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Lest we forget what we have just lost ....

(163 Posts)
Luckygirl3 Tue 23-Jun-26 17:05:26

Since Labour took office, Keir Starmer’s government has:

- Scrapped the two-child benefit limit, lifting hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty and putting money back into some of the hardest-pressed households in the country.

- Expanded free school meals, cutting costs for families and making sure more children get a proper meal during the school day.

- Expanded funded childcare, reducing one of the biggest monthly costs facing working parents and making it easier for people to stay in work.

- Raised the National Living Wage, increasing pay for millions of low-paid workers.

- Strengthened workers’ rights, giving people greater protection against insecure work and bad employers.

- Introduced statutory sick pay from the first day of illness, so workers are less likely to choose between their health and their wages.

- Ended no-fault evictions, giving renters more security in their homes.

- Brought rail operators back into public ownership, taking key services out of failed private hands and giving the public a stronger stake in how they are run.

- Cut NHS waiting lists from their post-pandemic peak, meaning more patients are being seen sooner.

- Raised the state pension through the triple lock, protecting pensioners’ incomes against rising costs.

- Scrapped the old non-dom tax regime, making some of the wealthiest people in the country pay more fairly.

- Added VAT to private school fees, raising money from those most able to contribute.

- Removed business rates relief from private schools, ending an unjustified tax break.

- Increased neighbourhood policing, putting more officers and PCSOs back into communities.

- Helped bring knife crime down, meaning fewer families face the devastation of serious violence.

- Recorded the lowest homicide rate since the 1970s, a material improvement in public safety.

- Created Great British Energy, giving Britain a publicly owned clean energy company.

- Created the National Wealth Fund, backing investment in industry, infrastructure and clean energy.

- Passed planning reforms aimed at getting homes and major projects built faster.

- Improved relations with the EU, reducing diplomatic hostility and rebuilding practical cooperation.

- Agreed a UK-EU security partnership, strengthening cooperation on defence and European security.

- Signed a long-term partnership with Ukraine, reinforcing Britain’s support against Putin’s invasion.

- Secured new trade agreements, opening up markets for British businesses.

- Helped restore seriousness to government after years of scandal, chaos and decline.

- Revived Sure Start under the guise of Best Start Hubs.

- Stood up to Trump and kept us out of Iran without the US/UK relationship falling apart.

- Restored international faith in the UK

And this is the man who has been hounded out for not being flashy enough and not courting the media.

cc Thu 25-Jun-26 16:50:08

Oreo

And some of those things were just plain wrong for the country.
The two child cap should have stayed.
All the benefits you mention should have been directed towards the very poorest.
Kept the old sick pay benefits, not extended them to anyone who fancies throwing a sickie for the day.
The triple lock will have to go sooner or later, it’s just a political vote catcher, and state pensions can’t continue at that rate as the population gets older and older.
Putting up minimum wages whilst clobbering employers with more NI was a sure way to create youth unemployment.
I can’t be bothered to go through all your points it’s too hot but on defence KS has done nothing bar talking.
If he was such a brilliant PM that had done wonders, then he wouldn’t be resigning now.

Yes, I agree with what you say.
The other thing to mention is free school breakfast clubs, at my grandchildrens' school this is just 15 minutes before normal school opening time and is just a slice of toast or a bowl of not particularly nutritious cereal. Complete waste of time and money, no help for working parents as it is not early enough, and not enough breakfast to help hungry children.

Susieq62 Thu 25-Jun-26 16:55:39

I wonder where Nanna8 was during 14 years of Tory rule?? Strange to announce we are in a parallel universe ! I am confused but being very tired it doesn’t take much at the moment!!!

Doodledog Thu 25-Jun-26 17:19:13

Why should there be a GE, GANNET? And how would a GE help with long-term cross-party strategic working in the UK?

All that would happen is that we'd have a long period of disruption, no policy making, all eyes off the ball whilst people manoeuvred and formed factions, then more of the same. Or worse.

Oreo Thu 25-Jun-26 17:19:16

I expect nanna8 was getting on with life as most of us were.

WithNobsOnIt Thu 25-Jun-26 17:21:25

Nobody has mentioned illegal immigrants. Sorry you are not supposed to use that term anymore.
Migration.

Starmer could have done a lot more on this by either questioning the ECHR. Or better still withdrawing from it altogether. He didn't have the courage.

The ECHR is not fit for purpose and outdated to say the least.

And one of these main reasons Starmer did nothing Was that if the UK did want out. It would threaten the peace on the Island of Ireland.Think.the Good Friday.Agreement.

And more importantly their next generation of Labour Voters. You know potential immigrants who will replace their old generation of decent white, working class voters who are now dying off.

The people who have been hated and passionately despised by Labour. Since Blair and New Labour got into power.

As for Burnham. He is a the sort of politician who is just a Song and Dance man. Look at me. See what am doing . Aren't l wonderful.

I have also said this before. Burnham was the Mayor of Greater Manchester. And thank god not the Mayor of the City of Manchester. So. we should be thankful for that.

Susieq62 Thu 25-Jun-26 17:21:33

Oreo of course she was but then she came to life in 2024

Jane43 Thu 25-Jun-26 17:31:03

eazybee

Yes.
The Scroungers' Charter.

So you are labeling everybody on benefits a scrounger? Many are working with low pay topped up by benefits, then there are the sick and disabled unable to work and of course pensioners are included in the benefits bill. To make it personal my daughter in law, 55, has worked since she was 16 and she is now living with breast cancer, it has taken away the use of her right arm and hand, she has had to give up the well paid job she loved and is claiming ESA and PIP which is a fraction of what she earned when she was working. Scrounger my foot!

Oreo Thu 25-Jun-26 17:31:23

Susieq62

Oreo of course she was but then she came to life in 2024

It’s not good to be obsessed with what another GN member is doing or not doing.

LizzieDrip Thu 25-Jun-26 17:33:14

Susieq62

Oreo of course she was but then she came to life in 2024

👏👏👏 Susieq62

Susieq62 Thu 25-Jun-26 17:33:25

Oreo true !

Susieq62 Thu 25-Jun-26 17:35:16

But she has not been the victim of gaslighting as she has suggested!! I find that offensive remark unnecessary .
Time for a much needed g&t now .

Madgran77 Thu 25-Jun-26 17:40:49

eazybee Yes. The Scroungers' Charter

Jane43 So you are labeling everybody on benefits a scrounger? Many are working with low pay topped up by benefits, then there are the sick and disabled unable to work and of course pensioners are included in the benefits bill. To make it personal my daughter in law, 55, has worked since she was 16 and she is now living with breast cancer, it has taken away the use of her right arm and hand, she has had to give up the well paid job she loved and is claiming ESA and PIP which is a fraction of what she earned when she was working. Scrounger my foot!

I am so sorry to hear about your DiL Jane

And it's not about "scroungers" is it. Its about ensuring:
- the right people get financial help; (your DiL being one of them, as was mine before she died);
- the right people get employment help
- ....and so on.!

The whole benefits system needs reform but done strategically across all relevant areas, not piecemeal and/or just to save money!

Paperbackwriter Thu 25-Jun-26 17:49:23

Macaydia

Keeping the UK out of Iran was the most intelligent decision of all. Everyone of us can applaud that.

I agree. It took some guts to stand up to that Trump idiot.

eazybee Thu 25-Jun-26 17:55:44

The whole benefit system needs reform; it should not be used to top up low pay, or people who choose to work limited hours, 'because of my mental health issues.'
Or the mother who was pleased about the lifting of the two child cap, but 'it doesn't go far enough because now I have to pay for my oldest child's dinners as he is in the Juniors. I could work extra hours but I don't see why I should.'
True examples plus others. None made up.

Luckygirl3 Thu 25-Jun-26 18:01:41

The benefits system has been and always will be problematical. Successive governments have grappled with this. Some people are thought to be getting too much, some too little; the vexed question of means testing and the cost/benefit of this; paying for care in disability or old age .... and so it goes on.
But please do not tell me that anyone here expected KS to wave a magic wand in the short time he has had and sort it all out.

MayBee70 Thu 25-Jun-26 18:24:18

Oreo

Susieq62

Oreo of course she was but then she came to life in 2024

It’s not good to be obsessed with what another GN member is doing or not doing.

It isn’t obsession to wonder why someone in another country is filled with dislike for our Prime Minister but seemed quite happy that Trump was re elected ( especially given that we knew what he was like from the first time round and on top of that was the insurrection that he was responsible for). But nanna8’s dislike of Keir seemed obsession like to me because the criticism was endless. And imo unfounded because, like you, I am a Labour supporter.

MayBee70 Thu 25-Jun-26 18:25:35

Paperbackwriter

Macaydia

Keeping the UK out of Iran was the most intelligent decision of all. Everyone of us can applaud that.

I agree. It took some guts to stand up to that Trump idiot.

He also managed to protect us from a lot of Trump’s tarrifs.

Maremia Thu 25-Jun-26 19:30:04

Can you imagine if we had joined in.
All that 'boots on the ground' nonsense.
Would our troops have been sent in first?
Kudos to Starmer 👏

Maremia Thu 25-Jun-26 19:32:05

Jane, not very pleasant to hear such nonsense about people on benefits.
💐

Madgran77 Thu 25-Jun-26 20:40:24

Luckygirl3

The benefits system has been and always will be problematical. Successive governments have grappled with this. Some people are thought to be getting too much, some too little; the vexed question of means testing and the cost/benefit of this; paying for care in disability or old age .... and so it goes on.
But please do not tell me that anyone here expected KS to wave a magic wand in the short time he has had and sort it all out.

No I didnt expect that. But I did expect better political and strategic nous rather than presenting such significant and crucial changes as a "cost cutting" exercise!

I agree welfare has always been problematical. I also think that there is potential in some of the strategies now being brought forward by this government. But presenting a complete strategy; explaining and keeping ones own MPs and the public on side are key factors in success along with clear steps to get to the planned aims! Failure to do that in several areas has played a BIG part in what has happened within this government! Sadly!

M0nica Fri 26-Jun-26 08:29:38

Maremia

Yes, MOnica, the election result was a good effective use of tactical voting .
But, there was a lot of undeniable 'joy' when the big change was achieved.

But the joy was about getting rid of the Conservatives, not welcoming Labour because people wanted a Labour government. In fact i think most of us expected more of the same - but different- and that is what we got.

Wyllow3 Fri 26-Jun-26 08:39:18

eazybee

The whole benefit system needs reform; it should not be used to top up low pay, or people who choose to work limited hours, 'because of my mental health issues.'
Or the mother who was pleased about the lifting of the two child cap, but 'it doesn't go far enough because now I have to pay for my oldest child's dinners as he is in the Juniors. I could work extra hours but I don't see why I should.'
True examples plus others. None made up.

Erm....speaking as someone with a good knowledge of the MH sector, isnt it better that someone genuinely vulnerable in that way works the hours they can cope with, rather than not at all? Surely?

Truly, eazybee, it's good for them, it's good for us all? I've sat with grown men crying because they cannot work and were looked down on for it, the social pressure being so great.

As it happens the two I'm thinking of particularly were kind and gentle people, always there for others when they could be.

Wyllow3 Fri 26-Jun-26 08:44:57

I do of course agree that our benefits system need to be better targeted, and actually cant think of anyone I know what actually disagrees, but the question is how.

The admin in better sorting out each individual and assessing needs is actually huge and expensive.

I do feel that it's all very well the conservatives say well we will reduce welfare in order to free up money, but I haven't actually heard how they plan to do it without real harm to some. It might be possible to design a more efficient system, but even then, in the end it all comes down to accurate and effective assessments, back to problem as per above.

Galaxy Fri 26-Jun-26 08:50:49

What is happening in terms of the younger generation in terms of benefits is deeply worrying, there should be societal curiosity about it as a bare minimum.

Jane43 Fri 26-Jun-26 08:59:58

Madgran77

*eazybee Yes. The Scroungers' Charter*

Jane43 So you are labeling everybody on benefits a scrounger? Many are working with low pay topped up by benefits, then there are the sick and disabled unable to work and of course pensioners are included in the benefits bill. To make it personal my daughter in law, 55, has worked since she was 16 and she is now living with breast cancer, it has taken away the use of her right arm and hand, she has had to give up the well paid job she loved and is claiming ESA and PIP which is a fraction of what she earned when she was working. Scrounger my foot!

I am so sorry to hear about your DiL Jane

And it's not about "scroungers" is it. Its about ensuring:
- the right people get financial help; (your DiL being one of them, as was mine before she died);
- the right people get employment help
- ....and so on.!

The whole benefits system needs reform but done strategically across all relevant areas, not piecemeal and/or just to save money!

Thank you for your comment, my problem was with eazybee flippantly referring to benefits as a ‘scroungers charter’, clearly she/he stands by it which is very sad since most claimants are far from scroungers.