Author | Lightnews

David West

David West

@davidjwest.bsky.social

140 followers 65 following 1.4K posts

I consider myself a normal bloke. Sadly a description few others recognise. Used to be a doctor. Now retired so basically on holiday the whole time and consequently struggling with weight.

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 11h

That’s fine but many don’t work but expect others to to live. It’s ridiculous how many rely on benefits now. Utterly ridiculous

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 12h

I mean there are 168hrs in the week so even a FT job is only a quarter of that. Not much to expect surely?

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 12h

State provided childcare facilities? Then expect parents to work FT

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 12h

And we have become too accepting of people bringing children into the world with a high risk they won’t be able to afford them. I certainly don’t want children to starve. Perhaps best to assist single parents by state providing free nursery care to enable and expect the parent to get a FT job.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 12h

I think I’ve already said that everyone working FT should earn sufficient to live comfortably without needing benefits

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 12h

Everyone gets old and it is natural for younger members of society to look after those who have looked after them. I accept that pensioners have been relatively favoured and I would like to see end of triple lock.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 13h

Seats 10

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 13h

More doctors would but they take a very long time to train to consultants level.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 13h

Here is prototype garden BBQ table. Everyone keeps warm and has fun using Pierre chaud or BBQ Sure you don’t want one?

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 13h

I’ve indicated that as if taxed too highly (which many are at present) they will be unwilling to do extra hours to bring down waiting lists.
Not sure if you’ve used accountants much but my experience is they insist (rightly) on being entirely open and not hide anything.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 13h

As I say if she doesn’t need to work FT to earn sufficient that is fine but no one should be able to choose to work PT and then claim benefits.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 13h

And the cost of bringing up children should be borne by the parents unless exceptional circumstances like special needs.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 13h

PT is fine so long as you don’t expect others who work FT to pay for benefits to top up your pay

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 15h

But surely you can see that those most able to pay already do pay considerably more than average. Should say hospital consultants who may be in £140000 a year pay more than they presently do in tax? If so it will be much more difficult to bring waiting lists down.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 15h

Well you should have an issue with it to be frank. They are a huge cost on the country and for those not working or deciding only to do say 16 hrs a week are not good for their general well being. We all need to feel like we are doing something worthwhile for society.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 16h

That would help distribute wealth more fairly

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 16h

But I agree that pay for FT work of any kind should be sufficient to live comfortably without needing tax payer to subsidise through in work benefits

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 16h

The rich do effectively spend their money. Not all on goods and services for them but on eg investing in other businesses and donating to charity both of which assist the economy. The idea that they don’t put their riches to work for the economy by eg keeping used fivers under mattress is nonsense

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 17h

“For example, the 9500 millionaires widely reported to be leaving the UK in 2024 represented 0.3% of the UK’s 3.06 million millionaires.”

I bet these 9500 were among the wealthiest and therefore the highest tax paying of that 3m.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 17h

There are relatively very few extremely rich people and even if taxed 100% it would soon be spent up on those who do not work at all.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 17h

should pay enough to live a good life without needing tax payer funded benefits. That way there will be no need for foodbanks at all.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 17h

That’s a noble aim. I wish to see a society where everyone but the most seriously disabled is provided with training support and suitable jobs and expected to work rather than live on benefits. Those who simply cannot work should have more benefits and support than now. And all FT jobs …..

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 21h

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 21h

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 21h