Hacker News Reader

That's about 25% of UK government spending. 33% if you include pensions.

The UK does have an issue with a lowering number of people in productive work and ever more on various kinds of disability payout, it's true, but this -

> You need to let people fail.

Doesn't really follow.

View on HN

As per the UK government for 2026-2027 9.2 Chart D.2: Public sector spending 2026-27:

Social protection - 400 b

personal social services - 54b

health - 294b

Education - 145b

industry agriculture and employment - 51b

housing and environment - 51 billion

That accounts for roughly 70% of public sector spending, not 33%.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/budget-2025-docum...

If education is welfare then so is everything. Defence is welfare becuase before you might have to hire private security. Police and fire serviecs are welfare because they used to be private. etc....

Yes, education is welfare. I'm not sure how anyone could possibly argue otherwise...

So, it's obvious where the money goes, it's welfare, because everything is welfare.

0% insight there then.

Ok so can you name me a single piece of government spending that isn't welfare Or are you advocating for governments to just cease existing all together.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com