Starmer's vision quest

[Ian H]

At least some of the funding will come from savings in the NHS with fewer hypothermic OAPs to deal with. The same OAPs, now financially more secure, might contribute more to the economy generally. There will be other knock-on effects.

 

[First Aspect]

My issue isn't about funding it, I think it was a daft cruel thing for Labour to have done the way they did.

What I find daft if how Labour are so critical of other Parties about "unfunded policies" then do exactly that themselves. Why is it wrong for others but OK for Labour to do it?

Ian

It was a bit like closing a window on the Titanic, I agree.

 

[Pross]

My issue isn't about funding it, I think it was a daft cruel thing for Labour to have done the way they did.

What I find daft if how Labour are so critical of other Parties about "unfunded policies" then do exactly that themselves. Why is it wrong for others but OK for Labour to do it?

Ian

Why was it cruel? Why do people deserve the payment based on age rather than income? It was a stupid policy that got brought in as a temporary measure and suddenly became an entitlement

 

[CXRAndy]

Why was it cruel? Why do people deserve the payment based on age rather than income? It was a stupid policy that got brought in as a temporary measure and suddenly became an entitlement

It's a gesture for those who have worked most of their life and deserve a token which can in some cases save lives.

 

[Pross]

It's a gesture for those who have worked most of their life and deserve a token which can in some cases save lives.

Far better to give more to those that need it than give the same amount to everyone though.

 

[BoldonLad]

Why was it cruel? Why do people deserve the payment based on age rather than income? It was a stupid policy that got brought in as a temporary measure and suddenly became an entitlement

Rather like the £10 Christmas bonus, another "prudent Gordon" freebie?

The WFA (another "prudent Gordon" invention) was in place, as a universal payment, to all intents and purposes, part of the State Pension, for 27 years, some "temporary" measure.

State Pension, Pension Credits, Attendance Allowance, and, probably more which I am aware of all have age as a criteria for entitlement.

 

[BoldonLad]

Far better to give more to those that need it than give the same amount to everyone though.

If that is "justified" for WFA, why not for all of the other None Means tested benefits?

 

[BoldonLad]

Can you at least wait until tomorrow before flouncing about what is or isn't funded?

In the interview with Reeves I saw (BBC News), I thought she said that she would be explaining how it was to be funded, in the next Budget, dont think that is tomorrow.

 

[First Aspect]

Fair enough, but probably there will be enough clues. They won't be able to obfuscate for that long either way. The speculation (albeit only a billion) will build pressure.