MSE News: Autumn Budget Statement: Benefits to rise 5.2% with inflation

magicstrawberry

MamaMoo wrote: »

I also agree that giving benefit recipients vouchers instead of cash is ridiculously unfair. It would be extremely embarrassing, and also, it's stupid to dictate how people spend their money. If someone wants to go without food or fuel, or wants to cut back in order to save cash, surely it's their choice what they spend their money on.
Also, if they need to put extra gas/electricity on, or they run out of food because part of their benefit has been swapped for clothes vouchers, then it's unfair.
It would also restrict where people could spend their money (the local shop where I often buy nappies, milk, bread etc doesn't accept debit cards, I doubt they'd accept benefit vouchers) which can be a real issue for some people, especially if they're missing out on a good deal, or having to travel miles to buy a loaf of bread.

At the end of the day people forget that people on benefits spend their money in shops buying food and so forth, this keeping people in jobs and keeping money circulating. By restricting this, vouchers could mean less money to certain stores which could mean the difference between open and bust.

neverdespairgirl

duchesspink1 wrote: »

its £5! hardly an amount for people to get het up over. when were benefits last increased? yes salaries aren't all going up but I certainly got a raise every year, even if some years it was only 2%

It's apparently about a £5.5 billion increase overall. Which is a fair bit of cash.

neverdespairgirl

duchesspink1 wrote: »

I have a 50inch LG in my living room and a 42 inch in the bedroom, all paid for when I was working. I did cut my sky package though as i simply can't afford it anymore, will get it back once i'm working again though.

We have one TV, it's 14 inches and came out of the Ark. It is colour, though. Just about.

neverdespairgirl

ceridwen wrote: »

Is that a serious question????

1. Anyone...but anyone would hate having to hand over vouchers (rather than cash/debit card as normal) for their purchases.

A lot of people would. But it wouldn't bother me at all. That sort of thing never does. Why would I care what someone sitting at a checkout in a supermarket thinks of me?

funguy

We need a system where people get benefits to spend on essential items only - food, clothing and shelter. A certain percentage can maybe be paid as cash for the person to do with as they wish. The rest as credit vouchers or "gift card" type plastic to spend in any shops restricting the type of things that can be bought.

Benefits should not be rising higher than the cap on public sector workers wages - this sends out the complete wrong message.

sunnyone

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I am a Pensioner (although not entitled to Pension Credit) and I too think this is far too much rise when working people (including my son working for minimum wage) get no rise at all. Soon there will not be enough taxes generated to pay the benefits!

Your son and his partner both get DLA so their household income is increasing by much more than their hourly rate but you didnt mention that..........

And your pension is going up, as is your husbands IB.............

What about his gold plated teachers pension which is that and his IB+ your state pension make your income ay above pension credit level.........


The minimum wage has also gone up way above benefit levels since it was brought in and the same goverment also started the tax credit system which your son and his partner must benefit from in the form of disability working tax credits if their household income is on the breadline as you imply.......................

duchesspink1

poppy10 wrote: »

With respect, it's a tiny minority of benefit recipients who would buy their food from health food shops or farmers markets.

A system similar to the food stamp setup in america, whereby benefit money for those out of work could only be spent on essentials such as food, clothing, shelter would work out so much cheaper for the taxpayer, whilst still providing a safety net for those that fall out of work. It's ridiculous that I am paying taxes for a workshy JSA-scrounger to watch Sky Sports HD on his 60" plasma screen when I can barely afford either myself. Benefits are supposed to provide basic support, not provide luxuries to those unwilling to work for them.

where do you get the ridiculous idea that people on JSA are workshy scroungers? thats a sweeping generalisation and very rude to those of us that are on jsa through being cut out of work with no choice. I don't intend to be on it for much longer but I resent people like you looking down your nose. I hope to god you don't ever find yourself losing your job. Disgraceful attitude. Why do you come to these threads if they irritate you so much?

Suarez wrote: »

3 quid multiplied by 52.

156 quid a year multiplied by the thousands of people on JSA...

How can you say that's hardly a fortune?

a fiver a week is far from a luxurious amount of money so its not a fortune to those that get JSA. Yes it'll help, of course it will and why shouldn't there be an increase in it? What is all this talk about those in work not getting pay rises? public sector maybe but most people I know in ordinary jobs get a rise annually. Public sector employees have a lot of other benefits that many in the private sector don't have.

I can't believe so many people begrudge 5 measly pounds! wow.

magicstrawberry

funguy wrote: »

We need a system where people get benefits to spend on essential items only - food, clothing and shelter. A certain percentage can maybe be paid as cash for the person to do with as they wish. The rest as credit vouchers or "gift card" type plastic to spend in any shops restricting the type of things that can be bought.

Benefits should not be rising higher than the cap on public sector workers wages - this sends out the complete wrong message.

This is beyond ridiculous vouchers wouldn't work and the only reason to implement them would be to remind people of there place. You have no clue why people are on benefits most for genuine compelling reasons.

I am really coming to the conclusion that there is no humanity in this country anymore.

Vincent_Buenisedes

duchesspink1 wrote: »

where do you get the ridiculous idea that people on JSA are workshy scroungers? thats a sweeping generalisation and very rude to those of us that are on jsa through being cut out of work with no choice. I don't intend to be on it for much longer but I resent people like you looking down your nose. I hope to god you don't ever find yourself losing your job. Disgraceful attitude. Why do you come to these threads if they irritate you so much?

a fiver a week is far from a luxurious amount of money so its not a fortune to those that get JSA. Yes it'll help, of course it will and why shouldn't there be an increase in it? What is all this talk about those in work not getting pay rises? public sector maybe but most people I know in ordinary jobs get a rise annually. Public sector employees have a lot of other benefits that many in the private sector don't have.

I can't believe so many people begrudge 5 measly pounds! wow.

They've been conditioned to that line of thinking by the constant vilifiction of anyone unfortunate enough to claim benefits by the government and media.

krisskross

duchesspink1 wrote: »

I can't believe so many people begrudge 5 measly pounds! wow.

Then you haven't seen the posts where people are up in arms about the £1.92 a week my husband and I get from the Winter Fuel Allowance! You would honestly think it is £1000 each a year rather than £100.