Dispatches- Britain’s Benefit scandal

[Sunnywalker]

Anybody watched this? It’s made me so angry. Some highlights include a company that can’t recruit an apprentice on 26k because sickness benefits would amount to 24k so it wouldn’t be worth it. 500,000, 25-34 years old on long term sick, a woman who has never had a FT job and claims 35k in benefits, this lady would like to work but says will never achieve the same income if she worked.

This country is bankrupt, public services crumbling! What is going on? Why isn’t there an overhaul!

And this is the fundamental issue. Not just with the benefits system but the economy.

As someone who had to go on sickness benefit (esa) for 2 years whilst undergoing surgeries and chemotherapy for cancer, 8 find this abhorrent. I got into so much debt just trying to survive that it took another 2 years to pay back.

And yet, many on here think that pensioners on 12k a year are rolling in it and don't need an extra 200 quid to heat their homes. Most pensioners have paid in all their lives. Which is it? 26K not enough, unless you are over 65, in which case 12k is too much?

Do you genuinely not understand that it is probably the PIP that is enabling her to keep working? I can't figure out if you really don't understand, or you're just a goady gammon.

For many people who work and receive PIP, it is the extra income from PIP that allows them to continue to work.

All the disability benefits.

free tickets to the football.

A life relying solely on benefits is no way to live. Many people in this country now are considered " working poor" and need to claim a top up. That could well include nurses and teachers. How people manage to claim benefits long term, is beyond me. I thought after a while, you were pretty much forced back into work?

For some weird reason, they are partly blaming covid on the rising number of young people on sickness benefit and on long term sick. Something to do with people having a " crisis of confidence" due do having to stay at home, which has exacerbated MH issues?? 🤷‍♀️

Jesus, are you that tone deaf that you think the equivalent of £32k a year pre tax is nothing??

Even if you've evidently got a chronic illness?

The OP.

That was my point. Barely anyone is getting that much so the idea you can’t fill a 26k position because of that is nonsense.

I haven’t seen the programme but I heard FN
being interviewed about it on the radio. He seemed to be saying the “scandal” was that those with health issues (physical and mental) were not able to access the support they needed through long waiting times etc, that it wasn’t a deliberate strategy to “just live on benefits” and generally people wanted to be able to work/work
more but the longer their health issues remained poorly supported, the harder it was to overcome them.

My uncle is waiting for treatment on his knee joints. The impact on his mobility is leading to all sorts of other heath issues and having some degree of constant pain is tiring and depressing.

You are right..
Halving benefits of single mothers just ebtrenches poverty and lack of ambition.
You don't beat people further down and expect them to suddenly turn around with a new zest for life. And regarding single mothers.. you need to consider the life of those kids.. if you don't they will just end up on the same path.
My DH was born to a teen mother on a council estate.. he has a masters degree. And he credits that entirely to the labour government at the time and the amount of funding and support he got as the first of his family to go to university. His mother never worked but instead of being forced into some minimum wage job at 16 himself he was encouraged and encouraged to do better.

Thing is, you don't. Male and female dorms. Female dorms accommodate females with children.

No, I'm not. Being on benefits and being paid is not the same thing. People sent on workfare were getting £70 a week unemployment benefit. Even if they also got housing benefit, that is not payment for a full time job.

That's lumping a few things in together, though... You've jealous of her council house. She could have a council house and be working. You don't have to claim benefits to live in one.

All the disability benefits.

Free 3d plasma screen TVs permanently tuned to Loose Women

@Xenia Right so where do the child free on minimum wage get to live They are already bottom of the pecking order and your idea would mean nowhere available for them to live

PIP is a gateway benefit. Sometimes you need to claim it even if you don’t (to others anyway) look like you need the money.

What about the quality of life of the children? Do you think this will effect their outcome in life?

This is awful - to compare a genuinely sick person with benefit abusers? Genuinely sick people should have unlimited benefits and help, there should be no questions about it!!!!!

I really don’t understand the response “but a lot of their benefits pays the rent’. Surely it’s irrelevant as a lot of my income, from working 40 hrs a week stacking shelves pays the rent.

a friend’s 18 year old has just signed on and gets £320 month universal credit. He has decent A levels but feels he can’t work whilst playing on the Xbox all week. Why can’t he work in a pub! Because it’s easier to sign on.

All the disability benefits.

A free house for each child. 2 free houses if you have more than 2 children

I know some one like that too.
If she was not on PIP, she would not be able to work.
People get PIP for being disabled. My friend would love to not be disabled. I am sure the person you know feels the same.

Your "tax" (and your friend works so it is her tax too) is being used to give disabled people a level playing field with people who are not disabled.

Goat was the traditional MN one wasn’t it?

Don't forget the free goats.

I was on benefits for a few weeks last year. I'm still waiting for my goat. I'll ber very disappointed if it doesn't arrive soon.

All the disability benefits.

A free years holiday in the sun every week.