P1keys pitch up at Marlborough College

[lastlid]

In a way, this is not a bad thing.

What I mean is, the only way something "might" ever be done about this sort of thing, is if it affects those in power, the "elite" and not just us peasants who should know our place, who are denounced as "bar room politics" if we dare complain about things like crime and give our suggestions.

Just as you can be damned sure the NHS would suddenly be top class if everyone was forced to use it, and just as the bog standard comprehensive would be history within days if private education was banned..................then the only way anything would ever be done would be if a problem ended up on THEIR back yard.

I suggest some Romanian squatters in the dorm at Eton, a huge asylum seeker hostel in Henley Upon Thames and some chavs drinking white lightening hanging around Downing Street at 2am every night

In the manner of privately funded health and education, we could have both a top class education system and a top class NHS but we aren't prepared to pay more in taxes to fund it. Are we?

Who is willing to pay more in tax to fund the improvements?

Oh. And by the way, I thought that the Comprehensive system was supposed to be the answer to our education issues?

[bigmarco]

In the manner of privately funded health and education, we could have both a top class education system and a top class NHS but we aren't prepared to pay more in taxes to fund it. Are we?

Who is willing to pay more in tax to fund the improvements?

Oh. And by the way, I thought that the Comprehensive system was supposed to be the answer to our education issues?

Don't know about you Lastlid but since this lot came to power I am paying more Tax. I now find myself in the 40% bracket which wouldn't be so bad if it was being spent on worthwhile things like the NHS and caring for the elderly. Instead I'm paying for the mistakes of Bankers and financial mismanagement by half the governments of the EU as well as the upkeep of tens of thousands of freeloaders who turn up on our doorstep from these very same countries

[lastlid]

Don't know about you Lastlid but since this lot came to power I am paying more Tax. I now find myself in the 40% bracket which wouldn't be so bad if it was being spent on worthwhile things like the NHS and caring for the elderly. Instead I'm paying for the mistakes of Bankers and financial mismanagement by half the governments of the EU as well as the upkeep of tens of thousands of freeloaders who turn up on our doorstep from these very same countries

Fortunately for me I am paying less tax. I used to be in a situation a bit like yourself taxwise but pay less tax now I am in the Isle of Man.

I was just saying that any improvements would have to be funded by more money. I would hazard a guess that would mean more taxes. I have sampled both the NHS and the private sector and both state schooling and private schooling and in the case of the private version of both, had to pay significantly more money, one way or another. The money has to come from somwhere to raise the standards in state schools and hospitals ( not sure if this government has misspent - thats for another debate). It obviously predates the last two governments.

I dont really blame one government or another. My outlay has been over a long decade. I havent got a clue who was in power when my daughter went to a private school. Just looked it up (Major and Blair taking a quick look).

Personally I favour the old grammar school system. As a person that has spent a significant amount of time teaching during my career and put two kids through their education, the grammar system wins hands down. My son goes to the local grammar school.

[gWaPito]

Don't know about you Lastlid but since this lot came to power I am paying more Tax. I now find myself in the 40% bracket which wouldn't be so bad if it was being spent on worthwhile things like the NHS and caring for the elderly. Instead I'm paying for the mistakes of Bankers and financial mismanagement by half the governments of the EU as well as the upkeep of tens of thousands of freeloaders who turn up on our doorstep from these very same countries

Welcome to the club (40%) ...thanks to successive inept goverments, the club is getting bigger...it definitely focuses your mind on ways to avoid paying it...still many products out there to help you out