Sunak's Tax Plans

Graywisdom

Just read the article in todays (Tuesday Oct 12) Guardian on what Sunak is planning regarding tax increases. The Government keeps saying they need to be prudent with 'our' money. However what about the BILLIONS given to the HS2 project that is not only way over budget but also a scourge on peoples homes, businesses and land - all of which have been destroyed - for what is  (and no disrespect to  those who travel between Birmingham and London )  basically a PR exercise for the privatised rail system. Quote from a Government publication for the Lords Select Committee.  "The Government has made allowance in its projections for public spending for construction of HS2 of £21.4 billion for Phase One, £21.2 billion for Phase Two and £7.5 billion for rolling stock, a total of £50.1 billion (2011 prices, excluding VAT). 51Billion as of 2011!!!!.
That's being prudent!!

csgohan4

You need to put things in context. HS2 was initiated before covid. These are ambitious projects to connect several cities and bring money and improve their economy. Your cherry picking previous projects and saying their a waste

Or would you advocate keep all the best paying jobs in London? There are other cities apart from London which have potential and to link up with London. 

Projects as with most things in UK, over run both on time and budget. 

If you don't want a progressive and forward thinking UK, then save money and don't spend, but then you won't increase the capacity for jobs nor skill set levels potentially.

Invest in the infrastructure and companies, you improve skill sets and job potential, generating more tax for the country potentially and opens more doors for people. e.t.c


Which is it OP?

Jeremy535897

The assumption appears to be that better connectivity with London will help regional cities, but I suspect the reverse will happen, with more people further away from London choosing to use the better rail links to commute to London.