Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Dawndonnaagain · 02/10/2013 20:50

No it isn't arethey it's trying to exclude another demographic. The language of this government is not one of help, it is one of degradation. The new policies are terrifying for some, kids and the disabled in particular. Take a look at this it is a myth that there are many, many people who have never worked. There are always some in every society, but would you not rather support the decent majority and accept that a small minority will fiddle the system, no matter which system. Or do you really want the poor, the disabled, the young to suffer due to a minority. I do include the disabled because they are apparently going to be included in the new scheme, so from next April, they too will have to attend courses, or attend at the job centre on a daily basis. Personally, I give it two weeks before dh is dead, at that rate. But hey ho, because 0.4% (the governments own figure) fiddle things, he's got to put up with it.

Opalite · 02/10/2013 20:53

Arethereanyleftatall what a load of shit! I don't think you have any idea about the job situation, its very very hard for a lot of people. There are young people who are depressed because they still haven't got a job... handing out endless CVs and applying to jobs without ever getting a reply

thewhitequeen · 02/10/2013 20:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Portofino · 02/10/2013 20:55

The only times in my life I have claimed benefits I was under 25. I was not living at home with parents on either occasion, and in the second case I was married and living in a house with a mortgage!

arethereanyleftatall · 02/10/2013 20:57

There's an anecdote about 3 students in KFC chatting about the lack of jobs about, with a sign above their heads saying 'help wanted apply within.' I believe that is true, there is an arrogance and entitlement with many brits.

Dawndonnaagain · 02/10/2013 20:59

But it is just an anecdote, that is all. You can believe what you like, but the Joseph Rowntree Foundation is accurate, peer reviewed research and it states that you are clearly wrong.

Opalite · 02/10/2013 21:00

Arethereanyleftatall, you honestly have no idea, as mentioned in this thread hundreds of people can apply for one job. I was recently told that 3000 people had applied for a job in my nearest city! Shock

Lj8893 · 02/10/2013 21:01

I'm 25 so have friends and acquaintances under the age of 25, and over 25. Within that group of people, the ones that don't work and have little or no intention to work are those over 25.
Obviously this doesn't apply to everyone, I'm just making a point that this blanket ban won't make a huge difference in taxpayers paying for those that don't work etc.

And arethey I may be wrong, but if your not working many hours then you aren't paying taxes yourself and therefore aren't really "paying for those that don't work etc"

thewhitequeen · 02/10/2013 21:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Portofino · 02/10/2013 21:02

Ex Dh and I both worked in the Port of Dover. Due to Eu rules changing in 1992 we were both made redundant at the same time. We weren't feckless scroungers. We had a mortgage, responsibilities. We were both under 25 at that point. Arethereany, what would your suggestion have been?

Lj8893 · 02/10/2013 21:04

portofino I have already asked arethey for suggestions for a similar situation.

She didn't respond to me so I'm assuming its because she had no clever ideas!

Lj8893 · 02/10/2013 21:06

arethere I meant

Portofino · 02/10/2013 21:08

Ha, if anyone had suggested we should go live with my MIL evil witch I would rather have died.

Portofino · 02/10/2013 21:09

Well the divorce would have happened sooner than it did certainly.

expatinscotland · 02/10/2013 21:11

'There's an anecdote . . .I believe that is true'

This speaks volumes about a person.

Portofino · 02/10/2013 21:12

I really do believe, that unless in HE, people over 18 should be considered as independent adults. Not the responsibility of their parents.

arethereanyleftatall · 02/10/2013 21:12

Sorry I'm a slow typer on my phone so am miles behind...
Dawndonna I can't open your link, I'll read it when I'm home in computer.
I said upthread that I don't think 25 is fair, rather x amount of years paying taxes in qualifies you for benefit. No amount of taxes paid, qualifies you for nothing.
L25638 don't worry I have been a net contribute for a very long time, though you're right I'm not now. We are as a family still net contributors.

MurderOfBanshees · 02/10/2013 21:13

Porto Agreed.

arethereanyleftatall · 02/10/2013 21:16

Sorry l2825 re no ideas. Ironically I'm working at mo and neither getting my jobs done, n or responding properly. are you talking ideas for you? What are you good at? Then, that.

Vev · 02/10/2013 21:17

KFC don't advertise that way at all, that is a lie.

I feel the Tories are digging a right big hole for themselves.

Most youngsters would like to work, if there was any industry for them to work in, shit deal they're having at the moment. I do think the youngsters are waking up to the importance of voting now.

thewhitequeen · 02/10/2013 21:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
pointythings · 02/10/2013 21:19

If the Tories were serious about getting young people into work, they would

  • Work to reduce economic inequality so that young people had something realistic to aspire to. This would include reducing the north/south divide.
  • Improve state education instead of selling it off to the private sector and leaving young people to be taught by unqualified teachers
  • Do something real about the cost of childcare
  • Really make it worthwhile to work, which would mean slackening the taper on Universal Credit enormously so that it took into account the cost of going to work, i.e. childcare, transport
  • Completely reform HMRC so that they pursue tax evasion by everyone instead of chasing down pensioners for a few £100s but making sweetheart deals with corporations
  • Completely reform the care system so that the young people who end up in it are in the care of highly trained, well paid, qualified professionals. This system works wonders in Scandinavian countries, where outcomes for care leavers are immeasurably better than they are here.

There's so much more, but this would be a good start. Unfortunately all of the above would mean that there would be no money to hand tax breaks to the already wealthy.

OP posts:
Lj8893 · 02/10/2013 21:21

Arethere My question was if I was under 25 and lost my job, had no savings etc. had rent of £600 a month and bills and living expenses. While I was searching, applying, interviewing for jobs, how would you suggest I paid my rent, bills and expenses?

arethereanyleftatall · 02/10/2013 21:22

Ah good point white queen. Apart from those ib dawndonnas situation then.

arethereanyleftatall · 02/10/2013 21:27

L25685 - I have also said upthread that I don't think under 25a should pay as much tax. So, stay at home, where possible, mostly will be possible, and save.