h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I just rang HM Revenue and Customs about the £30 they're chasing me for since I cancelled the direct debit. The man I spoke to told me it's paid in arrears, so even though I ceased to be a self-employed partner, the £30 is still payable. Since the docs reckoned I might last somewhere between a year and 18 months (that estimate was given to me about 3 months ago) with this cancer, I asked whether I could draw any pension. He said I couldn't draw a state pension under any circumstances until I'm old enough, ie in about 9 years and 9 months, but they might let me off with the £30 if I write to them explaining the situation. If I don't write to them, they'll keep on chasing me for the money.

You couldn't make it up, could you? I've paid into the system all my working life. I kept working through my illness - kept paying my tax and national insurance - and didn't claim anything from the state (though I did attempt to make use of the NHS, but that's largely staffed by dangerous idiots that made me wish I hadn't), and now they get to keep the lot. The mafia would be well impressed with such a system. They didn't even have to keep or invest the NI money for its original purpose. They took it on themselves to use it as another tax that could be p!issed up the wall on any passing whim.

I'm not going to write to them to beg to be allowed to keep the £30. They can chase me if they like. If they have to accommodate me and feed me in prison, I might get my money's-worth.

All the 'powers that be' are bent on chasing the 'little people' who can't fight back, the same as they are putting genuinely disabled people through purgatory over the cuts in benefits. I know so many people who will not be able to survive without benefits, and couldn't work, but will be passed 'fit'.

i would just like someone to tell me where the jobs are coming from for all the people who are disabled but 'able to work', especially since they are bent on shutting the Remploy places.

You should demand to keep the money and tell them to sue if they are not happy

The whole business stinks.

Websailor