"Rip-Off Britain"
lemoncurd
Posts: 57,778 Forum Member
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This is a phrase oft banded about on these forums.
The inference is that we have relatively poor spending power in the UK. But how true is this?
Obviously, there are many factors at play, and spending power will vary depending on relative wealth, but how does it compare with other countries?
We'd have to consider taxation policies (and tax burden), what is provided by the state for free (health care, child care, welfare, pensions etc.), average incomes, the actual price of commodities and other goods and services.
OK, you can compare the exchange-rate adjusted figures for certain things, but how much of the picture does that paint?
Which countries do you think *aren't* a rip-off?
The inference is that we have relatively poor spending power in the UK. But how true is this?
Obviously, there are many factors at play, and spending power will vary depending on relative wealth, but how does it compare with other countries?
We'd have to consider taxation policies (and tax burden), what is provided by the state for free (health care, child care, welfare, pensions etc.), average incomes, the actual price of commodities and other goods and services.
OK, you can compare the exchange-rate adjusted figures for certain things, but how much of the picture does that paint?
Which countries do you think *aren't* a rip-off?
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Comments
Indeed.
I think there was a time when he was right, but according to my MIL, it's not actually any cheaper there now.
I do the same in the USA, it costs me $3,000 - $5,000 to get the shoulder fixed, then $200 for every physio visit. Or I can take out Medicare for $300 a month!
Or I pay £3.50 for a Big Mac meal in the UK, but a mere $2 in the USA.
Rip Off Britain right there.
But do you pay $300 a month less tax in the USA?
And Britain isn't that much of a rip-off anyway, not many other places in the world offer free healthcare to its citizens.
If DS had a "Like" button, I would have hit it.
Most European countries are more expensive than us for a lot of things these days - the main exceptions being housing and alcohol.
We did a trip to Paris and London a couple of years back. We found Paris to be much more expensive.
BIB - actually there are quite a few.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_health_care
US have what is known as Public Hospitals, most cities have one and they don't ask for money as they are funded by government, local government or charities.
An example for you:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City_Health_and_Hospitals_Corporation
Me too. There are great, cheap places to go in London if you know where.
Lots do, especially in Europe.
Especially when the end up putting the horse that injured you in the BigMac and dont even tell you lol
But I bet he'll be happy to receive his British pension, and Cold Weather payments!
Not really. £4100 ($6200) per taxpayer each year. Medicaid works out cheaper.
I was in France a few months back and didn't notice it being any cheaper there. Same old story really, something things are cheaper here and some things are more expensive.
I would say we are a rip off electronic wise, I'm looking into getting a new laptop and we pay far more then you would in the states for example.
Interesting!
It'll never be as bad as body hair removal.
What does Medicaid cover?
They rarely ever say it now.