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Covid
An Emergency Universal Salary paid to all...
PieceOfMaria · 19/03/2020 11:27
Regardless of means.
The idea currently being mooted the government.
I have an issue with this, or at least with elements of it. I don’t need the money. My DHs industry may well be impacted in the long term like everybody’s, but in the short to medium term he can WFH and is being paid in full and that’s pretty unlikely to change due to the nature of his sector. Plus we have ample savings.
Plenty of people including many retired people on comfortable pensions with relatively few outgoings won’t need the money. People who already exist entirely on benefits could argue that they need more money, but they can’t really argue that the CV crisis has left them much worse off than they already were, with the possible exception of those whose children were getting free school meals and now won’t be.
The people who will REALLY REALLY need the money are most self employed people whose work will dry up overnight. Low to middle income working people who were only just managing to keep the plates spinning anyway and now must be feeling sick with worry about their finances. Many household name firms will potentially go under because of this. People who work in small businesses and services that are dependent on footfall and face to face interaction are extremely vulnerable right now and will be losing their jobs as we speak. Airline staff are now facing redundancy or long periods of unpaid leave.
I don’t want any money Boris. Please, please means test this, so there is more to go around for those who are genuinely going to struggle within weeks or even days. I’m not one of them. There will be hundreds of thousand of people who can say hand on heart that they are not one of them either.
crazydiamond222 · 19/03/2020 12:35
@queenOfThorns
Even under lockdown in other countries people are allowed out for groceries if precautions are taken e.g 2 metre rule etc. I have been going to my local butcher and baker and it has been nearly empty and a much better and safer experience than what I have seen reported in the supermarkets. X£ could be added to the card on a weekly basis so the shopping is spreadout over time.
Therollockingrogue · 19/03/2020 12:35
No no no to local shops gift card.
That would fuel a horrible cycle of poverty , particularly in rural areas where local people are forced out by high rents for tourist twat shops and air bnbs. Families need to be able to do a full discount and buy at discount if they need to. If you were down to your last £100 to feed a family, would you want to purchase artisan cheese and seaweed crackers and five quid pasties? or stock up on a fortnight of food from Iceland or similar?
Ubi with unconditional eligibility , and delivered in money, not in gift cards.
namemypuppyplz · 19/03/2020 12:37
Then they are not being adversely impacted by a sudden loss of earnings are they? Their benefits income remains unaffected.
Most people that claim benefits also have some sort of work. Anyway my point is that it's not simply as easy for people to claim it. My MIL for instance works part time but wouldn't be able to do this. She replies on me for these things we're currently in isolation.
My second point is that it's a boost to the economy.
BonnesVacances · 19/03/2020 12:38
The FT has a good article about why this makes good financial sense. I can't link it because it doesn't work, but it's easy to google. Basically it says it would cost the treasury £66bn a month, for an anticipated 3-4 months, but bailing out the businesses who would collapse otherwise would cost £550bn.
KoalasandRabbit · 19/03/2020 12:38
I hope they do something like this rather than just giving money to firms. Awful lot of self employed people earning very little who it would help who often get missed as do sick people who don't claim benefits. If you don't need the money I'm sure there are others who do locally, nationally and abroad - don't expect government would have an issue with you refusing it either.
Nammech111 · 19/03/2020 12:39
Sorry if I'm behind, what are they saying about emergency salary? My partner works in agriculture self employed, I'm sure he will have to go to work, unless there are restrictions there also? But we couldn't afford for him not to go. I'm on maternity leave.
I can't imagine self isolating me and my DD without any adult conversation 
.. I'm already staying in and doing facetime with people. If he was to isolate with me being self employed would we get help?
Reginabambina · 19/03/2020 12:42
I can see why’d do it as a blanket payment rather than requiring people to claim. Maybe once it’s out we could start a thread with places where we could donate it either to help individuals and businesses affected by CV or for research/provision of medical care?
lyralalala · 19/03/2020 12:47
Then they are not being adversely impacted by a sudden loss of earnings are they? Their benefits income remains unaffected.
Their outgoings could easily have increased though - having to shop in more expensive local shops instead of the supermarket, having to buy what is available rather than budget versions, kids home all day and evening instead of school and activities so the heating on....
MamaGee09 · 19/03/2020 12:48
Neither dh or I can work from home, he works in the building trade and I work in hospitality which is a worry considering all the decisions that are being made.
It’s a worrying time as we still have bills to pay and teenagers to feed.
We do have a little amount of savings which would probably see us through the next few months but the idea of giving everyone this money is to keep the economy going.
Clockonmantlepiece · 19/03/2020 12:51
I'm a supply teacher and single mother and I desperately need this money. There's no other way I'm going to feed my kids. I'm glad you're all safe in your ivory towers with dual income, sick pay, permanent work, husbands and savings.
Benefits claimants have been starving to death for years. £39 per week doesn't go far. What if you can't travel to the food banks? And that's not even me but at least I can see their perspective!
Stop being such pricks.
The recommendation on here is always to LTB but you don't really mean it especially, not for yourselves, do you?
Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 19/03/2020 12:55
They need to do something. I'm one of the people being "shielded" due to being immunocompromised. How am I meant to see my income drop to £90/week SSP?
If I could work from home my income wouldn't be affected but I can't. I quite simply don't know what we will do
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