Quote:
Originally Posted by nffc
As far as I understand the last Government did ensure that the shadow cabinet was given access to all the budget forecasts, financial info etc.
Ms Reeves was shadow chancellor before the election so her department would have been made aware of the actual situation long before they were in power.
It's simply mendacious for them to suggest they did not know the full picture and totally immoral for them to campaign on the basis that they would not be increasing these taxes, and then to do so - or announce plans to do so - within a month of winning the election.
I'm sure that when Mr Starmer (or Sir or whatever he wants to be) was in opposition and there were issues with fuel due to external factors such as the lockdowns his party wanted more of, harder, longer, earlier, and the situation in the Ukraine, where there was a genuine inflation issue after the pandemic etc, and the Government brought in support measures such as the fuel allowances and extended them so more people didn't have the choice whether to heat or eat, this was something he was in favour of and was probably campaigning for. Now the boot is on the other foot he's now seeing he has to pay for it as well as the other things he's promised and now can't afford it.
I'm also pretty certain the plan to remove the VAT exemption on independent school fees is going to cause mayhem, some parents will not be able to afford this (at school there was plenty of parents who were not well off and they went without so the kids could get the education), and so the kids will have to move into the state sector, if this happens to enough or too many kids in one school this could cause more kids to be displaced if the schools have to close. So more places needed in state schools, more teachers needed and they won't be getting as much VAT... Also, with this one, the big irony is that EU rules prevent taxation of childrens' education, so literally they can only do this because of the Brexit Sir Keir is wanting to overturn...
|
I'm pretty sure the VAT on private schools will have little affect. Those can that can afford it will think nothing of paying a bit more to stop their darlings mixing with the riff raff. The schools will absorb some it anyway if they want to remain competitive. Surely better to use the money to put into the state system, raise standards so there no need for private schools, other than snobbery.
The winter fuel allowance was absurd to fund for well off pensioners, as was funding their tv licences. We can't afford it, and shouldn't have been exempt just because they probably. vote Tory.
Definitely right to keep it for the less well off on Pension credit. An effort needs to made to ensure those that qualify claim. There are billions in all unclaimed benefits folks should be getting, the DWP don't seem worried about that or make any effort to reach them.