To think all keyworkers should have their tax stopped for the next two years

[marysuzairn]

All of those that worked throughout covid need to be rewarded. Why not just stop all tax for every nurse, care worker, teacher (and assistant), gas engineer, pharmacist etc. They kept the country going and weren't just at home on 80% pay (and actually better off with less outgoing). Isn't it time to now reward them appropriately?

I assume you're joking? What a dense opening post

I can't think of that many people who are not "key workers" right now...
so no, it's a ridiculous idea.

Tax are not a punishment! As much as I disagree with the current taxation rate and system, you don't "reward" people by stopping tax, you are missing the point completely.

But what about all the things that tax money funds? Who is going to pay for it? My husband and I are both key workers and have been full time since the start of the pandemic but don’t consider ourselves ‘heroes’. NHS staff are the live savers - we just did our jobs.

It’s a nice sentiment as a thank you, but completely ridiculous in practicality. Key workers doesn’t just mean care home workers on minimum wage, it also covers big bank chief executives on millions

I paid just over £6k in tax last year. I’m a keyworker, not medical though.

As much as a rebate would be helpful for my personal circumstances, I don’t think it’s a fair idea, sorry. I can see where you are coming from but I think it’s up to companies to fairly compensate (and I get that for nhs etc that would be from taxes).

And yes, what about people who aren't 'key' workers but still worked throughout? Should all those get a tax cut too?

So it's just those pesky furloughed people paying tax for the next two years probably at an extortionate rate crippling them even further financially after losing 20% of their income due to a global pandemic that was no fault of theirs. Yeah sounds fair ... Not.

Tbh I think most key workers would settle for pay rising in line with inflation and a recognition that their sectors need continuous investment in order to function rather then being squeezed to the point of crisis by successive governments.

Wasn't keyworker originally the term for people in professions considered important enough for them to be able to send their children to school?
I think so many people confused keyworkers with health care workers.

My husband is officially classed as a key worker and furloughed. It’s such a pathetic overly used phrase that people are bandying about now.

Not all key workers were risking their lives going into Covid ridden hospitals etc... Every day.

My friend works for Sky. She is considered a key worker because it's a utility provider. All she did was her normal job...the job she's paid to do... from home...

Most people feel like the prize is still having a bloody job, yes?

[widowed parent, WFH with two primary-ages kids at home throughout]

I'm a key worker and have worked throughout the lockdown, but I think your idea is crazy. Where do you think funding for public services comes from? I'd actually happily pay more tax if it was invested into public services properly.

I fear you are unrealistic. How would the shortfall be made up? The money has to come from somewhere. Where do you suggest we get it from?

Hahahhahahaha

You’re joking, right?!

Most people feel like the prize is still having a bloody job, yes?

Absolutely this. I'm honestly baffled that people like OP actually think this way. Crazy.

Thank God you are not in charge of the economy op

Don't be ridiculous

I am not a key worker but have worked right through COVID. I, and a lot of people I know, are highly paid financial services workers. Much as I would love a tax holiday no Government would be insane enough to give rich bankers a tax break (not even Boris could get away with that!).

My DP and I have both worked from home doing pretty much identical jobs over lockdown. Because of who he works for, he is a keyworker and I'm not. Not much more stressful than normal, but a bit more stressful because of Covid planning in both cases. Why is he more deserving of a tax cut than I am?!

I feel the biscuit emoji is appropriate here

Ridiculous. How would the country continue to function?

Lol this is one of the most nonsensical posts I've seen in some time. It would be absolute madness and makes no sense. Our key workers did an amazing job but they but in the mess we now find ourselves in they are the ones with job security. People on furlough were unable to work through no fault of their own many of whom who have since lost their jobs or will loose them. The government now needs all the tax revenue it can get.

My friend is in HR for an infrastructure company- also a key worker apparently.

it's enough to be in an infrastructure company anyway, but being in HR she is double key worker!

Id rather we just paid them properly all the time and funded public services properly so they could do their jobs to the best of their abilities.

I do kind of agree in principle though that nurses, teachers etc deserve more pay than they get.

I'm just also slightly incredulous that there are still people who think "key workers" were all people on the "front line" risking catching Covid every day etc, or that everyone who isn't a keyworker has been furloughed!