[The Weeping Angel]

This has had a fair bit of attention as "punching down", seeing it involves a focus on areas with "asylum hotels".

But surely it's in response to what Macron said about the UK's shadow labour market being a big pull factor, and therefore central to the agreement signed? If you accept that "boats" are central to the Farage pitch, then the alternative is either what we're doing with France or safe routes. I find it hard to believe Farage wouldn't make hay with safe routes too.

And the reaction has been completely normal on Bluesky.

[Youngian]

How Migration Really Works
by Hein de Haas
22 things you need to know about the most divisive issue in politics
https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/455478/ ... 0241998779

This is an illuminating book which discusses why little is done about illegal migration numbers in developed economies.
When middle income people have a home and a car much of their disposable income goes on services which drives demand for labour which is often casualised. There isn’t the political will or pressure to hunt down au pairs and pizza delivery drivers who overstay their visas. De Haas also claims little migration is from poor countries but aspirant people in middle income ones like North Africa or Mexico. Emigrating is still unusual and it’s not an exaggeration to see the prospect of an international immigrant shortage. There already is outside the English and Spanish speaking world.

[Tubby Isaacs]

And the reaction has been completely normal on Bluesky.

Edwin Hayward (of all people) made a good point if you look at Starmer's feed it's all about this stuff, which I think is too much. Labour needs to do this stuff, but doesn't have to be so in your face about it. The line should be "getting on with the job while Farage shouts from the sideline".

In more positive news, another large solar farm approved.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Agreed.
Very telling that, as you say, prior to the election there were calls for Starmer (as LOTO) to be tried for war crimes but not Sunak (as PM).
There's also an ignorance of what actions constitute war crimes.
Also that, in order to even consider a prosecution, the ICC require some evidence that a crime has been committed and unsubstantiated claims in social media posts are not evidence. That's why the ICC are investigating Netanyahu but not Starmer.

This part of the Left have always emphasized stuff like the UN and the ICC because nobody else does really, and it's an area where it's easy for them to sound serious internationalists. See eg John McDonnell describing Corbyn as a "foreign affairs expert". The UN/ ICC is quite a useful shield for people who don't care about Russia overrunning Ukraine (like Corbyn, but not everyone on the left). So they reach for it whenever they can.

[Tubby Isaacs]

The biggest rail workers’ union has warned that raising the state pension age would be met with protests and direct action.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union said a government review had sparked fears of a big increase in the pension age.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said:

The UK state pension is already one of the worst in the entire developed world, which is a direct result of decades of governments transferring both our national and personal wealth to the super rich.
Any decision to squeeze more out of working people by forcing us to work even longer would be a national disgrace.

Straight talking left-winger in "massive bullshit" shock. He knows very well how UK pensions work because they're a massive part of his job We have a hybrid system with occupational and state provision. When you take them together, what's called the "replacement rate", the UK is below average in the OECD but nowhere near the lowest and about the same as Germany and Norway. The state element is also fairly progressive in terms of what the lowest paid (or indeed the sick) get.

Usual "the rich are paying for all of it rubbish" too.

[Killer Whale]

Also, the basic state pension is topped up by various means-tested benefits. Which isn't ideal, but does save us from paying hundreds of pounds a month to the likes of Elton John and Paul McCartney.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Britain has been seeking a trade deal with India for many years “but it is this government that got it done”, Keir Starmer said.

The prime minister said:

The UK has been negotiating a deal like this for many years, but it is this government that got it done, and with it, we’re sending a very powerful message that Britain is open for business, and that is already generating huge confidence.

Well indeed. Sadly between "they're all coming over here" and "Just Rejoin the EU now", I don't think there are that many people left.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Also, the basic state pension is topped up by various means-tested benefits. Which isn't ideal, but does save us from paying hundreds of pounds a month to the likes of Elton John and Paul McCartney.

Yep. I would think that these are included in the replacement rate calculations, but they obviously aren't in the headline (not very high) pension figure.

Another point is that when you see "average" on memes about other countries, these are increased by having the well off pay large amounts into them. That's not what poor pensioners get. As I say, I think the UK is reasonably progressive on that score.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Interesting here. You don't need public ownership to have affordable fares (London has them, as Andy Burnham frequently reminds us, and fair enough) but it makes it easier. Peter Hendy says that the changes generated extra revenue (not that much, but still a win-win). Scotrail ran a different trial, abolishing peak fares and that cost some revenue, but not very much and I was surprised the Scottish Government didn't carry on with it. To their credit, the Scottish Greens got it reinstated.

The only thing in terms of politics is that the changes here are based on offering more advanced fares. These are often very reasonable when you can get them, but they never quoted in media. the walk-on fares will I presume remain expensive, and the Government will continue to get pilloried on them.

[Tubby Isaacs]

This looks like an interesting campaign (not the government, but if it works, it'll help the government).

https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... ero-energy

Launching a new campaign group called Climate Jobs UK, Gary Smith, the general secretary of GMB union, said: “How the UK makes the transition to net zero is hugely important. The voices of those working in the energy sector day in, day out, who have vast experience of dealing with change, need to be front and centre of the process. If not, it’s doomed to fail.

“At the moment, the transition feels like something being done to workers – that can’t continue. People need to see real jobs created where they live, and their local economy boosted, or we’re going to see more and more tempted by the siren calls of those who deny the reality of climate change.”

Of course, the point of the transition isn't to create jobs, We're doing it because we have to. If you wanted to create jobs, you'd probably spend the money on transport connections or something. But it's helpful to emphasize the jobs, the energy independence etc. And I'd also emphasize the technology in its own right. It's nice to feel like you're part of something forward looking.

[Tubby Isaacs]

I see an international law heavyweight has entered the chat.

British ministers are betting they won’t face justice for complicity over Gaza. It’s a big risk to take
Owen Jones

I'll take that bet, Owen.

[davidjay]

Serious question - have members of a democratic government ever been indicted for 'supporting' war actions and if, as I suspect, they haven't, why do the Jezzerati think all that will change if they wish hard enough?

[mattomac]

The biggest rail workers’ union has warned that raising the state pension age would be met with protests and direct action.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union said a government review had sparked fears of a big increase in the pension age.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said:

The UK state pension is already one of the worst in the entire developed world, which is a direct result of decades of governments transferring both our national and personal wealth to the super rich.
Any decision to squeeze more out of working people by forcing us to work even longer would be a national disgrace.

Straight talking left-winger in "massive bullshit" shock. He knows very well how UK pensions work because they're a massive part of his job We have a hybrid system with occupational and state provision. When you take them together, what's called the "replacement rate", the UK is below average in the OECD but nowhere near the lowest and about the same as Germany and Norway. The state element is also fairly progressive in terms of what the lowest paid (or indeed the sick) get.

Usual "the rich are paying for all of it rubbish" too.

Something has to give on state pension age though, workers rights needs to be driven far further, I've already given up ever retiring.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Something has to give on state pension age though, workers rights needs to be driven far further, I've already given up ever retiring.

It's incredibly grim, long term. I think the Triple Lock needs to go. Would be fine if we were prepared to fund everything else properly, but we aren't, Go back to the situation where the Chancellor could actually reflect on financial conditions at any one time and allocate money accordingly.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Interesting comment here. I think Thames Water may not be particularly long for the private sector.

[The Weeping Angel]

Missed this.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6257pr3q76o

Newly-built social housing in England will be exempt from Right to Buy for 35 years, under government plans to further scale back the policy.

Social tenants will also have to live in their properties for much longer before qualifying for the scheme, which allows them to buy at a discount.

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said it would help local authorities "protect much-needed social housing stock" and build new homes at scale.

But the Conservatives branded the latest plans an "attack on aspiration".

[Tubby Isaacs]

Yeah, it's very restrictive, quite rightly. I think they haven't banned right to buy altogether because they'd get a load of shit about Rayner having bought hers.

[mattomac]

I don’t agree with everything and he has pissed me off at times but the country is in no worse state than it has been for 8 years. Anyone claiming it’s got worse this past year is just a fuckwit.

[The Weeping Angel]

https://www.bigissue.com/news/housing/r ... 1753506971

Renters could soon be able to prove they can afford a mortgage by keeping up with their rental payments in a change to make it easier for first-time buyers on the housing ladder.

Last week, Rachel Reeves announced a swathe of reforms to financial regulation designed to make it easier for people to buy a home in a bid to drive growth. The reforms will see mortgages offered at more than 4.5 times a buyer’s income, which Labour claims will create up to 36,000 additional mortgages in its first year in operation.

Mortgages will also be made available to first-time buyers on a lower salary as part of Nationwide’s ‘Helping Hand’ mortgage scheme. Eligible salaries will now be considered from £30,000, down from £35,000, and at £50,000 rather than £55,000.

The chancellor said she hoped the reforms would have an “instant impact” for consumers.

But she also signalled plans to carry out a review of Financial Conduct Authority lending rules that could allow a prospective buyers’ record of paying rent on time to show they can afford mortgage repayments.

[Tubby Isaacs]

This sounds like basic non-discrimination. What am I missing?