To think we shouldn’t have to contribute to soch if we don’t intend to use it?

No I’d try some of my self tested ailments and alleviate symptoms

It’s not. That’s why people are asking.

I wouldn’t go

If you want to go and live alone in the woods, then yes.

If you want to remain part of the wider society with all the security and benefits that brings - no.

Just don’t want to use resources would rather a discount

Some people won’t be having children either. They might not to pay for child based things.

Well I don’t really want to pay for that either as I won’t be having one so feels quite unfair.

Oh please don't take everything so literally. I was agreeing with the pp that we can't pick and choose what we contribute to via our taxes, and I never said I didn't benefit from our health service (I don't live in the UK), merely that I have never used the hospital. If you want to argue with someone why not do so with the OP who is the one who came up with this ridiculous idea.

You come from a wealthy country where you pay no tax but chose to have your manicure somewhere frequented by benefits claimants?

If you have a heart attack you’re going to an nhs hospital.

For example, I don’t want a state pension - so I should surely be able to opt out of soch based contributions percentage. And just pay a lesser amount to cover anything I do take advantage of.

what a heartwarming fairy story, about the power of trickle-down economics and the many mani-pedi-curists who are being kept in business thanks solely to the Great British benefits system...

HTF can you be so smugly certain that all these women are using 'benefits' to pay for their treatments? As you don't live in the UK, perhaps you are unaware of (a) how low the payments are & (b) the fact that between a third and half of those claiming Universal Credit payments are in work, just paid incredibly badly.

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In other news, I've just been investigating the TCP Shortage mentioned by the OP. It's rumoured to still be available online/ in certain shops in Northern Ireland. And may be back in the shops in April....

This is like people who don't have kids, moaning that women get Mat leave and SMP, and free education for their kids, and how that's "not fair" because they don't get those things, as they are childless.

They conveniently forget that women with children usually take career breaks or go part time, meaning a huge loss of earnings and a much depleted pension. They raise the next generation, so that when said complainers (who never had kids) hits old age, there will be a good supply of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, ambulance drivers, carers etc - because the women who had kids supplied the next generation of people!! And at great financial sacrifice, not to mention the physical sacrifice of numerous pregnancies and births!! And all without any bloody thanks.

I am in the UK for a week but live elsewhere and dont pay tax. I doubt i will live here again unless access to decent private healthcare becomes easier. I have just been for a manicure, there were 4 other women in there and a stream coming in and out for the sunbed and I am fairly certain none of them would be using money other than benefits to pay. I dont really object because I think the social services and education system seem to just perpetuate damaged and neglected children having child having children and there's no point in forcing people to work. I would happily contribute any amount to supporting families and funding sure start type things and the creation of a strategic, apolotical plan to break these destructive cycles and abusive authorities but thats not going to happen so I am glad I dont pay tax.

Well I don’t really want to pay for that either as I won’t be having one so feels quite unfair.

It’s self explanatory

I am in the UK for a week but live elsewhere and dont pay tax. I doubt i will live here again unless access to decent private healthcare becomes easier. I have just been for a manicure, there were 4 other women in there and a stream coming in and out for the sunbed and I am fairly certain none of them would be using money other than benefits to pay. I dont really object because I think the social services and education system seem to just perpetuate damaged and neglected children having child having children and there's no point in forcing people to work. I would happily contribute any amount to supporting families and funding sure start type things and the creation of a strategic, apolotical plan to break these destructive cycles and abusive authorities but thats not going to happen so I am glad I dont pay tax.

I think child based stuff should remain something we all provide for, to ensure low income families are not affected.

But for example a non NHS user who does not want a state pension should be able to opt out of soch payments imo.

I am in the UK for a week but live elsewhere and dont pay tax. I doubt i will live here again unless access to decent private healthcare becomes easier. I have just been for a manicure, there were 4 other women in there and a stream coming in and out for the sunbed and I am fairly certain none of them would be using money other than benefits to pay. I dont really object because I think the social services and education system seem to just perpetuate damaged and neglected children having child having children and there's no point in forcing people to work. I would happily contribute any amount to supporting families and funding sure start type things and the creation of a strategic, apolotical plan to break these destructive cycles and abusive authorities but thats not going to happen so I am glad I dont pay tax.

Well I don't think its fair for childless people to have to contribute to other people having children they can't afford but that's the way it is. You can't pick and choose. Get over it

Yes - it’s been at the core of political discussion for about 10 years. It’s the reason Germany (well, Merkle) welcomed as many immigrants as they could get thinking it would mean more tax payers, more money in the pot, preservation of social services/pensions. The issue is that even with the declining numbers of young people we have now, there are already not enough jobs - or jobs people are willing to do that pay a living wage - and an expectation that we can just import people to ‘wipe bums’ as the Lib leader charmingly put it.

Long term, we are going to need to change the model as I can’t reconcile the idea that if my kids are lucky enough to get work, they will have to bank roll my generation with hideous taxes and may never get on the property ladder unless we fund it for them (we are fortunately enough that we will be able to do this - many of their friends/peers are less lucky).

I get where the [pension] model started in the late 1800s. I get the altruistic nature of a society that supports it’s elderly and vulnerable and want to be a part of a society that has these values… but at the end of the day it’s not something we can afford anymore. Along with no cap to child benefit and unending ever growing welfare bill. I have no idea what the answer is, but as with most things in life, if you can’t afford something, you have to accept to can’t buy it or gift it. And a government one day will have no choice but to be the one to utterly reform and curtail what we provide as a state. I suspect pensions will be one area of focus.

And what about if you start costing more to run? The whole point is you cannot know if you want ll or not, and if you start costing more the taxpayer will cover it. Social contract - we won’t leave you to die in a gutter if you get sick and lose your job. I bet Bezos won’t be getting a UK pension, does that mean Amazon should get a tax discount?!