FrenchieNov 13, 2022
Alex Andreou

Even within austerity, Chancellor has choices: smooth curve of cuts and gradual debt reduction VS front-loading pain, to give Sunak room for a faux-mini-recovery and ‘giveaways’ before next election. Hunt plans to do the wrong thing *and in the wrong way*.

Austerity kills people. Last decade of cuts resulted in 335,000 excess deaths. Causing unnecessary misery to improve a PM’s election prospects is profoundly wicked.

https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/headline_885099_en.html

Over 300,000 ‘excess’ deaths in Great Britain attributed to UK Government austerity policies

Recent evidence has shown people across the UK are dying younger as a result of austerity, with people living in the poorest areas hardest hit. A new study published today now quantifies the scale of these deaths.

Nov 13, 2022 at 11:11amWeb
Show threadChristineNov 13, 2022
@SturdyAlex I want to see policies that properly address the growth in inequality in the UK.
Show threadAdam SutcliffeNov 13, 2022
@cocklewoman @SturdyAlex it is so obvious that no matter what they say they are still only interested in ensuring that that and their backers remain unaffected by any of the economical trauma to come which will actually kill people.
Show threadSam SwaineNov 13, 2022
@SturdyAlex makes me angry that some people will still swallow this twaddle. 12 years of mismanagement and bad decisions 😞 #itsacon
Show threadJay of the IceniNov 13, 2022
@SturdyAlex well it wouldn't be the first time that this hideous party have made unpopular fiscal decisions for purely political reasons. I very much doubt they'll follow the science on this occasion either.
Show threadAndrew Morgan 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿Nov 13, 2022

@SturdyAlex the last 12 years have been filled with fear, of what I might hear or read next, the #Tories have brought no security to the #UK, just dread and destitution.

#ToriesOut and make sure they stay out, permanently preferably.

Show threadUbiquitous PhotonNov 13, 2022

@SturdyAlex

I believe will be worse than last time. There is nothing left to cut in most services, and applying further cuts is going to mean collapse, which will have all the more negative impacts and potential deaths.

I'm not sure the markets will see this as any better a plan than the last one, either. It's not a plan that will produce growth, except by accident. Leaning into it only makes this country a less attractive investment and thus debt more expensive.

Show threadAlex AndreouNov 13, 2022
@UbiquitousPhoton I agree. :(
Show threadAnge ZANov 13, 2022
@SturdyAlex best content warning I've seen on here to date.
Show threadVicmeldrewNov 13, 2022

@SturdyAlex Sadly their dogma limits them to the tools they have to use.

Imagine the Tory speech advocating no cuts, increased spending across the public sector. And progressive as opposed to regressive taxation. Nah, won't happen.

Show threadDominicNov 13, 2022
@SturdyAlex it would be so much easier and so much more popular if they would boost the economy out of recession, instead of trying to starve it further. Don’t you think?
Show threadIngeNov 13, 2022
@SturdyAlex It didn't work last time, on the back of (until 2008) a growing economy etc. They surely know that austerity choices will do more harm than last time, it's unforgivable. The only conclusion is that they want this.....
Show threadMrsBNov 13, 2022
@SturdyAlex Should be Country first, then party...they are just out to line their own pockets and those of their cronies.
Show threadThe Salmon MousseNov 13, 2022
@SturdyAlex Spot on as always.
Show threadFay HopeNov 13, 2022

@SturdyAlex Thank you finding this article from my old Uni! Sometimes, as an individual, all I can do is sigh in despair....

https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/headline_885099_en.html

Over 300,000 ‘excess’ deaths in Great Britain attributed to UK Government austerity policies

Recent evidence has shown people across the UK are dying younger as a result of austerity, with people living in the poorest areas hardest hit. A new study published today now quantifies the scale of these deaths.

Show threadTaniaNov 13, 2022
@SturdyAlex I don’t understand the thinking, they know from experience, why would they do it again?
Show threadGraham Skeats #FBPPR🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇺🇦Nov 13, 2022
@SturdyAlex"debt reduction " is absurd. See @RichardJMurphy
Show threadBenNov 14, 2022
@GrahamSkeats @SturdyAlex @RichardJMurphy interestingly it seems this is a consensus that is accepted without asking why: why is debt reduction necessary? Even if you aren't aware of or don't believe #MMT to be true, it seems a valid question to ask.