What should be free but isn't

[mummyrabbitpeppapig]

I'll start. Sanitary protection and condoms.

Those of you worrying about cycatic fibrosis meds etc the max you'll ever pay surely is £104 for a prepayment certificate.

It's hard not to feel that's a little like a tax on being ill.

As someone who needs lifelong medication, and whose DW also does (glaucoma, and MS respectively) we are well aware of the costs of prescriptions.

And everyone who has a serious chronic illness already has additional costs. And most will not be entitled to PIP. So your ONLY, is yet another ONLY in a long line.

Agree with some previous posters, but would add some extra conditions or limits:
• A limited number of reusable sanitary products per woman per
year
• A limited number of reusable nappies per baby
• Free annual check-up with dentist and the cheapest version of
any vital treatment

• Free annual check-up with optician and the cheapest version of
any spectacles

• GCSE & A level examination fees for 1 attempt per pupil
• Undergraduate university fees for those with at least 3 Bs at A
level
• Masters university fees for those with a 1:1 degree
• PhD fees for those with a Distinction in their Masters

• Public lavatories in public buildings e.g. railway & bus stations
• Basic first aid training and revision courses

Toilets!!! Makes my blood boil that you have to pay. What If i didnt have the money am I just to pee myself!!???

Public toilets yes. I remember being asked by a pretty desperate looking homeless woman for 20p for the toilet. I gave it to her. but felt it was wrong that she had to ask.

Brasty, you say,
"And no, not everyone has the credit rating to pay by direct debit." I doubt that the NHS prescription pricing authority runs credit checks.

Any of these proposed 'free at the point of delivery' ideas should have to pass a test that they either benefit everybody, or that they most benefit people who have greater need. Free education of children passes this criterion, but free university education doesn't as it disproportionately benefits those who are already relatively advantaged. More scholarships/bursaries for talented students from deprived backgrounds would be a more progressive measure.

Maybe not, but it does say on their site that if you do not meet their monthly payment, "after failing to pay an instalment you may face penalty charges." So not a good option for anyone struggling to manage.

And honestly, I do think those who are well off rarely understand the lives of people who are really struggling.

I have a chronic illness and only get statutory sick pay when off ill. So when that happens, I can really struggle. Last year I was off sick for 3 months. It is just over £70 a week. Any benefits are not paid until several months later. Paying for prescriptions would come off my modest food bill.

Which is why forgive me,. but I really think lots of you have not a fucking clue about the reality with your only x amount a week for something.

Any of these proposed 'free at the point of delivery' ideas should have to pass a test that they either benefit everybody, or that they most benefit people who have greater need

Roads benefit most but not everybody. Would you advocate tolls on all roads for all cars, vans and lorries?

Libraries are typically used more by middle-class families than poorer ones (at least IME).

Of course if we take a long-term view of who benefits, then suddenly free university education for the brightest people makes economic sense.

There's vehicle tax and a large amount of fuel tax (rightly) so using roads isn't free. Providing a road network is a 'common good'.

Bebeatrix
Of course if we take a long-term view of who benefits, then suddenly free university education for the brightest people makes economic sense
Except a lot of that economic benefit goes to the person with the education. Perhaps charge them an extra tax of say, 9%, when earning around the median wage, say £22k or more.
This could make the free education/economic benefit split fairer.

Tampons, pencil cases and condoms are all free at my uni 😁
I think prescriptions for students should be free.

Gin & chocolate.

carol isn't that effectively how student loan repayments work?

Well, yes, I think that was her point.

SomeOtherFuckers

Does your uni also provide (free) guidance on which to use for which purpose?

Andrew, behave yourself!