I'm suprised given his ambitions that Osbourne is content to be the face of cutting working tax credits. Although the decision to enforce these ahead of supposedly offsetting policies is probably a political move so that it's forgotten about and he can preach the positives come election time.
Politics at Westminster | BREAKING: UKIP
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
Jeez that's a bold move by Osborne. Local Authorities able to keep all the business taxes they earn and the LA grant will be abolished. LAs also able to reduce their business rates and the Mayoralities will be able to increase them.
http://www.theguardian.com/politics...ut-price-lloyds-bank-share-sale-politics-live
http://www.theguardian.com/politics...ut-price-lloyds-bank-share-sale-politics-live
This idea to give councils the power to set their own business rates is awful - all it will achieve is a race to the bottom which will force taxes down. It's basically a sneaky-as-feck way for the Tories to lower business tax without taking any flak for it. Their local government policy is designed to shift the blame for public service cuts to local government whilst branding it as empowerment.
Indeed they're incredibly politically savy at taking any opportunity to redistribute the burden of responsibility where possible.
Northern powerhouse indeed
Will there be any wealth transfer between rich and poor areas as at present? Or will areas with little business activity basically be left with no funds?
Labour controlled Manchester has been pushing for this for ages, so I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it as some Tory scheme. As Richard Leese said, devolution isnt just being given a pot of money to go and spend. It wouldnt surprise me if he was one of the drivers behind this.
I'll wait to see the details before making my mind up, but one thing is true, the Tories are trying to take the devolution agenda as their own.
From the Graun.
I'll wait to see the details before making my mind up, but one thing is true, the Tories are trying to take the devolution agenda as their own.
From the Graun.
Fair enough. I'm not against the change then.
Be interesting to see the detail, a friend who is involved at local authority level is happy that this will give them autonomy but it seems like boomtown politics to me.
Jeremy Hunt has been urged to apologise for suggesting tax credit cuts will make Britons work harder.
The Health Secretary insisted the Government's changes, which are predicted to affect millions of people, are a "very important cultural signal" and part of efforts to make the country's work ethic match those of Asian and American countries.
Mr Hunt added he did not "entirely buy" the argument that families will lose "hard cash" through the reforms, claiming the benefits of more job opportunities, extra hours and the national living wage need to be considered.
But Len McCluskey, general secretary of the Unite union, condemned Mr Hunt's comments as "a disgraceful insult" from the "richest member of the Cabinet".
He sought an immediate withdrawal of the comments and an apology from Mr Hunt while Labour said working families would find the remarks a "kick in the teeth".
The independent Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned that millions of people will lose up to £1,300 a year from the Budget changes.
Asked if there is a case for implementing the tax credit cuts over a longer period of time up to 2020, Mr Hunt replied: "No. We have to proceed with these tax credit changes because they're a very important cultural signal.
"My wife is Chinese and we want this to be one of the most successful countries in the world in 20, 30, 40 years time.
"There's a pretty difficult question we have to answer, which is essentially, are we going to be a country which is prepared to work hard in the way that Asian economies are prepared to work hard, in the way that Americans are prepared to work hard? And that is about creating a culture where work is at the heart of our success.
"But the hard cash argument I don't entirely buy because I don't think it takes into account the dynamic effects, it doesn't take into account the extra hours that people work, and it doesn't take into account the extra opportunities that you're giving people by creating jobs that are - through the national living wage - paid better than they would previously have been paid.
"I don't want to pretend that it won't be very challenging but I do believe that moving to a culture where work pays and we're trying to help people be independent and stand on their own two feet is the most important thing we can do for people on low incomes."
Mr McCluskey said the UK is the fifth biggest economy with one of the hardest-working populations, adding: "Mr Hunt should withdraw his remarks immediately and apologise.
"There is nothing as insulting as wealthy Cabinet ministers dishing out tax breaks to the super-wealthy, allowing massive assets to sit idle in bank accounts, doing nothing for the common good, (while) working people wait in fear for the letter telling them the Government is cutting their income and ponder joining the food bank queue."
Shadow work and pensions secretary Owen Smith said: " It is a kick in the teeth for working families to hear Jeremy Hunt patronisingly say that the reason they are struggling to pay the bills is because they are not working hard enough - when the truth is his Government is ruining family finances right across Britain.
"Labour has warned time and again that these tax credit cuts will hurt millions of ordinary working people, yet the Tories are digging their heels in."
Prime Minister David Cameron has said there will be no review of the cuts in next month's Autumn Statement despite calls from within his own party for a rethink.
Fiona Weir, chief executive of single parent charity Gingerbread, said Mr Hunt's "unhelpful language further demonises" people who are reliant on the "vital welfare payments, many of whom already have a job".
The Health Secretary insisted the Government's changes, which are predicted to affect millions of people, are a "very important cultural signal" and part of efforts to make the country's work ethic match those of Asian and American countries.
Mr Hunt added he did not "entirely buy" the argument that families will lose "hard cash" through the reforms, claiming the benefits of more job opportunities, extra hours and the national living wage need to be considered.
But Len McCluskey, general secretary of the Unite union, condemned Mr Hunt's comments as "a disgraceful insult" from the "richest member of the Cabinet".
He sought an immediate withdrawal of the comments and an apology from Mr Hunt while Labour said working families would find the remarks a "kick in the teeth".
The independent Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned that millions of people will lose up to £1,300 a year from the Budget changes.
Asked if there is a case for implementing the tax credit cuts over a longer period of time up to 2020, Mr Hunt replied: "No. We have to proceed with these tax credit changes because they're a very important cultural signal.
"My wife is Chinese and we want this to be one of the most successful countries in the world in 20, 30, 40 years time.
"There's a pretty difficult question we have to answer, which is essentially, are we going to be a country which is prepared to work hard in the way that Asian economies are prepared to work hard, in the way that Americans are prepared to work hard? And that is about creating a culture where work is at the heart of our success.
"But the hard cash argument I don't entirely buy because I don't think it takes into account the dynamic effects, it doesn't take into account the extra hours that people work, and it doesn't take into account the extra opportunities that you're giving people by creating jobs that are - through the national living wage - paid better than they would previously have been paid.
"I don't want to pretend that it won't be very challenging but I do believe that moving to a culture where work pays and we're trying to help people be independent and stand on their own two feet is the most important thing we can do for people on low incomes."
Mr McCluskey said the UK is the fifth biggest economy with one of the hardest-working populations, adding: "Mr Hunt should withdraw his remarks immediately and apologise.
"There is nothing as insulting as wealthy Cabinet ministers dishing out tax breaks to the super-wealthy, allowing massive assets to sit idle in bank accounts, doing nothing for the common good, (while) working people wait in fear for the letter telling them the Government is cutting their income and ponder joining the food bank queue."
Shadow work and pensions secretary Owen Smith said: " It is a kick in the teeth for working families to hear Jeremy Hunt patronisingly say that the reason they are struggling to pay the bills is because they are not working hard enough - when the truth is his Government is ruining family finances right across Britain.
"Labour has warned time and again that these tax credit cuts will hurt millions of ordinary working people, yet the Tories are digging their heels in."
Prime Minister David Cameron has said there will be no review of the cuts in next month's Autumn Statement despite calls from within his own party for a rethink.
Fiona Weir, chief executive of single parent charity Gingerbread, said Mr Hunt's "unhelpful language further demonises" people who are reliant on the "vital welfare payments, many of whom already have a job".
We live in a country where productivity and hard work seems to be more valued by the government than the health and well-being of its citizens. More like America and China? feck off.
Except Labour weren't advocating all of the money going straight to local authorities but giving them the ability to raise extra funds.
Until we have seen the detail of whether there will be a redistribution system and if so how it will function then this policy may well amount to a tax cut for business in London. (Surprise)
London councils take in far more in business rates than they receive back from the government (or need). If they get to keep all of their takings they can either undertake extravagant spending in already affluent areas or they can cut business rates to provide the amount they actually need. I can imagine what the City of London will do…
That Hunt has managed to reach such a prominent position in government is quite remarkable, Cameron himself must despair at him for being a damned fool sometiems. Even if you concur with his argument (which i do not), you'd have to be an unmitigated ass of a politician to actually utter those words.
Should the electorate view the existing business rates with disfavour, although they need do to rectify matters is vote into office a council that will raise/lower them. It will be a welcome consequence if this initiative leads to increased turnout elections in the future. The objections people hae presented are not without merit, but a porly implemented policy is likely to disadvantage as many, if not more Tory constituencies than Labour.
Should the electorate view the existing business rates with disfavour, although they need do to rectify matters is vote into office a council that will raise/lower them. It will be a welcome consequence if this initiative leads to increased turnout elections in the future. The objections people hae presented are not without merit, but a porly implemented policy is likely to disadvantage as many, if not more Tory constituencies than Labour.
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And then there's that "We're taking away your money so that you'll be on the pathway to self-respect and dignity" thing.
Seems determined to live up to James Naughtie's moniker for him.
1, His connection to and support for Rupert Murdoch, just like Cameron really.
2, If he, or the conservative think tank that thought this up, believed there was any chance of what you wrote he wouldn't have introduced it.If it works as it will be designed to then you can bet your tax credits that when you look at the detail it will feck the poorest areas the north and Labour councils. All we have left is the hope it is poorly implemented and backfires or blows up into a major political shit storm, but who knows enough about the details to breakdown the winners and losers and who is going to report it fairly and clearly to inform the public?
You would have to be some sort of idiot to believe this move coming out of the blue(in both senses) at Labours weakest point in 20 years wasn't a long term goal waiting to be dusted off and brought in, in an underplayed zero detailed manner at a suitably opportune moment.
Anyone listen to Theresa May's speech?
No, but I saw her interviewed by Neil. When asked why immigration had risen by so much on her watch she just kept saying again and again 'well it fell for the first two years'. Even Neil gave up after about four times. Not sure that will wash with her own colleagues though.
Will look for an article on the original speech. She is getting an earful from some right wing papers. That's how bad it was. Sounded like she was auditioning for UKIP.
Seems like a bizarre stance for her to take, too. If she was going all-out anti-immigration, then it'd help if she was actually getting the net migration figures to what the Tories planned for it to be. As it stands, anti-immigrationers won't take her seriously, and those who favour immigration will be put off by it.
She's not the best at interviews though. Can remember her dodgy every question back on election night, although lacking any sort of subtle touch while doing so.
and the new tory pledge to build more affordable homes is announced today.
"Under the scheme, houses must be 20% below the market rent and capped at £450,000 inside London and £250,000 outside."
when £450k is considered affordable, you know people are on another planet.
"Under the scheme, houses must be 20% below the market rent and capped at £450,000 inside London and £250,000 outside."
when £450k is considered affordable, you know people are on another planet.
Apparently, the Tories are here to stop Corbyn's "Britain-hating ideology".
Surely people aren't so thick as to buy that rubbish?
Well the entirety of the conference was on hand to clap him into orgasm.
No, I meant real people.
Real people buy the Sun and Mail. And decorative cushions. Real people love buying shit.
FFS. The Tories are turning me into a camp Littlejohn with lefty tendencies.
"Just picture them all as pigs Dave. That'll get you there soon enough, old boy."
Oh dear
Michael Gove having a bit of a shocker here. Andrew Neil interviews are always good fun.
Can't believe he talked about 9/11. Wow.
Used 9/11 for political gain. What an utter prick.
Shades of Tony Abbott from Cameron there with the Saudi question. As for the bomb being dropped over the UK err.... yeah that's not really true is it.
He and his Party will do and say practically anything to attain or maintain power.
I'm glad he's been called up on this. Waxes lyrical over Assad, Gadaffi and other human rights offences in the Middle East, and yet continues to help the Saudis get the Human Rights post in the UN. The pigfecker is so full of shite its unreal. His justification on how the Saudis have saved our lives with the intelligence they give us....jesus wept
Unfortunately, the media will sweep this under the rug. I hope Corbyn pushes this further.
Surely a significant number of the poorest families consist of under 25s. The national living wage does nothing to make up for tax credit cuts to them. It's outrageous that they keep implying it does.
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"Where, you know, a bomb that would have, you know, potentially blown up over Britain" - David Cameron
It's outrageous that they keep on stating the same misleading lines even when they've been repeatedly corrected by independent bodies (including those they themselves setup).
No one cares though apparently. You'd think it would be huge news that the prime minister repeatedly lies to the public but there's only ever a whimper of discontent.
Straight from the Goebbels school of propaganda, just keep repeating your lies and eventually people will think it's common sense. Vast majority of politicians in the world do it, pisses me off. There should be a 3 strike rule - get caught lying 3 times and you're out. It'd be great, we'd have a new parliament every few months.
I'd like to see political fines imposed but the complexities around that would be ridiculous and they'd just wiggle out of it.
It would be a start if the BBC actually started doing its job but they're very meek in recent years.
What a con that living wage is. "There was a plan but it didn't work".Incredible.