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?

Thank you for sharing this! I really don’t understand why people don’t understand that social inequality is bad for everyone. Sigh!

That poster was obviously shit stirring.

and people lap it up and use it as an excuse to rail against benefits generally.

Its the UC equivalent of “my aunty’s neighbours dog walkers cousin’s friend’s dad claims PIP for a bad back even though he climbs ladders daytime and does river dance in the evening”.

You’re so stroppy with your “first of all who mentioned a 1 bedroom property “ that you didn’t read Properly that I said I was in a 3 bed when you quoted I was in a 4. Your hugh assumptions are b effecting your eyes 👀. You’d love me to be in a big 4 bed a hope I voted Tory to fit in with your criteria wouldnt you

There was an op on another post two nights ago who stated that she earned £18k and with benefit top up earned close to £39k a year! She's certainly not doing bad

No, she not doing bad, she’s lying.

Haven’t read entire thread but YANBU OP.

It’s pretty obvious OP is NOT referring to people who are truly deserving of benefits such as carers and the disabled and single mums etc. She is referring to people that can’t be arsed to work/work very little and pop out crotch goblin after crotch goblin to get free dosh.

The amount of people I’ve heard on buses etc saying it’s not worth their while to work and it’s easier to be on benefits. Why would we do if everyone felt like that?!

And if anyone has a go at me, I do not claim benefits and work bloody hard. I’m fed up of paying for prescriptions when benefit claimants get it all for free (again, I’d never begrudge those truly in need).

Ask Penny Mordaunt.

The MP for Portsmouth North supports it. I wonder why? What could she possibly know about her voter base?

If they're under 35, single, no kids then generally they'll only get the shared accommodation rate of housing benefit/LHA too.

No job?

Remember those bankers who can now get a bonus that is more than double their annual salary?

The ones where the cap had to be removed because slightly less than double their annual salary wouldn't be enough?

Pretty sure they're doing better than inflation.

All benefits recipients pay tax, yes, including pensioners. More than half of all benefits recipients are pensioners, not of just contribution-based benefits.

You’re welcome, although I can’t imagine anyone who truly thinks that way will read it, they’ll just carry on repeating their Daily Mail headline sound bites whilst fiercely believing they’re right. Shame though as it’s an eye opener.

I have worked full time for the last 10 years, gone to uni etc and make £2100 per month. I have even opted out of the pension scheme (which is stupid, I know) just to be able to have some more money to live off of now as I am in my overdraft every month just trying to cover the essentials. We have a young child to feed, house to heat, car to run etc etc.

Im sure most people on benefits don’t get this amount and many do genuinely need it but someone I know disclosed how much they get to me the other day and this is after their rent has been paid for them through another scheme. No dependents. No car to run. No travel costs to get to work due to being on benefits. £2600 per month. I was astounded!

If we all did it, it would be a general strike and might force a change of system to something beautiful and beneficial.

I don’t take money deducted from your pay @Swizandswap. I’m also a taxpayer, difference is I recognise that having an income that attracts the tax I pay makes me privileged.

@Labraradabrador If you are able to work, you should not receive benefits. I expect there are lots of excuses for why this isn’t possible, but in countries with less extensive benefits systems people find a way. As someone raised by a single mother in one of those other countries I know exactly how challenging it can be, but far too many in this country feel entitled to an easy life.

Were not talking about other countries, we're talking about UK, where our government allow zero hour contracts, terrible minimum wage, which leads to debt and poverty, they allow 'pay day loans' which leads to homelessness and suicide, will soon abandon all EU directives that protect worker's rights, where the ill and disabled are forced to find work, which leads to perpetual cycle of physical and mental health issues, which leads to poverty, debt and suicide. The same government who don't help ex-forces to find jobs, housing or emotional support after serving our country, which leads to homelessness, poverty, health issues and suicide. The same government who ignores the fact that people have to rely on charities, food banks etc, can turn a blind eye to all this, refuse to give these vulnerable people true cost of living but can give the wealthy tax cuts as this will give them more money to spend and this will 'trickle down' to benefits the rest of us.

Ah the good old race to the bottom.
We can’t possibly be helping those worse off than you up, eh? Can’t be fighting to improve your own lot in life so let’s publicly shit on those who are already worse off and make them feel worse than they already do about the poverty trap they find themselves unable to get out of.

lovely human being. So caring and supportive. Let’s hope you never need to rely on the IC pittance. I’ve no idea how they manage and I’m ashamed I live in a country where that is deemed an appropriate and acceptable income to survive on.

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

Because employees have the option of upskilling and going for promotion, looking for another job or changing careers, or working more hours, if they need more money. People living solely on benefits due to illness or disability or caring responsibilities meaning they can't work have zero options to do anything to increase their income.

Don't look to improve your quality of life by stamping others down so yours looks better by comparison. Stop thinking others, whose situations are worse than yours anyway, should be equally as badly treated as you are and start hoping/campaigning/whatever for everyone to be better treated. If one sector of society achieves it faster than you do, be happy for them instead of bitter for yourself. A positive mindset makes for a more enjoyable life. Looking at the negatives and holding petty jealousies only makes you miserable and eventually quite toxic.

@Sarasandman the system only works if the majority contributes.

It would be easy and enjoyable to spend my day in leisure rather than work, or spend more time at leisure than work, but that doesn’t put food on the table does it? for all the grasshoppers having an easy and enjoyable life, you need twice as many worker ants

Because that’s the rest the rise is calculated - based on inflation. You can’t expect it to be changed now as inflation is high! It’s not a trace to the bottom ffs! Perhaps the government should do set with benefits altogether and bring back workhouses. Would that make you happy?

@NellesVilla It’s pretty obvious OP is NOT referring to people who are truly deserving of benefits such as carers and the disabled and single mums etc. She is referring to people that can’t be arsed to

Sorry, I must have misread it OP's original post. Can you direct me to the bit where they make this obvious?

But that’s what other people get paid working full time!

@Devon01 but all of those things exist in other countries where benefits are less freely available? Truly you have no idea how good you have it.

Perhaps find work you find easier and more enjoyable? What a miserable take on life you have. Or change the system, if it depends on the majority being miserable and having difficult lives? Make some positive change? Perhaps taking a break would help you change your perspective, lessen your negativity.