do "we" have the right to say what benefit claimants spend the money on?

[DizzyHoneyBee]

In the news today, a think tank suggests that many would support restrictions on what benefit claimants can spend the money on.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19792066

What do you think?

What happens with food stamps in the US? Do people buy food with them and then swap the food for fags?

No paint them black and make them stand in the street with a dynamo torch in each hand, it will be the ultimate in green energy.

People are so damned judgemental, I wish everyone would mind their own fucking business.

I remember the looks we used to get in the pub on a Friday, oh look at that lot of 20 somethings in casual clothing drinking at 3pm they must be scroungers or alcoholics tobe in their so early. No sir, we started work while you where still in bed and are as intitled to an after work as anyone working thread mythical 9 to 5, I've never known anyone who works 9 to 5 Monday to Friday.

MrsSalvoMontalbano From what I understand the food stamp program (now called SNAP) is used to provide funds to households to buy food. Online it says you can't buy cigarettes, alcohol, household supplies, pet food, vitamins and medicine, hot foods and foods that will be eaten in the store with your SNAP card.

My friend was getting them while she and her DH were unemployed two years ago. They got them in addition to unemployment. Their income was around $4000 a month from unemployment benefits and they qualified as their rent was very high compared to their income. They could have bought whatever they wanted with the $4000 a month.

Also - smoking isn't as popular in New Jersey at least compared to the UK. I am surprised when I go back to the UK that so many people still smoke. Beer is popular and a case of PBRs will set you back $5.

i remember recently watching a documentry about many of the issues resulting from food stamps in the usa,things like increased fraud not just by the claiment but also by shops. impact on the spending habbits of people using them.

all in all it didnt present the suituation in a decent light and the only people who really benefited from them were the bigger shops who accepted them

Vouchers would be a ridiculous idea, for all the reasons mentioned on this thread: they would take away choice, infantilise the recipients, and subsidise large corporations at the expense of small businesses.

Also, I'm puzzled by the people who say that the people they see out and about during the day are on benefits - how do you know this? Do you ask them? Or do you have some kind of inbuilt claimant detector? Also, has it ever occurred to you that as you are also out and about during the day, these people might think you're a scrounger too!?

The whole idea is offensive. It says people on benefits can't be trusted to spend money properly so must have their money controlled.

How would vouchers work anyway? Surely money would still have to be given so that folk could pay their bills? Or would you force people on benefits to have pre-payment metres that can only be bought with vouchers?

So just make benefits be "enough" for food and bills and hope that people are sensible. Those who aren't, will suffer the consequences of their own actions.

Ok, so people on benefits can't celebrate birthdays or Christmas, and if their washing machine breaks down they can't replace or get it fixed. They can't run cars, take their kids for days out, buy ice cream from an ice cream van, get fish and chips at the sea side. Oh and almost forgot, they can't buy clothes. Also, which bills would they be allowed, gas, electricity and water are a given but what about TV license, phone bill? What about life insurance, home insurance?

Glitter - you have the internet? On benefits?? Be careful or you will incur the wrath of MrsBucketHeid.
Us benefit scroungers are not allowed such luxuries as t'internet y'know.

If they do give everyone tesco vouchers, they will have to build more prisons for all the people who don't pay off their debt, because they can't, unless they get payday loans from tesco finance.

There's many pensioners claiming benefits and perks that they may be entitled to but genuinely don't need. This governenment seems scared of tackling this issue for fear of the age discrimination argument.
Note not all........many.

That'll be okay, Sun. The prisoners can work in call centres for Mastercard, Tesco can get the contract for prison food and the prisons are going to be run by G4S, despite their Olympic cock-up. This will put all that pesky benefits money neatly in the pockets of the government's favourite companies :)

Even better, G4S and Tesco will be getting loads more workers for free (the ones on ESA, unregulated) so they'll benefit from benefits whether claimants are in or out of jail. Genius!

See, SmellsLike I don't think people on benefits should be given money to afford all those things. Yes people should not be in fear of loosing their home, the lights going off or not being able to eat, but that doesn't mean that the taxpayer should fund luxuries*. Your argument looses a lot of strength if you think everyone has a right to fish and chips at the seaside.

*Also think that incapacity benefit (or whatever its now called) should be higher than JSA: one is to provide an income for someone who can't work, the other is to provide a short-term income for someone who can.

God no what a terrible attitude

benefits are meant to be short term thing not for years and years.

this is why the internet is a luxury, you can get what you need on your phone now without the need for broadband.

its shocking that people on here think its acceptable live on hand outs. when you are capable to work (that doesnt include disability benefits i might add). the whole system should be squeezed so that claimants can jyst about get buy therefore ensuring more people would have no choice but to earn money which everway they can.

btw i dont sell avon. whoever suggested it.

You did.

Well that's a bit of an oversight there would be no one to work in the call centres if g4s are charged with watching them, might as well rent the empty sells out as luxury apartments.

Benefits - the nation's welfare budget - include pensions, disbility payments and various allowances such as winter fuel.

So it would appear that they are actually meant to be for years and years.

Sun!

And so the dehumanising of the poor continues......

Cells with a c fucking tablet.

the whole system should be squeezed so that claimants can jyst about get buy

Yes, because £71 a week is such a lavish disposable income. No wonder all the lazy shirkers lounge around in online poker rooms all day, necking champagne and having their Lamborghinis valeted.