Starmer's vision quest

[bobzmyunkle]

Let them eat biscuits.
And read those comments regarding free bus travel for kids - there's some bitter people out there.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd7pzr88de1o

 

[briantrumpet]

Any views on Streeting's proposals on tax reform (via Dan Neidle, obvs)? (No Bluesky access required)

https://skywriter.blue/@danneidle.bsky.social/3mme27bcuku23

The problem: it's too easy for people to convert income (taxed at top rate 45%) into capital gains (top rate 24%). The rate is too low. Unjust. Also distortive, 'cause an incentive to lock cash up in companies (looking to eventually make a capital gain). Bad for growth. Also the problem: long term investors get no allowance for inflation. Invest £100k in 2016 and get £150k back today, and that's a gain of only £10k after inflation. But you pay £12k tax on that £10k of "real" gain. Effective rate 120%. Disincentive to long term investment A sane tax system has the same rate of tax in income and capital but only taxes real gain. The argument was made best by noted communist Nigel Lawson in his 1988 Budget.

 

[First Aspect]

The latest immigration figures could allow the next incumbent (not Starmer because I think he's incapable of some u turns) to soften the rhetoric. Job done. We are working on the crossings. Nothing to see here.

 

[Pross]

The free bus travel seems to be a watered down version of a Green policy, maybe they're starting to realise they need to mimic parties other than Reform. To me it makes far more sense than free bus passes for the over 60s as, in the case of children / teenagers, it is often the only choice of independent travel (and could also help develop good habits for future life). I would make public transport free or heavily subsidised for all as I think it has major benefits. As someone in the comments said, it could have easily been done for a fraction of money wasted on the HS2 debacle.

 

[First Aspect]

The free bus travel seems to be a watered down version of a Green policy, maybe they're starting to realise they need to mimic parties other than Reform. To me it makes far more sense than free bus passes for the over 60s as, in the case of children / teenagers, it is often the only choice of independent travel (and could also help develop good habits for future life). I would make public transport free or heavily subsidised for all as I think it has major benefits. As someone in the comments said, it could have easily been done for a fraction of money wasted on the HS2 debacle.

Public transport can't be free. It isn't anywhere else that matters. But it should be the same price or cheaper than going by car. Otherwise, guess what?

Busses seem more or less right. I don't know how they make money as it is. Rail travel here is absurdly uncompetitive.

 

[briantrumpet]

Public transport can't be free. It isn't anywhere else that matters. But it should be the same price or cheaper than going by car. Otherwise, guess what?

Busses seem more or less right. I don't know how they make money as it is. Rail travel here is absurdly uncompetitive.

It gets much more competitive when you're over 60, and can book ahead. Some of the off-peak day returns are an absolute steal. I could do an off-peak day return to Gunnislake for £9.75 total. In fact, I think I might do that, and see my Tavistock farming friends next week!

 

[Rusty Nails]

How did we end up on this subject in this thread? I thought we were on the random daily banter thread.

To try to get back on track, Starmer potentially getting himself in a bit of a jam with the easing of sanctions on Russian oil. It doesn't send out a very good message that our support goes out the window if things get a bit tough for us. What a clot.

Afaics this argument is about semantics about the definition of 'easing' rather than the actual effect of the sanctions. I believe that the sanctions will be harsher than currently exist but introduced more slowly than was originally planned.

 

[C R]

Afaics this argument is about semantics about the definition of 'easing' rather than the actual effect of the sanctions. I believe that the sanctions will be harsher than currently exist but introduced more slowly than was originally planned.

That's my understanding too. It seems that what will happen is that Russian crude already on its way will be used, not that Russian crude will continue to be allowed in.

 

[PurplePenguin]

It's free in London for kids. I don't understand why this isn't the case everywhere.

 

[Pross]

Public transport can't be free. It isn't anywhere else that matters. But it should be the same price or cheaper than going by car. Otherwise, guess what?

Busses seem more or less right. I don't know how they make money as it is. Rail travel here is absurdly uncompetitive.

I can't see what it can't be free (buses in particular). Just because it isn't anywhere else that isn't a reason on it's own. It would just take a political judgement to divert money from elsewhere. It's already free for over 60s in various parts of the country. As for trains, free would be a stretch but as you say it could certainly be much cheaper. Transport For Wales are trying and have introduced a London style tap in and out system that caps the cost. Unfortunately, and annoyingly, you can only use it on their trains so even though I can use a normal return ticket to travel on a train from any operator between say Newport and Cardiff I can't use many of those same trains using tap and go (you tap in and out at the station so you would probably get away with it in most cases but if someone checks tickets on the train you end up having to buy another one). It's things like that which really need sorting out and also linking bus tickets with train tickets for a capped daily rate. The fact that you can use the same ticket on any train suggests there's a system in place for sharing out the fare so I'm at a loss why it can't work on the tap and go system.

 

[PurplePenguin]

Any views on Streeting's proposals on tax reform (via Dan Neidle, obvs)? (No Bluesky access required)

https://skywriter.blue/@danneidle.bsky.social/3mme27bcuku23

I think Dan Neidle is wrong and that if wants to be a tax lawyer journalist, then he needs to avoid straying into economics (impact on economy of tax change) and politics (where the extra tax is spent).

There's a reason most countries treat capital gains differently to income. Streeting is just trying to popular.

 

[First Aspect]

It gets much more competitive when you're over 60, and can book ahead. Some of the off-peak day returns are an absolute steal. I could do an off-peak day return to Gunnislake for £9.75 total. In fact, I think I might do that, and see my Tavistock farming friends next week!

That's a long walk.

 

[First Aspect]

It gets much more competitive when you're over 60, and can book ahead. Some of the off-peak day returns are an absolute steal. I could do an off-peak day return to Gunnislake for £9.75 total. In fact, I think I might do that, and see my Tavistock farming friends next week!

Trains are competing with cars. There are lots of trains so you can often get where you want when you want. But unlike cars if you make a decision not well in advance, there is a cost premium.

E.g. I can get to Paddington for about £120. Great. Saves me driving 3 hours to Reading or somesuch and getting a commuter train. Costs about the same as driving plus commuter train.

Unless it's a meeting at short notice, in which case it is £300, in which case thanks but it's cheaper to fly to Amsterdam from Exeter by KLM.

That's utterly absurd.

 

[Ian H]

It's a subject of some contention that Roddas seemed to close down the Devon-produced alternatives. The 'Devon Cream Company' is in Melksham. I suspect that there are some small producers, but Roddas seems to have largely monopolised the market.

I used to make their lids.

 

[Ian H]

My issue with Jam is that it is applied to something savoury, i.e. toast. When it appears in another context, inter alia Bakewell tart, raspberry ripple, then it is acceptable.

Now some of you will suggest that scones are not savoury. However due to their extraordinarily low moisture content, this has been impossible to scientifically confirm.

I suspect you're buying plastic-wrapped supermarket scones.