Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said he wants to cut VAT. “If I can reduce the burden of taxation on middle and low earners I will do it as we grow the economy. I will do it.” He told the Observer that VAT hits low and middle earners particularly hard. “I think VAT is a real problem for many people. When we come out of Europe there is more flexibility on VAT, particularly in terms of the lower levels.” McDonnell was less clear on when such a cut might happen though: “We will see how the economy grows.”

Just days before the General Election, Britain’s biggest pensioner organisation, the National Pensioners Convention (NPC), is staging its annual gathering in the Winter Gardens, Blackpool from 6-8 June.
 
Hundreds of older campaigners from across the UK are expected to discuss what each of the main political parties are offering ahead of Thursday’s election, with particular emphasis on the three major concerns of the triple lock on pensions, the cost of social care and the future of benefits such as the winter fuel allowance.
 
As delegates gather in Blackpool, the NPC has highlighted the current landscape of older life in Britain, showing:

• Almost 40% of those aged 65 and over in the UK have experienced poverty at least once between 2010 and 2013
• 42% of older people (5.8m) in the UK say they have struggled to afford essential items eg. food, gas, electricity
• 1.8m older people in England have care and support needs that the state does not meetNational Pensioners Convention
• Over 500,000 people aged 65 and over are victims of elder abuse
• 7% of over 65s in the UK (700,000) say they went without food or other essential items in winter because of worries about the cost of heating their home and 77% of pensioners under-heat their homes, eg. only heat one room as a way of reducing their energy bills
• Latest estimates suggest 1.3m people over 65 suffer from malnutrition, and the vast majority (93%) live in the community

Jan Shortt (double t), NPC general secretary said: “This election could have a huge impact on older people and the quality of their lives over the next five years. There are genuine concerns about the level of the state pension beginning to drop if the triple lock is taken away, and worries about the winter fuel allowance being removed, but by far the biggest concern is over paying for social care. Many pensioners and their families are worried that they may have to sell their homes in order to pay for their care and may begin to wonder why they are being targeted in such a punitive way.”
 
“Despite how older people are often portrayed, they are not all gallivanting on SAGA cruises or jumping out of aeroplanes on their 90^th birthday. The reality is that 20% of older people live in poverty and 60% are living on an annual income of less than £11,500 a year. We can only start to address the very serious issues facing older people when we accept a more balanced view of what life is like for millions of pensioners in 21^st century Britain. This election may rest on the so-called “grey vote”, so it’s important that older people realise exactly what each of the parties is offering before they put a cross in the box on 8 June. It will be too late afterwards to start complaining.”

According to the Daily Star newspaper: 

Intelligence sources have revealed virtually all of the 3,000 suspects on British streets are being financed by the taxpayer.

Most are unemployed men or women, claiming state benefits living in council houses and being paid Income Support and Child Tax Credits says the Star.

Even worse says the Daily Star: It can also be revealed that spouses of terrorist suspects charged and held on remand in UK prisons are also allowed to claim benefits. Manchester bomber Salman Abedi, above, who murdered 22 people and injured more than 100, is believed to have funded his terrorist campaign with student loans and benefits. Abedi is believed to have claimed more than £7,000 in student loans after beginning a business administration degree at Salford University in October 2015. Terrorists groups like Islamic State and al-Qaeda now actively encourage students to fund their terrorist attacks with loans which they will never repay.

The Star does not mention that Austerity Cuts to the police while cutting Corporation Tax and taxes on the rich is a more relevant factor in assisting would be terrorists. That areas of poverty and deprevation are breeding grounds for unrest.  

Following reports that homeless people are being forced to leave Cardiff as part of the preparations for the Champions League final on Saturday, Plaid Cymru Leader, Leanne Wood, said:

"£45 million is expected to be generated by this weekend's events in Cardiff. Yet the homeless population in our capital are being kicked out and hidden away. The millions of pounds in profit made by international corporations coming to Cardiff should not come at a human cost.

“This is a shameful practice that only serves to damage the image and reputation of our capital city, not enhance it. 

 "The First Minister has a moral obligation to intervene and stop this cruel act now. We should address the issues facing the people of our capital, not try and airbrush them out."

Paul of Cassiobury Court has kindly sent us this list of mental health helplines. We will be adding these to our directory. 

Cassiobury Court are a residential drug rehabilitation facility providing drug and alcohol detox programmes based near Watford. According to their information...

They also help with other addictions and compulsions such as gambling. Cassiobury Court provide top quality care to ensure long-term recovery. Their methods include rapid detox, psychotherapy, group therapy and stress management among others.

The dedicated staff team are there to support you through all aspects of your addiction recovery programme. From the housekeeper to their most senior therapist, they will ensure all your needs are met in a dignified and respectful manner.

The Organisation offers recovery programmes in the following areas:

• Drug addiction and rehabilitation
• Alcoholism
• Eating disorder treatment

Click Here to visit:

Pauls guide points out: 

How mental health helplines work

Whilst each of these helplines is slightly different, each one aims to help you in times of crisis. When you contact these free helplines, you will essentially benefit from a ‘listening service’. An advisor will talk you through your emotions and offer non-judgemental support.

We now outline many popular mental health helplines available in the UK today. We simply list these helplines alphabetically.

​

1. Anxiety UK

Anxiety UK is a charity that provides help to people who have been diagnosed with anxiety. Anxiety UK’s resource centre offer resources to help relieve and support people suffering from stress, anxiety and anxiety-based depression.

Anxiety conditions supported by Anxiety UK include agoraphobia, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, social phobia, health anxiety, panic attacked, OCD, General Anxiety Disorder, claustrophobia and Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

Phone: 08444 775 774 (Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5.30pm)

Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk

2. Bipolar UK

Bipolar UK is a nationwide charity. Bipolar UK dedicates itself towards assisting those suffering from bipolar, their carers and their families.  Biopolar UK assists around 80,000 each year. 

Website: www.bipolaruk.org.uk

​

3. CALM

CALM stands for the Campaign Against Living Miserably. CALM is dedicated to preventing male suicide. Suicide is the biggest cause of death under the age of 45.

Website: www.thecalmzone.net

4. Men's Health Forum

Men's Health Forum (MHF) is set up to help tackle the high rate of male premature death. One in man in five currently dies before the age of 65.  MHF raises awareness about male premature death through Men's Health Week. 

Website: www.menshealthforum.org.uk

5. Mental Health Foundation

Mental Health Foundation aims to help people understand, protect and sustain their mental health. This organisation's key aim is prevention. 

Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk

6. Mind

Mind is perhaps the most well-known helpline on this list. Mind provides advice and support for people suffering from mental health issues. Mind also campaigns to improve services and raise awareness about mental health problems. 

Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm)

Website: www.mind.org.uk

7. No Panic

No Panic assists to help people who experience panic attacks, phobias, OCF and other anxiety-related disorders. No Panic is also on hand to assist carers of people who suffer from anxiety issues.  No Panic promotes a range of self-help solutions. No Panic empowers people with skills that allow them to manage and alleviate their anxiety. 

Phone: 0844 967 4848 (daily, 10am-10pm)

Website: www.nopanic.org.uk

8. OCD Action

OCD Action is a national charity set up to help people who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD Action also raises awareness of OCD amongst the public. 

Phone: 0845 390 6232 (Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5pm)

Website: www.ocdaction.org.uk

9. OCD UK

OCD UK is a national charity supporting adults and children affected by Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. OCD UK assists around one million people in the UK. OCD is totally service-led. It is run by sufferers for sufferers.  OCD UK offers mutual support groups for people living with OCD across the country.

Phone: 0845 120 3778 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)

Website: www.ocduk.org

10. PAPYRUS

Papyrus UK is a charity set up to prevent suicide amongst men and women under the age of 35.  As well as offering a free helpline through HOPELineUK, Papyrus UK also offers awareness and prevention training.

Phone: HOPElineUK 0800 068 4141 (Mon-Fri,10am-5pm & 7-10pm. Weekends 2-5pm)

Website: www.papyrus-uk.org

11. Rethink Mental Illness

Rethink Mental Illness helps people in the UK who are affected by mental health problems.  This charity helps around 60,000 each year in England. Rethink helps these people get through crises and realise they are not alone. Rethink also helps to change attitudes and policy relating to mental illnesses. 

Phone: 0300 5000 927 (Mon-Fri, 9.30am-4pm)

Website: www.rethink.org

12. Samaritans

The Samaritans provide a 24 hour a day helpline. The Samaritans offer a safe place for people to talk about their issues and problems. Many people contacting the Samaritans suffer from depression. Some, although not all, may feel suicidal when contacting the Samaritans.  The Samaritans offer emotional support for people going through emotional distress or anyone considering suicide.  The Samaritans aim to reduce the number of people committing suicide in the UK and Ireland.

Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)

Website: www.samaritans.org.uk

13. Sane

Sane aims to improve the quality of life for people affected by mental health. SANE's aim is to raise public awareness, exexciting research, and bring more effective professional treatment and compassionate care to everyone affected by mental illness. SANE offers emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental health problems through their helpline and email services.

Phone: 0845 767 8000 (daily, 6-11pm)

Website: www.sane.org.uk

14. YoungMinds

YoungMinds exists so that young people have the strongest possible voice in improving their mental health. 

Phone: Parents' helpline 0808 802 5544 (Mon-Fri, 9.30am-4pm)

Website: www.youngminds.org.uk

The UK economy grew 0.2% during the first three months of 2017, down from 0.7% growth recorded in the final quarter of 2016. The figures revealed a slowdown in the growth in services output and declining growth in UK production output towards the end of the first quarter period this year.

Construction output also fell during the three months to March, while the UK's trade deficit widened by £5.7 billion to £10.5bn between the fourth quarter of last year and first quarter of 2017. The ONS said this was "mainly due to increased imports of oil, chemicals, mechanical machinery and cars".

This week, the ONS also reported that net migration had fallen to +248,000 at the end of last year, down from +332,000 the previous year. Net migration refers to the difference between immigration into and emigration out of the UK, and the 2016 figure is the lowest estimate of net migration since the year ending March 2014.

Although the figure is far higher than the "tens of thousands" target specified by previous UK governments, the figures show a statistically significant increase in the number of those leaving the UK, particularly those from the EU. The change in the number of those immigrating to the UK was not statistically significant, despite the Brexit vote of June 2016, according to the ONS.

As Professor Jonathan Portes pointed out earlier in the year, if people cannot plan with any confidence, not just about themselves but their families, they are both less likely to come and less likely to stay. Small wonder that employers – not just farmers, but sectors ranging from the National Health Service to universities – are finding it far harder to persuade EU nationals to take up jobs in this country.  And this, once again, illustrates a vitally important point; migration is not just a matter of the UK choosing migrants; migrants have to choose us. Even if we wish to remain open to skilled migrants from elsewhere in the EU post-Brexit, they may not choose to come here (or remain here).

In the meantime, the TUC's Frances O'Grady is in Hartlepool with the #PayRise tour, talking about our living standards crisis and the need to get pay moving again, in the North East and across the country.

The  Fabian Society summer conference 2017 will take place exactly one month after the general election on 8 July, to provide a space for crucial discussion and debate about the future direction of the left. 

The conference will, as ever, feature a top line-up of speakers from the Labour party, the media, academia and beyond to explore the way forward. But there will also be small group-discussions throughout the day, so you will have the opportunity to debate ideas with senior figures from across the labour movement and beyond.

The event is being held: 

Saturday 8 July 2017, 9:30am - 5:30pm at the King's College Waterloo Campus, London. 

If you join the Fabians today, you can get a ticket to the conference for half price: 

Or, you can buy a ticket for just £42 for non-members, £32 for Fabian members and £22 for members who are unwaged or under 21.

Click here for tickets:Fabian Society Conference Tickets

We felt it is was time to give fellow Fabian Society member Tim Young a mention. The ABC is politically neutral and we communicate with people of all different views and philosophies.  The Fabian Society gives us access to some great speakers and thinkers. If you are interested in politics it is a fine organisation to join. 

Tim, it says on the Labour website, is the Labour Group Leader on Colchester Borough Council and is currently Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Culture & Regeneration. He has represented Greenstead ward (formerly St Andrew's) since 1992.

Tim is Chair of Colne Housing and is a Non-Executive Director of Southend Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust. He has lived in Colchester since 1984 and is married to Julie who is also a Borough Councillor and a County Councillor; she is the current Mayor of Colchester. They have three grown-up children.

Tim is a big Ipswich Town and Essex Cricket fan. 

Tough negotiator Theresa May is looking rather more hype than substance after failing to take part in the latest TV debate. The race is on in earnest, and June 8th could bring a few surprises as the Tory's manifesto was poorly recieved and May's reluctance to ‘mix it up’ with Jeremy Corbyn, not to mention address the public, has damaged her personal claim to be the tough negotiator to get the best BREXIT deal.  

In fact to use a Mrs Thatcher style expression, she may well have hand-bagged herself with this decision. Sending along Amber Rudd, whose father died 48 hrs earlier seems uncaring and in Ms Rudd's case even disrespectful. Winning an Election may be important, but if it more important than your family, maybe you have the wrong set of values..?   

Neoliberalism is all about the market above all else. It promotes winners and losers, rugged individualism, self-interest, the idea that the market is magically self righting, and that 'creative destruction' is a good thing. This has led to an unequal, unhappy, precarious and restless society where trust in government is short and even democracy itself is questioned.

How well do you understand the roots of neoliberalism? Are the tensions between market liberalism and social democracy too great to be sustained? What should we reject, and what should we keep to reshape new forms of social democracy? On the other hand, are neoliberalism and social democracy fundamentally incompatible?

Professor Anna Yeatman is the inaugural Whitlam Institute Professorial Research Fellow. She is a political and social theorist who has published on many issues of social democracy, human rights and public policy.

Retired UK Pensioners are concerned about BREXIT and the dip in the value of the pound, from €1.30 just before the ballot to around €1.15 now.

“If you’re on a limited or fixed income and that’s your pension then it matters and it matters big time,” says one commentator.

If the UK comes out of the EU without a deal, expatriates will have to pay for their own healthcare a fact that many would argue is impossible.

Large numbers of brits returning to the UK would damage Spain’s economy but the could overwhelm the National Health Service. Nigel Farage made much about young fit immigrants causing waiting lists at doctor’s surgery’s. The real problem is large numbers of elderly pensioners returning to live in the UK and needing sigificant healthcare.  

Overseas ex pats living on their retirement savings are very worried about the future. So indeed, are the Spanish Authorities.

Since launching their Manifesto, Conservative support has been waning. The Tory’s could still win on June 8^th, but it is not looking like the resounding victory that had been expected? It could even go the other way if people realize that Labours policies are very sound and continuing austerity is a failed policy. Borrowing went up under the Tory government. Labour had actually run the run economy well during the last Labour government.  The Torys are cutting corporation tax and taxes to the wealthy, but eventually there has to be someone to pay for the services that make us a civilized nation? Including potentially the support for these overseas pensioners forced to return to the UK.