To wonder why benefits should rise in line with inflation when no job is?

[Bananil]

Massively struggling with food prices and absolutely no chance the heating is going on for a long time yet. DH and I work full time but have not had a pay rise since before the pandemic and wouldn’t ask for one as our industry has taken a real hit. I can’t think of any jobs that are expecting a pay rise in line with inflation so why do much fuss about making sure benefits do?

the 50% you quote is mostly people receiving the state pension or child benefit.
I’m sure you don’t begrudge either, many other European countries give assistance to parents by altering their tax allowance for example it doesn’t come across like receiving a ‘handout’ but it is state help none the less.

Its right there in the name: working class …

My company gave a 4% rise in April and £500 on last months wage to help with the cost of living.

I work with some of the most vulnerable people in society. Some are incapable of work, getting £250 a month on UC. Their fuel bills are more than that.

I think the op sounds fed up and is lashing out.
It must be awful to be working hard and still struggling. The uk is generally a low income society. It's ridiculous that people working full time jobs need top up benefits. Why aren't jobs paying enough for people to live well?

Both mine are now diagnosed with 3 different disabilities. But because they can walk, see, hear and are in some ways independent they get nothing. ASD diagnosis doesn’t mean you’ll get DLA for your kids. Nor carers allowance. Most people with neurotypical teens don’t still have to do things like wash their hair, tie their shoelaces, take them to school etc. Things most teens can do. It limits the hours I can work as need to work around school times. But zero financial help nor support in any other form.
Even for those that genuinely need help, it’s very hard to get. The idea that anyone can just rock up and get benefits is laughable.

I wanna be aquatinted with designee clothing. Plz. No bitterness for those living such life.

And if you asked your mother who worked so hard in challenging circumstances to raise you alone if she would have appreciated some help, what do you think she would say?

@Labraradabrador do you think other people should suffer hardship because you personally have? Dont you think it would be better if women didn’t have to struggle like your mother did raising you. Surely it would be better to support people & their children. We can afford to.. wouldn’t you rather we helped as a society rather than continued making poor people and working people live he’s lives whilst that money gets given to people who are already rich? surely that’s better x

Local Housing Allowance has not gone up in line with rents. Bedroom Tax. Benefit Cap. Lack of social housing. Social rents are often at the maximum housing allowance rate. Benefits are supposed to be the minimum amount you need to survive, they no longer cover the basics. Two child limit. Foodbank donations are dropping as everyone is feeling the pinch, some are even closing due to lack of food.

Have I missed anything?

Because many people on benefits do work - do you genuinely not understand that?

Our benefits system is used to prob up a range of shitty employers who don't pay their employees a living wage.

So yes wages should rise along with benefits because believe it or not those who don't work don't deserve to starve and freeze and nor do their children.

I’m a single mum and have been on benefits at some points. However unless your dc are disabled (in which case you should be eligible for other benefits) you would be much better off doing some work. You could earn around £500 without affecting your benefits.

Are they very young? Is there a reason you are not working?

They are contributing you idiot. Half of U.K. households aren't unemployed- plenty of those will be working but not paid enough. Save your ire for the massive corporations who require the benefits system to prop up their wages.

Absolutely this, and I work with this exact group of people - care leavers trying to move on.

£256 a month for food shopping, clothes, water, gas, transport, a phone, electricity and any other bills after a life of trauma already.

Why the fuck would anyone complain about that?

Why don't you quit your job and get on those juicy bennies then? Why would you work your fingers to the bone if you don't need to? Get signed on girl!

Well the latest Tory advice op is to get a better paid job.....perhaps on top of the one you already have!

If wages were higher and contracts more secure, we wouldn't need benefits.

These threads always go the same way!! Always hating on the OP!
Benefits should be low for those

Posted too soon!! Sooooo.....

Benefits should be low for those who are choosing it as a lifestyle. So many people near me use them because they don't want to work, they get more than they would working and paying for childcare.

I never think the OP is having a pop at people that need to use benefits due to disabilities, carers

I am seeing people on benefits that currently having fuel bills that are more than what they get in benefits op, so how will they manage to pay their other bills or manage to buy shopping? This is no joke.

Thing is though if you don't provide the people at the bottom with an actual way to stay alive it costs more money eventually. Oh let's keep benefits below inflation, wait, why are there now people taling up thousands of hospital beds with severe infections from being exposed to the cold for several months on little food? Oh that's right because humans need basics to survive. Fuck me.

Ok let me help you out. I work with incredibly vulnerable families- I don't see what you are talking about although I'm not disputing it exists.

I've seen mums down to one meal a day, one mum trying to make her meal out of her kid's leftovers and a mum crying because after paying for necessities she didn't have enough left to 'treat' her kid to a specific treat food they'd asked for.

I see people stuck on zero hours contracts, people trying to find work but held back because of caring responsibilities, transport issues, disabilities, inflexible working hours, lack of employment in our area.

Is it so difficult to understand all our circumstances are different but most people are doing their best so let's not trying to work out who is the least deserving of help. I'm ok with accidentally helping a few benefit cheats if things improve even slightly for thousands of other families because ultimately we're supposed to pay our taxes to improve life for everyone in the country not just Tory donors.

But surely the problem is that the employers aren't paying enough for people to live on? Benefits are an absolute minimum to stay alive, they are not generous. Make businesses pay people enough to live on and watch how it changes things.

I have two children with additional needs. I feel the levels currently are perfectly fine for us, we are comfortable and stable. I'm a single parent too and fully reliant on "the system".

I’m not saying it’s always easy but if you are doing those things for your teenagers they should qualify for dla as you only need to prove an hour extra care needs compared to typical child there age to get lowest level. Do they have ehcp or back up info you can send in from school.

Most people on benefits can get a job (excusing some severely disabled and those of pension age). If they choose not to work then why should working people support that lifestyle choice? It’s sickening to see people able to go out during the week (admittedly with not a lot of money) when I’m stuck in front of my computer 40 hours a week.