To think it won't be long before we have workhouses again?

[MrsTawdry]

I really know very little about politics but I know that there's a proportion of people who love benefits bashing and love abusing those who receive housing benefit etc.

It occurred to me recently that one "answer" to the housing crisis might be a sort of "Housing Centre" ....basic blocks of flats sort of thing...where occupants lose a portion of their JSA in return for a roof...and from there it's a step to being given food vouchers as part of benefits and working on a voluntary basis....litter picking etc.

Could this happen? Could a government legislate and make this happen?

I bet that was haunting

IDS, Cameron and Clegg would happily see the plebs banged up and picking oakum or whatever the modern version of that is. Even if the OP here is a troll it is interesting to see there really are people in society who would be happy to bring back the workhouse. So long as it's called a housing centre.

I don;t think she is at all but yes it's depressing as hell. Miserable day on Mn full stop.

From what I've read of your posts, you are more than capable.

Bedroom Tax is another thing I haven't seen the LibDems screaming about. Twatbadgers.

Can't hurt to look.

I actually think we are heading for something worse, there are many disabled people who have died or killed themselves due to benefit changes/sanctions.

I think that is what the government wants.

I expect a move to stop people with disabilities having children will be next.

Funnily enough I was talking about this very subject recently, and yes I think a version of it could happen.
Having spent years in a fairly comfy bubble, I never knew life could go so tits up overnight, or that I would ever face such a scary future (I wont go into details but nothing of my own doing) at nearly 50. If it can happen to me it can happen to pretty much anyone here.
The expression that most people are only a paycheck or 2 away from disaster has never rung so true.
The future is terrifying. "EatshitDerek" I have often admired your writing too, I wish you well.

Arsenic who said I was a troll!? Just so I can set them right...and WHY would a troll post like this? Aren't they more interested in poo and things?

Some modern employment "contracts" are little different.

Hi OP, in regards to your question far far above:

"but what about the jobs which would have been available to others...for proper wages...? They'll be being done by people on benefits...so the companies or government will save money but there will be less work..."

I'm guessing you're unaware that 90 per cent of people in receipt of housing benefit are already in paid employment. That situation is already here. So what do you think should happen to them given your idea that people should do unpaid 'community' work instead. Are you suggesting they should be force to quit their jobs?

Tawdry 2.00.31 this morning.

Ilkley I think OP was replying to Sally's litter picking by JSA claimants suggestion.

Ilkley I don't think people should do unpaid community work! My ENTIRE THREAD has been theorizing on what MIGHT happen. Not what I WANT TO HAPPEN. FFS.

JOffrey Did you REALLY read my OP as my wanting the situation I sketched out to actually happen!? Really? I can't believe that a handful of people have read my OP and decided that I am someone who thinks this is a good idea!

It really beggars belief.

You do realise that the Labour party has signed up for the charter of budget responsibility, which states:

the cap on welfare spending, at a level set out by the Treasury in the most recently published Budget report, over the rolling five-year forecast period, to ensure that expenditure on welfare is contained within a predetermined ceiling

Only the Greens can save you now

What do you mean Carol by "You". ?

Yes I had to read the first post thrice, but all became clear after a while.

The early hours conversation probably takes a bit of reading, though, for those catching up.

Indeed, OnIlkeley. We get some housing benefit: husband works, I am a Carer.

The costs of either of us being made to do compulsory charity work would be large and also, rather stupid long term! They'd take away our planned route out of claiming. Yay, clever.

I used to do voluntary work in an elderly hospital (this is what it was called, it was 1987 or thereabouts and I was a teen). Apart from the sheer nastiness of having people who'd been raised in fear of the workhouse end up in the place they still saw as that, it was frankly a horrid building and place. So much so that it no longer exists.

I'm currently trying to get the cash together to do a course with work skills (I do have a degree but caring and the work it would lead to are incompatible, as is geography. Book keeping on the other hand could be done from home or with a local business). It's an absolutely uphill struggle, as the reduction for people on housing benefit has been ended and although cheap at £130, that's more than 2 week's Carer's Allowance. It seems rather short sighted doesn't it? There's an argument for people who have been away from the workforce due to caring responsibilities having access to a retraining fund to enable them to fit work around their role, but that's just too logical for politicians. Goodness, if paying for it is the issue give me a higher tax code when i do return to work: just let me find a way back!

I was thinking about the whole issue of people having to leave the South East, and it seems wrong. I am not there- in fact I am in one of the cheaper places to live in the UK. it's cheap for a reason: no jobs, very few amenities. We can't absorb people en masses. Unemployment here is already sky high and housing has a 30k waiting list. It would just a create a ghetto and a whole mess. that's even before you get to costs incurred by moving people away from carers (the ageing population time bomb should always be recognised), and basic ethics of forcing people away from family networks. Having amde this move myself before finding i'd be a Carer, I truly know how hard that is with no support network in place.

EatShitsDerek I did an Access before Uni, I am on a facebook group with you so if you ever want to chat about it just holler.

Derek....reading my OP back I see what you mean! It was late and I thought one set of "" was enough! Oh well. You know what I meant

We all know which side you're on Tawdry

OP OK, apologies for my mis-understanding, but as in your own words you did suggest these 'housing centres' as being an "answer" to the crisis it was an easy mistake to make by a bleary-eyed office bod who hadn't had enough coffee by that point

I'm still under-caffeinated (three hours' sleep! )

s all round?

perhaps politicians should have some kind of hostel where they go and stay if they have to be in town, where they could get tea and cakes at a good price.

ie no pied a terre in town, no relatives on the payroll and no alcohol on expenses.

I don't know if the Workhouse system will come to pass again. For one thing, they'd need money to build them.

I do however thing that times will become so tough for people on benefits with the cuts and rules that they will wish that there was somewhere that they can live with a roof over their heads and food to eat without the threats of eviction and benefit sanctions and the amount that benefits will one day become.

I can also imagine a time when the old and infirm will no longer be able to live in care homes and will have to live with family.