Fed up of my cousins comments about benefits and UC

You’re totally missing the point. I know it seems crazy and that’s because it is, it’s why everything is slowly grinding to a halt. The system no longer makes any sense.

Funny that a lot of the people who are paying higher rate taxes that have commented on this thread, are ok with their money going on UC.

It’s because people on normal rate taxes want someone to blame for their own struggles and a lot of anger seems to be directed at UC and other benefits. The squeezed middles are very bad for this.

Yep, shall I break it down? I’m basing this on London.
100k
It’s about £5600 a month income after tax.
Rent/mortgage :1500-2000
Nursery/childcare for 2 children: 2400 (no support as over £100k)

left with about £1400 for everything else

Unemployed single mum
£1500 a month income after tax
rent/mortgage £0
childcare £0

left with £1500 a month

And when we have a nation full of CEOs, doctors, directors, and senior managers because everyone has "bettered" themselves, who is going to staff the supermarkets, support children's education, empty the bins, and care for the elderly?

Minimum wage doesn't mean a job isn't important and there should not be a push for "bettering" just for the sake of it. NMW should be at a level that enables a family to live respectable lifestyle, the scandal here is that it doesn't and that top-ups are 100% necessary in order to keep people out of poverty.

It's not subsiding choices, it's ensuring that the vital roles on society are filled because we need people in so-called 'unskilled' jobs.

OMG... so hard done by. Breadline stuff.

And when we have a nation full of CEOs, doctors, directors, and senior managers because everyone has "bettered" themselves, who is going to staff the supermarkets, support children's education, empty the bins, and care for the elderly?

Minimum wage doesn't mean a job isn't important and there should not be a push for "bettering" just for the sake of it. NMW should be at a level that enables a family to live respectable lifestyle, the scandal here is that it doesn't and that top-ups are 100% necessary in order to keep people out of poverty.

It's not subsiding choices, it's ensuring that the vital roles on society are filled because we need people in so-called 'unskilled' jobs.

That's fine, but they shouldnt be expecting other folk to subsidise their choices.

Benefit cap is 25k in London, made a judgement call for effect. Is 20k not realistic?

On 101k after tax they're on £1325 A WEEK, just for keepsies. Obviously some of that will likely go into a cushty pension, and they will also probably have a lovely property they're paying the mortgage on, which they will eventually own. Something any single mum on UC in a council flat will not have. Apparently they forget all that.

And a lot of the "we pay taxes" folks are on less than the £41k or so that makes someone a net contributor.

Funny that a lot of the people who are paying higher rate taxes that have commented on this thread, are ok with their money going on UC.

Oh come on... that is bullshit and you know it.

£101k salary has less disposable money than someone on UC?.... on what fucking planet?
If you are broke on £101k then you have a budgeting problem and you need help.

People who earn more, spend more... that is a fact. Someone on £101k is not going to be going to community fridges for food, and Primark for clothing.

The vulnerable people. Because that is what we do in a civilised society.. we look after the vulnerable.

Oh and I have a full time job with childcare before anyone asks but this idea that we as a society should turn our backs on the most needy will not sit with me Social Fund it was called for a reason everyone can pay everyone can take its fair! We contribute in order to use it if needed and if you use State Schools the NHS etc you use it too

Depends if the ‘vulnerable’ are making a decent effort to get a job doesn’t it? A lot if them don’t.

The vulnerable people. Because that is what we do in a civilised society.. we look after the vulnerable.

Oh come on... that is bullshit and you know it.

£101k salary has less disposable money than someone on UC?.... on what fucking planet?
If you are broke on £101k then you have a budgeting problem and you need help.

People who earn more, spend more... that is a fact. Someone on £101k is not going to be going to community fridges for food, and Primark for clothing.

'Better themselves'?

Has it actually not occurred to you that people who work part time might be making the choice to spend more time with their children? That's a pretty positive choice in my book. There are other ways to 'better oneself' than to chase after as much money as possible.

I'm horrified at the anger in the replies. What happened to mumsnet (and the UK!)

I'm a net contributer. I'm also an immigrant, and extremely proud to be part of a country that cares for it's own.

I only feel relief at knowing the safety net is there, and that children aren't suffering because feckless fathers won't contribute to their upbringing. And that the women who are already having to carry everything on their own don't have even more worries on top.

Could you all really sleep at night knowing that a child is cold and hungry, because their father abandoned them? That disabled people who literally cannot work are left to rot on the street?

No doubt someone will come on and say 'Oh I don't mean those ones'. But the problem is that everyone seems to have a different opinion on who 'deserves' to be supported. And then entire groups of people are dehumanised, single mothers, disabled, children in poverty.

It's sickening.

But it’s gone way beyond what’s fair. A family with one person earning 101k salary, a child in nursery and paying average mortgage/rent will have less disposable cash than state funded single mum in social housing. It’s a crazy system!!

I think what you're missing is lots of families face these tough logistical situations, even with 2 working parents. Yet they're being asked to pay more so you and others can choose to work less. I'm sure they'd like that option as well as they juggle full time jobs and childcare.

Which would be your preferred option if you were paying it?

3 part time ppl on UC? That’s a lie where did you get that figure?

But it’s gone way beyond what’s fair. A family with one person earning 101k salary, a child in nursery and paying average mortgage/rent will have less disposable cash than state funded single mum in social housing. It’s a crazy system!!