IN every report I have seen about the latest Budget, the media has used the phrase "worse off" to describe those whose tax payments will increase. This is not a statement of fact, but rather a judgement.
It is truthful to say that some people will pay more in taxes and some less, but whether a taxpayer is "better off" or "worse off" depends on what they ultimately receive for their payments.
If a taxpayer pays more (and therefore has less cash in their pocket) but receives benefits, such as better health care, that outweigh that payment as a result, then he or she is better, not worse off.
We do not know what the outcome will be overall, let alone for individuals. The public may be sceptical, but to have the media fan the flames of that scepticism by using emotive language is unhelpful and misleading.
Janet Eldred,
Arthur Street, York.
Updated: 10:29 Monday, April 22, 2002
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