Benefit cheats

[JuxaLOTmoreChocolate]

These people are paid from our taxes; that's our money for which we work hard. They can also get extra if they want it, if they play the system right.

Then they spend our money on new kitchens, barbecues, garden plants, holidays, new TVs, new hi-fis, luxury items that I, certainly, can only dream of.

I thought benefit cheats were roundly punished, yet our MPs seem to get away with little more than a figurative slap on the wrist.

Why?

I know emma; we just got dh's uni letter through (better than nowt if he is laid off), even then on about £12k income with most ly loans we won't get a penny of council tax because f how its worked here. You have to get 100% HB to qualify.

I do understand what you mean about those who never even try BTW! And I do agree. It's one thing if you are amde redundant / caring / raising a child (IMO I know not everyone agrees there) another if you're quite able to work with no issues such as childcare to firefight but prefer not bothering

Three of us were talking about the recession, the MP thing and benefits at work on Monday and someone suggested we needed a revolution in this country but that it wouldn't ever happen. Exactly emmabemmasmum, what is the motivation for people to work when they can get money for sitting on their arses and doing nothing?

Quite saramoon but how do you offer protection to people (the actual point after all) without having that as a default flaw?

I think the main point I was trying to make is that someone who is on min wage is not making enough. Someone who is getting everything paid for and also getting a weekly 'wage' for doing nothing...and coming out the same as someone on min wage is not fair.

I think the thing that would help is to raise min wage so that people on benefits (who need to be for whatever reason) can get by...but there is the incentive to make more even if you do get a little part-time or min wage job.

If you can only get a min wage job even working 40-52 hours a week (like my DH) and you are still not making what you would on benefits then where is the motivation?

Raising min wage would help I think...

Sorry peachy did not mean to imply you get what you want it was more of a general point. Most people dont get what they want we make do as I'm sure you do and I know I do when it comes to having children.

That's OK T&P.

The min wage thing is ahrd; I agree but too many employers couldn't do it the moment. Cutting that thing where you can only earn (is it £15?) a week beforelosing money to something that would actually make a difference might help- if someone is making say £30 it might make a difference (albeit a small one) and will also get them into doing something IYKWIM?

Facillitate people taking FE courses 9atm not funded) to get them on courses leading somewhere or even 'just' to make them literate; some people are at best plain unemployable.

But there will always be some who won't work for anything.

Emma I suspect the motivation is your DH's decency and self respect. Unfortunately many people do not have these characteristics and therefore the motivation.

I couldn't agree more though, it's extremely unfair.