Reform, and the death of the Tory Party

[Stevo 666]

Apart from the things that are wrong. I know it's hard to accept, but working aged people entering the UK are proportionally more economically productive than the *working age* population as a whole. The notion that people are coming here to take our jobs simply isn't true.

I didn't say they were. However getting rid of our home grown idle isn't really an option. Bottom line is we need to be able to choose and control who comes in based on skills needs, ability to contribute to the economy and be a net taxpayer etc. And not on the basis of simply being able to arrive in the country.

 

[Pblakeney]

Semi retired. He still trumpets.

Besides, this is about looking at things that have changed. The retirement age hasn't so to account for your 4 million extra economically inactives you have to suppose that early benefit free retirement has become awfully trendy, so trendy in fact that about 1 in 10 of the working age population are trying it.

I suppose so. I thoroughly recommend it.
Assuming you have interests and hobbies to occupy your time instead of watching TV or drinking yourself into an early grave.

Is this the unintended consequence of telling people to save for retirement? Some did more efficiently than expected?

 

[All uphill]

Ms AU is of working age, but doesn't do any paid work, or claim any benefits. So that's four of the 9million.

The idea that benefits are too cushy may be one side of the equation. The other is that, for those with choice, or with caring responsibilities, or who are unwell work is unattractive or impractical.

 

[First Aspect]

I suppose so. I thoroughly recommend it.
Assuming you have interests and hobbies to occupy your time instead of watching TV or drinking yourself into an early grave.

And money. It is simply not a viable option for most people.

 

[All uphill]

I didn't say they were. However getting rid of our home grown idle isn't really an option. Bottom line is we need to be able to choose and control who comes in based on skills needs, ability to contribute to the economy and be a net taxpayer etc. And not on the basis of simply being able to arrive in the country.

Many of the refugees I meet have withstood persecution and torture, crossed deserts on foot and seas on small boats. They are desperate to work.

That's a hell of a tough interview they have already passed.

 

[Pblakeney]

And money. It is simply not a viable option for most people.

Also depends on your lifestyle expectations.
I never earned enough to pay more than the basic level of income tax and as a retired couple we are borderline poor. But we are happy.

 

[First Aspect]

Ms AU is of working age, but doesn't do any paid work, or claim any benefits. So that's four of the 9million.

The idea that benefits are too cushy may be one side of the equation. The other is that, for those with choice, or with caring responsibilities, or who are unwell work is unattractive or impractical.

Of course. But instead of looking at the absolute numbers, look at the change in just a few years this decade. None of this whataboutery explains the suddenly and substantial increase, because they are examples of things that haven't changed.

 

[First Aspect]

Also depends on your lifestyle expectations.
I never earned enough to pay more than the basic level of income tax and as a retired couple we are borderline poor. But we are happy.

True.

I like my job. I consider it a potential hobby, like wordle. My aspiration is to do it when I am older part time and far more on my terms.

 

[Psamathe]

True.

I like my job. I consider it a potential hobby, like wordle. My aspiration is to do it when I am older part time and far more on my terms.

Since I "retired" at age 47 I must confess I have "worked" sometimes I've even been paid though not the reason I undertook the work, sometimes expenses, sometimes voluntary. Mainly work in specialist areas I happen to have qualifications and experience in strangely unrelated to my pre-retirement career.

 

[First Aspect]

Since I "retired" at age 47 I must confess I have "worked" sometimes I've even been paid though not the reason I undertook the work, sometimes expenses, sometimes voluntary. Mainly work in specialist areas I happen to have qualifications and experience in strangely unrelated to my pre-retirement career.

I am also assuming your pre retirement career was more lucrative than the average?

 

[CXRAndy]

Many of the refugees I meet have withstood persecution and torture, crossed deserts on foot and seas on small boats. They are desperate to work.

That's a hell of a tough interview they have already passed.

Bleeding heart stories. We as a country must put UK citizens first.

 

[icowden]

Bottom line is we need to be able to choose and control who comes in based on skills needs, ability to contribute to the economy and be a net taxpayer etc. And not on the basis of simply being able to arrive in the country.

So your thesis is that people arriving in the country without skills can't learn and excel?

 

[Psamathe]

I am also assuming your pre retirement career was more lucrative than the average?

Difficult to quantify and depends on how you look at it eg never paid overtime and hourly rate very low though I wasn't paid an hourly rate.

 

[briantrumpet]

Semi retired. He still trumpets.

Correct. Definitely not one of the 9 million yet, even if I have got more time to laze, cycle & drink coffee, à la sungod. I'm even occasionally economically active when in France, but don't tell the French.

 

[First Aspect]

Correct. Definitely not one of the 9 million yet, even if I have got more time to laze, cycle & drink coffee, à la sungod. I'm even occasionally economically active when in France, but don't tell the French.

Is this your kinky cycling photo calendar business?