The Budget

[david63]

The devil is in the detail and I suspect, as with all budget announcements, that may of her announcements were already in the pipeline and that most of the "big" numbers will not kick in for a few years by which time memories fade and circumstances change.

the hardest part though is the delivery.

And that is where most governments fall down but only time will tell. If I was a betting man, or knew one who had some good tips, I would make a guess that several of those statements will not come to fruition. It's easy to say that there is money there to do things but one of the biggest problems is having the people to carry them out.

And how many of these "investments" in the future have been fully costed? For example I was reading a report just the other day that a government review of our local hospital found that to bring it up to date will cost £50 million - the hospitals independent survey says that it is nearer £150 million. I suspect that the truth is somewhere in the middle.

[david63]

One thing that amused me was Labour resorting to type and reducing the duty on draft beer by 1p.

Angela Raynor looked a bit bored by it all and appeared to be wanting to be somewhere else as she kept looking at her watch, probably wondering how much longer it was going on for!

I must admit though that I thought Reeves came across as a good speaker.

[Onelife]

The devil is in the detail and the detail has come back to haunt many a chancellor…the question I would ask is, would you rather have stuck with the devil/party that was taking us nowhere, or do you take a chance with a chancellor that appears to have some idea of where she wants to take us.

For Sunak to say “power play politics” has ruined our country, he should look no further than his own party before making such a true statement.

[towny44]

I thought Rishi's response was far more believable, but then I am rather biased. Tax, borrow and spend has been tried by most labour govts, and always ended in tears, so I am not convinced that this will fair any better.

[Stephen]

One thing that amused me was Labour resorting to type and reducing the duty on draft beer by 1p.

Angela Raynor looked a bit bored by it all and appeared to be wanting to be somewhere else as she kept looking at her watch, probably wondering how much longer it was going on for!

I must admit though that I thought Reeves came across as a good speaker.

Mrs S and I thought the same.

[david63]

would you rather have stuck with the devil/party that was taking us nowhere, or do you take a chance with a chancellor that appears to have some idea of where she wants to take us.

Six of one and half a dozen of the other.

It makes little difference which party is in government as all that ends up being done is shuffling the problems around. Yes there appears on the face of it to be some good ideas in this budget but they will be at the expense of something else.

[towny44]

would you rather have stuck with the devil/party that was taking us nowhere, or do you take a chance with a chancellor that appears to have some idea of where she wants to take us.

Six of one and half a dozen of the other.

It makes little difference which party is in government as all that ends up being done is shuffling the problems around. Yes there appears on the face of it to be some good ideas in this budget but they will be at the expense of something else.

Whether any benefits will be worth more than the interest charges on the higher national debt is very debatable. I think Onelifes tips would produce a better yield.

[oldbluefox]

My experience of socialists is they are very good at spending somebody else's money, and I have worked with quite a few of those! They usually leave behind a big debt when they lose power and move on. I hope Reeves is right with this budget but I expect there will be more pain to come in future years. My opinion is the Tories should have increased taxes to pay for public services long ago.
First of all I would like to see an end to waste and money squandered and there are plenty of examples of that over the past 14 years. I would also like to see a reversal of some of the policies the Tories put in place which have affected the NHS in particular. Why close cottage hospitals and then find bed blocking? It doesn't make sense.
I would also hope she meant what she said when she talked about a shake up of the welfare system. Welfare benefit should be paid to those who genuinely need it, not the layabouts, fraudsters and workshy who know how to abuse the system and make the benefit system their lifestyle choice.
Once she has cleared all of this garbage away we should start seeing some benefit from the measures she has announced. We will wait and see.

[Ray B]

Well at least I have a tank full of Diesel, gained nothing, lost nothing. Be a while before I need to go back to the pumps.

[Ray B]

What chance to see a penny off your pint?

[Mervyn and Trish]

I'm not sure it's going to make a huge difference to me personally. But I'm not entirely sure how it's a budget for growth when it heaps extra costs on business with more to come when they change employment laws. I'm also not convinced the tax on private schools will achieve anything. A lot of parents on the margins will not be able to afford higher fees and will take their kids out of private school. So the tax take will not be what they expect and there will be extra pressure on state schools.

[Onelife]

would you rather have stuck with the devil/party that was taking us nowhere, or do you take a chance with a chancellor that appears to have some idea of where she wants to take us.

Six of one and half a dozen of the other.

It makes little difference which party is in government as all that ends up being done is shuffling the problems around. Yes there appears on the face of it to be some good ideas in this budget but they will be at the expense of something else.

Whether any benefits will be worth more than the interest charges on the higher national debt is very debatable. I think Onelifes tips would produce a better yield.

That of course is the gamble, but taking a calculated gamble has got to be better than sitting on the fence waiting for a cornucopia to appear out of nowhere.

Let’s all hope this budget brings “Betterdaysahead” which incidentally runs in the 2.05 at Down Royal Friday.

[oldbluefox]

It could spell the end of choir schools and cause a problem for army personnel who choose to send their children to boarding school rather than have their education disrupted if they are moving every two years or so. I'm not sure that Reeves has really thought through the implications of this policy for the revenue it will bring in or she just doesn't care.

[Onelife]

How come when I kick the bucket my daughter will have to pay Inheritance tax, yet one of the richest families in the country pays nothing…. how can that be right!

[towny44]

I do hope that all of you who hoped that yesterday's budget would lead to the economic growth and increased prosperity that Starmer promised was his main aim if he was elected, are keeping abreast of the news and the analysis of just about 100% of economists expectations.
All this budget does is provide the Chancellor with a goodie bag of cash to use as very weak sticking plasters to increase the budgets of the most profligate organisations we have, that is all the govt departments.
It just reinforces my long held view that a Labour govt is only good at one thing, that is spending the hard earned tax pounds of the most productive members of the country, that includes the best of our entrepreneurs all the way down to the most hardworking shopfloor employees.
As usual, it will all end in tears.

[david63]

Well the sock market does not seem overly impressed - although not disastrous

[Ray Scully]

I just wish she had done a little more regarding taxing older individuals, those who tend to have more wealth, largely due to property and pensions, compared to younger generations. BTW I would be one of those taking a hit

[Ray B]

Steady on Ray, are you feeling well.

[Ray Scully]

Steady on Ray, are you feeling well.

Perfectly well, how could I not be. In no small way thanks to the NHS. However I do feel some what guilty having received Rolls Royce standards of care whilst my contributions into the system in no way reflected this.

[Stephen]

I just wish she had done a little more regarding taxing older individuals, those who tend to have more wealth, largely due to property and pensions, compared to younger generations. BTW I would be one of those taking a hit

Wash you mouth out Ray
That sort of talk can get you a visit from the heavy’s

[Ray B]

Steady on Ray, are you feeling well.

Perfectly well, how could I not be. In no small way thanks to the NHS. However I do feel some what guilty having received Rolls Royce standards of care whilst my contributions into the system in no way reflected this.

Don't feel guilty Ray. In a small way we have all contributed to the NHS. Some are lucky, and during their lifetime have had little call or no call on the service, whilst others have received the fantastic care that is available to all, irrespective of whether they have contributed or not.

[Ray B]

I just wish she had done a little more regarding taxing older individuals, those who tend to have more wealth, largely due to property and pensions, compared to younger generations. BTW I would be one of those taking a hit

Wash you mouth out Ray
That sort of talk can get you a visit from the heavy’s

Mabe he is referring to the mega rich estate owners like O.L.

[towny44]

I just wish she had done a little more regarding taxing older individuals, those who tend to have more wealth, largely due to property and pensions, compared to younger generations. BTW I would be one of those taking a hit

Ray,
I'm sure Rachel would be only too happy to receive any extra contributions you wish to make.

[Stephen]

I just wish she had done a little more regarding taxing older individuals, those who tend to have more wealth, largely due to property and pensions, compared to younger generations. BTW I would be one of those taking a hit

Wash you mouth out Ray
That sort of talk can get you a visit from the heavy’s

Mabe he is referring to the mega rich estate owners like O.L.

Anyone with a ride on mower should pay double ……..at least

[Onelife]

For gawd sake Stephen…next you’ll be wanting me to pay tax on my Apple trees, Plum trees, Damson tree’s and two chickens in a Pear tree