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.

I’m also a carer to a child with disabilities, went back to fulltime work after having my first at age 18(I’m now 47), AND have studied with the OU to further my career.

None of those reasons justify setting such a terrible example to your children.

Should people not be rewarded for working hard, to the best of their ability?

Well ostensibly that's what wages are for. But they haven't gone up in close to 20 years anyway.

Why do you think anyone should help you out? Charity shops have plates by the ton... you may even find a matched set.

I have no dog in this fight. I am seriously impressed by @R0ckandHardPlaceand the account of climbing to success, but clearly not everyone is as competent.

Genuinely, I don't know who deserves state funded support any more. I am torn, because I had nothing handed to me, and now at 70, I can help my DC out. But there have been no big inheritances, because we only have what we have earned ourselves. It seems a (not nice) brag.

Disabled people who are incapable of work should be exempt. As they always have been
However I would be in favour of in-depth assessment by professionals to ensure all disabled people are assessed as fit to or not fit to work.

It’s unfortunate that everyone should need an assessment but the benefits and PIP bills are unsustainable. An assessment is the least that should be expected.

It might also go some way to offering additional relevant support to some as a way to get into work

Sure.
I wonder what will happen to my sister then?
Late 30s, moderate/sever learning disabilities (can't cross a road, read or write, tell the time, use a cooker,: needs someone with her all the time) Autistic, uncontrolled epilepsy.
She's never worked.
Maybe a work house for her?

Well, there's an argument that you don't just give up because it hasn't worked yet. Otherwise, it's time to give up feminism after how many decades.

It's a fair question.

The moral ins and outs are basically irrelevant. We are a civilised country and we don’t let people starve. We know what happens in places where there isn’t a safety net, so although some might despise those who claim benefits we don’t deny them help because we recognise that ultimately it benefits the whole of society.

I liken it to a kitty, you wouldn't expect to take out if you hadn't put in.
People need to take responsibility for life choices, why should others work so you don't have to?

Why do people always come on these threads talking of the severely disabled when you all must have read the thread title and know it’s all irrelevant

It’s like people demonstrating in wheelchairs outside Parliament when PIP changes were being voted on. Irrelevant !! Again

Whataboutery won’t work in shaming a people

I'm not going to discuss your example but honestly a lot of people are sick to death of going to work and paying vast amounts of tax, national insurance, council tax / rates and feeling like they get absolutely nothing back for it.

The middle class feel like they are taking the hit for the rest of the population. If you're poor you probably don't pay much tax and receive benefits. If you're rich you either structure your affairs to legitimately avoid paying tax or you can afford the tax. If you're middle class you pay a lot of tax and get not much back.

The UK tax burden is approaching the record level set in 1948 yet public services are absolutely shot in general and the state and the social contract is falling apart.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1440151/uk-tax-burden/

I was honestly just curious. I myself cannot imagine what it must be like to have such debilitating conditions and wanted to educate myself.

If there's no good reason why a person can't work they should be out there in a high vis picking up litter to earn their benefits.

If you tot up all the benefits paid out at the minute in uk and devide it by the number of people who live here it gives a universal income of £70 per week per person.
It's not affordable at a level you'd be able to live on - and how are you paying for it when many would stop working all together - rather like when tax credits came in

Exactly I had a baby at 16 and my parents wanted me out the house when they found out I was pregnant, nothing could of convinced me to have an abortion or give him up for adoption and thank god people with this mindset aren't in control to force anyone to.
Anyway most parents of babies on benefits get a job as soon as their child gets a little older. The idea that young parents have a baby and then have ten more babies so they never have to work is just a myth

My sister got pregnant accidentally and that one I didn’t begrudge her being on benefits. 4 kids later and never worked a day in her life and I judge ALOT! That’s not an accident, it’s a choice

The UK tax burden is approaching the record level set in 1948 yet public services are absolutely shot in general and the state and the social contract is falling apart.

The ageing population and the currrent structures we have eg the NHS means taxes are going to keep going up.

Quite. It is a horrible thing to drag the severely disabled into a non related conversation just so they can declare all benefit claimants are deserving.

I know a lady who is on benefits due to disabilities and has a child. Her disabilities are from injuries endured by her very violent ex husband. I am pretty sure she will not be passing that onto her child.

I'm actually glad you kept the child.

That's not what the thread title or OP post says. It says that some people say those who have never worked should not be able to claim benefits. Nothing about "except disabled people".

Sorry, hadn’t read this before i posted. I know my sister isn’t the norm by the way

How have you reached a place in your life where you desire to shame people?

@DonaldBiden so where did you go at 16?

Even the Lib Dems want changes to PIP. The cuddly Lib Dems. Ed Davey thinks there’s too much fraud and it needs to be looked at differently. The government folded like a deck chair over the previous attempt at cuts when their back benches kicked off but they’re coming along again since the change of the DWP Secretary.