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Comment Central @CentralComment

Policy debate and discussion, featuring opinion from a range of perspectives.

Joined May 2016
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  • Followers 4,036
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"Welfare spending is not out of control. Most benefits are not going to people who don’t need them. The real problems stem from a broken Department for Work and Pensions and a health and social care system that hasn’t been modernised for the challenges the country faces today." In his first article for @CentralComment, @JohnMilneLD calls on politicians to more boldly confront "damaging myths" about the benefit system and who it supports. commentcentral.co.uk/fixing-…

Fixing the narrative around welfare

The removal of the two-child benefit cap is a long-overdue step forward in tackling child poverty...

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"Reeves’ Budget is an opportunity to demonstrate that rural communities are part of the conversation. If the Government is serious about levelling up, then it must start by levelling the playing field for rural areas." @SarahGibsonLD MP sets out her wishlist for a Budget that delivers for Britain's rural businesses.👇 commentcentral.co.uk/my-wish…

My wish list for a Budget that delivers for rural Britain

As the Chancellor prepares to deliver the Autumn Budget, I want to set out my early-Christmas wish list of what I hope to see for small businesses, particularly those in rural communities like mine.

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Comment Central retweeted
Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP
@DrNShastriHurst
25 Nov 2025
💼 The Chancellor will deliver her Budget tomorrow. With no coherent economic narrative, it will be the second time Labour actively weakens the foundations of growth. To borrow a famous headline, will the last person to leave Britain please turn out the lights? Read more in @CentralComment ➡️ commentcentral.co.uk/ahead-o…
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Gregory Stafford MP
@GregoryStafford
24 Nov 2025
Ahead of Rachel Reeves' budget of uncertainty, I set out my concerns for homeowners, savers and pensioners in @CentralComment. commentcentral.co.uk/reeves-…

Reeves' Budget of uncertainty puts economic stability at risk

The build-up to Labour’s second Budget on the 26th of November has been long, noisy and increasingly unsettling for working households and responsible savers...

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"In this year’s Budget, the Chancellor must reset relations with the rural economy and set out clear support for our communities." In his first piece for @CentralComment, @_AndersonStuart sets out the key policy moves he would like to see in next week's Budget. commentcentral.co.uk/the-bud…

The Budget must reset relations with business and the rural economy

As a Conservative, I believe in lower taxes. I believe that people, not governments, make the best decisions about how to spend their own money.

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Comment Central retweeted
National Institute of Economic and Social Research
@NIESRorg
21 Nov 2025
"We need to call time on fiscal wishful thinking. What’s needed in the #AutumnBudget is a credible plan to reduce #debt – not just over this Parliament but over the decade ahead." Our Director David Aikman's latest piece for @CentralComment is out now! hubs.la/Q03Vrdvh0

The sun might not be shining, but it’s time to fix the roof

Within the space of a week, the Chancellor has delivered a pre-Budget signal, rowed back from it, and left the impression of a government unsure of its fiscal bearings. One could be forgiven for...

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"The sun may not be shining, but it’s still the moment to fix the roof – before the next storm arrives." Ahead of next week’s Budget, @NIESRorg Director David Aikman urges the Chancellor to set out a credible long-term plan to reduce debt - not just over this Parliament but over the decade ahead. commentcentral.co.uk/the-sun…

The sun might not be shining, but it’s time to fix the roof

Within the space of a week, the Chancellor has delivered a pre-Budget signal, rowed back from it, and left the impression of a government unsure of its fiscal bearings. One could be forgiven for...

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"This is a time when business needs a shot in the arm, not a Chancellor willing to place greater taxes and regulation on them." Ahead of next week's Budget, @PeterABedford MP writes for Comment Central, asking: "Why would you bother setting up a business in Labour’s Britain?" commentcentral.co.uk/why-wou…

Why would you bother setting up a business in Labour’s Britain?

In 1981, facing a deficit not unlike the one confronting today’s Chancellor, Margaret Thatcher was urged by advisers to raise income tax by 2p. She refused.

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"[W]e are now in a cycle of ever higher public expenditure to afford all that the voters have been offered, and ever higher taxes and borrowing to pay for it. "If we cannot break this cycle, and break it soon, we face economic oblivion." @DesmondSwayne writes for @CentralComment ahead of next Wednesday's Budget. Read the full piece below👇 commentcentral.co.uk/britain…

Britain cannot keep spending its way into decline

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to address a Trafalgar Day dinner in Penzance. Inevitably, as a great fan of Winston Graham’s Poldark novels, I reflected on the piracy associated with the...

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Comment Central retweeted
Dr Peter Prinsley MP
@PeterPrinsley
18 Nov 2025
The BBC matters now more than ever. In a world awash with disinformation, a strong and independent public broadcaster is essential to protecting the truth and safeguarding our democracy. Here's my piece for Comment Central.👇 commentcentral.co.uk/defendi…

Defending the BBC when truth is under siege

Since my election, I have been a consistent advocate for the BBC. Not out of sentimentality, but because in an age saturated with disinformation, the BBC rem...

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It was great to host our event this morning on 'How the Government can supercharge climate finance' sponsored by @coolearth A huge thank you to attendees and to @TonyJuniper, @lorddeben, and @natalieben for speaking, chaired by John Higginson from @HigginsonTweets
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EVENT NEXT WEEK 🚨🌍 Join us 10 June, 8:30 am, at @OQSLDN for a breakfast panel on how the UK can supercharge climate finance sponsored by @coolearth. Speakers include climate policy experts @TonyJuniper, @lorddeben, and @natalieben. Email matilda@higginsonstrategy.com.
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EVENT ALERT🚨🌎 Join us 10 June, 8:30 am, at @OQSLDN for a breakfast panel on how the UK can supercharge climate finance sponsored by @coolearth. Speakers include climate policy experts @TonyJuniper, @lorddeben, and @natalieben. Email matilda@higginsonstrategy.com to RSVP
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"It's time young people feel part of the decision-making process." @LeighInghamMP, discusses the importance of putting young people’s voices at the heart of politics. commentcentral.co.uk/putting…

Putting young people’s voices at the heart of politics

Across the country, young people are calling out for their voices to be hear on the issues that matter to them.

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"The government should not be so naïve as to expect Nigel’s merry men to say ‘well done and thank you’." Vince Cable explores the current political landscape around immigration. commentcentral.co.uk/dog-whi…

Dog whistles and panic about immigration

Nigel Farage can congratulate himself. His party did well in recent local elections; but so did the Liberal Democrats and Reform’s support may not last.

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"Our MPs must listen and take strong action to tackle nature’s destruction and climate change." Dominique Palmer, climate advocate, discusses how Blair’s backing of carbon capture won’t save the climate. commentcentral.co.uk/blairs-…

Blair’s backing of carbon capture won’t save the climate

Tony Blair has been forced to roll back his criticism of Keir Starmer’s net zero policies, just a day after warning that the Government’s plan to boost renew...

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"We will accept nothing less than the full implementation of the Hillsborough Law. Anything less is a betrayal." @KimJohnsonMP discusses the importance of creating a Hillsborough Law. commentcentral.co.uk/labours…

Labour’s Missed Deadline on Hillsborough Law: Why We Will Accept Nothing Less

For the people of Liverpool, the fight for justice has never been abstract – it is deeply personal, born out of tragedy, betrayal, and an unbreakable demand ...

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"Put simply, local authorities can supercharge animal welfare." Lee Gingell, public affairs manager for local government at the @RSPCA_official, discusses the importance of animal welfare in local councils. commentcentral.co.uk/council…

Council tax, potholes and bin collections. But what about animal welfare?

If you live in one of the 23 local authorities set to go to the polls, it's very possible you've had a knock at the door - or a leaflet - from someone hoping to become your next local councillor.

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"Whether it’s miscalculations, last-minute financial updates, or complex conditions on accessing funding – you name it, GPs have seen it." Katie Collin, partner at Ramsay Brown LLP, discussing why we must consider the implications of welfare cuts on GPs. commentcentral.co.uk/healthc…

We must consider the implications of Government welfare cuts on GPs

GPs often find themselves between a rock and a hard place when it comes to financial planning, with unforeseen challenges throwing them off course and stretching out their already tight budgets. But...

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"Starmer has a lot to lose. He’s overpromised and under-delivered throughout his time in Number 10." Isaac Goldring argues that Starmer must strike a deal with Trump if he wants to turn his popularity around and keep Labour afloat. commentcentral.co.uk/starmer…

Starmer must appease Trump or face a popularity “drought”

Labour haven’t had the easiest ride in Government. From donation gaffes to economic backlash, Starmer has hit roadblock after roadblock in office, even suffering what was labelled a “historic” drop...

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