Poverty In Britain.

[Theland]

Blackpool and Liverpool, two of the most deprived areas in Britain.
Real problems, people suffering and relying on schools, food banks and charities to provide the basics of life.
What should the government do to be more humane?

[douglas9401]

Spend uncapped billions on a railway because they don't have the guts or gumption to back down, disappointing their friends/donors?

[Bobbisox1]

Look after their own, Charity begins at home, India is the 5th largest economy in the world, and the fastest growing yet we continue to send aid there ?

[gulliver1]

Douglas 18.49 . Spot on.

[Theland]

So sad. I support four charities and try to help out my family when I can, but £317 per month on universal credit makes for hungry children.
Compare that to the daily allowance for the House Of Lords and the 29% increase in their allowances.
Snouts in troughs. Disgraceful.

[fiction-factory]

I really question whether someone with children would normally only get £317 pm , and they would get child benefit and housing benefit too, but I agree that some areas like these have real problems and it's unfair on the children who are too often born into families who can't really afford them or have other priorities

[Nical]

Theland, are you sure that the rate for families is £317 per month?

[Spicerack]

Hand out free condoms.

[Nical]

FF, Theland's figure is way off the mark, I've just quickly read up on the subject.

[Spicerack]

Pubfact, I expect.

[Nical]

Theland's figure happens to be the Government's figure for a single claimant, over 25, with no partner or dependents.

[Spicerack]

Aha. The wheels are coming off already.

[MartinMillar]

231 per child plus 498 per couple over 25 years old so 760 for 2 adults 2 children basic

[New Judge]

//FF, Theland's figure is way off the mark, I've just quickly read up on the subject.//

Indeed it is, as is often the case when matters like this are discussed. A couple, both unemployed with two children will receive a weekly sum of a little over £300 in Universal Credit and £34 Child Benefit. They will also receive a credit of about 96% of their Council Tax. I included a notional amount for their rent which they will receive in full. If their rent increases they will receive an increase. I have made no allowances for any additional sums they may receive if either they or their children are long term sick. So Theland's quoted sum is adrift by a factor of at least four as a minimum. In fact there are a number of other elements of UC which may be available to them which I have not included and their total income may be quite a bit more than my calculation. It's difficult to conduct a reasoned debate when the stated facts are so wildly off the mark.

[fiction-factory]

And when the money is at the sort of levels NJ mentions there are tax and NI savings compared to someone who earns a wage

[Nical]

Thanks,NJ.
Theland, I know you feel quite strongly about the subject, but posting inaccurate information isn't at all helpful.

[Nical]

Theland, I hope the revised figures helped you, even a little.

[Mamyalynne]

If I lift the rug, someone sweep this underneath ;-)

[Theland]

Whatever the exact figure, and I confess to not posting accurately, it is impossible to live on whatever the actual sum is.
Hence food banks and schools helping out.
It is wrong.

[ummmm]

Theland - it's not just people on benefits using food banks.

[Nical]

Thanks, Theland. I know - from family experience - how difficult, tough life on benefits can be. The figure you gave was so wildly out that you devalued your basic question, premise. For some - not all - it IS impossible to live, but your sweeping statement isn't totally true.