Welfare spending to rise by £73.2bn to £406.2bn

[topicalaffair]

Over the next five years, the OBR is forecasting that UK welfare spending will rise by £73.2bn to £406.2bn.

How does everyone feel about this? I’m livid because I pay lots of tax. I don’t mind paying tax to maintain a civilised society - but this? This is surely taking the piss and will result in weaker and weaker services as the amount of £ available reduces day by day.

YANBU - it’s totally deranged. The every growing uk population can’t function effectively on such a benefits for all basis.

YABU - this welfare spending bill is truly representative of need.

You just described what the threats are if we don’t invest in our military rather than the black hole of benefits.

Yes and then not get re-assessed for years on end as currently happens !

Doesn’t it just. I was of the view that benefits were a pittance and difficult to claim until I actually started meeting claimants in high numbers.

Exactly. We are reaching crisis point where the whole safety net originally set up for the most disabled is under threat.

But shouldn't it be based on number of years of contributions (as it is)? He will have made his full NI contributions, is a higher rate tax payer and he doesn't deserve any of that back? It would be justified to say no benefits, but state pensions should be based on contributions

There needs to be caps on rents.
Social housing is not suitable for people who are only wanting somewhere temporary to stay, or want a property that is bigger than they would be offered.
Where would students stay?
Not all private landlords have massive portfolios. Some just have the one property. I know a few people that have one property they rent out. Usually one they inherited, or where they met someone and moved into the one place. Some rent them to their kids.
We need private landlords.

No but council tenants pay much cheaper rents than private tenants and it is expensive for Councils.

Agree 😊

In work benefits are claimed mainly due to housing costs.
But if you abolish housing benefit, then people who are unable to work will have no way to pay their rent.

The economies of scale they could achieve in terms of maintenance and administration would be huge. It would be a massive upfront cost for the government to set up the system, but I think it would be worth it, much like the NHS.

But there is no money for this upfront cost.

PIP is not an out of work benefit. You can work full time in a very well paid job and still get PIP.

Chances are, those people you see out and about on PIP (how do you know they are on PIP) are able to be out because they are on PIP. The payment is to allow disabled people to have a life.
Being out in the shops or a cafe is totally different to work. Totally, and if you can't see the difference then you are a lost cause.

I think the poster said the people she’s seen appear to be able to do everything , not just socialising .

Presumably because virtually everything apart from work can be done at a time and pace they can manage with their disability.

If you can find some totally flexible jobs that can be done at any point during the week, and sometimes not done during a flare up - do let everyone know, because there's disabled people desperate to take them. Thanks.

Only if they pay at least NMW and all of the benefits and protections that come with being employed.

Currently private student flats would also be council-run. Councils could also work with universities to jointly provide accommodation. Things could change so that there could be shorter term tenancies if needed, and the supply of properties would be hugely increased. It would be a total change, and all of these issues could be worked out. If people ended up with two properties, they could sell one to the government, or keep it, just not rent it out for money.

Unless she is also in their house with them 24/7 then she has no idea what they can and can not do.
PIP enables people to be able to do things. Disabled people are allowed to be out of their house, and they should not have to perform and prove they are disabled to anyone other than the DWP.

The government would have to borrow it. They can for other things.

Yes exactly my current job has really opened my eyes.

This. Some are genuine, and we should help them. Others aren't.

How much do you propose the repayments would be; and how would they be paid?

Is it? How would it be different needing cabs to work and needing cabs to go shopping and maybe getting a coffee?

The disability remains the same. 🤷‍♀️

I'll say it again; where's the pressure and requirements on companies to prioritise hiring economically inactive and disabled people?

What do you suggest? We have excellent equality laws, generous sick leave and protections. What more should we be doing?

Borrowing is costly though at around £110bn in servicing already. That’s taxes not going to other things.