Yeah I don’t think Hancock will get quite as much flak for years afterwards somehow. One can only guess why.
Off Topic The Politics Thread
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Yeah I don’t think Hancock will get quite as much flak for years afterwards somehow. One can only guess why.
My guess is because Hancock was guilty of massaging figures to give a good look. Politicians do it all the time. Diane Abbott demonstrated what we all suspected. She's thick.
you can see why the politicians are so trusted
General election 2019: Tory and Labour spending plans 'not credible' - IFS
Neither the Conservatives nor Labour are offering "credible" spending plans ahead of the general election, an influential research group has said.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said it was "highly likely" the Tories would end up spending more than their manifesto pledges.
Labour, it warned, would be unable to deliver its spending increases as it has promised.
Neither party was being "honest" with voters, IFS director Paul Johnson said.
The Liberal Democrats' manifesto, he said, would involve lower levels of borrowing than under Labour or the Conservatives, but would still be seen as "radical" in "most periods".
However, he added that, given the uncertainty around Brexit, it was difficult to determine what the exact effects of the three parties' offers would be.
Labour, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems have all published their manifestos, including spending and taxation plans, ahead of the 12 December general election.
The Lib Dems say stopping Brexit would deliver an extra £10bn a year for public services - they also want to increase all income tax rates by 1% to fund more NHS spending.
The Conservatives have pledged to postpone a scheduled corporation tax cut - from 19% to 17% - to increase spending on public services.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
IFS: 'The choice could not be clearer' for voters
Paul Johnson said that, under Tory plans, spending on public services apart from healthcare would still be 14% lower by 2023/24 than it was in 2010/11.
Despite this, he said the Conservatives were continuing to "pretend that tax rises will never be needed to secure decent public services" - and said a pledge from the party not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT over the next five years was "ill-advised".
"It is highly likely that the Conservatives would end up spending more than their manifesto implies, and thus taxing or borrowing more," he added.
Labour pledge criticised
Mr Johnson also said it was "highly likely" Labour would need to raise taxes beyond what it is promising to pay for its proposed £80bn a year in extra spending.
He said it was "clearly not the case" the party's plans would see taxes rise for only the richest 5% of taxpayers.
The IFS said Labour plans to scrap a tax break for married couples and change taxes on company dividends would affect people outside this earnings bracket.
It also argued the party's planned rise in corporation tax would be passed on to workers in the form of lower wages, and to consumers in the form of higher prices.
"In reality, a change in the scale and the scope of the state that they propose would require more broad-based tax increases at some point," Mr Johnson added.
It's a plague on all your houses - but for very different reasons.
The main criticism of Labour is that its spending on investment is just so big, it wouldn't be able to deliver it.
The IFS also says it is highly likely the party's tax rises would impact, directly or indirectly, on more than just the top 5% of earners.
There's no respite for the Conservatives though - particularly on their pledge not to extend the transition period included in the PM's Brexit deal beyond 2020, even if a trade deal has not been agreed.
The idea that the UK might have to trade on World Trade Organisation terms is seen by these economists as something which would be highly damaging to the economy.
It says this could cause an increase in the deficit of the same order, potentially even higher, than would be caused by Labour's tax and spending plans.
Paul Johnson also said a Labour manifesto pledge to abolish poverty for people in work over the next five years was "not achievable", and a plan to scrap the universal credit benefits payment scheme would be "expensive, disruptive and unnecessary".
He criticised the party's promise to pay compensation to more than three million women affected by an accelerated rise in the state pension age.
Mr Johnson said there may be scope for "much more limited compensation", but the group was "relatively well off on average".
He also criticised the Tories for failing to "come up with any kind of plan or any kind of money for social care".
A promise that nobody would have to sell their house to pay for care "would appear to be little more than an uncosted aspiration", he added.
How have the parties responded?
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party's manifesto was "bold", "ambitious", "prepared for" and had been fully costed.
He said he was "very confident" it would improve the "lifestyle and life chances" of the poorest people in the UK.
Conservative leader Boris Johnson said his party's manifesto had made "very substantial commitments," but also insisted it was "fully costed".
He added that Labour's spending plans followed an "out-and-out socialist approach" that would "push up taxes massively".
Lib Dem deputy leader Sir Ed Davey said the IFS assessment "shows that neither the Tories or Labour have a credible plan for the economy".
"Both are failing to come clean with the electorate and ignoring the Brexit black hole their plans would leave in the public finances," he added.
General election 2019: Tory and Labour spending plans 'not credible' - IFS
- 1 hour ago
- 4154 comments
Neither the Conservatives nor Labour are offering "credible" spending plans ahead of the general election, an influential research group has said.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said it was "highly likely" the Tories would end up spending more than their manifesto pledges.
Labour, it warned, would be unable to deliver its spending increases as it has promised.
Neither party was being "honest" with voters, IFS director Paul Johnson said.
The Liberal Democrats' manifesto, he said, would involve lower levels of borrowing than under Labour or the Conservatives, but would still be seen as "radical" in "most periods".
However, he added that, given the uncertainty around Brexit, it was difficult to determine what the exact effects of the three parties' offers would be.
Labour, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems have all published their manifestos, including spending and taxation plans, ahead of the 12 December general election.
- The 13 key policies in the Conservative manifesto
- What are the 12 key policies in the Labour manifesto?
- 12 key policies in the Liberal Democrat manifesto
- How do election spending plans compare?
The Lib Dems say stopping Brexit would deliver an extra £10bn a year for public services - they also want to increase all income tax rates by 1% to fund more NHS spending.
The Conservatives have pledged to postpone a scheduled corporation tax cut - from 19% to 17% - to increase spending on public services.
You must log in or register to see images
Media playback is unsupported on your device
IFS: 'The choice could not be clearer' for voters
Paul Johnson said that, under Tory plans, spending on public services apart from healthcare would still be 14% lower by 2023/24 than it was in 2010/11.
Despite this, he said the Conservatives were continuing to "pretend that tax rises will never be needed to secure decent public services" - and said a pledge from the party not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT over the next five years was "ill-advised".
"It is highly likely that the Conservatives would end up spending more than their manifesto implies, and thus taxing or borrowing more," he added.
Labour pledge criticised
Mr Johnson also said it was "highly likely" Labour would need to raise taxes beyond what it is promising to pay for its proposed £80bn a year in extra spending.
He said it was "clearly not the case" the party's plans would see taxes rise for only the richest 5% of taxpayers.
The IFS said Labour plans to scrap a tax break for married couples and change taxes on company dividends would affect people outside this earnings bracket.
It also argued the party's planned rise in corporation tax would be passed on to workers in the form of lower wages, and to consumers in the form of higher prices.
"In reality, a change in the scale and the scope of the state that they propose would require more broad-based tax increases at some point," Mr Johnson added.
You must log in or register to see images
You must log in or register to see images
It's a plague on all your houses - but for very different reasons.
The main criticism of Labour is that its spending on investment is just so big, it wouldn't be able to deliver it.
The IFS also says it is highly likely the party's tax rises would impact, directly or indirectly, on more than just the top 5% of earners.
There's no respite for the Conservatives though - particularly on their pledge not to extend the transition period included in the PM's Brexit deal beyond 2020, even if a trade deal has not been agreed.
The idea that the UK might have to trade on World Trade Organisation terms is seen by these economists as something which would be highly damaging to the economy.
It says this could cause an increase in the deficit of the same order, potentially even higher, than would be caused by Labour's tax and spending plans.
You must log in or register to see images
Paul Johnson also said a Labour manifesto pledge to abolish poverty for people in work over the next five years was "not achievable", and a plan to scrap the universal credit benefits payment scheme would be "expensive, disruptive and unnecessary".
He criticised the party's promise to pay compensation to more than three million women affected by an accelerated rise in the state pension age.
Mr Johnson said there may be scope for "much more limited compensation", but the group was "relatively well off on average".
He also criticised the Tories for failing to "come up with any kind of plan or any kind of money for social care".
A promise that nobody would have to sell their house to pay for care "would appear to be little more than an uncosted aspiration", he added.
How have the parties responded?
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party's manifesto was "bold", "ambitious", "prepared for" and had been fully costed.
He said he was "very confident" it would improve the "lifestyle and life chances" of the poorest people in the UK.
Conservative leader Boris Johnson said his party's manifesto had made "very substantial commitments," but also insisted it was "fully costed".
He added that Labour's spending plans followed an "out-and-out socialist approach" that would "push up taxes massively".
Lib Dem deputy leader Sir Ed Davey said the IFS assessment "shows that neither the Tories or Labour have a credible plan for the economy".
"Both are failing to come clean with the electorate and ignoring the Brexit black hole their plans would leave in the public finances," he added.
You must log in or register to see images
Borisov refuses to attend a Channel 4 debate on Climate Emergency. They put up a melting ice sculpture in his place, which has the Tories threatening to review their broadcasting remit. Clarifies again Borisov is a lying, law avoiding Coward, and the Tories clearly Bullies as well.
How does this particular event clarify that Johnson is a liar and law avoider, please?
They offered Michael Gove, an ex environment minister. Ch 4 News, which has hard left politics, refused. Tories are making a formal complaint to Ofcom
Why would he want to entertain C4?
It would have been a loaded audience. The questions would have all been against Boris. I didn't even know about this... Who watches C4 anyway!They all know they are going to lose the election and are trying anything and everything to try and discredit Boris... Fanatics last stand.
Why would he want to entertain C4?
For me, Ch 4 News has revealed it's true agenda by empty chairing the PM when they have been offered a suitable climate change alternative. Particularly serious in the run up to a GE.
Why would he want to entertain C4?
They all know they are going to lose the election and are trying anything and everything to try and discredit Boris... Fanatics last stand.
Johnson was too pissed so he sent his dad.
Andrew Neil should empty chair him too.
Latest poll is another disaster for the 'Girly Swot' who said she could be Prime Minister. More likely she'll reprise the old joke 'You can fit the Liberal Party in a Taxi'...
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Latest poll is another disaster for the 'Girly Swot' who said she could be Prime Minister. More likely she'll reprise the old joke 'You can fit the Liberal Party in a Taxi'...
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That smooth talking Chukka will be after her job. Watch this space.
Latest poll is another disaster for the 'Girly Swot' who said she could be Prime Minister. More likely she'll reprise the old joke 'You can fit the Liberal Party in a Taxi'...
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I’d prefer under a taxi.
You need to comprehend the complete buffet on offer of negative characteristics of this PM.