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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that a blanket ban on benefits for under 25s

325 replies

pointythings · 02/10/2013 12:23

Is not only blatantly unfair but also unworkable?

Under a future Tory government, you can leave school at 18, work, lose your job at 23 and be forced straight onto workfare, because you are not eligible for benefits - never mind that you've worked and paid in!

And isn't it blatant age discrimination? Every time I think the Conservatices can't sink any lower, they do...

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 02/10/2013 18:06

Will they raise that age group's minimum wage then? I find it ridiculous and discriminatory that the min wage isn't the min wage. It undercuts older workers, too.

Original poster
pointythings · 02/10/2013 18:08

This policy has so many holes in it that it's practically a Swiss cheese:

  • Learning costs money. Course costs, travel, learning materials. And of course not everyone is able to live with their parents.
  • Working costs money - especially if you grow up in an area where there is not a lot of work and you actually want to move to an area where there are jobs - sorry, no housing benefit for you, no help at all for you.

This policy is basically saying to under 25s 'Sorry, unless you're well off we don't care about you.' And that includes young people who have worked, paid in and done the right thing.

OP posts:
RevoltingPeasant · 02/10/2013 18:08

This makes my blood boil. I do not want to post too much detail but I work in higher education and this kind of thing really, really affects vulnerable young people who may have grown up in care or not have parents to support them, and just need a tiny, little bit of a break to help them better themselves or get through education.

Bear in mind people of this age now will be working till they are in their late 60s at least. They will make years of contributions. What happens to them at this age is so crucial. It can make the difference between taking a short course, getting a degree, not having the shitstorm that is unexpected homelessness happen to them.

Jesus wept Angry Angry

arethereanyleftatall · 02/10/2013 18:10

You can start your own business in any part of the country.

Elfhame · 02/10/2013 18:11

Yes, lets demonise deprived young people. Hmm

DiamondMask · 02/10/2013 18:11

500 application for each job.Bloody hell

pozzled · 02/10/2013 18:11

arethereanyleftatall you may be able to get a new job tomorrow if you wanted. But do you seriously think a disadvantaged 16 year old with no qualifications can do the same?

expatinscotland · 02/10/2013 18:12

'You can start your own business in any part of the country.'

Hmm
expatinscotland · 02/10/2013 18:12

And you said you could get a job. Where? What town is this? I'd like to know.

littlemisssarcastic · 02/10/2013 18:13

Which part of the SE is abundant in vacancies then?

I'm in the SE and jobs are not easy to find at all imo.

MummyofIsla · 02/10/2013 18:13

Hang on a sec. Last time I checked starting your own business required...wait for it...money! Don't know about you but nit something I have in bucketloads, or at all for that matter. Then you need a market which will actually take off and finally a client base. With no experience exactly HOW do you suggest we achiece this?

Utter bollocks!

Lj8893 · 02/10/2013 18:14

arethereany do you really live in the south west?! Because you sound like you are living in the clouds!

arethereanyleftatall · 02/10/2013 18:14

I think so pozzled. Waitressing, fast food outlets, cleaners etc don't require qualifications.

Original poster
pointythings · 02/10/2013 18:14

You can start your own business in any part of the country.

With what? Oh, with money from all the banks who are just falling over themselves to lend capital to untried young people. Silly me, what was I thinking? Hmm

OP posts:
derbybird · 02/10/2013 18:14

yeah, and you have to get the money in the first place to start that business. And somehow you've got to support yourself until such time as that business takes off (IF it takes off, it could just fail) and frankly not everyone has a viable idea for a business, or the acumen and experience to be able to run a business.

Oh and I live in the South East. been trying to get work the last four years without any luck. I'm overqualified and underexperienced dammit.

Lj8893 · 02/10/2013 18:14

*south east

MummyofIsla · 02/10/2013 18:15

I kniw diamondmask I was horrified!

Opalite · 02/10/2013 18:15

arethereanyleftatall, under 25s aren't eligable for working tax credits to be self employed, firsty where the hell would they get the money to start a busiiness? I didn't have the skills or oppurtunites to start my own business as a teenager and neither did anyone else really...
Ah, of course... you earn enough to live off as soon as you start a business... and businesses cost nothing to start.

Just....grr...

VerySmallSqueak · 02/10/2013 18:16

If people can fight for their country they can be treated with a little decency.

If we cannot give young people any opportunity,we shouldn't expect anything back from them other than the ability to survive in spite of what society throws at them.And we may not like what we get.

arethereanyleftatall · 02/10/2013 18:17

There are many own businesses which don't require start up capital; cleaners, window cleaners, gardeners etc etc

Lj8893 · 02/10/2013 18:17

I think so pozzled. Waitressing, fast food outlets, cleaners etc don't require qualifications.

Maybe not, but many of these jobs do now look for experience in that area.

So if I were to apply for a cleaning job, although I'm overqualified for the job I probably wouldn't get it as I have no cleaning experience (other than my own home!!)

HuglessDouglas · 02/10/2013 18:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Opalite · 02/10/2013 18:18

There are thousands of jobs in each area for all the school leavers dontcha know Confused

Stravy · 02/10/2013 18:18

'You can start your own business in any part of the country.'

Yes. All those pesky unemployed homeless under 25s should just start up businesses.

As what? What business has zero start up costs.

Lj8893 · 02/10/2013 18:19

There are many own businesses which don't require start up capital; cleaners, window cleaners, gardeners etc etc

And the income after just one month of these businesses offer enough to live off?