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AIBU?

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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:
Lj8893 · 02/10/2013 18:20

I've been thinking about starting my own business for a while, I didn't realise it was so easy Hmm

arethereanyleftatall · 02/10/2013 18:22

I'm speaking from my own experience. I leftwork to be a sahm 3 months ago. because my wages after tax didn't cover 2 x childcare. Felt bad cod I wasn't contributing financially. So I got a night job in the pub down the road. With the money I have bought a bouncy castle which I am now hiring out via a fb page and local marketing. I have 10 bookings so far.

MummyofIsla · 02/10/2013 18:22

You know what maybe i'll just nip and ask my neighbours if I can mow their lawns and clean the windows, thats sure to pay my rent and all the bills.

Lj8893 · 02/10/2013 18:25

And is that covering all your rent/mortgage, bills and living expenses arethere?

Stravy · 02/10/2013 18:27

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

No. They require start up capital.

You have to print flyers, buy equipment, travel, register with companies house, insure yourself. Unless you think that people employing totally inexperienced and unequipped people who they have never heard of, working in the black economy should be an official solution to unemployment.

ExcuseTypos · 02/10/2013 18:28

Sorry haven't read the full thread but the news reported that there would be no automatic right to benefits etc. So I presume people who have no other means of support would get some. Well I bloody hope so anyway.

gordyslovesheep · 02/10/2013 18:29

oh come and work with my NEET young people for a day - see the reality

oh and window cleaners, cleaners, gardeners need EQUIPMENT and a car or van

Stravy · 02/10/2013 18:31

So you started up a business with existing capital, because you were in employment, and now your 10 bookings cover all your basic living expenses and will continue to do so through the winter, and you have somewhere to store a bouncy castle because you aren't living on the streets.

I'm struggling to find how this is relevant to, say, someone who has been made redundant age 23, after paying tax and NI for 7 years and doesn't have enough money to live, let alone buy bouncy castles.

Alisvolatpropiis · 02/10/2013 18:33

He's an utter tosser.

I lost my job last year,shortly before I turned 24. At that point I had been in continuous employment since I was 16. That was whilst attending 6th form and university. I know lots like me the same age.

Original poster
pointythings · 02/10/2013 18:33

arethereany the clue is in your phrase I left work to be a sahm 3 months ago. Unless you are a single parent, that means you have a partner bringing in an income.

And in a lot of places, bar work is not easy to come by either - 100s of applicants for each job, and any self-respecting pub is going to prefer more mature people with experience. You sound very 'I'm all right Jack'.

OP posts:
arethereanyleftatall · 02/10/2013 18:44

I just think it's doable. That's all. With effort.

Stravy · 02/10/2013 18:44

Do you have to pay half fare to take a bouncy castle on the bus, like you do with dogs?

arethereanyleftatall · 02/10/2013 18:45

Good idea mummyofisla. Try it.

kilmuir · 02/10/2013 18:47

People will have paid into their pensions over many years, a few years of working from 18 to 25 does not put that much in benefit pot.

expatinscotland · 02/10/2013 18:47

'Waitressing, fast food outlets, cleaners etc don't require qualifications.'

Sure, that's why so many with degrees and college certifications are working in these roles. And cleaners, but of course, people are happy to let strangers into their homes with no checks, references, etc.

And you still haven't told us of this town you live in where jobs are plentiful. Where is this? Some of us are looking to move.

MummyofIsla · 02/10/2013 18:49

arethere it really frightens me that people with your mindset just might vote this tosser back into power. I assume your partner brings in a wage that's enough to cover your living expenses. How about try being under 25, living on the breadline because I assume you aren't from the way you are talking and lets see how long you last before claiming benefits.

LittleMissWise · 02/10/2013 18:50

DS1(18) is at home at the moment because he is applying for the Forces. He has a p/t job and does as many hours as he can. It would not be enough to live on if we weren't supporting him. He will go to Uni next year if he doesn't get in the Forces.

I have just looked on the Job Centre website to see what he could do within 20 miles of our house. There are 3 jobs. One is in a betting shop, on an apprentice shop assistant and the other a Saturday job in Boots.

This is a ridiculous idea of David Cameron. The first thing he should do is get rid of Workfare. Why he can not work out that one of the reasons that there is no fecking jobs is because he is merrily sending people to companies for free! I mean, why on earth would Tesco pay someone if they don't have to?

By the time I was 25 I was married and pregnant with my second child. What would have happened to us if DH had walked out?

I have just been discussing this with my two teens, DS1 said " he reminds me of someone who would have had a workhouse!" DS2(16) said "don't joke he's probably planning them!"

I have never been so scared of a group of politicians as I am of him and his cronies!

Lj8893 · 02/10/2013 18:50

So, say I'm 23. I lose my job. My rent is £600 a month, and bills and living expenses on top of that.

I have no spare cash lying around.

There are no jobs in my area, not that I can start instantly anyway.

arethereany can you give me some ideas of what I can do to make enough money quickly to afford all my expenses?

expatinscotland · 02/10/2013 18:51

'Felt bad cod I wasn't contributing financially. So I got a night job in the pub down the road. With the money I have bought a bouncy castle which I am now hiring out via a fb page and local marketing. I have 10 bookings so far.'

I'm sure that would pay rent in a shared house, your share of council tax, food, utilities and transport if you were on your own without that partner there for you to perch on your high horse and throw out 'I think it's doable.' Sure is, if you have someone else supporting you bringing in the main income and to look after your kids whilst you earn a little pi money.

arethereanyleftatall · 02/10/2013 18:52

Collection only.

Stravy · 02/10/2013 18:55

It's doable, with capital and support and a not already over-saturated marketplace.

I get around 20 flyers a week from people offering to cut my grass, clean my windows and paint my nails. How many of them can adequately feed and house themselves on the scant bit of work they must get.

I've never hired a bouncy castle but I would suggest that you are lying if you are saying you can pay all your bills/rent/food from the profits and that you managed to live on fresh air while you were saving up for the damn thing.

LittleMissWise · 02/10/2013 18:55

A night job in a pub wouldn't pay the bills and buy your food etc!

LittleMissWise · 02/10/2013 18:56

DS2 (16) has a P/T job, he earns £4.28 an hour. How far do you think that will get him?

quoteunquote · 02/10/2013 18:59

Just when you thought they couldn't get any twonker, they manage to find yet another way to demonstrate just how stupid they are.

Someone needs to sit them down and have a chat, feeling are running high, there will be riots soon, there is only so far you can hurt people, before they snap.

DiamondMask · 02/10/2013 19:00

So arethereanyleftatall, your pub job did not have to cover rent, food, bills and childcare while you started your bouncy castle business. And your partner will no doubt pay those things during the slack winter months.

Easy peasy this business starting isnt it...