Poverty in the UK - disappearing according to Boris

It's the mark of a civilized society FFS.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Nope!

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.

If you are teaching in Switzerland GagaJo is that why you posted you can’t access the NHS and have private dental care? Do you mean this is a temporary (work related) situation? Especially as you pay A LOT of tax...

I've been here 2 weeks Urm. Don't get carried away.

On GN there are opinions all of which are equally valid.

No they're not Suziewoozie. We're all entitled to voice our opinions. Doesn't make them all valid.
Knowing how a system works before giving your opinion on it is kinda important.

Private dentist because my NHS one retired. NHS because there are no GPs to be had and it takes 3 plus weeks to get an appointment.

I could make a sarky comment a la Urm about comparisons of tax you and I have paid, but honestly, I don't resent paying it. At least, not until nasty people who haven't contributed a lot personally, bitch about other people being scroungers.

MadeinYorkshire I'm sorry you're having such a very bad time. Perhaps you should speak to Social Services and make sure you're getting everything you're entitled to. I have no idea but it's worth checking.

annepl I was being sarcastic

I’m sick to death of the parroted rubbish that all opinions are equally valid - it generally comes from posters who have a passing acquaintance with the concept of a fact and hate being called out when corrected. Sorry you didn’t ‘get it’ annepl

Thank you annepl I am claiming all my entitlements, but I lost quite a huge chunk of income when my severely mentally ill adult daughter came to live with me a year ago - why that made me less disabled I cannot imagine? We are now trawling through the benefits system in her own right but it takes forever to get anywhere - I think we applied at the end of August last year and she attended a PIP Assessment last Monday - the questions are designed to trip you up and I have to say thinking about it words were put in her mouth somewhat - I am not holding my breath but we will take it to Tribunal as the decisions of 75% of those who go to tribunal are overturned .... of course they make it very difficult as are hoping everyone will give in and drop the claim, which a lot do as the process is so harrowing .....

Susiewoozie I do apologise. I am pretty pathetic at picking up on things.....as you've guessed.

I can't understand how you lost out MadeinYorkshire. Seems very unfair. I hope you got help with your claim. If not and you are turned down perhaps get help from CAB with tribunal.
I know tribunals are generally more sympathetic. Hope all goes well for you.

MadeinYorkshire, I am so sorry that you find yourself and your daughter, in this dreadful situation
I would echo annpl's advice and seek further advice
It shouldn't have to be this hard, it really shouldn't
You have my very best wishes ?

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?

I doubt it. I think it would be the same way of treating you as you use on those with so very little. If you have enough you not only don't get any more but you continue to pay.

We're all entitled to voice our opinions. Doesn't make them all valid.

How true. Opinions are simply gossip if you just voice what is in your head. You can validate them if you can provide evidence.

I know tribunals are generally more sympathetic

I don't think it about sympathy annep1, more about sticking to the rules.

The state pension does have a means-tested element via Pension Credit, which cost £5.1 billion in 2018/19. £96.6 billion was spent on state pensions. In addition, those eligible for Pension Credit often receive other benefits, such as Housing Benefit, free dentistry and glasses, council tax rebates and help with fuel bills.

Not only that, but the actual amount paid in state pension has a poor correlation with the amount actually paid in because it depends on the number of contributions rather than the actual amount.

In fact Pantglas some of them don't pay any NI. NI is only paid on earned income and if people are clever they don't take their pay as income, but as dividends.

Even those who do pay NI don't pay the same proportion as others further down the pay scale because there's a cap.

MadeInYorkshire I'm truly horrified to read about your situation. I expect you've done this already, but I hope you have the CAB and any local disability rights people on your side. It makes my blood boil to know that there are people in your situation and to know that there are others who would dismiss you as somehow being responsible for your own situation.

GracesGran, They should all obey the rules when making their decisions.
But I do think tribunals listen more sympathetically to a claimant and believe them. Assessors are often very abrupt and uncaring and tell lies.