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To think putting vat on private healthcare when many people use it because the NHS won't treat them is monstrously cruel

362 replies

DervlaGlass · 30/09/2025 08:10

I know so many people who have had to pay for cancer diagnostics or new joints because they couldn't obtain care from the NHS. Not rich people - people who have to take out bank loans to fund it.

What is wrong with labour.

OP posts:
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Florencesndzebedee · 30/09/2025 17:04

Wait until Reform get in - I think you’ll spontaneously combust then.

80smonster · 30/09/2025 17:15

Ideologically speaking, since that’s Labour’s forte, VAT should definitely be charged on private healthcare, it would make sense for there to be parity across all optional services: healthcare, education and further education - all of these are choices - seems to be the MN consensus. While they are at it, I hope they cut UC (waste of money), drop the triple lock and fuel allowance, too. If the UK is broke, everyone should help repair it, tax is for the many not the few!

Bumblebee72 · 30/09/2025 17:46

justasking111 · 30/09/2025 14:38

"💥 EU VAT Rates Table 2025: Complete by-Country Guide 2025 ?" https://www.eurofiscalis.com/en/vat-rates-in-ue/

A lot of countries in Europe have higher standard VAT rates than us. Hungary 27% . To raise it would be the fastest way for Reeves to raise the monies she requires.

People often say we should be more like Scandinavia so 25% seems the way forward.

LarkspurLane · 30/09/2025 18:01

Pharazon · 30/09/2025 15:09

No, it's a complete strawman. People who a year ago were assuring everyone that VAT on private schools would never happen, and then 9 months ago were assuring everyone that VAT on private schools was unlawful and would be overturned in the courts by February half term, are now assuring everyone that Labour is about to start charging VAT on higher education, medical insurance and food.

It's a classic FUD tactic.

Edit: sorry, I think I misread this.

Bumblebee72 · 30/09/2025 18:26

Reeves could stop all the speculation today if she wanted to. All she needs to do tell which taxes she is going to go up to pay for her spending spree. But she's put it off as long as she possibly could.

Pharazon · 30/09/2025 18:30

twistyizzy · 30/09/2025 15:12

Er court clearly said it was discriminatory and breached HR under the 2 Articles it was brought under. So yes, in that sense it is unlawful

The court ruled that the policy was lawful. Which is why it hasn't been overturned.

Pharazon · 30/09/2025 18:32

Bumblebee72 · 30/09/2025 18:26

Reeves could stop all the speculation today if she wanted to. All she needs to do tell which taxes she is going to go up to pay for her spending spree. But she's put it off as long as she possibly could.

You want her to leak her own budget before budget day?

ThisTicklishFatball · 30/09/2025 18:36

CandidOP · 30/09/2025 11:04

I am struggling to get past this. THIS is exactly why private education should be taxed. It produces entitled elites who think they should and indeed do get access to most of the powerful jobs in this country. Politicians, judges, barristers, journalists are all overwhelmingly privately educated. They dominate the professions not because they are good at what they do but because a private education buys connections and networks that will advance and protect them all their lives. Wake up!!

Don't you think of yourself as an entitled elite?

You certainly are entitled elite. You're here complaining, crying, like typical people who have too much entitlement at the elite level, believing everything you say is correct and everyone else is wrong. You can't think of solutions to problems without creating issues for others, just because they don't do what you want them to do.

People who support the idea of taxing private healthcare should also consider why other, far more luxurious items shouldn’t be taxed. Once you start taxing and penalizing those who use private healthcare, it seems logical to apply the same principle to everything else in life. If taxing private healthcare users is seen as fair, then the same logic should be universally applied, taxing any luxury that requires payment.

The country needs money, so tax everything, including food. Food is a luxury, and imported food is even more of a luxury. Education of any kind is a luxury, including university fees, higher education, further education colleges, vocational courses, tutoring, and online schools or courses. Any imported goods are pure luxury. The list is endless. Use your imaginative mind to think about how much money the Labour government could earn for the country if they taxed everything.

I’m sure the Labour politicians and their supporters will shield themselves from taxes. They’re part of the privileged elite, just like the elite on the other side. Neither is any better than the other.

Bumblebee72 · 30/09/2025 18:42

Pharazon · 30/09/2025 18:32

You want her to leak her own budget before budget day?

I don't I'm happy speculating. If Labour want to shut the down the speculation they could give a steer as to what they are planning, if they don't want to they will have to put up with growing press speculation and having to rule out ideas one by one.

Bumblebee72 · 30/09/2025 18:46

Pharazon · 30/09/2025 18:30

The court ruled that the policy was lawful. Which is why it hasn't been overturned.

As I posted before the net amount of cash raised has been nil, there is now more pressure on state schools, the only winners are those who didn't want others to have private education because they couldn't have it themselves. It is the epitome of cutting off your noise to spite your face.

twistyizzy · 30/09/2025 19:24

Pharazon · 30/09/2025 18:30

The court ruled that the policy was lawful. Which is why it hasn't been overturned.

Yes but it also ruled that it was discriminatory and breached the 2 Articles of HRA it was brought under. Here you go:

To think putting vat on private healthcare when many people use it because the NHS won't treat them is monstrously cruel
Pharazon · 01/10/2025 01:01

twistyizzy · 30/09/2025 19:24

Yes but it also ruled that it was discriminatory and breached the 2 Articles of HRA it was brought under. Here you go:

Maybe something actually readable?

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