I claim tax credits and could work more than I do but choose not to. I'm also pg with #5 which was unplanned and so will be claiming even more tax credits soon. Who wants to come and lecture me?

[KidderminsterKate]

I claim what I am entitled to and what the government says I can have......this seems to get peoples knickers in a twist AIBU?

Don't agree with all of that, but definitely agree agree that a universal benefit is a good idea. Admin costs would be massively reduced as currently all the problems of means testing, checking out fraudulent activity etc wastes millions. The single worst knock on of the current system has been that it's possible for people to be no better off or only marginally better off by working, which is obviously a disincentive. Its also possible to play the system and work fewer hours to gain benefits. In these days of falling investments and pensions, its even more imperative that people who work are seen to be better off in the here and now. The argument that 'its better in the long term to work, because of your pension ' is going to hold far less weight nowadays- so monetary rewards need to be immediate

I agree that there seems little chance of a universal benefit (far too sensible an idea for any govt!) but things are moving in the right direction with caps on benefits etc

XENIA and where would the thousands of jobs come from for 'them'

People would be falling over each other to get a job on top of the £200. I would imagine well paid jobs may end up not so well paid.

Yes Alpine, that would be great if there were loads of BTL landlords charging £500.

yes it might be a wage subsidy I suppose from the state but so is housing benefit and tax credits at the moment. If you earn the full time minimum wage of £13k and have children I think you get housing benefit too. I'm not sure it would be too different.

Isn't that what happened with the public sector ? Non jobs created to make employment figures look favorable and to inspire confidence in borrowing inflating a credit bubble.

You get housing benefit when working if your rental would take you under what the law requires you to live on hence the cap on HB will make thousands homeless.

Its all very well saying do this do that but i know plenty of unemployed people who would happily work if the jobs were available.

Its still pays to work in most cases. I agree the people who are the worst off are families with a low paid job and a high rental property. Its easy saying get a cheaper house but there are non. BTL landlords know the markets there thus enabling them to charge inflated rents.

Most places are laying off where i am including the councils. My mams jobs at risk, my MIL jobs at risk, my dads jobs at risk. My brothers been finished 4 times in 18 months. The kids dads had 3 jobs in 18mnths. You cant get a mortgage on temporary work hence you have to rent as their are not enough council houses.

Some people just havent got a clue IMO.