Why are we so heavily taxed in the UK.?

Question

Other european countries can operate with 50% less tax and a better standard of living.
WHY?

Answer 1

Heard of Gordon Brown? Tax and spend? Socialist ideology? I'm not sure if we paid 50% less tax, we'd have a better standard of living. If we spent the current tax revenue wisely, we could gain a vast improvement but once you have politicians believing they know more than anyone else, the money is wasted. I recall a large tent called 'The Dome' - 1 billion. Passport computer fiasco. CPA fiasco, Our gold bullion reserves sold for 270 dollars an ounce when today's price is over 650 dollars. Transport fiasco costing the country billions just to park on the motorways. If I had time to trawl the newsdesks I know I would find more examples of utter waste. But - it's not their own money, it's yours so politicians don't much care what they do with it, unless, of course, an election is looming.
Most labour politicians believe that if you throw money at a problem (NHS, Education, Police) it will improve. History shows this to be untrue so the next solution is to give everybody a manager with a clipboard to check where the money's going. Result, no savings but a big increase in employment. If this lot stay in power much longer, we'll be bankrupt since we have costed the Olympics yet. And if everybody vetoed the lottery just imagine how much more tax you'd have to pay!

Answer 2

I live in the US now, but I used to live in the UK and have traveled all over Europe. Yes tax's are high, but you are mistaken if you think that the people of the UK don't have a good standard of living. And the benefits that are given to the middle and lower income levels are greater than many countries. Pay your tax's and learn where they go and stop complaining. There are very few countries that give the benefits and health care that the UK gives to their people. Most of the money goes to NHS, which you should think yourself lucky!!! Here in the US, there are many without health care insurance and if they get hurt end up in debt for years. Most countries don't offer the health care coverage and services that the UK offer to their citizens.

To the comment below by xxmequik: BTW, London's trains system is one of the best in the world which is a fact. There are many more places for children to hang out than most places and countries, try raising kids in Los Angeles and then complain. As for recycling, there is recycling, it is a personal preference as an individual whether you recycle. And as for bringing up and comparing other countries, the question is comparing the Tax rate to other countries, so in order to answer the questions you have to point out what a good life the citizens of the UK actually have. I have experienced both the US and England and have seen the quality of life in many other countries and I am planning on moving back to the UK one day. I guess the grass is always greener on the other side and people will always complain until they realize how good they really have got it.

Answer 3

You are not! I moved to France 5 years ago after buying a house here 13 years ago, I have a small business I HAVE to pay €6000 per year social charges weather i make a fart or a fortune, if you work for someone they have to pay your salary plus the same for social charges. But when I phone the Doctor or the Dentist I can see them within 4 hours Trains run on time, Hospitals are quick, but i do live in the country. So you get what you pay for my friend. Save up all your money and get out of that toilet, most people who make money are, and leaving the big cities too, i know why and so do you , but i can,t say that i,ll be removed. Good luck and keep on payin lol, have a good weekend .

Answer 4

Because our Government is corrupt, inept and we let Tony and his cronies are rip us off and continue to concentrate on selling weapons to Saudi Arabia and building super casinos.

Instead of any kind of structured policy the answer is always more tax. Too many cars and planes for the envirnment? Lets just tax them then we can get some more money off the general public. Kick them again.. where it hurt. People still need to travel so the environment can go down the drain, but we will at least have some more money to p*ss up the wall on some populist rubbish.

I think in historical terms the United Kingdon has never been so heavily taxed and I also think Labour are now every bit as hated at the Tories in 1996/7. Oh when will New Labour die? It is a corrupt and rotting political animal and frankly the stench unbearable.

In short...because we let them get away with it.

Answer 5

Do they the NHS costs a fortune then you have the Schools and colledges to fund then the police and firbrigade as well as councills and civil servants. It all adds up but many Europeans want to travel to England for operations and healthcare services as the countries they live in dont have an NHS.

Answer 6

Lets start with the additional cost of importing goods.

Then having a state health service, instead of it being paid for by the ill

Having a skiver mentality where people think that if they can get enough off the government they don't have to work - the majority of Europe has limited social security payments.

Answer 7

What? Where did you get that dodgy statistic from? Most European Countries have higher tax rates that the UK.

Answer 8

Two Jags.

Polticians expecting us to keep them in the style to which they are accustomed whilst not doing anything for us.

Tony B-liar wasting money on Iraq wars and suchlike.

On the other hand we could pay lower taxes and have no NHS, DSS - basically have the system they have in America where the poor are left on the streets - pretty Dickensian if you ask me. I'd sooner know I can get medical care no matter how poor I am.

Answer 9

I think a lot of it goes on the NHS, which is a good thing in many ways. But we've never been a really efficient country so we just p*ss a lot of the cash away.

Answer 10

6 billion pounds a year to the EU for starters. Politicians pet projects 22 billion wasted on NHS computer system that wont work.3,200 press officers for the government. MPs expenses and gold plated pensions. Big government means big Tax bills!