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!

Yes I'd love to know how those that advocate cuts could live on that amount.

Whether it's going on pensions, disability benefits (which are increasing), or unemployment benefits, a smaller working population has to fund them.

Good! Hopefully she will sort out the shambles that is the current system, that could see a person with severe CP have to go through to tribunal to get what they should have got straight away. Which would have come at considerable cost to the taxpayer. This is happening constantly, people not being awarded PIP correctly, and it is costing a fortune, what with all the appeals, and back payment that the DWP is having to pay out. Their desperation to save money, by making it so difficult to claim, has cost them even more in the long run, what with the constant reviewing of people with lifelong conditions such as CP, and Downs Syndrome, that will not suddenly improve. I would be glad to see some common sense implemented here going forward.

So @Locutus2000 I am guessing from your responses that you think it is entirely appropriate for people who are able to work to choose not to, and have that choice paid for by taxpayer?
We are for ever reading that the UK needs more money to fund the NHS, education, social care etc, yet you are fine with people choosing to opt out of paying tax but still choosing to use the services others are paying for?
The two are linked you know - the fewer people working and paying tax, the more the deficit between what we need and what we can fund grows, to say nothing of the additional money needed to pay for people choosing not to work.
I somethimes think people who answer every point about benefits claimants who CHOOSE not to work with 'yes but' are incapable of joint-up thinking.,

And therein lies the UK problem. Lower earners will always be tempted out of the workforce because welfare often pays more than low paid work. We need a living wage increase and a benefits system overhaul but if you say that out loud you’re a Tory who wants everyone to starve so what chance is there really!

I'm sure we could save a few quid by assessing people properly and getting the decision right the first time? And we could stop reassessing people with life long disability

I don't disagree with that but the way forward is not to cut benefits for the most vulnerable in our society.

But the theoretical worker would have to pay his/her rent out of the same amount? It doesn't matter how it's cut, £35k is £35k.

Everywhere I look around me this is happening. What happened to working for a living? ( Fuel allowance just taken from me) . Does it pay in later life to have always worked?

I haven't seen it but I all I know is DS 24, who has worked full time since 18, has just been made redundant. His UC credit entitlement is just over £700 a month with included housing benefit and job seekers allowance.
His rent (house share) is £550 a month then get has bills /groceries etc. He has to have weekly appointments at job centre and has been told to down play/ delete his speciality skills learnt from his apprenticeship and concentrate on skills suitable for delivery drivers/warehouse /retail etc
He has a permanent job lined up to start from beginning of April but has been told by job centre to apply for full-time roles and resign a month or so later which he isn't really comfortable doing.
Honestly I don't know if the reports of someone of apprenticeship age getting 24 k pa in benefits is true!
DD has completed a 4 year degree with (unpaid CAMHS) placement year plus a masters has over 70k of student debt and has got an assistant psychologist role paying 25k a year.
My ex SIL does "well" out of benefits, housing benefit, universal credit, 3x DLA for autistic DC, plus carers allowance, child benefit, reduced council tax, free school meals etc
However looking after my 3 young autistic nephews is challenging and exhausting so hats off to her!
She will also need to think longer term as her level of benefits is dependant on her disabled DC and having them has hugely impacted her career options and development

Everyone with CP or Downs Syndrome should be getting the lifetime award -where they are never reviewed.

You can't get ESA and UC at the same time.

Well she has my winter fuel allowance!

Exactly! I agree.

Yes you can. If you're on contributions based / new style. But it's deducted from UC

@RafaistheKingofClay what do you mean try something different? UBI?

It’s certainly paying me. I wouldn’t want to be trying to exist on a state pension.

I don’t think this is what she has in mind at all.

With the Welfare Bill expected to double in the next 5 years, saving 'a few quid' isn't going to help much.

That's an issue with the rental market and greedy landlords lining their own pockets when in many cases properties aren't fit for habitation.

this, I know people who choose not to work (or work no more than 16 hours pw) as it impacts their benefits. They see benefits as their lifelong entitlement and the many people I know on benefits are living very comfortable lives. I also know people with young families who are working FT and more to support their children and they are worse off than those on benefits. The benefit system should be used as a safety net,not a way of life.I also fully appreciate that there are some people who cannot work due to illness and it is important that those people are supported.
I've always worked FT as a single parent and had to work overtime to keep things going. I had no benefit support and some very very hard times.
That said, it's a wonderful feeling to know that I've worked for everything I have.
There are also people I know who are claiming benefits as single parents whilst living with a partner; effectively, they are abusing the system and are much better off financially than many others; their rent being covered by housing benefit etc.
Something has gone very badly wrong, the system needs complete scrutiny.

Her tiny brain hasn't yet thought of that

My bad, you are correct.

Yes I don't understand the logic of making people with chronic, incurable conditions have repeated PIP assessments. Things like MS or CP don't get better, in fact they progress. What a waste of time reassessing conditions like these.

But actually it isn't that hard to show ADHD is making a impact especially with an EHCP. There are increasing numbers of "alternative" provisions to SEN schools or mainstream specialist provisions. The kids are taxied in at vast expense or tutors/ mentors go in to the home at £250 plus a session. Whilst it may help the child to greater or lesser extent I don't see any evidence it improves the child's chances of getting work once they reach adulthood. Huge amounts of money for negligible results plus the money from DLA or PiP.

Everychild deserves the chance to reach their full potential but money needs to be more accountable. What's the point of money for independence when kids don't leave their rooms. No problem with families having a decent holiday or having nice stuff in their homes but there's no targeting of funds.