The Effects of Conservative Cuts 2015-2020

stator

antrobus wrote: »

I believe that their plan is to make everybody richer.

It would only be a blind zealot who still believes in trickle down theory.

Double_V

So we are going back into recession.

Generali

stator wrote: »

It would only be a blind zealot who still believes in trickle down theory.

Do you not believe that in richer countries pretty much everyone is richer?

chucknorris

CLAPTON wrote: »

But we do agree that there is no need to give winter fuel allowance, free bus passes and TV licenses etc to people simply because they reach a certain age. I'm sure there are better uses for the money.

My wife was made redundant about 18 months ago, she was amazed that she was able to claim JSA (job seekers allowance) for about 3 months (I think). Although (in a moment of temporary madness) she questioned whether she should claim it, I said that she should because it is what her previously paid tax was partially allocated for. But we were both surprised that her JSA was not subject to being means tested (I think it was after a period of time, after which she could no longer claim it, it was probably 3 months but I have forgotten).


EDIT: I forgot to add that she had received the equivalent of one year's salary as redundancy, this is why we were so surprised.

antrobus

ruggedtoast wrote: »

.... Which is why I would like to see winter fuel allowances, free TV licenses, and free bus passes for affluent home owning over 60s removed for the utter absurdity that they are. But of course this form of welfare is the only kind that the conservatives and their voters are quite happy to see continue.

I would just like to point out that "winter fuel allowances, free TV licenses, and free bus passes" were all measures introduced by the Labour government of 1997-2010.

IronWolf

CLAPTON wrote: »

why would you get a pay rise for 'working hard' : isn't that what you are already paid for?

Welcome to the real world, where a lot of people do the work they need to do, while others go above and beyond. That's the same in both the private and public sectors that I've worked in, you'd be surprised how many people simply coast along relying on their high skills and irreplaceable knowledge, especially in my industry.

department don't have money elsewhere: it is taxpayers money to be returned to the tax payer or to be spent on other more essential services

Says someone with obviously little knowledge of the public sector. You think that money goes back to the treasury? :rotfl: it gets spent one way or another, whether that be on wages or just wasted on a vanity project when you realise you have £x budget left at the end of the year and need to spend it or lose it.

sadly you display all the faults of the public sector mind set.

I'm telling you the way things are. The hardest workers and most ambitious are leaving the public sector because their work isn't being rewarded.

You may not like how it operates, but it doesn't care whether you like it or not, it just is. Plenty have tried to change it, without much success.

antrobus

chucknorris wrote: »

My wife was made redundant about 18 months ago, she was amazed that she was able to claim JSA (job seekers allowance) for about 3 months (I think). .....

Contribution based JSA is not means tested, and lasts 6 months.

chucknorris

antrobus wrote: »

Contribution based JSA is not means tested, and lasts 6 months.

I know that's what I posted (apart from the fact I forgot the number of months). We were astonished that it is not means tested. I don't think that benefits should be available for those that don't actually 'need' them.

Moby

CLAPTON wrote: »

you have neatly summarised what is wrong with the 'public' services

How exactly?

lisyloo

I don't think that benefits should be available for those that don't actually 'need' them.

I got your point :-) and agree.
However I'm sure your wife had to attend some interviews and show some evidence of job seeking.
Perhaps this small benefit is meant to be both carrot and stick?