borgr0
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Post by borgr0 on Jul 6, 2024 12:02:42 GMT
The first thing the govt should do is start properly funding the NHS and reform it so it works properly. Then end the Rwanda scheme as Steve says. Then introduce reasonable taxes and close loopholes for the ultra-rich, introduce a wealth tax. Then end the disgusting regime at the DWP that denies terminally ill people benefits and turn assessments back over to qualified health professionals instead of private corps End ridiculous Tory education schemes introduced by the likes of Gove - and go back to strengthening the curriculum and investing in schools so they aren't crumbling. End all contracts to Fujitsu which are ongoing after the Horizon Post Office scandal. Invest much more in defence and quickly reform the armed forces, so we actually stand a chance in the world war that's on our doorstep. Sort out the police and courts systems as fast as possible to maintain order in the UK. There are so many other things but those jump out for now That's a lot of first things. Properly funding the NHS is a very big "first thing" But one of the most important People are dying
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Steve
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Post by Steve on Jul 6, 2024 12:06:06 GMT
I don't know the USA law but it wouldn't surprise me
There have been a number of cases where squatters have in effect been awarded ownership of a property but nothing like the numbers to make any difference on our housing shortage.
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Post by Zany on Jul 6, 2024 12:07:36 GMT
CPOs of some of the usable 1 million vacant properties in England alone, let alone Wales and Scotland, refurbish them and turn them into social housing Here in the USA there's actually a way to become a legal owner of land you tend to, if it's vacated, as long as no one challenges it: ownership can automatically, after a time, pass to you. That's too lax a law but something similar should be introduced into UK law It already is UK law Many of those unoccupied properties you refer to are actually stuck in the problems of probate once someone dies. But we should end this AirBnB farce taking out housing. We use Air Bnb a great deal the world over. They are very rarely a main residence. Mostly they are converted stables, garages, summer houses. Very nice for a long weekend but not by any means a home. Might be different in Cornwall or seaside hot spots.
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Post by Zany on Jul 6, 2024 12:11:16 GMT
That's a lot of first things. Properly funding the NHS is a very big "first thing" But one of the most important People are dying I doubt anyone would argue with that. Part of the reason I put housing first was that it frees up money and that strengthens the economy and increases taxes. It could also mean that if your mortgage is £300 a month less, you might not mind paying £50 a month more in tax. We have to fund fixing the NHS some how and there's few sneaky taxes left to the government.
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Steve
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Post by Steve on Jul 6, 2024 12:16:18 GMT
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Post by Zany on Jul 6, 2024 12:44:38 GMT
Thanks Steve, but doesn't say anything new. They talk of 11,000 homes lost to Bnb in Devon (A particularly badly hit area, but that is out of some 350,000 homes. So while serious its not the whole issue by any means. Further the wording is " as evidenced by over 11,000 short-term lets situated in the region recorded in December 2022 alone." Why "in December alone", that is deliberately confusing and implies 12 times that over the year. And it doesn't define between homes being let and cabins in gardens being let. Which as I say seems to be the vast majority.
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Post by dappy on Jul 6, 2024 12:53:16 GMT
I read that planning reform may come as soon as next week Zany. Sounds like another expert Nick Boles is in the frame to lead this one. As ever the challenge here will be to find the balance between the need for new housing and protecting the interests of the local communities. Will be interesting to see what they come up with.
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Post by Zany on Jul 6, 2024 12:57:40 GMT
I read that planning reform may come as soon as next week Zany. Sounds like another expert Nick Boles is in the frame to lead this one. As ever the challenge here will be to find the balance between the need for new housing and protecting the interests of the local communities. Will be interesting to see what they come up with. Indeed. I am aware they read my posts. Was only a week after I said we should increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP that the government announced they would.
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Post by dappy on Jul 6, 2024 13:03:11 GMT
Hopefully the 2.5% nonsense was just campaign talk. Time will tell.
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borgr0
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Post by borgr0 on Jul 6, 2024 13:59:45 GMT
But one of the most important People are dying I doubt anyone would argue with that. Part of the reason I put housing first was that it frees up money and that strengthens the economy and increases taxes. It could also mean that if your mortgage is £300 a month less, you might not mind paying £50 a month more in tax. We have to fund fixing the NHS some how and there's few sneaky taxes left to the government. It seems like a very convoluted way to raise money to fund the NHS, there must be more direct ways that work more quickly
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borgr0
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Posts: 1,188
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Post by borgr0 on Jul 6, 2024 14:00:52 GMT
I don't know the USA law but it wouldn't surprise me There have been a number of cases where squatters have in effect been awarded ownership of a property but nothing like the numbers to make any difference on our housing shortage. In general, squatting isn't good, but tending to some abandoned land and properly looking after it - so that it passes to you and you can build a house on it (as happens here in the USA) seems reasonable if no one is negatively impacted That would probably work better in largely abandoned areas away from the south-east of England
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Post by Zany on Jul 6, 2024 15:18:31 GMT
I doubt anyone would argue with that. Part of the reason I put housing first was that it frees up money and that strengthens the economy and increases taxes. It could also mean that if your mortgage is £300 a month less, you might not mind paying £50 a month more in tax. We have to fund fixing the NHS some how and there's few sneaky taxes left to the government. It seems like a very convoluted way to raise money to fund the NHS, there must be more direct ways that work more quickly For a government that have promised no tax rises on the conventional taxes and all the sneaky taxes used up. I think its a big ask.
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Post by Zany on Jul 6, 2024 15:21:16 GMT
I don't know the USA law but it wouldn't surprise me There have been a number of cases where squatters have in effect been awarded ownership of a property but nothing like the numbers to make any difference on our housing shortage. In general, squatting isn't good, but tending to some abandoned land and properly looking after it - so that it passes to you and you can build a house on it (as happens here in the USA) seems reasonable if no one is negatively impacted That would probably work better in largely abandoned areas away from the south-east of England I like this. Even here in the wealthy south there are abandoned houses. And quite a few more that stand empty as builders hope for permission to pull down a small bungalow on a large plot and build 2 or 3 homes in its stead. Again planning takes forever.
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Post by Hutchyns on Jul 6, 2024 15:37:30 GMT
1st. Withdraw from NATO 2nd. Arrest and charge Blair with War Crimes. link - Blair War Crimes3rd. Change the National Anthem to 'Land of Hope & Glory'
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borgr0
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Post by borgr0 on Jul 6, 2024 15:54:10 GMT
1st. Withdraw from NATO 2nd. Arrest and charge Blair with War Crimes. link - Blair War Crimes3rd. Change the National Anthem to 'Land of Hope & Glory' I can definitely see Sir Keir Starmer doing this with immediate effect
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