To ask you to object to this? Pre-paid benefits cards

[LuisSuarezTeeth]

a step too far

We're talking about human beings.

Thanks Arsenic and those that have already signed.

Signed and tweeted

Signed it! It's disgusting. I can't believe only 628 people have signed it!

Will sign this. More demonization of the poor. Clearly those on benefits are feckless bastards who neglect their children and refuse to get a job...

I don't believe the painfully thin pretense that it will only be used for a small minority of benefit users. They will trial then roll out. Between this and workfare, benefit claimants are really screwed.

signed.

can't believe thus is even seen as a viable option. .

it's@ awful .

random @ there, not sure how that happened

this not thus!

I give up

Thank you. Signed and shared

Well over a thousand signatures now

Signed. Its disgusting.

signed
Interesting comment from Suzanne Moore in today's Graun here

Signed

Signed.

Just read that Jam

Prepaid cards are designed soley to reduce the tiny margin of choice that the poorest have.

Agree with this.

Signed

Signed. I was discussing this proposal this morning with a group of mums. Most of them were horrified, but one if them declared "well I think it's a good idea. Benefits shouldn't be a lifestyle choice. And you can walk to town it's not far" well no its not far for me, but I'm not everyone.
I then pointed out that she was on benefits, her response? "Well it won't affect me coz I get dla" well that's ok then. As long as you're alright! Ffs.

It's a trending petition now on the home page of e-petitions.direct.gov.uk.

I can see this creating some type of obvious and defined class separation. With one sector of society without access to actual cash, what, realistically would happen? No 50p in an envelope for class contributions. No subs for Brownies. No bus fares.
Social isolation for the children of people who happen to be on benefits.

Signed.

Signed.

Praying this lot get chucked out next year ...

Me too fluffyraggies.

signed, horrified.

most of my kids' toys and clothes are second hand because it's cheaper. wouldn't be able to do that if I had only a supermarket card to buy things with

(kids need toys, it stimulates their brains)

Signed. Thank you for this.

how would it work though? when we were unemployed we had to have internet if we didn't we would risk a sanction as we were not doing enough to maximise our chances of work a car (which has just failed its mot BASTARD!) so he can get to interviews etc (no we were not given a bus pass because he has a drivers licence) phone again for jobs would we be able to pay for that on jsa? or is it just food/clothing we can have admittedly its not effecting us at the moment but his car has just failed the MOT and unless we can get it sorted we are back unemployed again he needs it for work

I am not going to sign it because I am not 100% sure it is a bad idea. I don't think supermarkets are massively expensive, I spend £44 a week in tesco for 4 of us, we have meat 3 times a week, and vegetarian based meals 4. And whilst I do agree that cash is needed for little things I think that the government will take this into account.
I receive tax credits, these only pay for food and savings, and let's be honest I shouldn't be able to save from benefits - that shows that in our circumstances they are too generous (note I said our circumstances, not anybody else's). I would not feel ashamed to use a pre-paid benefit card - as long as food is bought it doesn't matter how.
I know mumsnet automatically think everything a Tory government do is wrong , but really, shopping in Tesco because that is where your vouchers are for isn't
that bad.
I am all for protesting where it is due, (Disabled people forced to work, bedroom tax, wages frozen for public sector workers) but this really isn't that bad. And I honestly don't think the two Eds would do anything differently.

Except if it costs a bomb to get to te nearest Tesco. So far, they don't deliver.