General News Thread

[bovril]

5 minutes ago, Zear0 said:

Boris' immigration figures are always worth reminding people about.

It was very obvious in 2016 that brexiters wanted to replace Europeans with rights under EU law with non Europeans who could be paid less and exploited more. Don't really understand why people are surprised or even disappointed as EU migration is now net negative which is exact what they voted for. 

[JonnyBoy]

4 minutes ago, Bilo said:

https://futurism.com/neoscope/left-wing-beliefs-intelligence

 

 

Nice, don’t think intelligence necessarily correlates in earnings though 

[bovril]

1 minute ago, Muzzy_no7 said:

Well yes because they essentially told people that Brexit would give us control of our borders and limit immigration, which hasn’t happened. So yes, it was either a lie or it simply hasn’t been done properly. 

Brexiters including Farage said they wanted more immigrants from the rest of the world and fewer from Europe. It's been done 'properly'.

[kenny]

2 minutes ago, Voll Blau said:

 

 

Extra childcare hours, bereavement leave for pregnancy loss, dealings with the NHS have been much quicker and more efficient (in my experience) to think of a few off the top of my head.

 

Plus, feeling a better sense of security for the future with the planned new stuff on school uniform pricing, breakfast clubs, increased workers' rights for those on zero-hours contracts etc.

Got you.

 

Many of these don't apply to us.  Our school doesn't get the breakfast club funding. It already has made sensible decisions on school uniform, so doesn't need a 'bill' in 2026 to help parents save £50 a year.

 

As an employer, the workers rights are going to cause chaos and have made us (maybe this is the plan) accelerate our automation plans to reduce future staffing (this may be a long term plus). Our household income has dropped due to the tax increases and the general malaise in the economy. My wifes work is suffering as labour have massively stripped back public sector investment in infrastructure or as a minimum put it on hold.

 

The rising bond markets are very worrying for the UK and it will effect all of us. The next round of tax rises will be required just to pay the increased interest on borrowing.

 

I think Streeting will have a good crack at the NHS. He seems to not care about being popular which will help him. The temporary relief of the NHS strikes has helped the backlog, but IMO it will be a short term fix for long term pain as the Unions become more militant, particularly in health.

[bovril]

The English when they find out India and Nigeria aren't in the EU

 

[Guest Bilo]

6 minutes ago, Muzzy_no7 said:

Well yes because they essentially told people that Brexit would give us control of our borders and limit immigration, which hasn’t happened. So yes, it was either a lie or it simply hasn’t been done properly. 

The first one.

[Guest Bilo]

7 minutes ago, Muzzy_no7 said:

Why are most of the richest people in the world centre right then? 

Economic self-interest and status quo bias. People who are already rich want to stay rich.

[Guest Bilo]

8 minutes ago, JonnyBoy said:

Nice, don’t think intelligence necessarily correlates in earnings though 

No clear correlation between voting preference and wealth level.

 

A very clear correlation between education level and voting preference.

[Voll Blau]

2 minutes ago, kenny said:

Got you.

 

Many of these don't apply to us.  Our school doesn't get the breakfast club funding. It already has made sensible decisions on school uniform, so doesn't need a 'bill' in 2026 to help parents save £50 a year.

 

As an employer, the workers rights are going to cause chaos and have made us (maybe this is the plan) accelerate our automation plans to reduce future staffing (this may be a long term plus). Our household income has dropped due to the tax increases and the general malaise in the economy. My wifes work is suffering as labour have massively stripped back public sector investment in infrastructure or as a minimum put it on hold.

 

The rising bond markets are very worrying for the UK and it will effect all of us. The next round of tax rises will be required just to pay the increased interest on borrowing.

 

I think Streeting will have a good crack at the NHS. He seems to not care about being popular which will help him. The temporary relief of the NHS strikes has helped the backlog, but IMO it will be a short term fix for long term pain as the Unions become more militant, particularly in health.

Sorry to read about the troubles you're having. Just to be clear, I'm far from impressed with much of the way things have gone since they came in and some of the scandals have pissed me off no end. As much as people might feel Labour are held to a higher standard in office than the Tories, it's no excuse when they don't stay above that standard.

 

I can only speak from personal experience though. You look at the alternatives and nothing they would do differently would make anything better for the people I care about.

[Muzzy_no7]

12 minutes ago, Bilo said:

Economic self-interest and status quo bias. People who are already rich want to stay rich.

Rightly so and same to people who’ve earned it. 

[Guest Bilo]

Just now, Muzzy_no7 said:

Rightly so and same to people who’ve earned it. 

And if they've inherited it rather than earned it? It's not a mark of intelligence, just a mark of luck.

[kenny]

9 minutes ago, Voll Blau said:

Sorry to read about the troubles you're having. Just to be clear, I'm far from impressed with much of the way things have gone since they came in and some of the scandals have pissed me off no end. As much as people might feel Labour are held to a higher standard in office than the Tories, it's no excuse when they don't stay above that standard.

 

I can only speak from personal experience though. You look at the alternatives and nothing they would do differently would make anything better for the people I care about.

No troubles our end. But there is no doubt we are worse off and I think it will filter down to working families with lower incomes.

 

I have been really bothered by the economy. Its been bad since they took over and the bond markets are something i'm not interested in but am learning and its bad news for all of us.

 

 

[leicsmac]

55 minutes ago, Bilo said:

https://futurism.com/neoscope/left-wing-beliefs-intelligence

 

 

 

51 minutes ago, Muzzy_no7 said:

Why are most of the richest people in the world centre right then? 

 

50 minutes ago, JonnyBoy said:

Nice, don’t think intelligence necessarily correlates in earnings though 

I'm yet to hear an argument from that particular area that actually considers factors beyond short term personal gain to be honest. 

 

Earnings don't mean much when you have no resources to buy with them and preserve the life and comfort of yourself and those around you. 

 

Edit: I guess it comes down to how a person defines intelligence; either through making short term gain, or considering the future of themselves and others. 

Edited 3 September 2025 by leicsmac

[Tommy G]

51 minutes ago, kenny said:

Got you.

 

Many of these don't apply to us.  Our school doesn't get the breakfast club funding. It already has made sensible decisions on school uniform, so doesn't need a 'bill' in 2026 to help parents save £50 a year.

 

As an employer, the workers rights are going to cause chaos and have made us (maybe this is the plan) accelerate our automation plans to reduce future staffing (this may be a long term plus). Our household income has dropped due to the tax increases and the general malaise in the economy. My wifes work is suffering as labour have massively stripped back public sector investment in infrastructure or as a minimum put it on hold.

 

The rising bond markets are very worrying for the UK and it will effect all of us. The next round of tax rises will be required just to pay the increased interest on borrowing.

 

I think Streeting will have a good crack at the NHS. He seems to not care about being popular which will help him. The temporary relief of the NHS strikes has helped the backlog, but IMO it will be a short term fix for long term pain as the Unions become more militant, particularly in health.

The school breakfast clubs are also taking an age to roll out - you can announce something but it takes time to implement. The extra childcare hours was also a Tory policy @Voll Blau which Labour have agreed to maintain. 

 

My interaction with the NHS has been terrible, and again these things take time and I think We Streeting despite a shaky start is one of only a handful of ministers who has his head screwed on. 

 

I agree workers rights bill will only lead to less people being employed, and with a combination of the Ers NI increase you can already see payroll numbers falling month on month. So if you were on a zero hours contract then you have struck gold, but if you are looking for work or staring down the barrel of redundancy it's not as helpful.

[Muzzy_no7]

38 minutes ago, Bilo said:

And if they've inherited it rather than earned it? It's not a mark of intelligence, just a mark of luck.

Yeah why should that family have to give away the family’s money? 

[Guest Bilo]

7 minutes ago, Muzzy_no7 said:

Yeah why should that family have to give away the family’s money? 

It's not about giving it away so much as it is about building a better and more equitable society via progressive taxation. We already know that trickle-down economics doesn't work, so something else more distributive needs to be find.

 

I could easily counter your question by asking 'why does someone have to live in poverty just because their family does?' Because the idea of trickle-down economics and meritocracy are promoted largely by those whose position is already secure as a kind of 'if you work hard, you'll have the same privileges and wealth that I had handed to me on a plate. Maybe. If you're lucky.' Nonsensical way of running an economic system.

Edited 3 September 2025 by Bilo

[leicsmac]

Just now, Bilo said:

It's not about giving it away so much as it is about building a better and more equitable society via progressive taxation. We already know that trickle-down economics doesn't work, so something else more distributive needs to be find.

 

I could easily counter your question by asking 'why does someone have to live in poverty just because their family does?' Because the idea of trickle-down economics and meritocracy are promoted largely by those whose position is already secure as a kind of 'if you work hard, you'll have the same privileges and wealth that I had handed to me on a plate.' Nonsensical way of running an economic system.

The Just World Fallacy has a lot to answer for. 

 

Additionally, there's a reason it and general inequality that it is one of the drivers of are known and listed as one of the biggest problems our species faces 

[Tommy G]

56 minutes ago, Bilo said:

No clear correlation between voting preference and wealth level.

 

A very clear correlation between education level and voting preference.

So the latest stick to beat people with is, if you didn't vote for labour you're thick? 

 

I'd like to see a breakdown of the degree's or higher education, anyone can get a degree in Cruise Management or Ethical Hacking from a poly - doesn't mean it's a measure of intelligence. 

[Voll Blau]

10 minutes ago, Tommy G said:

The school breakfast clubs are also taking an age to roll out - you can announce something but it takes time to implement. The extra childcare hours was also a Tory policy @Voll Blau which Labour have agreed to maintain. 

 

My interaction with the NHS has been terrible, and again these things take time and I think We Streeting despite a shaky start is one of only a handful of ministers who has his head screwed on. 

 

I agree workers rights bill will only lead to less people being employed, and with a combination of the Ers NI increase you can already see payroll numbers falling month on month. So if you were on a zero hours contract then you have struck gold, but if you are looking for work or staring down the barrel of redundancy it's not as helpful.

The childcare hours policy has changed under Labour. The new one was rolled out this week.

[Guest Bilo]

Just now, leicsmac said:

The Just World Fallacy has a lot to answer for. 

 

Additionally, there's a reason it and general inequality that it is one of the drivers of are known and listed as one of the biggest problems our species faces 

The reality is that swathes of the extremely wealthy are either inheriting the benefits of their ancestors being either lucky or exploitative, and 'self-made' wealthy folk have benefited from a combination of acumen and work, but also a spot of good luck and the hard work of others who've been less generously rewarded.

[Guest Bilo]

4 minutes ago, Tommy G said:

So the latest stick to beat people with is, if you didn't vote for labour you're thick? 

 

I'd like to see a breakdown of the degree's or higher education, anyone can get a degree in Cruise Management or Ethical Hacking from a poly - doesn't mean it's a measure of intelligence. 

That's not what I'm saying. Obviously. 

 

It's saying that the likes of Farage and the populist right are exploiting those without strong critical thinking skills by spinning them soundbites, simplistic narratives and easily identifiable enemies for their own ends.

 

For all of your parody degrees, any degree imbues its holders with a set of skills that aren't found elsewhere. Same as a plumbing course gives plumbers skills I don't have.

 

What's your degree in?

Edited 3 September 2025 by Bilo

[Jon the Hat]

Even I am not daft enough to argue Starmer is worse than the recent shower of shit the Tories have had leading them.  That said, Starmer has been disappointing so far.  We knew he was dull, we didn't know he was also a bit weak.

 

Still he has the gift of time to get it right.

[Torquay Gunner]

1 minute ago, Bilo said:

The reality is that swathes of the extremely wealthy are either inheriting the benefits of their ancestors being either lucky or exploitative, and 'self-made' wealthy folk have benefited from a combination of acumen and work, but also a spot of good luck and the hard work of others who've been less generously rewarded.

The game is rigged and always has been.  Can’t see that changing anytime soon. 

[Greg2607]

Well.......... if this isn't posturing about Power I'm not sure what is........

 

The West should be very very concerned about this collective of people working together. 

 

(that or i've been heavily brainwashed by propaganda) 

 

[Guest Bilo]

3 minutes ago, Jon the Hat said:

Even I am not daft enough to argue Starmer is worse than the recent shower of shit the Tories have had leading them.  That said, Starmer has been disappointing so far.  We knew he was dull, we didn't know he was also a bit weak.

 

Still he has the gift of time to get it right.

Neatly sums it up. I can only assume those calling this government the worst this country has ever had have either the memory of a housefly or an agenda that means that nothing Labour could ever do would make them satisfied.