Lizz Truss announces emergency measures to help businesses with energy costs

[ChrisGoodfellow]

The government announced the Energy Bill Relief Scheme this morning. The scheme will provide energy bill relief to non-domestic customers, including "all UK businesses, charities and the public sector such as schools and hospitals".

Discounts will apply to fixed contracts agreed on or after 1st April 2022, as well as to deemed, variable and flexible tariffs and contracts. It will run from 1st October 2022 to 31st March 2023, with savings first seen in October bills (typically received in November).

More details and a comparison of rates in the Overview tab above.

What do you think?

 

[ChrisGoodfellow]

@Ozzy Do you know why it's added a question mark to this thread title?! I've tried to edit the original post but there's no way to edit it.

 

[japancool]

Perhaps the forum software is questioning Liz Truss' policies.

 

[ChrisGoodfellow]

Perhaps the forum software is questioning Liz Truss' policies.

Perhaps Xenforo should read Atlas Shrugged?

 

[WaveJumper]

Anyone else getting a little concerned over the level of government borrowing

 

[simon field]

Anyone else getting a little concerned over the level of government borrowing

And with no plan whatsoever on how to pay it back. Sounds kinda familiar, that can being kicked down the road!

 

[japancool]

Well, Truss isn't going to have to worry about it, it'll be someone else's problem in 2 years' time. Then we can have a go at the other lot for having no plan to pay it back.

I see they now plan to cut stamp duty. Because causing house prices to go up makes everything better.

 

[Annoying Donkey]

Well, Truss isn't going to have to worry about it, it'll be someone else's problem in 2 years' time. Then we can have a go at the other lot for having no plan to pay it back.

I see they now plan to cut stamp duty. Because causing house prices to go up makes everything better.

According to the asparagus lady, Boris will be back to save us....

 

[lobitech]

Boris will be back to save us....

I agree with you

 

[Kerwin]

She should be doing more to help the vulnerable and disabled.

 

[japancool]

The IFS is not impressed.

Tax cut 'gamble' will make debt unsustainable, says IFS

The Institute for Fiscal Studies says UK borrowing is on an "unsustainable" path.

www.bbc.co.uk

I mean... what is WRONG with Truss? It surely doesn't take the financial nous of a lobotomised giraffe to see that this plan will take the national debt to sky-high, unsustainable levels?

Making the rich richer by cutting their taxes means more tax for everyone else, if not now, then soon.

Everyone who wanted Boris gone will reap what they sowed.

Hell, even the American president has realised trickle-down economics doesn't work!

 

[Ozzy]

@Ozzy Do you know why it's added a question mark to this thread title?! I've tried to edit the original post but there's no way to edit it.

No idea, one for @Ethan39 to investigate

 

[ChrisGoodfellow]

Agreed. Tax cuts for the wealthy - and the level of borrowing - is madness at this point. Trickle economics doesn't work, as the IMF pointed out and we've known for years. And, it's just going to exacerbate the issues we have with inequality.

This FT article is worth a read, it says the UK is poor country with a few rich people in it. Brutal stuff from a paper that sits firmly on the right.

Client Challenge

 

[japancool]

This FT article is worth a read, it says the UK is poor country with a few rich people in it. Brutal stuff from a paper that sits firmly on the right.

Inequality increased significantly since the Thatcher years. I don't have the figures, but I believe the UK ranks very poorly in inequality in the developed world.

 

[CharlesMO]

We've created a calculator you can use to demonstrate the potential savings available to businesses under the scheme but I don't seem to be able to post links yet

 

[simon field]

Agreed. Tax cuts for the wealthy - and the level of borrowing - is madness at this point. Trickle economics doesn't work, as the IMF pointed out and we've known for years. And, it's just going to exacerbate the issues we have with inequality.

This FT article is worth a read, it says the UK is poor country with a few rich people in it.

And yet so attractive to other countries they’re happy to risk their lives to get here.

 

[japancool]

And yet so attractive to other countries they’re happy to risk their lives to get here.

Which should tell you how desperate they are.

Anyway, these poor refugees don't know any better. Just wait till they get here and see the weather and the food for themselves.

 

[DontAsk]

Which should tell you how desperate they are.

Anyway, these poor refugees don't know any better. Just wait till they get here and see the weather and the food for themselves.

Perhaps they will open eateries, like previous waves of immigrants.

 

[simon field]

Which should tell you how desperate they are.

Anyway, these poor refugees don't know any better. Just wait till they get here and see the weather and the food for themselves.

Is it desperation though?

Isn’t France safe?

 

[japancool]

Is it desperation though?

Isn’t France safe?

It must be desperation if they're willing to risk their lives.

As to why they don't want to remain in France, well, France has granted asylum to about half a million people. France receives more applications and takes in more refugees than the UK. Germany does as well.

It's the likes of the Daily Fail that make it seem that this is some kind of unique UK problem, and that somehow, the UK is the preferred destination for all refugees.

Here's a table showing show many asylum applications European countries receive per 100,000 citizens. As you can see, the UK ranks rather low on this list. Hell, Iceland receives more applications per head of population than the UK does!

 

[simon field]

It must be desperation if they're willing to risk their lives.

As to why they don't want to remain in France, well, France has granted asylum to about half a million people. France receives more applications and takes in more refugees than the UK.

My question was more about why is the uk more attractive than any other safe country, for economic migrants OR refugees?

 

[japancool]

My question was more about why is the uk more attractive than any other safe country, for economic migrants OR refugees?

It isn't. As the table shows, France takes in twice as many refugees as the UK does. They have their share of economic migrants too.

The UK grants 81% of asylum applications. That means only 19% of people applying are found to not be genuine asylum seekers, which suggests that most of the people crossing the Channel are NOT economic migrants.

 

[simon field]

It isn't. As the table shows, France takes in twice as many refugees as the UK does. They have their share of economic migrants too.

Are you a politician? If the Uk isn’t a more attractive proposition than France, or any number of other safe places, why do they risk their lives to escape from France?

 

[Newchodge]

Are you a politician? If the Uk isn’t a more attractive proposition than France, or any number of other safe places, why do they risk their lives to escape from France?

Language, family, misconceptions?

 

[DontAsk]

Are you a politician? If the Uk isn’t a more attractive proposition than France, or any number of other safe places, why do they risk their lives to escape from France?

Perceptions. Marketing (by the people traffickers).Language. Family or friends already here.

Why not ask them?

 

[japancool]

Are you a politician? If the Uk isn’t a more attractive proposition than France, or any number of other safe places, why do they risk their lives to escape from France?

Some of them do. Most, again, as you can see from the table, do not. In fact, most refugees travelling through Europe do end up seeking asylum in France, Germany or other European countries. It's a fairly small proportion of them who end up here.

So SOME of them, for various reasons, consider the UK to be more attractive. MOST of them do not.

Like, how SOME people want to legitimately come and work in the UK. MOST people prefer to live and work somewhere else.

 

[simon field]

Nope. Benefits largesse.

 

[simon field]

Why not ask them?

I would, but I’m not allowed in the luxury hotel they’re being catered for in..

 

[Newchodge]

Nope. Benefits largesse.

Have you seen what asylum seekers get? The benefits in France are very much better than the UK.

 

[IanSuth]

Nope. Benefits largesse.

Can you tell me what an asylum seeker awaiting decision gets (individually and/or for a family) and what restrictions they are under ?

I used to know about 5 years ago and it was not something I would wish on anyone (and was a waste of peoples skills), I genuinely don't know what it is now.

I do know that too many are having to wait >1yr for a decision - surely it should always be a swift initial decision so they can either get on with their life, get out or explain why they should be able to appeal ?

 

[japancool]

Can you tell me what an asylum seeker awaiting decision gets (individually and/or for a family) and what restrictions they are under ?

£40.85 a week. Obviously, they're not allowed to work and must live wherever the Home Office decides to put them. I wonder how many forum members could survive on £5.84 a day.

I entirely agree that the government spending £7 million a day is wrong, but it's a situation of the Home Office's own making.

 

[IanSuth]

£40.85 a week. Obviously, they're not allowed to work and must live wherever the Home Office decides to put them. I wonder how many forum members could survive on £5.84 a day.

I entirely agree that the government spending £7 million a day is wrong, but it's a situation of the Home Office's own making.

I assumed it had gone up from @simon field's comment. That sounds identical to how it was 5 years ago.

It is madness when for instance there are no Dentists in the country that an asylum seeker with dentistry skills couldnt work to pay for their accomodation.

I saw the other day an article on the local news that a bunch are repairing/repainting the locks on the Kennet & Avon canal just to get out and about and give something back

 

[IanSuth]

Found an article covering the same program (the interview spoke to several and went into depth about them)

Newbury: Refugee group volunteers to help restore canal

The group have been improving the appearance of a bridge and lock as they wait for asylum.

www.bbc.co.uk

Sound like real wasters

"Volunteering is very important to be part of the community," Saddam, 23 from Sudan, told the BBC.
"We don't have right at the moment for work so it's a great opportunity to help people and help the community."

 

[japancool]

Found an article covering the same program (the interview spoke to several and went into depth about them)

Newbury: Refugee group volunteers to help restore canal

The group have been improving the appearance of a bridge and lock as they wait for asylum.

www.bbc.co.uk

Sound like real wasters

"Volunteering is very important to be part of the community," Saddam, 23 from Sudan, told the BBC.
"We don't have right at the moment for work so it's a great opportunity to help people and help the community."

I suspect the vast, vast majority of asylum seekers would prefer to work rather than get £40 week from the government.

 

[simon field]

Many of the people coming over do work. In the commercial cannabis industry. Tax-free income with a smile and a strong whiff of skunk!

They know our police don’t really ‘do’ crime these days, billy bonus!

In the local hotels, it’s a welcome pack. Free 3 meals a day, free prescriptions. Those are the hotels that haven’t taken legal action against the Home Secretary for trying to force places to ignore planning laws. One rule for them!

Last I heard, there’s a HUGE backlog. These are just the ones we know about. Have you seen the types of systems in place? How many have come that our finest don’t know about? I’m not confident in our (UK’s) ability to sort things out.
Why can’t they work? We have a labour shortage. That’s ridiculous! Talk about encouraging crime!

Many also prefer to go off-radar.

Meanwhile, plenty of homeless people in Norwich but hey, can’t afford to help them!

It’s going well isn’t it!

 

[simon field]

Have you seen what asylum seekers get? The benefits in France are very much better than the UK.

Maybe it’s just the English hotel food that’s better then.

They obviously prefer Snake & Pygmy pie to Onion soup.

 

[Kerwin]

Maybe it’s just the English hotel food that’s better then.

They obviously prefer Snake & Pygmy pie to Onion soup.

Who cares what country someone came from? Just live and let live.

 

[simon field]

Who cares what country someone came from? Just live and let live.

There are 4000 young men occupyping a 600 room hotel in Heathrow. The stupid government are trying - knowing it is wrong ~ to force other hotels all over the country to house these people with no local consultation or respect of planning law.

Have you gone soft?

 

[Picture Bute]

Many of the people coming over do work. In the commercial cannabis industry. Tax-free income with a smile and a strong whiff of skunk!

They know our police don’t really ‘do’ crime these days, billy bonus!

In the local hotels, it’s a welcome pack. Free 3 meals a day, free prescriptions. Those are the hotels that haven’t taken legal action against the Home Secretary for trying to force places to ignore planning laws. One rule for them!

Last I heard, there’s a HUGE backlog. These are just the ones we know about. Have you seen the types of systems in place? How many have come that our finest don’t know about? I’m not confident in our (UK’s) ability to sort things out.
Why can’t they work? We have a labour shortage. That’s ridiculous! Talk about encouraging crime!

Many also prefer to go off-radar.

Meanwhile, plenty of homeless people in Norwich but hey, can’t afford to help them!

It’s going well isn’t it!

F@cking lefties

Are you aware that the Tories have been in charge for 30 out of the last 43 years and more recently for the last 12 ?

 

[japancool]

Last I heard, there’s a HUGE backlog. These are just the ones we know about. Have you seen the types of systems in place? How many have come that our finest don’t know about? I’m not confident in our (UK’s) ability to sort things out.

Because successive Home Secretaries since May don't WANT to sort it out. They prefer to keep asylum seekers waiting because it shows they're being tough on immigration. And you know how much training they give the case workers who decide these things? About a day. Then they get dumped with a load of cases, so they get demoralised and all quit.

Why can’t they work? We have a labour shortage. That’s ridiculous! Talk about encouraging crime!

Good question. Some of these people are highly skilled as well. Not all, but some. And yes, the system forces them into crime. You leave people jobless for month and years, what do you expect them to do, sit around watching TV?

Someone who's managed to find their way halfway round the world almost certainly WANTS to work, earn money, pay for their own accommodation and pay for their own meals. I'd call someone who has managed to do that a really enterprising worker, the kind we need here.

Students don't want to pick fruit, or do some of those other traditional summer jobs. A lot of asylum seekers would be more than happy to do it, so why don't we let them, rather than thinking that a load of Eastern Europeans are going to come over and do it for us?