Nhs V Private Health/pensions

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Songsheet

At the Start
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So Labour is now actively seeking to use the Private Health Sector to reduce their waiting lists etc by buying operations.

So would someone please tell me why, if a company offers Private Health Insurance to its employees, it's treated as a benefit in kind and the employee ends up paying more tax (and the employer more NI) and yet if the employee and/or company make pension contributions, those are made pre-tax?

Logic should now dictate that companies who take care of their employees' health should be rewarded, not penalised, similarly the employee shouldn't have to pay extra tax either, thereby encouraging more employers to offer PHC and therefore reduce the load on the NHS.
 
I assume that the argument would be that if the NHS uses the private sector to reduce waiting lists and ensure people have earlier treatment it is on the basis of need for treatment not queue jumping with a cheque book .


I am far from sure myself this is the best use of NHS money .
 
Thomas Cook is to offer 'healthcare' holidays to India as a package deal for people waiting for operations. They are to include flights and the operation at a private clinic followed by sightseeing or beachtime.


It something I could see prove popular, especially as the charges are estimated to be lower than paying for private treatment in the UK.
 
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