Re: PM Boris forms a government
 

What handouts do students now qualify for that has made them 'lazy'?

---------- Post added at 16:26 ---------- Previous post was at 16:23 ----------

Who are you referring to that you think stopped working due to the existence of the welfare state, women, children or students?

Re: PM Boris forms a government
 

But you cannot assume that we will be worse off when all the forecasters have done is calculate the downside. No-one knows how entrpreneurs and governments will react to our new freedoms, and history tells us that if you remove the shackles, businesses respond positively.

As far as the EU is concerned, I can assure you that they don't want a no-deal as this would hurt their economies. The Telegraph has reported that a study for the Belgian government a few weeks ago calculated that 139,000 jobs would be lost in Italy, 141,000 in France, 291,000 in Germany. The French finance ministry has added a price tag: an €11 billion hit for Italy, €14 billion for France and €30  billion for Germany.

It is wrong to suggest that the UK will be more severely affected. The EU export more to us than we do to them. Think on.:scratch:

---------- Post added at 16:39 ---------- Previous post was at 16:31 ----------

Our benefits system for able bodied workers is far too generous. In previous times, if you didn't work, you'd starve. You've only got to watch the documentaries on TV to see how people who are perfectly capable of working are abusing the system.

I am not talking about people with disabilities, Richard. I think we should be making life easier for them. But there are far too many benefit fraudsters about who find it easier to commit fraud than working for a living for my liking.

Re: PM Boris forms a government
 

---------- Post added at 16:26 ---------- Previous post was at 16:23 ----------

Correct. The only things students qualify for now is huge debt. Unlike their "hard working" X-generation and Baby Boomer predecessors.

Re: PM Boris forms a government
 

I couldn’t go to uni because my parents couldn’t afford it.

Why do you think the current generation are so badly off? If they want to go, they go, and they don’t pay anything back if they stay on a salary deemed to have not been increased due to having a university education.

There are far more people going to uni these days than there were in my time.

All of this bleating about how bad it is for young people now is pathetic. A uni education is not even important any more for most careers. I have done pretty well for myself without one.

Re: PM Boris forms a government
 

If you parents were so hard up you'd have got a decent grant if you were offered a place of course. Not the case now.
You seem to think the current generation are lazy and entitled, all the ones I know are neither of these things. And it is harder for the current generation in many ways. Getting a house, getting a decent career is far more difficult due to the huge increase in university attendance. Saddled with debt if they do get a degree.
And quit the "bleating" comments just because it doesn't conform with your views.

Re: PM Boris forms a government
 

Are you implying they choose to stay on a salary below the threshold because of the "marginal rate of tax" of 9%?

Re: PM Boris forms a government
 

Re: PM Boris forms a government
 

Seph, while we've had fun on the Brexit threads (and I mean that sincerely) you can't really filter other people's posts from scrutiny. He made a statement. I, and anyone else, can scrutinise it.

It reads like he geninely believes people who have student loans elect to earn below the threshold because of a marginal rate of tax of 9% on those earnings. I've asked him to clarify if he believes that.

Re: PM Boris forms a government
 

Honestly, jfman, the way you think continues to amaze me.

Of course, once again, you are way off beam. What I am saying is that the government have set a minimum salary at which university fees are paid back. That minimum salary relates to the benefit deemed to have been assumed by that university education.

Individual motivations to attend university and find employment afterwards I am sure will vary.

That is all. Why do you think you have the right to scrutinise everything said on these forums? We are just having a conversation, for heaven's sake. This isn't an online version of the House of Commons!

Just cool.

Re: PM Boris forms a government
 

Surely everyone has the right to read what's written here and comment if they wish. That's what makes it a forum.

Re: PM Boris forms a government
 

Exactly and if they don't like another members views then there is that simple ignore option.

Re: PM Boris forms a government
 

Re: PM Boris forms a government
 

To be fair I think the thread title (topic) is rather vague and open to many interpretations.

How about someone starts a new 'topic' thread like . . Are the youth of today worse off than 40 years ago - and why?

I'd expect it to get quite lively :D

Re: PM Boris forms a government
 

I’m sure they do, but I’m quite sure nobody chooses to earn £22 000 for the sole purpose of avoiding paying back their student loans at a marginal rate of 9% of earnings above that threshold.

If the economic environment means a lot of graduates are earning below this level then that’s the general economy that’s the problem not any individual who went to uni.

Re: PM Boris forms a government
 

Not sure if there is any logic/reason for anyone to earn below £22k (actually, £19k or £25k, depending on which Plan you are on, but let’s keep using £22k as a baseline) to avoid paying 9% of their salary over £22k (as you don’t pay anything on the first £22k even if you earn above the threshold).

If they earned £25k, after paying (approx) 20% tax, 11% NI, and 9% student loan repayment, they would still be £1800 pa, or £150 per month, better off.

The proposition does not stand up...