Fuck it - the government will look me

[Phonicshaskilledmeoff]

I am becoming increasingly frustrated with the way our country is run. I love my country, but what on earth can I do to fix it? the Rachel reeves pension and stamp duty rumours have tipped me over the edge.

I believe 90% of our lives is the summation of our own choices. Bar (some of) our own (and families) health and tragic life events, there is very little we can’t choose in this country.

I’m not saying that the playing field is fair - I absolutely acknowledge that some groups face structural barriers that make good choices harder. Others are unaware those choices even exist. That’s where government should step in—not to equalise outcomes, but to equalise access to meaningful choice.

I think we all acknowledge that bad governments are ones that take away choices. This government, however is also taking away choice by incentivising bad choices. Policies should nudge people toward self-sufficiency, not make state reliance easier than self-reliance, or rewarding short-term decisions over long-term

Our Government should be working towards equitable availability of choice (not equal - see below) to make sure those choices are as easy and available to everyone. Policies should be in place to make sure people are encouraged to make the right choices.

I increasingly feel like I make the right choices and think what was the bloody point!

I’m going to wish I never paid into my pension soon and went on holiday instead! Should I just spend my money, move into a smaller house and quit my job. At this point I think I’d be better off.

Jargon Buster - EQUALITY - It’s assumed there is a level playing field and everyone gets the same resources. EQUITY - Everyone gets what they need to succeed, which may mean different levels of support.

I have a work ethic from the minute I got a work permit at 13
but I didn’t ask to be made redundant then taken on by a new job and let go after 8 weeks
what do I live on in the mean time, fresh air?
I get £400 which covers my mortgage and nothing else, I’m hardly raking it in
I used the website as I’ve never ever claimed, and I’m already dreading going to the job centre this week for people outside to judge me

Savings? Emergency fund?

Sorry to hear about your difficulties. I hope you find other employment soon.

No and no - I’m single, live and alone and earned between min wage and 28k a year, there was no emergency fund

Look into agency work. They tend have all sorts of work. You're going to be piss poor how will you feed yourself properly.

You are exactly who the system is for, you don’t have anything to feel judged for at all. It’s people who have abused and politically weaponised the system who are to blame. I hope you get something soon.

No idea at the minute, the priority is keeping my home
i am applying left right and centre for jobs
the other job gave me a weeks wage in lieu (they terminated with immediate effect) so I have that and a couple of days holiday pay coming at least
I’ll be fine I’m sure but sick of the judgement over people claiming

You can get a mortgage on £28k?

We bought in the 00's but my DC is looking to buy.

Good luck with applications

If you were in the Netherlands you would get 75% of your previous salary in unemployment benefit. In Luxembourg it’s 80% and in Denmark 90%. The states there are able to do that because they’ve instilled a work ethic in their populace. Nobody is wasting time on benefits for ‘my nerves’ or ‘bad back’. They’re out working.

We have the opposite system here were we can’t afford to give you anymore than £400 because we have to share our benefits with so many claimants.

Yes, it’s a fairly small mortgage and I’ve had it a while, I think it’s at 73k now
i bought in 2007

I’m incredibly angry that a job can take you on and then say 8 weeks later they’re overstaffed and just let you go

Nobody wants anyone housed in damp flats, but when people work full time and the only place they can afford to live is damp flats because the state is spending so much housing those who don’t work in nice accommodation you can understand why people would be pissed off. It’s not playing fair.

We bought in 04

The majority of people claiming in the UK don't want to work. It's crazy politics in this country. Then they go out and vote and blame everyone else when the issue is it's own English citizen's. We need people to come to this country to work but it's not enough to cover the benefits bill.

What did you do five? And where are you in the country? Maybe somebody on MN can help you find a job?

Who has conducted research into whether people on benefits want to work? The vast majority of people I know on benefits do want to work, but work is inaccessible due to health conditions.

How to make someone feel like crap.
If I don't secure work in a few months I will be claiming benefits for the first time in my life. It won't be enough and I will likely lose me home.
Your default stance (majority of people claiming don't want to work) stinks.
How do you know this?

Bit harsh don't you think OP? Put the wine glass down and have a little empathy for what other people are going through and struggling with

Not true though, my mum is mortgage free in a house in London and does very well on her state pension, pension credit and PIP.

I don't think anyone is trying to make anyone else feel like crap.

Benefits are there for a reason and should be used when needed.

She’s taking about the millions of people who can work but choose not to.

She said "The majority of people claiming in the UK don't want to work".

See also
PigletJohn · Today 09:55

It wasn’t intended as a harsh statement. Read it quite literally - I wanted to know whether the poster felt their government had done enough to provide choices.

100%. Full on echo chambers

What choices?!