 5% of what is needed

While some may smirk to score poltical points. I'm unsure as to what Labours proposals are at all. The lack of any constructive ideas is very unnerving.

StevieJ

Thrugelmir wrote: »

While some may smirk to score poltical points. I'm unsure as to what Labours proposals are at all. The lack of any constructive ideas is very unnerving.

The Tories are hitting the electorate with what (they think) the electorate wish to hear, you obviously don't believe that Labour will presumably sit back, and respond once they sense the the electorate mood, e.g. the fact that pension age is going up is probably not important to a young person, but maybe more so to a 50-58 year old.

robin_banks

I suspect you're right, and I think reality dictates that taxes will have to go up as well as spending being being cut.

They will win the next election with a fairly healthy majority, there will also be a huge amount of in-fighting over Tax and Europe to name but two issues.

Thrugelmir

StevieJ wrote: »

The Tories are hitting the electorate with what (they think) the electorate wish to hear, you obviously don't believe that Labour will presumably sit back, and respond once they sense the the electorate mood, e.g. the fact that pension age is going up is probably not important to a young person, but maybe more so to a 50-58 year old.

Actually I believe A D to be a competent chancellor as well. The issue is that he is restrained by his boss (And after being 10 years as Chancellor as well). It is difficult to change direction as to do so would admit that previous fundamental decisions were wrong. The words were right but the actions weren't.

A lot of people are happy to work after normal retirement. The retirement age was set when people worked physically harder, lived shorter lives. The formation of the Welfare State after the WW2 was ground breaking. Times have moved on. Changes are required.

If Labour had introduced pension reform rather than shelving it and taxing it for many. Then maybe the problem wouldnt be so acute now. I saved for many years through Equitable Life for my pension. I'm still waiting for the Government to accept their neligence. But as Labour seems to do with many important matters it just gets pushed away out of sight.

Sir_Humphrey

Thrugelmir wrote: »

A lot of people are happy to work after normal retirement. The retirement age was set when people worked physically harder, lived shorter lives. The formation of the Welfare State after the WW2 was ground breaking. Times have moved on. Changes are required.

There are still plenty of jobs that require hard physical slog. It is too easy to just think of people sat at desks when you think of these policies.

StevieJ

Thrugelmir wrote: »

If Labour had introduced pension reform rather than shelving it and taxing it for many. Then maybe the problem wouldnt be so acute now. I saved for many years through Equitable Life for my pension. I'm still waiting for the Government to accept their neligence. But as Labour seems to do with many important matters it just gets pushed away out of sight.

I understand where you were coming from in an earlier post re regulation, but as I pointed out then, if you think the Tories would have improved regulation
I do have sympathy regarding the Equitable situation and hope you do have satisfactory closure

Thrugelmir

StevieJ wrote: »

I understand where you were coming from in an earlier post re regulation, but as I pointed out then, if you think the Tories would have improved regulation
I do have sympathy regarding the Equitable situation and hope you do have satisfactory closure

I moved on from Equitable :mad:

Fortunately I still had\have time to address the situation so anything now will be a bonus.

Thrugelmir

Sir_Humphrey wrote: »

There are still plenty of jobs that require hard physical slog. It is too easy to just think of people sat at desks when you think of these policies.

One of my grandfathers worked for Tate & Lyle on the Isle of Dogs for nearly 30 years. If you saw him today, as he looked then, he would look 90 rather than the 64 when he died. He never saw retirement........