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If the jails are so full why don't we take them at the top end who have committed the worst offences and simply execute them. That way there would always be. room at the bottom end for new arrivals.
I regularly see a lady in her seventies using her bus pass to get a free trip into town (she doesn't drive). Always makes me smile to think that some small part of our taxes goes to subsidize that journey, because I know she has a net worth of at least two million pounds. Pensioners are the richest group in our society by a long, long way - more than 80% of personal wealth in the UK is in the hands of the over-65s ( a third of the population), so to have the working poor pay more tax to provide a blanket subsidy to this group seems like a crazy policy to me - surely it has to be means tested?Of course, the problem is that these figures hide huge differences and also that many pensioners wealth is tied up in they house they own - they may be "rich", but have only a small fixed income. The situation valmarg posted about must be quite common and very upsetting for the people concerned.My father-in-law is in his seventies and ran 10 marathons in 10 days last year and claims to be fitter than when he served in the paras. Being 76 these days doesn't automatically make you frail or vulnerable and the magistrates wouldn't jail someone who had any kind of health problem.In this particular case, which was about 18 months ago, I believe the local council in Norfolk pointed out in court that he could easily afford to pay, particularly as he had sold his story to the Daily Mail.
Well ceratonia, there are two points I take issue with you.1. The old biddy you quote taking her free bus trip into town.Bus travel to the over sixties is free in England, which is wonderful if you have the luxury of a bus service. We don't. We can get an over 60's bus pass, but when there are no buses to use, what's the point??2.'Pensioners are the richest group in our society by by long way'.Not in this house they are not. We are struggling to make ends meed, using up all our savings to survive.Get in the real world!!valmarg
But an old man rattling around alone in a 3-4 bedroomed house that he does not need is rich. And before anybody says it - I believe that Inheritance Tax (a tax on unearned income by those receiving it) is the fairest tax there is so do not tell me that they have a right to that hose so they can leave it to their kids who will just flog it to feather their own nest.I live in a 2.5 bedroomed house. I have three children. I cannot afford to move. One of the causes of house inflation is the number of single people in houses they do not need. I also struggle to pay Band D Council Tax. Why should I subsidise a Band A payer who is a single pensioner in a large house?
... capital rich if not cash rich ...