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?

This has to be a wind up surely!
I am a key worker but that is simply an arbitrary term - as other s have said we are all part of an ecosystem so you cannot treat some jobs as special or at the margins you creat conflict and divisiveness. Even the much maligned Amazon with unorthodox tax habits has been a. Essential service to many of us during the pandemic. My parents who used to follow the sheeplike view that Amazon was the devil are now converters as Amazon saved their sanity when bricks and mortar shops are closed or with mile long queues and now with the mask stasi regime. So no angels or demons, just people working in an economy that mostly works well.

You have no idea do you. I work in finance for a multi national company. Do you know what would have happened if we'd all not worked through this period. Massive consequences.

The list of keyworkers is huge, it's not just front line NHS staff.

I was pleased to hear about pay rises today but no I don’t think a tax holiday is a good idea.

I'm a farmer and keyworker. How will you reward me?

It is a simple fact: for some people (not ALL) furlough has been an extended holiday - lower costs mean 80% has been fine and over 70% Of parents overall have not had to pay nursery costs. Why can’t we acknowledge that? Let’s not be simplistic about this. The rest of us have had to slog it out and will be expected to bear increased taxes as well.

But it wasn't their choice, do you actually understand that because I don't think you do? People didn't get a say, they were forced into furlough, what exactly did you want them to do? Quite their jobs and sit in a dark room miserable? You cant punish people for something that as out of their hands just because you are jealous, you should be relieved that your job was secure and you didn't have to risk losing it.

Maybe we could add additional tax for anyone who, furloughed or otherwise, continually says “it’s been lovely”, “I’ve so enjoyed lockdown”, “I’ve really had a chance to relax / spend time with my kids (while being paid) / learn xyz skill (while being paid)”, without a thought for those either working harder than ever, those who’ve lost loved ones, or have lost their jobs and face financial crisis?

Whatever your job entails OP, I sincerely hope its nothing to do with basic economics.

Me and DP are not key workers. We worked at home and home educated all the way through. We helped keep the country going by paying our taxes as did masses of other people who weren't furloughed. Those who were furloughed also paid their taxes and masses of them are worried about whether they'll have a job to return to.

(Ps it’s ok to have enjoyed, but not to continually bang on about it regardless of the audience.

Pps - I’ve got no real axe to grind because I’d say I was about half way through the scale of fortunate/ not fortunate.)

Also, you do understand those furloughed still paid tax don't you?

Guess it depends where you put the limit for KW.

I'm technically a key worker but have been able to WFH the full time. Do I get it? Well, then you'd have to redefine keyworker if not.

I’m classed as a key worker but worked from home throughout and not on your list. My friend and her husband, both key workers and entitled to nursery/school places but worked at home and decided not to use that place. Neither of those are on your list. My husband, not a key worker, worked at home throughout and worked equally as long hours as me, my friend and her husband. Even if the country could afford to give all key workers a tax break, which it can’t, key workers extends a lot further than what you think it does. Where the fuck is this shortfall coming from? And secondly a lot of people worked fucking hard over the last few months. Some had a key worker letter, some didn’t.

And I’ve said it before and I hope I don’t have to say it again - those on furlough weren’t on fucking holiday. They’ve had four months worrying if they’ll have a job to go back to, what the economy is going to be like, if they’ll be able to pay rent/mortgage/feed their kids. They’ve spent four months by themselves, anxious about their future to protect they NHS and protect people’s lives.

Don't be daft. I hate the term 'Keyworker', but yes I am deemed as one. I have WFH the entire time, and will continue to do so for a while yet. Why would I want my tax stopped?

YABU I'm classed as a key worker and my son went to school. I've worked from home throughout. As much as I'd love to pay no tax for a few years I'm not stupid enough to think I deserve this or that it would make any economic sense.

The tax holiday for keyworkers idea is by far the most ridiculous I have ever seen on mumsnet.

Incidentally, many key workers were heroes before Covid, and will continue to be heroes long after the crisis passes. I have particular respect for those prepared to deliberately put themselves in peril to help others for no payment at all, or for an absolute pittance, such as special constables, retained firefighters and the RNLI.

No. What about those in the food industry, farmers, grain merchants... , are you going to cut their tax too ? without them the select few key workers you mentioned wouldn't have worked as they would have starved.
This is similar to "all nhs staff should park for free" pleas that I've seen loads of. what about researchers who have continued to do life saving research, those at universities paying through the nose for parking to develop Covid testing. Where do you draw the line ? You can't!

@tunnocksreturns2019

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

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

Well said, Tunnock. I'd feel as if I'd won the Lottery, if I still had a bloody job. I haven't, thanks to lockdown. And guess what? I don't qualify for any help or benefits, either.

@dairyfairies

I (not a key worker) worked throughout the lockdown despite being a lone parents to 2 DC incl one with complex special needs and I was refused a school place for her and my employer refused furlough for childcare reasons.

Do I deserve a tax cut too?

Tax cut & a medal!

Your employer deserves to be ....well, it's not pleasant reading what I'm thinking...let's just say 'all manner of evil things,'

@marysuzairn. I wish there was a fair way to reward those that went the extra mile during lockdown, but there really isn't. I think 'respect' would go a long way though.

Not all key workers are front line and not everyone that worked through is a keyworker and many furloughed stand to lose their jobs...

So who's going to pay for all this then? Money doesn't grow on trees you know!

And what about all those who lost their jobs because of the virus will they get their bills paid?

I’m a key worker and I worked bloody hard but I have financial security. I don’t need a tax break. I need the arts to get back so I can enjoy my down time. I need families to not go hungry and I need schools to teach my dc. I don’t know anyone in my hospital expecting to not pay our taxes! When the country is in debt, we’re the ones who are still able to shop and eat out!

Blah blah blah keyworkers, blah heroes, blah furlough. It’s like bingo with some people. Those people who are lucky enough to have a secure job don’t need any other help. Your idea of excluding finance workers from your list of the chosen is pathetic. You do know a lot of finance workers aren’t paid very much and personally I’m glad they were working as they were able to sort out my banking problem.
As others have said those on furlough may well not have a job to go back to and I feel very sorry for them.

People are going to be paying more not less tax with the economic shitshow that’s coming. You sound completely financially illiterate.

Sorry wasn't meaning to offend anyone, I feel the pay rises is a joke as many haven't had a rise in years and are earning below in real terms. Will be hiding this thread

Well it could be argued they were just doing their job?

Also. Just saw your 'Finance People' comment! Um, What?

On the back of my previous post saying I have been WFH, I also work in finance. Can you explain to me why I should be paying a higher tax? You do realise the financial services covers a wide birth of disciplines within the sector right?

Wasn't meaning to offend anyone? This has to be a joke. If it wasn't, I hope you learned something OP