Budget backlash - Somebody's telling porkies.

Gordon Brown's budget has gone down well hasn't it? (like a lead balloon.) This time I feel that I will have to side with most of my disgruntled friends, family, colleagues and fellow students on this!

Does he think we are all stupid? Watching his broadcast on television really made me feel as though I am being treated like a moron.

"Income tax at its lowest rate for 75 years."

What about people on lower incomes? The starting rate of 10 pence has been binned! The Independent have said that with the announcement "Brown opens the way for an early election".

I think that the Independent are completely on the money- this budget has been Browns worst, and clearly is centered around his desire for an early election.

In an earlier post I spoke about Brown being aware of social division existing between the rich and the poor in Britain. I am amazed that Brown's budget appears to ignore that particular issue, in fact, its almost as though it has been erased from his agenda completely.

The great divide

Is the wealthy/poor divide becoming greater? I think so. We cannot really ignore this issue in our society for much longer. It has also thankfully been brought to the focus of Gordon Brown, this week.(See The Observer) Not before time however.

The UK is home to some of Europe's most impoverished, Wales for instance, has an extremely low economic status. It is one of the poorest countries in the EU. Something which I am aware of from living in the North of the country during many of its recent economic crisis's, foot and mouth, BSE and low spending power are some of the many key problems which plague rural areas. However the gap seems to be widening the most in London, where it is claimed that the rich are becoming richer, and the poor remain poor.

I think that is an accurate picture. Whilst travelling the underground during the early hours I seem to be seeing more and more wealthy city workers on a daily basis, but the same faces of the homeless, who sit nearby huddled in their cardboard homes, jostled out of the way by growing armies of y.u.p.p.i.e.s.

But how can the balance be re-addressed?
If I had the answer to this I think I would be working in politics. So I'll just ask the questions.

What does everyone else think? How can we prevent more and more of the UK's poorest people being pushed aside by the grossly over-paid, yet promote entrepunerism? I hope someone at Westminster will come up something soon, before there are huge social repercussions from the frightening division of class that we are experiencing in our society.

Plight of public secror

I'm expecting that angry mobs of disgruntled nurses will soon be launching protests at Westminster shortly. They are reportedly one of many the public sector workers due to receive low pay rises this year, including doctors who will receive a 0% rise and dentists who will, like the nurses receive 2%. The figure is bellow the rate of inflation, which will make living costs harder to meet . Comparisons are now being drawn in the headlines between the forces, whom are due to receive the highest pay rise. I don't see this as a very fair comparison however, as both professions are worlds apart.

Although the pay rise for the nurses is an abomination for those struggling hardest to make ends meet, our armed forces are risking their lives serving in an overstretched military , with insufficient equipment in most cases. I think that they deserve their pay increase. It is a pity that nursing staff have not also received adequate reward for their hard work.

If industrial action does take place I hope those in Westminster will take note. Britain cannot afford to lose such diligent and hard-working members of its workforce without it costing greatly. This issue should also be at the focus of the general public, instead of mundane dilemmas such as school catchment areas.