in thinking that the Government cannot possibly ensure people are better off working than on benefits unless they increase wages massively?

[TheJollyPirate]

TBH I cannot see how the Govt are going th achieve their aim to make sure "nobody is better off financially on benefits than in work".

I work part-time as I have a son with a disability. I take home £849 and get Tax credit of £190 plus Child benefit of course - Working Tax credit adds another £50 - all in all just over £1100. I am just over the limit for housing benefit and all other help although if DLA is approved for my son that may change a bit.

One of my families gets housing benefit of £700 a month plus tax credit, plus income support, plus child benefit. On paper at least they out-strip me and unless wages drastically improve (oh - was that a recession I just saw over there) then nothing much CAN change. The Govt are talking big but cannot deliver no matter what they say.

I will stay worse off financially than the family I work with who will remain unemployed because wages are NEVER going to amount to enough for them to get work and maintain their home. Not their fault and I am more fortunate in other ways but financially - nah - they are doing a bit better than me (but probably only just).

I am watching the Govt but not holding my breath on this one.

Or do you know different?

If so - explain because I am being a bit thick about it.

Sorry Riven, crossed wires.

There is also a MED4 form that is kept very hush hush as I guess everyone would be asking their doc for one!

"I agree on voluntary work for claiments but not in specialzed areas. Things like helping the elderly in a neighbourhood manner - shopping, gardening, going round to see if all ok, cleaning streets up, community projects."

What you mean like all those things people get paid to do in jobs?.

Yes replace people in low paid employment with ES40's that will really do a lot to help people back into work.

There is no such thing as a job no one wants to do, I doubt anything has changed in the last 2 years but when I was signing on the computers where full of jobs, all wanting experience, minimum qualifications or in many cases driving license, all things I didn't have and when you get £50 a week after awhile you don't bother applying for any job that wants something you don't have on the off chance you might get lucky, as public transport isn't cheap, why waste the money

Why is it always benefits claimants who should do community service and not, well, people in jail/prison?

Last time I checked, claiming benefits isn't a crime.

And Ryoko's point is a very valid one.

I don't see what is wrong in putting into society as well as taking out.

When I claimed benefits I wanted to do voluntary work and it was a huge stepping stone back into paid employment.

I do think however that everyone should do some form of voluntary work.

hey expat - tell me about Californian men, one is ringing me tonight

CA men? NO thanks. Wishy washy, up themselves, immature twunts.

I'm not really into American men and never really have been. Tried a few. Worked better if they were non-white.

Meh.

Went back to European or Latinos every time.

Nothing stopping you doing voluntary work, I worked at an animal home cleaning up poo (I really liked working there actually) and various charity shops.

Just don't expect it to help you get a job afterwards, shops don't count working at charity shops as "proper" shop work experience and for some reason pet shops would prefer to employ someone with retail experience over animal care and breeding experience.

katycarr - agree on everyone doing voluntary work - community work as I suppose it couldn't be called voluntary. I help in my community

hmmmmm was hoping for something a little more positive than that expat LOL.

this one doesn't seem wishy washy.....mind, none of that surfing dude stuff, more like Plato v Descartes (I'm busy goggling that one right now so I have a vague idea about it lol)

Mind I can't really talk, I've never really been into British men either

not goggling - googling

'more like Plato v Descartes '

Rolls eyes.

Oh, puhleeze!

What a complete twit.

I wouldn't give this guy the time of day, tbh.

What a poser.

well he did a degree in Classics and European studies, but he works in IT as there's no money in classics.

och - I'll give him a chance, I might get a nice meal out of it

if his name is Frank, watch out!

pmsl - no he's not called Frank.........I could never date a Frank, I've only known one Frank and he was a twat......

He's called Robert.........which makes me think of Mugabe.....but at least he signs himself off as "Rob" and not Bob

hey - a girls gotta have some fun and if a rich American expat living just up the road from me can provide some I'll be happy

and besides - I've always harboured a secret desire to date and American just to p*ss my dad off......he hates Americans (male or female) with a passion

no - no goatee - urghhh

Not even for a free meal would I go out with a guy from CA, much less one spouting off about Plato and Descartes.

FFS, sounds like some 22-year-old.

nah - he wasn't spouting off about them, just have an option do make a quiz for potential dates to do, and one of his many questions was Plato v Descartes (there's about 100 "set" questions to choose from, and I'll confess I chose an equally geeky one for my own quiz I created )

He also likes X-factor, Lost and Evanescence.....

Still wouldn't the world be boring if we all liked the same men in life...........I still think you're a little odd for never wanting to date a man that doesn't drive

Ah, see, I wouldn't online date, either. If it meant no dating at all then, I'd be good with that.

Yeah, no driving, no me.

No American guys, either.

there you go then - different strokes for different folks, variety it's what makes the world go round (or something like that....... right now housework seems to be making the world go round but hey ho).

I had plenty of company in not wanting to go out with men who don't drive.

So I guess it's an odd world.

Nope, no non-drivers, Yanks or online people for me!

well I'd rather not have an English bloke, meet someone in the pub (been there done that), or have someone who is scared of public transport

(I shall keep you updated regardless.........although he does drive and he doesn't actually live in the computer )