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Post by cabanas2017 on May 17, 2022 20:30:13 GMT 1
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Post by stuttgartershrew on May 18, 2022 7:09:05 GMT 1
About the selection process though, what can you do? What can the parties do when it comes to how someone might well behave once they become an MP with all its trappings. Because I'm pretty sure that plays a part in this, the feeling of entitlement that some get from holding such a position. But you would think they are already doing all they can to check an individuals background but if that doesn't flag anything up...then its tricky. Again I don't know whether we look back with rose tinted specs but I don't recall a time like this. I mean expenses and backhanders is one thing, it just feels at the moment that its a constant newsfeed of rape (with a Tory MP now under investigation), sexual offenses, drugs, bullying, drunken and threatening behavior, etc. Although of course, I do think it is good to remind yourself that the vast majority don't find themselves in the news.
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Post by northwestman on May 18, 2022 14:56:06 GMT 1
Pensioners have experienced a £551 real cut to their income over the past 12 months, with the cost of living rising three times as fast as the state pension.
More than 12 million pensioners will be left thousands of pounds worse off throughout their retirement after the Government broke its promise and suspended the "triple lock" at the same time as the inflation surged to a 40-year high.
Ministers denied pensioners what would have been a record £822 increase in the state pension last month by suspending the triple lock, which ensures that pensions increase by the highest of inflation, wage growth or 2.5pc.
The state pension increased by £5.55 a week in April, a rise of 3.1pc based on inflation in September 2021, rather than wage growth, which was 8.1pc.
The increase has fallen far short of inflation, which has hit 9pc according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics. Someone turning 66 this year would be £13,209 out of pocket by age 85 as a result of the lower increases. It represents the greatest loss of spending power for pensioners in more than 42 years.
Daily Telegraph.
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Post by staffordshrew on May 18, 2022 15:30:05 GMT 1
The only person who can realistically ease the unbearable pressure on Britons now is Chancellor Rishi Sunak. The Chancellor needs to step in and help those who are hardest hit by the inflationary spike, in particular pensioners, and those with disabilities or struggling on low incomes. So far, he has done exactly the opposite by suspending the State Pension triple lock, and hiking tax and National Insurance. His five-year freeze on income tax thresholds, announced in last year’s Budget, is landing at the worst possible time. As is the 1.25 percent National insurance health and social care levy, which came into force in April 6. Sunak's tax attack are making around 30 million taxpayers feel EVEN poorer. He has done precious little to offer support over rocketing energy bills, either. The Bank of England should back off. Now it is time for Rishi Sunak to step up. He needs to realise just how bad things are – and respond with more than futile gestures
Daily Express Money
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Post by northwestman on May 18, 2022 15:49:28 GMT 1
The only person who can realistically ease the unbearable pressure on Britons now is Chancellor Rishi Sunak. The Chancellor needs to step in and help those who are hardest hit by the inflationary spike, in particular pensioners, and those with disabilities or struggling on low incomes. So far, he has done exactly the opposite by suspending the State Pension triple lock, and hiking tax and National Insurance. His five-year freeze on income tax thresholds, announced in last year’s Budget, is landing at the worst possible time. As is the 1.25 percent National insurance health and social care levy, which came into force in April 6. Sunak's tax attack are making around 30 million taxpayers feel EVEN poorer. He has done precious little to offer support over rocketing energy bills, either. The Bank of England should back off. Now it is time for Rishi Sunak to step up. He needs to realise just how bad things are – and respond with more than futile gestures
Daily Express Money
No removal of VAT off fuel bills. No removal of the 'green levy'. But the most iniquitous tax rise of all is the freezing of personal allowances until 2026, which is a serious stealth tax of which I fear a high % of the population are blissfully unaware.
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Post by zenfootball2 on May 18, 2022 16:32:54 GMT 1
we once had state owned electricty providers and we were promise privitization would lead to more competition and lowere prices. www.theguardian.com/business/2022/jan/14/france-edf-cap-household-energy-bills"The French government will force EDF, the state energy giant, to take an €8.4bn (£7bn) financial hit to protect households from rocketing energy costs by limiting bill hikes to 4% this year. The company lost a fifth of its market value on Friday after the French government set out plans to cap rising energy bills, which include forcing EDF to sell electricity generated by its fleet of nuclear reactors to rival home suppliers at well below the current record high market prices." hqnetwork.co.uk/news/government-allocates-67m-from-home-upgrade-grant-scheme-6172/only a small number of areas got funding for this and is targeted at the most in need. this grant will cover 50% of the costs for homeowner to fully retrofit there house up to passive house standerds, this is what is required for millions of homes in the uk passivehouseplus.ie/news/government/major-new-grants-for-retrofit-insulation-announced"Major new grants for retrofit & insulation announced The Irish government has announced significant new grants designed to make it “easier and more affordable” for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades."
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Post by ssshrew on May 18, 2022 17:37:37 GMT 1
I’m afraid that this Chancellor and so many of this government don’t have clue about the cost of living at the moment because they have so much money of their own. Truly they can have absolutely no concept of the problems of living day to day on a normal or a reasonable salary.
Even those who are working hard every day to earn a living are going to suffer.
I see the chancellor says it’s going to be tough but it won’t be for him and it doesn’t matter how much he pontificates nothing will alter the fact that they and him don’t have a clue.
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Post by staffordshrew on May 18, 2022 17:43:08 GMT 1
The only person who can realistically ease the unbearable pressure on Britons now is Chancellor Rishi Sunak. The Chancellor needs to step in and help those who are hardest hit by the inflationary spike, in particular pensioners, and those with disabilities or struggling on low incomes. So far, he has done exactly the opposite by suspending the State Pension triple lock, and hiking tax and National Insurance. His five-year freeze on income tax thresholds, announced in last year’s Budget, is landing at the worst possible time. As is the 1.25 percent National insurance health and social care levy, which came into force in April 6. Sunak's tax attack are making around 30 million taxpayers feel EVEN poorer. He has done precious little to offer support over rocketing energy bills, either. The Bank of England should back off. Now it is time for Rishi Sunak to step up. He needs to realise just how bad things are – and respond with more than futile gestures Daily Express Money
No removal of VAT off fuel bills. No removal of the 'green levy'. But the most iniquitous tax rise of all is the freezing of personal allowances until 2026, which is a serious stealth tax of which I fear a high % of the population are blissfully unaware. Another secret tax increase is that as prices for products, services and vehicle fuel rise, the government get more VAT. How much do we pay this chap to tell us the obvious, but do nothing? Rishi Sunak warns of tough few months as inflation soars
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Post by stuttgartershrew on May 19, 2022 7:19:35 GMT 1
We seem to have gone off topic, someone will be having kittens... Anyhow... Stephen Doughty: Police told to re-examine MP's diazepam case"Mr Doughty was treated differently due to his status as an MP, and also due to a personal relationship with Alun Michael".I'm sure Starmer will be greatly encouraged by that.
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Post by staffordshrew on May 19, 2022 11:27:25 GMT 1
Off topic? Isn't sneaky tax rises a bit sleazy?
Here's another one Sunak snook in on lnheritence tax, meaning many more people's estate will be subject to inheritence tax: "The residence nil-rate band was expected to increase with inflation this year, but the Chancellor announced that the band would be frozen."
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Post by martinshrew on May 19, 2022 11:56:41 GMT 1
The Met have spent almost £500,000 investigating "partygate" (**** knows how!) and issued 126 fines.
126 x £60 = £7,560
Pathetic. What a complete waste of time and resources.
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Post by zenfootball2 on May 19, 2022 12:03:55 GMT 1
The Met have spent almost £500,000 investigating "partygate" (**** knows how!) and issued 126 fines. 126 x £60 = £7,560 Pathetic. What a complete waste of time and resources. the Met are a joke it is sad to see an organization that had such a good reputation reach this point and this is not a new thing , now we just a have a police force running london that are not fit for purpose and are too politicized; www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/aug/19/files-shed-light-on-alleged-efforts-to-hide-1970s-police-corruption;" detective kept files as evidence of how senior officers thwarted Operation Countryman DCS Steve Whitby’s records and tie from Operation Countryman DCS Steve Whitby’s records and tie from Operation Countryman, which investigated corruption allegations against Met and City of London police officers Sun 19 Aug 2018 14.30 BST Documents retained by a senior detective involved in one of Britain’s biggest police corruption inquiries have shed light on how efforts were allegedly made to prevent the true scale of wrongdoing from coming to light. The family of the late DCS Steve Whitby says he kept papers from the Countryman investigation as evidence of how he and his colleagues were thwarted by senior police officers and the then director of public prosecutions (DPP). His daughter, Lynne Kerley, who has passed the documents to the Guardian, said: “He felt peeved that individuals were allowed to go scot-free. I did not want it to go to the tip without something being being said or done.” Whitby was a leading member of Operation Countryman, which ran from 1978 until 1982. It investigated allegations against 84 members of the Metropolitan police and 29 officers from the City of London police who were accused of taking bribes, planting evidence, conspiring with bank robbers and improperly facilitating bail."
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Post by northwestman on May 19, 2022 12:08:01 GMT 1
Carrie Johnson, the prime minister’s wife, has been told that she is not going to receive any further fines over Partygate, beyond the one we were told about in April, it is understood. The April fine related to the surprise birthday gathering she organised for the PM in the cabinet room. She was also being investigated over allegations that she held a party in the Downing Street flat on the night Dominic Cummings resigned, where Abba music was played loudly as she celebrated with friends the departure of an enemy. If the Met has decided not to fine her in relation to this, that suggests it has accepted the argument that government advisers who attended (reportedly her friends) were there for a work meeting.
The Guardian.
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Post by zenfootball2 on May 19, 2022 12:19:07 GMT 1
Carrie Johnson, the prime minister’s wife, has been told that she is not going to receive any further fines over Partygate, beyond the one we were told about in April, it is understood. The April fine related to the surprise birthday gathering she organised for the PM in the cabinet room. She was also being investigated over allegations that she held a party in the Downing Street flat on the night Dominic Cummings resigned, where Abba music was played loudly as she celebrated with friends the departure of an enemy. If the Met has decided not to fine her in relation to this, that suggests it has accepted the argument that government advisers who attended (reportedly her friends) were there for a work meeting. The Guardian. what a farce all the members of hte public who were on the reciving end of some big fines should all appeal and cite her case and just say it was not a party but a business meeting
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Post by stuttgartershrew on May 19, 2022 12:23:41 GMT 1
The Met have spent almost £500,000 investigating "partygate" (**** knows how!) and issued 126 fines. 126 x £60 = £7,560 Yeah, when you put it like that. And so the one event Johnson and Sunak did receive a fine for was the one that was briefed to the press, reported at the time and no one batted an eyelid. Mind you, not over yet. The Gray Report and the Commons investigation to come. And looking to the numbers who were fined, the culture down there needs to be looked at come what may. As for "beergate", on the face of it this looks to be good news for Starmer (if the two police forces work along the same lines) because if Johnson was in attendance of events where others were fined but he was not because his actions were seen as working, then the same can be said for Starmer if he continued to work whilst others in attendance didn't/weren't.
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Post by ssshrew on May 19, 2022 12:24:27 GMT 1
No surprise really. It was always going to be the case that they would be treated differently to the rest of us.
I have no faith in the government or the police I’m afraid.
My usual quote - pigs with snouts in troughs.
In all my life I have never felt so disillusioned. Disappointed in the past but now I never ever expect anything good from the powers that be. I’m afraid I’ve done with it all.
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Post by Feedo Gnasher on May 19, 2022 12:45:16 GMT 1
If we’re all honest even the birthday cake one was a very tame breach of the rules by Johnson (and Sunak) so if that really was as bad as it got then it’s time for everyone to move on.
Although of course I’d still love to see the 300 photographs and read an unaltered Sue Gray report, and the results of these investigations don’t make me think he’s suddenly fit to be prime minister.
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Post by northwestman on May 19, 2022 13:00:41 GMT 1
If we’re all honest even the birthday cake one was a very tame breach of the rules by Johnson (and Sunak) so if that really was as bad as it got then it’s time for everyone to move on. Although of course I’d still love to see the 300 photographs and read an unaltered Sue Gray report, and the results of these investigations don’t make me think he’s suddenly fit to be prime minister. Yes, an unredacted Sue Gray Report telling us what actually went on at these 'gatherings' could well be a game changer. On the face of it, Johnson has only been fined for one of the most insignificant of the parties. So it's going to be very interesting to find out what excuses the Met has accepted from him for his involvement in other more high profile events, at least 5 of which he attended. www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/full-list-number-10s-lockdown-22862115
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Post by northwestman on May 19, 2022 13:16:34 GMT 1
www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/may/19/mike-hill-ex-labour-mp-compensation-woman-sexually-assaultedA woman who was repeatedly sexually assaulted and harassed by a former Labour MP has been awarded nearly £435,000 by an employment tribunal in a ruling that could have major implications for outstanding claims against MPs. A central London employment tribunal on Wednesday ordered the former member for Hartlepool Mike Hill to pay £434,435 to Woman A. She was victimised after spurning Hill’s advances, an employment tribunal ruled in July. He was found to have got into the victim’s bed and to have sexually assaulted her in his parliamentary office. The case is the first public compensation payment ordered against an MP for sexual assault, and is expected to prompt other alleged victims in parliament to take action through the civil courts. Woman A told the Guardian she hoped Wednesday’s order would encourage other women to come forward and seek justice through the courts as an alternative to the parliamentary process. “It is important that the many women who have been sexually harassed and assaulted by MPs know that there is another way of seeking justice and compensation for their losses,” she said. “The parliamentary investigation route, which I went through, is arduous and very tough and conducted in private. “Pursuing Mike Hill through the courts has meant that I might receive compensation for my financial losses and the process seems much more open and transparent.” Woman A said the decision to take on Hill had nevertheless left her homeless, traumatised by post-traumatic stress disorder, suffering from severe depressive disorder and with limited prospects of a career. “I have gone through two and a half years of hell. I left my job with nothing while he took his pension, and several months’ pay and was covered by £250,000 towards his legal fees. I had to crowdfund my case. The system, even through the courts, is weighted in favour of MPs,” she said. Woman A’s barrister welcomed the ruling and said she will now seek to enforce the order against Hill’s assets but may also sue the House of Commons if Hill is unable to pay.
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Post by zenfootball2 on May 19, 2022 13:47:26 GMT 1
www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/may/19/mike-hill-ex-labour-mp-compensation-woman-sexually-assaultedA woman who was repeatedly sexually assaulted and harassed by a former Labour MP has been awarded nearly £435,000 by an employment tribunal in a ruling that could have major implications for outstanding claims against MPs. A central London employment tribunal on Wednesday ordered the former member for Hartlepool Mike Hill to pay £434,435 to Woman A. She was victimised after spurning Hill’s advances, an employment tribunal ruled in July. He was found to have got into the victim’s bed and to have sexually assaulted her in his parliamentary office. The case is the first public compensation payment ordered against an MP for sexual assault, and is expected to prompt other alleged victims in parliament to take action through the civil courts. Woman A told the Guardian she hoped Wednesday’s order would encourage other women to come forward and seek justice through the courts as an alternative to the parliamentary process. “It is important that the many women who have been sexually harassed and assaulted by MPs know that there is another way of seeking justice and compensation for their losses,” she said. “The parliamentary investigation route, which I went through, is arduous and very tough and conducted in private. “Pursuing Mike Hill through the courts has meant that I might receive compensation for my financial losses and the process seems much more open and transparent.” Woman A said the decision to take on Hill had nevertheless left her homeless, traumatised by post-traumatic stress disorder, suffering from severe depressive disorder and with limited prospects of a career. “I have gone through two and a half years of hell. I left my job with nothing while he took his pension, and several months’ pay and was covered by £250,000 towards his legal fees. I had to crowdfund my case. The system, even through the courts, is weighted in favour of MPs,” she said. Woman A’s barrister welcomed the ruling and said she will now seek to enforce the order against Hill’s assets but may also sue the House of Commons if Hill is unable to pay. poor women , it sems mysoggynistic behaviour is rife in the house of commons and the police ; www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10831317/Female-officers-report-misogyny-rife-UK-police-force.htmlFemale police officers yesterday lifted the lid on the sexist abuse they endure from colleagues as a national conference was told misogyny was present in ‘every force’ in Britain. A survey revealed women are being taunted over promotions by resentful male colleagues who suggest they got ahead only because they ‘have t**s’. The Police Federation of England and Wales conference heard examples of sexist behaviour and crude remarks in stations across the country."
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Post by zenfootball2 on May 19, 2022 13:50:05 GMT 1
www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/may/19/mike-hill-ex-labour-mp-compensation-woman-sexually-assaultedA woman who was repeatedly sexually assaulted and harassed by a former Labour MP has been awarded nearly £435,000 by an employment tribunal in a ruling that could have major implications for outstanding claims against MPs. A central London employment tribunal on Wednesday ordered the former member for Hartlepool Mike Hill to pay £434,435 to Woman A. She was victimised after spurning Hill’s advances, an employment tribunal ruled in July. He was found to have got into the victim’s bed and to have sexually assaulted her in his parliamentary office. The case is the first public compensation payment ordered against an MP for sexual assault, and is expected to prompt other alleged victims in parliament to take action through the civil courts. Woman A told the Guardian she hoped Wednesday’s order would encourage other women to come forward and seek justice through the courts as an alternative to the parliamentary process. “It is important that the many women who have been sexually harassed and assaulted by MPs know that there is another way of seeking justice and compensation for their losses,” she said. “The parliamentary investigation route, which I went through, is arduous and very tough and conducted in private. “Pursuing Mike Hill through the courts has meant that I might receive compensation for my financial losses and the process seems much more open and transparent.” Woman A said the decision to take on Hill had nevertheless left her homeless, traumatised by post-traumatic stress disorder, suffering from severe depressive disorder and with limited prospects of a career. “I have gone through two and a half years of hell. I left my job with nothing while he took his pension, and several months’ pay and was covered by £250,000 towards his legal fees. I had to crowdfund my case. The system, even through the courts, is weighted in favour of MPs,” she said. Woman A’s barrister welcomed the ruling and said she will now seek to enforce the order against Hill’s assets but may also sue the House of Commons if Hill is unable to pay. this parliment could learn a lot from Finland
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Post by northwestman on May 19, 2022 17:16:14 GMT 1
This is from Adam Wagner, the barrister and lockdown regulations specialist, on why Boris Johnson may have been able to avoid being fined for his attendance at the BYOB party in the Downing Street garden on 20 May 2020.
'Because it was during a brief period (the first two months of the pandemic) where the regulations technically allowed you to host a party in your garden and only attendees would be fined. That changed on 31 May 20'.
That said, I've no idea how he's got away with the Abba party. Holding an interview amongst that din does seem somewhat fanciful.
So the Metropolitan Police appears to have concluded that Boris Johnson somehow legally attended what they otherwise judged to be illegal gatherings, and that while he didn't break the law for attending those illegal events, other more junior officials did.
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Post by staffordshrew on May 19, 2022 18:39:28 GMT 1
"Labour claims £15million of taxpayers cash has been handed to one of Vladimir Putin's 'closest allies' to put his firm's eco-friendly buses on British streets despite UK targeting regime with sanctions over Ukraine war"
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Post by northwestman on May 20, 2022 17:10:08 GMT 1
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Post by staffordshrew on May 20, 2022 17:17:32 GMT 1
No surprise really. It was always going to be the case that they would be treated differently to the rest of us. I have no faith in the government or the police I’m afraid. My usual quote - pigs with snouts in troughs. In all my life I have never felt so disillusioned. Disappointed in the past but now I never ever expect anything good from the powers that be. I’m afraid I’ve done with it all. Lock up the knife drawer! Lock up the painkillers!
Sounds like what you need is the Morecombe and Wise show, the Ken Dodd show, Dave Allan or Tommy Cooper - but they have all sadly passed away... They say laughter is the best medicine, though, if you were a diabetic, Insulin might be more appropriate.
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Post by zenfootball2 on May 20, 2022 17:23:13 GMT 1
This is from Adam Wagner, the barrister and lockdown regulations specialist, on why Boris Johnson may have been able to avoid being fined for his attendance at the BYOB party in the Downing Street garden on 20 May 2020. 'Because it was during a brief period (the first two months of the pandemic) where the regulations technically allowed you to host a party in your garden and only attendees would be fined. That changed on 31 May 20'. That said, I've no idea how he's got away with the Abba party. Holding an interview amongst that din does seem somewhat fanciful. So the Metropolitan Police appears to have concluded that Boris Johnson somehow legally attended what they otherwise judged to be illegal gatherings, and that while he didn't break the law for attending those illegal events, other more junior officials did. Teflon man
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Post by northwestman on May 21, 2022 8:29:22 GMT 1
In order to counteract cost of living concerns, choose from the following:
1. Windfall Tax.
2. Remove the freeze on personal tax allowances and bring them in line with inflation.
3. Scrap the rise in N.I.
4. Remove green 'levies' on energy bills.
5. Remove VAT from energy bills.
6. Bring state benefits and state pensions into line with current inflation levels (9%).
7. Bring forward the proposed reduction of 1p in income tax.
8. A further cut in fuel duty.
Plenty to select from here!
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Post by northwestman on May 21, 2022 8:51:10 GMT 1
'It is clear beyond doubt that it was a huge mistake to raise national insurance and freeze income-tax thresholds last month. It took spending power away from families just when they most needed it. Chancellor Rishi Sunak was warned not to do so, even by some on his own side, but he went ahead anyway'. (Daily Mail!)
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Post by davycrockett on May 21, 2022 9:13:10 GMT 1
In order to counteract cost of living concerns, choose from the following: 1. Windfall Tax. 2. Remove the freeze on personal tax allowances and bring them in line with inflation. 3. Scrap the rise in N.I. 4. Remove green 'levies' on energy bills. 5. Remove VAT from energy bills. 6. Bring state benefits and state pensions into line with current inflation levels (9%). 7. Bring forward the proposed reduction of 1p in income tax. 8. A further cut in fuel duty. Plenty to select from here! You forgot ….retrospectively reintroduce the Tripple lock they promised to keep in their manifesto then dumped
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Post by northwestman on May 21, 2022 10:02:21 GMT 1
In order to counteract cost of living concerns, choose from the following: 1. Windfall Tax. 2. Remove the freeze on personal tax allowances and bring them in line with inflation. 3. Scrap the rise in N.I. 4. Remove green 'levies' on energy bills. 5. Remove VAT from energy bills. 6. Bring state benefits and state pensions into line with current inflation levels (9%). 7. Bring forward the proposed reduction of 1p in income tax. 8. A further cut in fuel duty. Plenty to select from here! You forgot ….retrospectively reintroduce the Tripple lock they promised to keep in their manifesto then dumped You mean the same manifesto where they promised not to increase income tax (they have indirectly by freezing personal allowances) and National Insurance ( they have from this April)?
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