Benefit claimants to get another 5.2% rise this year

Graham_Devon

Yer what?!?!

The jobless will see their benefits rise by 5.2 per cent next year, MPs agreed last night – while millions of workers face a pay freeze.

Ministers said benefit claimants will get an inflation-busting increase to protect them against ‘cost of living increases’.

The overall rise in welfare payments, which will cost taxpayers £6.6billion, is more than double the average pay increase of around 2.1 per cent which those in work can expect.

The fact those on benefits will see their income increase more than those in work will make it harder for ministers to argue they are making work pay.

Yesterday, MPs officially agreed the 5.2 per cent increase in benefits as part of a package of changes to pensions and social security benefits.

Pensions Minister Steve Webb said: ‘At a time when the nation’s finances are under severe pressure, this Government will be spending an extra £6.6billion in 2012-13 to ensure people are protected against cost of living increases.

‘I have outlined this Coalition Government’s firm commitment to ensure that even in these difficult times no one is left behind,’ he added. The decision came on the day councils announced 1.6million workers would see their pay frozen for the third year in a row.

No comprende.

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/pensions/article-2105762/MPs-agree-5-2-increase-benefits-pensions-protect-claimants-inflation.html

Jennifer_Jane

The benefits go up with the September CPI rate. So come this April, our Basic State Pensions and all the other welfare benefits will be increasing by this figure. It seems 'generous' but it is the statutory increase (in the case of Pensions there is the triple lock, CPI/wages/or minimum of 2.5%, in this case CPI is the highest of these three).

The triple lock was debated in Parliament and approved. There is, however, some further discussion in Parliament to say that CPI is unfair and that RPI should be used. I don't know, or believe, that anything further will transpire from this.

I'm expecting my pension to increase by 5.2% THIS coming April (not next year, we don't know what it will be then), but my Company pension will decrease to account for the increased taxation, of course.

I don't understand the 'next' year, either. But I'm pretty sure that it's sloppy journalism, that's all.

MrRee_2

Let's be fair now - if you are in a job and are valuable/do a great job, then you can haggle a 6%+ rise - very easily.

All the jobless can do is hope that the September RPI/CPI figure is high, it was - lucky for them, they have struck gold by chance.

Those with jobs can strike gold by being the best at what they do ............ if you aren't, then, sadly, you will only get a small payrise - why pay someone useless a big rise?

Certainly, my consultancy rates will be increased around 8% this year - they need me, I am the best, they pay it or lose me ..... simples.

brit1234

MrRee wrote: »

Certainly, my consultancy rates will be increased around 8% this year - they need me, I am the best, they pay it or lose me ..... simples.

I can see why they need you, its like employing 15 people for the price of 1. Do the other staff call you different names through out the day, Sibley as come in, MRree at coffee break, Positive equity after Lunch and !!!!!_whatever at home time?

I have had 2 years of pay freezes to both inflation adjustment and yearly increment for service. This year I got a 1% pay increase :beer: followed by a 1.25% pension payment increase :mad:, so effectively a pay cut. At the same time they have savaged our pay conditions meaning they can easily exploit us as of April.

It makes you feel warm and fuzzy that the government value the criminals on huge benefits rather than the people who are meant to keep them in order.

StevieJ

If benefits are set at an implied subsistance level (i.e. basic minimum for getting by) it makes sense that the level has now increased by inflation.

Jimmy_31

MrRee wrote: »

Let's be fair now - if you are in a job and are valuable/do a great job, then you can haggle a 6%+ rise - very easily.

All the jobless can do is hope that the September RPI/CPI figure is high, it was - lucky for them, they have struck gold by chance.

Those with jobs can strike gold by being the best at what they do ............ if you aren't, then, sadly, you will only get a small payrise - why pay someone useless a big rise?

Certainly, my consultancy rates will be increased around 8% this year - they need me, I am the best, they pay it or lose me ..... simples.

You sound lonely today.

pqrdef

"Another"?

This Is Money is a Mail product isn't it? Usual thing - just keep recycling the same old news item and people will think it's happening over and over again.

MrRee_2

brit1234 wrote: »

I have had 2 years of pay freezes to both inflation adjustment and yearly increment for service. This year I got a 1% pay increase :beer: followed by a 1.25% pension payment increase :mad:, so effectively a pay cut. At the same time they have savaged our pay conditions meaning they can easily exploit us as of April.

No good at all moaning about it on here - LEAVE and get a better job!!

Sadly, if you can't or don't want to, why should they pay you anything at all?

Too many people moan and complain yet do absolutely NOTHING about it.

Can I ask why you don't leave your current employment and get another better paid job elsewhere? Serious question.

the_flying_pig

StevieJ wrote: »

If benefits are set at an implied subsistance level (i.e. basic minimum for getting by) it makes sense that the level has now increased by inflation.

agreed.

but benefits growth outstripping wage growth by so much doesn't exactly strengthen incentives to work rather than claim.

or does the minimum wage always go up in line with inflaton too?

Jimmy_31

MrRee wrote: »

No good at all moaning about it on here - LEAVE and get a better job!!

Sadly, if you can't or don't want to, why should they pay you anything at all?

Too many people moan and complain yet do absolutely NOTHING about it.

Can I ask why you don't leave your current employment and get another better paid job elsewhere? Serious question.

He probably doesnt want to risk ending up working at the same place as you.

MrRee_2

I doubt that ..... I am but 1 amongst 10,000