What happens to state benefit in a recession

Sapphire

Broken_hearted wrote: »

A lot of those who have paid in got their own pensions. My parents both have more than ample money coming in without any state money.

Well, good for your parents – but, due to the way pensions have been eroded, a lot of those who have paid in have extremely small pensions on top of the basic state pension.

Davesnave

Judging by the way this thread has mushroomed in the last 90 minutes, I'd say this is going to be one hot topic in 2009. Expect tough talking, but a lot less action, as the DWP hasn't the staff, unless some of the unemployed are going to form a new department: The Benefits Police.

amcluesent

>the DWP hasn't the staff<

Report benefit fraud online or call the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440. Feel good, shop a chav!

islandannie

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/ContactOrDealWithHMRC/DG_10010579

Report tax fraud online.

treliac

milliemonster wrote: »

Whilst at first glance I agree with this, I even think No1 is too radical, in the fact that it only ends up punishing the children who did not ask to be born and will push more kids into poverty and crime and social destruction, don't know what the answer is though

Maybe fewer unwanted children might be brought into a sad world.

Davesnave

amcluesent wrote: »

>the DWP hasn't the staff<

Report benefit fraud online or call the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440. Feel good, shop a chav!

First thing that link did was bring up an alert on my browser relating to 'non-secure items.' Hardly encouraging to the average whistle blower!

What I meant by 'haven't the staff' is that investigating officers, even when tipped-off like this, have to spend many hours gathering evidence. I've been out lurking with them and it's far from dramatic 'bash the door down' stuff. (unfortunately!) It's more a case of log this, move on, watch for half an hour, log that. It can take months to build up a case.

Bogof_Babe

They might not vote now, but if the next election manifestos were a straight choice between a party that would double benefits and one that would all but scrap them, the idle layabouts would soon be out in force exercising their franchise.

It's a very risky assumption that "they" don't vote so it would never happen.

115K

milliemonster wrote: »

I agree totally, as another taxpayer who has had 2 children and never had to claim benefits (fortunately), but maybe we should be even more radical and look at sterilisation after 2 children instead. I don't think many of these people keep having children just for the extra £20 a month in child benefit they would get, its all the other 'perks' I guess. Or perhaps once pregnant with baby number 3, given 'free' childcare places to get back into work (as this is the conitunal excuse they use not to work, that childcare costs are too high) which they can't refuse or would have benefits cut, said childcare funding would be deducted at source from earnings.

:question: Do you mean every woman should be sterilised after having two children or just the poor people?

Cleaver

115K wrote: »

:question: Do you mean every woman should be sterilised after having two children or just the poor people?

We could sterilise all poor people's babies at birth to stop them having any more poor people in the next generation.

Cleaver

I'm going out for a curry now. If someone takes the post above seriously could someone else step in and point it out as sarcasm please?

Ta.