Good post from RM:

chatGPT summary

Government services are declining despite high taxation due to a combination of factors rooted in economic policy decisions.

Since 2010, successive UK governments pursued austerity measures, reducing government spending and investment, which stifled GDP growth. The aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis compounded this issue, further hampering economic recovery. Moreover, Brexit exacerbated trade challenges, shrinking export potential.

As the demand for public services rose, government revenue failed to keep pace, leading to service cuts and deteriorating quality. Additionally, excessive outsourcing, corruption, and interest costs worsened the situation. To reverse this trend, policymakers must prioritize economic stimulus and reevaluate fiscal policies to encourage growth and address service deficiencies.

https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2024/02/29/why-are-government-services-going-down-the-pan-despite-high-taxation/

On the plus side, it looks as if reform got a drubbing.

Cue little dick whining about it being sooo unfair.

More essential viewing from Led By Donkeys (I'd totally forgotten about the pro-foxhunt marches) >

flippin''eck ...

When did so many politicians start to lose their integrity and sense of justice? https://twitter.com/ecomarxi/status/1768222846608613422?s=20

Oh my ... this is quite the contrast after Tony Benn !

https://twitter.com/Haggis_UK/status/1770539142402757055?s=20

Loathsome Leadsom clearly doesn't understand the relationship between inflation and the cost of living.

But then I suppose it does require at least basic numeracy.

Posted by: @qpw3141

↑

the relationship between inflation and the cost of living.

Yeah, but it's ok though coz the Beeb keeps telling us that we've had big pay rises to keep up with it.

On another note, did anyone see the story yesterday about the HMRC helpline being "closed permanently for 6 months". I'm pretty sure permanency doesn't have an end date. Literacy skills clearly going downhill at the Beeb (same wording was used on the website and in news at 6).

Yes, I did.

It should have read “Closed for six months, every year, on a permanent basis”.

English can work quite well if you use the correct words in the correct order.

Although the plan itself is appalling.

Good grief ... this is in The Times ! https://twitter.com/AdamBienkov/status/1774708574486163660?s=20