to think benefits should be capped at minimum wage

[moogster1a]

A little idea that all benefits should be capped at a weeks worth of minimum wage; so 37 and half hours times whatever minimum wage is now ( £6 pounds odd ).
That way no one gets paid more for sitting at home than they would for going out to work.
Out of this, all rent prescriptions etc. should be paid, the same as most people in low paid jobs have to pay for everything.
it might also provide an incentive to go out to work to up your wages if you progress in a company.
Just think it would be a lot fairer.

Xenia I have said several times over that my Landladiy asked her insurer for permission for me to work from home and was told no. So no, I can't work from home. Not without causing massive problems. Which was in fact my plan long term so a massive inconvenience.

I know Mum's LA housing contracts state a similar clause too.

I worked a a parenting support mentor, volunteer manager and family support worker in the charity sector: the only alternatives to that skill base are public sector and vanishing even more quickly. The fundraising post I had before that is now held by a volunteer; and before that I worked advising people about college routes for an FE college. Freeze on LA recruitment and at the local university also.

Don't get me wrong: I have far from given up. But It's not as simple as just swinging from one sector to another when you have been in a field for pushing 20 years and have a tailored CV and qualifications history designed to facillitate progression in that specific area.

Peachy, This happened to a relative of mine who was a therapist. He bought a lovely flat specifically with a room he could use for clients, and then found at the first Leaseholders' Association meeting that he was not allowed to work from home. It's the same for vast swathes of tenants, too.

Xenia - my skills were very specific and non-transferrable. I have looked at what other skills I have, I can't ACT on any of them because, as with Peachy, I will be in breach of my tenancy agreement if I run a business from home, even cake decorating. I would LOSE MY HOME. I'm not even allowed to do childminding. (not that I could, I'm not allowed to work alone with dc under 5yo due to my disability)

It is so bloody frustrating.

It IS frustrating.

I am going to look at one of those business centres on Friday- was supposed to go last week but had ill DC. You can rent a room there a day a week and do peripatetic work. The problem then is that it has the potntial to cost £ but we will look.

In reality, I prefer the idea of a job where I an get up, go work as hard as I can then come home and know the pay will arrive on X date. I like the security of that- DH is compeltely different and is happy to work for himself and has his business registered at a technology centre. I am willing to give it a shot is we can afford the rent and outlay but I know full well that I wll not be at my most effective becuase I am a worrier and not somone who rests easy with that insecurity.