LONDON – Alright, so Wes Streeting, who’s apparently auditioning for Labour leader since the current guy is about as charismatic as a wet sock, has floated some ideas that are…dare I say…not completely insane? He wants to cut national insurance taxes for businesses to, get this, incentivize hiring. Groundbreaking, I know. And he thinks maybe, just maybe, we should drill for oil and gas in the North Sea. You know, that giant puddle of dinosaur juice we conveniently ignore while virtue signaling about windmills.

So, the usual suspects are predictably triggered. The wokerati are clutching their pearls, hyperventilating about climate change and social justice or some nonsense. But let’s break this down like a GCSE science lesson. Streeting’s “targeted reduction” of employer NI contributions is supposed to help young people get jobs. Which, duh, makes sense. If it’s cheaper to hire someone, you’re more likely to do it. Basic economics, folks. Something the left seemingly forgot existed somewhere between banning plastic straws and defunding the police.

This whole “youth unemployment” thing is a problem, supposedly fueled by a lack of jobs in the hospitality industry. Which is a nice way of saying no one wants to flip burgers for minimum wage when they can stay home and play video games while the government sends them a check. But hey, let's not get into THAT particular economic reality. Instead, let's focus on making it easier for businesses to…you know…do business.

The government jacked up NI rates in 2024, and surprise, surprise, businesses whined about it. And for once, they have a point. Making it more expensive to hire people is not exactly a genius move when you’re trying to boost employment. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, bless his heart, tried to defend the indefensible, mumbling something about businesses not paying NI for under-21s. Which is great…if you’re under 21. What about everyone else?

And then there’s the whole North Sea drilling thing. Labour’s manifesto promised no new fossil fuel licenses, but there’s a sneaky little loophole because the Conservatives already gave out exploration licenses for Rosebank and Jackdaw. All they need now is permission to drill. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband (yes, that Miliband) is sweating bullets trying to decide whether to appease the Greta Thunberg fan club or acknowledge that energy security is kind of important. Streeting, bless his black heart, seems to be leaning towards the latter.