Tony Blair and his Labour government are to blame for tens of thousands of workers’ pensions vanishing
Pension peril
THEIR futures should have been safe. But for tens of thousands of workers, their pensions have now vanished in a £10billion Government-sanctioned scandal.
Army veterans, teachers, police, paramedics and firefighters are victims of a scam that went undetected for a decade.
They had trustingly transferred savings into rogue schemes which were enrolled with HMRC and the Pensions Regulator, giving them an air of legitimacy. Employers such as the MoD and the NHS had said they were safe.
But it simply wasn’t true . . . and at least 105 rogue operators were free to roam in a “scammer’s paradise”.
To add insult to injury, the victims — some of whom have reported feeling suicidal — are now being fined for unknowingly participating in these schemes, which broke tax laws.
And who’s to blame? Tony Blair and his Labour government, who relaxed rules around HMRC enrolment in 2006, allowing dodgy pension schemes to sign up with virtually no checks.
This was supposed to bring “security, dignity and comfort in old age”. Instead it has unleashed a nightmare.
Perhaps instead of lecturing us on Brexit, Blair should reflect on his devastating legacy.
Long-Failey
IN her bid to become the next Labour leader, Rebecca Long-Bailey has promised “progressive patriotism”.
It sounds as nonsensical as the party’s economic policies. After all, there’s nothing “progressive” about this vile, anti-semitic version of the party.
Nor is there anything “patriotic” about Long-Bailey’s loyalty to Jeremy Corbyn, the man who counts Hamas, Hezbollah and the IRA as his friends.
So it comes as no surprise that Corbyn’s cronies are apparently trying to shorten the Labour leadership contest in order to boost Long-Bailey’s chances and “stitch-up” other hopefuls.
Her proclamation of patriotism shows utter desperation.
Labour spent years treating anyone who’s proud to be British as lowlife scum, only to have that backfire on them at the election.
Many are proud of this country and enthusiastic about Brexit.
It’s a bit too late for Corbynistas to pretend they feel the same.
Pay to go, Saj
IT looks set to be a very happy New Year for many British workers.
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Chancellor Sajid Javid has announced that the minimum wage for over 25s will rise by 51p to £8.72 an hour in April.
After years of “Spreadsheet Phil” (Hammond) and his Brexit fearmongering, this is exactly the boost Britain needs — both for the economy and spirit.
So let’s join the three million who’ll be toasting Mr Javid on New Year’s Eve.
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