Benefit cuts to hit more than 330,000 children

poppasmurf_bewdley

pmlindyloo wrote: »

I have thought a lot about the announcements made in the budget about welfare reform.

My own view is that the whole benefits system has had a huge effect on the attitude of people towards life in general.

I worry that people take advantage of the current system and from the posters on here I am not alone.

I also worry about the effect of those who are genuinely disabled and will also be affected by the loss of the WRAG component (new claimants I mean).

I console myself with the fact that those with disabilities can claim PIP to help with the cost of their disabilities but then worry that the claiming process for PIP is too difficult for the majority.

I worry that not enough trained welfare advisors are there to give help and support to these people and grants are being withdrawn from such advisors.

I hope that the intention behind the welfare reform is to make people responsible for their own lives/actions and that reliance on the state becomes a thing of the past.

I hope that less reliance on the state will mean that communities come together to help each other and see that no one is left without food, shelter and warmth.

I hope that people will realise that going through hard times is often just part of life and things usually get better if you make an effort and 'make do and mend '.

I hope and I dream..................

Isn't that precisely what is happening with the proliferation of food banks across the country? Although many in the Labour party (and now the SNP) decry their spread, surely it's a sign that communities are pulling together to help those in need.

Food Banks could be the first sign that people are beginning to realise that the Government shouldn't and can't continue to supply everything those in need require.

When I was a kid in the 1950's, it was always the community which rallied around and helped those in difficulties. And families looked after their own sick and elderly without expecting the authorities to step in.

Personally, I see nothing wrong in looking at what the community and the family can provide before the state intervenes.

I remember bringing in items at Harvest Festival at school which were to be distributed amongst the poor OAP's (as the head put it) of the area. And I see nothing wrong in doing that now.

It's just that people have become so used to the state providing everything, that when it tries to loosen these ties, people start to get uppity and begin to complain about the uncaring government.

As for 'social cleansing', I've always wanted to live in Alderley Edge but I can't afford to. So is it my right to be able to live there? I think not.

clearingout

bloolagoon wrote: »

Single parents should be getting CSA - I know there are some useless ex partners but despite media reports many SP do get some financial support. The number by multiple births/rape will be tiny.

If someone is only temporarily out of work as you suggest then it's managable part time. It's what they expect people do to when they lose their income mid tax year and both work.

It's also a lot more than many 2 working households with childcare have left.

many? Gingerbread puts the figure at 38%. Of those that receive maintenance, the average weekly assessment is £34 (that doesn't include the £0 assessment figure).

Even assuming my self employed ex could be persuaded to part with money for his children, my childcare costs are £135 a week. Many parents (single or otherwise) are forced to pay far more. It's getting harder and harder and harder to make work pay for lower paid single parents and I genuinely fear for the health and well being of both parents and children in these cases.

Weary_soul

Isn't that precisely what is happening with the proliferation of food banks across the country? Although many in the Labour party (and now the SNP) decry their spread, surely it's a sign that communities are pulling together to help those in need.

No imo It's a sign we as a country are regressing back to a dog eat dog society whilst the rich who contribute nothing get richer.

We pay taxes and and national insurance so that people can be looked after when times are hard. They shouldn't have to queue up cap in hand like that.

poppasmurf_bewdley

Weary_soul wrote: »

No imo It's a sign we as a country are regressing back to a dog eat dog society whilst the rich who contribute nothing get richer.

We pay taxes and and national insurance so that people can be looked after when times are hard. They shouldn't have to queue up cap in hand like that.

But despite the amount of taxes and national insurance we pay, the government is still having to borrow millions of pounds every day, to make up the money needed to meet the benefits bill. So it is evident the country cannot afford to provide the benefits it has been doing in the past.

And I haven't noticed anyone going to food banks 'cap in hand'. Most people seem to be able to get a letter of authorisation from either the council or a charity, and go along and collect what they need. You may as well say people go 'cap in hand' to the council for housing benefit/council tax benefit, or to the DWP for working tax credits. That doesn't seem to stop anyone.

When I split from my wife, my son and I went to a charity to help furnish our flat. We went there because I couldn't afford to buy new, but it didn't make me feel degraded in any way. I was grateful for the help. Or would you prefer I went to the council and got it all provided new and at the council taxpayers expense, as many people seem to do?

Weary_soul

And I haven't noticed anyone going to food banks 'cap in hand'. Most people seem to be able to get a letter of authorisation from either the council or a charity, and go along and collect what they need. You may as well say people go 'cap in hand' to the council for housing benefit/council tax benefit, or to the DWP for working tax credits. That doesn't seem to stop anyone.

You do realise that is not a long term solution. Foodbanks only supply 3 days worth of food at a time and after that you have to wait avery long time till you're allowed to claim again.

Imo a civilized society wouldn't need such a thing.

GirlFromMars_2

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

But despite the amount of taxes and national insurance we pay, the government is still having to borrow millions of pounds every day, to make up the money needed to meet the benefits bill. So it is evident the country cannot afford to provide the benefits it has been doing in the past.

But you're advocating charity steps in to fill the void. How do you think charity pay for it? They need to raise the money somehow. The government does it through taxes, charity do it other ways, but it they are to provide the same service they would still need the same money. More even as charities tend to be small & don't have the buying power that government would have. Most charities actually rely on government handouts. Don't try asking for help towards the end of any financial year!

And I haven't noticed anyone going to food banks 'cap in hand'. Most people seem to be able to get a letter of authorisation from either the council or a charity, and go along and collect what they need. You may as well say people go 'cap in hand' to the council for housing benefit/council tax benefit, or to the DWP for working tax credits. That doesn't seem to stop anyone.

How long do you think they've gone without food though before someone with the authority to give them a letter spots that they are in need?

When I split from my wife, my son and I went to a charity to help furnish our flat. We went there because I couldn't afford to buy new, but it didn't make me feel degraded in any way. I was grateful for the help. Or would you prefer I went to the council and got it all provided new and at the council taxpayers expense, as many people seem to do?

Err, since when do the council furnish people's flats?

bloolagoon

clearingout wrote: »

many? Gingerbread puts the figure at 38%. Of those that receive maintenance, the average weekly assessment is £34 (that doesn't include the £0 assessment figure).

Even assuming my self employed ex could be persuaded to part with money for his children, my childcare costs are £135 a week. Many parents (single or otherwise) are forced to pay far more. It's getting harder and harder and harder to make work pay for lower paid single parents and I genuinely fear for the health and well being of both parents and children in these cases.

Gingerbread is only one organisation. There are some ex partners who don't pay but many do via an informal arrangement. I know how much chuldcare costs and many lone parents will receive a portion of that back too.

That said I've always said we can only expect so much and if a single parent is working full time or even part time with Young children you can't ask for more.

But you can't blanket all lone parents as just surviving alone. Many do have ex partners who help, financially and otherwise. Some have their children's grandparents on hand. You can't say just because they are a lone parent they should be blanket excused from any cuts especially when their child is 16-19!

poppasmurf_bewdley

GirlFromMars wrote: »

But you're advocating charity steps in to fill the void. How do you think charity pay for it? They need to raise the money somehow. The government does it through taxes, charity do it other ways, but it they are to provide the same service they would still need the same money. More even as charities tend to be small & don't have the buying power that government would have. Most charities actually rely on government handouts. Don't try asking for help towards the end of any financial year!

I'm not advocating charity stepping in the fill the void. Please read what I said: "Food Banks could be the first sign that people are beginning to realise that the Government shouldn't and can't continue to supply everything those in need require." That is a massive difference from what you are suggesting I said.

How long do you think they've gone without food though before someone with the authority to give them a letter spots that they are in need?

Nobody in this country is starving. I admit some people may not have food to put on the table at any given moment, but I know for a fact that many people who claim they can't afford food seem to manage to buy fags and beer.

Err, since when do the council furnish people's flats?
I worked for 24 years in the offices of several members of parliament, and I can assure you that councils do provide new furniture, including TV's, washing machines, etc, for a great many people. I can remember one particular vocal single mother who complained strongly when she was only supplied with a single bed instead of the double she wanted for her own bedroom. Indeed, the list of furniture that is classed as essential would make your hair curl. I've seen MP's receive complaints from neighbours about people on benefits receiving far better items from the council than people in work could afford.

I hope that clears things up for you.

Weary_soul

Nobody in this country is starving. I admit some people may not have food to put on the table at any given moment, but I know for a fact that many people who claim they can't afford food seem to manage to buy fags and beer.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/killed-benefits-cuts-starving-soldier-3923771

poppasmurf_bewdley

Weary_soul wrote: »

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/killed-benefits-cuts-starving-soldier-3923771

A very emotive article from the Labour supporting Daily Mirror.

I especially picked up the line: "But under the Coalition’s callous new benefits rules he had his £71.70 a week Jobseeker’s Allowance axed – merely because he missed an appointment with an adviser."

I remember when I didn't get paid - merely because I didn't turn in for work. Terrible isn't it! He was unemployed, for goodness sake. What else did he have to do?

And he didn't die from starvation. He died from not taking his insulin. And he had enough money in his bank account to buy enough for several meals.