Grandmother losing EVERYTHING!

colsten

pimento wrote: »

In principle I agree but the taxpayer should pay for everybody or nobody.

I strongly disagree. As a taxpayer with a social conscience, I am happy that some of my money will be used to help people who have a genuine need. But I thoroughly object to even a penny of my money going to somebody who doesn't need it. For example, someone who has a £500K annual pension (remember Fred The Shred?) can easily pay for a £10K/mth care home and does not need any taxpayer money at all.

I realise there will be some admin costs involved in means testing but given HMRC has got all the tax data for everyone with an NI number, it should be a very low cost affair to figure out whether somebody can claim state / council help, and to police it accordingly.

pimento

Steve_xx wrote: »

I'm a taxpayer. I don't have kids, but part of my taxes goes to those who do. Therefore I pay for their schooling and I pay for their Child Benefit. Their parents can earn upto 50k each before they lose their Child Benefit. Doesn't sound like the best of deals to me, nor does it sound right, but there it is.

Perhaps. Consider that it might be my son wiping your behind should you find yourself in need of personal care, though.

Steve_xx

pimento wrote: »

Perhaps. Consider that it might be my son wiping your behind should you find yourself in need of personal care, though.

It doesn't mean I should want to have to pay to keep him while he learns to use toilet paper if his parents are earning upto 50k each!

masonic

pimento wrote: »

In principle I agree but the taxpayer should pay for everybody or nobody.

Does that belief extent to things like housing benefit and council tax support? I'm not entitled to either of these, just because I have a reasonably well paid job. How unfair!

Marker_2

I know this thread hasn't been commented on for a while but thought I would add my tuppence worth.

I do not understand why people are getting worked up about the dad's inheritance. As a parent I am doing everything now so that when I am old and gone my children benefit from it all.

My family and I are in this position with my grandfather. He has paid into the pot all his life. Forgo many luxuries he could have had in favour for saving for his retirement.

Now he is surrounded by people with the same sort of illness as him, yet their care is free and he has to pay for it. His home is at risk. The inheritance HE worked hard for to leave his children is at risk.

Yes I understand care is not free and it has to be paid for, but I am extremely disappointed that yet again it is those that have worked hard that are making up the cost for the workshy.

My grandmother in law who never really worked, is currently better off financially everyweek than my grandfather that worked - it's not fair!

Gadfium

Marker wrote: »

My grandmother in law who never really worked, is currently better off financially everyweek than my grandfather that worked - it's not fair!

He has the means to pay, therefore he should pay. Partly because he has worked hard all his life means that the others, who do not have the means to pay, are getting cared for.
Personally I think that's eminently fair. Those who can pay, do. And those who cannot pay get the care that they need.

The alternative is to return to Victorian values and workhouses.

mgdavid

Marker wrote: »

...... - it's not fair!

Nobody said it had to be fair...

kidmugsy

Marker wrote: »

My grandmother in law who never really worked, is currently better off financially everyweek than my grandfather that worked - it's not fair!

It surely can't have escaped your notice that the '45 government reformed the welfare state in the direction of introducing that sort of unfairness, quite deliberately. No government since has dared reverse it because they fear, presumably correctly, that the electorate wouldn't stomach it. So ask your friends and relatives - they are the electorate.

talexuser

For all it's problems let's take away the welfare state altogether.... and then see whether life is fairer.

le_loup

Marker wrote: »

His home is at risk.

Grandfather possibly paid £5,000 for a house now worth £500,000. Is that due to his hard work?
I ask merely for information.