What would you do if you were in charge?

[Workaholic94]

I am just asking on a totally lighthearted basis about people’s opinions of what they would if they were in charge of running the country? What rules and laws and taxes and things would be fair for everyone?

I am not starting this thread to start anything, I am just genuinely interested as I’ve been on annual leave this week and I’ve found myself thinking about it when I get “downtime”.. I know I have just made myself sound completely sad and pathetic 😅

I would take social care off local government. It's too big an area to be covered by council tax.

Child Maintenance- I would tackle that one hard.

Taxes, I’m no expert but it seems those nations with a socially progressive government fair best.
I’d revise VAT to ensure spending was taxed, but essential items protected from increases. This would be to avoid those using loopholes avoiding contributing and make alcohol, junk food and smoking products less readily available.
Close some of the business loopholes and freebies to businesses. If a business is viable, it should be able to pay it’s staff a living wage without support. Multinational companies do not need government subsidies at the cost to poorer people.
Invest in health, education, housing, public transport services and social care infrastructure to reduce unemployment and boost economy as well as making them fit for the future.
Higher taxes on second homes. Higher taxes on rental property income. Higher tax on assets above about 1 million. Higher taxes on income over about £250k per year.
Graduate tax not student loans or student loans written off for those serving in nhs, state schools, local authorities for more than five years. Remove exam fees for doctors and other HCPs.
Remove charitable status from most independent schools and private hospitals.
Streamline second house and remove peerage from party political control.
Proportional representation.

One of the biggest ills of society is the widening gap between the very rich and the very poor.
I’d ensure that any company that has employees that need to have their wages topped up by universal credit could not pay its directors and senior staff (through wages and dividends) more than 20 times the very lowest paid worker.

If they insist that say £15k a year is a lovable wage, then I’m sure they can manage easily on £300k.

I’d ensure all mainstream media was owned by people resident in this country. No non-Dom’s.

Politicians’ pay would be matched with nurses pay. After all politics is a vocation.

Invest heavily in mental health.

I would hold companies that are awarded government contracts to the details in the contracts including completion dates. If they don't finish on time, they don't get paid. If they run over their budget, tough. It must be done to standard so no cutting corners.

If only it was that simple.

Increasing taxes on the higest earners has in the past led to reduced total taxes as those at the top move away - it was known as the 'brain drain' back in the dark ages of very high tax rates.

I would increase taxes on spending on non-essential items and non-sustainable items such as fossil fuels, plastic products, alcohol and gambling. I would however legalise cannabis as it does a lot less harm in the community than alcohol.

I would charge for Doctors appointments and A&E visits to cut down the unnecessary time wasters. Those genuinely in need and on benefits could get a refund.

Substantially increase minimum wage and make working more worthwhile.

Rejoin EU!

Make alcohol illegal

Because that would really stop people drinking 😂