Skint Britain: Friends without Benefits on C4

[amrscot]

Is anybody else watching this?

One of the couples take their dog out to hunt rabbits and squirrels that they can eat.

They've just shown him with a dead rabbit he has caught skinning it in the kitchen

Horrendous..

I'm only peed off at the moment at the government saying I have to claim UC to look after my dad and making me wait TOO LONG for it to come through
BTW, agree a 100% on this. This is the one asprctvof UC that I found absolutely appauling.

Madein1995. That’s because they’re not interested. It’s far easier to just sit around and moan about your bad luck and misfortune and criticise everyone else for trying to improve their lives than it is to actually get off your backside and try.

Very, very few people have everything simply handed to them. The vast majority of those who have their own homes, good jobs and a nice lifestyle have worked incredibly hard to get where they are and continue to do so. They have to prioritise their mortgages, bills and childcare and very often will also be prioritising paying into pensions and savings so that they don’t rely on state pension and care when they’re older and so they have a contingency to fall back on if they’re ill and can’t earn or if they’re made redundant and have to continue paying their bills whilst they source a new job.

Once they’ve prioritised all of those things, what’s left over may go towards a night out or a takeaway or getting your nails done but not before...that’s often the difference.

And they do all of that because in their mind there’s no question that anyone else is responsible other than themselves. Instead of criticising those people and trying to reduce everyone down to the lowest common denominator, how about trying to emulate their drive and success instead?

Someone said upthread that the most successful businessmen haven’t made all their money by themselves as if that was something to criticise. Of course they haven’t, but ultimately the risk, the financial investment, the stress etc all fully rests with them and on the way they’ve provided employment for many and contributed to the economy. But, yeah, let’s just bash them instead because we’re envious of what they have achieved.

I’m 100% behind anyone who needs support from the benefits system due to illness, disability or the elderly. I’m just not an advocate of benefits as a lifestyle choice because time and time again it’s proven that with hard work and tenacity you can change your future if you really want to. Too many people just look for easy reasons why they ‘can’t’ do something, why it won’t work for them or why it’s just too difficult.

Unfortunately, threads like this do nothing to dispel the labels of ‘Benefit Britain’, it simply reinforces it.

However, refereeing to 'Landlords' as whole when the above applies to only 7% is building a hatred of all Landlords

Well done, someone finally spotted it, you win a gold star.

I purposefully lump all landlords in to one group because that's exactly what happens to benefit claimants, not necessarily you personally, but how many times has Helena points out UC is not an out of work benefit?

The unemployed make up a small fraction of benefit claimants, the ones with no intention of woking make up an even smaller fraction of that and fraudulent claims an even smaller fraction of that. Yet every thread about benefits is always the same.

They, those people, Scroungers, non contributers, taking my hard earned etc etc etc.

People like Steve up there lumping every Claimant together, whether they're intelligent and just down on their luck or they've never worked and sit about drinking rockstar all day.

So why is it for for the 'Haves' to lump all of the 'have nots' into one mass of 'othered' people?
It isn't.... But very few of the 'haves' will ever look at figures and facts and research their information, they believe the media, they believe the government. They fall for this idea that there's millions of scum bags having kids and not working..

Or as Steve up there put it.. "a generation of people"
Since when he a small fraction of a small fraction of a small fraction been a "Generation" of people?
Yet he believes it, he lumps everyone together, he buys it's into the rhetoric.

Then long comes some nameless internet poster, starts lining landlords together and uses the same language to describe them as people have used to describe the benefit claimants.

Guess what happens then? Well other posters don't Ike that, they're landlords they're not scum, they're not like the other landlords... And here's the research to prove it.. here's facts and figures that show it.. so the unknown poster in the internet site back, continues to do what the haves do and ignores facts figures and continues the rhetoric.

All landlords are scum, drains on society, they just take take take..
Noone really spots that is exactly the same language used to describe benefit claimants.. the landlords just get madder and madder..
Finally another poster says along the lines of,
"How can you lump all landlords when only a small number are bad"
And the unknown inter net poster says...

"How can you lump all benefit claimants together when only a small number are bad?"

God bless everyone.. it's a lovely day, I'm just heading out to the homeless shelter at my church to help the ladies in the kitchen prepare the evening meals. It's never much, but a bowl of stew and a roll accompanied by a willing ear is often everything to some people.

Have yourselves a fab day, do something positive, laugh, help your neighbour, have a drink and realise that no matter how bad you have it right now, some one not very far away, has it far worse than you.

To those who think 'hard work' magically pulls you off benefits and out of poverty here's my schedule for this week:

Monday: Work 7am - 6pm, online study 8pm-10pm
Tuesday: College 9am-12am (lunch, food shop, dog walking) college 4pm-8pm, work 9pm-7:30am
Wednesday: College 1pm-8pm, online study 10pm-11pm
Thursday - college 9am-11am, cleaning, online study, dog walking, Caring for my gran 5pm-9pm, online study 10:30pm-11pm
Friday college 9am-2pm, work 3pm - 11pm
Saturday - dog walking soon, shower and then online study until 2pm, work 3pm-9:30pm
Sunday: Work 7am-9pm
Monday: Work 7am-2pm

I will be moved to UC when they make the full switch or if my circumstances change. I can't afford to live. At the end of each month I live off my credit card for 'luxuries' like gas and cut back on everything else.

Tell me, how can I work harder to improve my lot? And yes, I damn well do think I deserve the same luxuries as someone who doesn't claim UC. I think I deserve to know I have enough gas to keep us warm and fed, I think I deserve to know I can afford my food shop every week and not just the first three weeks after being paid, I think I deserve to be able to treat my kids on their birthdays and have the chance to save towards a holiday once every two years - it doesn't have to be a fancy holiday, a weekend in a flea ridden B&B in Whitby would suffice. I think I deserve the luxury of a small cushion of savings, say up to £1k.

@Dorsetdays

Got it. The 40 hours a week I work and earn, paying tax etc are worth fuck all because I have a low income and still need some TC soon to be UC to live (luxuries like clean clothes, food and paying council tax etc)

It's great you feel people like me didn't try hard enough to not get a mental illness that put my life on hold for 10 years (and no drugs or alcohol involved, just plain old mental illness I'm afraid brought on by abusive step father) and kept me from 'working hard enough' and therefore am still in the same type of job I was in my twenties.
That I didn't try hard enough to not need my appendix or gall bladder removed in an emergency that put me in debt because if you don't work in my kind of job you don't earn anything (SSP is around 50% a week of what I earned then) but guess what - everyone still wanted paying.
That I didn't try hard enough not to get arthritis and realise my current job will be physically impossible in 5-10 years time and use birthday and Christmas gifts from family to pay for further education so I can move into something less physical.
That I didn't try hard enough to stop my daughter's father losing his mind because of what he saw on active service in the army and therefore coming home a mess, unable to work because he didn't know what day it was half the time. I'll tell him you think he didn't try hard enough, I'm sure he'll think on that as he fingers the scars on his body, and deals with the ones in his mind.
That I didn't try hard enough to just leave my daughter to her own devices, or with a father unable to care for himself, never mind a child, so I could work more, when childcare is shut.

Although not everyone is in my position, how could they be, we're all different, had I not had all those things happen I'd be in a very different place now, but hey it's all my own fault because I didn't try hard enough.

I'm exhausted after work, I get paid a pittance, but it's a job. I try every day to cut back, to save a few quid here and there, to plan for the future, to not get sucked back under by this thing in my head that wants to consume me - because as you say it's my responsibility. But according to you none of that matters because I just don't try hard enough.
I can't try any harder, on balance I probably try harder than you to deal with what's thrown at me, but for me it's not resulted in a nice house and wonderful relationship and we'll paying job. I make the best of what I have and try again. But nope not good enough for you!
And you don't even care how soul destroying it is for someone who tried and still does to hear that do you? How it makes you think what's the fucking point, I could give in now because I'll be called and told exactly the same thing as you're saying now.

We're people you know, human beings like you, us benefit scroungers.

I can't remember the last time I had my hair cut, and even if I could afford my nails done it'd be pointless because they'd be wrecked by my job.

I have however just bought some bacon, reduced because it goes out of date tomorrow, it's for me to eat before I go on 12 hour night shift to keep me going. If you pm me your bank details I'll transfer the £1.83 it cost over so that you don't feel like you're paying for a lazy scrounger to have anything half decent with your hard earned tax.

Frequency. Not sure anyone’s saying you aren’t doing those things so I’m not sure why you’re taking it so personally?

We could all post an example of our week on here and you’d soon see that you’re absolutely no different to millions of other people who are all the doing the same but consider it perfectly normal. What you’ve described is a full time job, study and caring for your Nan for 4 hours per week. Do you know how many people do all of that with a family as well?

On your second point I agree with you about the basics however, nobody ‘deserves’ to have savings, to go on holiday etc. You have to earn those like everyone else.

@Frequency

I live between Hartlepool and Whitby, have a spare room, walking distance to the beach and some lovely countryside, you'd be welcome to a week here on holiday! You sound like a lovely person!

I disagree. I think anyone working fulltime is entitled to more than the bare essentials needed to survive. And is work not 'earning'?

Brilliant idiot. Another one who’s looking for something that isn’t there? I’m assuming you didn’t read my post as I quite clearly said I fully support anyone who is ill, disabled etc who needs benefit support.

Yet you’ve chosen to ignore what I actually wrote just so you can be personally offended. Just for clarity, my comments clearly didn’t include you or your DH if you are both ill/disabled so please don’t look for reasons to be offended when they’re not there.

Frequency. I think that clarifies the difference, I genuinely don’t think I ‘deserve’ holidays, luxuries etc. I’M responsible for funding those if I can and if I can’t I either choose to suck it up or try and do something about it.

WeeTinkerMonkey I'll add one more element to your sensible plan to eliminate BTL of the cheapest houses.

Offer housing benefit in the form of an interest-free mortgage with a much more relaxed lending criteria for borrowers whose credit is in tatters.

This is how my mum got us out of the poverty trap in my home country. If I'm remembering correctly we were even given a year's grace before beginning the repayments. To actually own a home that we could afford, that no-one could boot us out of, and to have a year to recover financially and psychologically from poverty was a complete turnaround.

As reanimatedSGB says, our money trickled up, going straight into the local economy as we slowly bought appliances from the small hardware shop, hired tradies for the big repairs etc.

It's not such a different principle to council housing but doesn't require the massive undertaking of rebuying/rebuilding former council housing stock

@Dorsetdays

I'm not ill or disabled though - perhaps you need to read what I wrote.....

Nor do I have a DH, I couldn't cope with his problems as well as my own, can see how it could come over that way though.

And I'm offended by this

It’s far easier to just sit around and moan about your bad luck and misfortune and criticise everyone else for trying to improve their lives than it is to actually get off your backside and try.

Pointing out that many of us do, but it's just easier to lump Anyone on benefits as someone who won't get off their backsides and try.

Very, very few people have everything simply handed to them. The vast majority of those who have their own homes, good jobs and a nice lifestyle have worked incredibly hard to get where they are and continue to do so. They have to prioritise their mortgages, bills and childcare and very often will also be prioritising paying into pensions and savings so that they don’t rely on state pension and care when they’re older and so they have a contingency to fall back on if they’re ill and can’t earn or if they’re made redundant and have to continue paying their bills whilst they source a new job.

Pointing out that people like me and Frequency, and thousands of others do just that. But because it's not led to a nice house and a fantastic paying job, it doesn't count. We work incredibly hard too, but who gives a shit, because it hasn't brought us what you think it should (or what I think it should for that matter!)

Once they’ve prioritised all of those things, what’s left over may go towards a night out or a takeaway or getting your nails done but not before...that’s often the difference.

Well, I don't have anything left, so I don't have those things.

And they do all of that because in their mind there’s no question that anyone else is responsible other than themselves. Instead of criticising those people and trying to reduce everyone down to the lowest common denominator, how about trying to emulate their drive and success instead?

We have, we do every day, but because different things befall different people, it's of no consequence. It's just assumed it's lack of effort, ambition and drive.

You're damned right I'm offended by your assumptions. You don't like the idea that some of us scumbags think you've had everything handed to you on a plate, that it's been easy. But apparently you're allowed to feel that way, but I'm not allowed to feel the way I do.
Why? Because I'm poor?

I’M responsible for funding those if I can and if I can’t I either choose to suck it up or try and do something about it

But that's my question. What can I do that I am not already doing to be able to afford those things, baring in mind that my zero hours contract states I must be able to work any hours between 7am and 11pm with 24 hours notice and I am not allowed to take on any work or study that will effect my availability without prior consent from management?

I was already at college when I took the job so I have permission for that but it has been made clear to me that further college study will not be approved, nor will part-time self-employment if it might effect my availability. I can study online as I fit it in between shifts.

Very, very few people have everything simply handed to them. The vast majority of those who have their own homes, good jobs and a nice lifestyle have worked incredibly hard to get where they are and continue to do so. They have to prioritise their mortgages, bills and childcare and very often will also be prioritising paying into pensions and savings so that they don’t rely on state pension and care when they’re older and so they have a contingency to fall back on if they’re ill and can’t earn or if they’re made redundant and have to continue paying their bills whilst they source a new job.

This shows an incredible lack of understanding of the reality of life for most people.
Almost everyone I know, rich and poor, prioritises mortgage/rent, bills and childcare. That is what budgeting means. And those with less money have to work harder at doing this.
Paying into pensions and savings depends on how much you earn. You have to have money left over to do this, and be able to put enough money in to make it worthwhile. So I have always paid into a pension, but it is going to give me about the same amount of private pension as a state pension credit would have given me. So it has not made me better off in spite of that. I also had savings, but way less than you would have. They all went quickly when my disability meant that I was in and out of hospital and was not entitled to paid sick leave. I now have no savings.

And I did not realise until MN how clueless so many well off people are about the realities of life for ordinary people. No wonder some think they can give out totally useless and irrelevant advice to supposedly help poor people.

@Brilliantidiot
☕️🍰 This is for you. I hear you.
@Dorsetdays
There are no words unfortunately.

@BrilliantIdiot, thank-you, that's very kind of you. We're going away this year. My gran is funding a cottage for the entire family, so we're okay this year. It's our first holiday in three years (Gran funded the last one too).

@MiGi777

Thank you, it's just so frustrating isn't it. Coffee and cake very welcome!

@Frequency

Good, I'm glad you're getting away, despite what others think you deserve it. Enjoy 🌞

frequency I know how hard it is working a Flexi or 0hr job. It's hard, you don't get proper holidays, you can never make plans, you can never rely on the same wage. I wasn't so bad as I lived at home but colleagues with homes and children struggled. Most of us have left now.

I know it's not as easy as just getting another job. Job hunting can be a full time occupation! But it is easier to look for another job while you're already in one, mainly because you already have money coming in so the pressure is a bit less. I looked for jobs for a year until I finally got one I liked and felt secure. I would really recommend the civil service for stability. They usually offer fixes term contracts, however there are some permanent, and once you've done 6months you can apply internally and there's always lots of jobs.

CS is great. The Flexi, reduced hours etc is good and theyre fine with medical appointments and courses etc, in fact you choose your hours pretty much so you can choose to start early and finish way one day, then start late and finish late the next for eg. I'd really recommend looking on civil service jobs

@Brilliantidiot
Yes. Its very hard to appreciate someone else's reality if you haven't experienced it personally but STILL.....

I am applying for other jobs in the beauty industry and in the NHS. Civil Service is harder. I can't take on a temporary job. I am on my own with two kids to feed and house and get very little financial support from anyone else to care for them. I have rang my ex-H when I've been on the bones of my arse with nothing for dinner to give the kids. He got in his car and generously dropped off two manky sausages that I wouldn't even feed the dog, a head of broccoli that was already yellow and a bottle of vodka he found in the back of his freezer. I drank the vodka and bought a takeaway with his paypal. He changed the password shortly after that.

Oh and he took the cost of the takeaway off the whopping £80p/m CM the following the month. I got the vodka for free though.

Civil service ao is quite easy to get into - they took me on and I'm hardly the sharpest tool in the box 😀 it is tricky if you can't get a fixed term job, some of my colleagues did but again not all of them and I can see why permanent is better with children. They do advertise permanent jobs though too and there's always internal vacancies come up once you've passed probation. Getting eo grade and higher can be quite hard - I've failed god knows how many eo interviews- but as long as you learn the behaviours and tick the boxes, ao is obtainable. It depends what dept too. For eg HMRC is harder than DWP and DWP harder than the Welsh government. As long as you're ok on a computer and ok making calls and have good customer service experience, passing interview is easy

Good luck though with jobhunting 😀 I know the NHS opens management schemes every spring or summer and it's good pay

The NHS is my plan atm. I'm hoping to a do a degree via the OU once I've finished college next September. In the meantime I'm starting a HND in Business Management via the OU and doing as many distance learning courses related to Health and Social Care as I can feasibly manage. I finish fulltime college this June and go back this Sept part-time which work gave the go-ahead as it was already planned when they offered me the job but they're beauty qualifications (hair, make-up, fashion photography and nails) and beauty is an industry that's mostly self-employed. I can't risk self-employment when I have a fairly stable income atm but I'd already started the course(s), I figure I might as well see it through to the end.

But no one seems very interested, even after the posters have pretty much addressed every reason people put forward as to why that particular person couldn't volunteer

This is likely because ppl dont trust the DWP not to stop their money because THEY suspect it is paid work and will stop their money whilst they investigate.