Have we experienced a real rise in living standards as Osborne claims?

cepheus

The OP was my summary of an independent economists article. Read the link. I'm sure the majority of the population who don't live in this forum's Ivory tower would agree with him.

http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/blog/archives/9088

If you disagree with his arguments you can question him if you really believe what you say, without the support of your Tory cheerleaders.

Incidentally, on individual seat betting markets LAB are 6 MPs ahead. On national betting CON 70% chance of most seats . See:

https://twitter.com/MSmithsonPB/status/579209924892295168/photo/1

gazter

ruggedtoast wrote: »

I certainly haven't. I can't really see how anyone in the Tory party can have any comprehension of what a rise in living standards means to an average earner. While Cameron gazes into his £2000 fridge debating whether that foie gras has been open for two days or three, what has he got, or ever will have, in common with people who have had to work for a living.

They probably think that an extra £2.32 a month actually does make a difference to the proles.

The income tax threshold makes every income tax payer about £1000 a year better off, the council tax freeze about £250 a year. . With the increase in VAT adding about £200 to the average earner in extra tax.

We've seen significant inflation in food and energy prices over the last seven years, largely connected to the price of oil, but also the governments policies re alternative energy sources.

Some of these extra costs are unwinding as oil prices have dropped. We are now seeing reductions in car fuel, domestic energy and groceries.

gazter

cepheus wrote: »

The OP was my summary of an independent economists article. Read the link. I'm sure the majority of the population who don't live in this forum's Ivory tower would agree with him.

http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/blog/archives/9088

If you disagree with his arguments you can question him if you really believe what you say, without the support of your Tory cheerleaders.

Incidentally, on individual seat betting markets LAB are 6 MPs ahead. On national betting CON 70% chance of most seats . See:

https://twitter.com/MSmithsonPB/status/579209924892295168/photo/1

The answer stands. In his opening paragraphs he says:

"But those benefits, including health, education and social services, have since suffered substantial cuts from a chancellor delivering austerity medicine."

This is not true. He is either lying, or he is ignorant of the facts. The rest of it can thus be ignored.
Is this what passes for academia?

chewmylegoff

gazter wrote: »

The income tax threshold makes every income tax payer about £1000 a year better off, the council tax freeze about £250 a year.

Everyone who only pays basic rate, not every income tax payer.

gazter

chewmylegoff wrote: »

Everyone who only pays basic rate, not every income tax payer.

Yes, i stand corrected..

Generali

cepheus wrote: »

The OP was my summary of an independent economists article. Read the link. I'm sure the majority of the population who don't live in this forum's Ivory tower would agree with him.

http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/blog/archives/9088

If you disagree with his arguments you can question him if you really believe what you say, without the support of your Tory cheerleaders.

Incidentally, on individual seat betting markets LAB are 6 MPs ahead. On national betting CON 70% chance of most seats . See:

https://twitter.com/MSmithsonPB/status/579209924892295168/photo/1

Well your mate seems to have forgotten how VAT is accounted for in the change in disposable income numbers for a start.

Seems I was right about you looking frantically for a stick to beat the Tories with though.

Market for PM after the election (best odds)

http://www.oddschecker.com/politics/british-politics/next-uk-general-election/prime-minister-after-general-election

Cameron: 7-4 on
Milliband: 6-5 against

Market for biggest party:

http://www.oddschecker.com/politics/british-politics/next-uk-general-election/overall-majority

Tories: 24-5 against (about 5-1)
Labour: 23-1 against

It's not looking great for your lot. Nice picture of a dog in your avatar though.

CLAPTON

gazter wrote: »

The income tax threshold makes every income tax payer about £1000 a year better off, the council tax freeze about £250 a year. . With the increase in VAT adding about £200 to the average earner in extra tax.

We've seen significant inflation in food and energy prices over the last seven years, largely connected to the price of oil, but also the governments policies re alternative energy sources.

Some of these extra costs are unwinding as oil prices have dropped. We are now seeing reductions in car fuel, domestic energy and groceries.

the income tax allowance in 2010 was 6,475 and is now 10,000 so the gain for a basic rate payer will be
20% of 10,000 - 6475 so is £705 per year

low earners with less than the tax threshold gain nothing

gazter

CLAPTON wrote: »

the income tax allowance in 2010 was 6,475 and is now 10,000 so the gain for a basic rate payer will be
20% of 10,000 - 6475 so is £705 per year

low earners with less than the tax threshold gain nothing

Well earn some more, and theyll pay no tax on it.

Graham_Devon

HAMISH_MCTAVISH wrote: »

Austerity? Really?

Not saying I disagree with the thrust of your argument.

However, total spend can cloud things.

Isn't it how the money is spent that's more important?

Many departments can suffer severe cuts, even if you are spending the same annual amount. Especially if you have spent a load more, on, say, pensioners.

ukcarper

gazter wrote: »

The income tax threshold makes every income tax payer about £1000 a year better off, the council tax freeze about £250 a year. . With the increase in VAT adding about £200 to the average earner in extra tax.

We've seen significant inflation in food and energy prices over the last seven years, largely connected to the price of oil, but also the governments policies re alternative energy sources.

Some of these extra costs are unwinding as oil prices have dropped. We are now seeing reductions in car fuel, domestic energy and groceries.

My council tax has not been frozen