In the news

It's the way the government wants it (and the donors, media barons + whoever else pulling the strings behind) - the journos have to be their pals or they won't get the 'scoop' that's been leaked to everyone else in the loop at 6pm Sunday night.

https://youtu.be/aGIYU2Xznb4

It's like that scene from Freddy Got Fingered

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/sep/07/boris-johnson-unveils-12bn-a-year-tax-rise-to-pay-for-nhs-and-social-care

1.25% more on dividends, 1.25% more on "NI" which is also applied to working people over the pension age (almost no one?). It seems like the 1.25% does not apply on top of the 2% band too? Edit: it applies to both bands - good.

Pension income is the only type of income they haven't taxed. That's extraordinarily cheeky. The only way that can be justified is if they're going to sack off the triple lock surely.

And a regressive cap system on the care fees so those in the middle hand most of their assets over to the government whilst the wealthiest families get to keep most of it

Pension income is the only type of income they haven't taxed. That's extraordinarily cheeky.

I know its not strictly related, but it strikes me that they don't seem fussed about sorting out the multi trillion pound pension shortfall either.

At this rate, we might not have a state pension as we know it in the future.

we might not have a state pension

Looking forward to my £10/week that I'll get when I turn 95.

Triple lock is toast and another manifesto pledge broken

Yep, there goes the triple lock. Earnings element scrapped for this year.

Howling cunt Lords

Are people actually upset about pensions going up by, at minimum, 2.5% instead of > 8%?

Makes sense to me given exceptional circumstances of Covid. Just say 'not this year'.

i didn't need reminding of that film

/goes off to buy a value pack of sausages

All those cyberpunk novels I read were white power propaganda eh?

There you go;

https://www.republic.org.uk/

I’ve been a member for about 5 years

Bloke drives a car along railway tracks, abandons it and flees, and leaves his phone in the car.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/sep/07/man-jailed-for-driving-a-car-half-a-mile-on-railway-track-in-birmingham

Why am I not surprised Gavin Williamson can’t tell the difference between Marcus Rashford and Maro Itoje…

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/gavin-williamson-interview-education-b954132.html

And trust the Standard to hide that rather informative nugget more than half way down: "Many of his critics have been high profile, including Marcus Rashford who called for an urgent review of free school meals. Has he met the footballer? “We met over Zoom and he seemed incredibly engaged, compassionate and charming but then he had to shoot off. I didn’t want to be the one that was holding him back from his training.” Williamson goes on to talk about how at one stage during the pandemic he was scouring the globe for laptops to give to children who were falling behind. Later Williamson’s team tell me he actually met the rugby player Maro Itoje, who campaigned to bridge the digital divide, not Rashford. Rashford’s spokesperson confirms that he has never had any direct communication with Williamson, although the minister did have a call with Itoje about equal access to education during the pandemic."

Reminds me of the time someone on the forum insisted that I was Corny at forum drinks and that I in fact was just trying to wind them up by denying it. Have never been so appalled and impressed at the same time. Top 5 forum moment for me.

At least you weren't mistaken for that Tibbs bloke

I don’t think it’s realistic that we’ll abolish the monarchy if I’m being honest. I’d rather they just stopped behaving like the shower of entitled cunts they are. And being venerated by this country’s bootlicking society.

Look, you have an identity crisis. I would have argued this point when you came to my home, but I wanted the muffin.

😬

Nah we need a good uprising, pillage the crown jewels and see how "priceless" they actually are.

or just give them back to wherever they pilfered them from.

India.

Very good point