Government policies that should be reversed

It's easy to "misunderstand" the reason for HS2 because it's proponents keep advancing different reasons for its necessity to keep this vanity project going.

The currently quoted costs of over £50 billion are based on 2011 castings and like all quoted government schemes will vastly overrun.

We are ploughing ahead with this whilst other European countries which are more suited to rail travel and freight movement by rail cut back on their schemes.

Our costs per km of track is more than 10 x other European countries and is not value for money.

More capacity is needed for rail travellers but the real pressure is on local and regional services.

Freight capacity could be much increased if there was the demand.We don't have the rail heads and road infrastructure to deliver to the end consumers.

This type of distribution network might suit the continent of Europe,but the U.K. Is a relatively small land mass without the need to move bulk loads by rail.

By all means spend a budget to improve our rail services,but this Vanity project is already causing the postponement or cancellation of much needed improvements in the norton England.

It stops people being forced to buy an annuity when the market is low and it's not the best option for them.

Its gives the economy a boost, and some tax for HMRC, when things are really tight and there is talk of a crash in housing and confidence.

Its gives the economy a boost, and some tax for HMRC, when things are really tight and there is talk of a crash in housing and confidence.

The increased spending power does benefit today's economy and HMRC as you say,and also of course the circling sharks eager to get a portion of this cash injection.

I agree that at the moment long term savings and annuity rates are abject and falling behind inflation.

But it is still totally at odds with the aspiration of having a reasonably funded retirement.

Perhaps using it to pay off debt such as a mortgage could make sense,but not to fund a cruise to the Caribbean.

That's just living for today and to hell with tomorrow.

But it is still totally at odds with the aspiration of having a reasonably funded retirement.

Perhaps using it to pay off debt such as a mortgage could make sense,but not to fund a cruise to the Caribbean.

That's just living for today and to hell with tomorrow.

Myself and a few friends are around 55 and getting a pension cash sum from being able to access our pension.

But people are paying off debt and treating themselves. People at the age of 55 should be mature enough to make a wise decision. But having assets in old age is not always a good thing if you want your children to inherit.

As reported in today’s Daily Express,there are now concerns about the amount that the population has taken from their pension pots,since this freedom was introduced.

How predictable was that.

It may suit a few with the wealth to fund their old age irrespective of their private pensions but it was always going to appeal to those with a live for today outlook.

It may suit a few with the wealth to fund their old age irrespective of their private pensions but it was always going to appeal to those with a live for today outlook.

I think Osborns thinking was that people that voluntarily contribute to a private pension are not the 'live for today' types.

Maybe austerity and the WASPI women are forcing people into cashing in their pension.

As reported in today’s Daily Express,there are now concerns about the amount that the population has taken from their pension pots,since this freedom was introduced.

How predictable was that.

It may suit a few with the wealth to fund their old age irrespective of their private pensions but it was always going to appeal to those with a live for today outlook.

Why was it fair that an insurance company would be able to take your pension pot.give you a pittance from it every month and then,when you pop your clogs, keep the rest? In what world is that equitable?

"The Moneyfacts data showed average annual standard level without guarantee annuity income for an individual aged 65 increased by 0.6 percent from £473 in April 2018 to £476 in July 2018 for a £10,000 pension pot, and by 1.2 per cent from £2,594 to £2,626 for a £50,000 pension pot."

So for every 10k you give to an insurance co. you'd get back £473 a year..you only start gaining if you live for 20+ years after you take the annuity out..

Edit - realised I've already responded to the OP.

No , Brexit is a result of both Labour and Tory governments ignoring the public`s objections to mass immigration .

Well yes, but this particular threads about THE government, not AND the opposition

No , Brexit is a result of both Labour and Tory governments ignoring the public`s objections to mass immigration .

The only problem with immigration was our own governments complete incompetance in dealing with it.

That it became a problem at all is entirely down to UK government policy.

The only problem with immigration was our own governments complete incompetence in dealing with it.

That it became a problem at all is entirely down to UK government policy.

The majority of our MPs see immigration as a positive, we elected those MPs.

Why was it fair that an insurance company would be able to take your pension pot.give you a pittance from it every month and then,when you pop your clogs, keep the rest? In what world is that equitable?

 

"The Moneyfacts data showed average annual standard level without guarantee annuity income for an individual aged 65 increased by 0.6 percent from £473 in April 2018 to £476 in July 2018 for a £10,000 pension pot, and by 1.2 per cent from £2,594 to £2,626 for a £50,000 pension pot."

 

So for every 10k you give to an insurance co. you'd get back £473 a year..you only start gaining if you live for 20+ years after you take the annuity out..

It’s a decision that everyone needs to think through,without having knowledge of the most vital factor ....age at death.

Unfortunately ,with the demise of final salary schemes and historically low interest rates there is a growing issue of people not being able to provide for their old age.

Personally I am prepared to risk losing some capital,knowing that my wife and I have a liveable income for the rest of our lives.

We can live quite happily without changing the car every year or going on a world cruise.