We all pay the same level of taxes and contributions throughout the UK so shouldn't we all get the same benefits and opportunities in return? Already Scottish students don't have to pay top-up fees at university, and Scottish pensioners get free care. Is this grounds for discrimination on the basis of 'nationality' or is this just part of the political jerimandering going on right now - which includes the Labour Government closing down more hospitals in Tory Constituencies of the country than in Labour Constituencies.
2006-10-20 03:36:28 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Yes, we should all have the same benefits as well as responsibilities however circumstances alter cases the Scottish Executive have decided that the Scots will get these life saving drugs and the Government of the UK have decided the English taxpayers will not. That is democracy ! The other benefits you mention for students at Scottish Universities and Scots pensioners are just wee bonuses to keep the Scots sweet and voting Labour! Gerrymandering by politicians of all parties is something they are all guilty of.
2006-10-20 07:44:58 · answer #1 · answered by Rob Roy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
These differences in policy arise because the Scottish Executive is free to set its own policies on matters like Health and Further Education and, as the Scottish mindset is somewhat more communitarian than the English one, is more willing to spend money on such things as anti-cancer drugs.
The Labour Party government at national level doesn't have any official influence on many Scottish Executive policies so can't veto these policies to assuage a perception of seeming unfairness between Scotland and the rest of the UK. What it could do, if it was so minded, would be to follow the Scottish lead and introduce these policies in the rest of the UK. If you would like this, write to your MP and Tony Blair and ask them for policies reflecting the Scottish example!
2006-10-21 01:24:14 · answer #2 · answered by Huh? 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It comes down to politics and the usual money.
Many drugs now are so highly priced the the money the NHS has to pay for everything just cannot cope with the extra expense even though it would save a life.
The government are now trying to stop free prescriptions for diabetics (it costs too much) & are using the fact that asthmatics have to pay for their inhalers as proof that diabetics should also. A diabetic has to take medication (insulin) every day at least twice & missing even one dose is very dangerous, they also have to check blood sugar levels at least once daily not to mention the other problems like glaucoma and kidney damage compare that to an asthmatic who may not even need his inhaler from one month to the next.
If this does happen I will have to give up work as I couldn't afford the prescription charges for the medication I need to stay alive.
I bet there are NHS dentists taking on patients in Scotland.
2006-10-20 03:46:24 · answer #3 · answered by madamspud 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I understand the question - the drug in question is thought not to be very effective and may result in some patients gaining only a couple of years of extra life. New drugs are in the pipeline but they are not going to help those presently being denied a drug which might help them for a while. Scotland can decide for itself and is usually well within budget, whereas, the English are a nation of inefficient wasters.
2006-10-21 05:12:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is the problem with having separate governments for Scotland, England etc.
I'm Welsh and totally against Welsh independence, partly for this reason. You can't have people who live in Bristol being treated differently to someone who lives in Newport (ie just over the river!) just because Bristol is in England and Newport is in Wales!
I don't care about "patriotism" - its everyday things that worry me like healthcare, taxes, laws etc and if there's going to be big differences in one part of the UK to another then I'm totally against it.
Scotland has its own Parliament which is making these decisions, presumably.
2006-10-20 10:29:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I feel this is an example of politics at it's worst.
The government give millions to aid other countries, and then neglect their own country.
The government should get their priority's right, focus on the UK, if we have money to spare, then yes, let's help others, if not, don't interfere with others problems.
2006-10-20 04:13:25 · answer #6 · answered by Dr David 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
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2016-02-16 07:13:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
westminster collect taxes.. we in scotland make some choices as to how its spent.. take it up with your local councils. no it may not be fair but neither is a lot of the policy westminster forced upon us.. remember the poll tax.. us scots were guinea pigs for a year before it was trialled in england.
2006-10-20 06:07:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Completely and totally wrong.
2006-10-20 03:45:38 · answer #9 · answered by honey lugs 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i think it is soo wrong!
2006-10-20 03:38:07 · answer #10 · answered by Unhinged.... 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋