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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

"Benefits are a lifestyle choice for so many these days"

999 replies

Bellerina2 · 09/03/2015 11:31

I'm on the bus and two women behind me are having a long conversation about perceived benefit cheats and one of them just said the above phrase. WIBU to hit her over the head with a rolled up copy of the Guardian??

But seriously, it's so depressing that people think this. Well done to the government and likes of the Sun and Daily Mail for convincing people that those on benefits are leading some sort of charmed life Sad

OP posts:
ilovechristmas1 · 17/03/2015 10:52

they are my circumstances NOT everybodys,i have to make that clear

things can differ from person to person,i think that has to be remembered

Armchairathlete · 17/03/2015 10:53

So you have no mortgage and get your council tax paid by the taxpayer so effectively you have £2k a month ?

I am flabbergasted, And some of you genuinely wonder why most of us are utterly and completely fucked off with the system?

Armchairathlete · 17/03/2015 10:54

Woudl you earn as much working full time, Ilove? Remember this is tax free so you'd need to be on about £40K to rake that in.

Can you see how fucking hideously infair it all is? Can you see why so many benefit bash when you are raking in £40 k a year?

SunnyBaudelaire · 17/03/2015 10:55

"I am flabbergasted,"
really is your flabber gasted?
How naive! What on earth do you think people live on?
Personally I get about £1250 a month plus whatever I earn on top.

ihategeorgeosborne · 17/03/2015 10:56

We have way less than 2k a month after mortgage and council tax and dh is a HRT payer!

ilovechristmas1 · 17/03/2015 10:56

no i could not earn that fulltime

Armchairathlete · 17/03/2015 10:57

No, you're right Sunny.

Although both you and Ilove have bolstered the anti argument beautifully telling us how much you rake in from the tax payer.

Armchairathlete · 17/03/2015 10:59

Didn't think so Ilove.

Waiting for people to come along and defend a 2 K a month TAX FREE handout. taps feet .

SunnyBaudelaire · 17/03/2015 11:00

lol do you not think I would like to just take a job and pay my way?
As I have previously pointed out, it was a government decision that work would no longer pay. People financially dependent on the govt are controllable.

Armchairathlete · 17/03/2015 11:01

Sunny I'm flabbergasted that anyone can defend such an obscene system, actually. But hey, enjoy it whiel it lasts. It won't. And threads like this are read by floating voters , I'm glad to say Grin.

Armchairathlete · 17/03/2015 11:02

So why don't you work, Sunny?

Viviennemary · 17/03/2015 11:02

I thought everyone had to pay some Council Tax. This is what I don't understand. Some people having so much money and others having to go to foodbanks. That's why the system needs to be changed. I support the changes to the benefits system.

ilovechristmas1 · 17/03/2015 11:02

well in the other breath i could say atleast im not claiming HB approx £1000 a month here,as i dont rent or mortgage

im just stating my circumstances,i no it will make people angry of course and people will be spitting as ive said what i get i expect that and would probably think the same if the boot was on the other foot

SunnyBaudelaire · 17/03/2015 11:02

was I defending it? NO.
Stop making stuff up.
Which government do you think planned all this?

SunnyBaudelaire · 17/03/2015 11:04

Armchair I do work, that is my point, those are 'in work' benefits. Why don't YOU work?

ilovechristmas1 · 17/03/2015 11:04

i did pay council tax when i was on esa,£20 a month but when i was awarded PIP they said i didnt have to pay it anymore

Viviennemary · 17/03/2015 11:06

I see in work benefits. I expect some of it will be for childcare then. You haven't really been very clear. You implied you didn't work.

Armchairathlete · 17/03/2015 11:06

I agree sunny I loathe Labour. They entrapped the poor like ilove onto a lifestyle on benefits they couldn't possibly earn.

But all the benefit claiments continue to vote Labour EVEN THOUGH they have said they will also make benefit cuts and not reverse Tory changes.

That said, If I were in some people's shoes right now I'd start looking for a job, sharpish.

Armchairathlete · 17/03/2015 11:07

I run my own business from home sunny. Both DH and I are not only higher but top rate taxpayers.

Armchairathlete · 17/03/2015 11:09

And I'm assuming you work part time, sunny?

SunnyBaudelaire · 17/03/2015 11:09

I am sorry if that is what you inferred from my post.
What I said at 10.55 was clear enough I thought.
No none of it is for childcare, it is a combination of WFTCV,. CTC, CB and HB.
What I said was that may have confused you is that 'I would love to just take a job and pay my own way' - what I meant was wouldnt it be great if having a job meant you could support your family. but it doesnt.

SunnyBaudelaire · 17/03/2015 11:10

yes that is what I do as well armchair.

Viviennemary · 17/03/2015 11:18

Sorry I think I got two posters or maybe more, mixed up. Blush

Dawndonnaagain · 17/03/2015 11:20

ESA £180 a week including all related premiums

PIP £82 enhanced care a week
Armchair see these two here, they are payments specifically for someone suffering with a disability, so there you are, making judgements about people with disabilities, which of course nobody on this thread does, because it's not about that.

Dawndonnaagain · 17/03/2015 11:22

and it's 24k. Not 40. Just because it pleases you to include tax. You do know that benefits are taxable, don't you, Thatcher did that.
But you just accuse someone who is in receipt of disability payments of raking it in, why don't you. How do you think Ilove feels now?