Summer Budget 2015

IronGiant

The problem is, if you want to remove tax credits and benefits then you can only remove them from the people
that get them.  As you have noted they have already stripped away every single benefit that middle single earners received. (I'm surprised they haven't targeted dual income middle earners but that's for another thread).  However if they're going to stop tax credits then they need to ensure that wages rise to compensate and not just make vague promises about increasing to a living wage at some point.

Enki

The Conservative government is refusing to release Employment Support Allowance death statistics even under the Freedom of Information Act requests.  Curious, no doubt they are waiting for a better measure to hide away suicide figures, still they openly and for the record discriminated on gender, when awarding this benefit.

My inference to anyone in working related support group where many people with early onset degenerating and  fluctuating illnesses such as Multiple sclerosis, would be not to look for work, financially it’s a huge risk, work no longer pays for these people, thats if you could find employer to be employed, State or Private..

Personal Independent Payment is seen as a cut and targets those with severe mental health and no doubt we shall see from Monday, as it begins to be rolled out to those on Disability Living Allowance, lifetime awards.  Department Work and pensions own impact figures estimates 29% of reassessed claimants to end up with a decreased award or end up with no award.

Well off to digest http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/2015-2016/0051/cbill_2015-20160051_en_1.htm , wonder what sticks will be tucked away.

Is that entirely true for all the public sector? I'm led to believe there are several pay points in each grade or band?

EarthRod

It has to be said, but:

Teacher's pension schemes are worth considering. They are 'final salary' schemes, providing a lovely big lump sum and regular income after retirement (2/3 of salary). Apparently also provide dependants with financial protection in the event of a member’s death. Benefits are of course index-linked. I'm quite jealous and green with envy - lucky teachers.

That is one hell of a golden package which gets stuck in front of any consideration, even when professional teachers say 'think of the children', the card which is always played at the slightest hint any criticism.

IronGiant

Presumably to get that wonderful package you have to serve your full sentence?

fluxo

I'm in favour of removing tax credits. This way of doing it, perhaps it is clunky.

On the minimum wage rise: people can be paid more for doing the same job. Or they can be paid more for doing a different job that adds more value.

Those in low-paid work are capable of working. If they are capable of working, I would hope they are capable of working doing a different job that pays more. The most important thing is that there are enough high value jobs in the economy to enable that transition.

EarthRod

Put in the full time, take out the full pension.

If early retirement is considered then the reduced pension pot will be spread over a longer time period. This means a smaller pension and smaller lump sum.

So yes - the same as any pension.

Enki

With respect, I'm sorry but above is darwinism gahoonies and more importantly it took me away from Pizza and Welfare bill.

IronGiant

@Alan CD  They should have people queuing to sign up then

Sve

You should be on the stage, what a load of absolute codswallop.

fluxo

I don't think it's about darwinism. It's about how better pay is delivered. Do you achieve that by the government manipulating pay levels? Or is it better that high-value jobs are created in the economy that people would naturally be paid more for doing?