All this talk of fairness
October 22, 2010 3 Comments
Not that long ago I wrote that it was very dangerous to invoke the word fairness when talking about tax or indeed many a political debate. The reason is that what is fair for one person seems really unfair for another.
I am now getting slightly weary about the debate about whether the changes (which let’s not forget need to be made) or fair or not.
Is it fair that next door there is the exact same house as what I reside in yet because they have 3 kids they get much more bang for their council tax buck? Is it fair that they have had child benefit for years when we have currently chosen not to have kids even though they clearly don’t need the money?
Is it fair that my wife and I both chose to get off our back sides and in an effort to get good jobs decide to commute around 250 miles a day? Is it fair that by doing this the £8,000 cost each will rise 3% plus RPI?
Is it fair that to get that better job I took myself out of the jobs market by studying after leaving school rather than taking a job?
Is it fair that people of my Nanas age who have saved rather than spent would have had their house taken off them to pay for long term care, yet those who have been less frugal would get looked after?
Is it fair that my wife’s grandmother is surrounded by families in her housing association maisonette who have never gone out to work, yet look fitter than she has been for many years, and seemingly have a better standard of living to someone who has paid into the system all her life?
Fairness is not always about ability to pay. Fairness is not all about equality of outcome. I could easily have put myself in a position where I could not afford certain things. I could spend all my money, never have saved, never have gone without, and then expect the state to look after me, but do you know why I haven’t done that. Well it just doesn’t seem fair!
What do you think? Let us know in the comments as we will discuss this issue in The Seven Days Show on Sunday.
Tory Radio 
Absolutely SPOT ON.
The last government pandered to society's scroungers as it was simply 'too difficult' for them to contemplate doing something! Look at what happened to Frank Field, the messenger was certainly 'shot' by Tony Blair – bit like how Mao Tse Tung carried on…..
You keep with your principles and keep on working until you're 66, I need your contributions as life here in Spain is the complete opposite for the scroungers! No work, then no health cover or benefits after a limited time; no lifers in the scroungers stakes!!
Quite right, when you don't need it don't claim it. However, rightly or wrongly, Child Benefit was a universal benefit, it has now been removed and placed onto the means tested benefits list. This is right and proper and promotes equality. These decisions have been made, it is time to move forward and get on with it. Am I concerned that the CSR is going to hit me hard, yes I am, the 20% VAT rate will hit my pocket harder than most as I have a smaler budget to work with. The cuts to benefits may or may not hit me, I am still waiting to hear exactly what IDS has planned for me and my disabled friends. The fact remains, the labour government got us into this mess, it is time to knuckle down, stop moaning and move forward, yes it will be tough but we should see some sunshine in a few years!
Is it fair that I earn two degrees, don't have a credit card, got made redundant from my (private sector) job, get another job for which I need a CRB check which takes 4 months so I have to get another (temporary) job, then contact the previous employer back when the check has come through only to be told this job has been cut as well, so have to go on the dole and get treat like an idiot by the borderline illiterate staff, whilst having to listen to constant abuse from the likes of you about how I am a 'scrounger' whilst claiming 60 quid a week, less than a quarter of what I previously earned?