Reply to THIS thread
Start a NEW Talkback Thread
Talkback Home

Autumn Budget 25 - Paul2 (19th Nov 2025 - 12:36:38) If council tax rises as the Chancellor is briefing - eg some properties in our area could see a doubling in council tax - would you pay it? Or would people be willing to protest and fight increases?

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Non voter (19th Nov 2025 - 16:00:27) Unfortunately we are getting what the country voted for the idiots that believed the Labour lies . The ones that remember last time knew what was coming.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Steve (19th Nov 2025 - 17:44:28) You could of course wait until the actual budget measures have been announced next week and comment on those rather than on press speculation 🤔

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Paul2 (19th Nov 2025 - 19:48:48) Or we could critically appraise what Labour MP's and SpAds have been leaking for weeks Steve? "Spads" refers to special advisers in government

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Steve (19th Nov 2025 - 21:02:27) Or what the press have reported them as saying Paul. I can see a difference, perhaps you regard what you read on line,or in the papers as the gospel truth 🤔

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Charlie (20th Nov 2025 - 11:13:14) Steve I used to work for an MP. The leaks are spoon fed to the press by the Government for a number of reasons, the main one being that if everyone is being told the worst is about to happen, when the budget is actually revealed and is not quite so bad, people are grateful. Tactics.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - sam (20th Nov 2025 - 12:51:32) If you wont acknowledge what caused all this then you cant fix it. When the general population and political class grow a pair and highlight what we all done whilst we "took back nothing" then we can start to repair it. Every average person is approx £2000 per year worse off based entirely on one decision, yet they have happy to throw their toys out if a tax comes along and steals much less.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Steve (20th Nov 2025 - 12:53:08) Charlie I am sure there is a certain amount of deliberate leaking mixed in with a similar amount of rumours set off by people who believe almost anything they hear. In my view both are equally undesirable and certainly not helpful. My previous point was that, within a week, we shall all know what 'is' actually in the budget and after that there will be ample opportunity for everyone, including Paul2 to express their views.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Paul2 (20th Nov 2025 - 14:57:50) Having also worked directly with No10 in the past I know that SpAds will not only be briefing ('leaking') but as Charlie pointed out testing reactions. So we have a clear sense of what's coming. But my question right at the start was - will people take a stand if we see significant council tax increases? Or are people too meek to stand up these days?

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - C (20th Nov 2025 - 15:33:58) Happy to pay my council tax. It covers adult social care, waste collection, policing services fire prevention and rescue services and children's services, amongst many other things. (and no, I don't work for the council and I don't have children)

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - M (21st Nov 2025 - 08:18:37) Its been made pretty clear that taxes will rise next week and there's nothing you can do about that unless you leave the country. Reeves is out of her depth and is desperate to remain in post. Starmer much the same they won't be there for much longer.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - PR (21st Nov 2025 - 11:28:23) C - That's probably why you could afford to - lucky you

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Maz (21st Nov 2025 - 20:58:06) @paul2 What do you think you could do to change the huge hike coming? Really interested to know your opinion.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Charlie (22nd Nov 2025 - 11:52:44) Maz Two things where money could be saved spring to mind. Streamlining the Welfare Budget to enable those that are genuinely in need of help and support to receive it and remove the time-wasters and those who have no intention of looking for work. Streamlining the NHS. It is not all about lack of money. The NHS has for many years been a top heavy and unweildy organisation. Too much money spent on management which has proved time and again to be inefficient. So many savings could be made there. It will never happen of course as the Labour Party has such a huge majority and many of Labour's back benchers would vote against any such changes.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - M (23rd Nov 2025 - 07:37:04) @ Charlie Maz posed his question to the OP ( paul2) who as yet hasn't responded. Its a valid question because he's putting out inflammatory comments without publishing his own opinion in his post. Just odd really and unhelpful, not what this site is about.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - D (23rd Nov 2025 - 08:38:51) Charlie, I think the greatest increase in public expenditure in recent years has been the setting up of what mounts to a separate education system for "special needs" children, something which has been recognised by this government as being unsustainable. When I was at school it was one teacher to a class of 25-30 kids. Now, with the proliferation of various behaviour disorders they have their own special schools with a ratio of four pupils to one teacher (some of whom may just be teaching assistants, have to be paid all the same). No interest seems to be shown by either the state or parents to either prevent, control or cure these childhood conditions which didn't exist fifty years ago. Indeed, when one overhears conversations between groups of mothers it seems to be something to aspire to. Seems to be a booming business, and guess who's paying. As with the civil service pensions twenty years ago, pensioners being targeted is only the beginning. I've STILL not met anyone who will admit to having voted this lot in.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - A different M (23rd Nov 2025 - 09:26:42) Strange how we're constntly told that it's the previous governments fault that the country has no money, and the current lot needs to raise more money and grow the economy, when it seems they're going to abolish the 2 child limit on benefit at a cost of £3b? This budget will be solely to pander to existing Labour supporters and, more importantly for Reeves, pacify the Labour back benchers and keep them on side. Those of us who she will target, supposidly with broad shoulders but who are also living just within their means like everyone else, will need to just stop spending completely and tighten our belts even more. What will that do for her plans to grow the economy and fill her coffers? Totally agree with Charlies comments. Government needs to tighten it's belt, just like we're all going to have to do.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - D (23rd Nov 2025 - 10:26:14) A Different M, hear hear, I've never heard the previous government blamed so much. After being in power for over a year one would think Labour would be taking some responsibility by now. Doesn't look like it.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - C (23rd Nov 2025 - 11:43:51) D - do you just sit at your computer all day trying to devise the most controversial and emotive things to say? Very sad existence and quite mind blowing the things you think to be true. Of course these conditions existed fifty years ago. Hate to break it to you but so did gay people. Perhaps things might have changed in 50 years whereby we have more science, more insight and more research into these things. I imagine you also think women should be at home cooking in the kitchen all day. You can wish that life was the same as it was fifty years ago but however much you want that, it isn’t. Perhaps go and volunteer at the Liphook laundry and spend your time bringing some positivity to the community? Pathetic.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - M (23rd Nov 2025 - 12:24:18) Starmer is on his way....its a civil war in Labour about to happen esp after the budget. @ paul2 you still haven't posted your opinion,how very odd! Guessing you don't pay council tax then.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - D (23rd Nov 2025 - 14:53:51) C, I do accept that my last comment may be a tad emotive in these times. But if you are one of those who voted this lot in, I forgive you. Don't like to disappoint YOU but ADHD, neuro-divergent and all the rest of it was not on any medical journal fifty years ago. I'm merely pointing out (by this governments own admission) where a vast chunk of our money is going where it wasn't going before. No need to be rude, not the sort of conduct one expects from a relatively affluent area on the edge of the south Downs National Park.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Charlie (23rd Nov 2025 - 18:54:54) M I do not understand your post. You seem to be criticising me for responding to a question posted by Maz to Paul2. Please correct me if am mistaken. Also I don't understand your sentence and I quote "Just odd really and unhelpful, not what this site is about". Please enlighten me. Thanking you in anticipation.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - C (23rd Nov 2025 - 19:49:44) I don’t require any forgiveness from you D. For any reason.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - passfield resident (23rd Nov 2025 - 22:09:58) D-I suppose you have never been rude on here to anyone?There are many more treatments for cancer than there used to be, and lots of other medical advances-it's called progress.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Joe (23rd Nov 2025 - 23:41:20) The point D is trying to make is that benefits are now being given out for conditions such as ADHD in children which is something that 50 years ago would not have been a medical condition to attract social security benefits. The system was devised by the post war government to give temporary financial assistance if you were a worker who became ill. It was never devised to encompass a lifetime spent living on benefits without ever having had employment. The sad thing is dementia is not revognised as an illness and does not attract benefit.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - D (24th Nov 2025 - 08:08:50) Thankyou, Joe, absolutely correct.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - D (24th Nov 2025 - 08:11:30) C, if I wanted to be emotive and controversial I would just start a thread entitled:- "worst government ever, more women in government than ever, discuss". 😉

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - D (27th Nov 2025 - 08:11:41) The hypocrisy of this government knows no bounds. They moaned at the last government for freezing the income tax threshold, and then extend it! There again it was this lot who whined about John Major not calling a general election as soon as he was appointed party leader but were happy for Gordon Brown to serve three years as prime minister with no election at all. Chancellor Peeves made comments about the NHS being in a bad way yesterday, strange how they could spare over twenty staff to stand behind her looking fed up while she gave her post budget speech. (Don't know why she bothered, it was public knowledge before she even spoke in the commons). As for the lifting of the two child benefit cap, it makes no difference when you can have the third child diagnosed with a mental illness. Worst government ever...

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - C (27th Nov 2025 - 09:08:23) Complaining on an online village community forum will show 'em though and definitely effect change!

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - D (27th Nov 2025 - 10:06:50) We'll show 'em, C. Glad you're with me. Power to the people and all that.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - C (28th Nov 2025 - 09:06:41) Absolutely D - have heard that due to your comments the Government is now completely reconsidering the Autumn Budget! Who knew Liphook Talkback had such influence?!

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - AF (29th Nov 2025 - 05:35:33) So Rachel from accounts had to raise taxes again despite saying in the last budget that she wouldn't to fill another black hole in the finances. However, it seems there was no black hole it was simply a lie made up by the treasury. Rachel is in charge of the treasury. If she possessed any integrity she would resign. I didn't think ministers were allowed to lie in the commons. You thought the Tories were bad.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Paul2 (29th Nov 2025 - 10:13:59) @ C - people remember come local election time (if our Glorious Leader permits them for once). So ranting / debating / discussing here does create impact.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Paul Robinson (29th Nov 2025 - 10:38:29) My father had a maxim . . . "Never tell a lie, except where the truth doesn't fit" Paul Robinson

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Keith Budden (29th Nov 2025 - 15:12:40) Just to cut in on the ADHD debate and that it's a new 'invention', it most definitely isn't. Agreed, the term ADHD is relatively new but the first diagnosed case of someone with the exact symptoms of what is today ADHD were recorded in 1798 and ADHD was first used as a term in 1980, so not exactly something that has only been invented in the last 5 years. As someone whose granddaughter had undiagnosed ADHD for a number of years from around 2015 and was regarded in mainstream school as a 'problem child' and by the end was only attending school for an hour a day because "that was as long as they could tolerate her". Since she has been receiving SEND education she is a transformed child - instead of being disruptive at school, she is now only disruptive if there is an inset day because she wants to go to school! Governments of whatever colour have woefully underinvested in SEND education. Yes it's expensive, but if at the end of it we get better rounded, better educated young people than we would in a mainstream system where that provision is almost totally non-existent, surely that has to be better for society as a whole. To take one of my favourite phrases "if you believe education is expensive, consider the cost of ignorance".

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - passfield resident (29th Nov 2025 - 16:01:05) Keith-well put.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Obvious (29th Nov 2025 - 16:08:28) No black hole according to all the media. What a coincidence everyone knew she was telling porkys but our great PM shut his eyes useless idiot . All this government seems to want to do is give money away to Tom dick and harry who are not working. More and more benefits going out to people that have never worked laughable. Union’s demanding more and more money for less hours laughable. This government will run this country into the ground . O how I wish Mrs ‘T was still around.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - M (30th Nov 2025 - 06:12:05) @obvious This is exactly what labour governments do - give it all away. Perhaps you don't remember the Blair & Brown years, but at the end there wasn't any money left.... next came the austerity years.... whoever voted Labour in clearly doesn't remember B&B ! As for the ADHD discussion it's not relevant here. Unless you want to fully cost it, and as yet you haven't,the bench mark needs adjusting nobody says it new just badly assessed and overused in fact exploited just the same as the benefits system.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Paul2 (30th Nov 2025 - 09:22:23) And now we have the OBR confirming there is NO 'black hole' in the public finances, and the Chancellor and PM knew this when they came for more tax. The highest tax burden of any Govt in memory. While you go to work and try and get your family through life, families on benefits are now better off than you. If you take £1,000 off a hard-working PAYE person Labour lose 1 vote. If they give that £1,000 as £100 to 10 scroungers they gain 10 votes. It's clear that Labour are hell-bent on fleecing workers to appease their future voters.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Charlie (30th Nov 2025 - 12:47:28) I agree with M. I am sure there are some genuine cases of mental health (I use these two words reluctantly as I am sick of hearing about them), but there are many people who are just using the system to claim benefit whether it be for ADHD or some other perceived disorder. I am not for one minute implying that there are no genuine benefit claimants because there are, but these are outweighed heavily by the number of claimants who are not genuine, who have no intention of looking for work and use hardworking taxpayers' money to fund their indolence. The Workers' Rights Bill, which has now thankfully been amended on the timescale for dismissal, has Rayner stamped all over it. To expect a small to medium sized business to be constrained in this way makes it impossible for them to survive. The larger companies can cope, but why should employers cope with the many people, and there are many, who abuse the system. The same with landlords. Yes there are some bad landlords and tenants should be protected from them, but there are also some bad tenants. If a person has purchased a property on a By to Let mortgage and the tenant for whatever reason stops paying the rent, under the present legislation the landlord has to wait 4 months before he or she can take action. He or she still has to pay the mortgage. Result more and more landlords are selling up and therefore there are fewer properties to rent. Ergo rents go up. The Labour party have never grasped the fact that to create growth you have to create wealth and yes there will always be some people who make more money than others. So what. My father always said that the Labour party was based on envy and greed. I would add to that hypocrisy and lies eg Rachel Reeves. The threshold for properties paying more council tax was set at houses worth 2 million plus and guess what, David Lammy and Keir Starmer own houses valued at 1.75 million. Coincidence!

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Scott (30th Nov 2025 - 13:05:12) Its yet another UK government that has its credibility hanging by a very thin short thread. And its Labour this time. Now after a long period in no mans land Mrs Badenoch has found her voice and the best shes got is slating Mrs Reeves and doing impersonations of her in the chamber and bleeting on about how they'd have done everything differently😂 Of course you would! Approximate dates of 2010 to 2024 didn't seem so great with them doing things differently, especially in their final 4 years. And Farage🤦‍♂️ Come on, really! At least hes been quiet for a bit. These people are deplorable. They are educated extremely wealthy fools mostly, I'm sure there are some very decent, honourable transparent members in their number throughout all parties. But they are all guilty of fudging and nudging the numbers to fulfill and carry out their own agendas. The UK deserves so much better. I still haven't seen any convincing evidence of a single party I can relate to or trust. How damning, they are supposed to make us want to vote, not feel obliged to vote for the better of the rubbish on offer, but instead its just an eternal political merry go round between the same old same old with the usual mud flinging and petty one upmanship.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Paul2 (1st Dec 2025 - 08:57:15) On a related point, the Govt's former Anti-Corruption Minister has been sentenced to 2 years in jail for corruption. From Guido Fawkes, the current list: Cronyism-Gate: Labour donors were appointed to top civil service roles; one resigned and an investigation followed. Duffield Resignation: Rosie Duffield quit as Labour MP with a scathing attack on Starmer. Lord Alli-Gate: Donor Lord Alli got a No.10 pass and gifted Starmer thousands in clothes and glasses. PartyFrock-Gate: Lord Alli paid £5k for Starmer’s wife’s personal shopper; questions over undeclared perks. Reeves Holiday Scandal: Reeves failed to fully declare a £1,400 donor-funded holiday. Taylor Swift-Gate: Ten Labour MPs, including Starmer, took £22k+ in free Taylor Swift tickets. Sue Gray Scandal: Starmer’s Chief of Staff resigned, was reassigned, then sacked again—later put in the Lords. Penthouse-Gate: Starmer filmed political videos in Lord Alli’s £18m penthouse despite No.10 claiming it was a one-off. Reeves CV-Gate: Reeves embellished her CV and was linked to an expenses misuse probe. “Working Person” Flip-Flop: Labour repeatedly changed the definition of “working people” before the Budget. USA Campaign-Gate: Labour staff were advertised to campaign for Kamala Harris; Trump filed a complaint alleging interference. Haigh Resignation: Transport Secretary Louise Haigh quit after a past fraud conviction emerged. Siddiq Resignation: Anti-Corruption Minister Tulip Siddiq resigned after being linked to a £3.9bn embezzlement probe. Convicted of corruption, sentenced to 2 years in prison. Amesbury Punching Incident: Labour MP Mike Amesbury filmed punching a constituent six times; later pled guilty. Southport ‘Cover-Up’: Starmer unable to explain delays in terror charges despite serious evidence. VoiceCoach-Gate: Starmer met a voice coach during Tier 4 lockdown; questions over compliance and undeclared links. Gwynn Resignation: Health Minister Andrew Gwynn sacked after wishing death on a pensioner in WhatsApp messages. Hermer Conflicts Row: Attorney General Richard Hermer accused of major conflicts of interest. Sands Scandal: Starmer ally Philippe Sands KC advised Mauritius on Chagos claims and planted its flag illegally. Reynolds CV Issue: Jonathan Reynolds claimed to be a solicitor though he was only a trainee. Rayner Career Claims: Angela Rayner gave conflicting accounts of how long she worked as a home help. Dan Norris Arrest: Labour MP Dan Norris arrested over historic sexual assault allegations; suspended. Powell ‘Dog Whistle’ Row: Lucy Powell apologised for calling talk of rape gangs a “dog whistle.” Ali Resignation: Homelessness Minister Rushanara Ali quit after evicting tenants then relisting at a higher rate. Gustafsson Exit: Investment Minister Poppy Gustafsson reportedly preparing to resign. Rayner Resigns: Rayner stepped down as Deputy PM and Housing Secretary over unpaid tax on her second home. New controversy around council tax surcharge not paid on her grace and favour mansion. Mandelson Sacked: Mandelson removed as US ambassador after emails revealed close ties to Jeffrey Epstein. China Spy Case Collapse: High-profile China spy case fell apart with no clear explanation. Reeves Rental Breach: Reeves admitted illegally renting out her London property without the required licence.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - D (1st Dec 2025 - 10:22:05) You're certainly well versed in politics, Paul 2. I didn't know about half of these.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Unimpressed (1st Dec 2025 - 10:33:25) All the going’s on with the budget coverage by the media chancellor going on about what she’s doing for the country but not a word about saving businesses that are going bust every day. Money being pored into benefits money going to other countries higher wages for public sector workers but nothing for struggling businesses she keeps hiking business rates and minimum wages doesn’t she realise this country needs thriving businesses creating wealth to employ people. She should be lowering rates giving tax breaks cutting out red tape supporting people that want to start their own business with cheap loans. Not wasting money on higher benefits child benefit they should be cut right back or abolished altogether this government has got it all the wrong way round supporting those that don’t want to work and penalising those that do work especially those creating wealth. If this goes on this country will sink into oblivion.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Keith Budden (1st Dec 2025 - 13:15:02) @M - sorry if you find the ADHD discussion uncomfortable, but I wasn't the first to bring it up. @D said "don't like to disappoint YOU but ADHD, neuro-divergent and all the rest of it was not on any medical journal fifty years ago." As for @Charlie et al - I really hope no one in your family or close circle suffers from a, as you put it "mental health" problem. Having myself suffered from depression in the past and as I've already said the experience of navigating the SEND system for my granddaughter, I can 100% assure you that "mental health" is a thing. Obviously your moral superiority stops you from suffering from it yourself (although I'm sure there must be a medical name for the art of delusion) but for people living through it, it is real. So please, remember that not all disabilities are visible. Break your leg, people hold open doors in sympathy, have a mental breakdown and people slam the door in your face and tell you that your skiving. Despite my mental health issues that I've suffered over the years, I have built 3 successful businesses, employed people and indeed been Chair of East Hampshire District Council for two years. Am I ashamed of it? No. Don't criticise people like me until you've walked a mile in my shoes - tell you what as it's the season of goodwill I will even give you a 100 yards start on me.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - passfield resident (1st Dec 2025 - 13:46:42) Keith-spot on.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - D (1st Dec 2025 - 14:15:52) Keith, I have every respect for you and your daughter, I am currently caring for a relative with dementia (for which I get sweet fa off the state). Childhood mental health is only being mentioned because it was the chancellor who has referred to it on more than one occasion as justification for wacking our taxes up.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - C (1st Dec 2025 - 15:10:48) Bravo Keith. Commend your honesty and bravery about talking about mental health which is a very real illness. Hope you're doing okay.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Charlie (1st Dec 2025 - 15:22:51) @Keith Budden If you read the first para of my post again and I quote "I am sure there are some genuine cases of mental health (I use these two words reluctantly as I am sick of hearing about them), but there are many people who are just using the system to claim benefit whether it be for ADHD or some other perceived disorder." that I am not and repeat NOT criticising, denigrating or disbelieving those people who have genuine mental heath problems and related disorders. My point was, and you seem to have completely missed it, is that there are also many other cases of people just using the system to claim benefits or special treatment. I personally have come into contact with quite a few both socially and in business. One or two were actually quite proud of it! The Welfare System is not there to help either people who don't want to work and who lie, yes lie about their conditions and I do know what I am talking about. I feel very strongly that it is these people that prevent the people in real need getting the support and help, that they, in turn need. I do not know you and your family and I have no doubt that you have genuine problems. I grew up living with a grandmother who was bi-polar and her son, my uncle, who was a manic depressive. They had no help from anyone whatsoever. My uncle had been in Burma and much of his depression stemmed from his terrible experiences of jungle warfare. Our family gave them both the help, love and support they needed when times were bad. That was many years ago and I am very glad that there is now help available but unfortunately the screening progress does not stop the scroungers and honest and hardworking taxpayers should not be picking up the bill. Rachel Reeves has done absolutely nothing to reduce the Welfare Bill which runs into billions of £££. She only wanted to appease her left-wing back benchers, Starmer and Rayner and Rayner had her hands all over the Workers' Rights Bill. Thank goodness at least that has been slightly watered down so there must be a conscience somewhere. However this budget was the worst budget of all time as Rachel Reeves cannot seem to comprehend that to generate growth, you have to create wealth. There will always be some people wealthier than others, so what, if everyone can benefit.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Hindsight (1st Dec 2025 - 15:30:18) Well as I have seen all the governments since the second world war this one takes the biscuit. It’s getting increasingly obvious that the previous government weren’t as bad as made out by the younger generation actually things were just turning round and know there seems not to have been a black hole it would have been better. Kemi Badenoch and the conservatives are better bet she seems to be more attuned to running a country she stands head and shoulders above the current PM and as for the chancellor Kemi wipes the floor with her every time. Out of the frying pan into the fire comes to mind.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Paul2 (1st Dec 2025 - 16:54:13) Challenged today, the PM said he was 'immensely proud' of the budget. Remember that when you see your next pay cheque. The Chancellor said her budget (which the OBR now contest for transparency) was 'asking ordinary people to pay a little bit more'. Surely 'ask' means we can say NO? Oh wait - it doesn't work that way :[

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Scott (1st Dec 2025 - 17:48:40) Sorry 'Hindsight' I don't agree and I too have seen many governments, granted , not quite as many as yourself. To say the previous government was on the up and in control of things is just wrong. They detonated themselves from within in the last 4 years in full public view and the electorate had no choice but to get them out, sadly for the only numerically strong alternative to win with a huge landslide victory but who said a load of junk to grab headlines and votes, easy votes to win as the Tories had been so diabolical. The Tories had no real angle on controlling Migration.Please don't come back with Rwanda. They had over a decade to do better than that. They oversaw a massive roll out of new and continued benefit handouts and were doing nothing to kerb it. I'm not saying Labour have it right, they absolutely don't, but for the Tories to say now its at ridiculous levels and need action, they had a flipping decade to clean it up. Mrs Badenoch, hmmmm, Shes been leader for nearly a year. Wiping the floor with Mrs Reeves, I really don't think so, as much as I'm not a Mrs Reeves fan for it to take a year for Mrs Badenoch to find her strong political debating voice and hold the government to task is tragic, she should have been all over them from day one like a woman fresh and full of new found power leading her party, Thats her job in opposition! The budget was a total shambles and even the OBR pretty much next door to her in parliament offices probably think so too. Hence the 'accidentally on purpose' leak before she'd even delivered it. They are all the same, the power corrupts and blinkers their view of how the common population has to strive to survive and endure these self indulgent elected (by us) politicians. Maybe we the electorate are the fools for swallowing the same old guff time after time and time in believing they'll do us right eventually. Anyway, have a lovely evening all, chicken curry and some sweet flat breads for me and the fam tonight ✌️

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Hindsight (1st Dec 2025 - 20:18:33) Scott your right in a lot of your post but I still am of the conclusion that know the Tory’s have had a wake up call they could pull us back from oblivion. No one else can they all just don’t cut the mustard. Enjoy your curry not my choice of food much to hot for me can’t even get inside of an Indian restaurant more of a roast beef and loads of veg man .

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Scott (1st Dec 2025 - 21:57:34) A slight move away from the posts title momentarily(apologies). Now we're talking Hindsight , roast beef and veggies, superb, who doesn't like a full sunday roast, even better on a weekday, a real treat👍 I think we will have to disagree on the Conservatives potential going forward though. Certainly for the next few years at least. And I don't think the fallout from Mrs Reeves budget is anywhere near over. I also believe the head of the OBR has resigned, theres going to be some stones upturned if they don't already know who leaked and for what motive or purpose they had in mind, surely it wasn't just a rookie admin error.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - A Local (1st Dec 2025 - 23:14:39) Reading all the news in 2025, very sad that with all the corruption, war and really unimaginable suffering in much of the world today, for a lot of people in this country the only problems seem to be refugees, disabled people and children receiving appropriate educational provision for their medical condition, what a lovely people we got to become! Anybody who is or thinks different to the miserable brigade comes under fire I guess! Is this the 2020's or 1930's? To get back to the original point...... Yes..... people living in ....£2 MILLION HOUSES...or bigger... ...will have to pay a bit higher amount of council tax .. But for most it will still be a much lower proportion of their wealth than the rest of us! Not the end of the world, about the cost of an Aga!

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Joe (2nd Dec 2025 - 08:36:51) The Tory government lied over Brexit - they did not order lockdown quickly enough thousands of people died needlessly. They awarded their cronies the Ppe contracts which issued unusable PPE. They did not abide by the Covid regulations they themselves bought in. They presided over the Post Office scandal. We must all have short memories.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Realist (2nd Dec 2025 - 10:28:56) Joe still not anywhere near as bad as this lot . They actually were the best out of all of the other country’s in dealing with covid . This lot of useless idiotic MPs we have running the country know as they say couldn’t run a p??? up in brewery. They as usual are letting the Union’s run riot controlling the government massive wage demands for less hours that’s not going to help get the country prosperous again. Millions not working because they don’t want to, drawing benefits, yes this government are doing just fine. Just like Blair and Brown spending all the money then running away leaving the conservatives to clean up the mess . Same old labour.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - D (2nd Dec 2025 - 12:01:23) There were plenty around here flouting the lockdown laws as well. As with Thatcher, the Tories didn't see what a good thing they had and got rid of him over a party. We'll all now sing "Who's Sorry Now".

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Paul2 (2nd Dec 2025 - 12:08:39) Today's update in this sorry benefits budget saga is that the OBR have had to 'set the record straight' as part of a Treasury Committee hearing. It's increasingly clear that the PM and Chancellor targeted tax increases at workers and 'middle earners' to appease hard-left back-benchers. The 'black hole' cover story has now been challenged by several OBR heads. I saw this yesterday: Teach your children Labour economics: Pay them £10 to do their chores, then take back £7 and give it to the kids next door who did *&*& all!

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Jon (2nd Dec 2025 - 12:11:43) Joe, Blair and his cronies were in power when the post office scandal initially raised it’s ugly head. It could have been dealt with then.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Paul2 (2nd Dec 2025 - 12:14:23) @Joe: Labour wanted to keep the country in harder lockdowns for longer. If you think it's bad now, imagine how much worse it could have been if Starmer was PM at the time. And while we're at comparisons - don't forget Starmer travelled to see his voice coach during lockdown when we couldn't visit family, Starmer went to a Labour event in Durham in April 21 alongside Angela Rayner (remember her?) for beer and pizza while we were all stuck in bubbles, and Starmer recorded a video from Lord Ali's £18m Covent Garden penthouse telling everyone to work from home and 'stick to the rules'. I look forward to your equal outcry over such behaviour while the rest of the country suffered.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Paul2 (2nd Dec 2025 - 12:33:48) Also Joe - Lib Dem leader Ed Davey was Postal Affairs Minister in the coalition Govt of the time. His actions and decisions during that time have been heavily criticised in the subsequent inquiry. Don't forget the Lib Dems role in that entire scandal next time they shove a flyer through your door offering 'a real alternative' to Labour and the Conservatives.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Charlie (2nd Dec 2025 - 12:51:58) @A Local With regard to your point about council tax and people living in 2 million plus properties paying a “bit” more (I think I am right in saying, but please correct me if I am wrong, that they will be paying about double the amount they pay now) one of the leaks prior to the budget said that Rachel Thieves was going to double council tax for properties in bands F, G H which would have taken in probably properties worth 1million plus. Two of her colleagues namely Starmer and Lammy own two properties worth 1.75 million. I wonder if that is what caused the threshold change. Coincidence? @D I assume the “him” to whom you refer is Boris Johnson. Please do not compare him to Margaret Thatcher. Whatever her faults and yes, she had some, she was a moral person and certainly not a liar or a marital cheat.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - D (2nd Dec 2025 - 14:04:35) Point taken, Charlie. Yes you are correct. My comparison between the two is that while the party was doing quite well they knifed their leader in the back over the most trivial of reasons and probably regretted it later. But yes, you are correct. Mrs Thatcher had very high moral values as did most of that generation, (I won't mention Cecil or Geoffrey Archer or Johnathon Aitkin).

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Realist (2nd Dec 2025 - 16:31:10) All this debate bringing up the past yes in the past there were mistakes by a great many politicians but the thing is this government has not learned anything from it . You would think with all the history that’s available this government would have drawn on it and made a much better job of it . But it seems they haven’t learned anything from it. Same mistakes all over again if the PM sat down and studied the past and took all the good bits and implemented them with an iron will like the Iron Lady he would be on a winner. Not cow down to the Union’s and the rebel civil servants it takes guts to run a country and he is lacking in that department. Mrs T told her cabinet if you’re not with me you’re out that’s the calibre of PM we want. Can’t see this shower lasting long .

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Scott (2nd Dec 2025 - 18:31:05) To bring it back to topic... We have tried to find out how much an increase in council tax may be for us, as yet no real headway, so are we right in thinking we won't know until after the new year when the next bill comes through unless anybody has any earlier info on this on how to find out. For a few years we have had an increase of approximately 3% year on year and if it stays there abouts we are prepared for it. If it goes to a 5% or more increase that will seriously have to be considered. There is no alternative though, you have to find it so what are you supposed to do? Paul2, any answer to your own question....To pay it or not to pay it?

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Paul2 (3rd Dec 2025 - 11:31:30) @Scott - at the moment we don't know how much EHDC will increase it by, although we do know that B&L has the 3rd highest Council Tax per band across all of East Hampshire. I think the next increases will be announced at a Feb 26 council meeting. Personally, I don't feel I get any value for my taxes in this country and I'm 'asked' by multi-millionaire MPs to pay more each year. It's possible to start fighting these systems by requesting to move to monthly invoices for Council Tax rather than direct debit, which would cause an admin burden and extra cost for the Council to collect. If the rates rise significantly I do not wish to pay more, but fortunately am in the position to leave the UK due to the nature of my work - and am planning to do so.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Scott (3rd Dec 2025 - 13:10:24) Hi there Paul2. Many thanks for your reply and the insight. We wait with some trepidation for next February! I didn't know we could ask for a monthly bill but that would feel slightly counter productive if we did it en masse as although it would be great fun and a real pain in the posterior for the councils to manage it would be less money going to other needy causes under their umbrella. Its a real shame that yourself and many others feel its time to flee the UK although I do understand the reasoning. The biggest demographic emigrating from the UK now is people in their 20's and 30's as opposed to retirees spending their final years in the warm sun. The pendulum is shifting as many thousands with a working life ahead of them are taking their skills elsewhere. All at the time I read on the other post Dylans Ice cream is closing locally which is sad but a real picture of how hard it is for small business to thrive in the UK currently. I am an eternal optimist, but even with my enthusiastic alacrity I am facing the harsh reality that the powers that be, whichever wretched party or colour flag they fly under are set out to sneakily sort themselves out whilst doing us over. Nothing in 40 years of politics watching has changed my mind on that. Its them and us, and if you're not one of them, you're destined to be forever screwed over. Still, as many motorbikes as possible is the only cheery way forward, and yes, I pay all my taxes on those too🏍💨✌️

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - passfield resident (3rd Dec 2025 - 15:12:01) Paul 2-please tell me which Labour MPs are multi-millionaires-I 'd be interested to know.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Re (3rd Dec 2025 - 16:47:19) Would think there are a great many multi millionaires in labour government they have been lining there pockets ever since they have been in and giving huge wage rises to the unions so probably many millionaires in the unions as well . Soon be millionaires on benefits as well.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Paul2 (3rd Dec 2025 - 16:54:32) How about Kier Starmer, Passfield Resident? I'll leave you to search for the others (hint: the internet is your friend for sourcing that information). To paraphrase John Steinbach, he is probably a 'temporarily embarrassed millionaire'.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - passfield resident (3rd Dec 2025 - 19:37:31) The internet is full of rubbish, but you could have used it to find out how to spell Steinbeck.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - D (4th Dec 2025 - 08:16:32) You may be a retired teacher, Passfield Resident but you're not marking children's homework now. You can put your red pen away. 👩‍🎓

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - passfield resident (4th Dec 2025 - 09:52:15) Teachers don't use red pens anymore.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Interesting (4th Dec 2025 - 10:43:48) Passfeild resident why no red pens in schools now. We used to have red lines all over our work if it was bad which was most of the time. It did show us up as not being up to scratch did us good.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - D (4th Dec 2025 - 11:27:50) Rainbow coloured pens maybe?

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - passfield resident (4th Dec 2025 - 11:54:51) Passfield, not Passfeild

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - D (4th Dec 2025 - 12:33:25) I'm intrigued to know why teachers no longer use red pens? I hope you're not going to tell me children get traumatized when told heir work is incorrect.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Interesting (4th Dec 2025 - 13:01:36) Red mark for spelling. Nothing has changed.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Paul2 (4th Dec 2025 - 13:13:31) Hey just curious Passfield Resident, how tolerant are you of people who may be neuro divergent? Would you jump all over their spelling and embarrass them? Has it ever daawwnned on you that the odd typo can happen?

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - passfield resident (4th Dec 2025 - 15:13:56) I fine with all kinds of special needs, but not with people telling me what to think or putting crap on social media in support of some extreme political view.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Charlie (4th Dec 2025 - 15:25:22) Passfield Resident As far as I can see no-one on this Thread has told you what to think and no one has used insulting language ergo "crap" except you. People are entitled to share and air their views without being insulted. Think before you post.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - passfield resident (4th Dec 2025 - 17:11:34) Funny you should say that, Charlie. I was just reading your post about Reform MPs and thinking that it was very well written. However, if you can't see that a lot of what is on social media is badly thought -out crap then I can't persuade you of anything. I do agree that there is no point being rude, so I will stay away from Liphook Talkback because quite a few of the regular contributors are full of **** and it annoys me because reasonable people will see that and not contribute their views, so the twits are over-represented.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Interested (4th Dec 2025 - 17:54:47) O dear someone throwing toys out of their pram . At least our teachers back in the late 40 and fifties were hard but fair not all knowing best they worked with us and we respected them and actually made friends for life with some. Times have changed so much not for the better me think’s.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - D (4th Dec 2025 - 19:45:02) When I was at school teachers seemed to fall into two categories. Ones like John Alderton in "Please Sir", or like the Bash Street Kid's teacher in the Beano.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Oldie (5th Dec 2025 - 14:06:56) Well Passfield Resident hope all the teachers aren’t like you I know best everyone else are idiots . Perhaps that’s why we are in such a mess with this government.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Paul2 (6th Dec 2025 - 13:03:21) "I fine with all kinds of special needs ..." See Passfield Resident - typos do happen. Even to you. Is it dawning on you that people in glass houses etc?

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - D (6th Dec 2025 - 16:38:28) Ah, Paul2, did he teach English though?

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Charlie (6th Dec 2025 - 17:26:33) D It is immaterial as to whether or not Passfield Resident taught English. Paul2 was demonstrating in his post that people should not criticise other people's mistakes while committing the same mistake themselves. Pot and Kettle etc.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - D (7th Dec 2025 - 00:34:52) My point is that if English was not one of the subjects he taught then he could be forgiven for this minor error. A small circle in red ink will suffice.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Paul2 (7th Dec 2025 - 19:45:21) I see it more as holding people to the same standard they impose on others, and calling out hypocrisy :)

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Charlie (11th Dec 2025 - 14:13:32) Absolutely Paul2 - you have understood my post. D did not.

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - D (11th Dec 2025 - 17:00:18) Have you got it in for Passfield Resident now, Charles?

Re: Autumn Budget 25 - Charlie (12th Dec 2025 - 10:33:44) Not at all D. My point was and still is, and you seem to have completely missed it, that if a person criticises someone for something, in this case typos, and then does the same thing themselves, they must expect to receive criticism. Nothing to do with being a teacher, English or otherwise or anything else. I am sure that Passfield Resident did not notice his/her mistake until it was pointed out, but then probably neither did Interesting or Paul2 notice theirs.

Reply to THIS thread
Talkback Home