Cut it out!

[Mr Mystery]

Yay for puntastic title! Woo!

So the government are today announcing their intended cuts, including those for after the next election (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23061380)

I for one am interested in this, as unlike some lefties, I do grasp the basic concept that cuts are indeed needed, and as a country we need to re-learn how to live within our means.

However, hopefully this time they'll look beyond 'kick the poor and take their stuff' and make less painful cuts.

Education and NHS are said to be ringfenced and being left untouched, which I support.

Rumours point to restricting pensioner benefits to the wealthiest, which again I support, and remain mildly depressed this wasn't tackled before. Yes pensioners have contributed a great deal to this country, but hey, we're all in this together, and so far they've only had the good side of things. Time to share the burden. My disgruntled side would also like to add that todays pensioners (excluding the oldest, 75+) very much had an easier time of it than my generation, thanks to cheaper and more plentiful housing, buy to let, and overall more generous pension packages. But of course, my more rational side has just slapped my disgruntled side upside the head in an effort to remind it that's a very specific perspective, and far from universal!

So, what do you guys make of it so far?

[Wolfshade]

Cuts are good :)

[Wolfshade]

I am slightly annoyed that the international aid budget was not decreased.

[Psychosplodge]

I am slightly annoyed that the international aid budget was not decreased.

This.
I've seen news reports on the BBC where they've been interviewing refugees, and several refugees have said they'll never attempt to go back while they keep receiving aid.

[Wolfshade]

Benefits not to increase quicker then wages, good.
Welfware cap, that is the cap on the maximum could be spent.
Winter fuel payments will be done based on local temperature test so those retired British people abroad no longer get it if it is warm where they are.

Combing social care and healthcare I think is a great move.

[Wolfshade]

Benefit claimants searching for work who cannot speak english will be mandated to attend english lessons to maximise their opportunities.

[eldargal]

So long as they don't cut English Heritage of the National Trust I'm cool with it.

[DrLove42]

What is "Elite Sport"? They're cutting museums and the like, but not that...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23060592

Point by Point ^^

[Psychosplodge]

Polo? The Boat Race? Clay pigeon shooting? *shrugs*

[Psychosplodge]

The Weekly signing on won't work. The last time I was unemployed I was about the third person in a morning and still never once got saw on time. And apparently they've reduced staffing since then? They can't possibly make it work.

[Ze_Shoggoth]

The Weekly signing on won't work. The last time I was unemployed I was about the third person in a morning and still never once got saw on time. And apparently they've reduced staffing since then? They can't possibly make it work.

I hate to agree but UB needs to radically change, in other EU countries you don't get anything unless you have worked or there is a really good reason why you have not. Also the maximum is 2 years that you can get anything (in some countries its 6 months!)

I think we need to adopt this. ( and just so you know I was on UB for a while.)

Also there is nothing wrong with being left wing, I consider myself kinda natural in politics and the rich should realize there is a socioeconomic responsibility to their wealth.

Fatagn!

[Denzark]

The Memsahib tells me that when she went on holiday to Malta when she was younger, she was served by a waiter who was some sort of ex-high status professional who had lost his job. He was doing that because supposedly after being offered 3 jobs, if you hadn't taken the 3rd, you lost 100% benefits. Sounds good to me.

[Mr Mystery]

I do and don't agree.

Having been in that position, I know you can't afford to be too fussy.

But then, there's the whole 'wasted on it' issue.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not expecting or demanding special treatment for the well qualified, but its a waste of human resources to have say, an architect serving behind a bar..

Hmm.

[Denzark]

Its also a waste of taxpayers money to give someone jobseekers if they have been offered a job they are physically and mentally capable of doing, irrespective of if they are overskilled - better the ever decreasing public pot be used on something else, let the private sector take the slack.

[Wolfshade]

Also there is nothing stopping you job hunting while you are otherwise gainfully employed.