starmer wanted to lock down for longer it shows how wrong he is Angela says with no real opposition this Doom and Gloom from town Downing Street just before winter will tip many people into debt deep depression and affect mental health yes and I think they're right to blame the previous government if you look at the budget deficit it's £1 122 billion and the interest on the national debt is 43 billion or 46 billion the conservatives are to blame for that today we delve into some of the most important issues facing the UK right now including the tough economic decisions the government will make that will impact millions of people as we head into winter with the removal of the winter fuel subsidy and the growing divide between the political Elite and Ordinary People these issues are more urgent than ever we are joined by Michael Crick renowned broadcaster and political pundit and Charles a moss a sharp political commentator to help unpack the complexities and implications of these policies let's explore whether these measures are necessary for the country's Financial stability or whether they risk deepening social divisions and pushing the most vulnerable over the edge the conversation highlighted the significant financial difficulties facing the UK highlighting the burden of a growing budget deficit and national debt which commentators attributed in part to the policies of the previous conservative government this financial Legacy has created a challenging environment for the current labor govern government forcing it to consider unpopular measures such as tax increases and spending cuts the discussion suggests that these actions while likely necessary to restore Financial stability could have significant political and social costs commentators reflected on the difficult balance that the labor party must strike between fiscal responsibility and public discontent particularly after economic pressures exacerbated by previous mismanagement this analysis highlights the broader tension between long term economic recovery and the Urgent needs of vulnerable populations that could be adversely affected by austerity measures as everyone I speak to has already made Cuts in their fuel use because their bills are already too high now they are going up again and with no winter fuel aad for pensioners well some pensioners get it some pensioners won't get it people are going to die it will be eat or heat overseas a needs to be cut today the discussion around the removal of the winter fuel allowance for many pensioners reveals a divide in perspectives on fiscal policy and social responsibility on one side some commentators argue that eliminating this benefit is a necessary step for Budget control viewing it as a difficult but essential measure to reduce government spending and address the broader economic challenges facing the UK they contend that the allowance while beneficial May no longer be justifiable given the fiscal constraints and argue that those affected can manage without it by a adjusting their discretionary spending on the other hand critics of the decision highlight the potential for severe repercussions on vulnerable elderly citizens for whom the winter fuel allowance is not merely a financial perk but a Lifeline they warn that its removal could exacerbate the already precarious situation of many pensioners leading to increased fuel poverty and a higher risk of Health complications due to cold weather this debate underscores the broader ethical dilemma of balancing fiscal austerity with the moral obligation to protect society's most vulnerable members questioning whether the savings achieved through such cuts are worth the human cost Michael tell me about your thoughts on the societal black hole that kir starmer is going to be talking about on Tuesday he's talking about the riots he's talking about what he thinks caused them and the fact that he's saying that in the past 14 years it's not just about money um you know broadly you know they have nots and these are the people many of them are the people who voted for brexit and who voted for uh Boris Johnson and vote for reform and the middleclass Metropolitan Elite of which I'm one uh too many of us have ignored those people uh the conversation's exploration of broader societal issues uncovers a significant and growing disconnect between the political Elite and the working class highlighting the deepening divides in contempor orary British Society the reference to a societal black hole vividly captures the experience of a marginalized segment of the population that feels increasingly alienated and purposeless this group often overlooked by the political establishment has been left behind by economic and social progress leading to a sense of disenfranchisement and frustration these feelings of exclusion have in many cases translated into support for populist movements and figures such as bre and leaders who promis to disrupt the status quo the discussion suggests that this disconnect is not merely a recent development but the result of Decades of neglect where the concerns of the working class have been systematically ignored or underestimated by a metropolitan Elite more focused on their own interests this analysis underscores the urgent need for more inclusive policies that address the concerns of all citizens not just the privileged few to prevent further societal fragmentation and political instability who support people such as disabled people in their lives I'm sure there'll be hardly anybody in this country who takes your view that uh the society taxing Us in order to help those people who are bet who are worse off who are disabled or maybe who are elderly who can't work um the discussion reveals a profound ideological divide concerning the role of the state in supporting disadvantaged groups such as the disabled and the elderly on one side some commentator ators advocate for a more libertarian approach arguing that individuals should primarily be responsible for their own welfare with minimal State intervention they suggest that private charity rather than government programs should support those in need reflecting a belief in the importance of personal responsibility and the protection of private property this perspective challenges the notion of uh Collective social safety net proposing that Reliance on state support undermines individual initiatives and financial Independence in stark contrast others defend the traditional welfare state model which holds that the government has a moral obligation to provide for its most vulnerable citizens ensuring that those who cannot support themselves due to age disability or other circumstances are not left to struggle alone this Viewpoint emphasizes the importance of social solidarity in the role of the state in redistributing resources to create a more Equitable Society the clash between these ideologies highlights a broader debate about the balance between individual responsibility and Collective welfare and the extent to which the state should intervene in addressing social inequalities this soft touch labor Chancellor is squandering money was fabricating a financial black hole in an attempt to Corn the public into accepting tax Rises and literally leaving pensioners out in the cold what do you make of that I think it's a great shame that the party of sound public finances is attacking the labor party for making the tough decisions over winter fuel allowance and other things to bring down the deficit it's not the right thing to do it's very very clearly attempting to score cheap points over the labor party the discussion actively invites public engagement highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives in evaluating the government's actions and the broader role of the state in social welfare by encouraging listeners to share their opinions the conversation acknowledges that these issues are not just matters for policy makers or experts but are deeply connected to the lived experiences of ordinary citizens this approach democratizes the debate making it clear that public sentiment and participation are crucial in shaping policy decisions especially those that directly impact people's lives such as social welfare programs from the economic challenges facing the nation to the Stark contrasts and views on the role of the state in supporting its most vulnerable citizens these topics spark essential debates that go beyond politics and Into the Heart of what kind of society we want to be whether it's weighing in on the bay government's fiscal decisions or reflecting on the broader role of social welfare your opinions help ensure that our democracy remains vibrant and responsive thank you for watching see you in the next video bye-bye