Idea to improve and revamp Benefits. Tell me what u all think?

Question

I'm unemployed and red tape is holding up benefits. However, scroungers bleed £10's of thousands out of the system.
What u all think of this idea? Any unemployed recieving benefits should instead recieve food stamps (much like ration books of WW2) with their names printed on each one (to prevent any black market).
U sign on as normal but also include any children under ur care (giving evidence of proof; birth certificate, etc). The total should be the bare minimium to get by on, all in stamps and vouchers that companies can recoup off the government.
It's a bit harsh I know, but I hate seeing hard-working folks like us allowing scroungers the lap of luxury. Let me know what u all think.

Answer 1

How much do you think people on benefits get? £57.45 a week is not that much i know i couldn't live off it!

People still need to buy clothing, pay utility bills, etc so coupons wont work.

Not everyone on benefits is a "scrounger" don't tarnish everyone with same brush

Answer 2

We live in an economic system where unemployment is integral to the functioning of the system. Unemployment and underemployment keep the cost of labour down. Unemployment is a fact of modern life. People in all walks of life now work on short-term contracts many of which are not likely to be renewed. Why should such people be punished? None of us are guaranteed a job for life anymore. Job seekers Allowance (or whatever they call it these days) should be available for all. As you should know, given your current circumstances, most unemployed people want to work. Alright, some people abuse the system. But your suggestions are just punishment for those who do not deserve to be punished. Have you tried living without money in our society? Come Christmas when the kids want presents you'll feel really down. Why should your kids be punished for a situation not of their or, for all I know, your making?I sincerely hope you get a job before then. One of the reasons the Welfare State came into being was to provide for workers in periods of unemployment. The Welfare State may be defrauded by certain people but given the nature of our society, where any of us can fall on hard times at any time, it should be preserved and defended.

Answer 3

Yes not a bad idea the whole system should be addressed and changed.
I would like to see unemployment benefits eased to help people if they are just offered a short term job maybe for a week or so not have to reapply for benefits and wait for the claim for Housing, Council Tax and Unemployment payments to clear. You should just be able to not claim for that week and then go straight back to receiving your money. I am sure the Government would save a lot of money I know that when I was not working I was offered quite a few jobs for odd weeks but it wasn't worth the stress and paperwork involved

Answer 4

Those on benefits would find life simpler if they could invoice the government for rent, repairs, utilities and healthy food (rather than benefits being spent on TV, cigarettes, alcohol, takeaways). The whole system might even be easier and cheaper to administer if they were given a credit card on which to make these purchases.

Answer 5

When I was off work for 6 months after a nervous breakdown the system was so convoluted that I ended up not claiming a penny for all that time and amassed huge debts. I ended up returning to work against my doctor's advice just because I ran out of funds for food. It's a crap system.

Answer 6

It may be different in the UK, but in the US, food stamps and aid to families *are* just the bare minimum to get by.

The maximum food stamp allotment for a family of three (the average size AFDC family) is $295/month. That is just food, no other necessities. Could you live on $100 worth of food a month?

Spending on AFDC consumed about 0.35% (that’s less than half a percent) of the gross domestic product.

Answer 7

In Bournville(Birmingham) they already give food vouchers out to the Immigrants who flock there by the thousands each year.
I was shocked to see a couple infront of me at SAINSBURYS of all places!!!
The woman at the till said they have £30 vouchers a week and she is fed up of serving them.

Answer 8

Irefer you to a book called the ragged trousered philanthropist ,Ialso ask you to look at America and their foodstamps programme you are obviously not aware what true poverty in the uk means Iwould be glad to meet you on the streets of any inner city and show you what deprividation means sorry i forgot you are enemployed and must be available for work .DO YOU WANT FRIES WITH YOURS is what the true people who want work are trying to avoid.

Answer 9

i agree and my husband has just lost his job and we have 3 kids but there are people who milk the system which really annoys me I have worked most of my working life 10 years so i have contributed the the economy but there are scroungers out there who hasnt that what pisses me off.

Answer 10

I agree, I was recently laid off. I help support my family, and £45 a week really isnt enough to live on, especially when a lot goes on petrol going on to interviews.