What's the fuss about this new benefit caps?

Mummyisbeauty

lisyloo wrote: »

This is all well and good, but if no-one contributes (including Amazon, uber. starbucks etc.) we won't have any NHS, roads etc.

or they just fleece people who pay their taxes even more.

bloolagoon

remorseless wrote: »

how do you think the rest of the world does it? Most of EU doesn't have these generous benefits and yet they seem to function!

Are all families with kids in the UK usually receive some financial benefits?

Just to point out not all families receive benefit. we don't get tax breaks per child like many countries do and Tax credits are means tested.

Until recently you got £20 ish first child and £13 ish for subsequent children as child benefit (around average for Europe). This is now means tested too.

We do welfare not contributions in our system.

remorseless

lisyloo wrote: »

If you are ill - are you expecting the NHS to pay for your care?

I have health insurance...

wotsthat

lisyloo wrote: »

So I'd say there is a difference between the what is intended and manipulation.

When you pay tax or claim benefits you're required to follow the rules not seek the approval of public opinion.

lisyloo

Just as I am 'entitled' to pay money into my pension to pay less tax and claim benefits.

Yes you are, but in this case you are deliberately changing your income to manipulate the system.

Just 'cos they are entitled doesn't mean that was what was expected (intended) to happen when the service was set up.

If it wasn't the intention then proper rules should have been set up.
We're not very good at doing it in ways that don't have unintended consequences.

I would do exactly what you are doing.
I think what you are doing is OK, but the rules are wrong and should stop it.

lisyloo

I have health insurance...

Good luck with that if you get old, ill or have something they won't cover.
For example they won't cover chronic things like dialysis.
It will get extremely expensive when you get elderly and infirm, but if you're genuinely able to pay you're own way then - good for you.

lisyloo

When you pay tax or claim benefits you're required to follow the rules not seek the approval of public opinion.

I agree and that's what I follow myself.

I was just saying there's a clear difference between something that's intended and something that's an unintended consequence and sometimes it's blatantly clear.

For example "parent and child" parking spaces are not meant for normal children of 30 years of age, but they could argue they are "entitled" to the benefit and don't have to follow public interpretation.

Generali

lisyloo wrote: »

This is all well and good, but if no-one contributes (including Amazon, uber. starbucks etc.) we won't have any NHS, roads etc.

I agree. The tax rules should be made simpler so that it's obvious who should pay what.

The problem is that the Government tries to use tax rules to get people and companies to behave in particular ways which creates unintended consequences (e.g. in the case of michaels to get people pay for their retirement while at the same time subsidising the wages of people post-retirement saving).

remorseless

lisyloo wrote: »

Good luck with that if you get old, ill or have something they won't cover.
For example they won't cover chronic things like dialysis.
It will get extremely expensive when you get elderly and infirm, but if you're genuinely able to pay you're own way then - good for you.

I know, but what is the other option (beside not getting old, sick and frail)?
Maybe it's a bad habit from Australia where if you don't have health insurance you pay 1% more on your tax and then a further premium for every year after 30 that you were not insured!

Generali

remorseless wrote: »

I know, but what is the other option (beside not getting old, sick and frail)?
Maybe it's a bad habit from Australia where if you don't have health insurance you pay 1% more on your tax and then a further premium for every year after 30 that you were not insured!

I prefer the Aussie system where we mix and match public and private. It allows me to prioritise my health wants and needs rather than being bunged into a bunch of waiting lists and getting what I can get when I can get it.

And don't get me started on UK hospitals. Sheesh.