To think its completely outrageous for the govt to not include internet access as a necessity on the voucher programme when

[MadameDefarge]

they are now demanding all benefit applications and correspondence has to be online? I think it is disgusting. Its pushing already marginalised and often vulnerable people beyond the edge. In our Borough over 20% of folk do not have internet access. These people are generally the poor, the foreign, those with MH issues. Is this just another step to ensure the poorest most vulnerable members of society have no voice or access to services?

[TwoBrasDontMakeABodice]

Creameggkr He is one of the ones who SHOULD be looked after. Poor thing. THAT is where our taxed money should be going.

[mummabug]

easilybored and catsmother well said hear hear

[MadameDefarge]

cats, that was a marvellous, measured and pertinent post. thank you. And easily..a voice of reason. Clearly FACTS cannot make inroads into PREJUDICES.

[Birdsgottafly]

"Cream", I am surprised that he does not have a support worker at his hospital, has he enquired?

[Birdsgottafly]

"Cream", I am surprised that he does not have a support worker at his hospital, has he enquired?

[MadameDefarge]

and sunny. the facts. thank you.

[catsmother]

And yes, some people can walk or cycle 5 miles to a library. Not all could. Some libraries are further away. Some people would have young kids with them who couldn't manage the distance (and who of course would sit ever so nice and quiet while their parent spent an hour or more on an online application). Some poor people - shock horror - do actually work and might not be able to get to the library outside work hours. Etc etc etc.

No-one disputes people trying to help themselves when they can and I'm still convinced most people want to do this. But there seems to be absolutely no acknowledgement of the fact that with the best will in the world, not everybody can help themselves, due to a combination of circumstances. There's this one-size-fits-all approach to benefit which takes no account of individual situations.

[TwoBrasDontMakeABodice]

What an odd thing to think about a buisness.

Then complain to them that you think their business approach is wrong. I'm sure they will be wowed with your insights into how the business world works.

[MadameDefarge]

Then two bras you have no place on this thread because it is about people who are so poor they are applying to the social fund. and quite possibly live on an estate. or in a hostel. or in private accomodation they are about to be thrown out of... ya know, poverty and shit. don't worry your pretty little head about it.

[usualsuspect]

Well they wouldn't have much of a business would they? if no one bought anything.

[Shinyshoes1]

I've got a job , my DP has a job we claim fuck all and we don't own a laptop because we can't afford one . All our Internet usage is done on our phones

None of my 3 children have a laptop they go to the library if the need to get homework done

I personally think it's disgusting that there is even a mention on here of supplying the poor or jobless with Internet access .

Get of your atse and get down the library . We have to

It's giving to the poor and jobless MORE fucking free stuff and yes damn right if I'm resentful

[TwoBrasDontMakeABodice]

Madame Then you should have stated it was about people living in halfway houses/homeless/hostels. You didn't, so I responded.

[MadameDefarge]

Their business approach is not wrong. the fact that you are physically able to abuse that facility rather than acknowledging the thought process behind it says a good deal more about you than it does about their business model, I assure you.

[TwoBrasDontMakeABodice]

Well they wouldn't have much of a business would they? if no one bought anything.

I think Maccas has quite a good business on paper, no?

[MadameDefarge]

I said it was about people applying for the social fund. Did I need to specify the accommodation? really? really? You were the one who brought up not living on estates where internet access might be rare.

[usualsuspect]

My local pub provides free wifi, shall I go and sit in there all night without buying a drink?

[MadameDefarge]

But the fact remains you are a thief. and think other people should be thieves too.

[EasilyBored]

Wages just have not kept up with rent and house prices, or utility bills and council tax and food prices. There is just no way for many many working people to make ends meet without help.

[TwoBrasDontMakeABodice]

Their business approach is not wrong. the fact that you are physically able to abuse that facility rather than acknowledging the thought process behind it says a good deal more about you than it does about their business model, I assure you.

You are trying to offend rather than see the reason where I have stated - many times - that it IS available for those losers who cannot work out how to get to the library to use the internet for free. It says nothing about me other than that I think outside the box to get ahead. Next?

[TwoBrasDontMakeABodice]

My local pub provides free wifi, shall I go and sit in there all night without buying a drink?

Yes.

[MadameDefarge]

If you DEMAND that people engage with a service online then you need to be pretty sure that all those entitled to that service can engage with it. Dont make benefits applications only online. job done!

[fuzzpig]

Haven't caught up with thread yet so probably repeating but regardless of the accessibility issue I think any type of application system needs more than one input method. Nothing is infallible, especially on computers! By all means aim for as many online applications as possible but to absolutely insist on it is shortsighted. What if the system crashes (as happens now and again with our library system for example - we have backup methods of issuing/recording books etc) - you can't expect people in dire straits to wait for it to be fixed if it could easily just be done with a paper form or over the phone.