Am I just being impatient and mean? New PM

Sorry - the above was in response to Primrose. I thought I had quoted, but obviously not.

I know. It happened when public transport was privatised. Previously well-used routes subsidised the quiet ones.

I would very much like to see transport back in public hands, so that everyone has access to clean, safe, reliable buses and trains. Who knows? If people give Burnham the chance they denied Starmer, it might happen.

I think he is trying to get the working class on his side and this is something he can do right at the start. How everything will pan out in the future is another matter.

Doodledog

It's not just the money, although that is obviously a good thing. It's that people may be able to get out more, visit friends and family etc, which will reduce loneliness and isolation, with an impact on mental health.

Transport is such a big issue - lack of access to it has economic impacts too, as if people can't travel to other towns they can't spend money (or earn it) other than very locally. It also allows people to follow interests and join groups that aren't on the doorstep.

Many parts of the country have very poor bus services. I know villages where there is just one bus a week. I also know of a couple of new developments of social housing which are out in the middle of nowhere with only a bus that passes through at 7am and returns about 5.30 to suit college students. No good for retired people or young parents with pre schoolers.

You're right, it was LizzieDrip.

… introduced by KS’s government.

The free bus fare for August is great for families though.

I think Cossy has a valid point. KS was going to implement the very same thing but decided against it. It's a mechanical process that is easy to implement and cost effective to the government. Because it isn't targeted so just giving it to all requires a lot less work for the government. However most better off people said we don't need the extra 14p a day for a few months Please give more to those most in need. And so the cabinet abandoned it. It should be targeted it's absurd handing it to those who openly say we don't need it. But yes it costs more to plan, target and identify those most in need. So it is a bit quick and gimmicky and do I think we are being treated as idiots, just so AB looks as though he's doing something before parliament recess.

snap?

Well locally it means people can for example get on a bus in the inner city and go for an outing in the lovely countryside near here for £2.

But mainly - well, I simply wasn't expecting any big finance announcement until a budget when they have had time to go through everything.

Cheaper fares on the buses might encourage those with access to bus routes to use the bus rather than the car. That's got to be good, surely?

This is no time at all.
New brooms sweep clean and I hope he does although I feel sorry for Starmer, think he is a decent man.

Amazon delivery was same day today, Mollynew, but I'm not proud that I used them. Needs must when the devil drives.

Oh dear, that was rather too many proverbs.

It's not just the money, although that is obviously a good thing. It's that people may be able to get out more, visit friends and family etc, which will reduce loneliness and isolation, with an impact on mental health.

Transport is such a big issue - lack of access to it has economic impacts too, as if people can't travel to other towns they can't spend money (or earn it) other than very locally. It also allows people to follow interests and join groups that aren't on the doorstep.

So I think it is window dressing but I also think it is very early days, so cossy you are both wrong and right. I have had 2 glasses of wine if that helps.

Cossy I’m with you.

I know it’s not a popular view on GN but hey ho - we’re all entitled to our own opinion.

Personally, I have no time for AB; don’t trust him.

It means that I’m conflicted as I want a Labour government but the behaviour of this PLP has eroded my confidence in them. I’ve resigned my LP membership.

It might be Count Binface or Monster Raving Loonies for me at the next GE. On that note, I’ll join you in that glass of wine Cossy🍾🍷

The bus fare cap will help people who travel to work on the bus, and children whose parents have to pay bus fare for school.

£6 a day for a week, £30.

£4 a day for a week, £20.

Saving £40 a month.

Every little helps, surely?

Governing the country takes a bit longer than Amazon Next Day delivery or Deliveroo.

I think this shows what a real issue we have now in our relationship with politicians and politics.

Take us back say 30-40 years, and the population would never have expected instant gratification, understanding that time is needed to develop policy, time to produce legislation etc.

What has happened since apart from social media I can’t explain, but until we begin to behave with more maturity regarding to expectations, our politics is never going to have stability.

Cossy I think it must be wine o'clock for you 😊

TerriBull

Oh give him a chance! and in particular give the New Chancellor a chance. Rachel Reeves' strategies were ruinous for business and had the onerous knock on effect of a whole swathe of the younger generation unable to get that vital first step on the employment ladder. I hope there will be some backtracking on at least the NI hikes which have seen many small business fold, particularly in the hospitality sector, or where larger organisations are concerned, place a moratorium on recruiting, training and investment.

I know!! I know you’re all right and as I said, I think I’m having “a moment”

I agree with Dan Neidle when he says that, right now, pensioners pay a significantly lower rate of tax than working people - which is hard to justify.

If you want the detail read:

taxpolicy.org.uk/2026/07/21/personal-allowance-or-national-insurance-cut/

Healey needs to do something about the administrative problem that has arisen around fiscal drag and the State Pension but it is only an administrative problem.

A cut in NI may help all the young people who can't find work. I would prefer to see help for them.
Raising the tax threshold may help pensioners a little but the rich a lot.

Oh give him a chance! and in particular give the New Chancellor a chance. Rachel Reeves' strategies were ruinous for business and had the onerous knock on effect of a whole swathe of the younger generation unable to get that vital first step on the employment ladder. I hope there will be some backtracking on at least the NI hikes which have seen many small business fold, particularly in the hospitality sector, or where larger organisations are concerned, place a moratorium on recruiting, training and investment.

Graphite

The short answer is yes.

The small tweaks he is announcing now can be brought into law with secondary legislation.

Major changes need to be part of an Autumn Statement with a Finance Bill that must, by law, to be debated.

Parliament is now in recess until September and immediately after that comes conference season.

Just a £500 increase in the tax personal allowance would cost £6 billion and would benefit the better off unless there are simultaneous changes to the tax bands. Some commentators favour a 1% cut in NIC.

The media is already going into meltdown over the “funding” for the two things he had already announced.

People need to be patient and let John Healey do his sums.

Yes you’re right. However, a cut in NI wouldn’t benefit any pensioners ? (Not just thinking about me, honestly!)

The short answer is yes.

The small tweaks he is announcing now can be brought into law with secondary legislation.

Major changes need to be part of an Autumn Statement with a Finance Bill that must, by law, to be debated.

Parliament is now in recess until September and immediately after that comes conference season.

Just a £500 increase in the tax personal allowance would cost £6 billion and would benefit the better off unless there are simultaneous changes to the tax bands. Some commentators favour a 1% cut in NIC.

The media is already going into meltdown over the “funding” for the two things he had already announced.

People need to be patient and let John Healey do his sums.