Why work when you can get a good salary on benefits?

[Orwellian]

Sorry to come over all DM but I just can't believe the amount that is given out in benefits. I just read this story; www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2087857/Romanian-Big-Issue-seller-given-legal-right-claim-housing-benefit.html
and this lady is getting over £25k a year tax free (and will get housing benefit to boot soon) as well as her nice little earner from selling the Big Issue (isn't that supposed to be for homeless people, not those on £25k per annum?).

Anyway, it just got me thinking. What is the point in getting into debt at university to achieve a high career (which will take years to climb the career ladder), when you can simply achieve the same income by having several children. I did a calculation on the Turn2us website and there is actually not much difference (especially when all the extra benefits such as free school meals are included) in a family with one higher rate taxpayer and a similar family where nobody is working once everything is taken in to account.

I never see my husband because he works so many hours. Maybe I should suggest he gives up work as we would only be slightly worse off on benefits but he would be around to help me with the children.

can we please have a topic called "Benefit bashing", MNHQ?

that is a genius idea, fanjo.

so that we can all block it and the ignorant arseholes can all just work themselves into a jealous frenzy over all those free cars and rent free houses?

Fab idea.

From the comments on the website, it is pretty obvious that most people still think disability living allowance is some kind of job seekers allowance, something you only get if you can't work. It isn't.

It is an allowance that seriously disabled people get to give them a level playing field and allow them to access some kind of normality- whether that means going to work or surviving if you can't work or being looked after by a carer if you are a child. In many cases it means providing the support people need in order to be able to work.

So looking at someone's DLA and suggesting they are a fraud because they should be able to work is just totally inconsistent. Well, at least as inconsistent as suggesting that all ordinary MNers who get ordinary child benefit are frauds.

Speaking as someone who has never been successful in her claims for DLA but has developed a fair idea of the extra costs of having a disabled child, I have to say I have never felt in the least tempted to chop dd's legs off to get us past the threshold.

"I hate to come across all Daily Mail" yet you're... linking to the daily mail?

Absolutely Cory.

there was a link to an MNer who had done a peice about the cuts. She said that she used her childs DLA to pay for horse riding lessons for her disabled child.

one of the comments on the piece said "i can't afford horse riding lessons so why should my taxes pay for her kid to"

Well because if her child wasn't disabled she could work and therefore be able to easrn the money to pay for the lessons. They would be able to look around and find cheaper lessons or better still he may be able to access other sports that are free.

but due to the disability they have limited choices as it is.

The idea that the disabled should live a life of poverty just so that tax payers don't get jealous is disgusting.

Has anyone mentioned free cars yet?

and err disabled children usually go horseriding because it's therapeutic, not because they want some kind of social standing, Jesus, what is wrong with people?

If you envy a family with disabled children, if you envy my family then please take all the money, the housing and the motability car we have.

In return your children must have my childrens' disabilities and mine be NT so that we can live 'normal' lives.

You must expect that your children could potentially never leave home and that you will have to care for them for the rest of your life.

You must expect to live an isolated existence, derided and mocked for having faulty kids.

If you are willing to sell your childrens' health and wellbeing for so little money then what kind of soul do you have? It really isn't that much money given that your children will suffer every day.

...and in the case of the MNer being talked about - the horse riding lessons ARE for therapeutic purposes. "Riding for the disabled" anyone?

Make no mistake, a life on benefits is no fun as I am about to discover for the first time ever. And if you have a disabled child there is bigger all help out there unless you can pay for it.

Well said Glitter

and how many of us, as carers, have had to give up well paid full time employment and will NEVER be able to return to it because we are not supported properly to do so as our country doesn't have the infrastructure for the vulnerable within our society to be well cared for whilst carers go back to work. In theoory they should have though....

and how nice of the daily mail to pick up an interview with someone just as vulnerable who cannot speak English, nor read it, and rip the poor woman to pieces

gosh this thread and that article have made me quite cross :(

You wouldn't believe that the DM is the most popular website newspaper in Britain would you?

With all these people refusing to admit they read it :)

Glitter - was it you? I hope i have upset you re telling that comment.

I was just demonstrating the sheer ignorance and lack of understanding and compassion around those who claim benefits.

I am very lucky in that i am able to work part time whilst my son is at school. But i did have to give up work for many yeas whilst he was younger due to his SN. Even when he was at school, i had to be on call as i would be phoned to collect him at least 3 times a week. No employer would allow that level of absences

If it's SO awesome on benefits; you do it then.

Didn't think so.

Sorry but what about those not receiving benefits who are struggling,you don't seem to care in the slightest?

The op has a valid point and I think you're being slightly unfair.

Why work when there is hardly any difference in income but masses of stress?You can have more children,be supported,housed without fear of being on the street,see your partner,your kids etc.There is very little incentive for those just over the benefit threshold to work.Why do people such as this have to put up and shut up.Why aren't such people allowed to hold their hands up and say it's tough and we'd be better off on benefits.

Are only benefit recipients allowed to find these tough times hard?The fact is if somebody receiving the equivalent of £35K is struggling then plenty more not receiving that amount are too or do they simply not matter in your eyes

The answer to my question what do those not on benefits do if struggling to pay rent/mortgage do was simply "become homeless"?Oh that's nice then so those families just aren't worth bothering about,they're not worthy of consideration after all they must be Boden wearers.

Either acknowledge that it's tough for others too and they have a right to question the tax/benefits system or accept that our benefits system is actually rather generous.

"Ignorance"" lack of compassion" yes there is plenty on here along with stereotyping and nastiness all aimed at people who are hardly any better off than the lady in question.Nice.

Because as part of a civilised society we look after the most vulnerable people within it and that includes people and families that are homeless and it includes people who are disabled, or children who are disabled and their carers. It isn't that difficult to understand that that article encompassed both of those issues.

Please do not be as naive enough to suggest those of us who claim DLA for our relative are not, or have never been tax payers either, the vast majority of us have or are taxpayers as well.

I have a problem with the fact that she's Romanion and claiming benefits in Britain.

So shoot me.

I repeat what about those not receiving benefits who live in more expensive areas and are struggling to pay their rent/mortgage?

I also have a problem with the fact she has 4 children,1 being 2.If you are struggling financially you don't have more dc.I would have loved more but I can't it so I didn't.

And yes I have a problem with the fact she's Romanian too-tar and feather away!!!!!

Alouisee Wed 18-Jan-12 17:52:19
"I have a problem with the fact that she's Romanion and claiming benefits in Britain.

So shoot me."

I knew British immigrants in Sweden who claimed benefits when out of work. I expect British expats all over Europe do the same when they find themselves in trouble. Or do you suppose no British ever emigrate?

I read the same story in the Times so it is not 'crap'. I think eventually we will become a third world country if this sort of thing continues. What is she doing here if not to milk the system and where is her husband?

and even more of an asset to GB a non English speaker just great.

MrsHeffey do you really think that a couple who have both worked full time who find themselves in the unfortunate position of having to care for a loved one (may not be a child) don't struggle financially? Do you think they may not have struggled financially before? do you really resent people getting paid a carers allowance?