The Baby Boomer phenomenon happened here too... Although class plays a large role here too. When they talk about a retirement age of 71 they are talking about the working class that are dependent on a state pension.

I think ideology plays a big role too. The Conservatives have been desperate to sell off the NHS for decades. You could argue that it has already happened. The reason for this is that, to some extent, they represent a predatory upper class.

They frequently sell off nationalised assets and cushion themselves with kickbacks, although the main purpose is to massage the perception of the economy. For example, in the 80s Thatcher brought in the "right to buy" which enabled occupants of social housing to buy their homes. Effectively privitising the safety net, which no longer exists.

A generation got to buy reasonably sound and cheap homes at the expense of the next.

Similarly the rail network was privitised, and the post office and the telecoms industry. Now we are surrounded by scandals, paying over the odds for essential utilities and getting worse service than ever before.

But a few wealthy folk got wealthier and had their tax cut, so it's not all bad.