[Politics] Is this current Government to the right or left of Tony Blair's Government

[chickens]

the "cuts" amount to reducing the future 20230 budget target of £58bn to £53bn.

seems from the preamble we should simply accept a cohort of people that dont work for various reasons and it's worth the cost to subsidise them through disabilities. as it goes both the last government and current agree, with current one trimming the budget 10% 5 year out.

Yet it’s unhelpful and misdirected on two fronts:

1. It yet again draws focus onto a group of people who are largely voiceless themselves and have spent the last decade largely being incorrectly vilified as scroungers, encouraging the narrative that our ills are the result of those who have the least already.

2. No government has ever been able to correctly predict the numbers of sick/unable to work, and I don’t believe this one is any different.

It all sounds very jolly determining that someone’s mental health condition isn’t severe enough for them to be eligible for help, but at the end of that statistic is a real human being who if they aren’t functioning well enough for employment to be a realistic prospect, yet is being told that they’re too well to qualify for help that might improve their situation and stabilise them, exists in a precarious grey area where if they’re fortunate a charity will step in and fight their corner with the DWP to get them additional support they need, and if they’re unfortunate they will continue to battle with (let’s be honest here) real poverty.

I confidently predict that there will be no savings, and I do wish the government had not picked this section of society as a target for grandstanding.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Is the therapy available on the NHS?

Yes. But it takes ages. I was referred six months ago. I offered to go private and was referred to a private and state provider.
I have heard nothing from either.
Not that they can do much for someone like me, someone apparently successful and functional.
Speak to my missus if I seem to be OK.
I cope but at quite a cost to personal relationships.
Once I start questing myself (as I must - I can be an arse, as is evidenced by some of my carry-on on NSC) I lose my mojo.

 

[Cheggers]

Yes. But it takes ages. I was referred six months ago. I offered to go private and was referred to a private and state provider.
I have heard nothing from either.
Not that they can do much for someone like me, someone apparently successful and functional.
Speak to my missus if I seem to be OK.
I cope but at quite a cost to personal relationships.
Once I start questing myself (as I must - I can be an arse, as is evidenced by some of my carry-on on NSC) I lose my mojo.

I know a lot of people who have been waiting a very long time for help with their mental wellbeing. Because COVID has 'gone' some people seem to think it's effects have evaporated. I think we are a nation with, to varying degrees, aspects of PTSD. Add that to preexisting and ongoing issues with wellbeing, and it is not a great situation. I hope you manage to get some help soon.

 

[JackB247]

I can’t tell you how behind him I am on this benefits shake up. I imagine it will be more than very complicated to police but I have known so many people for decades who are actually very proud to be milking the system. I don’t think I am alone. A BIG thumbs up from me!

As to the OPs question I am not up enough on politics to make a meaningful contribution.

Am very much in this space too - the current level of spend on benefits is unsustainable and I'd question whether the £5bn of cuts is enough in a system that is clearly too easy to exploit.

Albeit I didn't like the Budget, and think it has made it more difficult for the Government to achieve economic growth, it is good to see them looking to make progress on issues like Planning and the Welfare System, which to be frank, the Tories kicked the can down the road on for the best part of a decade.

If we're going to make this country better, difficult decisions need to be taken. It is good that, so far, the Labour backbenches have been able to see the bigger picture and vote with the leadership and I hope that continues.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

I know a lot of people who have been waiting a very long time for help with their mental wellbeing. Because COVID has 'gone' some people seem to think it's effects have evaporated. I think we are a nation with, to varying degrees, aspects of PTSD. Add that to preexisting and ongoing issues with wellbeing, and it is not a great situation. I hope you manage to get some help soon.

Thanks. Appreciated

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Am very much in this space too - the current level of spend on benefits is unsustainable and I'd question whether the £5bn of cuts is enough in a system that is clearly too easy to exploit.

Albeit I didn't like the Budget, and think it has made it more difficult for the Government to achieve economic growth, it is good to see them looking to make progress on issues like Planning and the Welfare System, which to be frank, the Tories kicked the can down the road on for the best part of a decade.

If we're going to make this country better, difficult decisions need to be taken. It is good that, so far, the Labour backbenches have been able to see the bigger picture and vote with the leadership and I hope that continues.

I suspect that if the chancellor doesn't make headway over the next 6 months (let's give her a bit longer) she is likely to be bounced sideways or out.
And I will have to eat humble pie for defending her 6 months ago
when one or two people were already ready to show Rachel from accounts the door.
Ah well. Art of the possible and all that.

As for labours back benchers, McConnell was at it yesterday, grumbling, but he doesn't have much in the way of traction or bus fair these days.
Thankfully.

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

No, it was CAT therapy, not provided by the NHS.

But the point is, they earn good money and could easily pay for it themselves. This is similar to the winter fuel allowance, where wealthy pensioners often got money they didn't need, at the expense of working tax payers who are seriously struggling.

These decisions aren't popular - the right-ring media are all over it - but they are the correct decisions.

https://www.westsussextalkingtherapies.nhs.uk/

 

[Zeberdi]

cbb