To think we can’t revive the country on the backs of the poor, the struggling, or the middle class?

I think this is more like it.
Also, I do see entitlement in people like Thames Water taking bonuses off the loan given to them by the tax payer. Which THEY ARE REFUSING TO RETURN. That is unbelievable!
There is not a beggar or entitlement on a family with a disabled child having some help to keep that child comfortable. Not from my point of view. If there really is anyone mastering the system enough to abuse it, well, then change the rules. But nope. Let's call them all beggars. I find that disgusting, but well. If you do think so of all the people living in the same country, what can be done? I do not agree. I do not see UK pulled down by the members of its society, but by the guys not leading at the top, unable to keep a hold on the greed of corporations, being dishonest (ppst office scandal...) and lacking of clear objectives and plans. For me, the population works and works hard. They are generally kind and thoughtful. A real problem, not only in UK, but globally, is an aging population. Otherwise, I do not see the citizens of UK to be a drag in its economy. Nope.

The out of control benefits bill and the nearly £25b being each month to pay gorge interest on the debt that pays for this largesse suggests otherwise.

The bond market thinks that this country is full of beggars living off other people and debt and well beyond its means. That why this country is charged higher debt interest than almost any other so called developed country. Even Greece pays less.

Numbers don’t lie. And the bond market certainly doesn’t.

The government gets loads of money from tax already. They don’t manage it properly.

There should definitely be more done to collect tax from large corporations and close loopholes.

The government needs to be more protectionist now and start bigging up and investing in Britain and British workers. Close tax loopholes for large corporations and take measures to stop big British companies offshoring work for cheap Labour to the likes of India.

Taxing the middle classes any further will break them and they are the backbone of this country. People like you need to change your attitude and stop being so entitled. We’re not a communist state. People aren’t entitled to equal pay because work isn’t equal. I don't deserve the same pay as a CEO working all the hours god sends and shouldering all the risk because I have an easier, less stressful job.

I do agree corporations shouldn’t be abusing loopholes to evade tax though.

also agreed

You see this in shopping streets now.

Turkish barbers, nail bars, takeaways. Sad to see.

I think high earners have been demonised for quite some time really. I am not talking about billionaires. I am talking about those on PAYE.

It's assumed that anyone can earn a high wage and it doesn't involve sacrifice.

Reading back you seem to be talking about 22 year olds with pp. Your posts don’t really tally with number of graduate jobs, nor on a more local level what young people seem to be saying about looking elsewhere.

I’m wondering what they’re studying, perhaps it’s more the lecturers’ views than students that people should stay.

Look at real life, please.
And nope, UK is not a nation of beggars here where I live and work.

One of the advantages people have is intellectual capital.

I think it may have something to do with Trump's policies. He is driving companies home.
We should do the same. Maybe in a lesser destructive way. But finantial laws that mean they should set up in the country if they want to sell in the country.

We need to stop equalling " hard work=high salary".
A lot of poorly paid people work extremely hard.

People at the top on the whole have had their healthy share of advantages , which has allowed them to get the best of everything in order to suceed.

It's often not working hard,but having been born in a family who could offer a set of privileged circumstances.

Wealth is often passed on. Merit has its place too because you could screw up even with all your privileges, but let's not carry on with this rethoric that working hard equates financial success.

It's just not true.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m0029hd8
This is a v interesting podcast about tax and its history and future. Easily digestible for a non economist like me! Makes the point that our system should work, we should be collecting enough tax under the rules we have. But we're not. So the focus should be on better collection - catching those who don't I assume, and encouraging more to simply do the right thing.

But we are a nation of scammers aren't we? With a low level of trust in our government and systems so people aren't inclined (that's my take, not Dan Neidle's!).

I agree with PP. This is a nation of majority beggars. You can see it on here. How many threads start with ‘AIBU to think I can start x business in this region and turn a profit with 2 years’ as opposed to ‘AIBU to think I can claim UC so I can spend more time with DC before they start school’ or ‘how do people afford to go on holiday?’ Or ‘we need to increase taxes’.

Yes for those saying leave which would you prefer?

The largest company now, Astra Zeneca, is also leaving London and going to the US.

Are taxes lower in the US?

Yes, of course. Higher education.

Who do you mean here, people you know?

We are not beggars, neither we do think we are! Most people in UK do work or study and they work hard. They save hard and party hard. And we like being kind to those who are ill or disabled.

@RhaenysRocks , yes, I worked hard. I am not sure I ever worked harder than in that minimum wage job though. I also benefitted from

• parents wealthy enough to pay for tutors and a house near a decent school ,and lots of books in the house and travel
• parents who could support me through 5 years of university and 2 years of on the job training
• family connections for work experience and even my first professional job
• tolerably good health
• tolerably good brains and no learning difficulties

I don't doubt my niche skills now mean I should probably be paid more purely due to economic realities, but I am not better or more worthy or harder working than people who haven't had the same opportunities as me

It is easy. They are British and love their country.

it becomes less fav wrench the richer people are as the richer are more likely to have moved to progress careers / grow their business and have no sense of belonging in any one place.

I agree with you @ForBreezySloth

it’s not nice getting to the end of the month and worrying if you can afford food. I receive no benefits, no help with childcare and pay a high proportion of my wage in tax. There is not much disposable income

Heh. Ok. Not what I am seeing. Though admittedly I have not bothered to dig up data.
I am not sure why people think a 22 -year-old needs to be deeply committed to never being able to afford a house.

They do. And they’re leaving.

Oil companies pay 75% over a certain threshold and they’re leaving. Shell once used to be the largest company on London stock exchange. A stock exchange which has gone from being the second largest to being a footnote in international markets. A complete joke of a market where no major company wants to list.

The largest company now, Astra Zeneca, is also leaving London and going to the US.

The individual rich are also leaving at a huge rate, taking their much hated money with them.

Thus country is now no more than a bunch of beggar minded greener handout takers. People who site there with their palm out fighting over scraps rather than wanting to do anything to actually earn their out of a problem. Benefits Britain where of one benefit doesn’t suffice, there’s always another one.

First the rich leave, then the middle earners, and then all that’s left is the crabs in a buckets who either contribute nothing or not enough. It would be an absolute miracle if the IMF doesn’t need to bail out this handout nation by 2030, like it is did in 1976.

Our commited really talented young guys are staying here.
And those wanting to leave, well goodbye.