Rachel Reeves Dodges Key Question on Living Standards Under Labour

[Social Media]

 

Sir Keir Starmer and his chancellor, Rachel Reeves, entered office with a clear promise: to increase prosperity and put more money into people’s pockets. However, months into their tenure, tangible evidence of economic improvement remains elusive. When The Times interviewed Reeves, the key question was straightforward—will people feel better off by the end of the year? Yet, it was the one query she refused to answer directly.  

 

Despite being pressed repeatedly, Reeves sidestepped the issue, eventually stating, “This is a whole parliament project to make people better off.” Her reluctance to provide a definitive answer underscores a major challenge for Labour. The party has positioned itself as a champion of economic growth and wealth creation, yet current forecasts suggest a different reality. The Office for Budget Responsibility projects that Reeves’s tax-raising budget will likely slow growth throughout this parliamentary term.  

 

Real household disposable income, the key measure of how much money people have after accounting for taxes and inflation, is expected to rise by a mere 0.5 percent annually during this period. While stronger-than-expected wage growth has offered a glimmer of hope, economists warn that this could prompt the Bank of England to maintain higher interest rates for longer, potentially limiting financial relief for households.  

 

Reeves’s hesitation in addressing whether people will feel better off this year stems from factors beyond her control. Interest rate decisions by the Bank of England, as well as global economic shifts—such as the potential for tariffs on UK imports if Donald Trump returns to the U.S. presidency—are far more likely to dictate short-term economic conditions than any immediate policy changes by Labour.  

 

On Wednesday, Reeves unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at boosting growth without placing additional strain on government finances. These include plans to expand Heathrow Airport and reform planning regulations. However, the impact of these measures will not be felt for years, perhaps even decades.  

 

Labour remains cautious about what it perceives as a critical Conservative error—making bold promises and failing to deliver. Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, has argued that this approach damaged trust in politics, a mistake Labour is determined to avoid. Consequently, Starmer and Reeves have spent much of their early tenure emphasizing the dire state of the public finances. Their message has been clear: Britain is broken, and while Labour intends to fix it, the process will take time.  

 

The party’s gamble is that by the next general election, voters will feel an improvement in their financial circumstances. However, some within the cabinet are questioning this strategy. They argue that waiting too long to deliver tangible economic benefits risks being too little, too late. As one insider put it, attempting to “fatten the pig on market day” may not be enough. With Labour’s approval ratings slipping in the polls, they may have a point.

 

Based on a report by The Times 2025-02-03

 

 

[Andycoops]

A truly desperate duo of incompetence having had many years to get it right they have shot themselves in the foot from day 1, not only with pensioners and business tax hikes but scandal after scandal just like the conservatives.

[Chomper Higgot]

The UK needs to remove the barriers placed on the UK economy by the madness of BREXIT, joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention will be a step in the right direction, rejoining the EU Customs Union a much better option to reverse the damage done.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqld2n5k733o

[JonnyF]

2 Tier Keir needs to accept his mistakes for once and remove this charlatan.

 

Rachel from accounts is doing untold damage to Britain. 

 

Although I am starting to think that is part of the plan. 

[superal]

4 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The UK needs to remove the barriers placed on the UK economy by the madness of BREXIT, joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention will be a step in the right direction, rejoining the EU Customs Union a much better option to reverse the damage done.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqld2n5k733o

Trading with Europe could be beneficial for the UK but at what cost ? fishing concessions ?  I think their is little doubt that the EC would welcome back the UK under EU rules only .  I cannot understand how Starmer can re-negotiate a new relationship with Europe when the nation voted for Brexit . Any U turn , no matter how you want to spin it , would be acting against the nations referendum .   Free movement of labour should be a no go and also any political alliance .

[Chomper Higgot]

6 minutes ago, superal said:

Trading with Europe could be beneficial for the UK but at what cost ? fishing concessions ?  I think their is little doubt that the EC would welcome back the UK under EU rules only .  I cannot understand how Starmer can re-negotiate a new relationship with Europe when the nation voted for Brexit . Any U turn , no matter how you want to spin it , would be acting against the nations referendum .   Free movement of labour should be a no go and also any political alliance .

The only thing on the BREXIT ballot was leave the EU or remain in the EU.

 

You might recall the Leave Campaign proposing a range of ‘deals’, notably the ‘Norway Model’ that would allow the UK to remain in European Economic Area while leaving the EU.

 

Any mention of such deals evaporated immediately the result was announced and the Tories went for the most damaging BREXIT they could get away with.

 

Reversing that damage is an obvious path to improving the UK economy.

 

[Bkk Brian]

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

The party’s gamble is that by the next general election, voters will feel an improvement in their financial circumstances.

Gambling with peoples lives. Bit like their odds on gamble that 4,000 old people would die this winter due to their policies.

 

Cut to winter fuel payment could kill 4,000 people, Labour’s own research suggests

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/winter-fuel-payment-cut-labour-deaths-b2609340.html

[superal]

16 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The only thing on the BREXIT ballot was leave the EU or remain in the EU.

 

You might recall the Leave Campaign proposing a range of ‘deals’, notably the ‘Norway Model’ that would allow the UK to remain in European Economic Area while leaving the EU.

 

Any mention of such deals evaporated immediately the result was announced and the Tories went for the most damaging BREXIT they could get away with.

 

Reversing that damage is an obvious path to improving the UK economy.

 

Are you advocating a return to the EU , reversing Brexit , supporting Starmers clandestine actions  ?  If he is opposing the referendum and the will of the people then maybe on a similar parallel a new general election should be approved .

What's good for the goose is good for the gander .

[Chomper Higgot]

3 minutes ago, superal said:

Are you advocating a return to the EU , reversing Brexit , supporting Starmers clandestine actions  ?  If he is opposing the referendum and the will of the people then maybe on a similar parallel a new general election should be approved .

What's good for the goose is good for the gander .

I absolutely advocate returning to the EU.

 

Starter’s moves are not clandestine, they are widely reported and widely discussed, including by Starmer and the Labour Party.

I have no expectation that returning to the EU will occur in this Parliament, but it will increasingly climb in the political discourse. It will happen once the Tories are back to their senses.

 

 

[Nick Carter icp]

38 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The only thing on the BREXIT ballot was leave the EU or remain in the EU.

 

You might recall the Leave Campaign proposing a range of ‘deals’, notably the ‘Norway Model’ that would allow the UK to remain in European Economic Area while leaving the EU.

 

Any mention of such deals evaporated immediately the result was announced and the Tories went for the most damaging BREXIT they could get away with.

 

Reversing that damage is an obvious path to improving the UK economy.

 

 

"Evaporated" is in Remainers voting against all propositions with them hoping for the Yes vote to be overturned and the UK remaining in the E.U ?

   They voted against everything and the only thing left was a hard Brexit ?

[JonnyF]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I have no expectation that returning to the EU will occur in this Parliament, but it will increasingly climb in the political discourse. It will happen once the Tories are back to their senses.

 

😄

 

No chance. 

[superal]

20 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I absolutely advocate returning to the EU.

 

Starter’s moves are not clandestine, they are widely reported and widely discussed, including by Starmer and the Labour Party.

I have no expectation that returning to the EU will occur in this Parliament, but it will increasingly climb in the political discourse. It will happen once the Tories are back to their senses.

 

 

Starmer is desperate to create growth ,at any cost or concession , as growth was his election pledge . His attempts to make UK growth are being undermined by Reeves whose badly thought out Budget actions are reducing growth . 

Sticking to the topic ,   living standards have declined for many pensioners because of the withdrawal of the WFP . Trying to appease by saying that the triple lock will enhance the pension has enraged many folks . 

Workers losing their jobs because of increased costs of N.I. etc to companies .  Not forgetting the farmers and that stupid budget inclusion could prove to be the downfall of Starmer , Reeves & Raynor .  

Given that the Labour stated that they had all their costed plans in place prior to the election , they have made zero positive gains for the nation and done sweet F.A. about the illegal immigration that is increasing under the Labour tenure . 

BTW , yesterdays latest poll shows Farage and Reform are now the most popular UK political party . 

[Seppius]

What ever Starmer does that takes us back to the EU, will be immediately reversed when Nigel Farage becomes PM at the next election

[JonnyF]

They are raising council tax now.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvge1vndmleo

 

After promising not to, obviously.

 

 

[superal]

He got elected on B/S and blatant lies . This should be taken into account , pursued in the courts to make the last election null and void . He needs to be stopped now because of the damage his party has caused in 7 months will be multiplied if he is allowed to serve his full term . 

Indeed , any such pledges made by electioneering politicians , that are compromised / not fulfilled , should be classed as perjury or treason and carry a prison sentence along with a substantial fine . 

When you consider the recent jail sentences handed out by Starmer  to folk who have only spoken about their social views , then accused of being far right  antagonists , it makes a mockery of the laws . Starmer is a dictator , with little or no care for the general public . How can he justify paying the train drivers a hefty pay raise and then taking the WFP from pensioners . It should be recognized that Starmer is doing damage to the UK and he must be relieved of his PM duties . I am not sure if the UK can be saved now . It needs a Trump type man ?

[James105]

1 hour ago, superal said:

He got elected on B/S and blatant lies . This should be taken into account , pursued in the courts to make the last election null and void . He needs to be stopped now because of the damage his party has caused in 7 months will be multiplied if he is allowed to serve his full term . 

Indeed , any such pledges made by electioneering politicians , that are compromised / not fulfilled , should be classed as perjury or treason and carry a prison sentence along with a substantial fine . 

When you consider the recent jail sentences handed out by Starmer  to folk who have only spoken about their social views , then accused of being far right  antagonists , it makes a mockery of the laws . Starmer is a dictator , with little or no care for the general public . How can he justify paying the train drivers a hefty pay raise and then taking the WFP from pensioners . It should be recognized that Starmer is doing damage to the UK and he must be relieved of his PM duties . I am not sure if the UK can be saved now . It needs a Trump type man ?

 

I'm now hearing that the payment offered to give away the Chagos islands has doubled to £18bn of UK taxpayers money.   This is what he wants to give to Mauritius now.

 

The only rational explanation at this point is that he is working for China.  It cannot just be down to his hatred for the UK and what it (used to) stand for.  I don't think there has been a more treasonous snake in charge of the UK government in history.   

[scottiejohn]

23 hours ago, Seppius said:

What ever Starmer does that takes us back to the EU, will be immediately reversed when Nigel Farage becomes PM at the next election

Knowing how turncoat 2teir  works he will commit the UK to some all binding non exit treaty.

[Will B Good]

9 minutes ago, James105 said:

 

I'm now hearing that the payment offered to give away the Chagos islands has doubled to £18bn of UK taxpayers money.   This is what he wants to give to Mauritius now.

 

The only rational explanation at this point is that he is working for China.  It cannot just be down to his hatred for the UK and what it (used to) stand for.  I don't think there has been a more treasonous snake in charge of the UK government in history.   

The discussions about the transfer of the Chagos Islands (sometimes called the Seaglass Islands in informal references) from the UK to Mauritius began under Boris Johnson’s government in 2020. However, it was Liz Truss, during her brief tenure as Prime Minister in 2022, who formally initiated diplomatic negotiations with Mauritius.

 

The most significant developments occurred under Rishi Sunak’s government in 2023, when Foreign Secretary James Cleverly publicly confirmed that the UK was negotiating the future sovereignty of the Chagos Islands with Mauritius. 

[JonnyF]

5 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Knowing how turncoat 2teir  works he will commit the UK to some all binding non exit treaty.

 

It wouldn't surprise me.

 

I'm not sure he can last much longer though, it now seems he broke Covid rules trying to get rid of that awful nasally voice.

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/starmer-voice-coach-covid-lockdown-b2691780.html

 

He demanded Johnson resign for a similar breach.

 

[James105]

30 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

The discussions about the transfer of the Chagos Islands (sometimes called the Seaglass Islands in informal references) from the UK to Mauritius began under Boris Johnson’s government in 2020. However, it was Liz Truss, during her brief tenure as Prime Minister in 2022, who formally initiated diplomatic negotiations with Mauritius.

 

The most significant developments occurred under Rishi Sunak’s government in 2023, when Foreign Secretary James Cleverly publicly confirmed that the UK was negotiating the future sovereignty of the Chagos Islands with Mauritius. 

 

Meaningless.  The Tories (as bad as they were), were not completely clueless when it came to negotiations.  This is worse than clueless as this isn't just giving them away (which would be bad enough) but to offer £18bn pounds of UK taxpayers money to do so.   If you support this kind of negotiation then perhaps you have some land we can negotiate over?  I'll let you hand it over to me and you will just have to pay me 10 million bahts to take it off your hands.  Let me know if you are interested.   

[Will B Good]

1 hour ago, James105 said:

 

Meaningless.  The Tories (as bad as they were), were not completely clueless when it came to negotiations.  This is worse than clueless as this isn't just giving them away (which would be bad enough) but to offer £18bn pounds of UK taxpayers money to do so.   If you support this kind of negotiation then perhaps you have some land we can negotiate over?  I'll let you hand it over to me and you will just have to pay me 10 million bahts to take it off your hands.  Let me know if you are interested.   

 

If I get a 99 year lease on strategically import islands that don't even belong to me I might consider it.

[JonnyF]

Growth forecast cut in half by BOE.

 

https://apnews.com/article/britain-economy-interest-rates-inflation-bank-england-cecd754e6ff0f85dd33dba65813584eb

 

Rachel from accounts and her budget for recession really taking hold.

 

[superal]

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Growth forecast cut in half by BOE.

 

https://apnews.com/article/britain-economy-interest-rates-inflation-bank-england-cecd754e6ff0f85dd33dba65813584eb

 

Rachel from accounts and her budget for recession really taking hold.

 

One UK newspaper today speculates that Starmer is considering replacing Reeves with E. Cooper . Out of the frying pan into the  fire ? Starmers muppet show cabinet are out of their depth .

[JonnyF]

25 minutes ago, superal said:

One UK newspaper today speculates that Starmer is considering replacing Reeves with E. Cooper . Out of the frying pan into the  fire ? Starmers muppet show cabinet are out of their depth .

 

Like replacing Beavis with Butthead. 

 

The whole lot of them are economically illiterate. Lammy is possibly the worst. The only man who gives away an island and a load of free money, and then goes back to renegotiate an even worse deal for Britain.