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Original poster

Confused re attitude to benefits and work experience

460 replies

catontheroof · 07/03/2012 12:17

Your thoughts please - why has it become so politically incorrect to suggest that fit adults in this country should be expected to work for a living?

I believe that we need a safety net but cannot understand why people should not have to take jobs that they are qualified for if those jobs exist. I also cannot understand why people "deserve" tax credits etc.

If large chunks of our population do not work then our GDP is low. The only way that we can afford to have so many on benefits with a relatively high standard of living is by importing goods from other countries where the workers live and work in atrocious conditions.

Why do we think that it is right and proper that people in this country sit around being paid not to work whilst tens of thousands all over the world work in sweat shops to provide them with a lifestyle?

If our fit population all worked then we'd increase GDP and have money to help people in other countries where there is real poverty.

OP posts:
Original poster
catontheroof · 07/03/2012 12:37

.....You do sound confused and ignorant. Maybe you should read up a bit more on what's actually happening.

I'm not ignorant - hence my ability to post some questions, open a discussion - have a discussion :)
How about some references to tell me what to read up on?

This is what I do not understand - why don't people actually argue against anyone suggesting that benefits are too high? How about some figures? Where will the money come from?

OP posts:
Original poster
catontheroof · 07/03/2012 12:34

I'm not saying that everyone should get a job - and I do not agree with the workfare scheme as it was introduced. However had the companies paid a standard wage then I think that it is reasonable.

There will always be unemployment (hence the need for a safety net) but that's what I think it should be - a safety net - not a lifestyle choice.

I know that many on benefits are working but I do not think that most are working full time. Why shouldnt' they work FT?

As to my situation - I work on lots of short term teaching supply-type contracts, exam marking etc so am always looking for work. It is very hard locally (I'm in the south west so not much about) and so I work mainly in the Midlands at the moment with a 2 hour commute each way.

OP posts:
Chocobo · 07/03/2012 12:33

OP - would you prefer to live in a country where we don't have a Benefits system and where people who cannot work or are unable to find work are left to fend for themselves? Yes I am sure some people who take the piss (not sure how many but doubt it is as bad as The Sun makes out) and as long as we have a benfits system there will always be some who take the piss but I would rather that situation than the alternative.

biddysmama · 07/03/2012 12:33

my dad was made redundant 2 years ago, he has never ever been unemployed since he started working at 16, he wants to work, e is depressed that he isnt supporting his family and has to rely on benefits, hes doing everything to get a job, taking courses and applying for everything but there is no work where he lives :(

crazygracieuk · 07/03/2012 12:29

Where should I start?
Assuming you're not a troll but can you explain

  • where the jobs are for all the fit people?
  • what you mean by fit- Physical? Mental? How would you measure fitness- DWP often makes mistakes with regards to this.
  • why you are lumping all adults in one category? What about personal circumstances like people who are carers?
  • how everyone is supposed to afford childcare? If I worked I would probably only make enough to cover childcare for my 3 and that's a wage that's above national average.
  • why people on work experience shouldn't accrue employee benefits like a work contract, holidays, entitlement to breaks etc.?
-why should companies like Tesco who make billions, be paid to take people and get free labour?
HoneyandHaycorns · 07/03/2012 12:25

You do sound confused and ignorant. Maybe you should read up a bit more on what's actually happening.

HTH

DustyDen · 07/03/2012 12:24

I- wow. People on benefits are the reason for slaves working in sweatshops?

dreamingbohemian · 07/03/2012 12:23

Here is what bothers me about the argument that 'people should just get jobs, not live on benefits':

  1. In many places there are NOT enough jobs. You can apply for ten jobs a week, if you are always one of 500 applying for them, your odds of getting it are still very low.
  1. Many people who receive benefits ARE working. So I hate the caricature of people on benefits being workshy, sitting on their arses all day.

The problems of unemployment and a large benefits bill are very complex and cannot be reduced to 'everyone should just get a job'. It's a Daily Mail answer to a very complicated question.

shotinfoot · 07/03/2012 12:22

I think you've missed the point. The outrage was not about people having to work for a living, but that large corporations were effectively benefitting from the current level of unemployment by getting unskilled workers for free - slave labour, in other words.

If the Government is to force people to stack shelves on a night shift for Tesco (by threatening to remove benefit), the workers themselves are 'experiencing' very little. However, Tesco are able to fill a role which they currently have to pay a minimum wage salary for.

That is why so many people object.

May I also suggest that you haven't had to find a job recently. Hmm

Happenstance · 07/03/2012 12:19

Dons Hard hat and makes a Brew

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