Tax the childless

[d000hg]

If automation ever really takes off like sci-fi promises, the entire working/money system will be in massive upheaval anyway.

[vetran]

If automation ever really takes off like sci-fi promises, the entire working/money system will be in massive upheaval anyway.

Arthur C Clarke & Asimov have been right most of the time.

Its already happening we need to plan for it!

[Mordac]

It's a ridiculous article, so why not have some fun with it. Obviously there are going to be anomalies and grey areas, so how would you answer the following? (I'm sure there will be others, feel free to add yours.)

If an only child dies, how long should HMRC wait before sending the grieving parents a tax bill?
Would infertile couples be able to claim a medical discount or exemption, or would it only apply to the infertile individual?
Is there an IR35-style appeals process for same-sex couples, and ugly people who can't get a partner?
If you find out your child isn't actually yours (Jeremy Kyle show stylee), will you have to pay back-dated tax in full immediately, or can it be spread over several years?
If a couple divorce, should the parent who fails to get custody be subsequently treated as childless from the date of the divorce?

I imagine the trans lobby will be spitting out their dummies

[d000hg]

Arthur C Clarke & Asimov have been right most of the time.

Its already happening we need to plan for it!

People have been saying "it'll be here in 10 years' since the 1950s though. I would agree we're finally at the point where AI/ML can genuinely start to make this feasible - it's really quite incredible some of the stuff that's now being done and the speed it's moving at.

[d000hg]

It's a ridiculous article, so why not have some fun with it.

Maybe you should get a lump-sum per birth?

[Whorty]

I know that was tongue in cheek, but the UK needs a much younger population to help support the top-heavy age pyramid we currently have. So more children - within reason - would be a good thing. Euthanasia or a major uncontrolled pandemic are alternative options.....

There are plenty younger people on the planet ... it's just that certain parts of our society think only 'our' children are of value, and not 'others' children

The planet is full. We don't need more humans. What we need is less borders and less hatred.

[vetran]

ugly people who can't get a partner?

I see you covered the personally important stuff!

[vetran]

People have been saying "it'll be here in 10 years' since the 1950s though. I would agree we're finally at the point where AI/ML can genuinely start to make this feasible - it's really quite incredible some of the stuff that's now being done and the speed it's moving at.

That is the problem unless we embrace it and lead on it we will be left behind.

We are a high cost country the reason we don't completely lose out is we still have expertise at the top end , when we automate we can expand that lead.

[d000hg]

The planet is full. We don't need more humans. What we need is less borders and less hatred.

It isn't. I personally think it is far too crowded to the point of unpleasantness but the "overpopulation" argument is fairly flimsy.

[vetran]

There are plenty younger people on the planet ... it's just that certain parts of our society think only 'our' children are of value, and not 'others' children

The planet is full. We don't need more humans. What we need is less borders and less hatred.

Oh do you think that? How sad!

I love the way you and WTFH try and think for me its so cute.

Most sensible people see that all countries are essentially in competition to get their population to the highest quality of life they can manage. Some countries only include their leaders in the improvement plan these are the countries we see most migrants from.

The reality is as competitors it all falls down when you look at how we are going to pay for it. We need to make money and spend it efficiently so everyone in the UK can enjoy a decent lifestyle. Letting large corporations strip tax by giving them subsidised workers is not a good plan, giving them workers they can abuse is not a good plan.

Can you suggest a good plan?