Do you want to discuss boring politics? (9 Viewers)

[MalcSB]

You said first time buyers would suffer from it, I'd suggest that at £300k+, first time buyers who can afford that are doing rather well for themselves and most are certainly not buying at that level.

I mean, I can't help it if you just spout reactionary bollocks can I?

I suppose this is reactionary bollocks.

 

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[PVA]

Unlike winter fuel allowance, bus passes and free prescriptions for pensioners.

Labour have said they have no plans to change those things.

Meanwhile the number of pensioners paying tax continues to rise under the Tories.

 

[MalcSB]

Labour have said they have no plans to change those things.

Meanwhile the number of pensioners paying tax continues to rise under the Tories.

And will do so under Labour whilst the Tories have pledged to ensure state pension is always tax free.

 

[Ashdown]

​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ Day 15: Migration​ Click here to listen to an audio recording of this reflection.​ Ruth 1.15-18 ‘Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God.’ ​ Ruth decides to cross the boundaries between Moab and Israel with Naomi, her mother-in-law. For Ruth, Naomi is the family she has, and she decides to stick with her. Their experience resonates with millions of migrants today. People move seeking security and often end up in places where they have family connections. Ruth will be considered an ‘alien’ in Israel. But even aliens were to be cared for in the community – at least that was God’s commandment. God wanted a community that would welcome foreigners who would end up in their midst. Hospitality, not hostility, was the expected approach. Once Ruth makes her decision to join Naomi in her journey to Bethlehem, Naomi becomes Ruth’s advocate and supporter. Ruth then finds the strong support of Naomi’s kinsman Boaz, too. We pray today for all migrants and asylum seekers; for those who support and welcome them; for those who set and implement policy and care.​ Look with mercy on those who flee from danger, homeless and hungry. Bless those who work to bring them relief, and inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts. Hear us, good Lord. Really FFS, ……Pete, leave it alone. Take a look at historical populations and genuine reasons for migration and then look at today…..

 

[Philosoraptor]

i am guessing the above posts are linked to this.

Amazing nothing has been said by the main parties.

I am guessing Labour will carry this on.

Anyone know?

These are the parties that are after your vote.

Edit: I tell you what let's help to get first time buyer onto the housing market first. Absolute assholes

What is a local connection? - Shelter England

If you ask for homeless help, the council checks your links to the area. Living, working or having close family there can all give you a local connection.

england.shelter.org.uk

 

[SBAndy]

FFS, the stamp duty break is for first time buyers. I didn’t invent it, nor did I invent Starmers fuck up. According to you it won’t be missed at all - so it will be no great loss.

Unlike winter fuel allowance, bus passes and free prescriptions for pensioners.

One could argue that the stamp duty relief drives house prices upward and means those who could purchase a £180k house holds out until the £300k house to get full advantage. It enables a skip of the ladder rung.

 

[MalcSB]

One could argue that the stamp duty relief drives house prices upward and means those who could purchase a £180k house holds out until the £300k house to get full advantage. It enables a skip of the ladder rung.

Highly unlikely.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Day 16: Work​ Click here to listen to an audio recording of this reflection.​

Deuteronomy 5.13-14 ‘For six days you shall labour and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord.’

The nature of work is changing. The amount of work is changing. The benefits of work are changing. Some of the change is due to technology or globalisation or migration. For a Christian, good work is more than just a way to earn a living. Good work is part of being human, finding purpose, using the gifts and time we have been given. Our next government will face complex challenges in building healthy patterns of work in our society as we face these changes: to ensure everyone receives a living wage; to find the right balance between the rights of workers and employers; to match education and training to a changing world; to ensure that good work and good patterns of rest are available to all. So, let’s pray today for wise and courageous leadership for work in our society. ​

For the right ordering of work in time of technological change: for communities that have lost traditional industries, and for their regerenation; for all expanding industries and for those creating and those seeking new jobs: Hear us, good Lord.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Another one you agree with @Marty

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Another one you agree with @Marty

From what I can see workers have few remaining rights comparable to those enjoyed by employers. You’d think that Labour would see this as an area that would have support across voters of all colours but clearly not.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

From what I can see workers have few remaining rights comparable to those enjoyed by employers. You’d think that Labour would see this as an area that would have support across voters of all colours but clearly not.

Quite

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

One could argue that the stamp duty relief drives house prices upward and means those who could purchase a £180k house holds out until the £300k house to get full advantage. It enables a skip of the ladder rung.

Of all the things driving up house prices, stamp duty is the least of our issues.

There’s something in the region of a 4.5 million house deficit in the UK. We need the equivalent of 1.5 Manchesters in houses to correct the market and that’s with 0 population growth.

Historically low interest rates, slow house building, dysfunctional planning reform, and let’s be frank, migration are all driving up demand in the housing market.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

From what I can see workers have few remaining rights comparable to those enjoyed by employers. You’d think that Labour would see this as an area that would have support across voters of all colours but clearly not.

Specifically what workers rights would you like to see strengthened?

 

[SBAndy]

Of all the things driving up house prices, stamp duty is the least of our issues.

There’s something in the region of a 4.5 million house deficit in the UK. We need the equivalent of 1.5 Manchesters in houses to correct the market and that’s with 0 population growth.

Historically low interest rates, slow house building, dysfunctional planning reform, and let’s be frank, migration are all driving up demand in the housing market.

Don’t disagree and didn’t suggest that stamp duty was the only contributor, but it definitely has an inflationary impact.

 

[PVA]

From what I can see workers have few remaining rights comparable to those enjoyed by employers. You’d think that Labour would see this as an area that would have support across voters of all colours but clearly not.

Labour have said they will improve workers rights.

Tories of course decided this was something worth mocking!

 

[Deleted member 5849]

Don’t disagree and didn’t suggest that stamp duty was the only contributor, but it definitely has an inflationary impact.

I'd also suggest that an increase in the threshold is to cushion house builders who look for profit per square metre rather than what's needed. Maybe if instead of estates of three, four, five bed detached houses we started building some two bed terrace, and three bed semis we might actually end up with a decent supply for first time buyers, and therefore fairer prices that didn't need any threshold manipulation.

 

[Grendel]

Labour have said they will improve workers rights.

Tories of course decided this was something worth mocking!

What rights are they specifically promising to improve?

 

[clint van damme]

Of all the things driving up house prices, stamp duty is the least of our issues.

There’s something in the region of a 4.5 million house deficit in the UK. We need the equivalent of 1.5 Manchesters in houses to correct the market and that’s with 0 population growth.

Historically low interest rates, slow house building, dysfunctional planning reform, and let’s be frank, migration are all driving up demand in the housing market.

Letting agencies snapping up properties is a huge issue.
I mentioned it earlier in the thread but developers selling large blocs of new developments to letting agencies who then rent them out for more than the cost of a mortgage on them needs to be looked at.

 

[Nick]

Average house price for a home bought with a mortgage in Coventry is £228,000 btw. First time buyers? £196k...

That's madness. What happened to people buying shitholes in rundown areas for their first time buy, doing it up a bit and making a nice profit and then building from there?


One of the issues is cash buyers / developers though. Was one by the old crown I was trying to buy and somebody came in with cash and it went.

Shared ownership always seems like a scam as well, no idea how that's allowed to happen.

 

[Grendel]

I'd also suggest that an increase in the threshold is to cushion house builders who look for profit per square metre rather than what's needed. Maybe if instead of estates of three, four, five bed detached houses we started building some two bed terrace, and three bed semis we might actually end up with a decent supply for first time buyers, and therefore fairer prices that didn't need any threshold manipulation.

It doesn’t work with the green belt land that builders purchase. Look at Pickford Green where around 2,000 homes will be built. There will be smaller homes but premium priced due to location.

 

[Deleted member 5849]

What happened to people buying shitholes in rundown areas for their first time buy, doing it up a bit and making a nice profit and then building from there?

You not seen Homes Under the Hammer? It's all people from London with a nice wedge who snap them up!

 

[Nick]

Letting agencies snapping up properties is a huge issue.
I mentioned it earlier in the thread but developers selling large blocs of new developments to letting agencies who then rent them out for more than the cost of a mortgage on them needs to be looked at.

Yeah it's madness.

I'm potentially going to rent mine out in a couple of years, the going rate seems mad so even doing it a bit cheaper would still be a help with wherever I move to.

Should really be some sort of cap.

 

[Deleted member 5849]

It doesn’t work with the green belt land that builders purchase. Look at Pickford Green where around 2,000 homes will be built. There will be smaller homes but premium priced due to location.

Will always happen to a degree though, but new estates have the minimum smaller homes they can get away with.

Perversely it's why when I sold mine it went for so much, it was one of only six two beds on the whole estate!

 

[Grendel]

Will always happen to a degree though, but new estates have the minimum smaller homes they can get away with.

Perversely it's why when I sold mine it went for so much, it was one of only six two beds on the whole estate!

Enjoying the benefits of a capitalist market.

Theres hope for you yet

 

[Nick]

You not seen Homes Under the Hammer? It's all people from London with a nice wedge who snap them up!

Not for a while on a sick day! Must admit I haven't looked into it too much since I moved a couple of years ago but there were a few about.

I didn't even bother looking at auctions as I didn't have the bottle but there were still a few to buy that needed a good tidy up.

It doesn't help that "some" of the younger, first time buyer generation now are a bit more fancy due to Instagram etc. They wouldn't park their financed A class merc in a shithole, let alone live there.

 

[Deleted member 5849]

Not for a while on a sick day! Must admit I haven't looked into it too much since I moved a couple of years ago but there were a few about.

I didn't even bother looking at auctions as I didn't have the bottle but there were still a few to buy that needed a good tidy up.

No. tbf I refuse to believe it's as easy as they make it look on HUtH (I'd no doubt buy the one with subsidence that made it fall down), and I suspect given the period they're dealing withh atm, some could have had the same price increase by just sitting on the property for a year and doing sod all!

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Specifically what workers rights would you like to see strengthened?

Off the top of my head:

Collective bargaining rights surrounding trade union recognition
Strengthening of the working time directive
The rights to strike not requiring a postal ballot, the removal of minimum turnout thresholds and notice periods
The probationary period by law in which employees can be dismissed at short or no notice
Zero hour contracts

Should probably not have asked a former union rep this question.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Letting agencies snapping up properties is a huge issue.
I mentioned it earlier in the thread but developers selling large blocs of new developments to letting agencies who then rent them out for more than the cost of a mortgage on them needs to be looked at.

Agree, yet the core issue is that aggregate demand is far higher than supply. The rental market is also spiralling out of control.

Realistically, can we build 500+ thousand houses per year? The answer is clearly no. It’s not just a case of Tory incompetencies because centre-left governments in Canada and NZ have tried and failed their own house building targets. These countries have similar issues to ourselves too and both liberal minded governments starting to accept immigration is too high.

There’s certainly structural supply side reforms to made. Why is the private sector so slow in building housing? Planning reform and some form of deregulation may help here. Yet, keeping the value of houses is in their vested interest too. Both Labour and Conservative are terrified of seeing housing prices tank (and or interest rates raising) when it’s a necessary correction in the market.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Labour have said they will improve workers rights.

Tories of course decided this was something worth mocking!

The package from Labour has been heavily watered down by Starmer from what I can tell. It would be a very easy win to appeal to huge swathes of the electorate, would cost nothing, and actually show Labour acting for working people.

Very surprising he has diluted it

 

[Nick]

No. tbf I refuse to believe it's as easy as they make it look on HUtH (I'd no doubt buy the one with subsidence that made it fall down), and I suspect given the period they're dealing withh atm, some could have had the same price increase by just sitting on the property for a year and doing sod all!

Yeah, I didn't fancy the gamble of an auction without having detailed reports etc.

Still, my first house was a repossession in an absolute shithole that I did up over a few years because I was determined not to rent or get a silly mortgage. Second one is in bit of a shit area, done a few little bits to it and it's worth £30k more in 2 years. Next one, either sell this and use the profit or gamble and rent it out.

It's a bit shit for people trying to get onto the first rung of the ladder but I'd take a shithole in Foleshill or Radford over trying to get a fancy new build for the first house where you own 10% of it and still pay rent as well as the mortgage. (but the house looks nicer)

 

[MalcSB]

Off the top of my head:

Collective bargaining rights surrounding trade union recognition
Strengthening of the working time directive
The rights to strike not requiring a postal ballot, the removal of minimum turnout thresholds and notice periods
The probationary period by law in which employees can be dismissed at short or no notice
Zero hour contracts

Should probably not have asked a former union rep this question.

It will be interesting to see what the unintended consequences of some of those will be.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

It will be interesting to see what the unintended consequences of some of those will be.

Every action has unintended consequences, but it's pretty clear to me that workers' rights have slowly been eroded over the last 40 years. The law requiring unions to only hold strike ballots by post with a minimum turnout threshold is something we don't do for any other kind of vote in this country.

Why is that do you think?

 

[PVA]

What rights are they specifically promising to improve?

It has pledged to ban "exploitative" zero hours contracts, end so-called "fire and rehire" practices, and introduce basic rights to parental leave, sick pay and protection from unfair dismissal from day one of employment.

It also plans to ensure the national minimum wage is a "genuine living wage", removing "discriminatory" age bands for younger earners, and has left open the door for a repeal of anti-strike laws put in place by the Conservative government.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

It has pledged to ban "exploitative" zero hours contracts, end so-called "fire and rehire" practices, and introduce basic rights to parental leave, sick pay and protection from unfair dismissal from day one of employment.

It also plans to ensure the national minimum wage is a "genuine living wage", removing "discriminatory" age bands for younger earners, and has left open the door for a repeal of anti-strike laws put in place by the Conservative government.

It shouldn't be leaving the door open for a repeal, those anti-strike laws, at least the ones passed since 2010, should be getting repealed on day one.

 

[Grendel]

Off the top of my head:

Collective bargaining rights surrounding trade union recognition
Strengthening of the working time directive
The rights to strike not requiring a postal ballot, the removal of minimum turnout thresholds and notice periods
The probationary period by law in which employees can be dismissed at short or no notice
Zero hour contracts

Should probably not have asked a former union rep this question.

What would you replace the probationary period rules with? I’m not sure if it’s the two year thing or 3 months in a contract tbh