Do You Think Benefits Should Increase In Line With Inflation ?

[Bobbisox1]

There’s more vacancies than people out of work ,Liz Truss when she came to power said benefits would be reduced if it’s proven that the claimant wasn’t actively seeking work, she’s now facing a rebellion with calls for an increase for those on benefits

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-63125506

[Bobbisox1]

Maydup I come in the mid section of your post

[MissTerious]

I really can't understand your problem. You get a Spanish Pension but you can't get British nationality because Spain won't allow dual nationality? I presume Spanish law is different. I'm not being rude. I really don't understand. What has any of this got to do with racism? There was no need for rudeness.
Did you give up British nationality? If not then you should get a pension if it meets the criteria.

[MissTerious]

Sorry I realise now you don't have Spanish Nationality just English. So Spain pays out pensions to non nationals. Up to them. But this wasn't about Spain!

[Bobbisox1]

I have friends both in Cyprus and the Canaries , who get a British and a pension from their country of residence, of course you must have the qualifying payments to get your British state pension and in the Canaries ( not sure about Cyprus) to qualify for a basic state pension from Spain, you need to have resided and worked for 15 years there

[ladybirder]

jj109 - how I wish the Government had put the nation's pension contributions into a pot to grow and increase instead of being paid out of current contributions.

https://www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/transparencyandgovernance/freedomofinformationfoi/statepensionfunds

[MissTerious]

Yes Bobbi. As you know my very best friend lives in Spain so we oft
en talk about our finances and pensions. Was thinking of going over next month again, but can't now whilst we are probably moving.

[MissTerious]

Oh Ladybirder I do agree. But we were not to know what would happen.

[Bobbisox1]

I can’t wait to go for Christmas even if it is only two weeks, just to recharge my batteries and try to focus on happy times MissT
I hope your move is a successful one

[MissTerious]

Obbi, We've found one we love and a couple more but just hoping now for a quick sale.

[MissTerious]

Obbi !
Obi wan Kenobi ;0))

[Bobbisox1]

Haha, that made me smile

[Blackstoun]

All these responses seem to miss the point of the OP. If benefits are to increase in line with inflation, the real question is: what would then need to be cut in order to pay for it! A good question n’es pa? What with the UK economy sinking into deep pit since 2008 . You choose but almost no one will like your solution , intractable problem. I am lucky enough to to have 5 pensions having worked in different countries, although some are quite small. I pay 25% tax on all but the uk state pension. How much of my taxes goes on benefits ? Wat too much imho

[Blackstoun]

Damn auto correct, “way too much”

[FatticusInch]

Ah, the wealthy letting us all know how much they’re receiving again whilst lambasting the poorest and most vulnerable in society.

No shadows cast on these sunlit uplands eh?

[Blackstoun]

I do not suggest that the poor should not get a fairer slice of the cake, only that someone else will lose out if that solution comes to pass, given that there is a finite amount of dosh to pay for it, and now all of it borrowed. Btw I am against the taxation of pensions that I paid into for all those years, but I would cough up if it resulted in a fairer distribution to those in genuine need. But how do limit it to those deserving. Outside my local food bank the other day a middle aged guy came out with three bags of stuff. He stopped in front of me , put the bags down and pulled a roll of notes out of his pocket , fat enough to choke a donkey. I am still trying get over it! As I said there are no easy solutions

[Deskdiary]

No, handouts should not rise in line with the rate of inflation.

Wages aren’t, so I struggle to see why handouts should.

Those in receipt of handouts will have to cut their cloth the way people not in receipt of handouts have to cut theirs.

[Blackstoun]

Fatti seems think I am rich , no I’m not. That I am lambasting the poor and vulnerable , no I am not. I do not doubt there is genuine need, However I do know people , some of them even relatives, who have never worked and have no intention of ever doing so . They all know how to get the most out of the benefits system. When Money is tight, even non existent, there must be better places to spend it , than persisting with a flawed benefits system which no one seems to be able manage . Have to poor got used getting handouts ? Is there a sense of entitlement to something for nothing?

[naomi24]

I agree with Deskdiary … and Blackstoun is right too. Some people do have a sense of entitlement and no intention of working. They take all they can get.

[pimplyteen]

Knowing some people personally that stand outside a bar with a fag, can't be a reason to assume everyone that does the same is claiming benefits. Now when I say benefits, is the OP referring to unemployment benefits plus? I personally see 100s and 100s of people standing outside clubs and bars especially Fridays and Saturdays simply because they are not allowed to smoke within. Some are doing it while queueing to get in. A thread on benefits can only get or start off emotive if one speculates rather than having evidence of such assumptions.

[Bobbisox1]

Or if one speaks one’s mind and dares to disagree ?