Daily Archives: June 29, 2017

Opinion – Theresa May will review the cap on public sector pay as public have grown ‘weary’ of austerity | Business Insider

June 29, 2017 By in Austerity, Brexit, Business Administration, Central banks, David Cameron, Defense Policy, Democracy, Economics, Extreme left, Extreme right, Far Left, Far Right, Far-left politics, Fiscal Policy, Growth, Healthcare, Immigration, Independent Professional Services, Jeremy Corbyn, People, Politics Tags: , , , 1 Comment
English: Protestors gather in Sheffield to dem...

English: Protestors gather in Sheffield to demonstrate against government plans to change public sector pensions. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Teachers at New College Nottingham pr...

English: Teachers at New College Nottingham protesting against government pension plans. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Protestors in Brighton on June 30 ove...

English: Protestors in Brighton on June 30 over pension changes. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Read this for the latest concessions from the ‘weak and wobbly woman’!

Source: Theresa May will review the cap on public sector pay as public have grown ‘weary’ of austerity | Business Insider

Pay increases without productivity incentives are inflationary.

This blog has long argued that austerity has been too prolonged but far too shallow – the impact has been like the bacon-slicer to public services, leaving the country open unacceptable risks.

Radical reforms and consolidation of the public sector have been ignored because ministers lacked the stomach.

Here’s an open question:

Will the Conservative Government now be forced into radical reform in the public sector to finance the downside risks from Brexit? If so, what are some of the likely targets?

Thoughts?

Read original source – British Social Attitudes – Key Findings – NatCen Social Research

June 29, 2017 By in Democracy, Education, Extreme left, Far Left, Far-left politics, Healthcare, Immigration, NHS, People, Public Services Reform, Society, Theresa May Tags: , , , , Leave a comment
English: Infographic on how Social Media are b...

English: Infographic on how Social Media are being used, and how everything is changed by them. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Read the original source of the important annual survey into British social attitudes. The NatCen Social Research has conducted the British Social Attitudes survey every year since 1983 and the 31st report was published in June 2014. Here’s the link to the original:

Source: Key findings | BSA 30 | NatCen

Most UK national newspapers are cherry-picking from this report, showing their political bias, and pandering to what they think their readers want – to drive up circulation. It’s understandable that newspapers want to increase their readership but surely their central purpose is about reporting the news accurately? Otherwise, why not rely on social media like this blog highlighting the source of major news? It makes me wonder at the motivation of many newspaper owners and editors?

Here are the key themes emerging from the survey:

  • Live & let live society
  • Losing faith in key institutions
  • Changing cultural attitudes
  • Tensions between individual and state responsibility
  • Social & demographic changes towards Britain in 2043

I recommend that you read the original report. It provides some fascinating insights.

If you’ve an interest in false news, look at some of the mainstream media’s coverage of this survey. You should soon be able to see spin and bias. For example, the Guardian claims:

Public tolerance of austerity is collapsing as support for higher taxes to enable more spending on health, education and policing increases, according to the latest British social attitudes survey

Actually, there’s no direct evidence in the survey to support individuals’ propensity to accept increases in both direct and indirect taxes, like VAT.

Perhaps we should ask the Guardian:

Where’s the evidence to support that individuals will pay more tax to offset rising public services? Will individuals put up with a 5% VAT increase for example?

Thoughts?