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AIBU?

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Original poster

to be incensed by this

204 replies

TheStripyGruffalo · 05/10/2015 19:03

The government is right to press ahead with cuts to tax credits - despite claims millions will be worse off - because the UK must become as hard working as China, Jeremy Hunt has said. The health secretary said the cuts - combined with a higher minimum wage - would send out the right "cultural signal" to low paid workers. And he said he did not "buy" claims people would be left out of pocket.

(source BBC politics website)

I am furious about this, I work for the government and don't earn enough to pay income tax so will not be better off by the tax allowance rises. My employer can't afford to increase my hours and I am paid the same hourly rate (give or take a few pence) that I was when I started the job 10 years ago but my working hours are less as there have been major cut backs. I earn over the living wage but only just so won't benefit from the increase. I will lose over £1500 a year when the tax credits cuts come in.

Jeremy Hunt is being so offensive and downright unpleasant.

OP posts:
Osolea · 05/10/2015 19:11

The problem you are describing isn't the cuts to tax credits, it's the fact that wages haven't kept up with inflation.

Like you, I work in the public sector and my hourly rate hasn't gone up in years. I think that's unfair, but I don't think anyone has the right to complain about getting less in benefits if they don't work full time.

I haven't heard what Jeremy Hunt said, but I agree with cuts to tax credits

Releaseasongbird · 05/10/2015 19:17

Agree with osolea

QueenStromba · 05/10/2015 19:23

Tax credits are the reason why wages haven't kept up with inflation. Nobody needs to pay people enough to live on because the government makes up the difference. It's going to be difficult to reverse it but blame Labour for this mess, not the Tories.

LunchpackOfNotreDame · 05/10/2015 19:25

What osolea and stromba said

wasonthelist · 05/10/2015 19:37

Yanbu Hunt's remarks were extremely offensive to all the people working hard and being kicked in the teeth for doing the right thing. As for him extoling the virtues of his Chinese wife and telling us we all have to learn to work as hard as the Chinese and the Americans (as if loads of people don't already), he can, as I belive the vernacular on here has it, fuck off to the far side of fuck.

I think the policy of jacking up wages to replace tax credits is a good idea in principle. Taking thousands a year off low earners overnight is just plain vindictive and nasty.

CatMilkMan · 05/10/2015 19:37

Yabu, calm down.

InimitableJeeves · 05/10/2015 19:44

I wonder when Hunt might think it appropriate to send out a "cultural signal" to tax evaders? After all, his government has had five and a half years to do so.

HesterShaw · 05/10/2015 19:45

Who the hell wants to work as hard as the Chinese? A country where depression and alienation is rife?

MinecraftWonder · 05/10/2015 19:46

I agree with the first couple of posts and, in the main, also agree with the cuts.

I think the comments about the cultural message are fair enough too tbh - which I assume to mean 'If you work PT, don't expect to be provided with the same income as someone working FT'.

Like it or not, some (many?) people do make an active choice to work PT because TC's will top them up so much. That shouldn't be a choice IMO...if you want PT work, you accept PT wages.

InimitableJeeves · 05/10/2015 19:47

Actually, the policy would be fine if it were accompanied by a realistic increase in the minimum wage and strong action in relation to zero hour contracts. But the reality is that he's going to be heavily lobbied by employers whinging that they can't afford an increase in the minimum wage, and by his own party who won't like the fact that this will result in prices going up which is electoral trouble from them, and I strongly suspect that if the minimum wage goes up at all it won't reflect the tax credit loss. All of that will inevitably result in real hardship which is going to affect the most vulnerable, in particular children.

CantAffordtoLive · 05/10/2015 19:50

But what do you do when your employer does not give you enough hours so that you can earn enough to live on? I am a carer, a hugely responsible job and, to be honest, at my age, I don't feel able to hold down two jobs. I've had enough. Some people my age are claiming their pension, but I'm not able to. :(

LumpySpacedPrincess · 05/10/2015 19:50

I knew this would be about Jeremy Hunt before I opened the thread, his
comments are truly vile. My friend also works for the government full time and will lose £1300 which will affect the life of her and her child.

CatMilkMan I am assuming you will be unaffected by the cuts?

wasonthelist · 05/10/2015 19:50

Minecraft - if he meant what you said why didn't he just say that?

Bohemond · 05/10/2015 19:51

The minimum wage increase has already been passed by parliament therefore is not subject to lobbying.

wasonthelist · 05/10/2015 19:54

And if the problem is part-timers why not adjust the tax credit system to take account of hours worked and zero hours contracts instead of just slashing overnight - these people aren't exactly living the high life are they?

Norest · 05/10/2015 19:54

Actually it was this part of Hunts comments -

Dignity is not just about how much money you have got ... Officially children are growing up in poverty if there is an income in that family of less than £16,500. What the Conservatives say is how that £16,500 is earned matters. It matters if you are earning that yourself, because if you are earning it yourself you are independent and that is the first step towards self-respect. If that £16,500 is either a high proportion or entirely through the benefit system you are trapped. It is about pathways to work, pathways to independence. It is about creating a pathway to independence, self-respect and dignity.

(www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2015/oct/05/george-osborne-announces-cut-price-lloyds-bank-share-sale-politics-live)

Which I thought was the most offensive.

wasonthelist · 05/10/2015 19:56

I am unaffected by these cuts, but I don't want it done in my name, and I certainly don't want us to be culturally more Chinese or American, thanks. What an arrogant out of touch tosser he is.

Norest · 05/10/2015 20:00

Also what of those who can't work more hours due to contracts, chldcare issues, health issues and so on?

Single parent families or those who are working hard even with health conditions come to mind.

I read those comments today after a long and bloody painful day at work with knee pain that had me yelping for much of my day, (I work an extremely physical job), coming home to parent solo, minus any help, and thinking of more ways I can possibly squeeze more hours in as well as keep on parenting effectively, whilst also searching each week for more and more childcare..and it made me want to cry. Implying people like me lack self-respect and dignity for not working a full 40 hours (if it matters I am not far off that many weeks, and I will be adversely affected by Tax Credit cuts), when in a situation like mine, which is far from unique? Feels like a kick in the cunt.

I work my ass off. Every single day.

elementofsurprise · 05/10/2015 20:03

I loathe the constant narratve that we should all be "working harder". Why should we? Especially when someone else is getting rich off the backs off our effort (that's why the ruling elite want us to work more and forget quality of life.)

We already lack enough 'work' for everyone to have a full time job - should we invent more, tha doesn't really need to be done? What's the point?

They can fuck off with their cruel, sickening narrative that anyone who wants to spend time with family, care for others, or just enjoy being alive without someone benefitting finacially for a moment, is doing something wrong.

Work to live, not live to work.

bigbuttons · 05/10/2015 20:04

I am one of those who will miss out. Work for shitty wages as a TA, nearly full time, still am not earning enough to pay taxes. Will be clobbered by the tax credit cut. What about people like me then?
Single parent with young children so am restricted by the work I can do. Ex doesn't pay me a penny.

Maisy313 · 05/10/2015 20:05

I would happily but jerermy cunt to work in a Chinese sweat shop for the rest of his life.

bigbuttons · 05/10/2015 20:06

fucking dignity is not paying extremely hard working people a pittance just because you can get away with it.

YakTriangle · 05/10/2015 20:14

A gradual lowering of the threshold would have been much fairer for people. Cutting it by this much all in one go is going to totally fuck people over, but that's exactly what they want. And then they can say it's your own fault, you're simply not working hard enough. Because men and women who work all the hours they can get in shops, or care jobs, or cleaning etc don't count as those 'hard working families' they promised to help.

MinecraftWonder · 05/10/2015 20:16

Minecraft - if he meant what you said why didn't he just say that?

Well unless I've massively misinterpreted the comment, what other meaning could there be?

TinklyLittleLaugh · 05/10/2015 20:17

The really infuriating thing is that the people harping on about, "independence, self respect and dignity" are largely living high on the hog on money from Daddy's business, (looking at you Gideon) and all their lovely contacts and leg ups, and the only "independent" thing they have ever done is their school.