In the evolving story of our nation, one truth remains clear: our public services are now the bedrock of our society. From the tireless healthcare workers in the NHS to the educators shaping our future generations, these services are essential. However, the recent strain on public services reveals a pressing need for a re-evaluation of how we fund all our critical public institutions. It is time to face the uncomfortable yet necessary conversation: the UK must consider a proper increase in taxes to ensure the sustainability of our public services. We know that most people want these services because they complain bitterly when they are not provided well.
We need to address the elephant in the room – the stigma all political parties seem to experience around discussing and implementing tax increases. Taxes are often painted as a burden, an unnecessary evil that chips away at our hard-earned money. Yet, we must shift our perspective so that we all see and understand that taxes are the lifeblood of public services; they fund the very systems that provide us with healthcare, education, and social security. Without adequate funding, these services falter, and the quality of life for all of us diminishes. However it is also vital that the critical issue of effective spending of the collected taxes is assured, and I shall write about that in a soon forthcoming post.
Services like mentioned above lie at the core of our national “social compact”. This historic agreement concretely emerged into the “welfare state” out of the ashes of World War 2. The social compact is a mutual agreement that binds us all together, recognizing that because each of us has a role to play making society work, we have a mutual interest in supporting one another in doing that. It provides a “social context” that allows each of us to achieve our personal best. By contributing to the costs of public services through taxes, we uphold our commitment to one another, ensuring that everyone has access to the support and resources they need to thrive.
Consider the NHS, a cherished institution that has been under immense pressure. The pandemic exposed glaring weaknesses in our healthcare system, many of which stem from chronic underfunding. By increasing taxes, we can ensure that the NHS has the resources it needs to not only cope with emergencies but also provide exemplary care in everyday situations, also resources enough to streamline its operations and keep them running efficiently .
Education is another cornerstone of a thriving society. Our schools and universities are nurturing the minds that will lead us into the future. Yet, underfunding threatens the quality of education, leading to overcrowded classrooms, overworked teachers, and, shockingly, even buildings in danger of collapse. An increase in taxes directed towards education can help alleviate these pressures, ensuring that every child receives the attention and quality of education they deserve that will let them achieve more for themselves and contribute more to society.
Policing is a service that touches us all nearly every day and helps make sure that all of us respect our shared values, even when tempted to stray from them. However, in recent years, the institution has faced mounting challenges, with inadequate funding and bureaucratic hurdles taking a significant toll on its efficiency and ability to deliver and deploy its services. As a result, the fabric of our communities is at risk of fraying, as people question whether the state can fulfill its part of the social bargain. We must help law enforcement to become more agile and responsive to the needs of the public in a way the public wants. By prioritizing reforms that increase the funding and streamline the operation of the police, we not only bolster the efficiency of our police but also reaffirm our commitment to the shared values that underpin our social compact.
As a final example from public services, we cannot overlook social services. These programs provide a safety net for the most vulnerable among us, ensuring that no one is left behind on the battlefield of life. Properly funded social services mean a stronger, more resilient society, capable of weathering economic downturns and unforeseen crises and fostering each person’s contributions to our shared enterprise of living.
Raising taxes is not about punishing success; it’s about ensuring that success is shared and sustained. It’s about building a society where public services are robust, resilient, and capable of meeting the needs of all citizens. It’s about recognizing that our collective well-being is intertwined inextricably with our personal well-being, and that investing in public services is investing in ourselves.
The architect of the modern welfare state, William Beveridge, envisioned a system that not only provided support during times of hardship but also aimed to enhance the collective well-being of the nation. We must not shy away from conversation and acting about increasing taxes; they are critical steps towards a future where our public services are not just surviving but thriving. It is a step towards a fairer, more equitable society where everyone has access to the support and services they need to achieve their personal best for themselves and for each other.