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

Did they have a free goat too? 🐐 😡

Badenoch is spouting populist views for the vote. As if anything like she’s suggesting could ever be enforced. More fool anyone who’s taking it seriously. Jeez. The world is about to implode and you’re all worrying about who’s got what and who’s smoking. Wake up.

When people are running a home on 434 pounds a month there's really not much spare to go to the pub with

George Orwell called, wants 1984 back...

Because that’s difficult. It’s much easier to make knee jerk populist policy than it is to make evidence based policy. And easier to sell too. As this thread shows.

Hoew can they restrict what you buy? Can only do this my merchant code not items on till unless all supermarkets and small shops update their POS systems. Right wing wankery that will cost the tax payers more to implement than giving people money.

Because parents are also taxpayers. Because we live in a civilised society and, therefore, shouldn't accept people rotting on the streets in poverty. Because some parents may not have the means to support their adult child, thus perpetuating more poverty. Because all of this is costing "the taxpayer" more money in the long run to compensate for illness, disease, addiction, and homelessness.
If we follow your argument, then we shouldn't be funding children of any age. Can I withdraw the part of my taxes which pay for education and healthcare of children that I did not birth? Can I also withdraw any portion of tax that goes towards the NHS that I did not personally use? Why should I subsidise someone else's adult children? It would save me a lot of cash.

There were a few Pygmy goats. I couldn’t tell you if they were free or not though.

Maybe they could fit unemployed people with an electronic tag that alerts the job centre if they've set foot in Wetherspoons.

I always recommend people read Orwell’s Road to Wigan Pier. He offers a fascinating analysis of poverty and in it says something along the lines of “when you’re already poor and suffering are you going to buy cake or carrots and brown bread?”

People who feel like shit generally want to escape and do things to improve their mood, even though it’s obviously temporary.

Rubbish there will be a black market for selling goods and buying alcohol and tobacco. They will find a way .

I agree with this. Of course contributing to the countries funds as a taxpayer is really important, but there are lots of other ways to be a valuable member of society, and volunteering is one of these. It also often gives the person job hunting a boost in skills and makes them more attractive to employers if its linked to the field they are looking for work in - I recently shortlisted for a role working with children, and the only thing separating 2 good candidates was that one had been volunteering with children with additional needs and had a reference supporting their ability to engage, reliability etc.
I would definitely support a proportion of benefits being linked to commuinity contribution - with a loss for antisocial behaviour for example, and a boost for those actively volunteering.

Nice idea, but seeing as pensioners are also on the radar, at least in some opinions on MN and the think (sic) tanks associated with Reform, I wouldn't hold out much hope for this.

If the Tories thought it was such a good idea, they could have implemented it in their many years in power.

They know it's just populist bullshit. Much like them

Fair point.

But my point remains that the rules seem perverse - because I was a carer for a year Im now not entitled to benefits that I otherwise would have been (maybe i didn't explain very well).

I didn't miss out because I 'assumed' and didn't apply, I missed out because I spent that year being a carer, which has made me ineligible because I wasn't 'paying in' during the last 6 months (no one cares about the previous 25 years). My point was that carers could be penalised under a system like this.

Unless you're suggesting I should have played the system by pretending I was job hunting when I actually wasn't in a position to work due to caring responsibilities?

How does the DWP monitor anti social behaviour?
Btw I've been looking for voluntary work recently. It took me over a year to find something that was linked to my previous work experience and my last degree

MN is one of the most prejudiced forums I've come across. It's been particularly interesting observing the mindset shift since Labour came to power and the middle became squeezed more and more.

I work in fintech. Cards don’t work like that - you can exclude specific types of merchants like gambling but you can’t exclude specific goods in a cart from a merchant like supermarket who sells both groceries and alcohol and tobacco.
this scheme will do nothing like Australian scheme did nothing. Might create some jobs for me though 😆

Só you want people to start making moonshine again?!

That's disgusting. We all know the type.

Why can't we just ban smoking for everyone under a certain age like in NZ?

MN has been steadily lurching to the right for years, it used to be in hushed tones as something to be ashamed of but not now, they're out and proud and growing every day. Not sure many posters even realise how right wing this site is becoming, tbh.

I suppose we'll see!

Honestly, though, unfashionable as it is to day it, I think suggesting that the 'us vs them' sentiment is based on skin colour is incorrect and simplistic.

I think you'll find that given the way she speaks and the things she says, a good many of the people who would consider voting for Farage to keep the 'them' out would consider Kemi as firmly in the 'us' camp.

It’s really really tough out there for jobs at the moment and it’s only going to get worse. I’ve friends who have been looking for 6+ months, and no luck. Interview after interview but no luck. I’m not sure how this would support them getting into work. One can’t even afford internet, which means she has to walk to the library to look for jobs every day.

You could have claimed carers allowance? You should still be able to claim UC.