Rising household bills, no rise in benefits!

krisskross

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Well it certainly used to 30 years ago when you knew how impartant it was for you not to get pregnant!

Indeed! Two babies in 11 months concentrated my mind wonderfully where contraception was concerned.

Kimitatsu

Originally Posted by mitchaa
I think you're missing the point here, people in receipt of low income benefits also receive other benefits indirectly, such as free housing and council tax. Just as a comparison, im around £1700pm for my mortgage and CT but yet a family on benefits may receive this all for nothing funded by the tax payer. They may also receive free school meals/milk tokens/prescriptions etc etc, there are a lot of indirect benefits that dont necessarily hit the bank account each month

I think this is a really valid point - I worked with the debt team for our local CAB and to be honest I was quite shocked that a family on benefits would easily be in receipt of £400 - £500 of benefit per week. As mitchaa has said not neccessarily into their bank account but benefits in kind. If we all worked out what we had left after paying for housing, council tax etc, I think that some people would find themselves better off on benefits, and there is the crux of the matter isnt it? As the credit crunch bites, transport costs rise, will it be worth some people working, which will lead to a rise in the burden on those who already do work.

Our welfare state needs to be overhauled, when for example, CSA maintenance is not calculated into your income for your household. I know of several cases where the PWC has a not insubstantail 4 figure sum of money going into the household every month, but they are still entitled to WTC and CTC BECAUSE they work 16 hours a week and the entitlement is on their salary. This means that not only do they get maintenance but everybody else in the country is supporting them too by way of tax credits.

As for the contraception issue, lets play nicely everyone, contraception does fail in some cases, and in many cases it is about lack of knowledge as much as anything. We need to educate our youngsters more as to how (not to) get pregnant until THEY choose to, and the financial implications of having children (black hole - money goes down it ).

pepsicola_2

valid point or not, although that is a moot point, the OP is concerned about hearing of a 40% rise in utility bills as is everyone and not a discussion on how the "welfare state needs an overhaul" and equally doesn't need a sex education lecture

krisskross

pepsicola wrote: »

valid point or not, although that is a moot point, the OP is concerned about hearing of a 40% rise in utility bills as is everyone and not a discussion on how the "welfare state needs an overhaul" and equally doesn't need a sex education lecture

While the OP is suggesting that benefits should increase because of rising living costs (which they do) then it is actually fair comment to point out that workers wages do not automatically increase because of inflation. In fact wages are more likely to be pegged during times of inflation.

Kimitatsu

pepsicola wrote: »

valid point or not, although that is a moot point, the OP is concerned about hearing of a 40% rise in utility bills as is everyone and not a discussion on how the "welfare state needs an overhaul" and equally doesn't need a sex education lecture

We are all concerned about rises in utility bills - try heating oil which has risen by over 100% in the last 18 months! But as someone who is on benefits the OP is likely to be able to access more help and more time to pay then someone who is not.

Personally if I cant pay for my heating oil then I cant have any, its that simple, if the OP is finding it difficult to pay her gas and electricity then the utuility companies by their own code of conduct have to help her in whatever way they can to ensure her household is warm and they are not allowed to disconnect her over the winter.

I think you will find that the OP actually posted this as a discussion as to how it affects everyone with the rise in utility prices and commented that benefits have not risen much this year. Someone has already pointed out that as a percentage increase they have had a higher rise than some people who are in full time employment, even if that does not equate to much in her pocket.

I think what everyone is trying to point out is that we are all feeling it, not just those on benefits but isnt that the whole point of a discussion that everyone gets to have their say? (As long as they are all playing nicely :cool: )

pepsicola_2

i thought this was the benefits board and not discussion time or did this get moved here?

Reggie_Rebel

pepsicola wrote: »

valid point or not, although that is a moot point, the OP is concerned about hearing of a 40% rise in utility bills as is everyone

Yes, and the OP has been informed that things are the same, if not worse, for a lot of other posters.

As for 100% contraception there is one obvious way, I'll leave you all to work it out

lil_me

I think it should be in discussion to be honest but a BG has posted without moving it.

With regards to benefits not increasing enough, my partners income hasn't increased at all, in fact because of higher fuel costs it's lower.

Contraceptives - I have fell pregnant twice on the pill but I should have used additional protection most likely as it's not completely safe, however I have had the injection then now the implant and haven't needed to use anything else, baby free for 7 years.

As for the shocking how much families would be entitled to, we choose not to just live off benefits but if we did, my partner stopped work completely etc, we'd be entitled to (including sons DLA, carers allowance (which my partner would then be entitled to claim) income support, my incapacity benefit, child benefit, child tax credits, lha (based on full rent being paid but would need to apply for DHP to cover rent because it's much higher than LHA), ct benefit etc) just over £800 per week, of course some of these benefits like CT are not paid direct but it'd be still one less bill to pay...........just aswell he doesn't want to be 'unemployed', imagine how much people would hate us. I know not every family is the same, we have 2 sons with disabilities which increases what we'd be entitled to. There is of course the free prescriptions, dental treatment, school meals and anything else that comes with being on income support. When you think about it that's insane, it's an income of over £40k a year for doing nothing (well apart from being full time carers)

glossgal

woodbine wrote: »

for 25 years i worked hard and paid my dues and never begrudged anyone worse off than me getting benefits,for the last 10 years ive been disabled but i`ll be dammed if i`ll be made to feel grateful to anyone,i`m pleased i live in a country that has a welfare state.
Also where on earth do you get this idea that those on benefits have more disposable income than workers,been reading the daily mail again???:mad:

btw mortgages are only paid after 9 months and then only the interest and then only on 100k max mortgage

Daily Mail haha, if you knew where I come from you would find that as funny as me, I see deprivation on a daily basis I don't need to read half truths in some tory rag!

As other people have since pointed out anyway, many people, usually with families, when you account for help with council tax and rent etc ARE better off. Like I said, this doesn't make good media fodder and some people on benefits prefer to play the poverty card but those like myself who know exactly who gets what and how much are not fooled for one minute. As for 'being grateful', I'm talking about not moaning about it, not suggesting you should have to kiss the new deal advisers' feet when you're signing on or having your lone parent interview. I don't think a bit of humility hurts though- it's a cliche but people have fought and died for freedoms that folk now take for granted -that includes the perks of a welfare state paying out to thousands who've never put a penny in.