Sunday 24 June 2012

War on the poor

If you're under 25 and unemployed you probably feel even more depressed and persecuted than usual today.  David Cameron feels the need to assert right-wing ideas, and that means a "welfare crackdown", with the young taking the brunt of it.  The report in the Telegraph says: "Ministers expect this 'next wave' of benefit cuts to include the axing of all housing benefit currently paid to around 380,000 people aged under 25. Such a move would force many to move back in with their parents rather than living independently."  
The Express says: "It could also mean stopping the £70-a-week dole payment for individuals who do not try hard enough to get work and forcing a hard core of unemployed to do community work after two years - or lose all their benefits."  Of course, that's just making the ritual noises to appease Tories, but it's another kick in the teeth for the unemployed.  Interestingly, the Express has another article entitled "Starving in Britain" which shows clearly the effect of cutting housing benefit, and the struggle of people, even those in work, to feed their children.
If you're not angry enough yet, read the piece in the Mail on Sunday based on an interview with the Dear Leader, from which all the other reports get their information.  The headline sets the tone: "Cameron to axe housing benefits for feckless under 25s as he declares war on welfare culture."
Figures in one city I know show that there are 44 unemployed people for every job vacancy.  Mandatory Work Activity (MWA) is already forcing people to do unpaid "community" work.  Under 25s already can only get housing benefit for shared housing.  Etc., etc.  There's no need to repeat it.  





7 comments:

  1. This is interesting. I could never get any housing benefit when under 25 anyway. I had a mortgage when i got made redundant and asked for help. The basically said it was your decision to take that mortgage we ain't helping. However when a 17 year near me had a baby told housing she didn't get on with her mum she got a massive 3 bed house all paid for. All lies as she spends all day sat at her mums. Its always been the same with welfare. One rule for one and another rule for someone else. This is just going to make things harder

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    1. Agreed. But don't fall for the ploy of setting one group of poor people against another.

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    2. I have been "Sofa Surfing" for almost 2 years,mostly house sitting for friends that live abroad.JCP have informed me that I need to reveal all places that I stay at and inform the council as well(I do use a friends address for mail) Is this correct?

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  2. I'm shocked by the Tories' latest revelations. I'm hoping that Clegg & Co will nip this new Tory nonsense in the bud.

    Let us say that there is a young lady aged 21. She already has a couple of small children of her own and she lives in her own home with her children, on Benefits. What effect will these new proposals have on this (hypothetical) young lady and her infants?

    As with everything promoted by Dave, his latest idea lacks clarity. Is he hoping that he will be able to hide the true extent of the housing problem in the UK?

    Which jobs does Dave intend to try to force the young people to do?

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  3. May I ask what about the young people who come out of the a care home (childrens home) if I am not mistaken they have to go at 18, they may not have family that want them, maybe some of the under 25's have suffered from abuse, from Mum/Dad and ran away from home. what about these young people, maybe they do not have a family at all what happens to those young people????

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  4. In industrial Sheffield where I work, there are plenty of vacancies. But you start at 7 am, the workshop is dirty, you mustn't make costly mistakes, and the atmosphere is congenial.
    But it's impossible to find people to do the job.

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    Replies
    1. Where are these jobs advertised? There are many people who would be eager to get one of these jobs.

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