Originally published @ 2:16 pm, Mon 3rd Jan 2011
Lib Dem in Nottingham have bewailed “two faced hypocrisy that gives politics and politicians a bad name”.
Pause.
Unbelievable.
Two-faced.
Hypocritical.
There is only one party so identified with the notion of hypocrisy in politics – the Liberal Democrats.
Making personal pledges to oppose increase in tuition fees and then backing then and pointing out the benefits is the clearest example.
Don’t take my word for it. Read the leader of the Nottingham Lib Dems –
“The Liberal Democrats went into the recent general election stating we intended to scrap tuition fees for students taking their first degree. What Nick Clegg is now arguing for is the opposite. It is a clear change from our manifesto ...”.
Of course, tomorrow’s VAT increase was clearly condemned by the Lib Dems too.
[graphic to be re-instated]
The Fabian Society's Tim Horton has pointed out, that the richest 10 per cent pay £1 in every £25 in VAT, the poorest 10 per cent pay £1 in every £7.
In many council debates, local Lib Dems were warned about the real views of their leadership.
A leader running on an economic policy he didn’t believe in anymore is another example.
The Lib Dems have plainly decided to brazen it out.
-------> Celebrating state spending whilst backing the plans to drastically cut it back.
-------> Accusing others of hypocrisy when they are most identified with it;
-------> Misrepresenting the economic crisis, claiming Britain was headed for bankruptcy, whilst they are investing in jobs – just desperate;
-------> Delivering huge distortions on the fate of pensioners.
Some examples -
“The coalition budget strikes a tough balance between putting the nations [sic] finances back in order while investing in jobs our country needs to grow.”
The most famous instance of not investing in future jobs was the Sheffield factory that was refused a loan (a loan, not a grant) to create high-value engineering to be used in power stations of the future.
Initial, independent reactions to ConDem budgets statements is that they would cost jobs.
“For thirteen years under Labour, older people saw the value if their pensions plummet.”
Not true; pensions were protected by a cost increase. We also introduced a top-up for the poorest. Plus winter fuel allowance, cold weather payments, and free transport.
Some facts concerning pensioners from January 2010.
-------> UK population – over 61 million
-------> Over 12 million (19%) over State Pension age (60 women, 65 men)
-------> Around 1.4 million people (11%) over State Pension age in employment in quarter 3 of 2009
-------> Total spending of around £96 billion on pensioners in 2009/10 – over £13 billion extra on pensioners in 2009/10 (relative to 1997)
-------> 2.0 million living in relative poverty in 2007/08 (defined as living in households below 60% contemporary median household income after housing costs)
Labour’s support for pensioners (January 2010)
Basic State Pension
-------> £95.25 – single rate (£152.30 for couples)
-------> In 2009/10, around 45% of women reaching age 60 will be entitled to a full basic State Pension. This compares with around 90% of men.
-------> £52bn - total spending forecasted for 2009/10
Additional Pension [State Second Pension (S2P)]
-------> About 23.2 million people accruing entitlement to S2P
-------> Around 11 million currently receiving Additional Pension
-------> Average entitlement of £35pw (March 09)
-------> £15bn - total spending forecasted for 2009/10 (including graduated pension)
Winter Fuel Payments
-------> In winter 2008/09 the Winter Fuel Payment helped over 12.3 million older people in around 9 million households with fuel bills.
-------> £2.7bn - total spending on pensioners forecasted for 2009/10
Pension Credit
-------> Around 3.3 million people (2.7 million households) receiving Pension Credit with weekly average award of £55.56 (as at May 2009).
-------> Standard Minimum Guarantee level: £130.00 – single rate (£198.45 – couples)
-------> Savings credit: up to £20.40 – single rate (£27.03 – couples)
-------> Around 60% of Pension Credit recipients are single women
-------> £8bn - total spending forecasted for 2009/10
Housing Benefit (HB)
-------> 1.6 million pensioners
-------> Average weekly award of £62
-------> £5.7bn – total spending on pensioners forecasted for 2009/10
Council Tax Benefit (CTB)
-------> Around 2.6 million people over 60
-------> Average weekly award of £15
-------> £2.2bn - total spending on pensioners forecasted for 2009/10
Other measures for older people
-------> Free England-wide off-peak bus travel, with similar schemes in Scotland, Wales and northern Ireland – benefiting 11 million older people
-------> Free TV Licences (for over 75s) – benefits nearly 4 million pensioner households – worth £142.50 in 2009/10.-------> Free eye tests for people aged 60 and over from April 1999
-------> Free swimming for people aged 60 and over from April 2009
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