'What should I ask George Osborne? Question suggestions wanted.' blog discussion

edgex

neutron wrote: »

Ask him why he considers himself qualified and capable of managing the UK finances. What qualifications and what experience?

well, he has no experience
he has never actually had a real job

alon

Will a Conservative government do anything to alleviate the exessive water charges that people in Cornwall have to pay. We are in one of the lowest wage areas in the Uk and yet we have to pay the highest water charges due to yes a conservative government privatising water for which unlike other utilities there is no competition.

OOPOS491

The inflation rate which determines how much annual increase I will get on my disability benefits is calculated on the prices of all products. Those of us on low, fixed incomes, spend our money on basic living, i.e. food, energy, petrol, mortgages, which have all increased in price more than the current inflation rate. I can't afford to buy luxury goods, so why is the rate of inflation on these, used to determine my increase? Why not have a 'basic living' rate of inflation and use that to calculate the rise in pensions/benefits?

Juliet_B_Dorset

Despite being bankrupt for the next millenium the current government is spending vast amounts of money on radio/tv/press advertising, also 'Red Arrows' and other frivolous items!. Will Mr Osborne pledge to cut non-essential spending to reduce the debt? AS WE HAVE ALL HAD TO DO!!!

dots_thots

OOPOS491 wrote: »

The inflation rate which determines how much annual increase I will get on my disability benefits is calculated on the prices of all products. Those of us on low, fixed incomes, spend our money on basic living, i.e. food, energy, petrol, mortgages, which have all increased in price more than the current inflation rate. I can't afford to buy luxury goods, so why is the rate of inflation on these, used to determine my increase? Why not have a 'basic living' rate of inflation and use that to calculate the rise in pensions/benefits?

That's precisely why the CPI is used, to limit what they have to pay you! If they used real inflation measures they'd have to pay out a lot more. That way they can be selective about what prices they use in their basket, so they can remove housing and energy or use substitution such as beefburgers for steak and hedonic adjustments to account for technology increases which should raise everyone's standard of living by default.

They also get you to focus on prices instead of monetary expansion as if it's a mysterious process they're doing their best to fight, rather than admitting they are the cause of inflation via "money-printing" and that rising prices are the result. Because monetary inflation shows up in a lumpy way, and not even right across all prices, they can get away with it by blaming other pressures.

Honest_John_4

Why is taxpayers money used to pay off voluntary bankruptees debts ? (sorry about spelling)

lesnic29

as bringing back foxhunting is the only firm policy statement that has been announced so far, could you please ask how this will help restore the relatively small fortunes that the shareholders in northern rock etc have lost?

robannh

The last ten years have been really tough on pensioners who have worked hard and paid their taxes all their working life. How about a decent pension as we can no longer get much income from our savings. Obviously it would be good to have a higher threshold before paying tax, it might help us to pay the huge council tax and utility bills which are now crippling. What will Mr Osbourne do for us.

iowens

Ask him if they are going to follow through with the pledge to abolish IR35 legislation introduced by Gordon Brown. It appears to be costing more to administer than the revenue it raises.
Cheers
Ian Owens

tonyabacus

Why are the Tories not prepared to give the public a referendum on getting us out of the EU. The constant retort about we need then no longer holds water. Politicians still have to learn that they represent us and therefore they should be asking us by way of referendum what we wish to happen. Why are they afraid of the answer.