Britain a failing nation ?

[DavidAshdown]

I think a good start would be to address the collective amnesia that exists where debt is concerned. We're in a mess because of the banks, the rich, the government, the tories, the lib dems etc etc ad nauseum.... apparently the problem is not 'our' fault.

This has resulted in cries for more borrowing and taxing of 'the rich' to get things moving again, something I worry about unless it's accompanied by a massive effort by everyone else. The often referred to (in this forum) raging sense of entitlement needs to be tempered with some living within our means IMHO.

I'm convinced Britain will come out of the current mess in the next 10 years or so and maybe we'll be better for it.

d

Why are we in a mess because of the rich and the tories ?? Is taxing the rich the right way to go ?

 

[Talay]

Why are we in a mess because of the rich and the tories ?? Is taxing the rich the right way to go ?

Sorry, but it was Loony Labour, that two faced Bliar and then that clown Broon who spent 13 years spending their inheritance before it had been received.

Now we have the whole country on tax credits, a futile system whereby we tax people and yet at the same time have to give them money back via benefits through an administration which costs an arm and a leg to operate.

Now half the country is falsely claiming some invalidity or another and benefits are so generous that work simply does not pay for the layabout generation.

It shows the stupidity of the general population that they would even consider letting Labour near the Treasury again for at least a Millennia.

 

[DavidAshdown]

Sorry, but it was Loony Labour, that two faced Bliar and then that clown Broon who spent 13 years spending their inheritance before it had been received.

Now we have the whole country on tax credits, a futile system whereby we tax people and yet at the same time have to give them money back via benefits through an administration which costs an arm and a leg to operate.

Now half the country is falsely claiming some invalidity or another and benefits are so generous that work simply does not pay for the layabout generation.

It shows the stupidity of the general population that they would even consider letting Labour near the Treasury again for at least a Millennia.

I totally agree, thats why I was questioning the statement above 'that we are in a mess because of the rich and the tories'.

All labour wants to do is spend spend spend, whereas the rich want to prosper and I still don't get why they should pay such a higher rate. They pay more taxes by the simple virtue that they earn more, so why should they then be penalised even further ? At the very least, they are contributing to the country rather than those that are sitting about on their fat arses and taking from the country !

 

Why are we in a mess because of the rich and the tories ?

Are they not synonymous.?

I somehow doubt that bankers and hedge fund managers often vote for the Green Party.

 

[DavidAshdown]

Are they not synonymous.?

I somehow doubt that bankers and hedge fund managers often vote for the Green Party.

Alan Sugar !

 

It shows the stupidity of the general population that they would even consider letting Labour near the Treasury again for at least a Millennia.

Oh I suspect the stupidity lies with those that attack the less fortunate in society whilst condoning the real cause of our economic problems.:|

 

[DavidAshdown]

Come to think of it, all the leaders of the Labour party (past and present)......I think their pretty rich !

Tony Blair I believe earned £11m last year.

 

[fathippy]

Oh I suspect the stupidity lies with those that attack the less fortunate in society whilst condoning the real cause of our economic problems.:|

The trouble is this catch-all mention of the "less fortunate" - I think everyone agrees that the basis of the welfare state is completely correct, however over time it has become more and more acceptable to choose to be "less fortunate". The attack is not on the REAL "less fortunate", but the FAKE ones.

What the "attack" is on is the non-contributors. If everyone chose overnight to not contribute, the machine would fail, so anyone opting to do so is basically gambling that enough people dont in order to foot the bill.

I would go as far as saying the over-use in politics of the human shield that is the "vulnerable" or "less fortunate" is damaging progress and solutions.

 

[Podge]

benefits are so generous that work simply does not pay for the layabout generation.

Work doesn't pay because wages are a pittance not because benefits are so generous.

I love these outlandish post from people who spend more on a night out than a job seeker has to live on for a week.

 

[Stephen Davies]

What the "attack" is on is the non-contributors. If everyone chose overnight to not contribute, the machine would fail, so anyone opting to do so is basically gambling that enough people dont in order to foot the bill.

This is the real danger we're facing.
But what political party is going to turn around and make the serious cut backs?
It would be political suicide for any party.

I can't see this issue being tackled until we're past breaking point.

 

[fathippy]

Work doesn't pay because wages are a pittance not because benefits are so generous.

I love these outlandish post from people who spend more on a night out than a job seeker has to live on for a week.

If I was asked to guess which was the "outlandish" comment between

1) Benefits are too generous,

and

2) Wages are a pittance,

I know which one most people would point at !!

It is all relative, not absolute anyway, so it is the fact that in many cases there is an overlap between benefits and wages that is the problem, not where that happens to lie.

 

I would go as far as saying the over-use in politics of the human shield that is the "vulnerable" or "less fortunate" is damaging progress and solutions.

As I keep saying soft targets to deflect from the more serious drains on the economy.

I would say the evasion is much higher than there figure,considering Vodafone chipped us for 6 Billion on its own.

http://citywire.co.uk/money/tax-evasion-costs-treasury-15-times-more-than-benefit-fraud/a378274

 

Alan Sugar !

Put your glasses on.

I said Bankers.!:|

 

This is the real danger we're facing.
But what political party is going to turn around and make the serious cut backs?

You do mean serious price reductions,funny how this has not been mentioned.

 

[DavidAshdown]

Put your glasses on.

I said Bankers.!:|

I've just put my glasses on......I was answering the fact that you thought 'the rich and the tories' were synonymous, and I referred to Alan Sugar, who is Rich but not a Tory !

 

[ScottishInvestments]

Anyone else in favour of abolishing child benefit completely? I'm in favour...

That would save billions and could go towards fixing "broken Britain".

ScotInvest

 

[HostThree]

Why are we sitting discussing getting rid of child benefit, chasing the poor for their benefits etc.

The big corporate companies aren't paying their taxes and neither are the high earners, the rich are getting richer every year while the rest of us struggle.

Look at Amazon, Starbucks etc. they should pay their taxes in the UK or not trade in the UK and the same with the rest of the companies.

 

[DavidAshdown]

Why are we sitting discussing getting rid of child benefit, chasing the poor for their benefits etc.

The big corporate companies aren't paying their taxes and neither are the high earners, the rich are getting richer every year while the rest of us struggle.

Look at Amazon, Starbucks etc. they should pay their taxes in the UK or not trade in the UK and the same with the rest of the companies.

Why are you saying the high earners aren't paying their taxes ?

 

[ScottishInvestments]

Why are we sitting discussing getting rid of child benefit, chasing the poor for their benefits etc.

The big corporate companies aren't paying their taxes and neither are the high earners, the rich are getting richer every year while the rest of us struggle.

Look at Amazon, Starbucks etc. they should pay their taxes in the UK or not trade in the UK and the same with the rest of the companies.

We're not. So all those who receive child benefit are poor? You're mistaken, my dear.

ScotInvest

 

[Davek0974]

Surely all benefits should be means-tested?

Why should a couple with at least one person on £50 k get or need child benefit?
Why should well-off pensioners get or need the winter fuel allowance?

The current everyone-gets-all idea seems misplaced at best?

And yes, companies in the uk should pay taxes in the uk.

 

[herewegoagain.]

What exactly does "traumatised" mean? This seems to be the latest big "in" word.

Along with 'logistics' and 'solutions' - its all crap....

There is a huge difference correcting a child to knocking 7 bells out of them... - if a child steals something from a shop, a light slap on the legs will correct them - taking the x-box away doesnt quite have the same effect.

Glad I havent got kids.... having them come into the shop is enough !!

 

[herewegoagain.]

Just because house prices have not risen or conversely have fallen in recent years is not a reason not to buy. I'd rather spend money improving my own home rather than someone else's and over the long term the value will increase.

Many people pay off their mortgages over time and can live without the cost of monthly payments and the comfort and peace of mind of not having to find a monthly sum as well as the fact of having equity that they can release at anytime.

Thats me thank God, house paid off - far less stress...

 

[DavidAshdown]

Thats me thank God, house paid off - far less stress...

Well done you. I think this is the biggest benefit to home ownership, the fact that you can eventually pay it off and don't have to worry about paying for it every month and therefore the threat of loosing it.

Most people get so hung up on house prices and whether they've risen or fallen but to me that is all secondary.

 

[herewegoagain.]

Well done you. I think this is the biggest benefit to home ownership, the fact that you can eventually pay it off and don't have to worry about paying for it every month and therefore the threat of loosing it.

Most people get so hung up on house prices and whether they've risen or fallen but to me that is all secondary.

Cheers Chuckles, I used to live in a lot bigger house which I was finding hard to look after, so I downsized to a 1 bed flat, paid the mortgage off and paid for it cash ! yippee !! - its not the best area, but its good - there are cheaper houses out there...

I would stick my neck out and say virtually anyone working full time can afford to buy a home - as long as they are prepared to be realistic what they can afford, and not have the best postcodes, etc, - I did !

 

[DavidAshdown]

Cheers Chuckles, I used to live in a lot bigger house which I was finding hard to look after, so I downsized to a 1 bed flat, paid the mortgage off and paid for it cash ! yippee !! - its not the best area, but its good - there are cheaper houses out there...

I would stick my neck out and say virtually anyone working full time can afford to buy a home - as long as they are prepared to be realistic what they can afford, and not have the best postcodes, etc, - I did !

Yep I agree, people often get hung up on the wrong things. They complain about housing shortage but also complain about 'extortionate' house prices but surely the two go hand in hand. We'd all like to pay less for everything but hey....facts is facts and life is life !

p.s. love the strap line

 

Cheers Chuckles, .

I would stick my neck out and say virtually anyone working full time can afford to buy a home - as long as they are prepared to be realistic what they can afford, and not have the best postcodes, etc, - I did !

Afraid thats not true:

I doubt anyone on the minimum wage could afford anything more than a tent.

http://www.stephensons.co.uk/site/news_and_events/blogpost/falling_first_time_buyers#.UJQgqWdUm8U

 

[herewegoagain.]

Afraid thats not true:

I doubt anyone on the minimum wage could afford anything more than a tent.

http://www.stephensons.co.uk/site/news_and_events/blogpost/falling_first_time_buyers#.UJQgqWdUm8U

Have to disagree Sirearl....

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-23934336.html

 

[Podge]

The problem with low earners trying to get a foot on the property ladder is the deposit required. If you are working for minimum wage the deposit is always going to be out of reach.

 

[herewegoagain.]

The problem with low earners trying to get a foot on the property ladder is the deposit required. If you are working for minimum wage the deposit is always going to be out of reach.

It does not have to be - there are plenty of houses out there under 30k - granted they need modernisation and you may have to be prepared to relocate - but a 10% deposit is £3000 - it would not be unrealistic to save that over a couple of years.... people still have the money to buy the latest I-phone and huge TV's !!! maybe if they saved a bit harder??

 

[Podge]

Are we talking about workers or benefit scroungers ?

Am I right in assuming you have never had to work for the minimum wage.

 

[herewegoagain.]

Are we talking about workers or benefit scroungers ?

Am I right in assuming you have never had to work for the minimum wage.

Of course I am talking about workers (although I understand those on benefits possibly get more money in certain scenarios - and yes, I have worked for the minimum wage ....

 

Have to disagree Sirearl....

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-23934336.html

Even the rats in my house would refuse to move there.


http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/23643/hpi-report-august.pdf

 

It does not have to be - there are plenty of houses out there under 30k - granted they need modernisation and you may have to be prepared to relocate -

Woild that be relocate to an area where there are no jobs.

Catch 22.

 

[Bruvver]

.................there are plenty of houses out there under 30k

Cheapest property in England and Wales

 

[Bruvver]

Or there is always.....

 

[herewegoagain.]

Even the rats in my house would refuse to move there.


http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/23643/hpi-report-august.pdf

Well people cant be that bothered about getting their own home then....

Its a;ll very well being a snob if you can afford to be....

 

[herewegoagain.]

Woild that be relocate to an area where there are no jobs.

Catch 22.

Not at all, for example it is very easy to commute into Manchester from Burnley - you are right by the motorway !

 

[herewegoagain.]

Or there is always.....

These would appear to be average prices - Nottingham shows as an average of £86k - try this....

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-35107156.html

 

[herewegoagain.]

Or there is always.....

What a great idea !! I would take one - no worries, if people really want their own home, it is an excellent start - I was brought up on one of the roughest council estates in the midlands, and proud to come from there - but renting it dead money - at least with your own home you can sell it....

 

[Rasta Pickles]

Of course I am talking about workers (although I understand those on benefits possibly get more money in certain scenarios - and yes, I have worked for the minimum wage ....

Had an interesting little run down to visit family in Cornwall on Thursday.

My wife's step-mother (who hasn't worked since 1986 and who has been on "disabilty allowance" or whatever fancy name it is for what you get when you limp and remember to say "phew my leg hurts") told us that as of next month she is entitled to draw her State Pension.......£129 per week.

Nice work if you can get it.