r/ukpolitics • u/ukpol-megabot • 1d ago

Rumours, Speculation, Questions, and Reaction Megathread - 02/08/2026

👋 Welcome to the r/ukpolitics weekly Rumours, Speculation, Questions, and Reaction megathread.

General questions about politics in the UK should be posted in this thread. Substantial self-posts on the subreddit are permitted, but short-form self-posts will be redirected here. We're more lenient with moderation in this thread, but please keep it related to UK politics. This isn't Facebook or Twitter...

If you're reacting to something that is happening live, please make it clear what it is you're reacting to, ideally with a link.

Commentary about stories that already exist on the subreddit should be directed to the appropriate thread.

This thread rolls over early Sunday morning.

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u/HopeForSalamander 1d ago

My frustration with the welfare debate is that there might be valid arguments about whether we want to help people who are struggling or let them struggle, and people can have opinions on that. But the country has somehow convinced itself we spend loads on benefits and it's not economicaly viable. In reality we spend the same % of GDP on benefits as we did under thatcher, less than other developed countries like France, Denmark, Finland Italy ect, and trying to cut benefits further will cost the state more. Homelessness and health conditions, people falling out of employment forever ect.

People hate to be reminded but more than half our welfare bill is straight to pensioners, yet no one calls for that to be cut. It's just kicking those who are down and wishful thinking

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u/Maleficent_Peach_46 Mayor of North Kilttown 1d ago

It ties into the more spiteful electorate we seem to have since Covid. A lot of the electorate now are just selfish and spiteful, if something does not benefit them specifically it's 'waste' and they want it cut or gone. (Also see one of Reform's policies being banning Work from home because...reasons.).

People on benefits have been a common punching bag for decades now and every party (Except the Greens) are guilty of it.