The A-Z of Inequality

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Bob Russell — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 11:17:02 GMT

Food, water, a roof, clothing and perhaps a basic tv. Basic internet makes sense especially for childrens education. A phone (doubling up for internet access) can be £5-7 per month.

These are necessary in modern Britain IMO. Not fags, Sky, Netflix etc.

I know several families that cope fine on less than £27. Not luxury They do it with little complaint but then they originated in countries without support and healthcare.

We may not be able to cope on it but then we are not typical.

Living on benefits is absolutely no fun as my sister in law found out before moving in with us. Still a struggle today but she has managed to reduce outgoings and she does get support from family so lucky in many ways.

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Dinu Catilina — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 10:50:01 GMT

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239750#239750"]

I'm confident I could live on £27K, but agree it wouldn't be much of a life.....

[/quote]

No but it is doable. But today a lot of luxury items are considered necessities. Somehow immigrant families can manage on this money not only to live but also to save enough money to take back home after 2-3 years and completely resent their lives in their countries of origin.

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Bob Russell — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 08:32:22 GMT

Wages do not have to rise with inflation under the present circumstances. They do need to go up but probably better to give bonus payments.

These can be adapted to short term circumstances. Most inflation is external and (wearing rose tinted specs) may in part drop when someone gets rid of the monster in the Kremlin.

There is also no automatic right not to have a pay cut if jobs are to be preserved.

Austerity resulted from a spending spree coming to an end when the money ran out.

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Clive Ansell — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 06:50:32 GMT

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239750#239750"]If food banks exist, people will use them. In some cases it just leaves more money for vapes, alcohol and iphones.[/quote]

Not really.

My mother works in a food bank for a few hours a week. People cannot just turn up and ask for free food, they have to referred there and have a valid voucher issued by a social worker, GP, teacher etc. Most are not benefit claimants, but are working poor that have hit a crisis; illness, reduction of hours at work etc. Most are living hand to mouth, day to day, so if the boiler breaks or the car breaks down there is no reserve available to sort things out. Almost all are genuine hardship cases.

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239750#239750"]

I'm confident I could live on £27K, but agree it wouldn't be much of a life.....

[/quote]

£1850 a month after tax. If I had to pay for accommodation and run a car, it would be incredibly difficult.

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239750#239750"]We need private landlords to provide housing. Why is it somehow 'wrong' to profit from people's housing need, but ok to profit from a need for food, clothing, medical treatment, fuel[/quote]

We need much more affordable housing where I live, preferably local authority owned, where there are set and enforced minimum standards. Pity Mrs T sold off local authority housing stock.

Nothing at all wrong with private landlords making a profit, as long as their activites are legal, reasonable and humane. There does need to be legal enforceable minimum standards though.

In the past I have been a housing tenant and a landlord, so can see it from both sides of the fence.

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239750#239750"]One of the bigger drivers for inflation is wages. If they gave every civil servant 20% increase the country would be stuffed. People don't seem to realise that.[/quote]

I don't think any reasonable person would expect a 20% pay rise.

But, wages need to rise with inflation so folk have the same spending power. Anything less amounts to a pay cut. Don't forget those in the public sector have already had 12 years of so called asterity seeing everything cut back to the bone, and sub inflation pay rises.

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Michael Woodhouse — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 21:10:01 GMT

[quote userid="5012" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239739#239739"]It is not just the unemployed and unskilled workers now; my sisters who teach in different schools tell me food banks, modern day soup kitchens, are now being set up for junior teachers who cannot pay their bills. Similar with junior nurses within the NHS I believe.[/quote]

If food banks exist, people will use them. In some cases it just leaves more money for vapes, alcohol and iphones.

I'm confident I could live on £27K, but agree it wouldn't be much of a life.....

[quote userid="29071" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239741#239741"]

Tax allowances for unincorporated buy to let landlords have decreased - but companies still benefit

[/quote]

Good? We need private landlords to provide housing. Why is it somehow 'wrong' to profit from people's housing need, but ok to profit from a need for food, clothing, medical treatment, fuel? Moving forwards fewer people will be able to own their own home.

[quote userid="5012" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239748#239748"]get away with paying low wages. [/quote]

One of the bigger drivers for inflation is wages. If they gave every civil servant 20% increase the country would be stuffed. People don't seem to realise that.

I'm very happy giving pay rises for experience and for inflation (I raised wages same % I raised prices). What we can't do is go daft, certainly in my business there is not scope without price rises and eventually we get too expensive and put people off.

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Clive Ansell — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 12:03:00 GMT

[quote userid="6550" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239746#239746"]But there are plenty of qualified professionals on £27K. It is a starting salary therefore assuming it is someone at the start of their career it should be liveable for the majority. There is a benefits system to aid those with children for example.[/quote]

I couldn't exist on £27k a year, or take home of £1850 a month, if I lived on my own.

[quote userid="6550" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239746#239746"]Clearly the low wage and top up model is the one we have but it is far from ideal.[/quote]

It's a ludicrous and flawed system that advocates and encourages low paid employment, where people work cannot earn enough to sustain even a basic standard of living, and then relying on tax payer funded top ups. In effect the tax payer is funding and allowing big business to get away with paying low wages.

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Bob Russell — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 08:08:41 GMT

But there are plenty of qualified professionals on £27K. It is a starting salary therefore assuming it is someone at the start of their career it should be liveable for the majority. There is a benefits system to aid those with children for example.

Lots of people are on far less than this.

Clearly the low wage and top up model is the one we have but it is far from ideal.

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Clive Ansell — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 19:07:31 GMT

[quote userid="6550" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239740#239740"]Lowest pay ranges seem to start from about £27K. Clearly single parent working part-time will need extra help.[/quote]

£27k is not a liveable wage, so someone full time will likley need extra help.

The first £12570 they earn is not taxed, but the remaining £14430 is taxed at 33.25 % (20% income tax and 13.25% NI). this leaves around £22020, £1850 a month or £431 a week. No one, let alone a family could survive on that.

Someone on minimum wage working 40 hours a week would earn £19760 PA. After taxation , £17750 PA or £1462/month or £341/week. Impossible to live on that

One thing that would help would be increasing the amount they can earn before being taxed, but this current government have frozen these amounts for 5 years. Factoring in inflation, it means a real terms rise in taxation for the lowest earners.

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Sebastian Chambers — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 14:22:22 GMT

[quote userid="4181" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239643#239643"]The tax allowances for mortgage interest on rental property have reduced significantly over recent years [/quote]

Tax allowances for unincorporated buy to let landlords have decreased - but companies still benefit

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Bob Russell — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:36:36 GMT

Lowest pay ranges seem to start from about £27K. Clearly single parent working part-time will need extra help.

Lots of people cannot pay their bills at present but this is because of world events, not because there are richness inequalities.

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Clive Ansell — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 12:37:05 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239735#239735"]If you take the view that what your neighbour has is irrelevant, then so, surely, is the extremity of what your neighbour has.[/quote]

I'm not bothered what my neighbour has or doesn't have, but when the poorest in society cannot heat their homes or provide adequate meals for their children, it is something that needs addressing.

It is not just the unemployed and unskilled workers now; my sisters who teach in different schools tell me food banks, modern day soup kitchens, are now being set up for junior teachers who cannot pay their bills. Similar with junior nurses within the NHS I believe.

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Clive Ansell — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 12:32:06 GMT

[quote userid="2150" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239733#239733"]When we were in USA once Petrol was cheaper than water!!!![/quote]

I was once on a trip in venezulea, where it cost 99 cents to fill a cars petrol tank, regardless of the volume needed.

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Bob Russell — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 10:10:28 GMT

People are not equal.

Society has decided to replace the workhouses with a benefits system. It is not perfect but few fall through the cracks. Channel 4 loves to show us the on-benefits families grumbling about not being able to have Sky's top package to watch through the clouds of cigarette smoke. Wonderful television!

Few in the UK have nothing because the system prevents it. There is a roof available to all but clearly not always an attractive one.

Do people have enough though? Clearly not or food banks would not be required.

In these extreme times we have to be much more careful to minimise the numbers eating or heating. At the same time we have a health service on its knees despite the thousands of 'managers'. The system needs to be completely rethought. Our two private hospitals (BUPA and Nuffied) each function with one manager, a couple of financial people and a matron. They are quite sizable places.

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 09:15:56 GMT

[quote userid="9239" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239731#239731"]

Sebastian Chambers said:
creating growing inequality of wealth.

I am not convinced that inequality is the issue.

[/quote][quote userid="9239" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239731#239731"]As long as I have a very good standard of living, why does it matter that someone else has millions in their bank account? [/quote]

That's a very interesting thought. I agree, Dinu. I've had friends who have the most beautiful yachts it is possible to imagine, and others without a pot to piss in. Beyond being glad I have a pot and slightly envious of the boat, it is unimportant.

Seb has been away for a few days, but my understanding from chatting with him is that he doesn't have a problem with inequality per se. It is an inescapable fact of life, regardless of what system you live under.

The issue is whether or not it is right for Government policies to increase inequality beyond what would otherwise exist.

[quote userid="5012" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239732#239732"]Maybe it is the extremity of it that is the issue? is it right that some folk have nothing. not even anywhere to live, while others such as our new PM have multi million pound assets? [/quote]

If you take the view that what your neighbour has is irrelevant, then so, surely, is the extremity of what your neighbour has.

That just leaves the question of whether it is right some folk have nothing, not even anywhere to live.

I think that is a question that should be considered on its own merits, rather than whether it is right in a society where others have millions (except to the extend of asking whether those with millions should pay to support those without anything, which of course is the basis of the existing system).

In turn, whether the tax system should give breaks to people who have money, or have more equal system.

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Derek Lyon — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 08:39:19 GMT

When we were in USA once Petrol was cheaper than water!!!!

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Clive Ansell — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 06:53:17 GMT

[quote userid="9239" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239731#239731"]As long as I have a very good standard of living, why does it matter that someone else has millions in their bank account? [/quote]

Another question could be; as long as I have a good standard of living, does it matter that many at the lower end of the social scale do not. and are unable to afford to heat their homes and put food on the table?

[quote userid="9239" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239731#239731"]I am not convinced that inequality is the issue.[/quote]

Maybe it is the extremity of it that is the issue? is it right that some folk have nothing. not even anywhere to live, while others such as our new PM have multi million pound assets?

[quote userid="9239" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239731#239731"]Some of the most equal countries were also some of the poorest, look at the east european communist block. Very equal. Most people earned more or less the same, tax paid the same, all (with very few exceptions) lived in the same apartments. [/quote]

I used to visit a friend that lived in a communist style tower block in Prague, Czech Republic. Completely different to what we are all used too; communal electricity and heating all including in one monthly rent regardless of usage, every apartment had the same cooker, washing machine etc. They were large, spacious, warm and comfortable.

We are all equal, but some of us are more equal than others.

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Dinu Catilina — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 00:03:35 GMT

[quote userid="29071" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239530#239530"]creating growing inequality of wealth. [/quote]

I am not convinced that inequality is the issue. Some of the most equal countries were also some of the poorest, look at the east european communist block. Very equal. Most people earned more or less the same, tax paid the same, all (with very few exceptions) lived in the same apartments.

As long as I have a very good standard of living, why does it matter that someone else has millions in their bank account?

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 16:10:42 GMT

[quote userid="2457" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239718#239718"]

Evelyn Barbour-Hill said:
Sorry, but that's nonsense.

In your opinion.

[/quote]

No, in fact.

[quote userid="2457" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239718#239718"]However, what I was trying to say was that even though HMRC may know that the majority of people would have paid tax in a given situation, if the methods used are legal, even if somewhat complicated or via a 'loophole', then there's nothing they can do about it.[/quote]

There's nothing they need to do about it, nothing they would want to do about it. HMRC are there to collect the correct tax as laid down by law. If the law, in its complications, has deliberately provided escape routes or loopholes, people should use them. If it has inadvertently provided unintended escape routes or loopholes, people should use them but they are likely to be spotted and closed eventually. If you've spotted some loophole you think should be closed, by all means campaign for a change in the law but don't attack people who use it.

[quote userid="2457" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239718#239718"]the GAAR, where the tax arrangements are deemed to be genuinely 'abusive' of the system.[/quote]

Quite so.

[quote userid="2457" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239718#239718"]

Evelyn Barbour-Hill said:
Not only is it everyon'e right to avoid tax as far as possible, it is, I would suggest, every citzen's duty so to do.

That, in my opinion, really is nonsense. The responsibility is to pay the right amount of tax.

[/quote]

You are entitled to your opinion. But you have just said exactly what I have said. It's every citizen's duty to pay the right amount of tax.

For instance: everyone can make £1000 in interest from investment and not pay tax on it. (It's called the Individual Investment Allowance or something like that). So investing a little is tax avoidance. This avoidance opportunity was created for a reason: to encourage people to invest rather than stuffing their savings under the mattress (metaphorically).

Then Mr. Seb Chambers mentioned ISAs, which he argues should be abolished (even though he has a good deal of money in them). ISAs are of course tax avoidance. Before condemning them, he might think carefully about why they were created in the first place.

Then there's that classic: your accountant rings you up in February and says "For Heavens' sake buy something, you need to use your capital allowance before the end of the tax year or you'll be liable for lots more tax!" That's tax avoidance. Very much legal. If you think personally it's immoral, don't use it.

[quote userid="2457" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239718#239718"]

Evelyn Barbour-Hill said:
This reminds me of "It's not fair I should have to sue the vet for killing/injuring/upsetting/ not getting as good a result as I hoped for my cat. Vets can all afford fancy lawyers to get them off"

Really? To be honest, I've never heard anyone say that. But if you have, fair enough. But you're correct in so much as the law, like tax, can be manipulated by those with enough money. Just because it happens in different ways doesn't make it any more palatable.

[/quote]

I've heard it once. And it's regularly quoted when people like the RCVS and BVA and others discuss public dissatisfaction, complaints, disciplinary hearings, negligence and so on. And it's quoted because it's an ignorant comment. What are you saying: that people should not be able to have the best advice they can afford? Maybe you feel that VDS membership ought not to be allowed – after all, it can get you a quality defence lawyer in a negligence case, if you should ever need one.

Let's be more positive. How would you run the tax system?

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Gillian Mostyn — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 13:29:41 GMT

[quote userid="2131" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239709#239709"]Sorry, but that's nonsense.[/quote]

In your opinion.

However, what I was trying to say was that even though HMRC may know that the majority of people would have paid tax in a given situation, if the methods used are legal, even if somewhat complicated or via a 'loophole', then there's nothing they can do about it. (Unless it is covered by the GAAR, where the tax arrangements are deemed to be genuinely 'abusive' of the system.)

[quote userid="2131" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239709#239709"]Not only is it everyon'e right to avoid tax as far as possible, it is, I would suggest, every citzen's duty so to do.[/quote]

That, in my opinion, really is nonsense. The responsibility is to pay the right amount of tax.

[quote userid="2131" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239709#239709"]This reminds me of "It's not fair I should have to sue the vet for killing/injuring/upsetting/ not getting as good a result as I hoped for my cat. Vets can all afford fancy lawyers to get them off"[/quote]

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 18:59:29 GMT

[quote userid="2457" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239703#239703"]HMRC have to turn a blind eye to tax avoidance [/quote]

Sorry, but that's nonsense.

Tax avoidance is perfectly legal. So why would anyone have to "turn a blind eye"?

There's a legal tenet something on the lines of "It is the right of every citizen so to arrange his affairs as to pay the least amount of tax". Not only is it everyon'e right to avoid tax as far as possible, it is, I would suggest, every citzen's duty so to do. Many tax laws that give the opportunity to avoid (what are often vulgarly termed, dysphoniously but admittedly concisely, "tax breaks") are in place to encourage citizens to do this, that or the other.

Your hypothetical plumber is engaging in tax evasion, a very different kettle of fish. ( I think most people know the difference, even though "avoidance" and "evasion" are, etymologically, the same thing)

[quote userid="2457" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239703#239703"] Unfortunately the plumber can't afford a good enough accountant to avoid paying tax legally.[/quote]

Oh really. This reminds me of "It's not fair I should have to sue the vet for killing/injuring/upsetting/ not getting as good a result as I hoped for my cat. Vets can all afford fancy lawyers to get them off"

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Gillian Mostyn — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 09:43:29 GMT

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239647#239647"]As has been said, how many lower income people work cash in hand? You can earn £12,500 and not pay any income tax. Hardly only benefiting the wealthy[/quote]

As has also been said, the difference is legal vs not legal. HMRC have to turn a blind eye to tax avoidance (although the media don't - as many celebrities have discovered to their cost) , whereas the plumber may live to regret it - an HMRC audit may result in large fines and a custodial sentence! Unfortunately the plumber can't afford a good enough accountant to avoid paying tax legally.

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Clive Ansell — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 13:07:39 GMT

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239651#239651"]As someone involved in agriculture, there is a real paradox in that food prices needed to rise (and they have), but that makes buying food more expensive.[/quote]

I've thought this for some time; it seems bizarre that milk is cheaper than bottled water, and an oven ready chicken is less than a pint of beer.

But, is the increase in price going to the producer farmer, or the pocket of the supermarket shareholder?

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239651#239651"]We go back to the hungry kids, but mum has an iphone 14.... If you have solutions to this problem, I'm all ears.[/quote]

Maybe a start would be restricting easy credit, and go back to a mentality that if you want a luxury non essential item you save up and pay for it when you have the money?. Consumer debt is actively encouraged, and folk are able to go and buy what they can't afford with money they haven't got. Bonkers.

If the Mum didn't have monthly repayments for the iPhone14 and the Frenchie at stupid% interest, there might be money left to feed the kids

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Richard Carter — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 12:51:38 GMT

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239651#239651"]including some tax breaks for those paying the most tax.[/quote]

And those employing others, for stimulating the local and the national economy, keeping suppliers open, high business rates vs low residential council tax, vat etc.

If you thinking where your money goes furthest as a business, an investor or skilled professional, you not obliged to stay and feed the U.K.

There needs to be a carrot to stay and succeed

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Michael Woodhouse — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 23:19:52 GMT

[quote userid="5012" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239650#239650"]Sure, of course, but do you agree with the principal that all money we earn or gain; be that wages, dividends, profit on property rental, sale of Bulldog puppies, or interest on investments be taxed at the same rate so that the playing field is level and things are fair?[/quote]

Yes and no. Personally, I think the Jersey idea of 20% tax on income is fair (with a threshold before you pay). No corporation tax, if you leave the money in the business, no tax, only on withdrawals. Same self-employed, as an employee or dividend. No disincentive to earn more money. VERY VERY simple.

I do believe that it is right that a landlord can put costs of a mortgage, repairs, renovation etc against business profits before tax is paid. Remembering that the landlord gets hit for tax on the appreciation value of the property when sold and the private owner does not. If we want to treat everyone equally do you want taxing on the appreciating value of your house?

[quote userid="5012" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239650#239650"]The thresholds at which we start paxing tax, or more tax, have be frozen, so once inflation has been factored in it amounts to a tax rise. A hidden or stealth tax if you like, not divulged by Liz Distrust. Not only that, it will mean more people at the lower end of the food chain will be dragged into paying tax, so disproportionately unfair to those who are worse off. [/quote]

Again, I am with you in principle. I don't want a pensioner choosing between eating or heating. Kids shouldn't go to school hungry. You then turn up with your new puppy costing thousands of pounds, with a brand new iphone, stinking of cigarette smoke and tell me the vet fees are too expensive......

As someone involved in agriculture, there is a real paradox in that food prices needed to rise (and they have), but that makes buying food more expensive. We go back to the hungry kids, but mum has an iphone 14.... If you have solutions to this problem, I'm all ears.

My feeling is that raising inflation is going to affect us all. It may well impact business owners far MORE than someone on a state assisted low income. The people with greater wealth have bigger houses, bigger utility bills and continue to pay more tax. I feel we do need to share this so that ALL members of society are affected by things, remembering to look after everyone - including some tax breaks for those paying the most tax.

RE: The A-Z of Inequality

Clive Ansell — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 21:10:11 GMT

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239647#239647"]I trade as a limited company BUT I can only take dividends if the money is there. You don't save the tax in the same way you used to.[/quote]

Sure, of course, but do you agree with the principal that all money we earn or gain; be that wages, dividends, profit on property rental, sale of Bulldog puppies, or interest on investments be taxed at the same rate so that the playing field is level and things are fair?

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30455/the-a-z-of-inequality/239647#239647"]You can earn £12,500 and not pay any income tax. [/quote]

Needs to be higher.

The thresholds at which we start paxing tax, or more tax, have be frozen, so once inflation has been factored in it amounts to a tax rise. A hidden or stealth tax if you like, not divulged by Liz Distrust. Not only that, it will mean more people at the lower end of the food chain will be dragged into paying tax, so disproportionately unfair to those who are worse off.