>> I would fully expect some concessions for those most in need - but would expect
>> 80% + to pay. Or why bother.
That's the point. The majority of GP demand is from the those with, in varying combinations old age, low incomes and long term/chronic health conditions. Diabetes, circulatory problems, kidney disease, cancer etc etc all need regular appointments for monitoring. Would you charge for children? Aside from the usual catches in the Nursery petri dish my grandson is in the bottom centile for growth, had an odd sounding heart and struggles to poo. All mean the Doctor wants to see him regularly - at £25 a time?
>> As an aside I will admit to being ignorant of the complexities and challenges of
>> life on universal credit - and would not want to be reliant.
>>
>> But most folk also got help with council tax and rent etc, many when in
>> employment. The average UC payment is £800 per month. Of 5.7m receiving UC, ~40% are
>> in employment.
Note the bolding.
Basically Universal Credit starts by working out what a household needs to live on. So much for a single person, a couple, children (but only 2 if the third or subsequent was born after 01/04/17) and rent - but not mortgage. There are additions for serious long term ill health, disabled children or caring but all those require significant hoop jumping. There are deductions £/£ for most benefits or as a taper for earnings. If you don't let those working keep a good chunk of their wages and get help with childcare then there's a risk that the cost of taking work - travel etc - mean it's not worthwhile.
Whenever you hear an 'outrageous' amount being paid in Universal Credit I'll guarantee you that, barring families with multiple disabilities, the claimant is renting privately and has the misfortune to be rooted in a high rent area like London and the South East. That's why the average is £800.
Even so, the way the limits for Housing costs are calculated are skewed so many don't get the full rent.
They get help with rent because it's not included in the amounts for children and adults etc. Help with Council Tax depends where you live - each council has its own scheme. In most of England, even if you're supposed to be keeping body and soul together on £77/week, you pay 15-50% of Council Tax.
>> There are clearly some who would have real difficulty with health charges. However overstating the
>> problem of some/few by generalising its impact on an entire group is a distortion -
>> and risks alienating empathy for those who justifiably deserve it.
Equally, understating the problem makes charging look far simpler than it would be in reality.
Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Tue 24 Jan 23 at 21:25
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