If you can manage financially - would you pay more tax, for better public services?

My reason for not wishing to pay anymore tax is
1) I doubt very much it would be earmarked for NHS or social care

2) No prospective government has the cajuna’s to reform the above.

3) having worked for the NHS albeit briefly I have seen first hand the waste of taxpayers money.

Throwing money at a problem, any problem is never the solution. Why are public services not looking at reform and efficiency measures like the private sector ?

Yes, I would be willing to see improved services. The 20% is quite low compared historically.

Yes, but I want more of an effort to get the big companies, Amazon and the like, to pay a fairer amount as well.

Scotland has been trying to do this for a while. We have 6 tax bands, not 3 as in England. There is a slightly lower "starter" rate for those just above the threshold. The rates for higher earners are slightly more, but in 3 steps. Of course it makes sense to have a progressive tax system where education and prescriptions are free and more support is given to help children in the poorest families. The higher tax rates, of course, only apply to the earnings above each threshold, after all.

Good question GSM. I’m not sure but I’ve more faith thst the focus will be improving rather than destroying public services.

So how would Starmer do any better with no increases in income tax, NI or corporation tax?

Conjoured

SueEH

I’d happily pay more tax and NI to fund better public services. Am I on my own here?

If we are going to improve services we are going to have to pay more, it’s not just going to be contoured out of thin air, those that have wealth or income are going to have to pay more.

Higher standards mean more cost

GrannyGravy13

No I think 40% is more than enough after a lifetime of working, thank you.

I wish I earned enough that I had to pay 40% tax! I have 3 small private pensions as well as my state pension so I'm not on the breadline, but I live in a 100 year old house which needs lots of work doing which I can't possibly afford, and my mortgage stilll has over 9 years to run! My only way out of this dilemma is to downsize and move to a cheaper area and be mortgage free, not easy on my own at 70, though I hoe to acheive this!

My dad used to say the more tax he paid the happier he was as it meant he was earning more. I agree with that attitude. I would struggle to pay more tax at present, but if I had a bigger income I'd be hapy to. I worry for those who are existing on far less than me. I volunteer with my local food bank and the needs are increasing all the time!

SueEH

I’d happily pay more tax and NI to fund better public services. Am I on my own here?

No. Quite a few of us have said the same.

fancythat

No.

I dont trust anyone to spend it on precisely what they say they will spend it on.

That is my problem with the issue too. I don't trust the government to use the money for public services in a responsible way

I’d happily pay more tax and NI to fund better public services. Am I on my own here?

It's a no from me already pay enough and paying more tax would probably not guarantee better services. Perhaps if public services were managed more like private companies there would be no need.

If I could be assured it was used as it was supposed to be but I doubt if that would be the case. Scotland has higher tax levels than England and you never hear of all the wonderful things that are supposed to supplied with the extra levels.

Absolutely NOT

The government does not know how to organise anything. It just lobs money at things. So, you get things like software systems that don't work and get either abandoned or even more money thrown there. Also like the fast railway through middle England. What a sorry story. No I cannot think of paying money to corporations that bleed us dry then laugh and run away. Why should we pay more tax when those up there spend a lot of time avoiding it.

yes of course

but the important bit is that the government was actively doing what was right and the best for everyone in the country.
That's the problem, neither government does here.

Yes

Yes, I'd happily pay more tax.

No way pay more tax Others don’t pay into the system due to various reasons and have pets stating mental health they need them for comfort etc and get same benefits free prescriptions Food parcels etc etc Am sick of these people living nearby who I see smoking with tattoos and baskets full of unhealthy foods They are disgraceful object’s selfish and shouldn’t be pampered There saud my rant !!!!!

Paid in all my life worked hard never taken advantage as some have done Can’t have unlimited children if you can’t afford them Not a god given right to have children and expect the state to help you out

No thank you!

I'm originally German and we paid a "solidarity tax" after the re-unification with East Germany to allow the government to invest in growth of economy, housing, roads, social care etc in the East.
We paid first 7.5% tax on our income, later 5.5%
I very happily paid this knowing it was used only to support the re-unification. I still think it was a well invested money and very much needed due to this not being anticipated and planned for.
As I say, I paid it with pleasure and said this always when it came up for discussion. Though there was a lot of resentment my people of it who could not see the need and just were griping over having to give up "their" money. And no, I was not well off at all but I could see the massive benefit of investing to bring East Germany up to standard for everyone there as well as bringing in industries to develop jobs etc. Of course there were a lot of failures as well and things could have been handled better - but the important bit is that the government was actively doing what was right and the best for everyone in the country.

Surely it would only be a small amount? I would pay a bit more tax. As a pensioner with no mortgage, I am no longer struggling financially. When I was working for the last few years, my income was so low. But now I don't have to count the pennies at all. If we need something, I just pay for it, so I would be happy for an increase in tax, but I do agree with the comments others have made about being unsure where the money would go. And yes, we have worked hard for years, paying for other people to have children, etc, etc., but we are in difficult times now. Difficult times require difficult decisions.