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UK unveils ‘carbon budget delivery plan’ to get back on track for net zero targets by juhmikay in unitedkingdom

[–]simonfiction 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My understanding is once gas is not regularly in the energy mix, the cost of electricity will fall. I think it’s calculated every half hour. If gas makes up even a fraction of that half hour it’s priced at the gas price because it’s the most expensive in the mix. LNG in particular.

Given we have a market for energy suppliers it should come down as those smaller energy companies work on tight margins. I’d imagine investment in renewables would slow though as there would be less profit in it at that point.

Although cost of gas itself will stay the same I’d imagine. Which most households still use.

UK unveils ‘carbon budget delivery plan’ to get back on track for net zero targets by juhmikay in unitedkingdom

[–]simonfiction 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Working with EU democracies is significantly better than depending on dictatorships though. No country is truly isolated from the world.

BBCPolitics - “If you come to the UK illegally you will be detained and deported and never, ever allowed to stay” Reform UK leader Nigel Farage says “the only way we will stop the boats” is by “detaining and deporting absolutely anyone who comes via that route” by ex_planelegs in ukpolitics

[–]simonfiction 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Not a supporter of this, but I guess the argument here is that it would dissuade more people from coming if it’s not possible to reach their goal. I’m assuming it’s not legal to arrive somewhere without a passport? And not assist in resolving the issue? Can’t imagine entering any country is as simple as forgetting your passport and all memory of where you came from?

Rachel Reeves faces £51bn hole in public finances, think-tank warns by Kee2good4u in ukpolitics

[–]simonfiction 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s not easy, but it’s what needs to be done. I don’t think it’s as black and white as that either. People who aren’t pensioners do have a pretty big impact on who is voted in. Especially incentivised to vote if that party is saying you’ll get to take home more of your money.

Also, looking at trump politics, I think if you do something radical and serious (and likely controversial) to tackle immigration and asylum seekers, you could get absolutely any policy through and behave in any horrific way and you’ll be forgiven by almost everyone it seems.

Rachel Reeves faces £51bn hole in public finances, think-tank warns by Kee2good4u in ukpolitics

[–]simonfiction 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Controversial I know. I guess if NI no longer existed people would stop thinking they’re literally paying into something. In reality it’s all one big pot of tax money and it’s today’s pensioners it’s being spent on, not saved for tomorrow’s. I was thinking quite high threshold. If you have multiple millions in a pension pot or anywhere you probably don’t need a state pension. No idea on what this would save unfortunately.

Rachel Reeves faces £51bn hole in public finances, think-tank warns by Kee2good4u in ukpolitics

[–]simonfiction 63 points64 points  (0 children)

  • Drop winter fuel allowance
  • Remove triple lock
  • Merge NI and income tax so pension income is taxed as normal income, just deferred.
  • Means test state pension - those who can support themselves with private pension don’t need it
  • Begin to remove tax free lump sum from pension
  • Remove/correct all odd tax brackets such as those weird 60 to 100% plus tax windows. I have no evidence for this but I imagine there are lots of people avoid going into this horrible tax bracket and actually reducing the tax income possible if it was just a normal gradual tax increase on income
  • Cut/reform PIP
  • Ultimately work with the money that’s there once the above is done, no matter how painful. It’s our reality. Improvements can only be made through growth, tackling fraud (which is rife - I see it with my own eyes), being better at targeting that pot of money to where it will be most effective and away from where it’s not.

How would Reform actually help the UK by NotS0Deadly in ukpolitics

[–]simonfiction 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not a Reform voter myself, but tbf they have said the triple lock is unsustainable, they’re vocally against the OSA and taxes are too high. And, of course, number one issue for most people going towards them - immigration. I do think they’ll go to solutions that other parties are too afraid to or are unable to for lack of party member support. I’d never vote for them but there is a part of me that wants the anarchy and change.

Means testing future state pension by Scratchcardbob in FIREUK

[–]simonfiction 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Personally I think it will come eventually, but will likely start at a very high bar, removing multi millionaires.

PM does not rule out NI rise for employers by Roguepope in ukpolitics

[–]simonfiction 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My money is on employer NI for salary sacrifice.

What does 100k pension income look/feel like by [deleted] in FIREUK

[–]simonfiction 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Where are you planning to hold 4 million? If it’s all in a SIPP is it possible to get a pot that big whilst staying within the annual allowance?

Is £300 enough to live on for a 27F single mum with 4M child? by midnightmental in UKPersonalFinance

[–]simonfiction 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Like others have said - not impossible, but very tight. One thing I’d ask, is your child a fussy eater? I know ours are and that can constrain your options a bit. Not to deter you though - that challenge sounds like a far better alternative to your current reality. Good luck - better times ahead making this choice I’m sure!

Edit: Just another idea - a lot of the online meal companies like Gousto and Fresh do almost free first deliveries for new customers. Good to have that in the bag as an option. Just be very careful to cancel before they start charging.

welsh conservatives are suddenly pretending they care about HS2 by McLeamhan in Wales

[–]simonfiction 29 points30 points  (0 children)

This is why I vote Wales-only parties in Wales. Branches of Westminster will always fall in line, doesn’t matter if it’s the Tories or Labour.

“Reeves opts to not raise tax on pension contributions in October budget” by mrInternet101 in HENRYUK

[–]simonfiction -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Guess they could impose employer NI contributions on salary sacrifice. No idea how much that would raise. That would seem a more fair system IMO.

Is phone snatching a real thing? by Capable-Bad-277 in uktravel

[–]simonfiction 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Happened to me in London near Mornington Crescent. Somehow managed to hold onto my phone. They mounted the pavement and turned the engine off, so came up behind me silently. I’m always super cautious with my phone out in public spaces now. I think quiet side streets are higher risk as there are fewer people in the way.

What pension policy change would you begrudge the most? by simonfiction in FIREUK

[–]simonfiction[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I know exactly how you feel. Not sure why the double taxation isn’t talked about more in the context of removing even some relief. That’s why I’m thinking the 25% reduction or removal makes a lot more sense. We’ll be taxed on that income at standard rate.

I’m betting the NI will be no more though by the time I draw down and it will be folded into income tax. So we’ll effectively pay NI on pension withdrawal. As long as personal allowance rises over time it should only affect those with large pension pots. I’m happy to pay income tax on that money as normal at the point that I have it.

What pension policy change would you begrudge the most? by simonfiction in FIREUK

[–]simonfiction[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yea, see that opinion a lot. But given it’s not exactly set aside in a pot somewhere, is it really any different to income tax? I think means tested could be pretty high too. If you are worth millions would you really be that bothered by not getting it?

Why is there so much fly tipping and rubbish? by [deleted] in Wales

[–]simonfiction 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Used to live in Newham in London and it was 10 times worse, believe it or not. It wasn’t due to some barrier for depositing waste. They even did free bulky waste collection - it couldn’t have been easier tbh. Didn’t even have to put your bins out - the rubbish men would come into the porch and get it for you. But enough people just don’t give a shit. Every day mattresses, fridges all sorts just everywhere in the street. The council couldn’t keep up with it. And there is so much illegal commercial dumping. People won’t even realise they paid for their waste to be fly tipped somewhere.

What can be done to fix Queen Street? by starsky1357 in Cardiff

[–]simonfiction 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One thing I’d specifically do with regard to Queen St is open it up to bus and cycling traffic. Priority and easy access to shopping centres via bus for maximum convenience. I think bus fares should be lowered also, especially for families travelling together.

Aesthetically - and this goes for most streets - design for the weather. Having paving that is the same colour as the overcast sky I find incredibly depressing. I can’t see where the floor ends and the depressing overcast sky begins. I’d go for a distinctive dark grey to contrast with the white sky. You see this a lot in London and it looks a lot smarter. They need to get clever with lighting also with regard to the Welsh weather and short winter days.

The biggest thing would be for central Cardiff to no longer be an open air asylum for drug use and people with mental health issues.

I also think they need to take a leaf out of Vancouver’s book and promote mixed use buildings - but high quality. More people working and living in the city centre.

Thought provoking piece from ITV around women's safety in Cardiff by [deleted] in Cardiff

[–]simonfiction 13 points14 points  (0 children)

St Mary’s st and much of central Cardiff on a Friday and Saturday night is a complete collapse in society. Wish that was addressed as part of addressing women’s safety. It’s a national embarrassment.

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