Benefits Cash Card

Aryndeneth

Really, why is anyone still feeding this troll? Just ignore him, he's only trying to get a rise out of people and it's working! Can we let this thread die now?

Johnnytwostep

Just because people have different opinions doesn't make them wrong.
although i am always right

GMbabies

It's alright. I'd say what I want to say anyway regardless and those savvy enough will recognise what I am saying.

Want to be ignorant and ignore the subject?
Be my guest but don't come crying when it happens to ya

red_eye

Aryndeneth wrote: »

Can I suggest everyone stop feeding the troll?

can i kick the troll instead?

persa

In principle, I'm not against the idea of restricting what benefit money can be used for, but I just don't see how they can introduce such measures whilst allowing people to retain their dignity, which is also important.

Not everyone on benefits wants to be on benefits - there has to be a balance between supporting those who really do need support from the state and those who are just scrounging. Unfortunately, this idea doesn't seem to achieve that balance.

imatt

Carlos77 wrote: »

I do agree with the concept of giving benefit cards to people, as it might give a little more motivation to the job-shy (and there are plenty of those out there). No matter what way they did it, they would have difficulties making a foolproof system, however here is my idea on how this could be done.

The cards would only be introduced to people who were jobless for 6m+, this gives a little breathing room to those who have lost there jobs to try find others. They would be linked to new 'bank accounts' for want of a better word. The account acts much in the same way as current bank accounts, so all existing debits can be transferred over to it, but no additional credit accounts can be added, and transference onto the system would put a note out to all creditors to freeze any more credit facilities, mobile contracts could not be renewed, sky subscriptions would automatically cancel once out of the contract period etc. No cash would be available from this account, and stops would be put on booze, fags and various other luxuries. There would be a fair bit of administration in implementing the systems, and those retailers and transportation systems off the grid would need to upgrade onto it!

Obviously this would need refining, but done right it could give those work-shy the kick in the butt they need to improve there own life and get off the benefits

The problem or rather problems are that this would be a very expensive system to set up and administer. You'd have to:

a) Create, issue and distribute millions of cards.

b) Set up millions of new bank accounts

c) Create a huge database back end with miilions of clients details

And that's just for starters. And even IF everything works as clockwork. More than likely, an outsourcing company such as Serco, G4s and Capita will get the contract. And we all know what happens with govt funded IT projects. Universal Job Match anyone?

We can also add-

d) What about those undertaking short term employment? Will they have a card issued to them on an ad-hoc on and off basis? How much extra will that cost?

As for 'luxuries', firstly, who determines what they are? Secondly, what is to stop someone buying essentials such as bread or soap powder and doing a straight swap for a six pack or a pack of 20 cigs? Who on earth could monitor this?

The Tories seem top be in an odd position of thier own making. On the one hand they preach freedom of choice. They accused the previous Labour government of creating a nanny satate telling people what to do.
However, it seems to be the Tories who wish to dictate standards of personal behaviour to others. Victorian values, back to basics etc. And now this loopy idea.

kingfisherblue

Johnnytwostep wrote: »

yes i am fine, i want my piece of the gravy train that everyone seems to be on.

You want a piece of the gravy train, but you ignored my invitation (post 129) to comment on my previous post (number 101). I, and many others, acknowledge that there are many in society that do not want to work, but that there are others that would love to but cannot, due to circumstances beyond control.

I think that the real reason Johnnytwostep has not replied to me is because he cannot admit that he is wrong, and acknowledge that many benefit claimants are not scroungers, but are on benefits for genuine reasons and not just lazyitis.

Aryndeneth

kingfisherblue wrote: »

You want a piece of the gravy train, but you ignored my invitation (post 129) to comment on my previous post (number 101). I, and many others, acknowledge that there are many in society that do not want to work, but that there are others that would love to but cannot, due to circumstances beyond control.

I think that the real reason Johnnytwostep has not replied to me is because he cannot admit that he is wrong, and acknowledge that many benefit claimants are not scroungers, but are on benefits for genuine reasons and not just lazyitis.

No, he hasn't replied because he's a troll who delights in winding people up and getting a reaction. He doesn't want to get into a genuine discussion/debate, he wants to provoke you into reacting and he has. Just ignore him.

Charityworker

What's their definition of someone on benefit? I work and I'm on wtc and a bit of housing benefit. Are they going to try and tell me what I can and can't spend my wtc on now? Isn't that against my human rights? I don't drink or smoke but it's the principal of the thing. We arnt living in a communist country but it feels like we are sometimes.

Now on the other side of the coin I work with people with learning difficulties who have personal budgets. None of them work. I know that at least 4 of the people I know who are on dla spend 90% of their money on booze, cigarettes, the betting shop and phone sex. Are these people going to be told what they can and can't spend it on or are these magically exempt again? These are the ones that need this the most and yet I bet they will say it's against their human rights

HondaDriver

Lol, i'm absolutely loving this conversation. The money people receive from Job Seekers Allowance is meant to contribute towards basic living expenses. If you like a drink or two, you need to work for it!!! I'm not nagging, i was on the doll for over a year a few years back, but with a bit of determination and a positive mind set you can achieve anything you want to!! You will get out of life what you put into it. And within 3 years off coming off the doll i am now an assistant manager of a well known blue chip company and on my way to becoming 'The Boss' all i can say is dont give up, keep trying and something will come up if you want it hard enough. Jay