There is no doubt that the present pension/benefits position is unsupportable and probably getting worse.
The question is "why"?
The financial model is complex, to say the least, particularly when analysing the NHS. For the moment I'm going to ignore everything else.
I appeared in the 1950s and comparing medical care then and now much has changed as a result of technology and chemistry. The result is that we can do much more to keep people fit and healthy, but we can also keep people alive in a state where they may have a good quality of life but continuous costly care. When I was young these people died.
So, to provide the level of care people want I believe there are only 2 options:
Either a 2 tier health service where those who can pay get a better service or we all pay a lot more., one way or another.
When "State Pensions" arrived it was expected that on average payment would last for less than 10 years. Most people who benefited were those in non professional roles where the work was physically hard. The professional workers were expected to make their own provision, which they mostly did. The NHS was funded using a similar model.
Now workers are mostly "professional" in that they use their mind, not their body and so bodies don't break the way they did. Instead bodies are abused...poor diet, no exercise, use of drugs, etc, etc.
The real problem is that "middle class professionals" now expect the state to look after them and don't take responsibility for themselves.
We need to change expectations and have everyone but the low paid and non professionals take responsibility. The present Government is trying to do this, with some success. But there is much to do.
Firstly the idea of "retirement" needs to be destroyed. I'm 62 and still working, and mostly enjoying it. I'd like to reduce to part time and possibly take on useful charity work, such as mentoring young people who are trying to build their own business. But I think that there should be financial incentives to both employers and individuals to do this. Everyone capable of contributing should do so, an active person keeps the cost to the public purse down and is likely to live longer.
And as to immigration...anyone who comes here and works and pays taxes is welcome. So no benefits for 6 months and in the first 5 years if a person is unemployed for more than 6 months they are sent home. I think Australia has got the balance about right.
Sunday morning rant over....
