John Healy has resigned as Defence Secretary

I don’t think AB will win. (Yes, may well look like a twit in a week 😁)

If he does, he’s going to need to up his game, not been at all impressed by his interviews during the campaign. Will be torn to shreds at the despatch box if he fails to do so.

I thought I had posted on the wrong thread! It's far too simplistic to suggest we take money from pensioners and use it to fund another aspect of government.

But then, those saying these things, the Farages, Trumps and Badenochs of this world, often don't expect to work any harder than to express easily repeated mantra with no requirement for facts.

I don’t think they’ve said that, have they? I’ve certainly not read that anywhere.

David49

nanna8

State pensions should only go to the financially stressed. No one else. As with most countries. Use the money saved to build up defence.

Agree with that, my sister in Brisbane manages fine without

Australia's experience is actually that it evolved through a series of reforms over roughly 75 years, with major changes in 1960, 1969, 1976, and 1985, rather than through one long scheduled phase-in.

One thing that often surprises people when comparing pension systems internationally is that Australia is unusual among developed countries in relying heavily on a means-tested public pension, while also encouraging private retirement savings through the compulsory superannuation system. That combination evolved over decades rather than being introduced all at once. So Australia don't have a magic wand any more than any other country.

Silvershadow

I don’t think they’ve said that, have they? I’ve certainly not read that anywhere.

Don't you? Are you expecting to vote for a right-wing party?

DaisyAnneReturns

Silvershadow

I don’t think they’ve said that, have they? I’ve certainly not read that anywhere.

Don't you? Are you expecting to vote for a right-wing party?

I’m confused at what you’re implying here. You said Trump, Badenoch and Farage have intimated ending the benefits for pensioners to give to other departments. Is that what you’re saying upthread? I replied to you saying I’d not seen any of those three individuals saying that. How does that lead onto me voting for a ‘right wing party’. Also, my voting intentions are for me to know. In the same way I wouldn’t expect to know yours.

Ilovecheese

I don't believe they resigned on principles. I think they are leaving a sinking ship in the hopes of securing a position in the new court.

I don’t think all of them totally lack principles, but I agree with the second part of your comment.
It’s so disappointing when I look back at the ecstasy with which Keir Starmer was received and how quickly it reverted back to the usual (after any change of government) blame game.

I think the ecstasy was at the removal of the Tory after so long.

What difference is it going to make if Burnham takes over ?

The only difference for a few months is that my television won’t be turned off every time Starmer speaks. Have to protect against high blood pressure?? westendgirl

nanna8

State pensions should only go to the financially stressed. No one else. As with most countries. Use the money saved to build up defence.

So the contributions you make all your working life then go to somebody else? Is that fair?

Silvershadow

I don’t think they’ve said that, have they? I’ve certainly not read that anywhere.

The only person I have heard say that is the Green Party candidate in the Makerfield by-election and no disrespect to her but I doubt she will be in any position to put that in place.

I like AB and think he has done a good job in Manchester, I hope he doesn't win next week and thus have a go at leading Labour because Labour is a poisoned chalice and he will fail in the light of the strong right-wing zeitgeist all over the World.

DaisyAnneReturns

David49

nanna8

State pensions should only go to the financially stressed. No one else. As with most countries. Use the money saved to build up defence.

Agree with that, my sister in Brisbane manages fine without

Australia's experience is actually that it evolved through a series of reforms over roughly 75 years, with major changes in 1960, 1969, 1976, and 1985, rather than through one long scheduled phase-in.

One thing that often surprises people when comparing pension systems internationally is that Australia is unusual among developed countries in relying heavily on a means-tested public pension, while also encouraging private retirement savings through the compulsory superannuation system. That combination evolved over decades rather than being introduced all at once. So Australia don't have a magic wand any more than any other country.

I agree with DAR that any changes to the 2011 Pension Act as suggested (ie towards a means tested state pension award on retirement) would need to set out a reasonable timeline for change so that people approaching retirement could plan accordingly and and be informed appropriately by the DWP.

To reform the 2011 Pensions Act the UK government must follow the standard legislative process, draft a new bill, secure parliamentary approval (this could prove tricky and time-consuming with political parties of various colours reflecting on how such reform would impact on their vote share) and then receive Royal Assent.

Thus a cross party approach, with a realistic period of time towards tapered change, is a more viable route. Or alternatively to use the tax system to claw back the state pension from those who have sufficient wealth not to need it- thresholds of wealth, and definition of 'wealth' to be included in calculation, debated and agreed in parliament and to rise with inflation year on year

The defence budget has more imminent challenges and risks. I think it's unrealistic that the annual increase needed by 2030 can be met solely from state pension savings in that timescale.

Potential savings from abolishing the triple lock, in itself would not be enough but could reasonably form part of a larger savings plan. We already know Reform has vowed they will keep the triple lock but realistically a large segment of the population supports a fit for purpose UK Defence Budget.

The other option is to Borrow to fund Defence Budget.

I did post yesterday asking what people thought about the issuing of defence bonds?

ronib

The UK has one of the least generous State pensions in Europe I seem to remember .

I have posted this before, but my French friends only had one pension to which they made contributions. They were surprised that we had made contributions to state and occupational pensions. I think that is the difference.

Silvershadow

DaisyAnneReturns

Silvershadow

I don’t think they’ve said that, have they? I’ve certainly not read that anywhere.

Don't you? Are you expecting to vote for a right-wing party?

I’m confused at what you’re implying here. You said Trump, Badenoch and Farage have intimated ending the benefits for pensioners to give to other departments. Is that what you’re saying upthread? I replied to you saying I’d not seen any of those three individuals saying that. How does that lead onto me voting for a ‘right wing party’. Also, my voting intentions are for me to know. In the same way I wouldn’t expect to know yours.

Farage has fully committed Reform UK to keeping the triple lock, proposing to fund it by slashing out of work benefits.

Badenoch has criticised this approach as "lacking a clear strategy". She said she won't scrap the triple lock for now but has suggested that there needs to eventually be discussions about means testing the state pension.

Tuliptree

I did post yesterday asking what people thought about the issuing of defence bonds?

How would this work Tuliptree?

Tuliptree

I did post yesterday asking what people thought about the issuing of defence bonds?

Yes, I did mean to reply. I think it would be a good plan. Would it raise enough money though? Defence seems to be a bitof a bottomless pit.

LemonJam

Tuliptree

I did post yesterday asking what people thought about the issuing of defence bonds?

How would this work Tuliptree?

Do you mean like the War Bonds? I remember my GF had some of those.

Presumably Dan Jarvis is perfectly content with the Starmer and Reeve's allication to defence and will defend it to the last man or woman standing.

Yes Sarnia just like War Bonds but I suppose we say Defence because we’re not actually at war. I guess they’d be a long term investment but they would be safe. They could invoke the patriotic spirit and NF and TR could tell us how much they were investing. It would be a good test of putting your money where your mouth is wouldn’t it? Royal Family could also publicly buy some bonds.

Useful explanation here
www.google.com/search?q=how+would+defence+bonds+work&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari#lfId=ChxjMe

Tuliptree- would like to see the idea of Defence Bonds discussed/ proposed as an option by the government.

Tuliptree

Yes Sarnia just like War Bonds but I suppose we say Defence because we’re not actually at war. I guess they’d be a long term investment but they would be safe. They could invoke the patriotic spirit and NF and TR could tell us how much they were investing. It would be a good test of putting your money where your mouth is wouldn’t it? Royal Family could also publicly buy some bonds.

Sounds brilliant