U.K. Politics: Boris Johnson referred to police (AGAIN) over potential Covid rule breaches

[SholasBoy]

I mean Nasa sent a spacecraft to Mars for 1/10th the cost of the government spending on things like Test & Trace

They should have boarded Matt Hancock and dropped him off up there. Maybe take Dominic Cummings along since he enjoys lengthy trips.

[Wayne]

It's that time of year next week, as the Chancellor announces his budget - one big item that has already been confirmed is...

Budget 2021: Mortgage guarantee to help buyers with 5% deposit

A mortgage guarantee scheme to help people with small deposits get on the property ladder is set to be announced at next week's Budget.

The government will offer incentives to lenders, bringing back 95% mortgages which have "virtually disappeared" during the pandemic, the Treasury says.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak says public finances are facing a "challenge" from the pandemic's impact on the economy.

The government has borrowed £271bn this financial year - up £222bn on 2019-20.

This has pushed the national debt to £2.13 trillion.

Explaining the government's economic response to the pandemic, Mr Sunak told the Financial Times: "We went big, we went early, but there is more to come and there will be more to come in the Budget. But there is a challenge [in the public finances] and I want to level with people about the challenge."

He added: "I will do whatever it takes to protect the British people through this crisis and I remain committed to that."

Former Conservative chancellor Lord Clarke called for Mr Sunak to raise taxes in order to bring the UK's finances under control, and warned "if we don't get it under control before inflation comes back then we will face a financial crisis".

The question of tax rises is one the chancellor will need to address when he unveils his Budget in a Commons speech on Wednesday.

In the run-up to the 2019 election, the Conservatives promised not to increase income tax, National Insurance Contributions or VAT - but Mr Sunak could argue circumstances have changed.

Carlisle MP John Stevenson, of the Conservative Northern Research Group, said it was "too early" for tax rises, saying UK still had a few months of the pandemic to get through and he wanted to see continuing support.

But Lord Clarke said the pandemic had been "unfair financially" on "the poor, the young, the low-paid, the vulnerable" and suggested making people who continue in full-time work after the age of 65 pay the same taxes as younger people.

Labour has criticised the government for a "stop, start" approach to support measures during the pandemic. Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds told the Times her party did not support an "immediate" increase in corporation tax but would welcome longer-term rises and said she wanted a "more progressive tax system".

The chancellor is also expected to announce an £126m scheme for traineeships in England.

It will include a new "flexi-job" apprenticeship, enabling apprentices to work with different employers in one sector. With unemployment at its highest level for almost five years, Mr Sunak said this was "vital" support for getting people back into work.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56218952

There has also been confirmation of a small investment in the traineeship scheme.

There are rumours that there will be a rise in income tax and other taxes, along with an extension to the furlough scheme - a

[Artoo]

Things aren’t going well for Sturgeon are they? Having to address claims of ministerial code breaches just weeks after breaking social distancing rules...

[Thriller]

Shocked at furlough being extended to September! I don’t think it means anything bad though, I think it’s just to give hospitality and leisure a real chance of recovery.

Taxes will definitely need to rise but the time isn’t yet - maybe in another year or two?

[ludichris]

Goodness me the budget deficit, although lower than expected is still an eye watering £355 billion! That makes the peak recession deficit of 2009, which was £175 billion look quite ordinary in comparison.

It will take decades to pay that off but we do like a challenge!

[Artoo]

Goodness me the budget deficit, although lower than expected is still an eye watering £355 billion! That makes the peak recession deficit of 2009, which was £175 billion look quite ordinary in comparison.

It will take decades to pay that off but we do like a challenge!

At least this time we know it was for a good reason - unlike the 2008/9 recession.

As for taxes... income tax increases need to be the last thing they consider. I’ll be so mad if companies like Amazon and celebrities don’t pay their fair share before mine increases. It’s time the whole tax system was reviewed and loopholes closed for good. Unlike previous chancellors, I get the impression Sunak knows what he’s doing though.

Also, we have £200 billion in gold just sat in the Bank of England. Might be time to sell some of it and plug the gap.

[Wayne]

NHS 1% pay rise is 'as much as we can give' - Boris Johnson

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has defended plans to give some NHS staff in England a 1% pay rise, amid warnings that "undervalued" nurses could quit.

The government is giving workers "as much as we can" in the "tough times" of the Covid pandemic, Mr Johnson said.

The rise, which is being considered by an independent panel, would cover most hospital staff.

Labour says the proposal goes against a government "promise" made last year to give NHS workers a 2.1% pay rise.

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said Chancellor Rishi Sunak had been "cowardly" when he "sneaked" out the announcement a day after his Budget.

The Department of Health and Social Care has been under pressure to reconsider its pay proposal since last week, when it officially recommended the 1% rise to the independent panel that advises the government on NHS salaries.

Nurses have described the proposed pay rise as "insulting", with unions threatening strike action and warning that the "pitiful" rise may lead staff to quit their jobs - worsening staffing issues in the health service.

Ministers will make their final decision in May after the independent panel makes its own pay recommendations.

Asked about the proposed pay rise on a visit to a coronavirus vaccination centre in Brent in north London, Mr Johnson said: "What we have done is try to give them as much as we can at the present time.

"Don't forget that there has been a public sector pay freeze, we're in pretty tough times."

He added he was "massively grateful" to "heroic" health and social care workers during the pandemic.

But the Royal College of Nursing reiterated its calls for the government to make a U-turn on the 1% offer.

The union's general secretary, Dame Donna Kinnair, said: "More of these warm words for nurses are not going to cut it."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56313199

One of the most problematic issues arising out of the Budget has been this - 1% isn't enough according to NHS unions.

[Wayne]

Shocked at furlough being extended to September! I don’t think it means anything bad though, I think it’s just to give hospitality and leisure a real chance of recovery.

Taxes will definitely need to rise but the time isn’t yet - maybe in another year or two?

Furlough was always going to be extended as there's no way they would've allowed a cliff-edge effect - but I too am surprised it has been extended into September, I thought maybe end of July? Regardless, it's an absolute nightmare for HR professionals, and I'll be glad to see the back of it when it does come round.

Interestingly, the tax free allowance is frozen from 2022 to 2026 - which means that in real terms, the Treasury will collect more tax by virtue of more people paying into the system who already earn lower wages (cruelly, what will happen is that as companies apply statutory NMW/NLW wage increases, it will increase the wages of the lowest earners and bring c1.0m people into paying tax, raising £8 billion for the Treasury). This might mean that we avoid paying more income tax for some time yet.

[Artoo]

The 1% is insulting and after the year they’ve had, nurses deserve much more. Sunak has found many magical money trees over the last year, so he can find one more and pay them a decent wage.

I don’t know what’s going on with nurse wages but it’s been going on for years now, and more than ever it feels like it’s politically motivated to achieve some unknown end?

[BehindBreakaway]

1% isn't enough. It's actually kind of a slap in the face.

[Thriller]

It’s scandalous, considering the year they’ve had, the years they will have and the shortages. It’ll barely be a few hundred quid after tax.

[DnBLover]

Less than inflation

[Wayne]

The U.K. government’s new £2.6m press room - yes, that’s right: that room, with those shitty chairs cost £2.6m.

I think the Henry Hoover is the most valuable item in the picture tbh.

[Spartan]

Great use of money......

[Thriller]

Don’t like it, looks very American and of course it’s very blue.

Scandalous waste of money.

[Artoo]

We don’t need it. But most of that money has presumably gone on equipment that should last years.

[Spartan]

As opposed to all that money they wasted on track and trace.

[android]

As opposed to all that money they wasted on track and trace.

Track and trace only works with small numbers like we have in Australia. In my State of Western Australia we have a good register app that is easy to use and compulsory with any entry to any business or public place. Last time we had a local breakout which is seldom we got onto it pretty quick.

I don't think we have a dedicated press briefing room in Australia. BoJo is going to need more flags than that.

[Thombus]

How much?!

[android]

How much?!

Hehehe, need a lot of money and a lot of flags for leaders to strut the stage

[Wayne]

A majority of MSPs on the Alex Salmond committee have said Nicola Sturgeon misled the inquiry, sources have told the BBC.

It is understood MSPs on the committee voted by a majority that Ms Sturgeon gave them an inaccurate account.

The committee's final report is expected to be published next Tuesday.

Ms Sturgeon's spokesman insisted that the first minister told the truth during her eight-hour evidence session earlier this month.

He added: "It is clear from past public statements that opposition members of this committee had prejudged the first minister at the outset of the inquiry and before hearing a word of her evidence.

"So this partisan and selective briefing - before the committee has actually published its final report - is hardly surprising."

A spokesman for the Scottish Parliament said the committee was still finalising its report, and it would not make any comment until it was published.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotla...itics-56451170

Oh dear...

[Thriller]

But when will Boris be held to account?

[Artoo]

Oh dear...

Wonderful news. Anything that might lead to her having to resign is fine by me as any notion of independence will be swept out alongside her.

[Artoo]

But when will Boris be held to account?

At the next election.

[Thriller]

At the next election.

Doubt it short memories in the UK. He will be known as the vaccinator.