Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

yes and the court of kangaroo is trying to kill farages political career,we should thank hugh for pointing that out

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

This fashion for MPs stepping down mid term, especially having been ejected from number 10, is not good. Where’s his sense of public service? Regardless of any additional office he held, he was elected by his constituents for a full term. But sød the lot of them, he’s got what he needs for his CV now, so he’s off.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Being treated the same as every other MP ≠ kangaroo court

It seems Farage (and you, by your posts) believe the rules that every other MP has to follow shouldn’t apply to him…

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

i'm sensing a little negativity in your driv er post, Mr farage said today it may take up to another year for the stit er investigation to conclude do you think your blood pressure can cope :)

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

I have faith in the investigation, and will accept the outcome - not sure what’s negative about expecting all MPs to be subject to the same rules; it must be a Reform viewpoint to see that as a negative thing…

My blood pressure is hunky-dory, thanks…

(not sure what the typos "driv er" and "stit er" are…)

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Sir Keir to you ;)

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

. . and now Sir plus :D

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Sir Keir goes out the same way he lead. With a u-turn on something he said mere weeks ago.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

I'm in two minds about this. I agree with keeping to your promises and any new MP will have to learn the job so will be less effective for a while. But the job of an MP is very different from that of PM. And if you're heart's not in the role of MP, you could end up doing your constituents a disservice by preventing them from having a motivated MP who will fight for their constituents. I think this is an example of how Starmer was not great at making decisions.

One good thing which we can all agree on - at least he's not going to contest the seat after stepping down. ;)

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Just another who thought he could change things, then realised that you can't please all the people all the time. Not hard or brave enough to swim into deeper waters, and in the end allowed himself to be carried downstream with the waste.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

I think it's better if former MPs stay in Parliament; the experience alone is a good enough reason for them to be valuable, and they certainly should see out their terms rather than force a by-election.

I think how May handled it is a good example.

That said, if you're not going to do the job, then it is better to bite the bullet and resign. The alternative is someone like Sunak whose taken on several post-PM roles with American companies and doesn't attend Parliament much whilst still retaining the seat and the salary. It's two sides of a bad coin IMO.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

ugly mob of just stop burnham louts glued to the road outside parliament

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

What's all this tourist tax about. I just paid tax in the hotel I'm staying in Tunisia 12 Dinah a night.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

it's a tax on tourists

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Mayors will be able to charge a tourist tax, with the city keeping the revenue.

London has wanted this for years. Other major cities have it, and London has few options to raise money for its own priorities. You'll see it implemented pretty quickly, with the money going to the TFL I would imagine.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Just another excuse to tax everyone.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

I feel that 'cash in hand' will be making a comeback . . or is it already fairly widespread?

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

when you enter a labour controlled area you can always feel a hand in your pocket, what a disgusting idea this is:td:

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

It happens in many cities across the world and if it's invested right, it can be a good thing,

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

we already pay 20% vat now add 5% that adds up to let's go to benidorm

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

As others have said, this is the norm in European countries and a good way for cities to raise direct revenue from visitors.

As long as it's low enough (I think the government should set a limit), it's a small difference for the tourist but raises significant money that can be invested in the city they're visiting. No one is going to avoid London because of a £2-a-night premium on their hotel bill, but it would raise tens of millions for the city to spend on the infrastructure they'll be using.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Exactly my train of thought.:tu:

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Probably a half decent idea but the 'tax' earned won't go far in filling the financial black holes that most local councils have.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

apparently not going to be implemented in Lincolnshire so the local economy should benefit from the extra trade


Greater Lincolnshire Mayor rules out tourism tax in the region

https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/n...s-out-11151852

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Yeah, it's sensible that local areas can decide. Those who want to invite more visitors can choose not to implement it. Whereas I don't think anyone planning a holiday to London will be put off because of the tax.

Thinking about it, somewhere like Cornwall might really appreciate the income from the legions of visitors they're getting. It's not the most populated region of the UK so it's probably quite a mismatch between the number of people paying for local services vs those actually using them.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

One small flaw in her otherwise cunning plan…

It’s Lincolnshire…

---------- Post added at 14:28 ---------- Previous post was at 14:28 ----------

That’s a bit nuanced for this discussion…;)

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Define "local area". Eg in the context of London.
They're (supposedly) not going to be allowed to spend it on whatever they want, so what would Cornwall spend it on?
Whatever way you look at it, it sucks yet more money out of people's pockets.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

I thought 'Greater Lincolnshire' encompassed the lot, and you'd be surprised at how much 'nuance' an old addled brain can detect. ;)

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

In London, it would be the Mayor's Office and the wider Greater London Authority. I don't know what they would spend it on but TFL is the obvious candidate along with other city infrastructure.

I am not sure how areas like Cornwall, with several councils, would deal with it. Maybe it goes to the council in which the hotel is in?

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Greater Lincolnshire - the delights of Skegness, Cleethorpes, Scunthorpe, Spalding, Louth, Mablethorpe, and not forgetting Sludge, sorry, Sleaford…

What’s not to like…

There’s a huge difference in detecting nuance and appreciating it… ;)

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

How comes Scunthorpe doesn't trigger the swear filter anymore, I thought Scunthorpe alone was enough without it having to look for words within words

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Good question, it doesn't seem to have an issue with what should be its South Yorkshire twin Penistone either.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Pretty sure I will never plan a holiday in London, tax or no tax. :)

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Fair enough, but the 22 million people who did will now be paying a few quid a night. Every little helps.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Triple lock gone in 2030 with the money going to a National Care Service instead

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Two eminently sensible decisions imo

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Although I'm not familiar with the figures (if any have actually been given), but I'm still going to put my neck on the block and say the savings from one is nowhere near enough to provide the other :D

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Yes, I imagine there will need to be tax rises or an additional insurance scheme. But the triple lock will pay for some of it.,

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Oh I'm sure it will . . although there's a possibility some pensioners would then fall below the threshold - even by a penny - and gladly take advantage of all the free stuff then available to them ;)

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

What threshold? Nothing is being means-tested here.

I think a tax wouldn't be an income tax increase but an additional universal insurance scheme. Sorta like NI but ringfenced for social care. You make sure people know this is insurance in case they go into care and, if they do, it has been paid for and you don't have to sell the house.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

how much do you imagine a 75 year old would be paying for this insurance

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

The triple lock only costs extra money when wages are above inflation and/or inflation drops below 2.5%.
Wages increase lag behind increases in inflation, so sometimes the wage part of the triple lock gives false double increases. Eg When inflation was 10%, pensions got the 10%, then inflation dropped, but meantime wages had increased above inflation because of the previous 10% inflation. Pensions had a partial double increase.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

before the new messiah can scrap the triple lock he'll need to win the next election,i can think of a few people who won't be voting to be poorer

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

It would have to be only for those in work.

---------- Post added at 18:07 ---------- Previous post was at 18:04 ----------

Politicians will promise it, but if they decide to actually bring it back, when suddenly have to budget for it is another question.

The triple lock is something a politician would have to get rid of eventually because it's unsustainable. You can't have a pension scheme that will always go up higher than wages to pay for it. It will become a bigger and bigger percentage of the budget irrespective of how well or badly the country is doing economically.

---------- Post added at 18:08 ---------- Previous post was at 18:07 ----------

Well, exactly, but that's what makes it stupid.

Inflation goes up, and the pension goes up. Everyone is pretty happy with that. Eventually wages will catch up, but under the triple lock, then it goes up even more.

It's a timebomb.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

A 2.5% increase on £240 a week is nowhere near a 2.5% increase on £500 a week, which is being reported in various places as the 'average' UK wage (some say it's over £600)

If you want more people of working age paying tax to fund things you need to create jobs, not give the ones you already have to AI or scare businesses into moving abroad.

:D

edit: make that £750 a week average

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

State Pensions "less generous" to pay for "Social Care" in ENGLAND. Did he mispeak?

And I'll bet it'll be Means Tested.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

I don't remember the England bit, but I suspect the same happens elsewhere but the care is devolved so each nation chooses how to do it?

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Line on BBC 10 o’clock News tonight summed up the stupidity of media pundits everywhere, and unfortunately, the expectations of a lot of people who should know better.

"transforming Britain’s going to take a bit of a while, isn’t it?

Do you think? Surely someone will have an "oven-ready plan" that will work overnight to resolve all the major economic and social problems in the Country…

ffs…

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

So how long before this clown is removed as PM?

1 week?

1 month?

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

The Labour goons pushed Starmer out because he was making the party look weak and incompetent.
They then 'bigged up' Burnham and allowed him to take the hotseat, and are now probably thinking what the heck have we done and how do we get rid :D

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

what i saw yesterday was a man racked with guilt about his fathers death who has decided to make everyone else's elderly parents pay for his inadequacy
they can't let this pillock carry on with his mission to create a world in his own image

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

I think Burnham is the opposite in that he is actually doing something and making an argument for it. Starmer ultimately suffered because he had no politics and seemed to advance no argument, which also allowed people to project whatever they wanted onto him.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Burnham, as PM, is quite probably listening to the same MP's and advisory committees that Starmer was listening to . . . tail wagging the dog scenario ;)

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

I would hope that Burnham is indeed listening to MPs and advisors. He doesn’t have to do what they advise, but certainly should listen.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

If Starmer was advised to be this bold, then he clearly wasn't listening.

I don't know if Burnham will work out, but I am pleased a politician is telling people they can't have everything for once. The triple-lock is expensive and was eventually going to have to go. Anyone who tells you otherwise is outright lying. The fact that it goes up by the highest increase of wages, inflation or 2.5% means it can increase real fast, and within a few years the government is suddenly having to find billions they may not have expected a few years prior.

The politicians now who say they will bring it back are almost certainly lying as well.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

If wage increases start to go up, inflation normally follows suit.
So while there may be a delay, it probably wont have as big an effect on pension rises as some think.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Next you'll be telling me that Burnhams not for Turning :rofl:

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Oh yes, when Governments do potentially unpopular things that the opposition also wanted to do, the opposition will immediately attack them for it and then claim that they will reverse it in order to potentially gain power.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

But that's what makes the triple lock so expensive because the effect compounds every year.

Inflation goes up, and the pension goes up to match it. Everyone agrees this is fair, because otherwise pensioners get poorer over time. The problem is wages don't rise straight away. They catch up a year or two later. When they do, the pension gets another increase to match the wage rise. Not only that, but it's a % increase on the amount that's already been pushed up by inflation.

So prices go up once, and wages go up to catch up, but the pension gets both. And it never goes back down, so the next increase starts from that higher amount too.

Say the pension is £200 a week. Inflation hits 10% but wages only go up 5%. The pension goes up by the higher one, so it's now £220. Happy days.

But then next year wages catch up and go up 10%, but inflation has dropped back to 3%. The pension goes up by the higher one again, so now it's £242.

If the pension had just followed inflation, it'd be £226.60. If it had just followed wages, it'd be £231. Instead it's £242. That's £800 a year extra per person. I think we have 12 million pensioners, so that's £10 billion extra a year the government has to find.

Keep doing this year after year, and it just rises very quickly. This isn't even talking about the 2.5% minimum.

It was never, ever, going to stay long-term.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Burnham could just decide to pay all pensioners £180 a week, take it or leave it.
What we gonna do, go on strike? :D

I wouldn't mind a reduced pension IF I could find a nice little part time job to make it up . . like old folk used to. Now we're screwed because of the National Minimum Wage . . which means it's cheaper to employ someone aged between 16 & 20 instead.

Don't get me wrong, they need jobs too, but for more than 8 hours a week or it doesn't make sense.

Anyway, if you get young people into work they'll (usually) pay Tax & NI, but if you set a minimum wage, jobs on offer start disappearing ;)

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

It won't be a reduced pension. It will still increase by inflation or 2.5%, whichever is higher, and it will also be 'reviewed' occasionally to keep within a certain % of average earnings.

This is what it should have always been.

Let's say you want to target it at 35% of average UK earnings, and inflation means it's suddenly at 38%. Then, in subsequent years, you can allow that increase to cool down as wages catch up until it's back at 35%. If we get a period of high wage growth and it falls below 35%, then you can start increasing it more until, once again, it's at 35%.

This is what a lot of countries do. It's what Australia does.

The main difference is that it stops the double increase that happens here at the moment, where the pension would get the benefit of both the inflationary increase and then the wage increase.

---------- Post added at 17:51 ---------- Previous post was at 17:46 ----------

Deliveroo ;)

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

if pensioners aren't going to lose out can some mathematical genius tell me how the gov save all this money

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

He's already explained it to you, its not so much losing out and more that the rises won't be as steep, there probably was a need for the triple lock 10 or 20 years ago because the state pension lagged behind, it's caught up again now so there's no justification for double increases

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Burnham, nothing but a suitcase full of previously discarded soundbites that the media are picking through for their latest 'sensational' headline.

Guy is a loon, as they all are to be honest.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

He's giving you care homes old man :rolleyes:

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

private or council run?

Most of the council ones around here were sold off and then demolished for housing . . leading to a shortage obviously, which then leads to hospitals having nowhere to send elderly people needing care, therefore taking up needed hospital bed spaces and leading to patients waiting in corridors, and ambulances that can't go anywhere because there's nowhere to put the injured/ill people they still have onboard.

Re: Andy Burnham’s chronicles
 

Nationalise the zimmer frame :woot:

---------- Post added at 15:43 ---------- Previous post was at 15:01 ----------

You and Smurf can have a race :D