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Labours pension threat - daily express

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Comments

  • Terron wrote: »
    It certainly does. The insulin I take is from the US. The price for a box of 5 pens in the US is $592. Each pen lasts me a bit over a week. The NHS pays £28.79 per pen, The cost to make the drug is less than $6 per pen. The patent on insulin ran out long ago, though newer patents have been made on the delivery systems. The NHS uses it's size to negotiate on price. It's price is used by other countries. The largest US medical organisation - Medicare - is legally forbidden from negotiating prices. Other smaller organisation do do so.

    It's incredible that the US govt has stopped itself from being able to do something that is a standard practice between customer and supplier to negotiate prices.
  • Ganga
    Ganga Posts: 4,253 Forumite
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    The main thing i have noticed is it seems every other day the politicians/leaders come out with new promises that cost billions,where is the money coming from and why could the NHS etc not have it now rather than after the genral election.
  • LHW99
    LHW99 Posts: 5,368 Forumite
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    Thrugelmir wrote: »
    Some drug treatments are only available from US Companies. Orkambi for cystic fibrosis being one. Currently unavailable in the NHS to it's high pricing.
    For the record, it soon will be
    https://royalpapworth.nhs.uk/our-hospital/latest-news/cystic-fibrosis-drugs-orkambi-symkevi-available-nhs
  • nigelbb
    nigelbb Posts: 3,819 Forumite
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    Ganga wrote: »
    The main thing i have noticed is it seems every other day the politicians/leaders come out with new promises that cost billions,where is the money coming from and why could the NHS etc not have it now rather than after the genral election.

    The incumbent government especially one that's been in office for 9 years is always going to be asked the question "If these proposals for expenditure are so great why haven't you already started to implement them?". A promise of an extra 20K policeman sounds unconvincing when it was your government that reduced the number by 20K in the first place.
  • nigelbb wrote: »
    The incumbent government especially one that's been in office for 9 years is always going to be asked the question "If these proposals for expenditure are so great why haven't you already started to implement them?". A promise of an extra 20K policeman sounds unconvincing when it was your government that reduced the number by 20K in the first place.

    The reality is that it’s a different government from the one that made a bit of an effort to reduce the deficit. Blowing up the budget is not necessarily a good thing.
  • JoeCrystal
    JoeCrystal Posts: 3,383 Forumite
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    edited 21 November 2019 at 12:38PM
    Labour just released their manifesto! Having a really fun reading it. A lot of changes in employment rights as well! The main things they mentioned about the pensions are the following:

    Labour recognises this injustice, and will work with these women to design a system of recompense for the losses and insecurity they have suffered. How annoying!

    Labour will abandon the Tories’ plans to raise the State Pension Age, leaving it at 66. We will review retirement ages for physically arduous and stressful occupations, including shift workers, in the public and private sectors. I was under the impression it was both Tories AND Labour's plans to increase the State Pension Age in the past! The promise to freeze it at 66 is a surprise here! It won't last of course!

    We will maintain the ‘triple lock’ and guarantee the Winter Fuel Payment, free TV licences and free bus passes as universal benefits No surprise here

    We will stop people being auto-enrolled into rip-off schemes and seek to widen and expand access for more low-income and self-employed workers. We will establish an independent Pensions’ Commission, modelled on the Low Pay Commission, to recommend target levels for workplace pensions. I don't think the workplace pension schemes are rip off but I wonder if the target levels would be even compulsory. But it does make sense to have the Commission to figure out the minimum contribution rates

    We will create a single, comprehensive and publicly run pensions dashboard that is fully transparent, including information about costs and charges. No surprise here

    We will ensure that the pensions of UK citizens living overseas rise in line with pensions in Britain. Citizens in Canada and other countries who see their state pension froze at the original rate is going to be happy!
  • cloud_dog
    cloud_dog Posts: 6,357 Forumite
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    I don't suppose it makes any mention of where the party actually stands on Brexit, other than, we'll see what people think afterwards and go with the flow?
    Personal Responsibility - Sad but True :D

    Sometimes.... I am like a dog with a bone
  • JoeCrystal
    JoeCrystal Posts: 3,383 Forumite
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    edited 21 November 2019 at 1:00PM
    cloud_dog wrote: »
    I don't suppose it makes any mention of where the party actually stands on Brexit, other than, we'll see what people think afterwards and go with the flow?

    :o You managed to sum up four pages of it into one sentence! Pretty much so although they did say what they will want in the new deal:

    • A permanent and comprehensive UK-wide customs union, which is vital to protect our manufacturing industry and allows the UK to benefit from joint UK-EU trade deals, and is backed by businesses and trade unions.
    • Close alignment with the Single Market – ensuring we have a strong future economic relationship with the EU that can support UK businesses.
    • Dynamic alignment on workers’ rights, consumer rights and environmental protections so that UK standards keep pace across Europe as a minimum, allowing the UK to lead the way, not fall behind.
    • Continued participation in EU agencies and funding programmes, including in such vital areas of co-operation as the environment, scientific research and culture.
    • Clear commitments on future security arrangements, including access to the European Arrest Warrant and shared databases, making people safer at home and abroad.

    Frankly, we might not as well leave the EU! ;)

    I can see the notable buying of the votes here.

    Labour will restore public sector pay to at least pre-financial crisis levels (in real terms), by delivering year-on-year above-inflation pay rises, starting with a 5% increase, to reward and retain the people who do so much for us all.
    Introducing four new bank holidays celebrating our four patron saints’ days.
    Requiring breaks during shifts to be paid.
    We will rapidly introduce a Real Living Wage of at least £10 per hour for all workers aged 16 and over, and use savings to public finances to help small businesses manage the extra cost. Somehow, I don't think my employer will give me an 21% differential increase in my pay!
  • cloud_dog
    cloud_dog Posts: 6,357 Forumite
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    JoeCrystal wrote: »
    Frankly, we might not as well leave the EU! ;)
    Why can't they just come out and say it. At least people would know with certainty one aspect they are voting for.
    Personal Responsibility - Sad but True :D

    Sometimes.... I am like a dog with a bone
  • Malthusian
    Malthusian Posts: 11,055 Forumite
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    JoeCrystal wrote: »
    We will ensure that the pensions of UK citizens living overseas rise in line with pensions in Britain. Citizens in Canada and other countries who see their state pension froze at the original rate is going to be happy!

    So will their Governments, who now get to have some of their citizens funded by another country's welfare state with no need for reciprocation, reducing their own expenditure.

    Labour has always been generous with other people's cash but sharing the wealth of the UK with foreign governments (including rich ones like Canada and Australia) is a new one.

    Of course those with frozen State Pensions aren't going to be very happy if it turns out that "rise in line with pensions in Britain" isn't going to be backdated.

    Any countries which are currently negotiating a reciprocal benefits agreement with the UK which would see inflation-linking restored for their citizens who receive UK State Pensions will now abandon negotiations. Because if Labour win, Corbyn will give them what they want for free, without asking for anything in return. Genius negotiation tactic.

    And these are the guys who want to negotiate on behalf of the UK in a post-Brexit world.

    Corbyn: "We propose that the US reduces its tariffs on UK vehicles, in exchange for a reduction in UK tariffs on US food."

    Trump: "Here's my counter-proposal. You reduce tariffs on our food, in exchange for nothing."

    Corbyn: "This is not acceptable, unless we also reduce tariffs on your wine."

    Trump: "Done. You're the best negotiator, Mr Corbyn, absolutely bigly. Would you like a free signed copy of my book, The Art of the Deal?"

    Corbyn: "I won't pay any less than three hundred million pounds for your book."

    Trump: "I reluctantly accept."
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