Please STOP using the NHS as a political football - both sides !

[throckenholt]

It is driving me nuts.

Gove claiming EU immigrants would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS (surely if they are coming here to work then they will be paying taxes and NI?, and even if they aren't they will be paying VAT - all of which fund the NHS (along with everything else)). They also seem to be implying that if we didn't pay whatever (disputed) massive amount the EU, then we could spend it all on the NHS (as if that would really happen).

An out voter on the radio today was saying we need to stop all these (EU) immigrants because they are using up our NHS, and pensions, and houses and the rest (vague), and we need to keep it for us.

And the remain side are somehow claiming (for no explained reason) that the EU is good for the NHS (as quoted by Cathy Warwick Royal College of Midwives). At the same tiem an "Official Treasury report" claimes leaving the EU would mean "£36 billion in govt spending cuts - meaning less money for the NHS".

As far as I can see - the NHS is a massive employer of EU nationals (and non-EU nationals). If we sent them all home we would be in real trouble. And I don't see why EU nationals living in the UK are any more likely to be using the NHS - most of the pressure is coming from our own home grown elderly population. If all our expat pensioners come back and start using the NHS that would add even more pressure (and they wouldn't be contributing much in taxes either).

BOTH sides are using the very emotive subject of the NHS and trying to make it a major decision maker for people on how to vote in the referendum. The NHS is dear to most people's hearts, but it really isn't a major issue as to whether we should or shouldn't be part of the EU.

grrrrr

The UK blocked EU tarriffs on cheap Chinese steel because they thought those tariffs would harm UK trading relations with China.

Just how much more insecure will UK feel about its trading relationship with China if we aren't part of the EU bloc? Coz we'll REALLY be in a great position to demand high tariffs if we go it alone.

No one's saying they won't take a job elsewhere; but people with families and connections in Wales and a history of skilled work are by definition unlikely to move to London to take unskilled, low-paid work.

It's all well and good saying "well wages should go up", but that would have to be paid for (increasing the tax burden) and causes inflationary pressure which makes everything more expensive for everyone.

In an ideal world low-skilled hospital jobs would pay enough that people doing them could live unsupported by benefits, but in reality this creates wage pressures on all other unskilled jobs (why would people work in a care home for £7/HR if they could earn £12/HR in the NHS?), so compromises have to be made.