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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:
KatieScarlett2833 · 24/03/2013 21:50

Faster is obviously a decommodified person. Or a Tory bot. Grin

trustissues75 · 24/03/2013 21:51

sorry, hit post...

you are not even acknowledging that being debt free means you won't be in that state doesn't dover all eventualities at all because some of us bloody well were debt free and STILL ENDED UP IN POVERTY!!! Bloody hell, someone pass me a good stiff one....

FasterStronger · 24/03/2013 21:52

trust - it does not stop you being reliant on benefits but it stops you having to service debt and contracts while on benefits.

FasterStronger · 24/03/2013 21:53

sick - that's clearly not what I am saying but carry on.... you obviously want to.

olgaga · 24/03/2013 21:54

There was a thread last year on how to live a frugal life.

It's worth bearing in mind that a frugal life is not a normal life, by any stretch of the imagination.

We can all draw our horns in, it's easy to do if you have money. Not quite so easy when you have absolutely nothing to fall back on.

As for an allotment - don't make me laugh. It requires quite a lot of money and a lot of time and effort to do it successfully. It's not just a question of digging and planting and hey presto!

The waiting list for allotments in my area is 6 years.

KatieScarlett2833 · 24/03/2013 21:54

PMSL

wannabeEostregoddess · 24/03/2013 21:55

So again you are saying that people in employment shouldnt take out credit incase they end up on benefits!!

Our economy would be in a much worse situation if everyone shared your view.

starsandunicorns · 24/03/2013 21:55

Faster have you read all the posts in this thread beacause if you did you see that I after leaving a marriage and becoming a LP I did a DEGREE but still cant get a perm job.

Oh and I cant get credit because I didnt have any loans or credit cards and when married.

And now Im on very low income working as a temp no one will touch me.

people are going to struggle when the UC comes. Fact.

trustissues75 · 24/03/2013 21:57

And your point is exactly? I still went without food so my DS didn't....and was told by my housing officer to not get a job because there was no way I'd be able to afford the amount I'd have to pay in rent to the landlord who was charging nearly 50% on top of the average local rent because, well, he could....and was stuck there for 6 months because no one would touch me because I was reliant on HB (which I still was even after I got out and got a job)....you are arguing a point that is moot because being debt free does not prevent the shit that is going on, it just helps to not make it even worse.

FasterStronger · 24/03/2013 21:57

wannbe - have you heard about the credit crisis? zombie companies? sub prime mortgages? Cyprus? US debt? US college debt?

Booyhoo · 24/03/2013 21:58

faster how much have you got in savings (you dont need to answer that publicly) and how long would those savings last you and DH (if applicable) you were no longer able to work, bearing in mind that you wouldn't be entitled to JSA if your savings are over £16k

KatieScarlett2833 · 24/03/2013 21:59

I have a MA in Policy and 27 and a bit years experience of helping the unemployed, faster.
Your economic solutions are interesting to say the least Grin
Why didn't I realise that the solution to living on benefits is having a crystal ball beforehand?
I may use this for my PHD thesis, whaddaya think?

FasterStronger · 24/03/2013 22:00

I posted in response to wannabe comments about being able to afford things while working e.g. a credit card debt

I am not discussing the entire reasons while people move on to benefits....

trustissues75 · 24/03/2013 22:00

I think Katie that you'd be remembered for a long time...but not for the right reasons!

KatieScarlett2833 · 24/03/2013 22:02

Blah blah backtrack, have you a shovel?

ReturnOfEmeraldGreen · 24/03/2013 22:04

Ok, Faster, I understand what you are saying. Let me give you a real-life example of why I think you are missing the point.

Woman, age 53, lives alone. Council tenant, household bills are all up-to-date, works 15 hrs p.w. NMW. Gets housing benefit & council tax benefits, no other benefits or tax credits, trying v hard to get work that will take her above 30 hrs a week but having no luck, lives in a depressed area.

She has been managing - just, on a low income for years, no luxuries, no Sky/no holidays/no contract phone. From next month she will have to pay £46 per month in rent due to having a 'spare' room (brought up child in family home, they are now grown up), plus a percentage of council tax. It's not a lot of money to someone on a decent income with access to an overdraft - for her it is a disaster and she will probably lose her home. If she is forced into a one-bedroom privately rented flat she will get full housing benefit again and this will probably cost the taxpayer more than her current council rent.

Debt is not this woman's problem. Crap wages, restricted hours and punitive changes the benefits system are her problems. This is a real-life example taken from my work, and there are a lot of people now getting into this position.

FasterStronger · 24/03/2013 22:05

really if people want to kid themselves buying things on credit when they have a job and times are good is a recipe for a stress-free life, well carry on are you are...

starsandunicorns · 24/03/2013 22:09

Faster in your post 21:13 i think you mention about if it happened to you what you would do to get forward my response was in answer to that. It hasnt helped my situation one bit.

KatieScarlett2833 · 24/03/2013 22:10

Who are these people faster?

wannabeEostregoddess · 24/03/2013 22:11

I am not advocating credit card debt. To be honest I loathe credit cards.

I am saying that sometimes creditcis necessary, HP, a mortgage, important house repairs that might need you to take out a loan.

It would be daft of me to suggest that its ok for someone to go buy unnecassary crap on credit because times are good, people do do that, I think they are mad. But some credit is needed.

FasterStronger · 24/03/2013 22:13

return - my points were in response to people spending money they don't have while in employment and then complaining the could not afford the payments when unemployed (when they were already overspending while in work so were clearly screwed).

I haven't commented on any UC changes. I wish you well but this 'debate' is pointless.

Katie - if you has read the thread, you would not be asking that!

KatieScarlett2833 · 24/03/2013 22:13

I have read the thread faster Smile

KatieScarlett2833 · 24/03/2013 22:15

Your phrase was " carry on as you are" I believe?
Who is the "you" you referred to?

FasterStronger · 24/03/2013 22:16

wannbe - are you telling me the credit boom pre crisis was mainly people needing housing repairs or similar necessities?

stressyBessy22 · 24/03/2013 22:18

So OP you are not worried for yourself (who of course is far too clever to have to claim any benefits).But ou are worried for 'poor people' who are too stupid/feckless to be able to budget, use the internet or maintain a stable relationship

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