Film, Media & TV1 min ago
The Benifit System.
14 Answers
Do you think there is room for improvement?
Is the System Floored?
What way would you reform it?
Should it be handed out to "Anyone"
How long a time after being in the UK should "ANY" Benefit be paid out?
Is the System Floored?
What way would you reform it?
Should it be handed out to "Anyone"
How long a time after being in the UK should "ANY" Benefit be paid out?
Answers
1 to 14 of 14
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TWR...you have asked a HUGE question here ! But I will give it a go.
My personal belief is that the benefit system should be in place to provide support for the people in our society that find themselves at a disadvantage for some reason outside of their own control....illness, old age, disability, etc.
In the course of my work I meet an awful lot of old age pensioners and the disabled that are seriously in need of help. I meet many people who are looking after elderly, bed-ridden parents, who get little or nothing in the way of support.
But I also meet families where the adults haven't worked in years, maybe a generation. Immigrants are coming to this country to work and seem to have little trouble in finding jobs, jobs that our own unemployed can't seem to locate. If any Government can break this log jam with the unemployed and the unemployable, then they have my support, even a Tory Government !
There are lots of ways that we could improve the system and save considerable amounts of money. We could start with child benefit. I simply can't see why we pay this to well-off families, nor can I understand why we pay this to people who continue to have children they can't afford to support.
We should grasp the nettle on this one and stop paying out for more than, say 2 kids. I know it would be a big step to take but if a family is comprised of 4 kids, then there is £61.80 going to that family, tax-free and without a means test, every week.
My personal belief is that the benefit system should be in place to provide support for the people in our society that find themselves at a disadvantage for some reason outside of their own control....illness, old age, disability, etc.
In the course of my work I meet an awful lot of old age pensioners and the disabled that are seriously in need of help. I meet many people who are looking after elderly, bed-ridden parents, who get little or nothing in the way of support.
But I also meet families where the adults haven't worked in years, maybe a generation. Immigrants are coming to this country to work and seem to have little trouble in finding jobs, jobs that our own unemployed can't seem to locate. If any Government can break this log jam with the unemployed and the unemployable, then they have my support, even a Tory Government !
There are lots of ways that we could improve the system and save considerable amounts of money. We could start with child benefit. I simply can't see why we pay this to well-off families, nor can I understand why we pay this to people who continue to have children they can't afford to support.
We should grasp the nettle on this one and stop paying out for more than, say 2 kids. I know it would be a big step to take but if a family is comprised of 4 kids, then there is £61.80 going to that family, tax-free and without a means test, every week.
I very much agree with you, mikey. The problem with restricting it to two kids though is that it would have to be a change for future families only as I can't see anyone taking it away from those who get it already.
I don't really agree with means testing it though- means testing just acts as a disincentive to work your way out of (relative) poverty. I think it's better to keep it but make it part of taxable income.
I don't really agree with means testing it though- means testing just acts as a disincentive to work your way out of (relative) poverty. I think it's better to keep it but make it part of taxable income.
FF...there is a lot in what you say, especially about means-testing. But I still think that the very premise on which child benefit is based on is flawed. If some people continue to have children that they can't afford to support, why should they expect the taxpayer to step in ?
I was born in 1953, but my Mum didn't get any Family Allowance until 1958, when my first little brother was born. I do recall going to the Post Office to get the payment, with my Mum, on the way back from School, and it made a vital difference to her housekeeping, as my Dad wasn't paid very much all those years ago. I don't think many ordinary people were aid well in the 50's. I am not sure if it was means-tested back then, although I think it probably wasn't.
But the amount that my Mum received was much less than the equivalent that is paid out now. The fact that it wasn't paid for the first child was also significant.
If we were to change the system now, it wouldn't be practicable to do it with immediate effect. Any reforms would need to be introduced over a period of time, to allow families to adjust to the changes. But we can't continue to pay Child Benefit ad infinitum.
I was born in 1953, but my Mum didn't get any Family Allowance until 1958, when my first little brother was born. I do recall going to the Post Office to get the payment, with my Mum, on the way back from School, and it made a vital difference to her housekeeping, as my Dad wasn't paid very much all those years ago. I don't think many ordinary people were aid well in the 50's. I am not sure if it was means-tested back then, although I think it probably wasn't.
But the amount that my Mum received was much less than the equivalent that is paid out now. The fact that it wasn't paid for the first child was also significant.
If we were to change the system now, it wouldn't be practicable to do it with immediate effect. Any reforms would need to be introduced over a period of time, to allow families to adjust to the changes. But we can't continue to pay Child Benefit ad infinitum.
@Mikey...glad I've found you....noticed you had asked me something but I never returned to thread that day....you're correct about him living in Swansea, but not at uni...those days are long gone .....he is now a DC in CID looking out for you + keeping you safe, lol :)
*So sorry for hi-jack, TWR*
Baths
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*So sorry for hi-jack, TWR*
Baths
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I didn't explain myself very well, mikey, sorry. When I said limiting it to two children could only work for new families, what i meant was for future children. We'd need to give at least 9 months notice too.
I doubt thought that even that would work- we are very caring nation and as soon as stories come out about children in large families being undernourished/starving/dying I think there would be an outcry.
I doubt thought that even that would work- we are very caring nation and as soon as stories come out about children in large families being undernourished/starving/dying I think there would be an outcry.
Bathy.....good that your lad is protecting us all here in Swansea ! He probably know all about the Mumbles Mile, but from the other side of the fence, so to speak !
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All I can say for myself God bless the Queen for making me sign the oath at 16 - we were also forced to sign up for various things in our pay - at 16 we didn't have a baldy - superannuation, benenden and others - thank God it really did pay. I have a Civil Service pay that pays all my bills every month - have never received any benefits ever and it is a great feeling. much be horrific for those living on this and that small amount - how demeaning for them - not to mention those who tear the whole out of it for those thinking the world owes them a living for not doing a day's work.
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