Helping the government save money

[Samdelila]

I think free prescriptions for people with certain conditions should be means tested. What else could the government cut to save money?

The government should have stuck to their guns on that one. This country needs to cut spending.

So you think that someone on benefits should be better off than someone not on benefits, then? Because that is what happened with the original WFA proposals.

And that needs to be dealt with too.

No I don’t think someone on benefits should be better off than someone not on benefits. The system needs to be reformed.

No. Just no. As a welfare benefits adviser I fielded countless enquiries about this at the time and it was one of the most ill thought out changes ever. Hence the semi u-turn that followed.

So what exactly has inspired you to post this thread now, apart from resentment of your friend, of course?

No expenses for Councillors then. As you are so invested in what is best for this country you're obviously not claiming yours as a magnanimous gesture...?

WTF.

You actually think it's more important to criticise my punctuation than to engage with the real human impact of what it would be like if your despicable inhumane ideas were to be implemented.

You have no soul.

And how many pensioners dying from being terrified to put their heating on is an acceptable “canon fodder” under your criteria ?

Yes, let's just let old people die of hypothermia eh, that'll save a few bob.

If you are a councillor, I really dispair..

Perhaps if you developed a few reading comprehension skills. And a few life comprehension skills while you're at it.

If you really are a councillor I find that damn scary.

Indeed.

Okay for example you have an epileptic who is on 3 types of medicines for epilepsy
They can't afford the direct debit for a prepayment certificate this month so they don't get their medication. They have a tonic clonic seizure...
So the money to send a 999 ambulance to take them to hospital
They continue seizing
Have a day or two in ITU
Have some rehab
You are looking at a conservative cost of £20,000 for one patient which could have been prevented
Or a type 2 diabetic on at least two medications
There diabetes is out of control
Get a wound in their foot- have a foot ulcer. They see a podiatrist every other week, and a nurse 3 times a week for dressings.it takes at least 2 months to heal. That has cost the NHS upto £7800
These could have been easily solved. No I actually think that reducing prescription costs could save the NHS money.....

Unfortunately there are a lot of these types on local councils. The rules need to change. As far as I know a councillor can’t be removed unless strict rules have been neglected ……eg. Attending a certain number of meetings etc.
our local council removed someone a few years back who had been there for 10+ years, who was a very unpleasant individual. They only got sacked due to being taken to a tribunal for their behaviour for bullying misconduct by a junior admin employee.

We have a lot of examples on this very thread of why significiant cuts can't be made for policital reasons.

So many ridiculous, emotiove responses like this over the apparently shocking suggestion of removing WFA from most pensioners (th wealthiest generation) 'And how many pensioners dying from being terrified to put their heating on is an acceptable “canon fodder” under your criteria?' And yet there were no deaths reported at all in Winter 2024, not even in the Daily Telegraph!

Lots of people accusing the OP of hating her friend/having no soul. etc for daring to suggest that the list of free prescription entitlements be reviewed, which of course it should.

It's pretty obvious to anyone who checks the budget deficit, looks at population demographics and can add up that the UK will need to make signficiant budget cuts at some point, probably not too far in the future. However, when any attempt is made to even discuss it, even a tiny, insignificant thing like cutting free prescriptions for those with hypothyroidism, for example, they are screamed at and accused of all sorts. Frankly, these people need to look at the real economic and demographic situation, rather than the one that existed in 1950. They (the whole population of the UK) needs to grow up and find ways to discuss vital, although challenging, issues with each other without being rude, completely over reacting and making personal remarks.

I was on a thread about the need for the UK to become less reliant on the US - which highlighted that to do this we would have to pay more for our own defence. We cannot afford to do that without economic growth and cutting spending. This was the catalyst for me looking for ways to cut government spending. I was already interested in identifying ways to do this because I am constantly reading news articles and comment pieces talking about the fact this country is spending more than it can afford. That prompts me to want to try and figure out how cost cuts can be achieved. It is dispiriting that you cannot believe that I am honestly simply trying to identify ways in which we can help ourselves.

Oh, dear god!
wealthiest generation……some yes, a few…..many not!!!!
STOP USING AI…

It is an emotive subject to many, especially when a post like this is made by someone who has not researched the subject more beforehand.

Your post makes no sense @LilyBunch25. I've done plenty of research, as it happens but I can't control your response or take responsibility for you. You are responsible for that. As I've said quite clearly, people need to learn to discuss these subjects without over reacting.

Why does everyone of your suggestions rely on people paying more?

There is so much waste across government and local councils that should be addressed before people have to pay more, everyone is feeling the pitch, even people on reasonably high salaries.

So I should pay for my cancer medication?

And all the other conditions like my heart arrhythmia and scarring alopecia and Genito-urinary atrophy and osteoporosis caused by the cancer treatment?

You know my exemption only lasts 5 yrs right? And touch wood if the cancer stays away I will be stuck paying for all the prescriptions for the conditions the cancer treatment caused?

Is that fair?

You can actually, you can sell up or remortgage to get cash.

I was referring to the OPs original post. And to say most responders are over reacting is patronising.

I completely agree that waste should be addressed. I’m not only interested in ways to cut spending that involve people paying more. I’m interested in discussing all suggestions about cutting spending.