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.

I'm not into English blokes, either.

I don't drink so pubs would be out.

Not much public transport around here, so you'd be kind of screwed if you didn't drive.

Oh, the other thing I'd not have is a bloke who's into watching football.

Yawn.

Playing it, yes, watching it, no.

oh - I agree on the football thing

"mrsweeetyboy's profile

I like going out with my mates, travelling and watching football"

aye well you see there's not many Scots round these parts, so I have to go for the proper foreigners

Yeah, that would translate to me as, 'I'm single after my wife dumped me because all I want to do at weekends is go to games with my mates and get pissed.'

Bet the only travelling this person wants to do is away games.

haha so true expat

it might be a bit geeky and show offy, but I do take more interest in the profiles that mention something more interesting than the normal stuff that most people do.

Hell if I wanted to find a man that likes to o a for a drink with his mates, watch the footy, and "travel", and also likes curling up on the sofa with a DVD........well I could walk out the front door and probably meet 50 in one afternoon

I love a geek.

arf at footbal being a pasion killer. so true.

dont knock net dating until you try it ;-)

sungirltan, i've tried it.

aye but how recently expat ;-)

doesn't matter. if DH died i couldn't be bothered 'dating' anymore.

meh.

i've already got enough on with kids and hobbies and church.

One way is too encourage people to want to work ...by valuing all jobs - from the street cleaner to the heart surgeon; both essential and by reducing the cost of child care substantially. By cutting benefits you risk driving more people into poverty...I don't know much about it but the daily mail stories of people living income support and having large amounts of disposable income as the few not the majority.

expat - fair enough :-)