Benefits For The Very Wealthy

[hc4361]

I don't watch Big Brother but did read this report in the DM:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2927462/You-not-politician-m-not-having-conversation-Katie-Price-clashes-Katie-Hopkins-tax-funded-driver-disabled-son-Harvey.html

Do you think the wealthy should get this sort of benefit? She claims it could cost up to £1000 a day but I think that is an exaggeration.

It is fair to say that the very wealthy pay lots of tax (hopefully) but it is equally fair to say that they don't have to claim benefits like this.

[Hypognosis]

Thanks, hc

If Katie Hopkins knew this, we wouldn't be having this discussion, would we?

As for £1000/day, is Katie Price being swindled? An itemised breakdown would be educational, if nothing else.

[ludwig]

What new judge said. She's entitled to receive it.

You could ask the same question of the state pension, the NHS, state education etc etc. Should the rich be denied access to these things because they're rich? Not if they've paid their share into the collective pot through tax and NI they shouldn't.

[hc4361]

I'm thinking that if I had a disabled child and money I would not want some random taxi driver paid by the council taking him (or her) to and from school, especially if the child is so disabled a nurse is also needed.

[Retrochic]

hc4361 - The article you posted says Katie Price employs a driver and a nurse for Harvey -I would reckon that £52 k would hardly pay two people in London as a salary.

[hc4361]

It would only be for an hour a day or so during term time, though, Retrochic?

From the link:
'He has a driver who takes him to school each day. He travels with a special nurse who looks after him and the driver is mindful of the situation - it's tax-payer funded, which is good.'

[aelmpvw]

nurse and a driver, i still don't understand how it can cost £1,000 a day

[hc4361]

A different headline:
http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Katie-Price-sparks-benefits-row-Katie-Hopkins/story-25928627-detail/story.html

[Retrochic]

hc4361 sorry I thought it was £1000 per week -OMG! £365k a year that is ridiculous!

[hc4361]

It wouldn't be £365k a year as the boy would only get the driver and nurse on school days.

[ladybirder]

hc Josie Cunningham does not have a severely handicapped child thats why there was an outcry, plus you could argue she brought her misfortune upon herself, unlike KP.

[Daffy6543]

This isn't a welfare benefit as such. My son had to attend a special school at aged 4 and also received free taxi with escort to and from school. My income didn't come into it at all when he was assessed for the need. It is solely based on disability and the distance between the child's home and the nearest suitable school for their specific needs.

[Daffy6543]

I meant to state that the money for this comes from the local council and has nothing whatsoever to do with DWP.

[hc4361]

I know it comes from Council Taxes, Daffy, as is not means tested.

However, a child as disabled as Harvey would in all probability be entitled to DLA with the higher rate of mobility which can be used to lease a VAT exempt car through motability with all the adaption the vehicle needs for his requirements. It does seem a bit over generous to give those allowances as well as free taxi and carer to get to school and back.

[Daffy6543]

I've no idea whether Ms Price even claims DLA for Harvey, has that been mentioned at all?
He would be entitled to the higher rate for both mobility and care so theoretically Ms Price could claim £7665.10 per year for him.

[sherrardk]

I doubt if Katie Price knows the actual monetary value of the taxi service her son uses and just plucked £1000 out of the air. As she is a working mother it probably isn't practical for her to do the school run for all of her children and she is utilising a specialist service that her son needs - the same service any other child with his special needs would be entitled to.

[ladybirder]

I believe she has a blue badge on her car (pink 4x4). It was in the news some time ago when somebody confronted her because she was parked in a disabled spot at a supermarket. I don't know but does that mean she gets disability for Harvey?

[sherrardk]

I think somethings you get automatically - I was offered a taxi and special unit place for thing 2 without asking for one, didn't take it though, but I could have applied for carers allowance which wasn't automatic (didn't apply for that either). Maybe she only utilises the services she feels will improve her son's life - like getting him to school and parking nearer the shops?

[ichkeria]

"I was wondering whether she had been the President or whatever of Jordan (though I must say I'd not heard the name mentioned in international diplomacy which I'm more likely to read about than glamour modelling)"

Queen of Jordan surely NJ
That made me smile I must say.
Surely you must know Jordan is a monarchy :-)

[hc4361]

sherrardk, she employs her mother full time to look after Harvey.

[bednobs]

problem with your theory is what is the definition of "wealthy"
i suspect that for most people the definition is "more wealthy than me"!