Whos Watching the spending review?

[John Dory]

Lots of waffle but ultimately, nothing.

 

We need a massive, massive change in our approach and we aren't even close today.

 

 

What do we need to change?

[chem1st]

Watched the whole thing from start to finish. I think Osborne's speeches at the beginning and end were excellent.

 

Health and education spending to rise - one would hope that efficiency and value for money will increase too.

 

As a low income family with 3 children I feel reassured; for example because the child element of tax credits is to rise a little. Overall I think it seems very fair. I was happy to accept the freeze in Child Benefit but the small tax credit rise makes up for some of what will be lost there.

 

The only area where I have slight concerns is defence - but have to admit that's only because I don't really understand it all enough or have a strong opinion one way or the other.

 

Your working tax credit will be frozen for three years. The childcare element of it will be cut by 12.5%. Working hours required will be upped to 24 hours.

[Campanula]

Your working tax credit will be frozen for three years. The childcare element of it will be cut by 12.5%. Working hours required will be upped to 24 hours.

 

Did he not also say there would be an increase of £30 (per annum?) over inflation? The childcare element does not apply to us because we don't pay a childcare provider but I can imagine that cut will hit some people hard. 12.5% of a £1200 a month bill (which ours was at one point) is quite a lot to have to absorb!

 

EDIT - here's the bit I meant... * The child element of the Child Tax Credit will be increased by £30 in 2011/12 and £50 in 2012/13 above indexation, meaning annual increases of £180 and then £110 above the level promised by Labour

[Vague_Boy]

Those history-making budget "cuts" in full:

 

Total public spending 2008/9 £621bn

2009/10 £669bn

2010/11 £697bn

2014/15 £740bn.

 

The Greeks are probably peeing themselves right about now.

 

As Terry Thomas would say, "what a shower, what an absolute shower!"

[chem1st]

Did he not also say there would be an increase of £30 (per annum?) over inflation? The childcare element does not apply to us because we don't pay a childcare provider but I can imagine that cut will hit some people hard. 12.5% of a £1200 a month bill (which ours was at one point) is quite a lot to have to absorb!

 

EDIT - here's the bit I meant... * The child element of the Child Tax Credit will be increased by £30 in 2011/12 and £50 in 2012/13 above indexation, meaning annual increases of £180 and then £110 above the level promised by Labour

 

So the £1200 element will be reduced to £1050.

The other element will increase by £30 to ? and £50(+£20?) to?.

 

So -£120 in 2011/12 and £-100 in 2012/13...

 

STAY AT HOME MOTHERS

Previously a stereotype, now it is an order.

[Campanula]

£1200 is a very large childcare bill. But people with 3 preschool age children who both work would have a monthly bill like that. Previously I think Tax Credits paid up to 85% of the childcare costs so obviously depending on the size of a household's overall income and their childcare bill it will affect people differently.

[HeadingNorth]

I see they've agreed to increase the NHS budget. That should play well with all the posters who've spent the last few months telling us that the Tories intend to destroy the NHS. (Has anyone seen those guys yet today?)