Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms French Paradox

Main routes used to be centrally funded but things may have changed.

Nope. I'm sure I remember got spending in France being a bit above 60% of gdp compared with something nearer 40 in UK.

Driving out of Lemans each evening to our Hotel was a surreal experience for these two kiwis, one farm tractor (unlit) and no one else on the road, I mean no one at all. Even the villages where we had been warned there may be speed traps, not a light on or a bar open. We wondered if Trump had pressed a button and we were the only ones not told! Rural France appeared to be empty.
The roads were excellent and we wondered if they had all knocked off for summer and gone to the beach? In rural NZ even miles from anywhere you would see lights and the occasional traffic. And no cops to be seen in France, to contrast the empty country it was pretty crowded in Honfleur on the way back to Dover.

Sounds like the Scottish Highlands!!

France is at about 56%, the UK at about 41%.

We moved to France 30 years ago, and although there is much about the country that drives me nuts (in particular, it's really not friendly to small business) there is undoubtedly something very agreeable about the way of life. The proof of the pudding is that we're still here; if we didn't like it, we'd be long gone.

I know that I pay a lot of tax in France, but then at least I feel that a lot of the important stuff works. In particular, the excellent health service offers patients real choice. The state education system can be first class; my kids went to a local Lycée which is generally considered to be one of the top 10 schools in the country; there is no apology in such a school for the pursuit of excellence (which often appears to be derided as elitism in the UK system).

Had we lived in the UK; I feel pretty sure that much of the money I saved in tax would have gone on private school fees and private health insurance.

Just like Chris R, the one thing I really missed was proper beer, which was one of the things which inspired me to change career and to open my first pub in Paris back in 1995 and to start importing Adnams' excellent Suffolk ales.......

It was a very similar situation when we worked in Germany back in the late 1970's you get excellent services but pay for them, I for one prefer that system and wouldn't mind one bit paying more into the NHS on the proviso it does not provide more jobsworth admin and managers but actual medical staff and equipment. Most people I talk to would be prepared to do likewise so it seems all we need is a leader with a pair.

Spot on Rich. My wife has just returned to being a front-line Doctor, having spent 10years co-opted into an NHS England Senior Management role. Her reason to change back? The increasingly corrosive culture created by non-clinical 'career managers' in the NHS with all their politicking, self-interest and tolerance of poor attitudes and performance amongst mid-level staff. How did the NHS get stolen from the clinicians?

Stuart that is a bit sad that your wife has relinquished her senior post due to the inherent failings of the present system it really is.
I hope all goes well with her return to practise, it will be very interesting to see how she finds the changes after a decade away from the hands on frontline maybe she will find it more satisfying.


When did the rot set in by removing the crucial decisions from the clinicians I'm ashamed to say I don't remember it happening, perhaps it was incumbent governments in stealth mode ?

France is great in many ways - just don’t stray into the banlieues (poor suburbs).

Trouble in paradise (according to the Telegraph)

Anyway, had a great week In Brittany and Plus 4 performed impeccably.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/think-britain-meltdown-france-brink/