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The US lost 2,500 killed and 20,000 injured in Afghanistan over 20 years. The total cost was estimated at $2tn (2,000,000,000,000). The US public had completely lost interest - forgotten why they were there, and focussed on the costs and casualties which they regarded as excessive and...

My recollection of the exit from Afghanistan - we were assured the Afghan army, having been trained and equipped by the west would be able to maintain order. It is not clear whether this was a smokescreen intended to make withdrawal politically "palatable" - did the US expect the army to...

Whilst central buying may be a route to cost saving, it does not always work as intended. One public sector body had a central contract for all office supplies. Satellite offices needed to complete a requisition for each item needed, then despatched from a central stores. The benefit of a...

It's taken you 13 minutes to read, digest and form conclusions about a fairly complex 120 page report. Either you are a: very fast reader with exceptional analytical ability, or haven't bothered to read it, preferring to trot out the same old nonsense.

I have no pity either. The individual earning £100k+ may get used to replacing a premium car every three years, holidays in prestige locations, nice food, etc. Contrast a more basic income - say £25k - can afford the basics but limited discretionary spend- eg: any car that starts and goes is...

I suggest you red this report by the Kings Fund comparing costs, funding methods and outcomes of 19 advanced economies Kings fund. In summary: NHS funding as a share of GDP sits lower than average It makes little difference how health care is funded (with the exception of the US). Most...

At age 60 a healthy individual can buy an annuity providing for some inflationary increases + a 50% pension to a surviving spouse at a cost of £100k for every £4500-5000 income. For a consultant with £1.25m in their pension pot, this would generate an income of ~£60k pa before tax. Many would...

Labour in their first 3 months: demonstrated a gross lack of judgement over the winter fuel allowance a similar lack of judgement over their response to the expenses, clothing, football tickets, freebies revelations promised to live within the fiscal rules - now overturned criticised the Tories...

It will not be without consequences - it could affect jobs, investment, prices (inflation), or profit. The only question is which, by how much and when - there is no simple answer.

The golden age of the final salary scheme was probably 1970-1980s. This typically provided for an inflation proofed pension at age 60 or 65. In 1982 the average life expectancy of a male age 65 was 13.0 years. By 2005 this had grown to 17.0 years. In 2024 life expectancy is 18.6 years - an...

The spending side of the budget taken in isolation is fairly straightforward - more for the NHS, education, blood and Post Office scandals etc etc is all nice (and good) to have. Some of that announced is a bit smoke and mirrors - eg: extra money for Scotland - they already do...

Thames water dividends since privatisation are £7.2bn. Borrowings at March 2024 are £15.2bn. Since privatisation Thames Water have invested £16bn - broadly they borrowed to fund investment, without generating sufficient cash flow to repay the loans. This cannot go on indefinitely. You are...

I agree with all you say - but taken to a logical conclusion if the "none of the above" gets the most non-votes there would be no president. It would be fortunate indeed if one candidate espoused all policies supported. Realistically a successful candidate is one whose policies "on balance"...

The proposition is that emergence of a few dominant individuals in any society is all but inevitable. The discussion was initiated related to skewed wealth and income distribution, not related to what we would both agree are unacceptable manifestations in terms of bigotry, violence, etc. As a...

We have survived so well we are in danger of completely destroying that which we rely upon for our continued existence. We are not remotely near to the ideal - survival of the species requires a stability which spans millennia. There is a contradiction in your assertion that we allow...

You have one big advantage over neolithic man - you have a steel chisel. He merely had a rock tied to a stick for a hammer! Neolithic man had the benefit of centuries of passed down practical tips on how to make things with just a hammer. They tended to be fairly crude by modern standards -...

There is a fundamental difference between: how societies work. Individuals within society are largely reliant on one another, Ideally they should all be united in achieving common goals. Simple observation demonstrates we are far from that ideal. Individuals and sectors within society...

It would be kind to describe David Graeber (sadly no longer with us) as an original thinker whose ideas are frequently at odds with conventional accepted analysis. Apparently debt occurred before money, and money appeared before barter. He was an anarchist and a founder of the occupy Wall...

I cannot think of a single major civilisation in which wealth, power and influence did not end up concentrated in the hands of a few. Small communities may have been more egalitarian - although leadership through experience and wisdom would also be concentrated amongst a few ( mainly the...

I believe in the merits and benefits of home ownership. My natural inclination is centrist Tory but will acknowledge the failings of the previous government made re-election implausible. Nor do I condemn councils (government) who should rightly step in to provide those unable buy with decent...