Westminster Politics

[Maticmaker]

But like all cars you buy a car to adapt to your use

Spot on Paul, the one person I know who is in favour of her new EV is a widow who exchanged her husbands 'gas guzzler' (after his death). She only does two trips a week to her local supermarket and one or twice a month to see her granddaughter who lives about 30-35 miles away. She does admit to 'destination anxiety' when she occasionally stops over the weekend with her granddaughter and she immediately has to find somewhere to charge before she sets off home.

"Horse for courses... eh?

 

[Paul the Wolf]

Spot on Paul, the one person I know who is in favour of her new EV is a widow who exchanged her husbands 'gas guzzler' (after his death). She only does two trips a week to her local supermarket and one or twice a month to see her granddaughter who lives about 30-35 miles away. She does admit to 'destination anxiety' when she occasionally stops over the weekend with her granddaughter and she immediately has to find somewhere to charge before she sets off home.

"Horse for courses... eh?

Never had destination anxiety, there are loads of public chargers everywhere and I live in the middle of the countryside. But if you did more mileage then they'd get a more long range car. Plus it was cheap to buy and very cheap to run. Complete new world

 

[Buster15]

I have exactly the same car as @Buster15 and usually top it up every 7 to 10 days at home.
Have calculated that with my previous car it would have cost over €300 in diesel - the new car has cost me around €25 in electricity for the same distance covered. Some saving.

That is excellent isn't it. And probably a whole lot more fun.

 

[Buster15]

Never had destination anxiety, there are loads of public chargers everywhere and I live in the middle of the countryside. But if you did more mileage then they'd get a more long range car. Plus it was cheap to buy and very cheap to run. Complete new world

100%.
In the summer I was getting almost 5 miles/kWh and a range of 250 miles/400 km.

 

[Eyepopper]

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[TwoSheds]

Don't get me wrong, sounds horrible and all, but who would have guessed this minister had a rotting brain eh? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-67606077

 

[TheGame]

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[TheGame]

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[Balljy]

This will be catastrophic for sectors such as the NHS and Care who rely on migrants.

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It's a joke of an announcement, but people arriving on health or social care visas will be exempt from the new salary threshold.

 

[TheGame]

It's a joke of an announcement, but people arriving on health or social care visas will be exempt from the new salary threshold.

Yep just seen that but they can’t bring spouses who earn less than the threshold as they are not exempt.

 

[Balljy]

Yep just seen that but they can’t bring spouses who earn less than the threshold.

Yeah, and anybody who meets somebody abroad and who wants to bring them over to continue the relationship now need to earn £38,700. So basically if you're young and met somebody you've got no chance.

 

[Munkehboi]

As a nurse, this is going to be a huge problem. We already rely so heavily on oversees nurses and health care workers. Half my ward are made up of nurses from the Philippines and India. They have all come with their families because they could in the past. Can see this as a massive deterrent now.

 

[Frosty]

As a nurse, this is going to be a huge problem. We already rely so heavily on oversees nurses and health care workers. Half my ward are made up of nurses from the Philippines and India. They have all come with their families because they could in the past. Can see this as a massive deterrent now.

Yes but the British public dying en masse due to worker shortages in the health sector is a small price to pay for making an arbitrarily calculated number smaller.

 

[LARulz]

This is honestly disgusting - especially the family route one

My wife is on a spousal visa and whilst we meet the new criteria, the jump is absolutely appalling. They are genuinely breaking relationships and families in doing this

I can only assume/hope that people who are already on the visa can continue on the same requirements they were granted on. Because it would rip even more families apart otherwise

 

[pcaming]

This is honestly disgusting - especially the family route one

My wife is on a spousal visa and whilst we meet the new criteria, the jump is absolutely appalling. They are genuinely breaking relationships and families in doing this

I can only assume/hope that people who are already on the visa can continue on the same requirements they were granted on. Because it would rip even more families apart otherwise

Do the Spousal requirements not infringe upon the rights of actual citizens? It's crazy to me that there is even a barrier to entry.

 

[Frosty]

Do the Spousal requirements not infringe upon the rights of actual citizens? It's crazy to me that there is even a barrier to entry.

British citizens have very few rights sadly.

 

[FireballXL5]

British citizens have very few rights sadly.

But didn't Brexit give you back control?

 

[Hal9000]

This is honestly disgusting - especially the family route one

My wife is on a spousal visa and whilst we meet the new criteria, the jump is absolutely appalling. They are genuinely breaking relationships and families in doing this

I can only assume/hope that people who are already on the visa can continue on the same requirements they were granted on. Because it would rip even more families apart otherwise

I don't think they will rip up currently issued visas... But when it comes to renew.

My girlfriend's is working on a post graduate visa after completing her studies is due to run out at the end of 2024, her company has said that will sponsor her but with the new salary she will have to ask for a salary increase aswell, so we are a bit scared of the outcome. She's going to ask for sponsorship tomorrow before the April deadline.

Otherwise it'll be a quick rush down the registry office

 

[Frosty]

But didn't Brexit give you back control?

It gave us that slogan. At the end of the day, isn't that better than being able to feed your kids?

 

[Adisa]

I have been making plans to leave this country for a while. I mean I spend nearly half the year outside this country. This country is hostile to immigrants.
13 years ago while I was in uni, Theresa May made us queue up like outcasts to sign some silly attendance just because we were foreign students. We even paid thousands of pounds for the humiliation.
I thought it couldn’t get worse than that. I tell all my Nigerian friends who want to pay a fortune to study in the UK, “don’t even think about it. Go to a friendlier country”. Not one that will take your money and treat you like shit.
The sad part is immigration in not even a real issue. It’s perceived. I am a citizen now but don’t even feel like one.

 

[RedSky]

It's just absurd. There's such little thought put into this, it's just "make it look like they're stealing the jobs!!".

So short sighted and stupid. Hateful cnuty Government.

 

[Paul the Wolf]

But didn't Brexit give you back control?

It just means the British have to do the lower paid menial jobs (or they don't get done) and immigrants get the higher paid jobs - stay for a couple of years and go away.

Ingenious brexit strategy.

 

[LARulz]

Do the Spousal requirements not infringe upon the rights of actual citizens? It's crazy to me that there is even a barrier to entry.

So we just did my wife's renewal last month and the lawyer in her letter for support said it infringes in our rights to a private life or something if she was refused

We met the criteria fine but when she wrote that I thought it was interesting and wonder what the case is if you don't meet the criteria but have settled in life in terms of job, kids etc

But yeah, it's outrageous that people can't be with loved ones anymore. I did see a post in a Facebook group and made me think, I wonder if it is still just for non British citizens bringing people on a family visa and that British citizens aren't impacted - but it's a stretch and unlikely

 

[Frosty]

So we just did my wife's renewal last month and the lawyer in her letter for support said it infringes in our rights to a private life or something if she was refused

We met the criteria fine but when she wrote that I thought it was interesting and wonder what the case is if you don't meet the criteria but have settled in life in terms of job, kids etc

But yeah, it's outrageous that people can't be with loved ones anymore. I did see a post in a Facebook group and made me think, I wonder if it is still just for non British citizens bringing people on a family visa and that British citizens aren't impacted - but it's a stretch and unlikely

Those rights come from the Human Rights Act which apparently is terrible and that's why the government wants to get rid of it. Trebles all round!

 

[LARulz]

I don't think they will rip up currently issued visas... But when it comes to renew.

My girlfriend's is working on a post graduate visa after completing her studies is due to run out at the end of 2024, her company has said that will sponsor her but with the new salary she will have to ask for a salary increase aswell, so we are a bit scared of the outcome. She's going to ask for sponsorship tomorrow before the April deadline.

Otherwise it'll be a quick rush down the registry office

Honestly, if you guys are sure you will get married and your girlfriend doesn't get a yes from her work then just do it

I imagine the Home office is going to be inundated with applications in the next couple months

 

[LARulz]

Those rights come from the Human Rights Act which apparently is terrible and that's why the government wants to get rid of it. Trebles all round!

Honestly, it won't be long at this rate before they have a problem keeping people in this country

 

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

Rachel Reeves putting the chancer in chancellor, Wes Streeting as health minister, a lot of people I've never heard of... Good that Thornberry, Milliband and Cooper are in there, and Lammy should know what he's doing in the Justice department but remains to be seen what he knows about foreign policy. Hopefully some of the ones we don't know much about can show they're up to the job as they'll need to be. Without any policies or money it won't really matter that much how competent they are though, we can only hope the cowardly non-positions Starmer has taken on almost every policy give way when they take office. I won't hold my breath.

Why do you think this? His words are always twisted for media soundbites. But he’s fairly consistent on policy messaging for working people.

I truly don’t get this idea that Starmer is centre right. Or even a centrist. All of his policies and full-text ideas are pro Europe, left of Blair, and fully costed. It doesn’t take much to read it all and see that.

Yes. I would like radical change. But I don’t think a polished Corbyn 2.0 that runs on vibes would galvanise anything like the amount of people needed to actually win.

 

[Spark]

Starmer is going to rip the tories a new one on this.

Way too lenient on immigrants.

 

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

"Ooops" sorry, hope you keep on being pleased.

Lots of people I know with EV's who are far from satisfied, they keep finding faults, the 'power drain' when every thing is switched on, especially in bad weather, which leads also to 'destination anxiety' and for some I am told, costs are more, but good luck... "if the cap fits wear it..." as they say up here

I think the problem is people see EV vs Conventional as an either/or.

People will happily fill out a calculator that determines if a company car is a benefit, but not do the same for their domestic use car.

For huge swathes of people that are based in the right areas, drive certain distances and frequencies, and can(or will) charge in a manner that ICE car owners don’t need to worry about… Electric cars are so much cheaper, range is irrelevant and it’s nothing but upside.

For people on the other side of that divide, it’s always ‘EV’s are shit’.

It’s never been binary. I had an EV when it suited. Then a small diesel when it didn’t. And now no car because I don’t need one. I’d never say ‘my next car will be X’ right now. It would be daft to do so. The next car will be based on my life circumstances.

I worked in NZ and owned a Ute. I’ve not transplanted that mindset to London as it’s a different life.

 

[TheGame]

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[Dr. StrangeHate]

I have been making plans to leave this country for a while. I mean I spend nearly half the year outside this country. This country is hostile to immigrants.
13 years ago while I was in uni, Theresa May made us queue up like outcasts to sign some silly attendance just because we were foreign students. We even paid thousands of pounds for the humiliation.
I thought it couldn’t get worse than that. I tell all my Nigerian friends who want to pay a fortune to study in the UK, “don’t even think about it. Go to a friendlier country”. Not one that will take your money and treat you like shit.
The sad part is immigration in not even a real issue. It’s perceived. I am a citizen now but don’t even feel like one.

I have spent around £20k for visa, nationalization applications, health surcharge, etc. for me and my wife over 10 years. It is ridiculous. I got to the end of so many job applications to be rejected because they didn't provide sponsorship. I urge all my friends to go to USA as well. Friends who went to USA have been so much better off; salary, life style and opportunities wise. Really messed up coming here.

 

[Dr. StrangeHate]

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The way I read the new rules was that the main visa holder needs to earn more than £38k, there are no restrictions to bring a spouse then. The spouse doesn't need to work but can work. Have I read it wrong?

 

[DavelinaJolie]

The way I read the new rules was that the main visa holder needs to earn more than £38k, there are no restrictions to bring a spouse then. The spouse doesn't need to work but can work. Have I read it wrong?

It's not a great look is it? Yeah our country desperately needs your social care/healthcare labour, but you can't bring your family and have them benefit from living in the country you bring your much needed labour to.

 

[Adisa]

I will not be voting at the next GE.
https://x.com/samcoatessky/status/1731773018433560669?s=46&t=wxpuqJtaIkz2kcV7xGORhg

 

[Adisa]

I have spent around £20k for visa, nationalization applications, health surcharge, etc. for me and my wife over 10 years. It is ridiculous. I got to the end of so many job applications to be rejected because they didn't provide sponsorship. I urge all my friends to go to USA as well. Friends who went to USA have been so much better off; salary, life style and opportunities wise. Really messed up coming here.

After my masters, I was within a week of being sent back to Nigeria when I got an employer willing to sponsor my visa. That remains the most difficult point of my life. I was about to give up…I mean, I had already given up and bought my plane ticket.
What was even funny, I was over qualified for a lot of roles I ended up getting rejected for.
Employers would see my CV and virtually beg for me to join. Once they found out they needed to sponsor, I would not hear from them again.
I tell everyone not to bother with the UK. It’s a dead end.
Virtually all my secondary school classmates ended up in UK, US and Canada. On average the one who went to the other two countries are better off.

 

[Herman Toothrot]

I will not be voting at the next GE.
https://x.com/samcoatessky/status/1731773018433560669?s=46&t=wxpuqJtaIkz2kcV7xGORhg

Just vote green instead.

 

[Murder on Zidanes Floor]

Yeah, and anybody who meets somebody abroad and who wants to bring them over to continue the relationship now need to earn £38,700. So basically if you're young and met somebody you've got no chance.

@horsechoker no more Thai brides mate.

 

[DM07]

As someone who is married and thinking about doing a masters from UK, this is probably the end of that thought. A year ago you could bring your spouse as a dependent and had two years of a graduate visa to get work experience and then could get a sponsorship with a minimum salary of 26500. Now you can’t bring your dependent, the two year graduate visa will be reviewed, and the minimum salary threshold is 38500. They have made UK an unattractive destination for all foreign students.

 

[Jippy]

As someone who is married and thinking about doing a masters from UK, this is probably the end of that thought. A year ago you could bring your spouse as a dependent and had two years of a graduate visa to get work experience and then could get a sponsorship with a minimum salary of 26500. Now you can’t bring your dependent, the two year graduate visa will be reviewed, and the minimum salary threshold is 38500. They have made UK an unattractive destination for all foreign students.

I'm sure it will put off some. When I did my masters, about half of the students on our course were foreign and none of them had partners with them. I didn't realise it's such a thing tbh.

Feck knows how they're going to attract care workers, nurses and the like with that minimum threshold though.

 

[Dr. StrangeHate]

I'm sure it will put off some. When I did my masters, about half of the students on our course were foreign and none of them had partners with them. I didn't realise it's such a thing tbh.

Feck knows how they're going to attract care workers, nurses and the like with that minimum threshold though.

I think the £38K limit doesn't apply to NHS and care workers as there is a terminal decline in local NHS and care workers.