Sorry mate I disagree, if the Tories could bring back slave labour they would. And I understand that Brown was culpable as were the Tories before him. But to blame it all on Brown is unfair imo. Mistakes were made. As the PFI's are long term contracts, they have to make sure the nuances of them are ironed out as best they can. That is what is worrying the money men now, that the Tories are handing out contracts that are better for the PFI's than for the public. Brown wasn't doing that, least wise intentionaly.
Sid, as you say, PFI was introduced by John Major government in 1992. It was Alan Milburn, then Labour Health Secretary, who expanded the use of PFI in the NHS following the 1997 election, because of the limited amount of public sector capital available after 18 years of a Conservative government. This resulted in contracts being agreed/signed from a position of weakness because of the pressing need to fund a crippled NHS. Issues began because budgetary responsibility had been devolved to local managers and they met the conditions of the contracts by robbing Peter to pay Paul. PFI has nothing to do with creating public sector jobs, its more about the infrastructure and ancillary services, and those jobs are in the private sector Traditionally, the Labour party are a party of high taxation; I am not sure of the current figures but it used to be that an individual’s tax burden under a Labour government was approximately 37% as opposed to approximately 34% under a Conservative government, this is because of Labours commitment to maintaining the NHS and the Welfare state as well as other services in the public sector. There are many, including me who think non-corrupt PFI’s that are used to maintain a high quality of public services are a good alternative to high taxation. Cue the cries of scroungers and layabouts but that is one of the main reasons that I have supported the Labour party throughout my life, I don’t mind an increased personal contribution to support anyone less fortunate than myself because I believe that I have a social conscience. PFI was initially employed as a method of raising capital to meet Labours commitment to public services without raising tax levels to extortionate levels. You are right about slave labour MR, the introduction of zero hours contracts, which serve to manipulate employment statistics, are a step in that direction.
This reminds me of a work colleague who was a fanatical territorial army lad...That was until he got selected to go to Iraq when he suddenly developed a load of medical conditions that got him out of it...We put it down to him being Iraqnophobic!!!
Stu, I want to put this to bed once and for all then you can drop the snide references like you've been asked. But I need to understand what the chip on your shoulder actually is. Were you accusing me of being a benefit cheat on the Cattermole or Henderson thread? Or do you want to see the welfare system abolished? Simple question.
show me in black and white where i have accused you of being a benefit cheat ,not nudges but a clear statement .
There we go spinning it out. Anyway we should only start worrying if the IS start training cats. please log in to view this image
I never said you have. Why do you think I'm asking you too clarify? I think I'm entitled to ask you to clarify what you mean, especially as you keep bring the quoted conversation up with backhanded snide remarks. Do you have that attitude to all people on sickness benefits? Or is it personal and you think I'm lying to the Government for benefits I'm not entitled to?
I don't know, I'm asking aren't I?If you Answer my question then I can answer yours can't I? Why won't you answer the question Stu? Is it because you'll look like a t**t either way? What makes you think that dodging the question makes you look any less of a t**t? You're a t**t no matter what you do. I'd just like to know what kind of t**t you are.
