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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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

1000 replies

BritishQueue · 03/04/2025 17:51

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?

OP posts:
Bundleflower · 03/04/2025 18:04

Well if we’re using anecdotal evidence as fact, I’d like to counter.
I can name one person I know that is like this. Throughout my life I have, obviously, gained thousands of acquaintances.
Using my anecdotal evidence, I’d like to therefore place an anecdotal statistic that this equates to roughly 0.01% of people.
I’m not going to lose sleep over that. Neither should you. And if you are - there is the saying ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’!?

ilovesooty · 03/04/2025 18:04

@BritishQueue you still haven't told us what happens when you tell these people what you've seen and heard.

AirborneElephant · 03/04/2025 18:05

The statistics show that there’s some truth in that. The problem goes all the way back to Gordon Brown. I still remember being appalled when he introduced tax credits and made almost half the county benefit recipients. It completely shifted the onus to pay a living wage from companies to the state, and normalised receiving benefits. We are now reaping the obvious consequences of a generation that have grown up feeling they are entitled to state support.

whosaidtha · 03/04/2025 18:05

I would be better off divorcing my husband and claiming uc. I did the maths. That’s the problem. Why would I work more hours to get the same amount of money as I can get claiming. (Hypothetically, I have no intention of leaving my husband)

SuperGinger · 03/04/2025 18:05

YANBU - there are many families who've got more out of the state than they have ever contributed. Almost anyone with a bit of get up and go can be self sufficient and should not need benefits, people need to plan and anticipate for the future, I think many on benefits lack willpower and ambition 🙄

AmusedGoose · 03/04/2025 18:06

Sorry but I know lots of people who work minimum hours to make most of UC and sometimes only one adult is working.

sciaticafanatica · 03/04/2025 18:06

You have obviously met my mother!

Frequency · 03/04/2025 18:06

whosaidtha · 03/04/2025 18:05

I would be better off divorcing my husband and claiming uc. I did the maths. That’s the problem. Why would I work more hours to get the same amount of money as I can get claiming. (Hypothetically, I have no intention of leaving my husband)

Why?

Your pension is a good reason. Opportunity for pay rises and career growth is another.

Self-esteem and sanity are also good reasons.

TheBuffetInspector · 03/04/2025 18:07

I tend to judge people by the company they keep. So, if you do know so many people that say such things, you might want to wonder why you've never distanced yourself, or spoken up to them in your disgust.

Ah! Because a post on MN is so much less accountable, should one hold you so.

BritishQueue · 03/04/2025 18:07

lnks · 03/04/2025 18:02

Anecdotal experiences are not evidence

Okay, look at the NEET stats then.

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 03/04/2025 18:07

TheBuffetInspector · 03/04/2025 18:07

I tend to judge people by the company they keep. So, if you do know so many people that say such things, you might want to wonder why you've never distanced yourself, or spoken up to them in your disgust.

Ah! Because a post on MN is so much less accountable, should one hold you so.

Absolutely.

Shakeoffyourchains · 03/04/2025 18:08

BritishQueue · 03/04/2025 18:02

Denying the existence of benefit scroungers doesn’t make them disappear.

I see it's only taken 4 posts for your mask to fall off. You're gonna have to develop a thicker skin if you want to become a successful rage baiter on here

Seagullsandsausagerolls · 03/04/2025 18:08

Of course. I've loved living with disabilities since birth. I've loved my life being severely restricted, the numerous operations and procedures have been such fun!

Having to give up a job I adored as my health issues are progressive may just have been the highlight. The many thousands I receive in benefits (I wish) monthly more than make up for my loss independence and dignity.

TheBuffetInspector · 03/04/2025 18:09

BritishQueue · 03/04/2025 17:55

I’ve seen it with my own eyes.

Well, case closed!

MistressoftheDarkSide · 03/04/2025 18:09

SuperGinger · 03/04/2025 18:05

YANBU - there are many families who've got more out of the state than they have ever contributed. Almost anyone with a bit of get up and go can be self sufficient and should not need benefits, people need to plan and anticipate for the future, I think many on benefits lack willpower and ambition 🙄

Come over here and say that. I'm spoiling for a fight.

FoolishHips · 03/04/2025 18:09

I'd be terrified if I had to live off UC....it sounds quite horrific all the time and effort it takes just to get a pittance. It seems very dehumanising to sanction people and constantly make them stressed. I was lucky enough to receive tax credits which was a rather more dignified system.

BritishQueue · 03/04/2025 18:09

Seagullsandsausagerolls · 03/04/2025 18:08

Of course. I've loved living with disabilities since birth. I've loved my life being severely restricted, the numerous operations and procedures have been such fun!

Having to give up a job I adored as my health issues are progressive may just have been the highlight. The many thousands I receive in benefits (I wish) monthly more than make up for my loss independence and dignity.

Well that’s just irrelevant because I specifically stated that people with genuine disabilities don’t count.

OP posts:
LetMeGoogleThat · 03/04/2025 18:09

It feels more and more like the benefits focus group in here, every single day! The least subtle data gathering effort I've seen.

Staceysmum2025 · 03/04/2025 18:10

BritishQueue · 03/04/2025 17:55

I’ve seen it with my own eyes.

You genuinely couldn’t live on it as a single person.
Even as a family the first time the washing machine machine broke, or you needed to travel anywhere you’d be done for that would be the end of it.

Bundleflower · 03/04/2025 18:10

BritishQueue · 03/04/2025 18:07

Okay, look at the NEET stats then.

So, ‘rely on benefits until they’re 24’ and not ‘forever’, then?

whosaidtha · 03/04/2025 18:10

Frequency · 03/04/2025 18:06

Why?

Your pension is a good reason. Opportunity for pay rises and career growth is another.

Self-esteem and sanity are also good reasons.

To be clear I do work. I also have young children. I love my job and the amount of hours I do. As well as the time I get to spend with my children. However as I said I’m not leaving my husband so won’t be claiming. I’m just showing an example of someone who would be better off on benefits.

Paness · 03/04/2025 18:11

I’ll bite, I have about 5 family members who choose not to work and are absolute experts at playing the system.

One goes to the doctors with a walking cane, but loves hiking. She’s just had a stair lift installed that she’s never used, because she wanted to sound like she needed it. She’s an amazing actress that’s for sure. She did research on the types of disorders that can’t be proven.

Feel free to tell me I’m full of shit, I know im
not.

BritishQueue · 03/04/2025 18:11

Bundleflower · 03/04/2025 18:10

So, ‘rely on benefits until they’re 24’ and not ‘forever’, then?

No because they’re setting themselves up for a lifetime of benefits and joblessness by doing absolutely sod all in their most formative years.

OP posts:
WiddlinDiddlin · 03/04/2025 18:11

It's not fair, no. You need to get over that, let it go.

Life, isn't fair.

It's not fair that I have hereditary disabilities and chronic health problems, chronic and random acute and severe pain that I have to live with the rest of my (shortened) life.

It's not fair that someone else was born into money, inherited a house and a private income that will see them right for the rest of their days.

Fair is a figment of your imagination and the time you spend worrying about that and stressing about it, is time taken away from enjoying the life you DO have.

But these people who won't work - bearing in mind you need to discount those who can't work, and those claiming UC who are working but for whatever reason will never get a job that takes them out of the eligibility to claim bracket - just think about this for a minute:

Would YOU want to employ these people?

Do you think that people who will actually in the end, work very hard at avoiding a paying job (I've met them, some of them put in a TON of effort to avoid working, its astonishing the lengths they will go to and the stress they cause themselves), would do a good job for you?

Would you trust them in your company, to do their work, not let you down, not cost your company money, not piss off your other employees?

Do you not think that if we could just let go of this toddler-esque 'its not fair' for a minute we could see that its actually cheaper NOT to chase these folks and try to force them into work. Do you know how much the government spends on trying to do this, pretty much the entire of the Job Centres work is this - if you took away 'forcing wholly unsuitable people who do not want to work into jobs they can't do and won't stay in' you'd only need a couple of people to advise on the other benefits and show folks the job listings. Most of it could be done via a website.

The real solution is a basic universal income - enough to live on, so if you don't want to work, ok don't.

However if you're disabled, you get a bit more.
If you want to work - you can then earn even more.

Those who want to work and get fulfillment out of working would work. Those employers who need people to do grotty jobs would HAVE to pay people properly for that work. You would end the toxic work culture that sees people expected to be at their desks hours after their salaried hours are over. You would stop people overworking to the point of burn out then going 'on the sick', you would no longer have horrible sickness policies in workplaces that force people to come to work when they're unwell.

People would work a little less, but they'd live better, be healthier, there'd be more competent people with spare time to volunteer for charities (many of whom suffer from the grim fact that volunteers tend to be lacking skills/useful experience because teh volunteer pool is small).

But it will never ever happen until people can let go of 'its not fair'.

Pandersmum · 03/04/2025 18:11

I have a extended family member who pretends to not live with her long term partner. He works overseas and doesn’t pay UK taxes. They have 3 under 18’s with the non resident partner and the youngest has recently been diagnosed with ADHD (mild). She works 30 hours per week in a school and lives in private rented accommodation. She receives just over £2000 a month in UC top ups to support her.

Thats the equivalent of a £29k salary - given to her every month free of any stipulations.

They drive great cars and have great holidays. Her partner is saving money to buy them a house outright when their youngest children is 18 & their cannot claim at much UC as they do now.

Honestly it’s disgusting just how much money she is given. But her argument is that the system allows her to do it and so why would she not.

There are plenty of people like her.

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