To ask what's the beef with benefits?

[mytartanscarf]

Do people think they are too little? That they should be more?

There's always a lot of upset on here about them - about how wrong the government are and how awful life is on benefits. I've never been on benefits so obviously can't judge. But what are the solutions?

I suppose I am asking what should the government do?

[mytartanscarf]

Blimey, it was a genuine question!

I was thinking the expense of childcare was one of the major problems for working parents? Also housing - right to buy being extended to people in employment.

But erm I'll get my coat



(and I'm on a diet so take your s back)

[WorraLiberty]

Maybe we should give beef with benefits but what would we do for the pescatarians vegans vegetarians and all religions and other animal farmers in someway discriminated by its provision?

But they're poor and everyone knows poor people don't matter.

They should eat their beef and be grateful...

[ilovesooty]

I defy Daisy to try a period of time on benefits and still think of them as a lifestyle choice. I wish people with smug ignorant views like hers would just fuck off.

And I've never been on benefits either.

[WorraLiberty]

Also housing - right to buy being extended to people in employment

Huh?

Employed people always had the same right to buy as anyone else

If you're unemployed, how could you buy a home?

[Dawndonnaagain]

[mytartanscarf]

Oh all right Worra goodness sakes, I used the wrong phrase.

I meant the key worker scheme being extended to people in all employment not just teaching, nursing and so on. Property is VERY expensive and it's a major problem, as is the cost of childcare.

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

Benefits are too much are they Daisy. Well go to a foodbank look them in the eye and say that.

[Cantbelievethisishappening]

I was thinking the expense of childcare was one of the major problems for working parents? Also housing - right to buy being extended to people in employment.

Have another look at the title of your thread.

[mytartanscarf]

I don't understand Cantbelieve?

[Eltonjohnsflorist]

The key worker scheme has been always been extended to all. It's called affordable housing. Different housing has different rules, that's all

[mytartanscarf]

Derek - I think the two are intrinsically linked because firstly, many parents with young children simply can't afford to work. That means if they are a single parent they are reliant on benefits and even those in couples will struggle. I work in a low paid job and there are women who are married but really, really struggle and need top-up benefits just to exist: crazy really.

With regard to housing, again, I think the two are linked although I agree the link is more tenuous. However, lack of council housing, costs of private renting, cost of buying a property - surely these are massive issues in terms of welfare?

At any rate, I don't really know what to say!

[mytartanscarf]

Thanks Elton. Just the same, people being completely priced out of buying or even renting is an issue I think.

[zeezeek]

I meant the key worker scheme being extended to people in all employment not just teaching, nursing and so on

How exactly is this anything to do with benefits? Surely this is the obvious consequence of an overinflated housing market mixed with low wages which means that many people have no chance of ever entering the housing market without help.

[fedupbutfine]

Those who think benefits pay too much should go on them for a few month

it's not long enough though, is it? I was fine on benefits for the first couple of months...it only really hit me when water started pouring through the kitchen roof and the washing machine packed up and the children needed new shoes and the car insurance was due and my hair needed cutting and I had finished all the odd packets and tins that accumulate at the back of the cupboard....then I really began to see just how difficult it was going to be in anything other than the short term.

The smugs who have never been near benefits will have plenty to fall back on for a month, almost like a fun holiday game of 'how little can we spend this month' rather than, you know, the daily long-term grind that so many people have to live with.

[mytartanscarf]

Zee - because if you are never going to own a home, never going to live anywhere decent, no matter how hard you work or how many hours you put in, it's discouraging and upsetting and easier to "give up".

I know at least one person who can't afford to work - primarily (though not solely) because of housing costs.

[Blackout234]

Have you ever tried living on a hundred pounds a week with a kid or two to feed? Benefits are too much are they?? tell that to the people using food banks. tell that to the single mums in bedsits who have to take out loans to pay for stuff like school jumpers. Tell that to the kids who cant go on school trips as there mums and dads dont have 2 pennies to rub together.
people watch too much channel 4 and 5 and read too much of the daily mail.

[ilovesooty]

The food banks where you now have to have an official referral and to which access is now questioned, monitored and restricted.

[26Point2Miles]

derek what do you mean the jobcentre is breathing down your neck?

[26Point2Miles]

And food banks? Is it really used mostly by those on benefits?.... Or the working poor?

[LuisSuarezTeeth]

Questions for Daisy

1. Have you ever been on benefits?
   
2. How do explain the thought process for this "lifestyle choice"?
   
3. On every single one of these threads you are repeatedly given evidence that benefits are not too high. You stand by this despite never providing your own evidence. Why?

[ghostyslovesheep]

people surviving on benefit worry more about paying gas bills and buying enough food than buying a house

maybe creating decent jobs with secure hours and a living wage would help more