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

I've never done cash in hand jobs any time I've been on benefits and I'm not scum. I'm actually disabled.

I live in a council flat that was built in 1934. Not fancy. I don't drive either.

If you remove benefits from people -you make them homeless costing the taxpayer more.

Basically stolen from Reform.

They tried this in parts of Australia. The prepaid cards are linked to big businesses only. This means you can no longer access second hand school/uni books and uniforms, charity shops, and food markets (I live close to a big undercover food market and the fruit, veg and meat is cheaper than the supermarkets). No FB marketplace or the like. It's problematic.

That's exactly what would happen.

Are disabled people scum? Are people who lose their jobs "scum"? Are people who work for a low wage "scum"?

On their shiny new phones at our local school 🙄

Yep, we and those that we care for will be punished

More stereotypes. I have a 70 pounds SIM free Motorola phone.

Yes. Badenoch is out of ideas and is stealing from Reform.

But it's so hard to find a job these days, it takes much longer than 6 months to find work. My sister in law spent over a year looking for a new job. And also what if you have been miserable job searching for months and just want a little drink to cheer yourself up? What's wrong with that? People can spend what they want with their money and people having to claim benefits are hardly rolling in money.

How do you know they are on benefits?

I think that philosophical ideas aside it is entirely unworkable. It would cost far more to set up such a system than could possibly be saved.

The impact in the rural poor will also be massive as a lot of small village shops won't pay to set up this kind of payment causing more problems.

My phone has sellotape around it! - and I dont work because im run off my feet with care duties. So it isnt 'all' benefit claimants.

Oh grow up. This is not a radical thing to suggest to people on either side of the political spectrum. Why not just have a conversation without accusing anyone of screaming?

Plenty of us on the left are very much in favour of the benefits system being re-evaluated. Why do you assume those getting the benefits are on the left? One look at Farage's supporters would suggest a lot of them are very much right wing these days.

My husband was studying and then had a 15 month work contract which he completed with thanks from his employer, followed by a period of several months unemployment while he was looking for further work. It was very frustrating to be told he was ineligible for any benefits to live on while he searched because the contract hadn't been for two years or more. I don't know how people are managing to claim unemployment for so long because it's been of no use to us.

Why so cross? I haven't been unemployed in 25 years. Paid enough in taxes to get benefits for years to come. And I'd expect to get them if I cannot find work. If you have worked before you will be fine ? Disability is not included in the proposal and shouldn't be

Oh and also, I have had to claim benefits in the past when I lost my job. It was awful. Why make things even more miserable for people?

I agree, and I find it genuinely disappointing - I thought she had more about her.

Politically, I think this is a gift to the Lib Dems.

Oh yeah because that's all people out of work do. Sit sipping Chardonnay (a single person over 25 on UC gets 434 a month). Puffing on Benson and Hedges and putting bets on.

I mean fuck paying my gas bill. Paddy power is where it's at.

So the parent has control of a 25 year old's money? Have a little think about how badly that could go wrong.

Not sure, the op has majority yanbu.

Read my post properly instead of kicking off?

I said the 6-month thing isn't fair - precisely because there aren't enough jobs, obviously - and that jobs need protecting against AI. I'm a medium term claimant myself - because the job market is horrendous.

Totally agree... I think its obviously to win votes but regardless of which party supports this i feel its a sensible next step to pilot

Why do you believe anything that a politician tells you ?

I am not a great fan of hers, but recognise her as an intellectual and capable woman; which I hoped would translate to a very robust opposition leader. She has her moments, but on days like today I just shake my head with disappointment.

I do think the posters that said 6 months isn't enough have a point- no idea what the right amount of time is myself but I am sure they will have to figure out a fair system