Phew- what a long read!! There's a lot going on in this thread, isn't there? Can I stick my tuppence-worth in?
I do think that there are a lot of benefit claimants who are idle and accept a life on benefits as all they can, or should, aspire to, and these are the people who cause the problems for genuine claimants. My uncle is one of these people. he has been on IB for about 30 years, with a "bad back". He is perfectly capable of walking to the pub/ bookies and snooker club. Several members of the family have found him a job, often sticking their necks out to do so, and he has lasted a couple of weeks, before quitting for reasons like, "the bus doesn't stop right outside the factory gates- I have to walk" and that the work was "a bit boring". He infuriates me and I don't even speak to him any more, cos when I did he would whine on about "it's ok for you people who have cars" (which obviously fell out of the sky and had nothing to do with the fact that we worked to buy them!) and "I've got my shopping to do and everything!", after my poor gran, his serf, died. You can see how it would be hard for him to work, since those of us in employment don't have to shop, cook etc.
On the other hand, I know lots of lovely people who hate claiming benefits, but who are forced to do so, and who have had similar experiences to the ones detailed on here, which also makes me mad. A lot of people out there are genuinely trying to do the best for their families and work where they can, and are getting shat on from a high height.
If this government truly wants people to return to work, just stopping people's benefits is not going to acheive that. Some people will be very hesitant about re-entering the work-force, it is a confidence thing. Even going back after 6 mths mat leave I found myself nervous- imagine how daunting it must seem after years of unemployment. I think people need HELP to get off benefits if it is feasible for them to do so. And, if not, then society should provide them with a decent standard of living, without need for humiliation. I realise thsi is a bit idealised, but surely there is a better way than the current one? For some people who have been on benefits for years and who see it as a way of life, somehow their mindset has to be changed- they have to be able to see some reward in working, which at the moment doesn't exist. Why should they come off benefits? If they do get a job and it doesn't work out, they have shot themselves in the foot, as it might take ages, with no money, for them to get back into the system, if they even can. For mothers at home with kids, childcare needs to be subsidised to make it remotely reasonable. I am a vet, a job people consider well-paid (but actually far far less than people actually think!) and I work 2d a week, and by the time I pay childcare for 2 kids, petrol etc, it is hardly financially worth working, but I do it because I don't want to lose my skills. So if it is hardly worth it for me, I can fully understand why someone on minimum wage would not be busting their ass to put their kids in childcare and work. Tax credits/ WTC only goes so far. It has to be worth it for people. For those who say "stop their benefits" what do you think will then happen? That they will think "Goodness, I better get a job!" and trot off into a nice lucrative position? Or will we see more and more child poverty and desperate social situations?
I watched "The pursuit of Happyness" last night, and was awestruck by the guy's determination to do better for his kid, in a country that seemed to have no safety net. I think all those who do further study to ensure a better life for their child should be applauded for forward thinking. I'm happy to think that my taxes help support people like that, rather than my feckless uncle. My only concern is that further education is no longer a guarantee of future employment.