Benefits Crackdown
Discussion
S600BSB said:
Agree there needs to be a root and branch review of the system to make sure the right incentives/support are in place. Also to make it simpler. Hopefully this will be high up the ‘to do’ list of the incoming Labour government.
Well, it would certainly be the first item on it, and then maybe they could add a few more things to it as it seems to be very empty at the moment.Eric Mc said:
Where have we heard this before?
I remember Mrs Thatcher and her minions launching "Benefits Crackdowns" 40 plus years ago.
I wonder if the Tories will ever launch a "Multi-Billionaires/Overseas Oligarch Tax Evader/Tory Party Donator" crackdown?
You are right. However, there is also a problem with many claiming benefits they shouldn’t be entitled to. My best twin mates brother- who I went to school with. Never worked since leaving school. A few years cash in hand. Benefits including massively subsidised housing ever since. It’s virtuous to indicate there isn’t a problem at the opposite end of oligarchs and the like. But it’s flawed thinking. I remember Mrs Thatcher and her minions launching "Benefits Crackdowns" 40 plus years ago.
I wonder if the Tories will ever launch a "Multi-Billionaires/Overseas Oligarch Tax Evader/Tory Party Donator" crackdown?
We have needed change and reform for decades.
highway said:
You are right. However, there is also a problem with many claiming benefits they shouldn’t be entitled to. My best twin mates brother- who I went to school with. Never worked since leaving school. A few years cash in hand. Benefits including massively subsidised housing ever since. It’s virtuous to indicate there isn’t a problem at the opposite end of oligarchs and the like. But it’s flawed thinking.
We have needed change and reform for decades.
A problem is, that all too often the most genuine needy individuals get swept up in search reforms. An genuine example. My little sister who has Downs. In the early 2010's my mother had to complete a 30 page questionnaire every 6 months, for her to continue receiving her (much warranted) benefits. Yeah, like she could just happen to wake up one morning without the condition We have needed change and reform for decades.
I've never understood while able bodied people on benefits aren't forced to work for their money. There are absolutely tons of public service jobs they could be doing! This would spur the lazy to find a job they actually enjoy and for those that continue to not look at least the taxpayer is seeing something back for their 'investment'.
I've told both my children, if they ever find themselves on jobseekers, they will be coming to work for me FOC until they find something.
I've told both my children, if they ever find themselves on jobseekers, they will be coming to work for me FOC until they find something.
highway said:
You are right. However, there is also a problem with many claiming benefits they shouldn’t be entitled to. My best twin mates brother- who I went to school with. Never worked since leaving school. A few years cash in hand. Benefits including massively subsidised housing ever since. It’s virtuous to indicate there isn’t a problem at the opposite end of oligarchs and the like. But it’s flawed thinking.
It's weird this. Everybody I know who relies on benefits is really f
king struggling. I mean, really really struggling. I simply don't recognise this viewpoint of free houses & big TVs all round, outside of the Daily Mail of course.That's not to say that things don't need reform, of course. But it needs to start from a point of view that - people genuinely need help and as tax-payers in a rich country it is our responsibility to make sure that they get it.
To my mind, the real issue is that working at minimum wage simply doesn't buy any kind of a reasonable livelihood, over and above living on benefits. It's a farcical situation where the government needs to issue blanket tax credits and other benefits to people who already have full-time jobs. Which is course is a complex problem that involves house prices, affordable accommodation, inflation of food prices, energy costs and a whole host of other economic issues.
It's not at all obvious to me that taking money away from those who already don't have any is an answer to anything. But I guess it's easy to do and wins you some headlines.
Problem is the bad back brigade have now become the "my mental health" brigade. Strange how we create reasons for people to not take responsibility.
In all political areas there are the genuine and the not so and sadly the genuines suffer. See asylum seekers as another example. There are many people who have never made any effort to work and refuse to do so. Most people are however capable of something.
As above welfare should be made like community service, earn the money not just be given it. I would prefer the european model where you earn similar to your last wage no matter how high for a shorter period of time rather than perennial universal welfare.
In all political areas there are the genuine and the not so and sadly the genuines suffer. See asylum seekers as another example. There are many people who have never made any effort to work and refuse to do so. Most people are however capable of something.
As above welfare should be made like community service, earn the money not just be given it. I would prefer the european model where you earn similar to your last wage no matter how high for a shorter period of time rather than perennial universal welfare.
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