Where are those people's families and where is my tax going?

[AmusedTaupePlayer]

Nearly 50% of my income vanishes in tax and NI, and I’m seriously wondering what I’m getting in return. The streets are filthy, the Tube’s a mess of delays and breakdowns, and my child’s school can’t even fix leaking ceilings.
GP appointments? Impossible. Police follow-ups? Hit and miss.
I asked my councillor, and he said most of the money’s going to social care — mainly for elderly people and kids in care. Fine, but it makes me ask: where are their families? Why is the state carrying so much, and why does it feel like we're footing the bill for a system that’s barely working?
I’m not trying to be cruel — just frustrated. Is anyone else getting the same response from their council? Or any better answers?

Yes. You only have to read the relationships and divorce boards on here to see how many absent parents (usually men) work cash in hand to avoid paying child support. There are no sanctions.

How are families meant to care for older family members when they are at work all day? Should they give up work and go on benefits in order to do so?

The assisted dying coming in may have some effect as many of us dont want to suffer in pain etc.

All the systems impact each other in a circle Expensive housing Expensive transport - delays, no frequency. Worse than any country i have visited Need to be able to drive but then £10 a day to park Expensive food Rubbish schools - parents expected to teach the reading 10-29 mins every day Rubbish behaviour in schools - you kid doesnt want to go in Teachers dont care so worse bullying Sen rises --- Parents claiming dla for kids many of who are ok Other parents fighting schools for any adjustments. Kids who cant cope in after school clubs Depressed kids Nhs

Always doing the minimum like with thyroid issues people get more unhealthy depressed overweight
Wont treat strep or ear infections worsening childrens health. Even uti given only 3 days didnt clear it so more days off school
Years on asd oe adhd waitlists .

Then we need to pay higher benefits to unemployed etc so they can afford to live

A new system you wouldnt be giving winter fuel allowance to wealthy pensioners.
You wouldnt expect young people now to pay so much for older people pensions of they will have to wait till over 68 to get one.
You would encourage people to have kids younger as older parents are increasing the asd and mh issues rates....

I wouldnt have more dc for lots of reasons but one of them is the s%%% nhs medical care mainlt in labour no epidural. But also as above no treatment for any issues the kid has.

Need to keep house prices and rents lower.

I do think some older people are a littke selfish - yes they dont have to help chiodren or GC but --- ones living in loads of bed houses with multiple properties and their kids in council properties or renting. Now maybe the kids arent best with money but its more the system is funding when the family could have given a deposit etc.

I actuallyvdont know anyonbe who downsized. So its no wonder the country is shoet of housing

It’s also completely unethical to give addicted women money (which will go straight to feeding their addiction) to compromise their fertility permanently. Would you give up your ability to carry children for £200?

The people at the top of society, those who make the rules & hold the power have always gamed the system. Why? Because they can.
The people at the bottom now (thanks to modern tech) have a greater opportunity to swap notes, compare tips & tricks etc so that they too can work things to their advantage. Why? Because they can.

I dont mean to condone cheating, but people will & do cheat if think they can get away with it.

Now maybe the kids arent best with money but its more the system is funding when the family could have given a deposit etc.

Not according to MN. Most adults expect a deposit from their parents, but wouldn’t dream of helping them out when they’re older because they “didn’t ask to be born”. They also expect their parents’ house when they’re older eventually die.

Are you sure that’s not average salary? The ONS give a figure of £55k for average household income, which is still short but much closer.

I'm not sure that this is a discussion about what people want but what is coming down the pipeline regardless.

I know 18 year olds in full time education who live at home with their parents, fully supported, yet applying for job seekers allowance and universal credit.

I don't pay tax for healthy, fit 18 year olds in education to collect free money. It's galling.

Loads of people only take cash in hand.
Some people dispose of assets to avoid paying for care.
The large companies don’t pay enough tax.
The system allows people that can work not to work.
There is a lot of illegal working.

Few 18 year olds in full time education with parental support will be eligible for either of those benefits. www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and-students

It’s also ONS figure, but it’s the median average rather than the mean, which is how they usually measure it. The mean figure is higher, but obviously skewed by the millionaires/billionaires.

Exactly...
Try looking after one demented incontinent person for a week, never mind years. We don't have the extended families and the culture of the earning family members financially supporting the carers that others have.

I sincerely hope so because the sense of entitlement to working taxpayers' money seems unreal amongst so many!

That’s referring to disposal income, ie after taxes, NI, pensions so gross income will be considerably more.

Tax is high. Fewer people funding more. Also borrowing is incredibly high which takes up a fair chunk of tax in servicing.

Will any government ever tackle any of these significant issues?

It's everywhere isn't it?

Remember the MPs expenses scandal? Boris' shenanigans? The corruption with Covid contracts? The royal family shamelessly using every legal loophole to increase their wealth while the media praise them for wearing the same outfit twice?

Integrity is missing from public life and it trickles down the system.

Too many taking out and not enough paying in. Prime example being two in my team at work now dropping hours (so will pay less tax) as they can make up the shortfall with UC. They even refused their £500.00 bonus (taxable) as they’d lose some of ‘their’ other money. Neither have under 5s btw. It’s a joke.

but if large corporations are willing to use legal tax aviodance methods etc then is it any wonder others copy too ?

Ive only posted like three or four comments on this thread all basically saying the same thing (that sadly these ladies heads are usually too screwed up from the drugs so they can't think properly)

So not sure why you are quoting me and asking "You honestly think someone addicted to drugs (usually not heroin interestingly enough) has the ability to think through the consequences of having children"

Like no I do not think that as I've said about three times 🤔

Maybe I am thick but those things you mention in your OP are funded by Council Tax. No way are you paying 50% of your income on that.

This isn't true life expectancy for some one with LD is in the 50's/60's.

I know that. At just over £4k a month she has enough left for almost ten years, having been there 12 months already.
She shouldn’t be receiving any AA from the public purse IMO, her own money should be used up first. No better use of her assets at this stage without involving state benefits.

After my career stalling whilst my kids were young I've only just got it into a good place now they are in secondary, in a senior role and loving it by God it's demanding and I'm pushing 50 so not the energy levels I once had. My mum also has dementia and no way am I stepping down my career again, I'd likely never get it back.

My life is work, kids, house stuff, visiting my mum at weekends and occasionally some fun time or rare social outing. I simply won't give more than that to her care. Luckily she has savings to pay a care agency but when that runs out she'll be dependent on the local authority and all you lovely tax payers.