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

This IS satire right?! 🙏

So if a parent cannot work because their child is severely disabled, their benefits get cut by 30%. Which means that their children can forget birthday and Christmas presents and indeed any little treats. Remind me why they have to be punished for their own or their siblings' disability?

Yawn, this idea has been around since dinosaurs roamed the Earth. It's all very well, but how on earth is it going to work in practice? Do you hand out paper vouchers, which are stigmatising and easily forged, or do you spend billions on dubious software and apps from a company such as Crapita or Serco that block payments with a bottle of vodka in them? Because every other attempt at a large scale software rollout they've ever attempted has been riven with bugs - see the NHS and local government for details. And it won't be cost-effective, just performative to punish some 'undeserving' poors.

It's basically a dog-whistle soundbite. Now, if the Tories promised to chase their mates in the big companies for the billions they owe in unpaid tax, or refused subsidies to people like Jim Ratcliffe who take take take from the public purse, then bugger off abroad so they pay no UK tax (while still sticking their oar in, I might add), then I might be all ears. But I've more chance of seeing a porcine flypast.

not everyone thinks about all the negative things that can happen and plan around it.

sometimes 19 year olds finish university and get pregnant with all the intention in the world of working and a relationship may break down or something traumatic happens and then their child gets a diagnosis and they are then a carer indefinitely.

everyone has different circumstances there isn't a one size fits all.

Glad you did it. I was about to. Nasty.

That poster should be banned for that. No excuses.

Unfortunately, at the moment we can’t have proper mental health services and or a proper police service because of the state of our public services and economy. I’ve got no interest in party political point scoring over whose fault that is or isn’t but the fact is, now is not the time for a costly, ill-thought through ideological experiment that would likely increase pressure on public services and cost the taxpayer more money.

YABU. They will stop paying the tax on booze and cigarettes under that proposal. So the new "benefit" will be a 100% cost to the State instead of some of it being clawed back.

Yet another example of the Tories total inability to argue from cause to effect.

From the ONS Sept 2026

1.78 million people are officially classified as unemployed (meaning they are out of work, available to start, and actively seeking employment).

There are 702,000 job vacancies are open across the UK economy.

The Unemployment-to-Vacancy Ratio
There are 2.5 unemployed people for every 1 available job vacancy

No amount of effort & drive can drum up jobs that aren't there - shit or otherwise.

Agree with everything you've said here. And sorry to read about your experience. Hope things are better for you now.

What is also interesting is no one seems to consider the massive administrative costs that would be associated with trying to do something like Kemi is suggesting. It's stupid and let's be real the vast majority of people receiving benefits do not abuse system.

Cigarettes will be phased out anyway. Those born after 2009 won’t be able to buy them.

Threads like these are always a vehicle for punching down. If only people could see what is being done to us plus to argue that the poor have all the money is a bitter irony and frankly bonkers. I know someone who feels just like this. She’s a deeply unhappy woman and the bile she spouts is etched into every feature on her face making her very ugly.

How many smokers these days actually smoke legal taxed cigarettes ?

My belief is if you did that you would bankrupt yourself in short order if you had a 20 a day habit.

People may pick up the odd pack now and again from the shop. But it's mainly the 200 pack from the guy down the pub or bought abroad that is doing the heavy lifting.

Well instead of doing that I'd rather they actually stopped using AI and let actual people get jobs. The job market is awful at the moment. So let's ensure those on benefits have absolutely nothing to enjoy and punish them instead of sorting this country out so people can work.
I'm so sick of this attitude. I get carers allowance, is the government allowed to decide what I spend that on? My son will probably never be able to work due to severe SEN, does the government get to decide what he spends his money on?

And your kids school mufti day?

Therefore they will have previously worked, so will get benefits. As it’s meant to be.

Freeze national minimum wage, until unemployment drops.

God almighty. I thought Badenoch would have had more sense than this batshit idea.
Not that it will happen. She's really scraping the barrel here.

Not only is it small-minded, vicious and petty but surely as smoking and drinking are well known to shorten life the right approach would be to encourage their usage amongst the unemployed by those who regard them as pond life (not my view) unworthy of any treats or pleasures not discourage it!!

Typical knee jerk reaction from daily fail readers who can't even see that it won't even achieve their aims.

Largesse 😂

While I think duck houses are out of the picture now, there are still some people taking the pee.
https://www.channel4.com/news/mps-expenses-46-claim-in-london-despite-owning-a-property

www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/17/mps-expenses-martin-williams-parliament-ltd

Smoking is only for the people who pay for it themselves rather than with taxpayer funds.

I think that is a very good point. None of us have perfect lives, everyone faces challenges, but it isn't generally the fault of benefit claimants/asylum seekers/ Muslims/whichever the scapegoat du jour is. Only bitter and small minded people will fall for such scapegoating.

I know, right. I pay taxes, as do most people because it's necessary. Nothing largesse about it.
😂

More people will need to claim benefits to live if you do that.

Won’t work

Whomever people know who has cash or a card with no restrictions, so cash in hand, black market, child benefit, PIP, state pension, they will get to buy alcohol and cigarettes and then buy their food in return via the restricted cards.

Utter waste of admin time and money.