Is this likely to happen? Benefit related.

[littlemisssarcastic]

And where would it end?? Is this just the start of a slippery slope ?

benefit money is for whatever the legal recipients of said benefits CHOOSE to spend it on - Jesus H Christ on a bike do people seriously think they can dictate to people what they can buy because they are poor - what a vile notion

Those that are on the fence or agree with the idea - have you ever had to claim benefits?

This is confusing to me, as I thought one of the benefits of Universal Credit being touted around by politicians was that it allowed people to take more control for budgeting etc and empower them to manage their own money....I see a contradiction here!

exactly wildworld

perhaps that bottle of wine is to thank a neighbour for watching the children while the claimant went on a job interview, so that they are able to ask them again if they get short listed again

that's why people need autonomy, people's needs vary

that is VILE

if that comes in, fucking hell...

It's a stupid idea!

If you had to only shop in a certain shop for example you wouldn't have the option of going elsewhere where things may be cheaper.
I'll use Asda and Aldi as an example.

The same goes for when you need to go to the shop for bread and milk etc, what if the nearest place that accepted this was miles from where you live and don't drive to get there?!

Using carboot sales, ebay, charity shops wouldn't be an option either.

Stupid!

me too usual :(

The MPs need reforming not the benefit system..

Satellite tv though. I mean, come on. How many families on benefits have bloody sky tv? The taxpayer categorically should NOT be paying for that. There's luxuries and there's luxuries.

It's a terrible idea. First and foremost, it demeans people by treating them like children.

A friend of mine made her benefits go further by shopping at markets, on ebay and at charity shops. This card wouldn't have worked.

The only people who will benefit are large companies - like the credit card company chosen to set up this system, and supermarkets where people will be forced to shop.

Where are they going to draw the line?

Is child benefit going to be paid on a card that can only be spent on the child?

What abou winter fuel allowance, is that going to go straight to the energy suppliers?

DLA? Is that just going to be put in cards?

It is a ludicrous idea IMVHO! Totally unworkable, and even if it wasn't there isn't a political party in this country brave enough to implement it!

Vivenne, what have food banks got to do with restricting items people can buy?

Unless you think people who use food banks do so because they blew there money on crack.

As someone who is on benefits, doesn't smoke and is teetotal, I'm slightly affronted that there are people who would tar every benefit claimant with the same brush.

I can manage my own budget thankyou, I'm a grown woman, not a child

They think it's a good idea usual because it's a side of life that doesn't touch them, they're as out of touch as the Tories are with real life.

itspeanuts I'm on the fence and yes I have had to claim benefits in the past and possibly will have to in the future.

But as I wouldn't dream of buying fags/drink at the expense of the rent or feeding the family the I don't think I would have a problem with it.

It sucks yeah but at the end of the day they are luxuries

we just have a phone and internet package at the moment, and TBH it's NOT much cheaper than a lot of phone-internet-tv packages

and if you're on benefits you still need phone and internet, for homework, study, job hunting, house hunting, emotional support with health issues.. and not all roads have a lot of choice of supplies so to say you shouldn't have a TV package on benefits is stupid as most companies provide best value if you get all 3

Who decides what a luxury is? Will they only be able to buy the basics range? Otherwise I foresee threads with somebody complaining that the woman in front of them in the queue at tesco was buying Heinz using a benefit card and they can only afford own brand and they work and it's not fair.

Blackholes When I was fully on benefits I had satellite tv. What business is it of yours what we choose to spend our money on?

As it happens the last time I went out socially was on my ds's birthday in January. I have four disabled people in the house. Disabled people cannot help being disabled, so why should they be penalised?

How would this be regulated once UC comes in? There will be plenty of working people getting UC who would also have a benefit card.

Oh, and I don't have Sky either. So ner.

Just for a change, this government isn't the first to come up with a scheme like this: here

so now the poor are not allowed anything to enjoy.
I am going to be fucked. but still being a carer makes me a scrounger

Satellite tv though. I mean, come on. How many families on benefits have bloody sky tv? The taxpayer categorically should NOT be paying for that. There's luxuries and there's luxuries.

Really!! As a taxpayer myself I do not want to pay for second homes for all ready rich people, I do not want to pay for 2 and 3rd car or meals out in posh restaurants. PEOPLE are really that blind that they cannot see that this stupid DOWN WITH BENEFITS its costing us all a fortune lark is actually just a distraction to the truly bigger picture. Do some real research rather than just reading stupid papers for once!!

Rant over I promise . :)

If you're on benefits purely because you're too lazy to get up off your arse and get a job then you deserve no luxuries. You should have the bare minimum to live with. Too many times I've been in the post office in ASDA to see people cashing their giros, to then go straight to the ale aisle and spend their money on bottles of cheap cider.

If you're on say top up benefits, or disability benefits then you should be able to spend it on what you like.