MONEY MORAL DILEMMA: Should Ken ‘save’ Deidre’s kids from being taken into care?

petra.thehun

Yes, I believe he should part with a tenner. It is so important in todays society to show a bit of compassion. He should demand that Deirdre, should she ever bee in a position to do so, pass on the tenner to the next person who needs help.

hippomaples

Firstly I couldnt take this seriously, I would have to look into her eyes to see if they were pinned. Then, if I thought she was clean I would suggest we tried her cash card again to see her reaction.
I would probably then go with her to the shop and put the money on her leccy card.
Never give cash, you are only fueling the drug and alcohol industry to which she is probably a victim but thats just my opinion.

marco1com

:xmassign: I would take her to the shop, find out where the kids are and if all

seems fine, buy £20 worth of electricity and offer some groceries as long as I

was 100% sure I wasn't being scammed.:snow_grin

:beer:

dahlsim

There is absolutely no way i would hand over any money. I already pay enough into the welfare system which, i am assuming, she is been supported by. We all have to live within our means and the only reason that anybody could find themselves in this situation is through their own irresponsible behaviour. Why should those of us that prioritise, make sacrifices and work hard continue to bail out those who perpetually put their hand out and expect others to resolve their problems. By helping people like this, genuine or not, we are reinforcing this "it's not my fault, i can't help it" mentality that is dragging this country down.

If Deidre has genuinely got problems then she should be honest with the Social services as they are the organisation whose role it is to help her.

Have some of you never heard the slogan "give a man a fish and he can feed his family for one day; give a man the means to catch his own fish and he can feed a family for a lifetime"

Deidre is no doubt one of the people who when it comes to requiring elderly care will get it funded by the government, whilst those that have worked and saved will be expected to pay for it themselves.

This is not about been tight or cynical it is about people taking responsibility for themselves, their actions and the consequences!!

Ms_Chocaholic

I'm a cynic too ... she's probaby a con, wants the tenner to buy cigarettes and/or feed the dog. If the only concerns of SSD were that she had no electric, they may help her out ... there's obvously a significant number of other concerns for SSD to suggest removing the children.

So, no I wouldn't give her a tenner.

Bach_Off

I'd offer to top up her electricity card. If she refused, I would know she was not genuine and walk away with a clear conscience.

Martini regarding the quote below:

The Government also ought to cut most benefits.
We have over 2 million on incapacity benefit alone! That's 1 in 30 people in this country. The other 29 aren't working. Some are children and some retired. Others are mothers or fathers looking after children and students at college or university.
Others are unemployed! I would guess probably 15 at the most are paying for the ones on benefits.

I'm not going to lynch you, I just want to point out that's a pretty big assertion to make that all parents looking after children (such as myself!) receive benefits. They don't. If your partner's income is above a certain threshold, you are entitled to zilch. (Not that I am looking for benefits mind). And retired people, not entitled to incapacity benefit if they retired surely? Aren't they receiving a pension paid for via their insurance stamps?

Lizzie_B_4

No, No and No - I have been 'caught' by a similar 'story' and parted with my last £20. Then I read about dozens of others who had been 'conned' within my area, many of whom were on very small pensions and were in real problems as a result. However, I am not without compassion, so I may yet be a 'mug' again, but at least it has made me think 'twice'!

carrottopsuk

I would imagine there are many people on benefit who find it difficult to manage on their income although there may be people on benefit who cope much better than some people in work. It probably comes down to people's skills at managing their money and sometimes it comes down to luck one way or another. I would feel sorry for anyone who finds themselves in Deidre's desperate situation and the pressure that they must be under. I wouldn't envy them or try to judge how they have found themselves in that situation. However, to be honest I cannot afford to give money to everyone who asks for help in the street.

I know it is not the same, but I try to console myself with knowing that my taxes/National insurance contributions go to help people in emergency situations and that is why we pay them. The Government may be able to help Deidre with an interest free loan called a Crisis Loan which is intended to help when people find themselves in an emergency situation.

http://www.irs-review.org.uk/faq/cl.htm

My worry is whether Deidre is able to provide electricity to her family at other times (ie when social services aren't there). I would hate to think that her children go cold or hungry in this day and age. I think she needs to ask social services for help in balancing her budget or help finding money from elsewhere ie social security. I would hope that social services (which we pay for) would not remove her children these days purely owing to financial considerations. Surely it is better that they help Deidre keep her children safe by helping her manage her money rather than putting them into care.

jimfrayling

Martin - if this was you and it was on Shepherds Bush Road (nr MS towers) or similar I'm afraid you've been conned.

I've been approached by the lady in question many times. However unfortunately I've also seen her using the money she no doubt begs from people to buy drugs in the alleyway by Goldhawk Road tube.

So a big fat NO!

JimF

hostertlady

absolutley not!! she has probably been doing it all morning and collecting a big fat wad in her idle pocket!!
heartless- yes- mug no!!

one way to test her is to pretend you have the number of the local booby and you will call him and he can help/advise her on her plight- if she makes a hasty retreat then there is your answer..