MSE News: Half of UK 'struggling to next payday', study says

You-kip

Archi_Bald wrote: »

How do you conclude that?

Because most families actually claim Top Up Benefits in housing or Child tax credit or working tax credit etc yet these people seem to hide from the fact that they're actually claiming Benefits too although they work.

Not 100% sure but 90% sure we get child tax credits which makes me in someways on benefits as well although we both work.

Hominu

The thing that erks me is that I've not had a pay rise in the last 6 years or so, the same jobs I'm skilled for are coming up for the same salary I'm getting now, yet the minimum wage is going up every year, so my skills are basically becoming worth less every year and there's nothing I can do about it.

Give it another 10 years like this and I'll be better off getting a minimum wage job with no responsibilities other than turning up for work.

and they wonder why the country is going down the toilet!

JuicyJesus

Hominu wrote: »

The thing that erks me is that I've not had a pay rise in the last 6 years or so, the same jobs I'm skilled for are coming up for the same salary I'm getting now, yet the minimum wage is going up every year, so my skills are basically becoming worth less every year and there's nothing I can do about it.

Give it another 10 years like this and I'll be better off getting a minimum wage job with no responsibilities other than turning up for work.

and they wonder why the country is going down the toilet!

Your company not giving you a payrise is nothing to do with the minimum wage, and it doesn't mean that if you don't get a payrise nobody should.

Your company is stingy or your performance doesn't merit a payrise. Pick one, but don't claim all those lucky lucky people on minimum wage will be better off than you, but it's somehow the fault of the minimum wage going up, but not your wages staying where they are.

matttye

izools wrote: »

Several years ago I had been on JSA for a few weeks (not long), arrived to sign on one day, and was told they had found me a job.

I was forced into being a Web Developer (Brilliant!) ...

For minimum wage.

I was however entitled to tax credits and housing benefit.

It's madness What's the point in learning all these skills to get paid NMW.

gadgetmind

izools wrote: »

I was forced into being a Web Developer (Brilliant!) ...

For minimum wage.

At least after doing some on-the-job learning you've got a shot at doing this for decent money as we pay even web monkeys (the unskilled labourers of the IT industry, I'm afraid) way more than minimum wage.

In fact, we even pay placement students (two years into degree) far more than minimum wage. That a twenty year old has acquired the skills to earn > NMW should be a wake up call to those who haven't.

JuicyJesus

gadgetmind wrote: »

At least after doing some on-the-job learning you've got a shot at doing this for decent money as we pay even web monkeys (the unskilled labourers of the IT industry, I'm afraid) way more than minimum wage.

In fact, we even pay placement students (two years into degree) far more than minimum wage. That a twenty year old has acquired the skills to earn > NMW should be a wake up call to those who haven't.

So "f*ck you, live in poverty" is your answer if someone can't, for whatever reason, get anything other than a minimum wage job through no fault of their own?

It really is not as black and white as "if you're on minimum wage you've either not applied yourself or you're just very thick, either way it's your fault." There are lots and lots of shades of grey.

Lots of people in ivory towers on this thread.

matttye

gadgetmind wrote: »

At least after doing some on-the-job learning you've got a shot at doing this for decent money as we pay even web monkeys (the unskilled labourers of the IT industry, I'm afraid) way more than minimum wage.

In fact, we even pay placement students (two years into degree) far more than minimum wage. That a twenty year old has acquired the skills to earn > NMW should be a wake up call to those who haven't.

A lot of it really does depend on the employer, though.

My main job title is legal secretary, but I am training to be a police station representative. In addition, as I'm saving for a mortgage deposit and want the extra money, I clean the office twice a week. I get paid way more than NMW for both jobs, but I know many cleaners are only paid NMW.

As I said earlier in the thread, and as pointed out by izools, even some skilled jobs are paying NMW. It's not even a reflection of skillset any more, it's a reflection of how well the company is doing and/or how tight they are!

ColdIron

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

Well nobody has ever asked me whether I am struggling financially or not - has anybody else on here ever been asked?

Yes, many times

If you join YouGov you'll be asked lots of questions on a wide number of topics and get paid £50 every now and then
http://yougov.co.uk/panel/join-yougov-panel/?sourceid=105442&gclid=CNfU7-Cx4bgCFY_KtAodtSMAOw

Wywth

You-kip wrote: »

...Not 100% sure but 90% sure we get child tax credits which makes me in someways on benefits as well although we both work.

You're not sure what money you have coming in each month? :eek:

If you are typical, it's no wonder so many people are struggling financially. How can anyone hope to manage their financial budget if they don't know what that budget actually is?

gadgetmind

JuicyJesus wrote: »

So "f*ck you, live in poverty" is your answer if someone can't, for whatever reason, get anything other than a minimum wage job through no fault of their own?

Sadly, life will always be hard for those without any skills that an employer would value or without the drive to set up on their own.

either way it's your fault.

I guess it's always easier to blame someone else or "the system".

I worked in loads of minimum wage jobs waiting on tables and washing dishes when I was at school and through university. I got on well with everyone I worked with, but their anti-education "what's the point in working hard" attitudes really shocked me and I vowed to never get into that mindset.