Poverty in the UK - disappearing according to Boris

Not only that jura. Many of the teachers and medics working in private hospitals and schools will have been educated and had their own healthcare provided in state hospitals and schools.

People in the UK can walk down the street knowing that most people have been vaccinated against common diseases. If they're knocked over, they know they'll be taken to an A&E provided by the NHS.

Employers know that there's a pool of people who are reasonably literate and numerate, most of whom will have been educated in state schools.

Education and healthcare aren't just about individuals, but how societies operate.

Nope!

I know somebody who always moans about 'people on benefits'. It's as if they're stealing straight from her own pocket.

She recently got her pension and retired - so I asked her how she feels about being 'on benefits' herself!

Exactly - 'the benefit' is to know that you live in a society where everyone has access to good education and healthcare. Even if you are very selfish and don't really care- it is plain common sense that a society where this does not exist- becomes so unequal that the rich have to live behind electrified fences with armed guards, armed cars and personal security 24/7. Go to JBurg and other places and see what it feels like.

Gagajo I was not saying I was for rebates/deductions for those who pay for education/health care, but it could open up the proverbial "can of worms" if State Pensions were to be means tested as GGMK3 posted.

I wondered about that GG13 as my then boss had sent his daughters to private schools and they always went privately for health/dental treatments etc so not sure what the benefit was to him and his family of paying NI albeit at the self employed rate, other than state pension.

It's the mark of a civilized society FFS.

No, GG13. I pay a LOT of tax/NI. I'm probably never getting a pension. Can't access the NHS. Have private dental. BUT I pay tax/NI because I support those that have less than me.

You don't get to opt out just because you don't NEED the state system. Go live in Jersey if that's what you want.

GGMK3 I wouldn't have a problem with "means testing" State Pension, but would that lead on to NI rebates for those who have Private Health Care (which is a taxable in work benefit) and for those who pay for their children's education?

annepl that’s a joke right? On GN there are opinions all of which are equally valid. If knowledge of facts preceded posting , some threads would be decimated.

Some people should learn the facts before commenting! !

It sounds like a good idea to funnel money through to where it’s most needed GGMk3 but what I found working for a millionaire many moons ago was that he gave far, far more than £9000pa to charity.

Most well off people do give a lot back in different ways and maybe that would stop if they were means tested, after all they pay NI the same as everyone else.

I'm liking this idea. We don't have enough for housing, the NHS or a living benefit it seems, so how about we start by stopping the State Pension going to the top 5%. The LP was being generous when they put this at an income of £80,000. The 95th percentile of incomes began at £75,300 although if this has gone up in line with earnings it will be £80,000 this year.

Those figures don't include non-tax payers. If you include them the £80,000 a year folks go into the top 3%. I can see no reason - other than believing in universal benefits, why such people should get a pension.

Well here we are posting pesky facts - cue outraged posts from the right wing because by doing this we are implicitly criticising those posters who think it’s absolutely fine to post rubbish. How very dare we?

We will also get outrage because the SP was called a benefit - which it is.

Sorry, Dinamo a bit of a crossed post. I type slowly, correcting often.

Perhaps we should be pointing the finger at some of the posters on here who clearly don't need the State Pension but are still claiming while watching TV and all the other things they charge those on other benefits with.

I am sorry but I really find it hard to believe that so many are genuinely unable to work.

I don't believe you are in the least bit sorry for the arrogant tone you apply to your fellow men and women in your posts.

This may help the "no-nothings with an opinion on everything"

There were 20 million people claiming DWP benefits at February 2019
Two-thirds of benefit claimants are of State Pension age (13 million)

Since the introduction of UC in 2013 [the] picture has been gradually changing, with more people claiming UC and fewer people claiming combinations of the other benefits. In February 2019, 16% of the individuals included in the benefit combination statistics claimed UC, up from 9% in February 2018.

The key headline figures show:
2.3 million people were on UC, at 11 July 2019
760,000 (33%) UC claimants are in employment
930,000 are in the ‘Searching for Work’ conditionality regime
490,000 are in the ‘No Work Requirements’ conditionality regime

www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-benefits-statistics-august-2019/dwp-benefits-statistical-summary-august-2019

State Pension is by far-and-away the biggest benefit and will no doubt have to be means-tested at some point in the future.

JenniferEccles The largest portion of state benefits goes on the state pension - £96.7 billion in 2018/19. £69.2 billion on income related benefits and personal tax credits. Like everyone else on here, once you get to state retirement age you too will be receiving a state benefit. Some of the personal tax credits will be pension credits paid to individuals on low incomes to top up their state pension

Quizqueen - Yes, all those teenage girls in 'period poverty' will be able to get free sanitary wear at school now, it seems.

What??

I have to bloody pay for mine as I cannot get an appointment for 3 months to see anyone - and when I do they will no doubt offer me a 'nappy' How demeaning ..... they will not even count it as a disability related expenditure to disregard against paying for care - it would be costing me a bloody fortune that I cannot afford - or is it that in order to not spend the money I am not looking after myself as I should? Eventually I will no doubt be hospitalised which of course will cost more. As it is am sat covered in blankets with my dressing gown and gloves on so as not to put on the heating until later, I haven't eaten all day but I am looking forward to my egg sandwich later which is about all I can manage. Eggs boiled in a microwave as I cannot afford to put my range cooker on to cook anything.

One bonus of being used to the very 'fresh air' in my house however, is that I do not catch 'bugs' - not had a cold or tummy upset for well over a decade - it's a bit like the old TB hospitals where they pushed everyone out onto the verandah .... good job really ....

JE you really don’t understand the benefit system do you? People who are in work can be entitled to benefits because their earned income is so low. Do you really not know that? You don’t appear to be reading the thread properly. There are also posters on GN getting benefits who are working or if retired getting with housing costs or council tax. The real scandal is not people on benefits but that people in work aren’t paid enough to live on.

Just how many millions are on benefits these days?
I honestly do wonder judging by the fuss on threads like this about Universal Credit.

The Welfare State, originally set up to help a relatively small percentage of the population, has mushroomed into a massive institution costing the country billions every year.

I am sorry but I really find it hard to believe that so many are genuinely unable to work.

I had better stress yet again that those truly unable to work should continue to be helped.

I think its great they are free now. They should be. I remember the nightmare of not having enough STs.

Just looked it up, GG13, and it includes menstrual cups too. Although I can't see most teenage girls being happy with emptying one of those at school.

Very good! Condoms have been free for years.

Gagajo this sanitary product scheme came into force on Monday. All schools are able to apply for free pads and tampons as from then. They are meant to be available to all girls for duration of their period.

oldg forgot to add it was Edward Heath so not even a Labour Government