To think it's a bit harsh to say people who've never worked shouldn't get benefits?

[DonaldBiden]

Was reading another thread where many were saying if someone has never worked they shouldn't get any benefits but couldn't comment because it had reached 1000 comments.

I know this might be an unpopular opinion but I don't agree because that would include young mums who can't work because they have a baby to look after. Most of them will get a job when their child is a little older. Why are they any different from older mums who've fallen on hard times and need help?

And I know people will say it's because they've never worked and haven't proven themselves unlazy etc and could be on the dole forever but why should they have their lives ruined just because of something people think MIGHT happen.

Those who are disabled, have chronic long term health conditions and/or mental health conditions are not a tiny fraction of the population, no. We are living in an ageing population and therefore there are more people living with chronic ill health. Benefits are not always a ‘temporary stop gap’ as many people are unable to work.

If you're unable to work, fair enough there should be support. But why would there be a mass of people getting chronic illnesses? That's not good for society.

As for aging - that's why people have pensions?

Maybe you should research it.

Jesus wept. Think a bit. Starter for 10, people unable to get medical help until desperately ill at which po8nt, damage done is serious or permanent.

Legally you only have to have 2 weeks off after giving birth (4 if you work in a factory) so they could get a job fairly quickly although jobs available may be limited and they would need childcare if family can't help
We could allow them to claim benefits and then when the child reaches the UC age that they need to get a job they also get a bill that repays the benefits they've had - maybe split these charges with the father.
I'd do the same with those granted asylum here too.

The NHS is there. No financial barrier.

Yes - but when? Wait two years for surgery, for a condition that causes you so much pain, you can’t sleep at night - and maybe can’t walk, if it’s a knee or hip replacement?

Eight years on average to get endometriosis diagnosed, when you are rolling around in agony during every period, etc!

Not conducive to work!

Fair point. The NHS is not fit for purpose

Sickening

Too many taking no responsibility for their own lives is sickening.
Expecting the rest of us to slog away all week whilst struggling ourselves to provide them with an income is not on.

Teenage pregnancies are at a record low and most are 18-19. Underage pregnancies are at an extreme record low. So why do some people act like it’s an epidemic spiralling out of control (not the person I’m quoting I mean stuff I read elsewhere)

like you say though too many taking no responsibility and most of them had children as grown adults so why should they get more help than young mums who mostly (99%)go on to get jobs

This is why I've said that welfare for people physically capable for work should be temporary and limited.

Threads like this always fill up with the "I am really deserving because of XYZ" whilst there are deserving cases, there are too many that are borderline.

The country needs to take a firm line irrespective of genuine or fake sob stories and remove benefits.

Thus the smaller number of genuine cases, will seek help from charities, friends. The less deserving will have to learn to make their own way in the world (like the rest of us).

Which is why I think the decrease should be gradual. To gradually phase in private charity.

Ohhhh, like the Victorian times with workhouses! Awesome idea, love it, things were great back in the day!

Not according to this - https://www.local.gov.uk/about/news/teen-pregnancies-rise-first-time-14-years-prompting-lga-call-renewed-action

The thing about charity is sometimes 'sexy' causes get more funding than boring or ugly ones, even if their need is greater or more beneficial to the country as a whole.

There is a well known wildlife charity that set up a fund for various animals. The tiger one was incredibly popular and at one point they couldn't spend all the money raised and it was locked in for that animal. Yet other equally important animals werent able to access the money Its the same with things like medical research. Some diseases are fashionable to fund.

Thats why the government really should be more effective at distribusting funds as they dont have to give regard to issues like children are cute v schizophrenia isnt

“Risen since 2020” considering we couldn’t go outside in 2020 that doesn’t surprise me. They are still way lower than 2010. In fact for the first time ever more over 40s have children than under 20s

yes not like workhouses

more like 80s

See:

https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/%E2%80%9Cunder-strain%E2%80%9D-%E2%80%93-real-causes-rise-working-age-disability-and-incapacity-benefits-spending

The government tried to cut down on work benefits; and benefits in the UK have been lower than other countries in the OECD for most of 40 years (UK spending was 1.3% of GDP compared to an average of 1.6% in the others), so more people claimed health benefits instead! Not a productive strategy!

The problem is we have an aging population, suffering more chronic conditions after COVID (who would have thought it, after the NHS shut them out) and NHS waiting lists?

Cutting benefits to the disabled without tackling why they are disabled, just pushes more people into poverty! 4 out of 10 PIP claimants are already in the bottom fifth of the income distribution.

The government needs to look at education, employers, the welfare benefits system and the NHS to tackle the underlying causes of disability. Employers could do more to keep the disabled in work.

Unclaimed benefits stand at £24.1 billion, so rather than bleating on about weeding out the scroungers, posters should be grateful all those people aren’t claiming the £24.1 billion they are entitled to:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yv0e9yjexo