Get off backs of the industrious
The sheer economic illiteracy of the Labour Party was demonstrated for all to see by Jon Ashworth MP in his recent column, with his erroneous references to a "bedroom tax" ("Credit cuts a fresh blow for families", Mercury, January 18).
There is, of course, no bedroom tax but instead a reduction in housing benefit for those people who claim it and occupy properties larger than they require, which seems perfectly reasonable from a taxpayer's point of view.
Do Labour MPs such as Mr Ashworth really fail to understand the difference between taxes and benefits? Or know just how difficult it is for hardworking taxpayers struggling to pay their own bills on modest incomes?
Why should we also be expected to subsidise people claiming benefits in order to live in homes larger than their needs require?
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In order to dig the country out of the deep economic mire Gordon Brown left it in, politicians need to get off the backs of the industrious people of Britain and set them free from the dead hand of government.
It's clear that Labour, led by the former Prime Minister's henchmen, Eds Miliband and Balls, has nailed its colours firmly to the mast of the unsustainable benefits culture created during the party's 13 years in Government.
Stuart Swann, Hinckley.
Jeremy Hunt's opening statement said it all – he wants to protect the inheritance of the children of older people.
I would think caring for them in old age might have been a more reasonable opening statement and policy.
As it is, we now have one of the most regressive taxes ever dreamed up by the Conservative Party, beating even the poll tax – if your assets are less the £75,000 you lose the lot, whereas a £1 million estate will only pay at a rate of 7.5 per cent for care in old age.
Eric Goodyer, Colsterworth.
I can't believe any government could impose such a despicable tax as the bedroom tax.
Especially as at the same time it is wasting £32 billion on a railway that knocks just 20 minutes off a trip between London and Manchester.
Who will benefit? Certainly not ordinary travellers, just the rich.
As there are only two or three stations en route, that means most people will find it quicker by car to London, by the time they have driven to these stations.
The distance between stations is so short – England's not a big country – trains will just about reach top speed and then have to slow down again.
It is a complete waste of money.
David Cameron, who is presiding over these decisions, spent £66,000 just before the election on a body language expert from SKDKnickerbockers flown over from America for him alone.
That was out of a total campaign budget of £16.7 million spent by the Tories.
Makes you think "what's next?", doesn't it?
Mike Attenborrow, Syston.
5 Comments
by powellp
Sunday, February 17 2013, 5:21PM
“Why has Eric Goodyer's letter from a previous issue been repeated?”
by agewait
Sunday, February 17 2013, 2:48PM
“Are the majority comments so gullible? So gullible to still, nearly three years later seek to blame Gordon Brown, for the World Depression? Have they heard of Hedgefunders, or Banksters?
@Swann: You are clearly a 'jobs worth' a Tory who believes everything their beloved leader spouts. Are you aware the Cameron has been warned by the FSA about his tendency for lying. You clearly run with the crowd, and are easily duped by propaganda designed to scapegoat the vulnerable, the poor, the working poor, the overwhelming majority in receipt of Housing benefit will lose out to this Unjust Law, this Bedroom Tax. Are you so indifferent to the misery and heartache this is causing up and down our nation? Have you swallowed the 'Coalition' mantra hook, line, and sinker?
This shower of failed spin-merchants is simply a front for the Corporate Carpetbaggers who are, with the "dead hand" of this Quisling Government, savaging the NHS and the Welfare State. We have the injustice of hundreds of ministers Voting for the NHS & Welfare Reform Bill, in order to profit with their cronies in the Private sector. Most of which is an ongoing scandal. Millions, if not Billions have been suck out of budgets to feather the nests of Tory donors. Who are likely to gain a title, or two for their generosity? Shameful politicians of all parties are indulging the greed, whilst passing draconian measures to inflict misery on the most vulnerable. It is a National disgrace involving all Parties.
We live in a tyranny of the majority, and to makes matters worse it appears the majority are easily lead. We need a republic where every person is subject to the Laws of the Land. Where it is the duty of all who remain maladjusted to injustice to take non-violent direct action - Civil Disobedience - to obnoxious and flagrantly unjust laws ie: The "Bedroom Tax".”
by 4_Stroke
Saturday, February 16 2013, 11:21AM
“Jon Ashworth... Proof that those who work for a living have become overwhelmed by those who vote for a living.”
by depreg
Saturday, February 16 2013, 10:35AM
“Thank goodness Eric Goodyer's constant tream of nonsense has been hidden away.”
by Graham_LE8
Saturday, February 16 2013, 10:04AM
“@ Stuart Swann, (quote): "There is, of course, no bedroom tax but instead a reduction in housing benefit for those people who claim it and occupy properties larger than they require, which seems perfectly reasonable from a taxpayer's point of view".
I think the economic illiteracy you speak of is yours. Whilst the statement you make seems to make sense, it becomes unreasonable when placed in the context of a total lack of smaller properties in the kind of numbers they would be required to be available in (to re-home people who are in a position to up sticks and move); therefore the reduction in housing benefit can be seen by those subsequently in deficit because of it as simply that - an additional, unavoidable tax.
It would be a prudent measure were there an abundance of property choice to enable people to reside in a situation suitable to their needs - I feel many in larger properties would welcome the option of smaller more managable accommodation, but unfortunately as far as the national property portfolio goes, the cupboard is bare...”