Slashing the UK Budget Deficit - Where could, should and will the Tories cut?

From where the Tories are saying nothing, here's where they could and probably would slash costs:-

- The Argentines Threat - Urgent redeployment of the military from Iraq and Afghanistan to the Falklands. With Biden saying "Israel is our closest friend", the State Department saying, "You [the UK] are just another country" and Obama being persistently nasty to the British, this would be a"slamdunk to sell". Military in the Falklands would be a fraction of the cost than maintaining the military under fire of bullets and bombs.
- Goodbye ID Card
- Big cuts in Local Authority grants. With these gone, maybe they might not be able to afford all these jerks watching everyone on CCTV.
- A few Universities "merged" away
- Mass redundancies in the civil service
- "Reform of the House of Lords" dumping hundreds of Labour flunkies out on their ear.
- Dollar exchange reserves dumped on the market and something else bought that won't devalue.
- RUbbish stimulus stuff like sports centres closed, sold off, cancelled.
- Swingeing cuts at MI5 and MI6 - expect all sorts of leaks as disgruntled employees hit join the dole queues.
- Funding for the Arts and Sports? - Whoa-ha-ha-ha!
- Nationalised banks like Northern Rock and HBOS either dumped back on the market of sold off to anyone who wants a share.
- Of any banks fail in future, they'll probably intervene to help the depositors with the first, say, 100,000 pounds and that's it.
- Big cuts in foreign aid, particularly to countries like India and China - heck, they're drowning us in imports anyway.

Northen Rock will be broken up into smaller departments, specialising in diffrent products, then they'll be sold later on. Maybe by the end of next year.
The current goverment is optermistic about making a profit, but will most likely break even.
Funding will be cut to undeveloped countrys, no doubt about that.
Civil service will see a lot of cuts, but then again, theres a lot of 'dead wood' in council offices.
I.D. Cards are compleatly daft in my oppinion. And a right waste of cash.

Torries will probably get rid of the NHS if they can. And bring in some Insurance scheme like USA, which will hit us hard when we need 20 grand to cover a medical bill, because we couldnt get of our arse to get insurance in the first place.
Heck, there's even talk of 'Dog Licences' coming back, aswell as more insurance there to cover your pet, which will pay out when your hound bites the postman on his early morning round.

But then again, we'll probably appose a lot, because us Brits hate change. But then again, we wont do nothing about it... Other than write a letter to the news-papers whilst drinking tea and wondering whats on T.V. tonight.

Anyway, the majority are what Labour may intend on doing, - Minus the Public Sector cuts... If that happend in Wales, there would be an unbeliveable amount of people in the dole cue.

This one is an easy one to answer.

Tax credit scheme---- Scrapped - No need for it, can be managed with tax code... a whole department gone..

Streamlined local government - Get rid of all the non essential local government initiatives such as the digital inclusion unit (a unit to get those not online.. well online) who isn't online these days...

Stop councils from spending their budgets up just to get allocated the same budget next year... This is a major problem... a council has a budget to meet and if they don't spend up they don't get the same amount next year... This is the main reason for all those stupid mini roundabouts and other wastes of money!!

Encourage people to go private rather than use nhs (if someone decides to go private government will pay a % of private costs)

Decrease the amount of useless red tape and legislation that is outdated and unnecessary in a modern scocity.

Get people who can go out to work... out to work... I was made redundant... in small town in Lincolnshire at the height of the crisis... I managed to find a job... why can’t the countless scores of other people sat on benefits do the same... maybe because it would be to their detriment if they did...

The whole conservative charter will be focused on increasing the disposable income by reduction of stealth tax but reducing public spending at a greater rate.

The conservatives are not magic wielders and this will take time after all the mess Gordon Brown has made of the country is monumental... so this will be at least a 10 year slog to get us back up there.

The key thing is reducing our deficit. I am 150% confident that the Conservatives have it right and will be voting for them... if you have any hope left for the country you should do the same!!

All the best,

Korg.


[edit on 12-3-2010 by Korg Trinity]

They could increase the cost of the Page Three Girls Calender's .

Just about the only thing that people will pay More for.

Torries will probably get rid of the NHS if they can.

No way in hell this will happen. The NHS is is a British institution and it would take the Apocalypse to get "rid of the NHS".

Ditch the Middle East war and merge your forces with other EU powers to save costs

Word is that that was on the agenda of what Sarcozy and Brown were discussing today!!

Makes sense.. Costs will go down and the UK will take command alongside the French of an EU 'Defense' force.

No more wars killing young Brits and draining UK funds while receiving bitchslap after bitchslap from the Yanks..

They could increase the cost of the Page Three Girls Calender's .

I can see that causing a severe meltdown with the Northerners

1. Cut spending on middle east wars. Many argue these wars have done nothing to stop terrorism and I believe they are right.

2. Stricter immigration policies. The population is growing faster then jobs are being created. Until the job market picks significantly the current level of population growth is not sustainable without continuing high levels of unemployment. Stagnant job market + increase in people needing jobs = higher unemployment. Reducing unemployment would save money because people with a job don't need as much government assistance.

3. Foreign aid cuts. If the government needs to borrow money it's in no position to give aid to anyone. Maybe small amounts to nations who are really in bad shape but borrowing money from say China to give aid to China is pure insanity lol

David Cameron knows that he'd be lynched even for suggesting scrapping the NHS, but I could foresee...

- Big prescription charges
- Fees for second call outs for ambulances. Many trips are wasted because the disabled person needing it is out shopping, even if only at the local corner store.
- Waving goodbye to NHS dentistry
- Big cuts in NHS homeopathy
- Top up fees for smokers
- A few hospitals "slated for closure" being sold off to the private sector, like BUPA

Originally posted by 4ortunate1
1. Cut spending on middle east wars. Many argue these wars have done nothing to stop terrorism and I believe they are right.

Leaving Iraq and Afghanistan would be difficult, per se, but "reinforcing the Falklands" would do the same thing and be just dandy to the Tory voters. I could quite expect some tough abrasive talk against the Argies in the coming months from the Cabinet.

Originally posted by 4ortunate1

2. Stricter immigration policies. The population is growing faster then jobs are being created. Until the job market picks significantly the current level of population growth is not sustainable without continuing high levels of unemployment. Stagnant job market + increase in people needing jobs = higher unemployment. Reducing unemployment would save money because people with a job don't need as much government assistance.

No Tory cabinet would ever dare hint at paying people to go home, BUT I could quite see Job Centres making damn sure that there was always a prominent board displayed scheduling European jobs in Bulgaria, Rumania etc.

Originally posted by Dermo
Ditch the Middle East war and merge your forces with other EU powers to save costs

Word is that that was on the agenda of what Sarcozy and Brown were discussing today!!

Makes sense.. Costs will go down and the UK will take command alongside the French of an EU 'Defense' force.

David Cameron has already taken a beating from bring unable to hold a referendum on this new treaty that Brown signed in a back office, Sarkozy is a federalist and Cameron has already yanked the Tories out of the Christian Democrat group. Sarkozy's flogging a dead horse there to the Tories.

reply to post by aristocrat2


I hope to hell that the Tories do not get in.

What ANY Government should slash when elected should be.

Trident replacement.
Freeze the wages of the top earners in the public sector.

Originally posted by Dermo

I can see that causing a severe meltdown with the Northerners

That's because northerners buy more topless calendars??

If ever there was a statement that proved the north south divide it’s a comment like that.

I've lived all over the country and just because the dialect is different doesn't make the people any more or less intelligent!

The NHS is here to stay... But the Conservatives will give people the option to go private with a part subsidy from the NHS. You pay NI and so if you went private you should be entitled to some money towards it. This is in one of the Conservatives policies on the NHS...

Labour have the NHS all wrong... you see throwing money at a failing system doesn't fix it. What the NHS needs is less guesstimate on what’s wrong with people and more direct service. I would gladly pay to go to see my doctor if I knew I was going to get a real level of service..

The current doctor’s situation is ridicules... look at these failing to name but a few...

1. You can't book an appointment in advance.. it has to be an 'emergency' appointment on the day. when you get an appointment you have to be there 15 mins before but you are always 45 mins or more waiting to be seen.

2. You can't go to the doctors if you have a temp more than 38 (normal temp 37.4)

3. All prescription cost £7.50 regardless of what it is... majority of medicine cost way under that.

4. Incorrect diagnosis... most doctors take your temp listen to your chest then say its a virus take paracetamol.... you have no recourse of action if the Doctor gets things wrong!!

5. Antibiotics are now like gold dust... go and try and get some from your local doctors and see what I mean.. The resistance to give out anti-biotic is enormous.... down to cost rather than anything else..

6. All treatment given 90% of the time is carried out by the nurse (much lower cost) anything needing more attention you get referred to the hospital!!


Now....

If there were private doctors that were part subsidised you could...

1. book an appointment at a time that suites you rather than them.

2. no need for waiting rooms as there would be a) more doctors on higher pay and b) an appointment time booked and kept on time.. Also Doctor would come out to you if they deem you too sick to attend.

3. Prescription would be by choice, the doctor would give you a number of alternatives... the standard treatment at the cost of normal prescription or for you to pay for better drugs.

4. Doctors would have the time to focus on each case and would be held accountable for missed or misdiagnosis. Patient would have access to technology such as DNA screening / Blood testing on request etc.

5. No need to restrict the flow of anti-biotic if there is a suspected infection, as the patient would pay for them (geeze a box of amoxicillin costs like £1.30...)

6. All treatment carried out by private doctor who diagnosed. Nurse to assist as it should be!!

See what i'm getting at.... We all pay NI but the service level we all get for the money doesn't cut the mustard... I would gladly pay my NI in the full knowledge that the money I plough in would come out and back to me directly when I needed it, instead of subsidising a failing system treating loads of immigrants only to find if I need a triple bypass I'm not waiting for a year on some waiting list!!!

I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt (pun intended) that the changes to the system when the Conservatives return to power will be for everyone’s benefit.

If you have voted Labour in the past, look past the parents voted labour so I will and look into what is proposed. The Policies that will be put in place will create a system we all can be proud of again!

Take Heart - Vote Conservative!!

All the best,

Korg.

[edit on 12-3-2010 by Korg Trinity]

reply to post by Korg Trinity


You do realize this is the same party that nearly destroyed the NHS throughout the 80's and 90's? They have not fundamentally changed. One of Cameron's closest allies revealed recently that Cameroon is a lot more Conservative than he makes out. What does this mean? Massive cuts to the NHS.

I can book a Doctor's appointment in advance where i live. Antibiotics are held back to prevent resistant strains of infections multiplying. If you really need them you will get them.

The NHS is not perfect and never will be. But it is still pretty damn good. You really think the Tories will stop at subsidizing Private Doctors? They will cut where ever they can get away with.

Their ideology is 'Free-Market rules all'.

Originally posted by Peruvianmonk
reply to post by Korg Trinity

 

You do realize this is the same party that nearly destroyed the NHS throughout the 80's and 90's? They have not fundamentally changed. One of Cameron's closest allies revealed recently that Cameroon is a lot more Conservative than he makes out. What does this mean? Massive cuts to the NHS.

Could you quantify that?? It sounds to me very much like a typical wishy washy pro labour statement with nothing to back up...

And I can assure you that David Cameron is 100% Conservative and proud of it!! He wouldn't confess to be anything otherwise.

Its not massive cuts to the NHS that is proposed here... What we are talking about however is taking the load off a system that can't cope. you see we don't have extra money to invest in the NHS thanks to Mr. Browns stupendous spending sprees that have brought us to a deficit of 12.5%. The biggest Deficit in history.

So if we follow Labours vision of the country we should not cut public spending so much, we should increase our deficit then?? or what increase income tax? VAT??

What the Conservatives are likely to do is increase how much money is in your pocket by reducing the overall tax burden (mostly hidden tax on produce and service), while at the same time reducing the deficit. But you pay for what you use with a part subsidy.

What you absolutely won't see in a Conservative Government is a lets bury our heads in the sand and just borrow more and more money Labour style.

Let me ask you a question... And anyone reading this whom has a hard time with understanding our economic situation..

If you have an income of £1000 a month and an outgoing of £1200 a month and your bank offers a £500 overdraft... would you ask your bank to increase your overdraft limit 2 months in or would you look at your spending and make cuts or changes to what you spend your money on to ensure your outgoing is under £1000??

Come on people Wake Up!! Under Labour this country will be financially ruined!! Labour is literally acting as if it is an 18 year old with their first credit card!!

Follow me??

Do the right thing for our children’s future... For goodness sake!! Vote Conservative!!

All the best,

Korg.

[edit on 12-3-2010 by Korg Trinity]

reply to post by Korg Trinity


I will not be taking your advice and voting for the Tories, but thanks. I have voted for Labour in the past but will be voting for the Liberal Democrats this time around as they have actual plans about how to slash the deficit compared to the other two. And a sound Chancellor-in-waiting, Vince Cable.

Clearly Cameron has not come across as 100% Conservative. He does not want to because he is well aware that people have long memories and remember what Thatcher and Conservatism inflicted upon the country. I.e. privatize everything(Something Labour continued), turn us over to a finance orientated economy and destroy the manufacturing sector.

Yes voting for the Conservative party will protect your kids. If you earn over 50,000 a year.

Originally posted by Peruvianmonk
reply to post by Korg Trinity

 

but will be voting for the Liberal Democrats this time around as they have actual plans about how to slash the deficit compared to the other two. And a sound Chancellor-in-waiting, Vince Cable.

Two points here.

1. I respect that you are a voter... goodness knows we need all we can get with failing turn outs (though I suspect a much higher turnout than usual this time round)

2. As you well know the Liberal Democrats have had zero time and I mean not a single second in government ever, in the entire history of the commons. And I highly suspect that it will be a long long time if ever before they get to break their teeth so to speak. so why vote for this party (even though you state you agree with their policies) if there is next to zero chance they will take up the post?

Yes voting for the Conservative party will protect your kids. If you earn over 50,000 a year.

Total misconception. This concept that the Conservatives only look after the rich harks back to the days when Labour was a purely Socialist party bordering on an anti capitalist nature.

The Conservatives actually reward you for doing well, if you are doing well and are there to help people do well for themselves... The key fundamental active ingredient in that equation is you...

If you are a person who gets of your backside works hard, doesn't earn much but wants to, then goes into education to further themselves and gets a better job maybe set up a business... tell me why should that person be penalised for this??

Yet under Labour with the tax credits system in place, no matter what the lower earners do to further themselves they are never better off.

Example..

Current system..

A person who earned £12000 a year gets a tax credit to top them up to a means tested value for what the government say is a reasonable standard of living...

Now this person gets the opportunity to do some overtime.. He works hard and gets promoted.

Now he is on £15000 pa.

What happens.... the government say you are earning more so we will adjust your tax credit... he now is earning exactly the same as he did when he was on 12k with tax credit... So where is his incentive?? Where is the incentive for low earners to work harder or to educate themselves...

You see labour has snuck in under the guise of we take care of the lower earners but in reality they are creating a society of oppression that harms the lowest earners in the country..

Under the Conservatives this system will Change.

Instead of give with one hand take with the other... Income tax will change. Income tax code will be adjusted... so in reality you really will earn more under the Conservatives....

Just you will have to pay for the services you use.

This seems far fairer a system.

How would the Liberal Democrats change this?? Might be worthwhile finding out... I’m willing to bet though that they don’t have a policy on this yet...

Goto go now.

Back later though.

all the best,

Korg.

reply to post by Peruvianmonk

I would not support the Liberal Democrats for three reasons:-

1. Proportional Represenrtation leads to weak Government in which either minority groups have undue leverage or the executive branch do. Israel is under PR and it leaves the Religions Extremists calling the shots. Ireland is under PR and it has left it permanently near bankruptcy, despite having never fought in the Second World War. Similarly, the European Parliament is under PR and it allows a primadonna like the President to have MEPS's fined heavily for simply criticising him.
2. The Liberal Demaogogues want to sell Britain down the river to the undemocratic European Council of Ministers and its undemocratically elected President.
3. I have lived in Canada for 14 years now where I have experienced nearly a decade of Liberal Government where public policy is just one endless fudge and dysfunctionality.

Originally posted by Korg Trinity
That's because northerners buy more topless calendars??

You know the old Stereotypes over there..

Northerners = Working class so they are always reading the Sun.

Its never good when you have to explain it

Originally posted by Dermo

Originally posted by Korg Trinity
That's because northerners buy more topless calendars??

You know the old Stereotypes over there..

Northerners = Working class so they are always reading the Sun.

Its never good when you have to explain it

Errrr don't you mean Sunday Sport??

lol ;p

Korg