http://www.leftfootforward.org/2010/10/conjuring-camerons-cap-trick/
Many sections of the press have inaccurately reported the Coalition's plans for changes to Housing Benefit.
What has not been put across accurately in most of the media is that the £20,000 cap on Housing Benefit for some families is only one of nine new measures being introduced and that this one change only accounts for 3% of the £2bn that has been set aside for Housing Benefit cuts.
In fact these cuts will only save £65m of what is needed.
What is significant is how many publications have reported the £20,000 cap as the 'Key Change'
Even the leftwing New Statesman has jumped on the bandwagon, saying: 'In London, where rents are significantly higher than in the rest of the country, the £400-a-week cap will force as many as 82,000 families out of the capital – the largest population movement since the Second World War'
The point to be made here is that it is not just this measure alone that will have this effect, it is all the nine changes together that will lead to 82,000 people possibly having to leave London. This is according to research carried out by London Councils. In reality, only 17,000 people could lose their homes; as a result of reductions to the Local Housing Allowance.
So, basically placing a £20,000 cap on Housing Benefit will not actually contribute very much to bringing the overall budget deficit down.
To me, what is so alarming is how the majority of the media - even those elements not traditionally Tory supporters - have been lured in to a cynical trap set by the Coalition and focussed their attention - and their headlines - entirely on one aspect of the proposals soon to be put before Parliament.
The media are clearly misleading the country on this issue.
And yet, Cameron, Clegg and the rest of the Coalition are happy to sit back and let them do it.
Saturday, 30 October 2010
Friday, 29 October 2010
Child Benefit Changes Branded Uninforceable As Well As Unfair.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11649453
The Coalition's much-maligned changes to Child Benefit have privately been deemed as unworkable by Treasury officials.
The Treasury have said that fines will be issued to parents who fail to declare their full earnings.
However, despite the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander dismissing such reports as nonsense, is believed that some civil servants believe that because claimants are under no obligation to declare Child Benefit, the changes recently announced affecting higher-rate tax payers will be very difficult to police.
Reports suggest that some in the Treasury think the plans are simply unworkable and will eventually be abandoned.
And Shadow Chancellor Alan Johnson said the row about the plans was "what you get when you stumble in, incompetently, into interfering with a universal benefit".
These proposals have been a disaster right from the start, beginning with the botched announcement at the Tory Conference and the revelations of how unfair they will be on single-parent households.
They really expose the inefficiency of a highly-incompetant government.
The Coalition's much-maligned changes to Child Benefit have privately been deemed as unworkable by Treasury officials.
The Treasury have said that fines will be issued to parents who fail to declare their full earnings.
However, despite the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander dismissing such reports as nonsense, is believed that some civil servants believe that because claimants are under no obligation to declare Child Benefit, the changes recently announced affecting higher-rate tax payers will be very difficult to police.
Reports suggest that some in the Treasury think the plans are simply unworkable and will eventually be abandoned.
And Shadow Chancellor Alan Johnson said the row about the plans was "what you get when you stumble in, incompetently, into interfering with a universal benefit".
These proposals have been a disaster right from the start, beginning with the botched announcement at the Tory Conference and the revelations of how unfair they will be on single-parent households.
They really expose the inefficiency of a highly-incompetant government.
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
PM Sticks To His Guns On Housing Benefit Changes As Miliband Attacks Policy Shambles
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11633163
Despite earlier reassuring MPs that legislation would not be rushed through on this issues, the Prime Minister insisted that plans to change Housing Benefit would not be scrapped.
At a stormy PMQs, Labour Leader Ed Miliband accused the Coalition of introducing measures that would leave thousands of people at risk of losing their homes and called the policy a 'shambles'.
Despite his show of public defiance, Mr Cameron and some of his ministerial colleagues have privately conceded that many people will have to leave their homes as a result of the changes being proposed.
So much for the Prime Minister's promises during the election to protect the vulnerable and most needy.
Despite earlier reassuring MPs that legislation would not be rushed through on this issues, the Prime Minister insisted that plans to change Housing Benefit would not be scrapped.
At a stormy PMQs, Labour Leader Ed Miliband accused the Coalition of introducing measures that would leave thousands of people at risk of losing their homes and called the policy a 'shambles'.
Despite his show of public defiance, Mr Cameron and some of his ministerial colleagues have privately conceded that many people will have to leave their homes as a result of the changes being proposed.
So much for the Prime Minister's promises during the election to protect the vulnerable and most needy.
Coalition In Disarray Over Plans To Cap Housing Benefit
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11633163
Planned changes to Housing Benefit appear to be in chaos today.
A Coalition spokesperson was swift to deny that they are planning to back down over plans to cap payments at £400 for a four-bedroom home.
Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith is clearly under pressure from both Tory and Liberal Democrat MPs to re-think the idea, which many believe will drive those seeking work out of big cities because of high living-costs.
And the Secretary of State is facing further criticism over fears that the changes could be hurriedly implemented without primary legislation.
MPs were today seeking a meeting with Mr Duncan-Smith determined to force a vote on the issue. And quite rightly too - this is legislation that will fundamentally affect people's daily lives.
Of particular concern to MPs was the plan to remove the benefit safety-net for those under 35 suffering from a mental illness as such a move would force them out of their own homes into shared accomodation.
Do the Government really think that they can push through such important changes without a proper debate in Parliament?
Ministers are showing that they are not just arrogant but that they hold the electorate in complete contempt.
Planned changes to Housing Benefit appear to be in chaos today.
A Coalition spokesperson was swift to deny that they are planning to back down over plans to cap payments at £400 for a four-bedroom home.
Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith is clearly under pressure from both Tory and Liberal Democrat MPs to re-think the idea, which many believe will drive those seeking work out of big cities because of high living-costs.
And the Secretary of State is facing further criticism over fears that the changes could be hurriedly implemented without primary legislation.
MPs were today seeking a meeting with Mr Duncan-Smith determined to force a vote on the issue. And quite rightly too - this is legislation that will fundamentally affect people's daily lives.
Of particular concern to MPs was the plan to remove the benefit safety-net for those under 35 suffering from a mental illness as such a move would force them out of their own homes into shared accomodation.
Do the Government really think that they can push through such important changes without a proper debate in Parliament?
Ministers are showing that they are not just arrogant but that they hold the electorate in complete contempt.
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Labour Repeat Warning That Spending Cuts Could Damage Recovery
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11627746
The Chancellor, George Osborne, was upbeat today following the release of new figures showing that the economy is continuing to grow steadily.
However Labour were quick to point out that these statistics proved that their strategy of continuing to invest in the economy during their last months of power was continuing to bear fruit and any forthcoming spending cuts would reverse this.
Shadow Chancellor, Alan Johnson expressed deep concern that Government plans to cut one million jobs would put enormous strain on the private sector, as these positions would not necessarily be replaced.
I'd say it is highly likely that any increase in growth and the accompanying optimism now is bound to be replaced by a huge drop in productivity followed by a long period of recession and deep economic hardship.
The Chancellor, George Osborne, was upbeat today following the release of new figures showing that the economy is continuing to grow steadily.
However Labour were quick to point out that these statistics proved that their strategy of continuing to invest in the economy during their last months of power was continuing to bear fruit and any forthcoming spending cuts would reverse this.
Shadow Chancellor, Alan Johnson expressed deep concern that Government plans to cut one million jobs would put enormous strain on the private sector, as these positions would not necessarily be replaced.
I'd say it is highly likely that any increase in growth and the accompanying optimism now is bound to be replaced by a huge drop in productivity followed by a long period of recession and deep economic hardship.
Hughes Signals Lib Dems May Vote Against Housing Benefit Reforms
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11616741
The Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Simon Hughes, has given a clear warning that his party may not allow the Coalition's changes to Housing Benefit through Parliament.
After just a few months of power, Mr Hughes and many of his fellow MPs are clearly deeply unhappy with a number of proposals agreed with the Conservatives. In particular, he singled out the proposal to cut benefits to the long-term unemployed after twelve months.
For Labour, Douglas Alexander was quick to appeal to disaffected Lib Dems to join forces with them and vote down the new measures. As he as pointed out, if their own deputy leader is uneasy about the changes, then this does bode well for the future of the deal with the Conservatives and the Coalition.
The Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Simon Hughes, has given a clear warning that his party may not allow the Coalition's changes to Housing Benefit through Parliament.
After just a few months of power, Mr Hughes and many of his fellow MPs are clearly deeply unhappy with a number of proposals agreed with the Conservatives. In particular, he singled out the proposal to cut benefits to the long-term unemployed after twelve months.
For Labour, Douglas Alexander was quick to appeal to disaffected Lib Dems to join forces with them and vote down the new measures. As he as pointed out, if their own deputy leader is uneasy about the changes, then this does bode well for the future of the deal with the Conservatives and the Coalition.
Sunday, 24 October 2010
Coalition To Reject Browne Report On Tuition Fees
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-11615212
The Coalition government appears to have rejected the recommedations of Lord Browne to scrap any cap on student tuition fees.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg confirmed this in an interview today.
No doubt many Liberal Democrat MPs are vehemently opposed to the move, which would effectively mean the creation of a two-tier higher education system.
The Coalition government appears to have rejected the recommedations of Lord Browne to scrap any cap on student tuition fees.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg confirmed this in an interview today.
No doubt many Liberal Democrat MPs are vehemently opposed to the move, which would effectively mean the creation of a two-tier higher education system.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)