I was one of those patients who gave up and went private.
On the rise in taxes etc. Just a small example from the literally thousands of businesses out there. The kennel where we board our dogs and cats when on holiday is closing. Brilliant kennel, absolutely top notch. Been operational for years. They close from October. The cost of living, the cost of utilities, the rise in NI etc etc etc mean they simply cannot keep it as a going concern. It's a family business, husband and wife, their two adult daughters and SILs plus another 4 staff. That's 10 people out of a job now. I asked what they were doing and the wife said she has managed to pick up a part time job cleaning the local primary school in the morning but otherwise they are not sure.
What a waste. And yet another example of how Labour is incapable of seeing to the logical conclusions of their fiscal policies. Under another user name I have been on many a thread about VAT on school fees. Our school - which is the single largest employer in our area- has cut staff already by 10% as a straight cut (mainly contract staff like cleaners, grounds staff, music teachers etc) and have warned that they are unlikely to replace staff when people retire or leave.
I feel utterly helpless about the path this country is taking.