The Official Politics Thread (enter at your own risk)

[Come On You Irons]

There. Resident WHO political commentators and gurus can knock yourselves out in here and conduct your endless bickering. All other threads will be locked.

[Nutsin]

Sounds like you’re a bit defensive. Your true colours are shining through. Confirms everything Ive been saying about you. Your dirty little secret is out!

I’ll take Trump over Starmer any day of the week.

I’ll take neither thanks.

Oh back to fence sitting are we?

[Nutsin]

No more desperate for a trade deal than Trump is I would say. Who wouldn’t want a mutually beneficial deal with the fastest growing economy in the G20.
The UK economy actually grew more than the US in Q1 although that’s nothing to write home about.

As for taxation, no it hasn’t gone up. It actually went down last year. Employer contributions have gone up.
If you look at taxation + healthcare contributions as a % of GDP the U.K. is pretty much in line with the USA.

Sounds like you’re a bit defensive. Your true colours are shining through. Confirms everything Ive been saying about you. Your dirty little secret is out!

 

My dirty little secret that I can read some numbers off a graph or table? Or that I understand when taxes go down instead of up?

Yeh you got me there.

No all along you’ve been fence sitting pretending to lean right, however it’s apparent that isn’t the case. You’re just embarrassed to admit it because you know it’s a losing hand.


I got you from day one. 

[goose]

No more desperate for a trade deal than Trump is I would say. Who wouldn’t want a mutually beneficial deal with the fastest growing economy in the G20.
The UK economy actually grew more than the US in Q1 although that’s nothing to write home about.

As for taxation, no it hasn’t gone up. It actually went down last year. Employer contributions have gone up.
If you look at taxation + healthcare contributions as a % of GDP the U.K. is pretty much in line with the USA.

Sounds like you’re a bit defensive. Your true colours are shining through. Confirms everything Ive been saying about you. Your dirty little secret is out!

I’ll take Trump over Starmer any day of the week.

I’ll take neither thanks.

[goose]

Because he needs a win bad after the elections and the economy is on life support, plus there is the cost of immigration that is gonna continue to rise as more and more pile in. They are already raising N I contributions, taxation is through the roof and benefits are getting cut. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

No more desperate for a trade deal than Trump is I would say. Who wouldn’t want a mutually beneficial deal with the fastest growing economy in the G20.
The UK economy actually grew more than the US in Q1 although that’s nothing to write home about.

As for taxation, no it hasn’t gone up. It actually went down last year. Employer contributions have gone up.
If you look at taxation + healthcare contributions as a % of GDP the U.K. is pretty much in line with the USA.

Sounds like you’re a bit defensive. Your true colours are shining through. Confirms everything Ive been saying about you. Your dirty little secret is out!

 

 

My dirty little secret that I can read some numbers off a graph or table? Or that I understand when taxes go down instead of up?

Yeh you got me there.

[Nutsin]

Because he needs a win bad after the elections and the economy is on life support, plus there is the cost of immigration that is gonna continue to rise as more and more pile in. They are already raising N I contributions, taxation is through the roof and benefits are getting cut. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

No more desperate for a trade deal than Trump is I would say. Who wouldn’t want a mutually beneficial deal with the fastest growing economy in the G20.
The UK economy actually grew more than the US in Q1 although that’s nothing to write home about.

As for taxation, no it hasn’t gone up. It actually went down last year. Employer contributions have gone up.
If you look at taxation + healthcare contributions as a % of GDP the U.K. is pretty much in line with the USA.

Sounds like you’re a bit defensive. Your true colours are shining through. Confirms everything Ive been saying about you. Your dirty little secret is out!

I’ll take Trump over Starmer any day of the week.

[Nutsin]

What makes you think it was desperation?

Because he needs a win bad after the elections and the economy is on life support, plus there is the cost of immigration that is gonna continue to rise as more and more pile in. They are already raising N I contributions, taxation is through the roof and benefits are getting cut. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

No more desperate for a trade deal than Trump is I would say. Who wouldn’t want a mutually beneficial deal with the fastest growing economy in the G20.
The UK economy actually grew more than the US in Q1 although that’s nothing to write home about.

As for taxation, no it hasn’t gone up. It actually went down last year. Employer contributions have gone up.
If you look at taxation + healthcare contributions as a % of GDP the U.K. is pretty much in line with the USA.

Sounds like you’re a bit defensive. Your true colours are shining through. Confirms everything Ive been saying about you. Your dirty little secret is out!

[goose]

No harm in verifying Goose son. I mean it’s not like they haven’t lied before now is it?

After the shocking results of recent elections Starmer needed a win so the timing seems perfect to deflect from the reality of the misery they are causing.

Just curious to know the level of desperation and concessions given up to get it.

What makes you think it was desperation?

Because he needs a win bad after the elections and the economy is on life support, plus there is the cost of immigration that is gonna continue to rise as more and more pile in. They are already raising N I contributions, taxation is through the roof and benefits are getting cut. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

No more desperate for a trade deal than Trump is I would say. Who wouldn’t want a mutually beneficial deal with the fastest growing economy in the G20.
The UK economy actually grew more than the US in Q1 although that’s nothing to write home about.

As for taxation, no it hasn’t gone up. It actually went down last year. Employer contributions have gone up.
If you look at taxation + healthcare contributions as a % of GDP the U.K. is pretty much in line with the USA.

[Nutsin]

It’s widely reported and was confirmed by the trade minister this morning. It’s a fact.

The same terms are offered to people from many other countries. Why should they be paying into a pension when they’re only here temporarily and cannot claim a state pension?

No harm in verifying Goose son. I mean it’s not like they haven’t lied before now is it?

After the shocking results of recent elections Starmer needed a win so the timing seems perfect to deflect from the reality of the misery they are causing.

Just curious to know the level of desperation and concessions given up to get it.

What makes you think it was desperation?

Because he needs a win bad after the elections and the economy is on life support, plus there is the cost of immigration that is gonna continue to rise as more and more pile in. They are already raising N I contributions, taxation is through the roof and benefits are getting cut. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

[goose]

So I see they are citing “Indian sources” Guess we will have to wait for the details of the agreement to be published to find out the reality. Hopefully this report isn’t more lies.

Personally I prefer the UK and USA to trade with India instead of China, so I like the concept. Although I think most would agree any concessions on N I contributions to any particular group would be unacceptable.

It’s widely reported and was confirmed by the trade minister this morning. It’s a fact.

The same terms are offered to people from many other countries. Why should they be paying into a pension when they’re only here temporarily and cannot claim a state pension?

No harm in verifying Goose son. I mean it’s not like they haven’t lied before now is it?

After the shocking results of recent elections Starmer needed a win so the timing seems perfect to deflect from the reality of the misery they are causing.

Just curious to know the level of desperation and concessions given up to get it.

What makes you think it was desperation?

[Nutsin]

 

• Labour Mobility: The agreement includes a provision exempting Indian professionals temporarily seconded to the UK from national insurance contributions for up to three years.

 https://www.ft.com/content/7f1337ff-5e3 ... c592918323

So I see they are citing “Indian sources” Guess we will have to wait for the details of the agreement to be published to find out the reality. Hopefully this report isn’t more lies.

Personally I prefer the UK and USA to trade with India instead of China, so I like the concept. Although I think most would agree any concessions on N I contributions to any particular group would be unacceptable.

It’s widely reported and was confirmed by the trade minister this morning. It’s a fact.

The same terms are offered to people from many other countries. Why should they be paying into a pension when they’re only here temporarily and cannot claim a state pension?

No harm in verifying Goose son. I mean it’s not like they haven’t lied before now is it?

After the shocking results of recent elections Starmer needed a win so the timing seems perfect to deflect from the reality of the misery they are causing.

Just curious to know the level of desperation and concessions given up to get it.

[goose]

So according to your interpretation of what has been reported there is no real benefit for an employer to hire an Indian over a non Indian. Do I have that correct?

Can I ask the source of your information. Or could you post a link?

 

• Labour Mobility: The agreement includes a provision exempting Indian professionals temporarily seconded to the UK from national insurance contributions for up to three years.

 https://www.ft.com/content/7f1337ff-5e3 ... c592918323

So I see they are citing “Indian sources” Guess we will have to wait for the details of the agreement to be published to find out the reality. Hopefully this report isn’t more lies.

Personally I prefer the UK and USA to trade with India instead of China, so I like the concept. Although I think most would agree any concessions on N I contributions to any particular group would be unacceptable.

It’s widely reported and was confirmed by the trade minister this morning. It’s a fact.

The same terms are offered to people from many other countries. Why should they be paying into a pension when they’re only here temporarily and cannot claim a state pension?

[Nutsin]

No.

like I said already, it’s only available to secondments.

So according to your interpretation of what has been reported there is no real benefit for an employer to hire an Indian over a non Indian. Do I have that correct?

Can I ask the source of your information. Or could you post a link?

 

• Labour Mobility: The agreement includes a provision exempting Indian professionals temporarily seconded to the UK from national insurance contributions for up to three years.

 https://www.ft.com/content/7f1337ff-5e3 ... c592918323

So I see they are citing “Indian sources” Guess we will have to wait for the details of the agreement to be published to find out the reality. Hopefully this report isn’t more lies.

Personally I prefer the UK and USA to trade with India instead of China, so I like the concept. Although I think most would agree any concessions on N I contributions to any particular group would be unacceptable.

[Nutsin]

No.

like I said already, it’s only available to secondments.

So according to your interpretation of what has been reported there is no real benefit for an employer to hire an Indian over a non Indian. Do I have that correct?

Can I ask the source of your information. Or could you post a link?

 

• Labour Mobility: The agreement includes a provision exempting Indian professionals temporarily seconded to the UK from national insurance contributions for up to three years.

 https://www.ft.com/content/7f1337ff-5e3 ... c592918323

So if it really kicks off between India and Pakistan does that mean the UK will be accepting even more Indian and Pakistani refugees?

[goose]

I’ll take that as a yes.

Another question.

If an employee is hired under these new rules does the employer get to dodge their NI responsibility too?

No.

like I said already, it’s only available to secondments.

So according to your interpretation of what has been reported there is no real benefit for an employer to hire an Indian over a non Indian. Do I have that correct?

Can I ask the source of your information. Or could you post a link?

 

• Labour Mobility: The agreement includes a provision exempting Indian professionals temporarily seconded to the UK from national insurance contributions for up to three years.

 https://www.ft.com/content/7f1337ff-5e3 ... c592918323

[Nutsin]

m no goose

I’m sure chat gpt can answer your question, but the NI part isn’t really an issue. The U.K. has similar agreements with many other countries.

I’ll take that as a yes.

Another question.

If an employee is hired under these new rules does the employer get to dodge their NI responsibility too?

No.

like I said already, it’s only available to secondments.

So according to your interpretation of what has been reported there is no real benefit for an employer to hire an Indian over a non Indian. Do I have that correct?

Can I ask the source of your information. Or could you post a link?

[goose]

m no goose

 

That wasn’t my question.

I’m sure chat gpt can answer your question, but the NI part isn’t really an issue. The U.K. has similar agreements with many other countries.

I’ll take that as a yes.

Another question.

If an employee is hired under these new rules does the employer get to dodge their NI responsibility too?

No.

like I said already, it’s only available to secondments.

[Nutsin]

m no goose

The Indian government press release wasn’t the full story. The NI relief is for employees on a secondment to U.K. companies. 

The deal itself is a big win for both Brexit and the U.K.
Tariff free trade with what will likely be the globes biggest economy within our lifetime.

 

That wasn’t my question.

I’m sure chat gpt can answer your question, but the NI part isn’t really an issue. The U.K. has similar agreements with many other countries.

I’ll take that as a yes.

Another question.

If an employee is hired under these new rules does the employer get to dodge their NI responsibility too?

[goose]

Didn’t the National Insurance contributions increase to 15% recently?

The Indian government press release wasn’t the full story. The NI relief is for employees on a secondment to U.K. companies. 

The deal itself is a big win for both Brexit and the U.K.
Tariff free trade with what will likely be the globes biggest economy within our lifetime.

 

That wasn’t my question.

I’m sure chat gpt can answer your question, but the NI part isn’t really an issue. The U.K. has similar agreements with many other countries.

[BRANDED]

75% will be reduced to tariff free jn a few years

Whisky and gin tariffs will be halved from 150% to 75% before reducing to 40% by the 10th year of the deal

[Nutsin]

UK and India have signed a trade agreement.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y6y90e5vzo

however, there are mixed reports on the details of this deal.
reported here that Indian workers moving the the UK will get a 3yr exemption from paying NI.
the Indian gov website claims its a 3yr exemption for employee AND employer, which would make Indian people cheaper to employ than UK workers.

"

• The exemption for Indian workers who are temporarily in the UK and their employers from paying social security contributions in the UK for a period of three years under the Double Contribution Convention will lead to significant financial gains for the Indian service providers and enhance their competitiveness in the UK market that would create new job opportunities as well as benefit large number of Indians working in the UK."

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePa ... ID=2127321







 

Didn’t the National Insurance contributions increase to 15% recently?

The Indian government press release wasn’t the full story. The NI relief is for employees on a secondment to U.K. companies. 

The deal itself is a big win for both Brexit and the U.K.
Tariff free trade with what will likely be the globes biggest economy within our lifetime.

 

 

That wasn’t my question.

[BRANDED]

Is it tariff free? 

[goose]

UK and India have signed a trade agreement.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y6y90e5vzo

however, there are mixed reports on the details of this deal.
reported here that Indian workers moving the the UK will get a 3yr exemption from paying NI.
the Indian gov website claims its a 3yr exemption for employee AND employer, which would make Indian people cheaper to employ than UK workers.

"

• The exemption for Indian workers who are temporarily in the UK and their employers from paying social security contributions in the UK for a period of three years under the Double Contribution Convention will lead to significant financial gains for the Indian service providers and enhance their competitiveness in the UK market that would create new job opportunities as well as benefit large number of Indians working in the UK."

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePa ... ID=2127321





 

Didn’t the National Insurance contributions increase to 15% recently?

The Indian government press release wasn’t the full story. The NI relief is for employees on a secondment to U.K. companies. 

The deal itself is a big win for both Brexit and the U.K.
Tariff free trade with what will likely be the globes biggest economy within our lifetime.

[BRANDED]

The cost of housing migrants has tripled to £4 million a day as Channel crossingscontinue to soar.Data from the National Audit Office (NAO) has revealed that hotel and other accommodation contracts originally forecast to cost £4.5 billion between 2019 and 2029 are now expected to run to £15.3 billion over the same period, following a rise in Channel crossings and asylum claims.In 2024/25 alone, the cost was £1.67 billion, equivalent to £4.6 million a day or £3,172 a minute.

[Massive Attack]

India firing rockets at Pakistan now. Get ready for the next installment of cultural enrichment, peace and harmony being played out on the streets of the UK a la the Gaza conflict...

[Nutsin]

UK and India have signed a trade agreement.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y6y90e5vzo

however, there are mixed reports on the details of this deal.
reported here that Indian workers moving the the UK will get a 3yr exemption from paying NI.
the Indian gov website claims its a 3yr exemption for employee AND employer, which would make Indian people cheaper to employ than UK workers.

"

• The exemption for Indian workers who are temporarily in the UK and their employers from paying social security contributions in the UK for a period of three years under the Double Contribution Convention will lead to significant financial gains for the Indian service providers and enhance their competitiveness in the UK market that would create new job opportunities as well as benefit large number of Indians working in the UK."

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePa ... ID=2127321




 

Didn’t the National Insurance contributions increase to 15% recently?