To wonder what the govt has planned to punish those NOT on benefits?

[Glitterknickaz]

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This is not the first time cutting benefits has been suggested as a punishment. How are the government proposing to punish parents who don't tackle truancy efficiently that aren't on benefits exactly? Just like the assertion that the rioters should lose benefits, yes because they were ALL on benefits weren't they?

Once again the government fuels the totally untrue daily mail esque belief that all of society's ills lie at the feet of benefits claimants. Apparently they are the root of all evil, eh?

Not one of the policies publicised has said what would happen to those who do not claim benefits.

Money designed for basic sustenance should not be removed imo. At the end of the day it is the children that will suffer from these measures.

ben I know. I have done it several times. It never feels quite right but you think that you just might persuade someone that they are wrong

I think the only thing to persuade posters like that is if their luck runs out and they find themselves in the same boat.

Perhaps we should all just log off and have a glass of wine. Whether we are entitled to it or not.

Thanks for buying us all a round LOTM

And no, cutting benefit will not resolve truancy. It's a simplistic soundbite from a prick who hates poor people.

OM Alcohol free please! Damn being pregnant, and on benefits

I have just poured a large glass of cold White wine.....delicious!

While there may be some people in genuine need no-one would begrudge, Im afraid that doesn not magically stop the fact there are those, (like dc dad) who are not in need and lie, cheat and steal from ALL of us.

That "all of us" includes you. Would you not like more money in the pot for situations you are trapped in versus those who take the mickey?

Sorry but you can't ignore the fact there are people out there exploiting everyone else just because you don't.

Can anyone say they don't see this behaviour as wrong?

Has LOTM told us about her phd yet? My money's on art history.

"My money's on art history."

Nah, that would involve understanding of context and the existence of different circumstances.

There is all kinds of dishonesty going on in the world, From benefits to big banks.

People on benefits tend to be easy targets.

I'm still amazed that anyone is doing a PhD at 25!! But I suppose anything is possible.....

On LOTM defense - I think she was brought up in a different country and different culture, she has stated that english wasn't her first language - maybe that accounts for some of her ideas and opinions.

I think she's of North African origin, if that helps at all.

DLA Fraud is less than 0.5% according to the governments own statistics.
Other Fraud is lumped together with error so it's difficult to say.

Cocoflower, of course it's wrong to defraud the system, but there really aren't that many doing it. Unfortunately, it tars others with the same brush. Logically, making a judgement based on a few just doesn't work. You have empirical evidence of one bad apple. Doesn't mean the rest of the tree is rotten.

Look... there are those doing it though - even if "only" 5000 are doing, it is still wrong. Why sweep it away like it does not happen?

Im a little tiered of this attituide we can't speak about anyone doing bad if that person is on benefits. It seems the very merit they are on benefits protects them.Its feels so hush- hush.

I think it's hush hush because in today's society, those that are on benefits, are somehow meant to feel guilty. Like, thats the choice they made in life. Yes, there are those who abuse the system but they are in the minority. I think we all have to be careful not to get carried away by the DM drivel. It's perfectly ok to be pissed off with those who do abuse the system but only because they are effectively denying those in true need of potentially getting any additional benefits. The media only ever portray those on benefits in a bad light. And as I have said before, there for the grace of God go us ALL.

coco Most of the posts mentioning fraudulent benefit claims unfortunately do claim they are the majority. Hence the reaction. Funnily enough, it gets a little tiring hearing that.

It's always phrased as though there are "some" genuine claimants, but only a minority. And then great phrases come up like "lifestyle choices".

Yes Im glad benefits exsist- who isn't relieved at the safety net.

We tired to get benefits when we really needed them (reducancy etc), ended up not getting the help we needed so I suppose I am a little bitter as to why we were not helped and others are. That is a different thread though...

It is not a simple case of being "DM" to be angry though if you have had RL bad experience.

Yes Im sure this is minority but it still exsists and is unjust

But can you punish the vast majority of honest benefits claimants for the actions of a few dishonest claimants? There are dishonest bankers and politicians - Lord Hanningfield for one - yet there is nothing mentioned about their dishonesty. Why is it different for a benefit claimant. Lord Hanningfield still spent taxpayers money on frivolities. Surely that is exactly the same? That was his 'lifestyle choice'.

so LOTM's doing a phd at 25, is pregnant with her second child and has paid off her mortgage in the does fingers 7 years since becoming old enough to go to Uni...wow. that's really remarkable, fabulous, and unbelievably erm well just unbelievable isn't it.

There shouldnt be any difference

ALL of it is wrong. Two wrongs to do make a right, both should have reprimands.

"Two wrongs to do make a right"

I mean don't!

Coca, yes, those that fiddle the system should be punished. But those who are genuine should be given a break and that is not what is happening, the government and media rhetoric is terrifying for those on benefits, and as I said before, everyone is being tarred with the same brush. Yes, whatever the number is for those fiddling it's too many, but those who are genuinely claiming are being portrayed as other by both media and government.

the media rhetoric is hateful and often grossly distorted.

PublicHair, I was thinking that too. Am trying not to be too cynical though.....

The mortgage may be paid off, did she say whose money she used?