Charley Hasted
@charleyhasted.bsky.social
(They/Them) Amateur Politico, Chair of LGBT+ Lib Dems, Ambulance control minion, writer, musicals nerd, carer, disabled person, very bi.
Once told Heathrow Airport ops centre to "go away"!
Once told Heathrow Airport ops centre to "go away"!
I've known Luke and Lucas since we're in NUS and fighting for a trans students officer together and I couldn't be prouder to still be working with them today over a decade after that campaign started!
Look at our happy little youthful faces :)
Look at our happy little youthful faces :)
November 15, 2025 at 2:28 PM
I've known Luke and Lucas since we're in NUS and fighting for a trans students officer together and I couldn't be prouder to still be working with them today over a decade after that campaign started!
Look at our happy little youthful faces :)
Look at our happy little youthful faces :)
No worries still love you loads obviously!
November 3, 2025 at 4:43 PM
No worries still love you loads obviously!
You left me off!
November 3, 2025 at 4:33 PM
You left me off!
Sorry- Universal Basic Income :) there's a variety of formats but the essential idea is that everyone gets a small income regardless of age, health, employment status or anything else. Massive reduction in bureaucracy if nothing else as well.
October 28, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Sorry- Universal Basic Income :) there's a variety of formats but the essential idea is that everyone gets a small income regardless of age, health, employment status or anything else. Massive reduction in bureaucracy if nothing else as well.
Also can I just say I'm really enjoying having a proper, pleasant political discussion with a stranger on the Internet where we don't entirely agree on everything so thank you for that :)
October 28, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Also can I just say I'm really enjoying having a proper, pleasant political discussion with a stranger on the Internet where we don't entirely agree on everything so thank you for that :)
It's a very great part of the reason I've always been a supporter of some variety of UBI - I genuinely think it would be fairer to everyone- pensioners included.
October 28, 2025 at 9:31 AM
It's a very great part of the reason I've always been a supporter of some variety of UBI - I genuinely think it would be fairer to everyone- pensioners included.
And I didn't disagree with you that pensions in the UK are woeful when you compare with other similar countries. That doesn't change the other fact that if you compare income replacement benefits *within* the UK currently pensioners are mostly consistently better off- both things can be true no?
October 28, 2025 at 9:31 AM
And I didn't disagree with you that pensions in the UK are woeful when you compare with other similar countries. That doesn't change the other fact that if you compare income replacement benefits *within* the UK currently pensioners are mostly consistently better off- both things can be true no?
All because various governments have cared far more about appeasing older people than disabled people and consistently found the money to raise pensions by comparatively large percentages over other income replacement benefits.
October 28, 2025 at 9:18 AM
All because various governments have cared far more about appeasing older people than disabled people and consistently found the money to raise pensions by comparatively large percentages over other income replacement benefits.
Because our hypothetical disabled person who was never able to work- having been told for years they're a workshy skiver by government and in the press - in the time from 23:59 to 00:00 they suddenly become an older person entitled to and deserving of up to an extra £140 a week by right.
October 28, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Because our hypothetical disabled person who was never able to work- having been told for years they're a workshy skiver by government and in the press - in the time from 23:59 to 00:00 they suddenly become an older person entitled to and deserving of up to an extra £140 a week by right.
And the disabled person claiming ESA will get NI credits so when they hit pension age they'll suddenly get the full pension whether they were ever able to work or not. Which creates a pretty much perfect illustration of 'a rising tide lifts all boats'.
October 28, 2025 at 9:18 AM
And the disabled person claiming ESA will get NI credits so when they hit pension age they'll suddenly get the full pension whether they were ever able to work or not. Which creates a pretty much perfect illustration of 'a rising tide lifts all boats'.
"From each according to their ability, to each according to their need." Isn't a bad baseline to work from on this. A disabled person who has never been able to work shouldn't have a lower standard of living than a pensioner because the only difference between them is luck.
October 28, 2025 at 9:18 AM
"From each according to their ability, to each according to their need." Isn't a bad baseline to work from on this. A disabled person who has never been able to work shouldn't have a lower standard of living than a pensioner because the only difference between them is luck.
Immigrants (or people who can be framed that way) are always the obvious scapegoats sadly.
Definitely agree with you on the last- time for some of the people who were able to grow up and become successful because of the Welfare state, the NHS, Free education, etc. to remember what funds those.
Definitely agree with you on the last- time for some of the people who were able to grow up and become successful because of the Welfare state, the NHS, Free education, etc. to remember what funds those.
October 28, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Immigrants (or people who can be framed that way) are always the obvious scapegoats sadly.
Definitely agree with you on the last- time for some of the people who were able to grow up and become successful because of the Welfare state, the NHS, Free education, etc. to remember what funds those.
Definitely agree with you on the last- time for some of the people who were able to grow up and become successful because of the Welfare state, the NHS, Free education, etc. to remember what funds those.
In that light I think it's nonsensical to have ESA, JSA, Carer's Allowance and the pension all set at different rates (same with the minimum wage).
At least I can see the logic behind JSA being different (I may not agree with it but I can see it) but the rest makes no sense at all.
At least I can see the logic behind JSA being different (I may not agree with it but I can see it) but the rest makes no sense at all.
October 28, 2025 at 8:47 AM
In that light I think it's nonsensical to have ESA, JSA, Carer's Allowance and the pension all set at different rates (same with the minimum wage).
At least I can see the logic behind JSA being different (I may not agree with it but I can see it) but the rest makes no sense at all.
At least I can see the logic behind JSA being different (I may not agree with it but I can see it) but the rest makes no sense at all.
Any income replacement benefit should be based on "what a person needs to live on." Not their age or capacity to work or not. The 35 year old caring for their husband is not going to to have substantially different outgoings than the 70 year old couple next door all else being equal after all.
October 28, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Any income replacement benefit should be based on "what a person needs to live on." Not their age or capacity to work or not. The 35 year old caring for their husband is not going to to have substantially different outgoings than the 70 year old couple next door all else being equal after all.
See I think framing welfare benefits like the pension or carers allowance as a reward is part of the issue. A reward is something you earn after all. Nobody should have to 'earn' a basic standard of living in a society with a welfare state- especially if they *can't* work (full or part time)
October 28, 2025 at 8:47 AM
See I think framing welfare benefits like the pension or carers allowance as a reward is part of the issue. A reward is something you earn after all. Nobody should have to 'earn' a basic standard of living in a society with a welfare state- especially if they *can't* work (full or part time)
Reducing social care personal contribution charges would put money back in the pockets of more people (not just pensioners) and not penalise those at the bottom of the income brackets for having the audacity of needing extra help to maintain their independence.
October 28, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Reducing social care personal contribution charges would put money back in the pockets of more people (not just pensioners) and not penalise those at the bottom of the income brackets for having the audacity of needing extra help to maintain their independence.
But also income is only one of the issues (albeit a big one) affecting quality of life and disposable income for pensioners and other vulnerable groups - health and social care for instance - and we should be considering things more holistically.
October 28, 2025 at 8:01 AM
But also income is only one of the issues (albeit a big one) affecting quality of life and disposable income for pensioners and other vulnerable groups - health and social care for instance - and we should be considering things more holistically.
I completely agree that the state pension is a joke and, as a 39 year old, I suspect I'm going to get to claim it for about 33 minutes by the time I get to whatever age it'll be by then but the average pensioner is not even close to the top of the list in the "treated shoddily by government" stakes.
October 28, 2025 at 8:01 AM
I completely agree that the state pension is a joke and, as a 39 year old, I suspect I'm going to get to claim it for about 33 minutes by the time I get to whatever age it'll be by then but the average pensioner is not even close to the top of the list in the "treated shoddily by government" stakes.
Also Migrants- can you imagine the reaction to the government arbitrarily deciding to remove the state pension from a random chunk of UK Residents vs statements around removing ILR from people (who've also paid in) which I honestly think is worse.
October 28, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Also Migrants- can you imagine the reaction to the government arbitrarily deciding to remove the state pension from a random chunk of UK Residents vs statements around removing ILR from people (who've also paid in) which I honestly think is worse.
Absolutely micro blogging is a limited format.
But still Disabled people &carers. Nobody is being lauded for trying to take away people's pensions because too many people are being diagnosed with old. Compare the reaction to announcements on planned cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance VS Motability.
But still Disabled people &carers. Nobody is being lauded for trying to take away people's pensions because too many people are being diagnosed with old. Compare the reaction to announcements on planned cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance VS Motability.
October 28, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Absolutely micro blogging is a limited format.
But still Disabled people &carers. Nobody is being lauded for trying to take away people's pensions because too many people are being diagnosed with old. Compare the reaction to announcements on planned cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance VS Motability.
But still Disabled people &carers. Nobody is being lauded for trying to take away people's pensions because too many people are being diagnosed with old. Compare the reaction to announcements on planned cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance VS Motability.
On 1, I think disabled people and carers, among others, might disagree to some extent. (In 2010 the state pension was a touch over £97 a week, carers allowance a touch under £54 for example).
It's not a competition but the fact it didn't occur to you to consider them is illustrative in itself...
It's not a competition but the fact it didn't occur to you to consider them is illustrative in itself...
October 28, 2025 at 7:23 AM
On 1, I think disabled people and carers, among others, might disagree to some extent. (In 2010 the state pension was a touch over £97 a week, carers allowance a touch under £54 for example).
It's not a competition but the fact it didn't occur to you to consider them is illustrative in itself...
It's not a competition but the fact it didn't occur to you to consider them is illustrative in itself...
But I also wish to be clear that the blame lies primarily with people who, for all they wear shirts claiming that 'Liberals debate.' won't accept that they, in fact, keep losing the debate.
You don't want to debate. You want to control.
You don't want to debate. You want to control.
October 27, 2025 at 4:40 PM
But I also wish to be clear that the blame lies primarily with people who, for all they wear shirts claiming that 'Liberals debate.' won't accept that they, in fact, keep losing the debate.
You don't want to debate. You want to control.
You don't want to debate. You want to control.