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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be worried about Universal Credit

968 replies

idiuntno57 · 23/03/2013 20:21

I am in the lucky position of not needing to claim this but I am so worried about its implementation.

Its coming in in the Autumn and is going to be an online only, monthly, postdated payment. It will be paid to one adult in the family unit.

All well and did if you are god at managing your money, internet literate and in a stable relationship. But in the real world....

How are the most vulnerable in society going to have a chance with this?

Already the council tax changes are coming in and as far as I understand people are confused and shell shocked by it. UC is much bigger and no one is prepared.

OP posts:
trustissues75 · 24/03/2013 20:33

Ues, but that's your locality, Annabel - the reality you live in doesn't automatically translate to other area of the country...I'll say it again - I didn't get an allotment in the two years I was signed up for one.....obviously, in MY locality that wasn't the case. I wish I'd had one...I could have made a go at selling my excess produce...

AnnabelKarma · 24/03/2013 20:34

Sounds like it trustissues doesn't it?

trustissues75 · 24/03/2013 20:35

bochead - THAT!!!!

wannabeEostregoddess · 24/03/2013 20:35

Faster

So now its not just benefit scum who are being judged, but anyone who works and likes nice things.

Ok. Sure.

ilovesooty · 24/03/2013 20:36

Not really sure citing prisoners problems really lends weight to your argument

Why not? They have to survive just like others who are vulnerable.

AnnabelKarma · 24/03/2013 20:37

Bollocks annabel there is not one LA run allotment scheme currently in the uk that does not have at least a 12 month waiting list most are around the 2-5 year mark.

I was replying to sockreturningpixie trust who said this.

AnnabelKarma · 24/03/2013 20:38

ilovesooty I guess it depends upon your definition of vulnerable.

ilovesooty · 24/03/2013 20:39

I guess it depends upon your definition of vulnerable

Evidently. I doubt if you have the first idea.

FasterStronger · 24/03/2013 20:40

wannbe - get a grip.

I work - I don't need 'nice things' I cannot afford & I don't need most 'nice things' I can afford. neither does anyone else.

IMO some of the most boring, shallow people like 'nice things' & I don't care what their income is.

you are projecting.

wannabeEostregoddess · 24/03/2013 20:43

Ha I am projecting?

No. I just think its disgusting that you feel the need to sit in judgement of others. You can have your grip back, you need it more than me.

FasterStronger · 24/03/2013 20:45

wannbe - if someone is spending beyond what they can afford, whether their income is 10k or 100k, they are heading for trouble.

why do you keep using the phase benefit scum? I haven't used it.

littlemisssarcastic · 24/03/2013 20:47

YourHandInMyHand Can you get DLA? (Sorry if you've already mentioned this, I haven't read the whole thread Blush )
If you can, you'd be entitled to a lot more CTC than a parent whose child doesn't get DLA.
It all helps. Smile

IneedAsockamnesty · 24/03/2013 20:49

Well what LA serves your area, as every single one less than 2 weeks ago claimed they didn't.

wannabeEostregoddess · 24/03/2013 20:57

They might be able to afford it on £19k though. Its when that drops to benefit levels theres an issue.

Or should every member of the UK population should live like they are on benefits, just incase?

Booyhoo · 24/03/2013 21:01

"booy - that's bad financial planning. if you have enough to get by whne you are in work, you will be screwed if, as many people do, you loose you job. i have an old car. no one needs a new/newish car."

so someone who is working shouldn't have a mortgage they can afford or a mobile phone contract they can afford or broadband they can afford? so really nobody should have mortgages? that's basically what you are saying.

FasterStronger · 24/03/2013 21:02

that is just silly.

buying something on credit/agreeing to pay money in the future is risky. buying something you can afford today (maybe have saved for) is completely different.

credit = bad. and a phone on a contract is credit.

Booyhoo · 24/03/2013 21:05

what is silly? you said that it was bad financial planning for people to have things like phone contracts (and all the other type of bills you cant just get out of should you lose your job). so you think people should have mortgages they can afford incase they one day lose their job?

Booyhoo · 24/03/2013 21:06

shouldn't have mortgages tehy can afford.

FasterStronger · 24/03/2013 21:06

broadband is about 15 per month. DPs phone is about 15 p month and has lots of internet access/calls. Mine is a £1 PAYG.

an adault needs saving and if you don't have any, you need to do that when you are working.

a mortgage is different: (1) interest rates a low as the loan is secured against a property (2) over the long term house prices have and will increased.

FasterStronger · 24/03/2013 21:07

also a mortgage is often cheaper than rent so lower short term costs and risk.

FasterStronger · 24/03/2013 21:08

suggesting that everyone should live like they are on benefits is silly.

Booyhoo · 24/03/2013 21:11

and if your DP lost his job tomorrow he would still have £15 to find every month out of his benefits to pay that phone bill for the next 12/15/18/24 or even 36 months same with your broadband. that's £30 of your benefits per month that you cant reduce in any way.

wannabeEostregoddess · 24/03/2013 21:12

Well thats basically what you are saying.

So if you dont have a car and you get a job that requires a car you shouldnt take out HP? So how do you suggest that person gets to work?

Sometimes credit is necessary. And sometimes people lose their jobs.

KatieScarlett2833 · 24/03/2013 21:12

And your mortgage.
And food.
And water and sewerage
Etc.

Booyhoo · 24/03/2013 21:13

"suggesting that everyone should live like they are on benefits is silly. "

then why would you suggest it?