Is the Conservative Party about to announce an official health policy? I ask this only because the Shadow Secretary of Health, Andrew Lansley has a written question tabled (which should be answered tomorrow) about
what whether or not Gordon Brown has commission research or "evaluated research on the public's willingness to pay a hypothecated NHS tax".
For those wondering what the hell that means, it's basically the concept of reconnecting the electorate not with politicians (for once) but with their taxes. There has been research over the past number of years that suggest that the people do not mind paying taxes for health care provision necessarily, but that they feel disconnected from that by virtue of the big income tax net in which it is all grabbed.
In the most simplistic terms, a hypothecated NHS tax would mean that there would be a demonstrable link between the money the electorate gives to the state and the allocation of that money afterwards. The question is, why is the Shadow Secretary of Health asking the question? Is a more transparent and see-able "NHS tax" on the cards from the Conservative Party?
4 comments:
I thought that was what "National Insurance" was for, together with funding the dole.
"together with" being the point I guess.
I can't stand the idea of hypothecated tax; it demonstrates a frustration by politico's with their own system.
The better answer is to stop trying to do everything and cut taxes. People can then choose with their own money.
It is a sad day if the Tories have reached this point; 3 years away from an election!
Isn't it like if your car insurance was paid for out of your road tax.
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