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In work and worse off.

I've just done an in work calculation. I pay no tax on my wage, but may pay NI contributions. I work 21 hours per week. After I have paid my rent and transport costs to work (which have just risen), I have less money than I would if I stayed on JSA. Because I have less money and do not want to use a food bank for the rest of my working days (and nor do I think it practical doing a second job), I will refuse to pay my landlord the full rent, and take out £71.50 from my wage.

I thought work was supposed to pay?

In my last job I was doing 35 hours and getting tax credits, and I can remember getting my paycheck and thinking that without those tax credits I would jack the job in.

And don't give me that nonsense about self-respect. It is rubbish!
«134567

Comments

  • agrinnall
    agrinnall Posts: 23,344 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    You have an opportunity to do something about it next month, try not to get evicted before your polling card arrives though.
  • WantToBeSE
    WantToBeSE Posts: 7,729 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped! Debt-free and Proud!
    Get a job that is more than part time?
  • London50
    London50 Posts: 1,850 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    So you just expect the rest of the working population to keep you, just typical of some people. As stated get a second job or look for one that pays better and work longer hours.
    As for the self respect being rubbish I am sure people that do two or three jobs to make ends meet would not agree.
    It is people like you that give this country a bad name,thinking that you have the right to be kept by the rest.
  • R_P_W
    R_P_W Posts: 1,527 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Why can't you work more than 21 hours a week? Why can't you work a second job?
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,175 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    R_P_W wrote: »
    Why can't you work more than 21 hours a week? Why can't you work a second job?

    Probably because there isn't any, and the OPs employer is one of those that DO expect the everyone else to look after him buy only giving him part time hours and expecting the state to pick up the rest.
  • asajj
    asajj Posts: 5,125 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Rampant Recycler
    (and nor do I think it practical doing a second job)

    Really ?.................
    ally.
  • zagfles
    zagfles Posts: 21,548 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Chutzpah Haggler
    Martynb_ wrote: »
    I've just done an in work calculation. I pay no tax on my wage, but may pay NI contributions. I work 21 hours per week. After I have paid my rent and transport costs to work (which have just risen), I have less money than I would if I stayed on JSA. Because I have less money and do not want to use a food bank for the rest of my working days (and nor do I think it practical doing a second job), I will refuse to pay my landlord the full rent, and take out £71.50 from my wage.

    I thought work was supposed to pay?

    In my last job I was doing 35 hours and getting tax credits, and I can remember getting my paycheck and thinking that without those tax credits I would jack the job in.

    And don't give me that nonsense about self-respect. It is rubbish!
    Work is supposed to pay. Let's see the calculation. People who say they'll be worse off in work often make stupid assumptions like they won't get any HB/LHA when in work.
  • RichardD1970
    RichardD1970 Posts: 3,796 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Martynb_ wrote: »
    and nor do I think it practical doing a second job

    Why is it not practical to get a second job?

    My wife has recently started a second part time job, 15 hrs per week, after the hours at her main (again part time) job were cut to 20-25hrs per week.
    So working 35-40hrs, a normal working week for most.
  • Martynb_
    Martynb_ Posts: 302 Forumite
    Why is it not practical to get a second job?

    My wife has recently started a second part time job, 15 hrs per week, after the hours at her main (again part time) job were cut to 20-25hrs per week.
    So working 35-40hrs, a normal working week for most.

    Spare me the cliches! It isn't practical at this moment in time.
  • Martynb_
    Martynb_ Posts: 302 Forumite
    zagfles wrote: »
    Work is supposed to pay. Let's see the calculation. People who say they'll be worse off in work often make stupid assumptions like they won't get any HB/LHA when in work.

    It is an assumption that I have to consider. I will not get any housing benefit, and the LHA rate is limited, as they've just informed me this week that I won't be qualifying for it.
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