The UK's socialised healthcare and welfare

Many brits like to flex against Americans, talking about how great it is that they have an NHS and all these handouts.

But then among themselves, they complain about the endless queues for the most basic of healthcare procedures, and the fact that every other person on welfare doesn't actually need it but treats going onto it like a lifestyle choice - some people want to be a teacher/doctor, some people are happy on a small welfare check to spend on drugs.

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SW-User

The Brits love to moan about everything, it's just the way it is! Don't read too much into that. The NHS waiting times can be long depending on the specifics and how long you consider long, it's not black and white, and different areas of the UK differ in waiting times considerably, for the same procedures. But rest assured, if it is urgent to very urgent, chances are you will be seen and even operated on within as little as 0-14 days. The NHS is not perfect, and most countries including Canada, except for the US, have a good 'free' or very low-fee healthcare system, even in the 3rd world.

As for Welfare, there is always a small minority, that lives in less affluent areas that end up relying on benefits long-term, but most people are genuinely in between jobs and actively looking or indeed, working less than 16 hours a week, as a start, and still eligible for welfare, it is mandatory to prove you are actively seeking employment, in order to claim or you will be sanctioned. The others on welfare are on the equivalent of disability, which, even then, is quite stringently investigated before they are eligible.