[B0ycey]

The next question is why is this happening? Is it because the government is not allocating the tax dollars properly or is it because the taxpayers aren't paying enough in taxes to pay for it? Or is it that the taxpayers are paying enough money for it, tax dollars are being allocated to the NHS but are being spent unwisely on private contractors who are unable to provide acceptable service?

Why is it happening? Because people like paying little tax whilst still expecting high services. They best run socialist programs are in nations with high tax. As long as tax is proportional to wealth, tax shouldn't be an issue. But to answer your question specifically, most of the privatisation is in administration. If the government was spending 'x' amount doing a job that a contractor says can do a job for 'x-y', then the government will offer a contract for that contractor to do that job. Seems logical right? Perhaps. But what the government seem oblivious of is that profits mean corners are cut and as such the service provided is weaker. But most people don't care too much about that as long as they get the service for free. So it isn't a vote loser like doing insurance healthcare which would bring riots worse than the poll tax to our shores I expect which is why the notion of US healthcare isn't even feasible here. It would be the ultimate political suicide that the next government would have to recify straight away as this issue is so important here regardless of your political affiliation (universal amongst voters). The UK isn't like the US. They understand the importance of social healthcare. We wouldn't have condemned Obamacare. We would have just asked for something better. To us, you guys are barking mad when it comes to health.

[Politics_Observer]

@B0ycey

I think we are barking mad too when it comes to healthcare. In my view though, I would prefer to just pay the higher taxes and get better service in return. A politician would not lose my vote if he told me that if I wanted good service I would have to pay higher taxes. I wouldn't want the government to rely on private contractors. They would just make the service worse and probably slow things down when it comes to treatment. So, for me, I would rather pay the cost up front in the form of higher taxes and have good service.

[B0ycey]

Wow, GMB reject 4% NHS pay rise in Scotland...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-56587583

which was higher than anyone expected given they were only promised 2.1%. England seems focused on 1% and even if they give leeway, they weren't ever going to offer 4%. It be interesting to see what Sturgeon does now. She has offered the kitchen sink yesterday in terms of handouts, can she afford any more I wonder? They even have a £500 bonus. Scots can say what they like about the Union. Scotland spend habits would have bankrupt the nation had they left in 2014.