Coronavirus outbreak

[BoldonLad]

Putting it on VAT penalises everyone who buys anything though?

"penalises" or "spreads the tax burden" ?

 

[Buck]

Yup - compared to private medical insurance - pay an extra £25 a month (for example) seems a bit of bargain.
Obviously it isn't that simple - but that would have my support - rather than cutting our public services to the bone.

perhaps now is the time for the government (and future governments of any party) to have a separate income tax/NI specifically for the NHS. Ring fence this and as you say, make people realise what extraordinary value it is and correctly funded and managed will serve this country well for generations to come.

 

[BoldonLad]

perhaps now is the time for the government (and future governments of any party) to have a separate income tax/NI specifically for the NHS. Ring fence this and as you say, make people realise what extraordinary value it is and correctly funded and managed will serve this country well for generations to come.

Good idea, like a sort of flat rate Insurance Premium?

It would also, perhaps, dispel the myth of "free" healthcare.

If we could just keep the Politicians noses out of it (the NHS, and the fund), it may even work

 

[kingrollo]

perhaps now is the time for the government (and future governments of any party) to have a separate income tax/NI specifically for the NHS. Ring fence this and as you say, make people realise what extraordinary value it is and correctly funded and managed will serve this country well for generations to come.

Would make sense. But I fear the profit making ethic is too deep in their DNA.
You have a publicly funded NHS that's a roaring success .....hey let's do the same for the Railways .........the utilities.......
Could see Rees Mogg et all sitting quietly by while that happened.

 

[kingrollo]

Good idea, like a sort of flat rate Insurance Premium?

It would also, perhaps, dispel the myth of "free" healthcare.

If we could just keep the Politicians noses out of it (the NHS, and the fund), it may even work

But that's what National Insurance was originally. All it is is millions of people clubbing together to buy healthcare.

 

[BoldonLad]

But that's what National Insurance was originally. All it is is millions of people clubbing together to buy healthcare.

Quite.

 

[kingrollo]

Been reading all over today.....but did I read some new advice for fighting CV - keep fit and eat healthy....

Maybe those upstarts on bikes were right after all....

 

[kingrollo]

Back to reality Hancock has announced the contact tracing app........

It's called Herd Immunity 2

 

[PeteXXX]

Until I reached retirement age (65,for me,) I paid approximately £3,500 pa NI plus, obviously, my PAYE tax.
After 65, though I'm still working part time, I stopped paying NI. Its been mooted that that should cease and, if income continues over a certain level, deductions should continue.

In 50 years of employment, I've only been hospitalised for 8 days, fortunately, and have claimed few prescriptions (free for me).
I've had no issue with paying this, as who knows when I might need health care on one level or another.

 

[winjim]

Is NI used to fund the health service? My understanding was that it was part of the welfare state, ie the benefits system. That might include SSP etc but it's not going to the NHS.

Happy to be corrected.

 

[lane]

We absolutely need to find the money to fund the NHS at European average level at which point it works much better. Make it a priority. Has been done in the past should now be a clear absolute priority for the future.

 

[BoldonLad]

Is NI used to fund the health service? My understanding was that it was part of the welfare state, ie the benefits system. That might include SSP etc but it's not going to the NHS.

Happy to be corrected.

No, I think you are correct, it is simply a form of income tax, under a different name as far as I know., although, I think it was, initially, at least, intended to fund Welfare, NHS etc.

It is very difficult to keep Politicians (or any party) from dipping into a nice tempting pot of cash.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Just been sent this article by a friend in South Africa- no comment on their politics or the accuracy- just wanted to see what someone qualified to peer review it thinks...

http://web.archive.org/web/20200405...ht-have-finally-found-its-secret-91182386efcb

That is an Internet archive. The original author / account is under investigation for breaching Medium’s rules.

 

[oldwheels]

I am not trying to derail any of this thread as I agree with much of it so do not start attacking me but thank goodness I live in Scotland where we do things a bit better. Disregard the politically inspired announcements about how our NHS is all rubbish. End of story.

 

[tom73]

I found it odd that we have now in law a legal requirement to spend a minimum about of funding on foreign aid.
But no such legal requirement to spend any minimum level or to keep funding for the NHS in line with a set target over x number of years.
No political party have ever openly committed to doing it.

(BTW i'm not saying foreign aid spending is wrong)