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Original poster

IDS "I could live on £53 a week"

107 replies

MurderOfGoths · 01/04/2013 14:58

The Work and Pensions Secretary said he could get by on £7.57 per day if he "had to"

Ok then, let's see him do it.

And not just for one week, one week is easy. He wants to try it for longer than that. Say 6 months.

And he wants to do it down south, just outside London. Somewhere with London's costs, and none of it's benefits (eg. cheaper convenient public transport). During that time he should have to apply for jobs and get to interviews - to the full distance that the jobcentre specifies.

Have to deal with emergencies like cooker breaking down etc.

On and if he could spend the first few weeks without any income at all due to delays in processing, that would add a good level of authenticity.

OP posts:
Original poster
MurderOfGoths · 01/04/2013 15:00

A year would be better plus it'd get him away from govt Grin

OP posts:
Juniperdewdropofbrandy · 01/04/2013 15:02

What a pure arse he is.

happyAvocado · 01/04/2013 15:02

You beat me in opening this thread.
I think we should challenge him.
How can we do it?

TequilaMockinBird · 01/04/2013 15:06

Signed the petition.

I hope they televise this Grin

racmun · 01/04/2013 15:11

I think you're right it always the cumulative effect of being skint that catches up with you.

Buying yourself lunch at work in London costs about £8 a day let alone living on it long term.

I actually don't have any idea how benefits work but don't you get extra benefits such as housing and council tax, child benefit on top so the £57 odd is for food and spending money? As I say I have no idea. If that is the case then lots of people working have to manage on that sort of budget every month and I agree it doesn't seem right that people not working whether it be through choice or redundancy are better off than people who are working.

The cost of living seems seriously out of kilter with salaries though especially in the South East. I'm a SAHM through choice I often look in recruitment agents windows just out of interest and am shocked at the salaries offered. I do wonder how people make ends meet.

Dawndonna · 01/04/2013 15:11

A year is ridiculous, of course nobody is going to do that unless they have to. However a month would be reasonable, that way he'd have to budget with regard to food, meters, bus fares oh, and sanctions when the fucking bus is late!

LunaticFringe · 01/04/2013 15:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

happyAvocado · 01/04/2013 15:15

this petition will be noticed - I do hope it will make news and I am looking forward to his response

Fanjango · 01/04/2013 15:15

Signed! I so would love to see him try Grin

JustinBsMum · 01/04/2013 15:15

The guy said he worked 50-70 hours a week and earned 2,700 a year ! He's a market trader. Seems a bit strange.
Maybe the publicity will lead to a better paid job for him if he's willing to work those hours.

SecretLindtBunny · 01/04/2013 15:18

I signed via facebook.

I also commented he would also need to be allowed no access to additional funds such as savings, or he wouldn't have any problems what with his family being very wealthy

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 01/04/2013 15:20

He should be on a gas and electric pre payment metre too! Most people don't realise how much that bumps prices up. :(

Right now, it costs £7 a day in gas and electric in this house. :(

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 01/04/2013 15:22

And the house is still bloody cold! Not to mention having to pay bus fares to somewhere to pick up a new card when the ones you have become faulty.

I live in Glasgow and it's about £5 for an all day bus ticket if you need to get anywhere or go on more than one bus.

ihearsounds · 01/04/2013 15:23

£57 a week.
Take off £10 - £15 a week for gas and electric.
Take off money for rent - £8 (based on my area)
Now take off money for council tax - £14.50 (again my area)

19.50 - 24.50 a week for everything else.

If he thinks he can live on this, it just shows what an out of touch arse he really is.

ihearsounds · 01/04/2013 15:24

Shit just realised its 53 a week, not £57. So even less.

HotCrossFRIGG · 01/04/2013 15:30

What an arse.

I'd like to see him try.

iamsmokingafag · 01/04/2013 15:50

what an absolute fucker he is

iamsmokingafag · 01/04/2013 15:51

signed the petition

Exogenesis · 01/04/2013 15:57

I would love to see him do it. i'd say three months, over a freezing winter

scottishmummy · 01/04/2013 16:01

I Expect he can short term,but its the ongoing grind of being poor.having no safety net
I agree in 6months in he'll be worn down,worried about the what ifs of life

iamsmokingafag · 01/04/2013 16:03

even if he did 6 months he knows he's got his secure lifestyle to go back to
fucker

Juniperdewdropofbrandy · 01/04/2013 16:03

Signed and shared the petition.

infamouspoo · 01/04/2013 16:08

go for it Ian. Put your money where your mouth is.