To be agreeing with new conservative benefits proposal re alcohol etc

[Tigerthebreadroll]

They will cut benefits for people that haven't paid into the system and been unemployed for over 6 months (don't quote me on that number ) by 30 % and it will be given on a prepaid type card. Meaning it won't be accepted by betting shops, for alcohol or cigarettes. I feel that's right . Why should tax payers money be spent on funding cigarettes etc but I have no problem with funding the basics like food etc.
Thoughts?
Basically you will claim full benefits if you've worked and paid into the system. Should reduce generational unemployment hopefully

ynbu but lefties on here will hate it and scream human rights and tax the rich ( defined as anyone working )

100% agree on everything Kemi says! Fingers crossed for a GE soon and SHE wins!

There is a family at the school where I work- we have to feed their kid breakfast because they say they do not have enough money. Both parents stand at the school gates puffing away. They do not work.

I haven’t read about this but presumably it’s for those who aren’t sick or disabled, just unemployed? The issue is, unemployment is going to worsen not improve over the next few years thanks to AI. I agree with a food stamp style system like in the US.

The majority of money spent on cigarettes ends up back in the government bank account given the levels of tax, if anything that's the most tax efficient purchase of all

It's very sensible. I fully support the idea.

But their benefit money should be spent on necessities - food, shelter, utilities, and providing for their families, so schools and charities aren't forced to fill the gap.

I used to donate food weekly to a food bank, until the young men smoking on the wall outside with their cans of lager, made me re-evaluate. I can't afford to drink.

Now I donate nappies, nappy cream, formula and children's tooth brushes

I fucking hope you never find yourself unable to find work, OP.

Sounds good to me

what about if someone hasn't worked because they have a disabled child to look after and had that child young and didn't have an opportunity to work yet?

I don’t disagree with it however I doubt it will ever get actioned as magically they will all have a disability you see so will be exempt.

Or their humans rights will be being hampered by not getting their 20 lambert and bottle of lambrini.

Maybe a food parcel per child every week enough to actually feed a child breakfast lunch and dinner. Would be a good start although I guess they could always sell anything good to go get those ciggies.

Have you actually met an unemployed person? My son would give anything for a job and to start his life properly, but he can't get a minimum wage job because sixteen year olds are cheaper, and can't get a decent job because he hasn't got enough experience. But sure, kick people when they're down. He doesn't drink or smoke, but I wouldn't blame him if he did, all things considered!

Smoking and drinking is only for the working rich people of society?

Aye they did a cracking job last time 🤣

14 years to enact all the batshit policies they wanted eh?

It’s hard though- my dm is 60, has been looking for work and interviewing for over 5 years now. Is reliant on benefits. Doesn’t drink or smoke. But cannot for love nor money get past interview for jobs. She’s really introverted and was a SAHM then when we left home and her husband left for a few years she lived with and cared for her own mum, Until she passed. Should her benefits be reduced because she struggles to be confident in interviews even for places like Iceland and Asda??

Sounds amazing. Imagine how cross they’ll be with no money to spend on cigarettes unless they earn it.

You know when people talk about social security, they don't just mean the security of the people in receipt of that money?

Your security will be at higher risk when those people who one way or another will drink or take drugs have to get them by committing crimes against your sanctimonious self instead of blowing their limited benefits money on those things.

All we need to do is remove every household containing a migrant on benefits from ever being eligible to receive them and we can instantly save £12 billion or so a year (and growing).

I'd rather the druggies stayed out of the way and didn't mug me for their next fix thanks.

I'd also like to know if you are going to explain to those kids in families like that that they can't have a Christmas present because it isn't food, that they can't have shoes for school or take part in dress down days or buy a biscuit at the school fete because they don't sell them in Iceland, that they can't have a book to read or a toy to play with because they don't sell them in whatever overpriced shop the governments mate makes money by selling prepaid cards for, that those families will be forced to use.

No swimming lessons or saving up for a picnic in the park and a cinema visit for a birthday present for those UC kids.
No chance to visit the museum because they don't have bus fare.
Shut them out of every single bit of cultural capital their parent might try to give them that isn't available at the supermarket, that's bound to create a better society.

No saving up and paying for some course or book to try and get themselves a skill to get a better job.

Short sighted and stupid seems to be all the Conservatives have left.

My son is severley disabled he will never pay into the system.

Yes exactly, sounds like you’re catching on.

I'll have to look in to the details of the proposal to see if I think it's a good idea.

I will say though that it's fascinating how after so many years in power and relentlessly driving the country into the ground, that the Tories only need to be in opposition for five minutes and suddenly they're full of ideas about how to fix the problems they caused.

They also would ban withdrawing cash on the cards. Which would mean they wouldn't be able to buy a loaf of sliced bread and a pint of milk in the village shop where the minimum card transaction is £5. Or buy cheap fruit and veg at the market in town.

No, it's a luxury, one which I as a single tax-paying mum couldn't afford if I wanted to feed my child decent food and put a roof over his head.

Why should I pay for someone else to have the priviledge?

Yes because those are luxuries and not essentials, benefits should be to sustain basic needs, not to fund a desired lifestyle.

Well spending it on alcohol and cigarettes suggests that they didn't need the benefit if the first place so it would be even more tax efficient not to pay it.