Benefits deductions: Crime shouldn't pay, says David Cameron

Welshchris · 29-10-2011, 16:43

At last he has done something i actually agree with.

The government is giving the courts more power to reclaim money from people on benefits who are fined for breaking the law.

Currently, the courts can only deduct Â£5 a week from benefit claimants. From 2013, that will rise to Â£25.

The prime minister explained the reason for the change.

Video is here on BBC Site..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15504988

**Maggy** · 29-10-2011, 16:50

Personally I think it's going to lead to an increase in crime..after all they are just going to go shoplifting, mugging or burgling to make up the shortfall.

Mr Angry · 29-10-2011, 17:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Personally I think it's going to lead to an increase in crime..after all they are just going to go shoplifting, mugging or burgling to make up the shortfall.

Maggy, stop making sense!

29-10-2011, 17:53

I thought that the amount a person gets from welfare is set to the minimum amount a person needs to survive on with no luxuries or extras so how they can expect people to pay fines out of dole money is beyond me .Far better to not fine them but get plenty of free labour out of them rigorously enforced by some of the ex RSM's just been made redundant from the army

Ignitionnet · 29-10-2011, 17:55

I love David Cameron. He should have said that crime only pays if you're wealthy and work in the City in which case you can commit wholesale fraud, the powers that be will note that you committed fraud, and ignore it.

Getting rather tiring this government's increasing penchant for picking on the population as a whole and handing those at the top of the chain a free pass.

Mr Angry · 29-10-2011, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet

I love David Cameron. He should have said that crime only pays if you're wealthy and work in the City in which case you can commit wholesale fraud, the powers that be will note that you committed fraud, and ignore it.

Getting rather tiring this government's increasing penchant for picking on the population as a whole and handing those at the top of the chain a free pass.

What he said.

Pierre · 29-10-2011, 18:05

Don't recall seeing bankers smashing up London?

Of course we shouldn't financially penalise these rioters, we should give them more money that they haven't earn't.

I'd happily pay triple the amount of tax I do, and give it to this deserving demographic of our society, as they contribute so much to it.

Mr Angry · 29-10-2011, 18:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierre

I'd happily pay triple the amount of tax I do, and give it to this deserving demographic of our society, as they contribute so much to it.

No need to worry, Messrs Cameron and Osborne have already ensured that you'll pay more tax.

Sirius · 29-10-2011, 18:25

Here's one, Are they going to remove the benefits of anyone in that camp in London who they find are claiming job seekers but instead are sitting on there arses in a tent being a knob. ????

Mr Angry · 29-10-2011, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirius

Here's one, Are they going to remove the benefits of anyone in that camp in London who they find are claiming job seekers but instead are sitting on there arses in a tent being a knob. ????

Why would they? Has anyone protesting at St Pauls committed a crime in doing so?

Are you suggesting that those on benefits should have no right to legal protest?

You may think their protesting constitutes their "being a knob" but the reality is they are exercising their legal right.

You never struck me as being a fan of the banks and their behaviour.

Ignitionnet · 29-10-2011, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierre

Don't recall seeing bankers smashing up London?

Of course we shouldn't financially penalise these rioters, we should give them more money that they haven't earn't.

I'd happily pay triple the amount of tax I do, and give it to this deserving demographic of our society, as they contribute so much to it.

Do you mean welfare recipients in general or just this specific group?

If you mean welfare recipients in general then of course we have to include the various financial organisations that have received funding and guarantees from the state along with corporations that receive welfare through tax credits.

I call it welfare to corporations as it means they can pay crap wages that aren't enough for people working full time to live on and the state, through our pockets, makes up the difference.

This is a stupid idea. If people can afford to lose Â£25/week from their welfare they're being paid too much to begin with, this'll just lead to more crime, it's a nakedly political scam to try and score votes and portray the party as tough on crime while they simultaneously pursue a 'progressive' caring and sharing Conservative policy.

---------- Post added at 18:51 ---------- Previous post was at 18:50 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirius

Here's one, Are they going to remove the benefits of anyone in that camp in London who they find are claiming job seekers but instead are sitting on there arses in a tent being a knob. ????

I agree that any doing that are breaching the terms of JSA and should indeed be appropriately penalised.

I disagree that they are being knobs, it's their absolute right to protest within the boundaries of the law even if many of their issues are, imho, misguided and naive.

Pierre · 29-10-2011, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet

Do you mean welfare recipients in general or just this specific group?

I was referring to the rioters, but I extend that to any one on state benefits that commits a crime.

danielf · 29-10-2011, 19:09

So the idea is to have a two tier penal system?

If you're on benefits you should receive a harsher punishment for the same crime compared to those who aren't on benefits?

Mr Angry · 29-10-2011, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet

I agree that any doing that are breaching the terms of JSA and should indeed be appropriately penalised.

I disagree that they are being knobs, it's their absolute right to protest within the boundaries of the law even if many of their issues are, imho, misguided and naive.

I'd be amazed if there were anything in the JSA terms which precludes individuals from exercising their democratic rights. Just because someone is protesting in a tent does not necessarily mean they are not available for work (should work become available to them) or conducting jobsearches via a smartphone or a laptop or indeed calling to a local jobcentre / recruitment agency during the day.

Sirius · 29-10-2011, 19:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Angry

Why would they? Has anyone protesting at St Pauls committed a crime in doing so?

Are you suggesting that those on benefits should have no right to legal protest?

You may think their protesting constitutes their "being a knob" but the reality is they are exercising their legal right.

You never struck me as being a fan of the banks and their behaviour.

I dont like the banks and yes you know that

, but Nether do i like paying tax so that people who i feel should not be allowed to claim job seekers, simply because they are in fact protesting 100 of miles from where they live and not actively looking for work ????

As for the knobs comment, I made it because of WHERE they have decided to protest. They are not doing themselves any favours by making trouble for the church.