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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is this likely to happen? Benefit related.

637 replies

littlemisssarcastic · 20/12/2012 20:48

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

Sad
OP posts:
BlackholesAndRevelations · 20/12/2012 21:28

This has really touched a raw nerve with me. I agree with vitamin/milk/fruit and veg vouchers for young mums/people on benefits. People are people after all (to loosely quote someone upthread) and surely noone would deny that people deserve to have their basic needs met. It just makes me flare up that other people take the piss so very much. Not very eloquent to ight (tired and hormonal!) but feel very upset by this!

FlaminNoraImPregnantPanda · 20/12/2012 21:29

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.

My dad (recently deceased) had satellite tv paid for out of his benefit. He was also severely disabled. He was almost entirely bed bound. He spent all his waking time watching SkySports. Do you really begrudge people like him their one source of entertainment?

GhostShip · 20/12/2012 21:29

Gordy - so what? Thats exactly the sort of attitude that is keeping this country in the shit heap it is in.
The money is theirs yes, because it's handed to them, not earned.

I know many many people who will spend their benefits money on this way, then struggle the pay their rents, put gas and leccy on, feed the kids. They don't know the true value of money because they've had it handed to them time and time again.

sixlostmonkeys · 20/12/2012 21:29

Ghostship - so you think it's ok for working people to buy cigs booze and Tvs instead of clothing and feeding their children? really? It's just benefit people who aren't allowed to do this...

usualsuspect3 · 20/12/2012 21:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MariaMandarin · 20/12/2012 21:30

Does anyone who thinks that this is a good idea really think that it would change anything for people who at the moment prioritise booze and fags over food for themselves and their families? The most likely outcome is that these people would get what they want through illicit means. They are dysfunctional and changing that is not going to be as simple as a food card.

GhostShip · 20/12/2012 21:30

May I ask what you do for a living GhostShip??

I am in distribution. On minimum wage. Up until recently I was a carer. On minimum wage. I am also entitled to no benefits as I am under 25 with no children.

GhostShip · 20/12/2012 21:31

Ghostship - so you think it's ok for working people to buy cigs booze and Tvs instead of clothing and feeding their children? really? It's just benefit people who aren't allowed to do this...

No I have not said that.

MsElleTow · 20/12/2012 21:31

Ghostship, it's all well and good you having a go at Threesocks, but people lump disabled people in with the "scroungers". We should all get off our arses and get to work!

This idea is ludicrous. Ther may be a few people who buy fags and booze before food and clothes for their kids, but this won't stop it! Anyone with half a brain cell can see that!

Why don't the government go after Amazon, Vodafone, Starbucks etc if they want to save a few quid? Or stop the Winter Fuel Allowance for people like my PILs who have just spent £7k on a fucking sofa?

Anifrangapani · 20/12/2012 21:31

It is very Victorian; the concept of the deserving and undeserving poor. Must dust off my copy of Matthew Meyhew

CoolaYuleA · 20/12/2012 21:31

It's a difficult one for me as I can see both sides. I hate the idea of people being told where and how to spend their benefits.

But then having been asked last week to lend my SIL £50 to mend her cooker as she is "skint" from being on benefits I was a bit Xmas Hmm as she asked me with a fag in her hand after spending the day uploading photos of her latest night out onto Facebook from her contract iPhone 5 using her Wifi.....

I lent more likely gave her the money - I have two nieces, it wouldn't be fair to leave them without hot food in this weather. But I was a bit unimpressed about it if I'm honest. I have that money because I save, don't smoke, don't have the most fandangly phone there is and don't tend to blow £60 a night on clubbing. It did irk me to have to lend her it because she does do all these things and has no money for necessities.

From that position I can see why this has been suggested. I do think something needs to be done about some people who misuse their benefits and whose children go without or suffer as a result, but I don't think this is it - or even that it would work.

sixlostmonkeys · 20/12/2012 21:32

Ghostship - yes you did say that - please read back.

sunshine401 · 20/12/2012 21:32

Clearer thank you .

Aspiemum2 · 20/12/2012 21:32

Ghostship - you know many, many people like this. Really? How exactly? You don't seem the type that would be friends with them but even if you are or they are family how do you know so much about their finances and spending habits.

I have no knowledge of anyone else's income and expenditure besides my own

aufaniae · 20/12/2012 21:32

"I can see some positives in this idea, for example families where children go without because scarce resources are spent by parents on drugs"

That's naive in the extreme.

People who spend money on drugs instead of essentials for their DCs are addicts.

Giving them a card instead of money won't stop them buying drugs! They'll either give their card to their dealer, or buy stuff they can sell on, for cash for drugs.

They're not going to suddenly start providing a stable home and providing for their DC's needs because you given them a card instead of cash.

GhostShip · 20/12/2012 21:32

Ghostship, it's all well and good you having a go at Threesocks, but people lump disabled people in with the "scroungers". We should all get off our arses and get to work!

She does it everytime in these sorts of topics. Comes out with utter bullshit that she thinks people have implied when they have not.

And I've already said DLA would be exempt.

Viviennemary · 20/12/2012 21:33

Nobody should be buying cigarettes, alcohol or whatever before feeding their children and paying for necessities like electricity. Not many people would disagree with that.

The article said this would only affect a relatively small number of families who are not using their benefit money for what it is intended for. That is to feed and clothe their children as a priority. I can see why people are up in arms at the thought of this voucher scheme. But it would only be as a last resort I think.

LookingForwardToMarch · 20/12/2012 21:33

GhostShip Have to agree there. Obviously there are people who don't but I live in a poor area and it has to be said a lot of my neighbours are guilty of this.

As for the disabled and carers surely they would only do this for certain types of benefit such as Job seekers etc and not dla or anything like that?

I wouldn't think it was fair if they applied it to all benefits. Some people can't work and have no choice...they shouldn't be tarred with the same brush

But if its a benefit that is 'suppossed' to be temporary or for peopel who can work but aren't atm then whats the problem?

usualsuspect3 · 20/12/2012 21:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GhostShip · 20/12/2012 21:35

Ghostship - yes you did say that - please read back

No I said they could buy cigs and booze if they wanted to. I never said they should do this instead of feeding the kids Hmm

And aspie - in the circles I used to hang about in, their families, families I have worked for as a carer, people I have worked with, and an awful lot of people who I would once considered friends.

gordyslovesheep · 20/12/2012 21:35

so - you know there are not enough jobs on the JCP data base for the number of people claiming JSA right now?

do YOU get benefit Ghost? CTC, WTC, CB - would like some nosey person telling you what you can and can't buy?

you don't EARN ctc,wtc or CB

tabulahrasa · 20/12/2012 21:35

What about the other benefits that DLA can entitle you to?

sixlostmonkeys · 20/12/2012 21:35

No I said they could buy cigs and booze if they wanted to. I never said they should do this instead of feeding the kids

gordyslovesheep · 20/12/2012 21:35

I suggest an embargo on Goats over 30"

GhostShip · 20/12/2012 21:36

LookingForward I like in wigan, and in particular the estate I live on it is all people do here. People think the idea of working is ludicrous. The 'free money innit' attitude is rife here, although people of this forum think this is some sort of myth invented to back up the argument.