Tories are certainly getting stuck into our benefits system...

mattcanary

Did I say I should? My point is that carolt can afford to pay taxes - besides the biggest social security bill by far is for tax credits (& to get working tax credit - you have to be in work!!!!)

Of course, carolt should have more disposable income (mind you, that depends on how many loans, etc people take out as well!) However, investment bankers earn far more than say firefighters. Not justified in my opinion (and many others no doubt).
Instead of moaning about going out to work and paying taxes when he/she would rather do something else, how about carolt finding work they will enjoy??!! They are just moaning about their own situation and thinking about themselves rather than anyone else. Extreme;y selfish.

As I've said before, I should be starting work soon (and not claiming any tax credits either, before anyone asks). I have been applying for many (suitable) jobs as do many other people on JSA. Just because I have failed to find work previously does not mean I was not trying. Everyone should get a certain level of basic income (whether in work or not). As pointed out already, it is a sign of a civilised society. Just as pensioners should get a good deal and people in work (better than those on benefits, in the majority of circumstance, I agree).
Plenty of people are golddiggers. Does that make that type of person better, just becasue they are not claiming benefits. I would strongly suggest not.

And Carolt has still not bothered to explain why there were so many unemployed people in the 1930s depression when no benefits were in existencxe. Or why the unemployment rate is so much higher in say, the North-East than in the Home Counties?

neverdespairgirl

mattcanary wrote: »

Like I said, thinking of yourself and not a care for anyone else. Bet you still have more money left over after paying your taxes than myself or indeed many others currently on benefits.

I should certainly hope so - it's a major failing in a benefits system if you don't have more money left over when working than when on benefits!

neverdespairgirl

Shakethedisease wrote: »

No, but there may be quite a few pensioners/wives/families and carers of those in WWII on LHA and benefits that will have experienced and saw much, much worse than you when we were at war last. Some of them were shot for the 'twitching' resulting from shell-shock or just perhaps the complete horror of what they saw as they were fighting,..shot as 'deserters' or 'cowards' by their own. We've moved on... thankfully.

That was First World War, not Second, surely?

Want2Bdebtfree_3

Do you not think that those in their retirement when they have worked and paid tax and stamp all their lives are entitled to something back even if it a free bus pass or fuel allowance. Not enough is done to support our elderly and too much is given to those who expect it as their right. I know quite a few peole who have disabilities that work, the harsher rules for incapacity benefits will not affect those that are geniune, yes it may make it more difficult to obtain their benefits but surely if this stops people claiming for stress and make believe bad backs then it should be applauded. For too long this country has been giving out hand outs and turning people into shirkers... what happened to rewarding people who work hard and aim for promotion to better themselves. Now because of Labour's frivalous behaviour they will be taxed more to get rid of the debt.
We need to go back to basics only spend what is in your pocket and if we all have to suffer over the next few years then so be it, but as long as we have food, family, health, shelter and friends we have the means to be happy. We knew it would be tough as a nation - there are jobs out there which is why people flock here from Europe to work. They are just jobs that people do not necessarily want to do.... If you can not get benefits then you will do what you have to do... which in reality is what you should have been doing in the first place. It should not be possible to get more from the state. Times are changing.

neverdespairgirl

Want2Bdebtfree wrote: »

Do you not think that those in their retirement when they have worked and paid tax and stamp all their lives are entitled to something back even if it a free bus pass or fuel allowance.

I think it's a bit daft when a couple with a £500,000 annual income get free fuel allowances and bus fares and prescriptions at 60, to be honest.

pop_gun

Want2Bdebtfree wrote: »

We need to go back to basics only spend what is in your pocket

did you get into debt by spending what was in your pocket?

ILW

mattcanary wrote: »

Mbga -
The minimum wage is not a rubbish idea. Everyone should be entitled to a certain level of pay when working. If employers aren't prepared to pay what is a low amount anyway (certainly in the south of the UK), they are skinflints that should not even be in business.
Low pay results in people not being able to afford basic living expenses, such as their home (and no, I'm not talking about palatial palaces in the middle of Westminter). And it puts them at risk if governments introduce cuts in spending, due to the state of the country's finances - as we are currently seieng.

Maybe they are just trying to stay in business against cut price foreign competition. Would you sooner they just closed down and sacked evereyone?

mattcanary

No, they are normally trying to get out of paying taxes and basically acting illegally. The mimimum wage is law. Companies that deny people even this low level of pay do not deserve any respect whatsoever

carolt

mattcanary wrote: »

Did I say I should? My point is that carolt can afford to pay taxes - besides the biggest social security bill by far is for tax credits (& to get working tax credit - you have to be in work!!!!)

Of course, carolt should have more disposable income (mind you, that depends on how many loans, etc people take out as well!) However, investment bankers earn far more than say firefighters. Not justified in my opinion (and many others no doubt).
Instead of moaning about going out to work and paying taxes when he/she would rather do something else, how about carolt finding work they will enjoy??!! They are just moaning about their own situation and thinking about themselves rather than anyone else. Extreme;y selfish.

As I've said before, I should be starting work soon (and not claiming any tax credits either, before anyone asks). I have been applying for many (suitable) jobs as do many other people on JSA. Just because I have failed to find work previously does not mean I was not trying. Everyone should get a certain level of basic income (whether in work or not). As pointed out already, it is a sign of a civilised society. Just as pensioners should get a good deal and people in work (better than those on benefits, in the majority of circumstance, I agree).
Plenty of people are golddiggers. Does that make that type of person better, just becasue they are not claiming benefits. I would strongly suggest not.

And Carolt has still not bothered to explain why there were so many unemployed people in the 1930s depression when no benefits were in existencxe. Or why the unemployment rate is so much higher in say, the North-East than in the Home Counties?

To take the last point first, I'm not really clear why it's my duty to explain this - I wasn't aware of having mentioned a position on this at all.

Re the first point, you seem to overestimate my wealth level - we are very far from well-off, in fact we just about get by - and for that the main reason is the exorbitant cost of housing, which eats up an enormous amount of our take-home pay.

So I find it a bit rich that you, in your cushy, secure council flat at a peppercorn rent dares to criticise me for being selfish and only thinking of myself. How about you unselfishly donate some of the savings you make on your rent compared to the market rent to the general pot, then?

No. Didn't think so.

mattcanary

Because you can't answer the question, that's why! And it is relevant, since you were slagging off unemployed people

You chose to buy an expensive house. I was on a waiting list for over 4.5 years before I got offered the flat. I was living in expensive private rented housing. And I have worked for the vast majority of my adult life. If you are so envious of my housing situation, maybe you should have registered on the housing register in your local area several years ago? But then, you actually own your home which should count for a lot in the long run.