Frank Field given government role

[TimberWolf]

FRANK FIELD, the senior Labour backbencher, has been given a role in the new coalition government leading a review into tackling poverty.Frank Field given role as poverty czar by Cameron - Times Online

He may be a Labour MP, but he's a man of principles. I must say Cameron looks serious about repairing broken Britain and has gone up in my estimation (of being a Blair style over substance clone). Shame he's been handed near a impossible task and is on a hiding to nothing.

[HairyArsedBloke]

Dear Frankie,

Here is how you reduce poverty in he UK: let the poor earn a living. Simples.

You do this by creating greater demand for local labour through constraining the supply from of external sources. If employers complain that they cannot find the skilled people they need in the UK then tell them they will have to invest in the workers that are available.

You'll have to have a word with the Department of Education to make them do their bit too.

Also you'll need to eliminate the minimum wage and many of the welfare payments so that a properly operating market in labour can operate.


Don't forget to get rid of all those stupid background checks that stop people working and keep an eye on other forms of discrimination by employers such as against the old, or those with previous health issues, etc.


HTH.

HAB.

[MrMark]

I must say Cameron looks serious about repairing broken Britain and has gone up in my estimation (of being a Blair style over substance clone)

I have the same initial impression. It's as if he realises that he's almost guaranteed to lose the next election (once the cuts take effect) unless he pulls out some real achievements. Time will tell, but at least he's trying..

Of course taking on board people outside your party into the government isn't new. Anyone remember "a government of all the talents" eg Digby Jones and the others?

[Sysman]

Also you'll need to eliminate the minimum wage and many of the welfare payments so that a properly operating market in labour can operate.

And also stop taxing those in poverty by raising the tax thresholds:

the Joseph Rowntree Trust has done a couple of surveys asking what people thought was a reasonable definition of poverty. The pre tax number was around £13,400: which equates very nicely to that £11,500 or so post tax. linky

This would make the workforce at these income levels cheaper to hire and hopefully create more jobs as a result.

[xoggoth]

What a quite horribly sensible comment HAB, your'e slipping.

[vetran]

Agree

Truly a Government of all the talents.

A straight up and honest MP is worth using regardless of his political affiliations.

[OwlHoot]

It's also a reproach to Labour, because Tony Blair gave Field a role and told him to "think the unthinkable", only to sack him when he did.

[Lockhouse]

This will be a case of "too many cooks" - mark my words.

IDS has this all sewn up and does not need Frank Fields in there shouting loudly. His heart might be in the right place but the reason he's not kept any top jobs is his inability to compromise. I predict more of the same and an early exit.

[Churchill]

Dear Frankie,

Here is how you reduce poverty in he UK: let the poor earn a living. Simples.

You do this by creating greater demand for local labour through constraining the supply from of external sources. If employers complain that they cannot find the skilled people they need in the UK then tell them they will have to invest in the workers that are available.

You'll have to have a word with the Department of Education to make them do their bit too.

Also you'll need to eliminate the minimum wage and many of the welfare payments so that a properly operating market in labour can operate.


Don't forget to get rid of all those stupid background checks that stop people working and keep an eye on other forms of discrimination by employers such as against the old, or those with previous health issues, etc.


HTH.

HAB.

I think Frank must've been listening, he was on t'wireless this morning saying most of what you've suggested.

[shaunbhoy]

I think Frank must've been listening, he was on t'wireless this morning saying most of what you've suggested.

Well he can't have been posting on here. Someone said he was a man of principle. Haven't seen any of those!!