We are told by politicians, I assume correctly, that we are being taxed at the highest level for many years. 

Indeed, Winchester’s Lib Dem candidate, Danny Chambers, suggests in his literature that he is against the fact that the government is delivering higher taxes. But did you know how low overall taxation (not just personal tax) is in the UK, compared with most European countries? 

The proportion of the UK’s GDP that was collected in overall taxation in 2021 was about 34 per cent, while the equivalent figure for the whole EU was 42 per cent. (According to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) and the EU). 

Figures for some other countries are:- Denmark 47 per cent, France 45 per cent, Sweden 43 per cent, Italy 43 per cent, Norway 42 per cent , Germany 40 per cent, Netherlands 40 per cent, Greece 39 per cent, Spain 38 per cent, Poland 37 per cent (and USA 27 per cent).

So, with far less money to spend than other countries in West Europe, it isn’t surprising that our services are not up to scratch.

In addition, unusually in the world, our government funds a free health service for all, which is wonderful as long as we collect sufficient taxes to pay for it. But do we?

Brian Shorter,
Mount View Road,
Oliver’s Battery,
Winchester

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