The Politics Thread

[thebish]

Not a lot of crucial stuff today, summed up by

Osborne: "All the numbers are better than last forecast"

Balls "but worse than 2010 forecast init!"

cue shouting.


I wish they'd bugger orf with this married couples tax break though. Many more people live by themselves these days and that is obviously a costlier thing to do than share a house, yet the sharers get the benefit.

You could argue that married people do and have put more into the economy, so could be more than entitled to a little bit extra back

in what way do married people put more into the economy?

[thebish]

*cough* maybe it's because a certain political party wants to shore up the institution of marriage, and that political party thinks the best way of shoring things up (in fact the reason d'etre or whatever the French is for the whole of life) is through financial advantage.

this is often said... but do we seriously believe that people would choose to get married for - what? - £60-£100??? (or whatever insignificant amount a married couples tax break would offer them)

[Lost Leopard Spot]

*cough* maybe it's because a certain political party wants to shore up the institution of marriage, and that political party thinks the best way of shoring things up (in fact the reason d'etre or whatever the French is for the whole of life) is through financial advantage.

this is often said... but do we seriously believe that people would choose to get married for - what? - £60-£100??? (or whatever insignificant amount a married couples tax break would offer them)

No we don't. but then again neither of us share the conservative dogma about the be all and end all nature of financial incentives. I'm just trying to think myself into an alien concept is all.

While we are on the subject, I don't see why a person's tax allowance isn't 100% transferable to whoever the feck the person wants.

[Bruce Rioja]

You could argue that married people do and have put more into the economy, so could be more than entitled to a little bit extra back

Could you? Have they? How?

[Athers]

Not a lot of crucial stuff today, summed up by

Osborne: "All the numbers are better than last forecast"

Balls "but worse than 2010 forecast init!"

cue shouting.


I wish they'd bugger orf with this married couples tax break though. Many more people live by themselves these days and that is obviously a costlier thing to do than share a house, yet the sharers get the benefit.

You could argue that married people do and have put more into the economy, so could be more than entitled to a little bit extra back

By having had to pay over the odds for photographers and car rental services?

Of course it's a socially-driven move about the INSTITUTION of marriage but nudging financially is not the way to encourage a happy married couple + 2.4 family environment. Here I just disagree with the Conservatives, and I will if I do get married and become a recipient of this tax break (my view won't probably stretch to giving the money back of course )

[boltonboris]

Not just weddings, but 2 salaries and the lifestyle that that would represent.. The average married couple, I reckon, have a larger and costlier home than the average single living person. 2 cars, childcare (£750 a month, we pay). The costs associated with having children (which is in a lot of cases a natural extension of a marriage) such as clothing (VAT free, yes, but still lining somebody's pockets through profits), food and overpriced equipment like car seats and prams.

Our outgoings are crazy. It's nice that we get a little bit back. and by little, I mean very little.

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

Not just weddings, but 2 salaries and the lifestyle that that would represent.. The average married couple, I reckon, have a larger and costlier home than the average single living person. 2 cars, childcare (£750 a month, we pay). The costs associated with having children (which is in a lot of cases a natural extension of a marriage) such as clothing (VAT free, yes, but still lining somebody's pockets through profits), food and overpriced equipment like car seats and prams.

Our outgoings are crazy. It's nice that we get a little bit back. and by little, I mean very little.

Bloody hell Boris - we all make our own lifestyle choices and spend everything we earn one way or another!

[thebish]

Not just weddings, but 2 salaries and the lifestyle that that would represent.. The average married couple, I reckon, have a larger and costlier home than the average single living person. 2 cars, childcare (£750 a month, we pay). The costs associated with having children (which is in a lot of cases a natural extension of a marriage) such as clothing (VAT free, yes, but still lining somebody's pockets through profits), food and overpriced equipment like car seats and prams.

Our outgoings are crazy. It's nice that we get a little bit back. and by little, I mean very little.

but all of those things would also apply to a couple simply living together... none of those things are specific to married couples.

if you are arguing for tax breaks for those who put most into the economy... then it would probably be a healthy rich single bloke who has no kids... he doesn't drain the NHS (he might have private health insurance anyway) and doesn't drain the nation through having his kids educated for free for 16yrs plus countless thousands of quid in state subsidised childcare and child benefit...

[Bruce Rioja]

Not just weddings, but 2 salaries and the lifestyle that that would represent.. The average married couple, I reckon, have a larger and costlier home than the average single living person. 2 cars, childcare (£750 a month, we pay). The costs associated with having children (which is in a lot of cases a natural extension of a marriage) such as clothing (VAT free, yes, but still lining somebody's pockets through profits), food and overpriced equipment like car seats and prams.

Our outgoings are crazy. It's nice that we get a little bit back. and by little, I mean very little.

But you made those choices, not me. So no, your argument doesn't stack up at all. My bills are the same as when I was married - we don't get stuff half price, you know?!

Don't expect anyone but you to pick up your tab.

[Prufrock]

*cough* maybe it's because a certain political party wants to shore up the institution of marriage, and that political party thinks the best way of shoring things up (in fact the reason d'etre or whatever the French is for the whole of life) is through financial advantage.

this is often said... but do we seriously believe that people would choose to get married for - what? - £60-£100??? (or whatever insignificant amount a married couples tax break would offer them)

Now, call me a cynic, but I think it may be less about persuading people to get married, and more about getting people who are already married to vote for them.

[boltonboris]

Nice way of twisting my words there Bruce. I don't expect anybody to "pick up my tab" are you worse off in any way, because my household brings in 2 wages and our household spends more than double what we would if we lived apart with no children?

[Lost Leopard Spot]

*cough* maybe it's because a certain political party wants to shore up the institution of marriage, and that political party thinks the best way of shoring things up (in fact the reason d'etre or whatever the French is for the whole of life) is through financial advantage.

this is often said... but do we seriously believe that people would choose to get married for - what? - £60-£100??? (or whatever insignificant amount a married couples tax break would offer them)

Now, call me a cynic, but I think it may be less about persuading people to get married, and more about getting people who are already married to vote for them.

You cynic, you

[Prufrock]

I get where you are coming from, but why is it different that you are married rather than living together?

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

Nice way of twisting my words there Bruce. I don't expect anybody to "pick up my tab" are you worse off in any way, because my household brings in 2 wages and our household spends more than double what we would if we lived apart with no children?

Two single people bring in two wages though, don't they? If anything, having children would tend to reduce the amount of wage earning one of the couple does. And don't single people just spend their money on other things?

[Prufrock]

*cough* maybe it's because a certain political party wants to shore up the institution of marriage, and that political party thinks the best way of shoring things up (in fact the reason d'etre or whatever the French is for the whole of life) is through financial advantage.

this is often said... but do we seriously believe that people would choose to get married for - what? - £60-£100??? (or whatever insignificant amount a married couples tax break would offer them)

Now, call me a cynic, but I think it may be less about persuading people to get married, and more about getting people who are already married to vote for them.

You cynic, you

Tax credits are just electoral bribes. It's the same logic explaining the fact no one goes anywhere near pensions and winter fuel.

[Hoboh]

Tom Bradby's off the cuff comment last night when asked about slack jowls autumn statement,
"well we'll be expected to work till 150" FAF!

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25287108" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Broadly speaking I believe in the principle of paying MPs 'competitively'... but the timing of this is troubling.

Perhaps the overall package will cost less.

[Prufrock]

Pretty good for the politicians.

They can either take it without anyone being able to say they gave it themselves, or give it back and get a load of free credit for being in the same position they are now!

[Harry Genshaw]

Politicians have had their noses in the trough for years, with all sorts of scams and eye watering perks. We had the recent long over due purge, but given that, and todays austerity for all, an increase of any kind right now is just appalling. 11% is just taking the pi55

[Bruce Rioja]

Politicians have had their noses in the trough for years, with all sorts of scams and eye watering perks. We had the recent long over due purge, but given that, and todays austerity for all, an increase of any kind right now is just appalling. 11% is just taking the pi55

I guess/hope that it'll be turned down.