MSE News: Benefits recipients could lose £1 billion

ceridwen

zagfles wrote: »

RPI isn't the correct measure to use for the AA, since RPI includes rents, mortgages & council tax etc, and the benefits which make income up to the AA (ie JSA/IS/ESA/CTC etc) aren't intended to cover these things (that's for housing benefit and council tax benefit to do).

They used an index called "rossi" for most of these, this index excludes rents, council tax etc. For CTC and pension credit they used earnings, but often with ad hoc increases above earnings (certainly for CTC anyway).



Actually you're right about the family premium in the AA, this has gone down in real terms because it is reflected in the family element of CTC plus the "first child premium" of child benefit. The family element of CTC is the element that higher income families get, and has been frozen at £545pa since its introduction in 2003.

But of course anyone getting the family element also gets at least one child element, and that has sky-rocketted, from about £31pw in 2001 to about £62 now. So overall anyone with kids is far better off now.

Some good points there.

1. Its my understanding the Government is in process of passing over administering Council Tax benefit to local Councils - but will only give them 90% of the money they need for this. I've already seen mention that at least some Councils will then, as I anticipated, cut the amount of C.T. help peeps on the dole get to 90% (ie make even those on the dole pay 10% of their C.T. bill:eek: out of that measly £67 odd per week).

2. Those on the dole already sometimes have to make up rent shortfall out of their benefit.

3. I dont understand why benefit claimants are due to have CPI rises (rather than RPI) in view of the fact that some housing costs already has to come out of the pockets of some of them - and soon likely to be more of them. Is the Govt trying to say that they will reverse this and ensure no claimants have to pay out rent (now) or C.T. (soon) out of this personal benefit then after all?:cool:

4. It is indeed true that monies payable for having children have risen a LOT in recent years - hardly fair for parents to claim so much more for themselves and leave others going short because of it:mad:

***********************

All round - of course those on unemployment benefit should receive their due cost of living rise. Don't anyone in work think "It couldnt happen to me" (ie being unemployed). I thought that - but it did....

Looks forward to seeing MPs getting a payfreeze soon ...

worried_jim

Surely the headline should read "Taxpayers could save £1 billion".

ceridwen

stroodes wrote: »

can i ask ..........if we are not allowed to discuss benefits ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,why have a benefits board?

Oh .. dont be silly now :rotfl::rotfl:

Can't possibly have the Government (or, more to the point, the Press) seeing posts up by people explaining details of how much income they need just to survive and explaining how much comes in and the difference between the two now can we?:cool::rotfl:

I personally promise that, if ever I get put on the dole again I will find a way to put up a thread on the Benefits Board (and make sure it STAYS on the correct Board - ie Benefits Board) detailing how I am managing ---or otherwise.

I do think we need to read cases of people in that situation that don't have one single factor against them indicating its THEIR fault they're in that situation. We all read of cases of hardship - where we can/do instantly think "Well - if they will have children they cant afford (ie too many or any born 10 months or more into unemployment), smoke, have Sky tv, have debts to start with, etc". If I ever put up a hardship thread - then I would be able to say "Look - no children, no smoking, no Sky Tv, no debt at the outset. NOW - you just try saying its MY fault I cant manage - because I can prove it ISNT".

This is the type of thread we need on the Benefits Board - because I'm sure there are good money managers (such as myself) that are in this position and we arent hearing about them at present.

EDIT; That reminds me - thinking of single childless "good money manager" peeps on beneft - Pagan Girl are you out there? Are you still unemployed?

NewStart09

Well they should stop us paying their ridiculous allowances.

What other job gives such a liberal allowance, I have worked at Senior Management level and never been able to submit receipt for reimbursment for my second home furniture tv, pay my electric bill etc...

The mere thought they can submit an allowance for a 42p candy bar (Mr Cameron shows no shame in doing this) is just absurd! With their £60k+ pay surely they can afford this!!!


We need a petition to Ban MP allowances that would save the UK tax payer millions over the years, let that money be spent on the children or caring for the elderly, MP's need to start living in the real world......I would compare this to Maria Antoniette let them it cake bit..........!

Dognobs

I have not had a payrise!

I can speak from both sides as I was unemployed for a year and claiming. I WAS SHOCKED AT HOW MUCH HELP YOU GET!!! It is too much! I own my home so I was not reciving HB and only had a small amout of CTB paid. OK my wife is working in a ok job HOWEVER we have never lived above our means we made adjustments and have no debts and we lived fine. I also have ASD (I was only getting JSA) so finding a job was harder for me. But I work out that we are about £50 a week better off with me working but It is PRIDE and GOOD FOR YOU TO GET UP IN THE MORNING AND DO SOMETHING! Why people get upset is you see ALOT of people on ESA / DLA for stress, depression, anxiety, drugs/drink problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, Bad back etc driving around in a brand new disabilty car and leading a normal life when challanged they just say I was having a good day. Or a single parent walking around with UGG boots owns 50" tv and a iPhone getting a brand new build council house and grants for furnish it. Yes there will be the few that struggle but it won't be many. BENIFITS ARE A LIFELINE NOT A LIFESTYLE. Lets get rid of the greedy and help the real needy!

Lou76

Dognobs wrote: »

I have not had a payrise!

I can speak from both sides as I was unemployed for a year and claiming. I WAS SHOCKED AT HOW MUCH HELP YOU GET!!! It is too much! I own my home so I was not reciving HB and only had a small amout of CTB paid. OK my wife is working in a ok job HOWEVER we have never lived above our means we made adjustments and have no debts and we lived fine. I also have ASD (I was only getting JSA) so finding a job was harder for me. But I work out that we are about £50 a week better off with me working but It is PRIDE and GOOD FOR YOU TO GET UP IN THE MORNING AND DO SOMETHING! Why people get upset is you see ALOT of people on ESA / DLA for stress, depression, anxiety, drugs/drink problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, Bad back etc driving around in a brand new disabilty car and leading a normal life when challanged they just say I was having a good day. Or a single parent walking around with UGG boots owns 50" tv and a iPhone getting a brand new build council house and grants for furnish it. Yes there will be the few that struggle but it won't be many. BENIFITS ARE A LIFELINE NOT A LIFESTYLE. Lets get rid of the greedy and help the real needy!

I take exception to this.

I have M.E. (and Crohns, to boot) and I found myself unable to work, and unable to pay the bills.

Being single, and having a mortgage, the 'benefits' were not exactly forthgiving. I found myself saddled with a load of debt, just to keep a roof over my head, which I'm now gladly paying off, and didn't have the luxury of leaving the house, let alone in a "brand new disability" car.

I was lucky if I was well enough to leave the house once a month, I'm still the same. I only go out if I feel well enough, therefore look well enough, hence people who actually see me must think I look great. That was one of my biggest hurdles; people judging me by thinking I looked well, when I knew I wasn't.

I'm fortunate enough that, despite a 7 year gap in my CV; I've found an employer who will take me on, and allow me to work around my illness. :T

I may have M.E., but it's never been an excuse to not work. It's simply a barrier to overcome...

thelawnet

wakeupalarm wrote: »

"Benefits recipients could lose £1 billion"

Jesus Christ!, How much are they being paid? :eek:

In excess of £150b. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/7868132/State-spending-on-benefits-doubles-to-152bn-since-Thatcher-era.html

mr-tom_2

It is perfectly simple. Average benefit increases should be linked to average salary increases.

Those complaining about 4.5% should try working their butts off for 0% year on year.

(edit) Here's a thought - why not trade the "Benefits recipients could lose £1 billion" headline for "Taxpayers could be given back £1 billion" or even "UK to reduce overspending by £1bn"?

misfit

mr-tom wrote: »

Those complaining about 4.5% should try working their butts off for 0% year on year.

I haven't seen anyone on this thread complain about getting 4.5%, just people moaning that they shouldn't.

mr-tom_2

misfit wrote: »

I haven't seen anyone on this thread complain about getting 4.5%, just people moaning that they shouldn't.

I said "those complaining", not "those in this thread complaining"