Page 2 | To wonder why benefits should rise in line with inflation when no job is?

Bananil · 2022-10-05T21:22:14+00:00

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?

GreenLunchBox · 05/10/2022 22:53

QueueEtwo · 05/10/2022 22:50

My god! What has this Country become! When we begrudge the most vulnerable people in society the very minimum!

A very hard, mean place. That Tory conference sums it up. They are the worst of us

EscapeRoomToTheSun · 05/10/2022 22:53

Because otherwise people will literally starve. Are literally starving. It is not the poorest among us faults that the tories have absolutely fucked us all while making a pretty penny themselves.

Scuttlingherbert · 05/10/2022 22:55

Because it shouldn't be a race to the bottom?

GreenLunchBox · 05/10/2022 22:55

NeverDropYourMooncup · 05/10/2022 22:52

Because they're intentionally set at the minimum possible for people to survive on. If it's now impossible for people to survive on £61/week, no matter how hard they try, then they need it increased.

You earn more than £61 a week. A lot more than £61 a week. You therefore don't need an increase to the heady sum of around £66.75 a week to stop you from actively dying.

tl;dr Don't be a twat.

I'd love to know how it's possible to live on £61 a week. Does this mean living in a cardboard box?
🤔

happyinherts · 05/10/2022 22:56

1 single parent adult not working, 2 children, £1400 UC per month, £800 to rent leaves £600. £600 for gas, electric, mobile phone, food and clothing. Electric & gas is £300pm on its own. It’s no life. No life at all, and it makes me so sad when people say things like “I’m sick of paying for others to live” most aren't living, they’re barely surviving.

But £1400 per month is more than a lot of people bring home from work and have to pay a lot of money for the privilege of going to work - transport costs, smarter clothes, contributions at work.

Going to work is stressful, and those at the lower pay scales are not being listened to.

The4teddybears · 05/10/2022 22:57

Devon01 · 05/10/2022 22:48

@Swizandswap
@The4teddybears

Wow, what wonderful citizens you are. Some people have worked hard all their lives and then for some reason, ill health for example, find themselves with no alternative but to claim benefits. Believe me, its not a position the majority of benefit claimants plan to be in and it leads to guilt and shame for many.

I take it if your circumstances ever change, ie your relationships split up, your left as single parents or one of you, God forbid, becomes ill, I presume you'll fall on your sword and freeze and starve yourselves to prove your stance on this - and to save all the other tax payers having to pay to feed and clothe you and your family, of course?? Don't judge the unfortunate until you have walked a mile in their shoes

You have no idea what kind of citizen I am. I do a lot of work with the most vulnerable in society . But i have also seen how much some people do get in benefits. Not all. But some. And when those few are getting more in total than someone working full time then something is wrong. For millions of people benefits is a life style choice .

JustLyra · 05/10/2022 22:58

For millions of people benefits is a life style choice

I think that’s the full house…

GreenLunchBox · 05/10/2022 22:58

Swizandswap · 05/10/2022 22:34

Quite simply Op those of us who are working class are expected to fund every one, the titch dodge it and the poor expect it. God forbid we are not happy being cash cows working out fingers to the bone. To be honest I'm sick of being in n the group of people who work dam hard and expected to pay for others lives and alit of the time chosen life styles.

Also before others start quoting me, first of all me and my dh have not had children because we have decided we want to be financially viable first and second we don't drink, don't smoke and have not had a holiday in years and years. We work dam hard to save up for a mortgage and sick of being cash cows buy every government.

Why the outrage at benefit claimants and not the money the Tory party has spaffed up the wall? Interesting.

You don't mention pensioners and their triple lock. I'm eager for your thoughts on that.

GreenLunchBox · 05/10/2022 22:59

The4teddybears · 05/10/2022 22:57

You have no idea what kind of citizen I am. I do a lot of work with the most vulnerable in society . But i have also seen how much some people do get in benefits. Not all. But some. And when those few are getting more in total than someone working full time then something is wrong. For millions of people benefits is a life style choice .

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Ok, you jumped the shark 🦈 there 🤣

Swizandswap · 05/10/2022 22:59

happyinherts · 05/10/2022 22:56

1 single parent adult not working, 2 children, £1400 UC per month, £800 to rent leaves £600. £600 for gas, electric, mobile phone, food and clothing. Electric & gas is £300pm on its own. It’s no life. No life at all, and it makes me so sad when people say things like “I’m sick of paying for others to live” most aren't living, they’re barely surviving.

But £1400 per month is more than a lot of people bring home from work and have to pay a lot of money for the privilege of going to work - transport costs, smarter clothes, contributions at work.

Going to work is stressful, and those at the lower pay scales are not being listened to.

Exactly I know plenty of single people who work dam hard and travel miles every day of the week and earn less than this. There seems to be some sad opinion that those of us who work should shut up and not complain.

MotherOfPuffling · 05/10/2022 22:59

The4teddybears · 05/10/2022 22:51

If they spend that much on fuel in a 1 bedroom Property they need to turn the heating down. . We don’t pay that for a family of 4 in a 3 bed house .

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I shall say this very slowly so you can understand: Other. People’s. Situations. May. Be. Different. To. Yours. Can you understand that? Bills in a poorly insulated, single glazed, one bedroom home, with no energy saving devices, and ancient (therefore energy inefficient) essential items like fridges, can cost more to run than a well insulated, much larger home. Many cheap rentals are APPALLING in terms of fuel costs, and tenants can’t do anything about it because this Government voted against rental homes having to meet minimum standards. They could be spending more whilst still living somewhere freezing cold and damp. Those of us not in that position need to not be blind to those that are.

GreenLunchBox · 05/10/2022 23:00

Swizandswap · 05/10/2022 22:59

Exactly I know plenty of single people who work dam hard and travel miles every day of the week and earn less than this. There seems to be some sad opinion that those of us who work should shut up and not complain.

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You do realise the Tories have been in power for 12 years, don't you?

Labraradabrador · 05/10/2022 23:00

If you earn enough to be a net contributor, then you can afford to help those who are vulnerable
^^
Happy to help those that are truly vulnerable, but far too many receive state support. HALF of UK households receive benefits? The sense of entitlement is baffling. In order for the economy to thrive, surely we need more people contributing?

Swizandswap · 05/10/2022 23:00

GreenLunchBox · 05/10/2022 22:58

Why the outrage at benefit claimants and not the money the Tory party has spaffed up the wall? Interesting.

You don't mention pensioners and their triple lock. I'm eager for your thoughts on that.

Show quote history

That's not what this thread is about, make your own if you want to discuss that 😉

cherry2727 · 05/10/2022 23:01

I think the issue stems from people like myself being aquatinted with a few people who claim benefits who are able to live a luxurious lifestyle! I am talking nice holidays abroad , kids dripping in designee clothing etc. I am well aware that not every benefit claimant is living such life however your view does get tainted by the minority who do and so a slight bitterness gets projected.

Sarasandman · 05/10/2022 23:02

Because benefits are calculated at the bare minimum needed to stay alive, then money is often taken off that to pay rent or debts, so without rises people will get ill and die.

Mamai90 · 05/10/2022 23:02

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GreenLunchBox · 05/10/2022 23:03

This 10% rise is something like £30 a month, guys. I can't imagine getting worked up that somebody who can't afford to heat or eat will receive £30

Sarasandman · 05/10/2022 23:03

cherry2727 · 05/10/2022 23:01

I think the issue stems from people like myself being aquatinted with a few people who claim benefits who are able to live a luxurious lifestyle! I am talking nice holidays abroad , kids dripping in designee clothing etc. I am well aware that not every benefit claimant is living such life however your view does get tainted by the minority who do and so a slight bitterness gets projected.

Ask them to teach you budgeting skills. You have a higher income, so presumably could manage to budget that well also. If what you claim about them is true, that is.

GreenLunchBox · 05/10/2022 23:04

cherry2727 · 05/10/2022 23:01

I think the issue stems from people like myself being aquatinted with a few people who claim benefits who are able to live a luxurious lifestyle! I am talking nice holidays abroad , kids dripping in designee clothing etc. I am well aware that not every benefit claimant is living such life however your view does get tainted by the minority who do and so a slight bitterness gets projected.

Chinny reckon

HotDogJumpingFrogHaveACookie · 05/10/2022 23:04

Generally speaking, we choose which industry to work in and its within our power to change.

A lot of benefits recipients are infirm, disabled, elderly, have caring responsibilities and so on, and they don't have the power to choose differently. We shouldn't penalise them as a society for that. They already receive a pitiful amount as it is.

PinkFrogss · 05/10/2022 23:05

Because benefits are usually less than minimum wage. Minimum wage rises each year (but not by enough of course).

You may be entitled to universal credit, do you rent or have children?

If you are both on full time wage you’ll be taking home about £2,600 a month between you, depending on pension contributions.

Posters might be able to help with ideas if you post your outgoings.

JustLyra · 05/10/2022 23:05

cherry2727 · 05/10/2022 23:01

I think the issue stems from people like myself being aquatinted with a few people who claim benefits who are able to live a luxurious lifestyle! I am talking nice holidays abroad , kids dripping in designee clothing etc. I am well aware that not every benefit claimant is living such life however your view does get tainted by the minority who do and so a slight bitterness gets projected.

It’s funny hue that’s such an acceptable thing.

People are allowed to openly judge all benefit claimants based on a teeny tiny number of pisstakers.

I can’t think of many other groups where that kind of judgement is socially acceptable.

If someone judged all teachers on a shit one, all doctors on a rude one, all nurses on a lazy one, all binmen on one sweary one, all childminders on one neglectful one, all sportsmen on one drug cheat one then you’d get your arse handed to you on a plate for being judgemental.

ok to judge all benefit claimants though.

Sarasandman · 05/10/2022 23:05

Labraradabrador · 05/10/2022 23:00

If you earn enough to be a net contributor, then you can afford to help those who are vulnerable
^^
Happy to help those that are truly vulnerable, but far too many receive state support. HALF of UK households receive benefits? The sense of entitlement is baffling. In order for the economy to thrive, surely we need more people contributing?

Most benefits go to pensioners. The rest are mostly working and paying taxes, unless they have very severe disabilities.

Whynobreadpudding · 05/10/2022 23:06

The biggest chunk of benefits go to pensioners.