Andy Burnham won Makerfield

Mollygo

Andy Pandy’s coming to play . . . I wonder who he’ll choose for Looby Lou?

Quite. I sincerely hope it isn't Rachel Reeves. I am not a Labour supporter but I felt for Sir Keir Starmer yesterday. Reeves didn't show the manners or the empathy towards him by standing outside her front door with others, listening to Starmer's speech. Oh no, not her. Nothing to gain by doing that. She's in the crowd behind Burnham though. I hope he gets rid.

The land tax was not included in the Labour manifesto 2024.

Burnham has got to find extra revenue if he is to increase public spending, he has already committed to retaining the same fiscal rules as Reeves - not borrowing to fund day to day spending.
If Land Tax is not introduced existing taxes need to be increased or we are back to square one.

The principle of a Land Tax is not new several countries use it notably Australia. It's a tax on the value of land that buildings sit on that the owner pays, the building itself pays council or business rates. There would have to be exemptions for principle residences and farmland and thresholds too, the effect would be similar to stamp duty but instead of a lump sum it would be an annual levy on land ownership. So if Land Tax were 1% that would increase the effective interest rate you pay each year by 1% and continue after the loan was repaid

It's another nail in the coffin for private landlords and a developer would have to increase the price of property to maintain his margin. As has been said it's not in the manifesto so maybe it's for the future, increasing other taxes is quick and easy compared to introducing new taxes.

At least one university is warning staff of impending job losses due to the increased costs in national insurance. Savings are expected to be found- around £20 million! Well done Labour …. Not.

ronib, cuts in staffing have been going on seriously for at least 8 years!
Changed contracts from permanent to temporary, at least 15 years ago, ie only pay 9 months of the year, less tutors per student: Last year and the year before we had local strikes because of the cuts.
The main changes in the more flush universities are less income from International Students because of Brexit

Where have you been all this time?

Yep, another BREXIT benefit.

Employment costs - down to Reeves, energy costs - Ed Milliband’s net zero, wider inflationary costs…. Yes plus of course fewer international students on higher fees. So really arguably greater impact on the university sector in the last 2 years? Wyllow3

Trying to implement a land tax would have all the difficulties which were cited when we were discussing the proposal to implement a 2% tax on 'wealth'. Difficulties in identifying the beneficial ownership and in valuation. I think it would be more trouble than its worth,

Implementing much of the current taxation regime in a far more progressive way would be cheaper and more effective. And it would prove a better route to a more equable distribution of wealth.

Wyllow3

*ronib*, cuts in staffing have been going on seriously for at least 8 years!
Changed contracts from permanent to temporary, at least 15 years ago, ie only pay 9 months of the year, less tutors per student: Last year and the year before we had local strikes because of the cuts.
The main changes in the more flush universities are less income from International Students because of Brexit

Where have you been all this time?

My son is a professor of Maths at a Russell group uni, who of course tend to be better funded but obvs the most attractive to wealthy overseas students.

Thats how I know. Eroded bit by bit during the Tories, thats when all the temporary contracts and student/tutor radios came in.

They have been helped by the restoration of Erasmus under Labour but the problems aren't related tot hat.

Brexit: the gift that keeps on giving.

Erasmus doesn’t recommence until 1st January 2027, will come into play for the 2027/28 education year

But Wyllow3 other countries are coming forward - China, USA, Ireland and Nigeria for undergraduate places. I think it’s also been impacted by visa restrictions so families are no longer allowed in for one student.

MaizieD

Trying to implement a land tax would have all the difficulties which were cited when we were discussing the proposal to implement a 2% tax on 'wealth'. Difficulties in identifying the beneficial ownership and in valuation. I think it would be more trouble than its worth,

Implementing much of the current taxation regime in a far more progressive way would be cheaper and more effective. And it would prove a better route to a more equable distribution of wealth.

It is going to be difficult to apply fairly but probably easier than a wealth tax, establishing a value of global wealth each year is a major task. UK land ownership and value would be easier to establish.

Universities get most of their funding from research grants and outcomes. Many collaborations ceased because of Brexit, and universities lost millions.

Student fees are high for students, but a lot of the money is spent on teaching them - they are not the money-spinners many seem to think.

It was the overseas students that were the money spinner, I believe. But current and proposed immigration policies have put a great many off.

I read that students are returning from overseas to our universities at undergrad.

Slight diversion back to the theme of the post, but this did make me laugh.
Badenoch just addressed Starmer at PMQ, and commented that he’d been abandoned by his party ‘

And what for? A pair of eyelashes and a black T-shirt.’

Casdon

Slight diversion back to the theme of the post, but this did make me laugh.
Badenoch just addressed Starmer at PMQ, and commented that he’d been abandoned by his party ‘

And what for? A pair of eyelashes and a black T-shirt.’

That is so funny 😹😹😹

I agree with Kemi 👏👏👏

Badenoch no doubt realises she herself is more than the colour of her dress or the length of her eyelashes- and sufficiently self aware to realise her jest was merely jest. Who knows what's going through her mind now she will be faced with a new LP PM that may strengthen the government and perform well at PMQ? She must be aware she herself does not have good favourable ratings.

I'm sure neither Starmer or Burnham will lose much sleep over her comments- PMQs twas ever about theatre. But there is truth in her jest- AB does have long eyelashes and he does have a track record of positive engagement and high popularity ratings- just saying. Use all your talents 😊

I listened to PMQs and thought he did well actually.
Wish it had always been so.

I expect he feels released from the straitjacket of office - like I did once when I handed my notice in and my husband did when he took early retirement!
That amazing "summer vacation" feeling.

I hope he has a few weeks of joy now!
🤸‍♀️🕺🏼

I think Badenoch is really finding her feet, she has greatly improved over recent months.

Galaxy

I think Badenoch is really finding her feet, she has greatly improved over recent months.

But I don’t like the feet she’s found. Not that that matters of course. The Speaker gave her a deserved telling off today for some of the language she used.

I have quite a bit of time for her, but her problem is her links to the previous government, but there is very little she can do about that.

Galaxy

I have quite a bit of time for her, but her problem is her links to the previous government, but there is very little she can do about that.

Her problems are more than her links to the previous government.

Exactly Tuliptree

Casdon

Slight diversion back to the theme of the post, but this did make me laugh.
Badenoch just addressed Starmer at PMQ, and commented that he’d been abandoned by his party ‘

And what for? A pair of eyelashes and a black T-shirt.’

I think that made everyone laugh😂