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These 162 comments are related to an article called:

Country on its knees

Page 2 of 7

posted on 16/1/23

comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 4 minutes ago
Busby, furlough was a one off, so hardly worth using as a comparison.

By the way, the estimate on tax avoidance, fraud etc. is £35 billion.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Per year? Nice.

comment by Beeb (U1841)

posted on 16/1/23

After 13 years of idealogical, not fiscal, austerity this government is not only financially bankrupt but morally bankrupt, too.

Starmer can’t fix it. There just isn’t any money.

comment by Busby (U19985)

posted on 16/1/23

comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 29 minutes ago
Busby, furlough was a one off, so hardly worth using as a comparison.

By the way, the estimate on tax avoidance, fraud etc. is £35 billion.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, the article is about the country being on its knees. About public services striking.

They aren’t doing that for any reason other than interest rates and the cost of living.

That’s primarily down to a war and furlough.

posted on 16/1/23

comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 36 minutes ago
comment by Ignacio Varga (U11781)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 2 minutes ago
You want free pay when you aren’t working?

You want to support Ukraine at war with Russia?

This is the outcome.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Why aren’t other countries in Europe facing so much strike action like this country is then?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Plenty of countries around Europe are a mess. Some didn’t provide a furlough scheme, the majority aren’t supporting Ukraine the way we are, some have out forward larger bills to help with energy in the short term.

It isn’t simple, but the reality is we’ve been through a pandemic, our economy has taken a bashing, we’ve left the EU, and there is war in Europe.

By the way, I think the government have handled it shockingly too.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Everyone is on strike on Thursday here. And it's only to test the water, if it's a success there will be many more.

comment by Busby (U19985)

posted on 16/1/23

comment by Robb Me The Horizon (U22716)
posted 19 minutes ago
Tory Busby ignoring the elephant in the room. 13 years of Tory rule and destruction of the country ending up with what you see now. He’s the kind of guy who no doubt blames Sadiq Khan for the crime rates in London while ignoring the Tory cuts to the police force.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
13 years but who was complaining pre Covid?

posted on 16/1/23

comment by Beeb (U1841)
posted 11 minutes ago
After 13 years of idealogical, not fiscal, austerity this government is not only financially bankrupt but morally bankrupt, too.

Starmer can’t fix it. There just isn’t any money.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He can certainly do better.

posted on 16/1/23

If Starmer can do big nhs reform like he says he will then fair play to him. The economy should be in better than in 2025 when he takes over

comment by Busby (U19985)

posted on 16/1/23

comment by manusince52 (U9692)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 36 minutes ago
comment by Ignacio Varga (U11781)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 2 minutes ago
You want free pay when you aren’t working?

You want to support Ukraine at war with Russia?

This is the outcome.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Why aren’t other countries in Europe facing so much strike action like this country is then?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Plenty of countries around Europe are a mess. Some didn’t provide a furlough scheme, the majority aren’t supporting Ukraine the way we are, some have out forward larger bills to help with energy in the short term.

It isn’t simple, but the reality is we’ve been through a pandemic, our economy has taken a bashing, we’ve left the EU, and there is war in Europe.

By the way, I think the government have handled it shockingly too.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Everyone is on strike on Thursday here. And it's only to test the water, if it's a success there will be many more.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Exactly, this isn’t a UK thing.

It’s a thing that happens when you have war involving a country who supply Europe’s gas and oil.

posted on 16/1/23

comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 29 minutes ago
Busby, furlough was a one off, so hardly worth using as a comparison.

By the way, the estimate on tax avoidance, fraud etc. is £35 billion.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, the article is about the country being on its knees. About public services striking.

They aren’t doing that for any reason other than interest rates and the cost of living.

That’s primarily down to a war and furlough.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Eh?

No, they’re doing it because pay and conditions has not been improved over many years.

Perhaps we’d be able to pay public sector workers a better wage if we didn’t have such huge amounts of tax go unpaid.

To just disregard that issue is bizarre.

posted on 16/1/23

I've gotta agree with Winston on this one.

Sure these companies provide jobs, but they din't do that as a charity, its because those jobs help them gain billions in profit. Even if they were taxed appropriately and made to pay it they would still be making far more money than by not operating in the country

comment by Busby (U19985)

posted on 16/1/23

comment by De Gea's Legs (U14210)
posted 37 seconds ago
If Starmer can do big nhs reform like he says he will then fair play to him. The economy should be in better than in 2025 when he takes over
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He talks about fixing it, but doesn’t explain where the money it coming from.

Because it’ll be our back pockets. I already pay over a grand a month in taxes, as well as tax on my shopping, my fuel, my energy, my insurance, to live in my house, to use my tv. And frankly, the service is very poor value for money.

posted on 16/1/23

The bin men could break this country tbf

comment by Busby (U19985)

posted on 16/1/23

comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 29 minutes ago
Busby, furlough was a one off, so hardly worth using as a comparison.

By the way, the estimate on tax avoidance, fraud etc. is £35 billion.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, the article is about the country being on its knees. About public services striking.

They aren’t doing that for any reason other than interest rates and the cost of living.

That’s primarily down to a war and furlough.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Eh?

No, they’re doing it because pay and conditions has not been improved over many years.

Perhaps we’d be able to pay public sector workers a better wage if we didn’t have such huge amounts of tax go unpaid.

To just disregard that issue is bizarre.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The ones I know are well paid, all above national average anyway.

posted on 16/1/23

“Teachers, dock workers, barristers, postal workers, nurses, ambulance staff, civil servants, rail workers, train drivers, driving instructors, border control.

When have you seen so many industries all striking at the same time?“

None of the above are really ‘industries”.

comment by Busby (U19985)

posted on 16/1/23

The one that gets me, is train drivers. Average earner on £60k a year.

Jokers.

posted on 16/1/23

The Tories ruined the country, partly intentionally, partly by sheer incompetence but 100% the Tories

Hang your head in shame if you voted for this, absolutely no excuse.

posted on 16/1/23

comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 15 seconds ago
comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 29 minutes ago
Busby, furlough was a one off, so hardly worth using as a comparison.

By the way, the estimate on tax avoidance, fraud etc. is £35 billion.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, the article is about the country being on its knees. About public services striking.

They aren’t doing that for any reason other than interest rates and the cost of living.

That’s primarily down to a war and furlough.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Eh?

No, they’re doing it because pay and conditions has not been improved over many years.

Perhaps we’d be able to pay public sector workers a better wage if we didn’t have such huge amounts of tax go unpaid.

To just disregard that issue is bizarre.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The ones I know are well paid, all above national average anyway.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay, we’re done here.

You’re making things up and then ignoring replies when they prove you wrong.

I don’t know why you’ve got your head in the sand on this issue but I’m not going to waste my time anymore.

posted on 16/1/23

comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 28 seconds ago
comment by De Gea's Legs (U14210)
posted 37 seconds ago
If Starmer can do big nhs reform like he says he will then fair play to him. The economy should be in better than in 2025 when he takes over
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He talks about fixing it, but doesn’t explain where the money it coming from.

Because it’ll be our back pockets. I already pay over a grand a month in taxes, as well as tax on my shopping, my fuel, my energy, my insurance, to live in my house, to use my tv. And frankly, the service is very poor value for money.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixing some problems doesn't need money, getting rid of half the health managers would be a start. I read today there are more doctors receptionists than doctors.
Stopping minister corruption would help.

comment by Busby (U19985)

posted on 16/1/23

What is made up?

comment by Busby (U19985)

posted on 16/1/23

comment by manusince52 (U9692)
posted 26 seconds ago
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 28 seconds ago
comment by De Gea's Legs (U14210)
posted 37 seconds ago
If Starmer can do big nhs reform like he says he will then fair play to him. The economy should be in better than in 2025 when he takes over
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He talks about fixing it, but doesn’t explain where the money it coming from.

Because it’ll be our back pockets. I already pay over a grand a month in taxes, as well as tax on my shopping, my fuel, my energy, my insurance, to live in my house, to use my tv. And frankly, the service is very poor value for money.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixing some problems doesn't need money, getting rid of half the health managers would be a start. I read today there are more doctors receptionists than doctors.
Stopping minister corruption would help.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah I agree. I work in software and have seen seen public services waste fortunes first hand.

comment by Busby (U19985)

posted on 16/1/23

I also know people in various roles who are paid very decent salaries and some get away with doing very, very little but looking busy.

posted on 16/1/23

comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 16 minutes ago
comment by Robb Me The Horizon (U22716)
posted 19 minutes ago
Tory Busby ignoring the elephant in the room. 13 years of Tory rule and destruction of the country ending up with what you see now. He’s the kind of guy who no doubt blames Sadiq Khan for the crime rates in London while ignoring the Tory cuts to the police force.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
13 years but who was complaining pre Covid?
----------------------------------------------------------------------

posted on 16/1/23

It's rail workers that are striking isn't it. Not just the drivers. It's also not all about pay. It's about terms and conditions too.

I support all those who choose to strike even if it will be an inconvenience for me in some cases.

posted on 16/1/23

The issues go back a lot longer than covid or the Ukraine war, it’s all a knock on impact on those happening on top of austerity.

Personally, I’d significantly increase the higher levels of tax and add in additional banding. I’m a high rate tax payer myself but the disparity and concentration of wealth is way too much right now and our spending on public services across the board is way too low.

posted on 16/1/23

At least Brexit is a roaring success

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