Latest UK budget cuts

[Imran Siddiqui]

It seems to me like cutting the social welfare/state pension stuff would sort of solve the budget problem but they went for defense and police first? Maybe it's the American in me but that seems backwards. Shouldn't basic government services come BEFORE handouts? Just sayin'

This is mind-bogglingly stupid.

Protip: "handouts" aren't welfare-destroying government services in the way a useless hunk of floating iron is.

QFT

Defense is the first thing that should be cut.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Why is the NHS the only thing spared in a budget that is loaded with austerity measures?

It isn't the only thing. See rant on public sector pensions.

[MikeH]

Because it is extremely popular and they know they'd be out of office in a heart beat if they touched it? Duh.

[MikeH]

It isn't the only thing. See rant on public sector pensions.

And I'm sure this has nothing to do with the fact that people nearing retirement age is a massive voting block. And one which is a key part of the Tory majority in a lot of marginal seats.

[Jon Miller]

My understanding is that they are still building the CVs because if they didn't build them it would cost as much as it costs to build them.

JM

[MikeH]

The first one is virtually finished, and the contracts are quite tightly written.

But they could have cancelled the second carrier and maintained the harrier squadrons from the current carriers and fly them off the Queen Elizabeth II which I think was the original plan. I think there's also concern about job losses if they cancel the second carrier. Not sure if they care about that but the shipyard workers do.

[C0ckney]

pretty good overall. shame the NHS has been spared, but that was expected. of course it's worth remembering that these cuts are being made because the last lot left the country without a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of...

[Dinner]

That was the second time in as many days that you have given one of my posts a thumbs up. If you keep this up you're going to lose all of your street cred.

[MikeH]

It was the second time (ever) that you've made a sensible post. I'm as shocked as you.

[Dinner]

[MikeH]