Page 21 | Nobody is allowed to choose not to work. Fed up of hearing this expression.

girlfriend44 · 2025-03-18T21:18:27+00:00

I keep hearing people say people who choose not to work. Target them. Nobody is allowed to choose not to work. I wonder if some people actually know what they are talking about? Nobody is allowed to just lounge around and not look for work. Able bodied people on UC who don't have a paid job are harassed all the time. They will probably be attending interviews at the jobcentre once a week, where they have to provide evidence they are jobsearching 35 hours a week. They can be sanctioned over any little thing. They have to attend any courses they are sent on, even if they are useless courses. Non attendance will end in a sanction. The staff can arrange interviews on their behalf if the employer has a tie up with the jobcentre which some do. If it's deemed you didn't try hard enough at the interview, the employer can discuss this with the staff,and you'll be hauled up and sanctioned for not trying. Those who think people choose not to work please be educated. It's a hostile environment for anyone out of work. Not every able bodied person can find employment. Your not just allowed to sit at home and choose not to work though. You'll have a claimant commitment and you have to provide evidence of jobsearching. 35 hours too. I think alot of people who comment don't really know. Everyone is under pressure. The days of just signing on once a fortnight and not having to.prove your doing everything you can have long gone.

GwanwynArYFfordd · 19/03/2025 06:53

cadburyegg · 18/03/2025 22:44

This isn’t how the system works anymore, with UC you’re always better off working more. I get a small amount of UC every month and I’m much better off working 30 hours a week than I was working 22 hours.

Either your friend is telling porkies or she is misinformed.

Show quote history

It's a fine balance. You can be better off I household income but lose other benefits.

Tipping over the threshold for free school meals, losing council tax reduction, and not getting cheaper water tariff for example.

Getting an extra £100 a month could lose Free School Meals for however many children, £25 in water rates and £100 or more for Council Tax.

Edited to add: plus the 15% cost of childcare you might need to pay. And travel costs/parking. So earning £100 a month more can definitely have a negative effect.

TheCountofMountingCrispBags · 19/03/2025 06:53

You are naive in your thinking. Ok, in pure semantic terms, and in theory, you are 'right'.
However, plenty play the system and get away with it. Until these bastards are caught and deported to very small Atlantic island with no creature comforts, the system will pick on the low-hanging fruit

tilypu · 19/03/2025 06:52

Littletreefrog · 19/03/2025 06:49

I am very sorry for the position you find yourself in but no one has said that the genuinely ill should not receive benefits. This is a thread about people choosing not to work which is not the category you are in. If something could be done about the people taking money who don't need it more could be given to those who do need it. I think for the sake of your mental health you should maybe hide this thread.

Show quote history

Anger isn't a mental health issue when there's a genuine reason.

And her voice is important and deserves to be heard.

She can decide for herself when she's done contributing, and whether or not she wants to hide the thread.

Jinglejanglejangle · 19/03/2025 06:52

Choose not to work. Just don’t make me have to choose to support you.

Tangomangofandago · 19/03/2025 06:49

Littletreefrog · 19/03/2025 06:49

I am very sorry for the position you find yourself in but no one has said that the genuinely ill should not receive benefits. This is a thread about people choosing not to work which is not the category you are in. If something could be done about the people taking money who don't need it more could be given to those who do need it. I think for the sake of your mental health you should maybe hide this thread.

Show quote history

exactly this

Littletreefrog · 19/03/2025 06:49

LifeIsBadEnoughAlreadyWithoutThis · 19/03/2025 06:35

No. No. I'm not ok. I've just found out the bit of PIP money that's keeping me alive is berudged by everyfuckingbody, I'm going to lose half of it and some cunts think I should die because some other people tell lies.

Also, I'm terminally ill and could drop dead in a literal heartbeat. I'd also class that as not okay.

I also don't feel okay after months of the news media, 95% of politicians and most of Mumsnet trying to paint me as a lying fucking scrounger who deserves to starve to death rotting in agony.

How do you suppose you'd feel? Full of life, fit and fabulous?

Show quote history

I am very sorry for the position you find yourself in but no one has said that the genuinely ill should not receive benefits. This is a thread about people choosing not to work which is not the category you are in. If something could be done about the people taking money who don't need it more could be given to those who do need it. I think for the sake of your mental health you should maybe hide this thread.

Ritzybitzy · 19/03/2025 06:48

girlfriend44 · 18/03/2025 21:28

As said, if she's claiming she can't just say she dosent want to work.

Show quote history

Just because you don’t say it out loud doesn’t make it true.

tilypu · 19/03/2025 06:47

Tangomangofandago · 19/03/2025 06:42

but is MN a place for someone that unwell and fragile? Seems tortuous to me. I hope they can log off and find some peace.

Show quote history

Yes it is.

HTH

tilypu · 19/03/2025 06:46

LifeIsBadEnoughAlreadyWithoutThis · 19/03/2025 06:35

No. No. I'm not ok. I've just found out the bit of PIP money that's keeping me alive is berudged by everyfuckingbody, I'm going to lose half of it and some cunts think I should die because some other people tell lies.

Also, I'm terminally ill and could drop dead in a literal heartbeat. I'd also class that as not okay.

I also don't feel okay after months of the news media, 95% of politicians and most of Mumsnet trying to paint me as a lying fucking scrounger who deserves to starve to death rotting in agony.

How do you suppose you'd feel? Full of life, fit and fabulous?

Show quote history

Sorry @LifeIsBadEnoughAlreadyWithoutThis , cross posted.

But fucking hell, some people don't seem to have heard the word empathy, do they? First a stupid question and then they follow up by telling you to reduce your already limited activities?

I'm hoping they just aren't a morning person, and they aren't always like this...

MummaMummaMumma · 19/03/2025 06:44

I know a number of people who literally choose to not work and claim benefits. They openly, happily tell me this. Do the bare minimum.

ThisOldThang · 19/03/2025 06:43

MrsSunshine2b · 18/03/2025 22:03

Have you really never met anyone who just can't be arsed working and plays the system like a fiddle?

I don't doubt they are a minority but they absolutely exist.

I think some people on Mumsnet live in such rarified circles that they can't even comprehend that those people exist.

Tangomangofandago · 19/03/2025 06:42

tilypu · 19/03/2025 06:41

I don't know her, but I'm going with a no, she's not ok. I think it's pretty evident from her post that she's not ok. (I'm assuming she's female, apologies if I'm wrong).

It sounds like her quality of life is severely impacted by her health issues, and it's possible that she may be affected by Labour's welfare cuts (I'm guessing here), so it's possible that life is about to get harder.

And then she reads a thread where someone suggests that because of her health issues, she should be answerable to a bunch of people that go to the pub after work. I mean it's clearly a ridiculous suggestion, but in ops shoes, it would probably get my back up too.

So for now I'll stick with no, she's probably not ok.

Show quote history

but is MN a place for someone that unwell and fragile? Seems tortuous to me. I hope they can log off and find some peace.

ladymammalade · 19/03/2025 06:42

TheCluelessMum · 18/03/2025 22:11

A family friend has been deemed “not fit to work” under UC. However works cash in hand jobs 5 days a week.

I’d be reporting them if they’re claiming.

tilypu · 19/03/2025 06:41

Tangomangofandago · 19/03/2025 05:30

Are you ok? This is a bit much…

Show quote history

I don't know her, but I'm going with a no, she's not ok. I think it's pretty evident from her post that she's not ok. (I'm assuming she's female, apologies if I'm wrong).

It sounds like her quality of life is severely impacted by her health issues, and it's possible that she may be affected by Labour's welfare cuts (I'm guessing here), so it's possible that life is about to get harder.

And then she reads a thread where someone suggests that because of her health issues, she should be answerable to a bunch of people that go to the pub after work. I mean it's clearly a ridiculous suggestion, but in ops shoes, it would probably get my back up too.

So for now I'll stick with no, she's probably not ok.

Tangomangofandago · 19/03/2025 06:41

Coatsoff42 · 19/03/2025 06:40

I wonder if you drink a lot, smoke and drive a petrol car a lot that changes, I wonder if you pay more in taxes that way.

Show quote history

Perhaps! (Not sure if that was asking me personally as I do none of those things haha).

Coatsoff42 · 19/03/2025 06:40

Tangomangofandago · 19/03/2025 06:35

Sorry a quick google says it’s £41k a year. If you earn less than this you’re a net negative IE you contribute way less than you take out (for example NHS schooling etc etc etc)

I wonder if you drink a lot, smoke and drive a petrol car a lot that changes, I wonder if you pay more in taxes that way.

Mrsdyna · 19/03/2025 06:38

People do choose not to work, I personally know several. You're in a bubble.

Tangomangofandago · 19/03/2025 06:37

LifeIsBadEnoughAlreadyWithoutThis · 19/03/2025 06:35

No. No. I'm not ok. I've just found out the bit of PIP money that's keeping me alive is berudged by everyfuckingbody, I'm going to lose half of it and some cunts think I should die because some other people tell lies.

Also, I'm terminally ill and could drop dead in a literal heartbeat. I'd also class that as not okay.

I also don't feel okay after months of the news media, 95% of politicians and most of Mumsnet trying to paint me as a lying fucking scrounger who deserves to starve to death rotting in agony.

How do you suppose you'd feel? Full of life, fit and fabulous?

Show quote history

Also just get off MN if it’s making you unwell. No offence but if you are genuinely that unwell I doubt you’d be hanging around here making yourself even more unwell. Just log off.

Tangomangofandago · 19/03/2025 06:36

LifeIsBadEnoughAlreadyWithoutThis · 19/03/2025 06:35

No. No. I'm not ok. I've just found out the bit of PIP money that's keeping me alive is berudged by everyfuckingbody, I'm going to lose half of it and some cunts think I should die because some other people tell lies.

Also, I'm terminally ill and could drop dead in a literal heartbeat. I'd also class that as not okay.

I also don't feel okay after months of the news media, 95% of politicians and most of Mumsnet trying to paint me as a lying fucking scrounger who deserves to starve to death rotting in agony.

How do you suppose you'd feel? Full of life, fit and fabulous?

Show quote history

Well if you’re terminally ill you won’t be losing anything will you under the terminally ill rules.

Tangomangofandago · 19/03/2025 06:35

Sorry a quick google says it’s £41k a year. If you earn less than this you’re a net negative IE you contribute way less than you take out (for example NHS schooling etc etc etc)

LifeIsBadEnoughAlreadyWithoutThis · 19/03/2025 06:35

Tangomangofandago · 19/03/2025 05:30

Are you ok? This is a bit much…

Show quote history

No. No. I'm not ok. I've just found out the bit of PIP money that's keeping me alive is berudged by everyfuckingbody, I'm going to lose half of it and some cunts think I should die because some other people tell lies.

Also, I'm terminally ill and could drop dead in a literal heartbeat. I'd also class that as not okay.

I also don't feel okay after months of the news media, 95% of politicians and most of Mumsnet trying to paint me as a lying fucking scrounger who deserves to starve to death rotting in agony.

How do you suppose you'd feel? Full of life, fit and fabulous?

Tangomangofandago · 19/03/2025 06:33

Probably worth highlighting that most people who earn under I believe it’s around £30k ish are actually a net negative in society IE they take more from the state than they put in, anyway.

Secretmeetings · 19/03/2025 06:31

ShyMaryEllen · 19/03/2025 00:55

Both are supported by taxpayers, as is anyone not paying tax - we all benefit from health, education, roads, defence, police and other emergency services and so on, paid out of taxes. Working partners might pay the rent/mortgage and provide spending money, but they don't pay the non-working partner's contributions to life outside the home.

Show quote history

Don't agree with this. You seem to want fairness. The way to make your scenario fair

A. Richer partner also 'chooses' to stop work. Then who pays the tax for all?

B UBI is introduced for ALL no additional handouts housing benefit etc for anyone

Tangomangofandago · 19/03/2025 06:27

Chelsea2026 · 19/03/2025 06:23

The employment market is really tough at the moment - for jobseekers if they dont provide evidence of looking for work and regularly attend the job centre the small job seekers allowance - which is only £90 a week to help with expenses but not enough to live on - the benefit is stopped immediately! Job seekers are probably firing off hundreds of job applications. I spoke to a recruiter recently and jobs in data are receiving over 500 CVs for each role making it impossible even to get an interview.

Show quote history

Literally this. It was unheard of really in our town to send children to a nursery / pre school until 3ish years old. Pretty much everyone had a stay at home parent (usually mum) until school age in 80’s near me.

Chelsea2026 · 19/03/2025 06:26

Horserider5678 · 19/03/2025 06:03

Even if she is attending interviews, she can present herself badly, be disinterested, turn up looking a mess so no one will employ her! Having friends looking for work, the job centre recommend jobs they’re either over qualified for or not qualified enough for! The whole system needs a shake up.

Show quote history

In my experience job centres are useless! they are no help at all !