Mess of a country but one of the reasons I can't say in this thread
The problem with renationalisation of the energy companies is that they are merely suppliers, so after we have spent the billions buying the companies and compensating their shareholders we would still have to spend tens if not hundreds of billions buying fuel at the same market value.
Why spend all that money buying fossils fuels long term to alleviate a short term crisis when you could spend that money investing in clean & green technology
Angela Rayner has been appointed as the shadow levelling up secretary by Keir Starmer.
They put a positive spin on the move by saying it's a more high profile job from Keir Starmer's deputy.
Is it a promotion or a demotion?
Putting the right people in the right positions in either cabinet or shadow cabinet is important imo for the message it sends.
Reshuffles can often be deemed musical chairs where the faces change but the fundamentals of competence do not.
In this instance though I rather think Starmer has made a disastrous error of judgement in demoting Lisa Nandy from a role she was perfectly suited for as Levelling Up SOS.
Angela Rayner, bless her, has the articulation levels of a brick. Nandy is a far more effective communicator who gives the impression to me at least that she understands the issues people and local communities are battling with every single day.
Starmer is guilty of the same thing Sunak has been. Old pals act party leadership.
Promoting cronies and demoting those who actually seem to get it.
Very disappointing.
Gillian Keegan......oh dear
Newsnight on Birmingham City Council Section 114 notice
Mark Drakeford has announced he is to stand down as Leader of the Labour party in Wales and First Minister of the Senedd.
Always struck me as quite a decent fellow actually. Dedicated to public service even given the sad passing of his late wife.
Best wishes to him.
It will be intreresting who his successor will be, Wales will be a key battleground in the election methinks
The Scottish Government has announced the income tax rates and bands for Scottish income tax payers, they are as follows.
2024-25
Band
Rate
Starter
£12,571 - £14,876
19%
Basic
£14,877 - £26,561
20%
Intermediate
£26,562 - £43,662
21%
Higher
£43,663 - £75,000
42%
Advanced
£75,001 - £125,140*
45%
Top
Above £125,140
48%
https://www.gov.scot/news/income-tax-to-...8-billion/
Quite a jump percentage - wise from Intermediate to Higher
Would they be in line with rest of UK?