Is this likely to happen? Benefit related.

[littlemisssarcastic]

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

but can still see how in practice it would be detrimental to families, people need to feel that they can behave like a normal member of society, it's when they don't that drugs and drink etc take over

But how do we deal with those who are already at the drugs and drink stage?

My foster child was severely neglected by their parents, the only meal they regularly had was their free school meal. For months they would steal food from anywhere they could and hide it in their room, they wouldn't even let me chuck it away when it was mouldy, as it had become their coping mechanism to deal with never having food in the cupboards at home

FC's dad is a raging alcoholic, mum is an addict currently in prison. Neither of them can prioritise their child's need for food, clothes, a bed, hot water, etc.

These people need serious help and intervention. Would a card that could only be used in Tesco have ensured my FC got fed? I don't know, but it needs tackling somehow

As far as I can see, they're talking about introducing this with a small number of families like my FC's, who simply can't prioritise their child's needs over their addiction

the public want their taxes to be spent wisely. __ True
I couldn't care less what people do with their wages, because I don't contribute to them. VERY untrue .

My SIL going all inclusive to Cuba for two weeks with her 3 dcs next year. Whereas we've got 4 days in a caravan park.
Guess who works and who's all benefits?
I know there are so many people who need the help of benefits but noone can deny there are plenty of people who abuse the system.
My niece has just been handed a flat, never worked a day in her life and from what I can see never intends too either. Comes from a home where neither of her parents ever worked..that to me is abusing the system and taking money away from those who need it..like carers.

These cash cards will be abused just like milk tokens get abused.

Would people tell me what to spend my money on? I work and also claim jobseekers allowance. Im not a scrounger & if i budget well i can afford a holiday or a night out every few years. Whats wrong with that?

It's Christmas. Somebody find some sodding Christmas spirit somewhere, please.
This last week, I had to go to appeal for dh's dla. Been putting a case together since March. We won, but it was hard. I had a diagnosis for Ulcerative Colitis which whilst a relief, has exhausted me, ask someone with it, it doesn't make life easier and tends to be stress related.
I had six calls from the school yesterday because ds2 was having a meltdown. I had calls from the school the day before because they messed up and gave ds1 the wrong exam paper and she had a panic. I'm exhausted and I've got idiots on here telling me that I can't use my 55 quid a week on the odd glass of wine.

yeh cause that's true

I think any one who for one minuit thinks that disabled people would be exempt from this....are deluded.

Yes, but carers would get directly caught up in this! As I explained. Carers Allowance has to be topped up by Income Support, one of the benefits they want to do this with.

Just as terminally ill and severely disabled people got caught up in other welfare reform.

If people are neglecting their children and not providing them with food at the expense of getting pissed and buying cigarettes, that is an issue for social services, not DWP

I wonder if internet and laptop/pcs would be considered a luxury?

Won't people have to access to these things in order to claim UC?

Comming back to the original question on likeleyhood.

It seems that the Tories arnd the yellow turncoats are trying to put space between themselves. They have to have policies that make them different from each other. This is one of them. The traditional Tories will go yay back to basic Toryshire policy. The Lib Dems can wring their hands and say to the electorate - look we stopped the nasty party. Both win by strengthening their vote without the the policy going anywhere.

I used to work with asylum seekers, and this system is used for people whose asylum claim has failed, but who can't go back to their country. (It was called section 4, but may have changed). They get a £35 Asda card a week. That's all - no money for fares to get to Asda. What often happens is unscrupulous local shop owners buy the £35 card from them for £25 cash. Which they spend in local, more expensive, shops where they can buy Halal.

A system like the one being proposed is open to corruption when desperate people are involved.

Pointy
Thank you, I luffs you a wee bit!

the public want their taxes to be spent wisely

Does this mean the public get to say who gets arrested, which fire gets put out, which children receive an education, which injuries can be treated, which street gets lights switched on, which parks get tended......?

Ooh, the link I thought I clicked on was a different story to the one in the op, it was talking about introducing it with troubled families.

Confused now

A holiday in Cuba? On benefits?

You or she must be having a laugh.

I am in benefits (after 30 years of full employment) and I can tell you right now it does not stretch to holidays. Not had a holiday in 4 years even when working....and I am worse off financially now.

either you are exaggerating or they are on the fiddle somehow.

Well like I said until they sort out the MPs ever growing tax money intake they will never "Save" any money towards the debt.

However if you chose to blame the needy in our country then so be it.

I am the public ...I pay taxes I think people on benefits should spend their money as they wish - do I get a say?

So when I was made redundant MrsBW and had the pleasure of having to claim jsa for 8 weeks and of course all the worry, anxiety, fear about how I was going to suppprt my dc, you are telling me that it's right that I shouldn't have had the odd bottle of wine and be told where I could shop and what I could and couldn't spend my money on?

You see as a responsible adult and who I'm sure like many parents put their dcs needs above their own, I am really affronted that this government feels it has the right to control my life to that extent. To basically take away my basic rights and treat me like I'm some scrounger who is not entitled to the same liberties as a working person.

Oh dawn . The phone calls are horrid. Never known stress like it, people don't understand what a joy it is to work when you've been housebound waiting for the inevitable phonecalls.

I cross my fingers everyday that ds continues to use his strategies and thank my lucky stars that its dh who is on speeddial these days

If we have the right to know how taxpayers money is spent, should those receiving child benefit make their accounts open to scrutiny ? Or does this just apply to the disabled and poor?

If you've got money left over for luxuries on JSA, they're giving you too much. Personally I don't know how anyone can have enough left over for a bottle of wine.

Yes Aspiemum you feel so helpless sometimes. Have to say, went and picked her up, yesterday. Fortunately Ds1 had the day off and was here to look after dh whilst I nipped out to get her.