No point working - why not just go on benefits?

Derivative

It is not only JSA - as said NHS benefits, housing benefit, amongst others. It's not just 16k as well, HB is reduced above 6k.

The problem I see with Child Benefit is not that it encourages breeding - it is that it encourages the unemployed and poor disproportionately - raising children with inadequate resources (we're not just talking basics here, there is travel to museums, paying for books, education for both parents and children).

There is already a skew towards lower income families having higher birth rates - CB just exacerbates that.

If you consider the purpose of breeding ensuring that older generations are looked after - it is a logical extension to believe that we want competitive, educated workers.

I am in agreeance with your view that working should be rewarded more, I just don't think it economically possible without reducing the provisions. I want to see every person in Britain, from the poorest to the richest, get universal welfare of slightly less than is enough to live on. Then we only have taxation to sort out, simplifying matters somewhat.

baby_boomer

Why not just go on benefits?

Perhaps it is a temporary solution for some people now.

But as China and the developing world challenge our economic position, and as our next generation of (heavily indebted) students become taxpayers (with increased pension contributions expected of them as well) don't expect benefits to necessarily keep people in the manner to which some have become accustomed.

At some point we are going to have to make our way as a nation. And future generations of ex-students are going to demand it.

SD-253

ninky wrote: »

don't make me laugh. the tories are the party for the unemployed. not the idle poor unemployed but the idle rich (or at least those who could afford not to work even if they choose to) - those of inherited wealth, trust funds and income from assets.

Argh there is nowt to beat the true middle class liberal view of life...............he has got more money than me thats not right!!!
And if you were in the same circumstances you would do exactly the same thing, make sure you pay as little tax as possible make sure your children pay as little inheritance tax as possible etc etc. Definition of a middle class liberal? well nicky you could look it up in dictionary or alternatively a mirror!!

michaels

I think you are missing something. If you are in the sort of industry where you go in and out of employment (probably most non 'career' type jobs. Then your incentive to save rather than spend is minimal as any savings you have will have to be spent if you become unemployed - thus there is no scope to save for a house deposit or uni fees or anything.

Ilya_Ilyich wrote: »

Thank you for the information; this is something I don't know much about so it's always good/interesting to learn more. I can definitely see the reasoning behind it - i.e. people with savings can cope with unemployment better than those without..but there's obviously some scope for people who believe they will be unemployed soon not to save. I don't know how likely this is though - it sounds like you need to be in a fairly specific situation (currently employed, knowing you will be unemployed and eligible for benefits soon, current capital near/over £16k) in order to have less of an incentive to work. Is this fair or am I missing something?

Herbie_Hancock_I_wish

Scary stuff. I am about to be laid off due to illness, may be a claim looming but zero chance of another job. Thankfully zero debt. It will however mean my wife will have to carry on working. She fully intended to anyway. After paying, between us, a load of tax and NI, might be nice to get a bit back. Tons of cash invested in pension funds, shame they are a bit useless these days.

Built up a lot more than £16k in the bank. Will be interesting to see what I can claim. Well at my advancing age, having paid in a lot of dosh, I am more than content to get what benefits that might be available.

I have carried my illness all my life without resorting to the government to help me out. Well tough on them. I will make sure I can get whatever I am allowed.

I know a guy who has never worked since about 25. 3 kids, owns his own home with a 4 by 4 in the disabled bay. His spine is crumbling, yea right, I needed some fairly heavy building work and guess who was first in line.

Amazing isn`t it. Failed bankers, bring the UK to its knees are strongly awarded. Well, whatever.

timmmers

I think you'll find that most people who are "thriving" with 4x4 etc on benefits are also criminals of some kind, or breed kids and fake injuries / compo claims for England. People genuinely out of work on benefits are not living the life of riley, I know half a dozen hard working lads and lasses who spend their lives sending CV after CV to companies who either have no work to give them or simply can't be bothered to answer. They are shadows of what thet once were and living on the breadline.
Generalising and demonising others like this when you haven't the foggiest idea what you're talking about and feel the pinch a little is pathetic. Sure, some people work the system, some people also go to work and skive getting paid for nothing. I look forward to you popping back to celebrate your 1st dole payment (or it not being paid on time leaving you screwed and pennyless) with a bottle of bubbly, also the wonderful uplifting experience of being grilled and sneered at by jobcentre staff, or as one of my friends recently was forced to do...cleaning canals alongside community service criminals (during this 13 week spell working for 15 quid extra a week to keep his benefits he had to cut his job searching right down from his normal level, and was even told he had 5 days off and if those ran out he couldn't attend interviews lol) .

You could also try living on benefits while looking after a seriously ill family member...when I did it they called it being a carer. That is a dream job with huge benefits, no money, no social life, no holidays, and when they die...a nice fat gap in your CV, no savings left, and dumped on the dole.

Why is the word PILLOCK so prominent in my mind? Must be a reason.

drc

It's weird. Apparently the government are reducing Working Tax Credits (the benefit working people get so that they can afford childcare whilst they work) but actually increasing Child Tax Credits in line with inflation (the benefit people get if they don't work or have a very low wage and have kids). So basically they are saying that if you work you should be penalised but if you don't work and have a lot of kids then you should be rewarded. I see a very nasty situation hovering on the horizon where there are more professional breeders in the years to come than there are taxpayers and then the whole pack of cards disintegrates...

Jowo_2

stuart30 wrote: »

..
Oh i believe the maximum housing cost the council will pay in my area is about £550 per month....maybe upto £650 in Cambridge it self.

No, it's £900 per month.

Weekly LHA rate for April 2011

Cambridge BRMA

Shared Accommodation Rate:£72.69 per weekOne Bedroom Rate:£121.15 per weekTwo Bedrooms Rate:£132.69 per weekThree Bedrooms Rate:£156.92 per weekFour Bedrooms Rate:£207.69 per week

movilogo

The only reason one needs to go out for proper work if s/he thinks s/he can earn substantially more than what benefits provides.

wotsthat

movilogo wrote: »

The only reason one needs to go out for proper work if s/he thinks s/he can earn substantially more than what benefits provides.

From http://www.firststeps-surrey.nhs.uk/workinglifeandmentalhealth.htm

In addition to providing an income, employment can serve as a source of achievement, satisfaction, and a boost to one’s self-esteem. Work gives structure and purpose to the day and can provide opportunities for social contact and making friends. Work can also provide people with an identity and stated role within society. Many studies have shown the benefits of work for people with a current or previous experience of a mental health problem.

Conversely, we know that unemployment can have a detrimental affect on health and general wellbeing. Unemployment is associated with stress, low self-esteem and increased feelings of depression.

All these positive benefits from working and you want a 'substantial' premium over and above the money that the benefits system can provide? It's depressing just thinking about that attitude.