‘It is the rich who are gaming the system,’ according to a comment on This Site’s YouTube channel. But are they?
The person writing in was responding to the plan for sickness and disability benefits to be cut by the Labour government, so This Writer certainly won’t be blaming them for feeling that way.
Nevertheless, it is important to check assertions like this.

Buy Cruel Britannia in print here. Buy the Cruel Britannia ebook here. Or just click on the image!
Here’s the full comment:
“It’s the rich who really game the system. And why wouldn’t they? Their clause stipulates that they must make profits at all cost for their shareholders. They can even be sued if they seem to be taking a deviant course that stops extra profit margins.”
I did a bit of research, and here’s my answer:
There is no doubt that wealthy individuals and big corporations exploit the system through tax loopholes, lobbying, and political influence.
But the idea that companies are legally required to maximize profit “at all costs” isn’t quite right.
In the UK, company directors have a duty under the Companies Act 2006 to consider employees, customers, and long-term sustainability—not just shareholder profits.
So technically, they don’t have to chase profit at any cost. But in reality, many do, because CEOs are under pressure to deliver quick returns to investors; the stock market rewards short-term gains over long-term stability; and corporations lobby for laws that benefit them (like tax loopholes).
It’s also a myth that companies can be sued just for not maximizing profit – that’s more of a US thing, where shareholder lawsuits are more aggressive. In the UK, courts rarely interfere unless there’s fraud or mismanagement.
The real problem isn’t the law itself, but the incentives – the system rewards businesses that prioritize short-term profits over ethics, fair wages, and sustainability.
That’s why we see tax avoidance, job cuts for shareholder dividends, and environmental damage.
The question is: how do we shift the system to reward long-term responsibility instead of just short-term profits?
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:

Be among the first to know what’s going on! Here are the ways to manage it:
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (bottom right of the home page). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/

Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
5) Follow Vox Political writer Mike Sivier on BlueSky
6) Join the MeWe page at https://mewe.com/p-front/voxpolitical
7) Feel free to comment!
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
Cruel Britannia is available
in either print or eBook format here:


The Livingstone Presumption is available
in either print or eBook format here:


Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:


The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
‘It is the rich who are gaming the system’
‘It is the rich who are gaming the system,’ according to a comment on This Site’s YouTube channel. But are they?
The person writing in was responding to the plan for sickness and disability benefits to be cut by the Labour government, so This Writer certainly won’t be blaming them for feeling that way.
Nevertheless, it is important to check assertions like this.
Buy Cruel Britannia in print here. Buy the Cruel Britannia ebook here. Or just click on the image!
Here’s the full comment:
“It’s the rich who really game the system. And why wouldn’t they? Their clause stipulates that they must make profits at all cost for their shareholders. They can even be sued if they seem to be taking a deviant course that stops extra profit margins.”
I did a bit of research, and here’s my answer:
There is no doubt that wealthy individuals and big corporations exploit the system through tax loopholes, lobbying, and political influence.
But the idea that companies are legally required to maximize profit “at all costs” isn’t quite right.
In the UK, company directors have a duty under the Companies Act 2006 to consider employees, customers, and long-term sustainability—not just shareholder profits.
So technically, they don’t have to chase profit at any cost. But in reality, many do, because CEOs are under pressure to deliver quick returns to investors; the stock market rewards short-term gains over long-term stability; and corporations lobby for laws that benefit them (like tax loopholes).
It’s also a myth that companies can be sued just for not maximizing profit – that’s more of a US thing, where shareholder lawsuits are more aggressive. In the UK, courts rarely interfere unless there’s fraud or mismanagement.
The real problem isn’t the law itself, but the incentives – the system rewards businesses that prioritize short-term profits over ethics, fair wages, and sustainability.
That’s why we see tax avoidance, job cuts for shareholder dividends, and environmental damage.
The question is: how do we shift the system to reward long-term responsibility instead of just short-term profits?
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Be among the first to know what’s going on! Here are the ways to manage it:
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (bottom right of the home page). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
5) Follow Vox Political writer Mike Sivier on BlueSky
6) Join the MeWe page at https://mewe.com/p-front/voxpolitical
7) Feel free to comment!
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
Cruel Britannia is available
in either print or eBook format here:
The Livingstone Presumption is available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
you might also like
Poor income growth and inequality mean UK families face ‘terminal decline’ in living standards
As others see us: German magazine offers depressing verdict on the UK
Political lies about poverty and inequality have got to stop