Re: Prime Minister David Cameron speach

[Brimoan]

Dave Cameron said today in his speach the only way out of poverty is work.
I do agree with him to some extent but I was retired early by my employers and then had to care for my father within months.
My father has now just gone into a nursing home and I am now 62.
Fortunately because my mother left me her part of the house and I joined my father in it the council can not take any of it because I am an owner occupier and also because I am over 60 and it is my only home.
While I am not pleading poverty as I have the money from my original house and a good occupational pension which I paid into, and paid AVC's and sacrificed all my bonuses I am one of these people who have been unable to have a full working life due to circumstances beyond my control and I am sure there must be many other people in this position.
David Cameron did say about caring for the family but what he forgot was in some cases it is not possible to work and care for an elderly relative at the same time.

[factor-fiction]

I'm sure your mum and dad made sacrifices and looked after you as a child so you are giving your dad something back.
I agree with your final observation but I am not sure what the alternative is. Maybe people with two homes and a pension which is far above the average wage should pay more tax so that those who can't afford to give up work can be subsidised to stay at home

[Brimoan]

Hi factor30

At least I did go to university and started work the day after I left and was paying 40% tax for most of my working life and making extra provision to have a comfortable retirement to not have to rely on the state.
If I had been able to have a full working life I could have had an even more comfortable retirement.
Also I am now paying more tax than the average worker and I will be paying even more when I get my state pension.

[factor-fiction]

You are right, Brimoan- you have certainly paid your way and have paid something through tax towards your father's care home costs.
Out of interest, what did you study at university?

[Brimoan]

Business Studies at Cardiff University.

[factor-fiction]

Do you still also have to maintain that other property left to you by a distant relative?

[factor-fiction]

Sorry, I wasn't ignoring your post about Cardiff- I didn't spot it yesterday. Cardiff must have been one of the leaders in Business Studies as I don't recall many universities offering the subject in the late 1960s. I recall that in the 1970s most universities offered Economics courses rather than the more practical Business Studies courses. What sort of career did it get you into?