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If the UK government proposed to increase tax by 1% and make trains free would you be in favour? (discuss.tchncs.de)

submitted 1 day ago by PonderingPotato@discuss.tchncs.de to c/unitedkingdom@feddit.uk

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Assume every tax rate except for the “personal allowance” was increased by 1% to fund free train travel.

Would you be in favour of this?

I've not done the math for this (though did look up some stats for a Scotland specific post, and it seems to be feasible: https://discuss.tchncs.de/post/44818305). So for the UK it may require a lower or higher increase (and to be fair my Scotland "calculations" were very rough and likely entirely wrong). This is more just a question about whether people would be in favour of something like this in general.

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[–] NKBTN@feddit.uk 5 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

Yes, definitely. I think it would do wonders for the economy by making jobs more accessible.

BUT there could be a claimable annual tax refund if your sole residence is more than X miles from a train station, or if you can show you've not used a train that year. Something like that.

[–] itsprobablyfine@sh.itjust.works 7 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

Do I get a tax exemption for road construction if I don't drive a car? It's good for society, do it. We don't need every tax to have a bunch of bureaucracy piled on top of it making it less efficient. Rising tides raise all ships.

[–] NKBTN@feddit.uk 5 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

By not having a car you don't pay road tax, fuel tax, or have to pay for an MOT each year.

I think bureaucracy for small tax exemptions is a good thing, like the rebate you can apply for if you have to wear a uniform.

[–] itsprobablyfine@sh.itjust.works 3 points 12 hours ago

First off, no chance those taxes cover all roads, the general population tax is subsidizing. That also doesn't consider the environmental impact that's being socialized. And the safety impact. And how roads are given priority over people almost every time. Cars are insanely subsidized by society - but that's not my point. These types of programs are more efficient without a bunch of means testing and related bureaucracy. If something is for the public good we should be willing to socialize the cost. You today, me tomorrow.