To think too many people are happy to live off benefits forever?

[BritishQueue]

Okay, I know this is a touchy subject here on MN, but I need to ask, AIBU to think that too many people are just choosing to stay on universal credit rather than work?

Obviously, I’m not talking about people who genuinely can’t work - disabilities, carers, etc (even though a lot of those who claim to be unfit for work are perfectly capable, and I’ve seen “carers” for people who don’t actually need any care…). But I know multiple people who are completely able-bodied and yet have no intention of ever getting a job. They say things like “it’s not worth it” or “I’d be worse off working,” and honestly, I don’t get it. I work full-time, pay tax, and yet I see people getting rent paid, extra handouts, and still managing holidays and luxuries I can’t afford. Not to mention that a lot of women think the government should subsidise their SAHM lifestyle.

I just don’t understand how it’s fair? Surely benefits should be a safety net, not a lifestyle choice? AIBU?

Only pensioners got the winter fuel payment, so I call bullshit on your story already.

I've found recently that many "entry level" positions require a degree, 2-5 years of experience, various certifications, and hands-on experience with multiple complex technologies. They want all of this for entry-level wages because they don't want to pay a server guy, a network guy, and a sys-admin the wages their professions attract, so instead they roll them all into one job and try to call it 2nd/3rd line tech support

Hear hear. I am so sick of people attempting to use anecdotal so-called data to make insulting generalisations that don't hold true for the majority.

Of course there will always be some people who scam the system. It's an unfortunate fact of life. But tarring all benefit claimants with the same brush says more about those doing it than anyone else.

@bigfacthunterAgree. Maybe the government should tax any company over a certain size/ profit margin that has employees claiming top ups. A welfare tax to pay for their benefits. Punitive so encourage companies to run their business properly or get stung. Tesco/ Kingfisher/ Walmart etc.

You have a child care place for your child so think "there's no excuse". What would you have done if you couldn't get a place for your DC?
There's a recognised child care shortage in the UK and it's getting worse. According to a report by Coram Family and Childcare last year, the availability of places at nurseries and childminders has worsened for pre-school children across all age groups, with fewer than one out of every three (29%) councils having enough spaces for children under two, down from 42% the previous year.
You were lucky to get a place for your child, but not all parents are in your fortunate position and not being able to actually get child care is hardly an "excuse".

😪💤

Gaslighting my arse. People may well 'see things every day' but it doesn't make them representative of the majority. You're the one falling for crap if you think they do.

@AngelicKatywhy do you think the government are doing this? Is there research or any figures about it?

put it this way, if I know 1 person and other people on this thread have similar examples, and that’s just the people willing to post on mumsnet on this little thread, then there probably are more than 5 or ten people in the whole of the uk.

I think you and @AirborneElephant are both correct. Companies aren’t paying enough and not only at the minimum wage level but even for graduates - their pay has fallen in real terms since 2010 all the while student loans have gone up.

The wage stagnation is a massive problem in the UK along with the crazy high private rent prices and the lack of social housing.

But also there IS some entitlement from some folk. I’m from Glasgow and yeah there are families who don’t work for generations.

I don’t know what the system is now but I did have a childhood friend with 3 kids (all now in secondary school) who was only working 16 hours her whole life (unless that’s changed in the last years since I’ve lost contact) and she didn’t even work at all until the youngest was in school. And no her partner isn’t/wasnt supporting her to work part time - he does cash in hand work and she is receiving benefit top ups.

My mistake . Called something else if you weren’t a pensioner.

• Universal Credit and the Payments:
• If you were entitled to a Universal Credit payment for an assessment period that ended between November 13, 2023, and December 12, 2023, you would have been eligible for the £299 Cost of Living Payment.

Anyway why the fuck would I make this up?I am actually trying to make the point it goes on all the time.

I've always thought NMW should be tiered, so small businesses can pay a lower wage and the rest be topped up by UC or whatever, but Tesco, Amazon et al have to pay an actual living wage.

You said your friend's mum pays for her to go on holiday. That is allowed. I am on UC and my mum pays for me to go on holiday too. I could not afford it otherwise, and I need to get the fuck out this shit town sometimes.

My cleaner was telling me this is very true and she knows quite a few ppl who have done this in her neighbourhood. Sounds like it is quite common in deprived areas.

They could be on night shift.

I am exactly the same, we even joke about it. It is a crazy system that basically punishes people for growing up, getting a job, getting married and staying married. Insane in fact. We are a country that rewards all the wrong things.

I think many people are scared of getting a job

I know a fair few people like this, but I’m not unsympathetic. So I don’t know why people are suggesting people like this don’t exist. most of them are in my family, both my sister in laws are in the late 30s, have never had jobs. Any time they got to the age where they had to swap to job seekers they’d have another baby, now both get PIP for disabled children. Which I won’t comment on…

My brothers have had on and off cash in hand jobs but never a proper tax paying one. The majority of their friends are also people who have never had jobs.

I grew up on a council estate and there were plenty of people stuck in this cycle. I think to support people out of it will take early intervention in families like this where their children get extra support and encouragement to pursue education and employment. My brothers and sister in laws will never work. They’d lose all of their benefits and they wouldn’t be capable of getting jobs now which would pay enough to cover their rent, bills and living costs they have maximised their income through benefits. I don’t think penalising people by reducing PIP or benefits will help. It will just mean kids like my nieces and nephews would be in worse poverty.

I get that people will be judgemental of people in similar circumstances, but the system is broken. People are falling through the net, issues with education, both my brothers left school with no GCSEs, no incentives, issues with untreated mental health, drug and alcohol, just a load of issues all related to poverty. It’s easy to blame individuals but I think we should be looking more at the system and how to fix it.

A few thread on here about how hard it is to get a job. People posting about well educated kids struggling to find a role 2 years after graduating.
Threads about how the job market is awful right now. Gone are the days you rocked up to a local shop in a smart suit and handed over your CV. Many people apply for a job and get a rejection within minutes? Why? Fucking AI. If you get past that, they want you to do a psychometric test that filters out anyone ND.

Yes, and she's wrong, but as you state, her rant was provoked by her DWP Work Coach telling her she has to increase her work hours, so there is the will there to get able-bodied people with healthy, school age children, off benefits.

No but I was referring to the comment that benefits are a pittance.
They aren't if you are disabled. Some families who claim for various disabilities and claim for their children's disabilities too can be in receipt of thousands a month.

And I was referring to the OP who wasn't talking about people with disabilities.

What point are you making though? That the parents of some UC claimants pay for them to go on holiday? So what? That doesn't make them ineligible to receive UC.

I know two people in this category. It does happen. You seem to be able go do pretty well out of it

You’re clearly in a very fortunate position.
Bully for you . Ignorance is bliss .

Yes, exactly! My mum pays for my holiday because I can't afford them.