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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To ask what's the beef with benefits?

631 replies

mytartanscarf · 04/01/2015 14:33

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?

OP posts:
Dawndonnaagain · 04/01/2015 19:04

I've been in trouble a couple of times here over the years, but it isn't usually for providing evidence! Grin

Daisy, you're just showing yourself up, love, not me! My 'opinion' is backed with facts, shall we discuss yours?

MrsItsNoworNotatAll · 04/01/2015 19:06

Sooty I think your in for a long wait love.

ilovesooty · 04/01/2015 19:06

I've given my own time to help Derek review her CV Daisy

I know the efforts she's put into up skilling and job seeking.

What's your experience of employment and job seeking interventions? Go on. We're still waiting.

DaisyFlowerChain · 04/01/2015 19:09

Where did I say there should be no JSA? Not mentioned a number of children either, that should be limited naturally by the amount a person can financially and emotionally support in changing circumstances.

I'm all for a welfare state for those who can't do any type of work or short periods in between redundancy, that's what it should be there for. What I object to is choosing to live on them by choice, relationships break down all the time but it doesn't warrant a person incapable of working. Whilst there is a choice not to lots will take it. There are lots thigs taxes are spent on that people consider a waste whilst others don't.

As for sanctions before I disappear as jobs to do, of course mistakes will be made as people are human. Should be ban all cars as accidents happen. Of course not. Sanctions are there for a reason and I believe there is an appeals process and appeals rate of pay whilst the query is resolve if a person believes the sanction was invalid.

Interesting debate though, I wonder what other countries pay out and how long for. I think ours is one of the most generous.

Ilovesooty, it's an anonymous forum so giving out job details etc is not wise. It's not relevant to a debate anyway where everyone can have an opinion.

ilovesooty · 04/01/2015 19:09

Yes I'm sure I'm in for a long wait. The smug sanctimonious Daisy hasn't got any experience, knowledge or evidence. She knows fuck all. And she probably never will. Imagine the poverty of imagination and poverty of empathy she's bringing her children up with.

ilovesooty · 04/01/2015 19:11

Nice cop out Daisy
You have nothing to offer the debate and we know it. Coward.

EatShitDerek · 04/01/2015 19:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DaisyFlowerChain · 04/01/2015 19:11

Last comment, Derek you know as little about me as I do about you. All we both have is words in a debate and posts on MN.

Leakingwellies · 04/01/2015 19:12

Daisy Is this thread about benefits in general or jsa/income support? The highest percentage of benefit money paid out is for state pensions. Does anyone have a beef with that?

In my case I found myself suddenly widowed last year and for the first time in my life I became entitled to claim benefits (child tax credits and widowed parenta allowance). Im now a single parent, I've got three kids to support and and yes I work so please make it clear who/what exactly you feel is the real problem here. We are not all skiving, workshy layabouts and I resent that people on benefits are all lumped together to be demonised and ridiculed.

Dawndonnaagain · 04/01/2015 19:13

Daisy I have reported your disgusting and abominable accusations regarding Derek to MNHQ. I sincerely hope they ban you this fucking time.

EatShitDerek · 04/01/2015 19:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsItsNoworNotatAll · 04/01/2015 19:13

If you had bothered to read the sanctions you'd see that they are totally unreasonable and unbelievably unfair but I suspect that you haven't.

LuisSuarezTeeth · 04/01/2015 19:14

Daisy I'm sure if you had backed things up with facts, it would be different. But you haven't.

Maybe time for a rethink?

Want2bSupermum · 04/01/2015 19:14

The problem with benefits is that there are perceptions and realities which are very different. My experience of benefits is limited to a few families with one or two of them needing more help and another couple needing less help. One family the single mother had 5 kids to 3 different men, two of whom she didn't marry or live with so she could get the max help. My friend from school lived in a 2 bed flat and she shared a bedroom with her sister. Her mother worked in minimum wage jobs during school hours. I would often share my tuck with her at the end of the month because there was no food left at home. Both situations were very wrong. I think those with lots on benefits might be working on a cash basis or just working out how to get the most out of the system.

ilovesooty · 04/01/2015 19:14

I do know about Derek

I know how seriously she's taking job seeking.

I'm helping her as much as I can.

You know nothing and as far as I'm concerned you're full of sanctimonious bullshit with no knowledge of what you're pontificating about.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 04/01/2015 19:16

Y.Y Dawn for reporting.

ilovesooty · 04/01/2015 19:16

I don't know what your previous username was, Daisy but you were evidently just as sanctimonious and unpleasant under that.

EatShitDerek · 04/01/2015 19:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ilovesooty · 04/01/2015 19:18

Absolutely, Derek

When you've succeeded she'll still be what she is.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 04/01/2015 19:18

Hi Derek.
Hope you're okay, what Daisy said was bang out of order.
Just letting you know you have all our support x

zeezeek · 04/01/2015 19:19

DaisyFlowerChain: do you work? Have you tried to get a job/change a job lately?

53Dragon · 04/01/2015 19:20

I work in social housing - around half of our tenants receive Housing Benefit. The vast majority of these people are either pensioners or low-paid workers. The 'benefits scrounger' exists but is in the tiny minority.
The real problem is the failure of employers such as warehouses and supermarkets to pay a living wage to anyone trying to fit working life around a family.
Where I live the average full time salary is supposed to be £27,000 but this is a 'mean' figure grossly inflated by high-paid workers, so the 'average person' earns far less. A privately rented 2-bed flat can cost about £900 per month so it's so big surprise that people need benefits.

MrsItsNoworNotatAll · 04/01/2015 19:22

Daisy has mostly likely never to have been in a situation where she's had to claim benefits of any sort and therefore has not the first clue of what it's like to have to need to do that.

Let's hope you never have to cos you'll be in for one hell of a shock.

expatinscotland · 04/01/2015 19:23

'Of course not. Sanctions are there for a reason and I believe there is an appeals process and appeals rate of pay whilst the query is resolve if a person believes the sanction was invalid.'

You don't get paid jack shit if you appeal and you know it.

ghostspirit · 04/01/2015 19:26

or daisy could be on full benefits. claiming everything possible. and just making a thread a debate... who knows