The Effects of Conservative Cuts 2015-2020

kabayiri

I guess all we can say is that the cuts are going to be harsh on some; less so on others.

The pain of the cuts has to mean something though.

I'm not happy that the coallition missed it's deficit target.

The Tories have been given another chance. They will *not* be forgiven for missing the new targets.

Politicians must be measured by their targets.

padington

Interesting early report coming back that London teenager homelessness is dropping like a stone suddenly. The theory is the bedroom tax has diminished the incentive to boot your 17 year old out and get them to queue up at the homeless persons unit for their own council house with a tale of woe.

Imagine what could happen if the poor were incentivised heavily to do the right thing. Extra money if your kids pass qualifications etc. Extra money for community service work whilst unemployed etc.

danothy

Generali wrote: »

What should be done about all those people that borrowed money and didn't pay it back?

Deport them to Greece.

stator

The Rich will get Richer, the Poor will get Poorer.
Old people will continue to milk the system dry

gadgetmind

padington wrote: »

Interesting early report coming back that London teenager homelessness is dropping like a stone suddenly. The theory is the bedroom tax has diminished the incentive to boot your 17 year old out

Interesting. Do you have a reference?

padington

gadgetmind wrote: »

Interesting. Do you have a reference?

No, I work in the homeless sector in London so this is news as fast as could possibly be delivered, well before any real research has been done but apparently it's had a massive effect, practically ended teenager homelessness in one area. I'll check today which council this came from and if I'm allowed to share specifics at this stage.

Sapphire

Loughton_Monkey wrote: »

For years I have tried to divide my annual state pension by the number of hours I work [which is zero] and never found a calculater to give me a valid answer. I think, however, it's above minimum wage.

I would never argue that it has been "earned". I would perhaps argue it has been 'paid for' or 'qualified for' by virtue of paying tax and NI.

I would argue that people like my parents, who lived and fought during the Second World War, then paid taxes throughout their working lives, without receiving any benefits for more than two children, have certainly 'earned' the pensions they get, and more. The amount they get is pitiful (though of course they are of a generation that doesn't complain and expect the types of luxury people get through taxpayers nowadays, and take for granted, and they know how to make do).

Likewise their children had to live through the extreme hardship of the postwar years. Things didn't really start getting better for most people until the 1980s. Many forget that, or choose to ignore it because it suits their own interests to do so.

What a horrible, selfish attitude some people have towards old, infirm, defenceless people these days. I suppose it must be to do with the spoiled way they have been brought up, by the very people that are now defenceless. It used to be that elderly people commanded respect – I even remember having to kiss my great-grandmother's hand…

antrobus

ruggedtoast wrote: »

70% of welfare is pensions.

I don't think that is correct.

The IFS has performed an analysis of welfare spending. It calculates that 45% of welfare spend is on "older people". And 31% is the state pension which, of course, many people do not regard as a 'benefit'.

Table 3.1. GB expenditure and claimant figures for all benefits and tax credits, 2013
http://www.ifs.org.uk/uploads/publications/bns/BN13_Benefits_Survey_2014.pdf

Thrugelmir

kabayiri wrote: »

I guess all we can say is that the cuts are going to be harsh on some; less so on others.

Cuts is an emotive term. What's really required is a cultural shift in attitude from people to a range of issues. The Government of the day has to set the right agenda though.

padington

gadgetmind wrote: »

Interesting. Do you have a reference?

Witnessed by Camden pathways in Camden apparently.