My Gripe - to get something off my chest

[Russ]

Originally Posted by Chris

Such pedantry in one so young ...

If someone is claiming JSA then as far as the State is concerned they are unemployed. It just depends on which way you look at it.

But if they're employed (ie paying Tax and NI) then the state would also see them as employed.

My gripe is that this thread (and many other rants) is aimed in part at the unemployed which is pretty unfair.

Originally Posted by Russ

But if they're employed (ie paying Tax and NI) then the state would also see them as employed.

My gripe is that this thread (and many other rants) is aimed in part at the unemployed which is pretty unfair.

Actually, in his OP Arthur referred to people who are "on the unemployment register", not "the unemployed". There is a world of difference - but either way, arguing over angels on a pinhead is rather missing the point. Arthur feels aggrieved that he works hard and goes without, while some people seem to be doing quite well out of "the system". What do we think about that?

I'm no more a supporter of benefit cheats than the next person.However I'm sick of sweeping statements that suggest,imply or downright state that all people on benefit are cheats..or even that a large number are benefit cheats.

It is possible that the vast number are actually genuinely receiving benefit and are hoping to be off just as soon as they can get better or find a job.

In fact it seems from some of the shows I have watched such as Saints and Sinners, that the vast sums being stolen from the system are actually down to a far smaller group who are professional fraudsters who steal sums of up to 100,000 over many years using a variety of different identities and different addresses.

[Saaf_laandon_mo]

Originally Posted by Chris

I feel your pain Arthur, yet I am bound to point out that the Tory-led Coalition you despise so much is tackling the issue by pursuing fraudulent or overblown claims of all kinds of benefits, and setting an upper limit on how much any family can milk the system for. I assume from the post above that you approve of these measures?

Regarding your difficulty making ends meet, well the whole nation is currently learning some painful lessons about living within our means. If it's a struggle, you need to take a long hard look at your outgoings and consider where you can trim them back. How about dropping your TV and Internet down a tier or two?

We cancelled Sky altogether when I had a spell of unemployment a few years ago and have never looked back. The box operates in Freesat mode to this very day.

Read this thread a couple of times and this is probably the only constructive response to the OP. Ok I know Arthur has issues with facts and can be over emotive, but come on guys he opened a thread with a post that shows frustration and difficilties in his life and he's getting disected for misquoting a "fact". I think sometimes we need to look at what's behind a post and offer constructive advice, maybe evena "we feel your pain" type of response. Life's hard enouh as it is without having to be ripped apart everytime you post something.

I think my response is perfectly constructive..I've not denigrated the OP but I'm not letting him or others get away with sweeping accusations against a group of people who already face enough hardship being unemployed and with just as many debts (if not more ) as Arthur.

I too am in the same position as Arthur but the people I will denigrate are the criminals that cheat the system not those who have lost their job and the income that went with it and still have bills to pay.

[Bentex]

I'm unemployed. My GP's find me unfit for work yet the 'benefits officer' disagrees. I should be receiving around £100 a week. Instead I'm on £70 because I'm appealing.

I live on my own and have no help from anyone. It's a bloody nightmare and I can't do anything about it. So if you think it's great on benefits you are mistaken. I don't drink, smoke or anything. Never go out, never buy new clothes etc. My tivo and internet is all I have.

Be thankful you have a job and can work! I would love to be in that position.

[nashville]

What annoys me is when a mother moves into a house with children and claims everything because she is supposed to be on her own, But the partner is there too & working full time. It happens all the time. This is unfair to a decent couple working & paying everything, because they maybe a few pound over the limit to claim anything[COLOR="Silver"]

---------- Post added at 15:06 ---------- Previous post was at 15:03 ----------

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[Arthurgray50@blu]

Let me assure everyone that l am NOT having a dig at the unemployed, l was out of work twice over the last twenty years.

One for three years, and one for two years, and l know exactly how people feel, My gripe is with the fact that some people are swanning about enjoying the life on benefit, knowing that they could work, but are taking the p***.

When l was out of work, l did everything l could to find a job, but couldn't yet you read in the papers that some people are on £20.000 per year free rent etc, and yet myself l am on the same but have to find money for this and that.

There are some hard working people out there, who want to work but cannot, my gripe is at the people who are milking the system and are getting away with it.

[Bentex]

Originally Posted by nashville

What annoys me is when a mother moves into a house with children and claims everything because she is supposed to be on her own, But the partner is there too & working full time. It happens all the time. This is unfair to a decent couple working & paying everything, because they maybe a few pound over the limit to claim anything[

I know exactly 2 families that do this. One totally takes the **** and lives like a king. The other still struggles as it's private rented accommodation in London.

---------- Post added at 17:18 ---------- Previous post was at 17:17 ----------

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

You only have to go to my local Toby carvery in the afternoon: People carriers turn up with the full family in all going in to eat. Work? don't think they've ever heard of it. And it's MY taxes.

How do you know they're on benefits? Did you ask them?

Originally Posted by Russ

But if they're employed (ie paying Tax and NI) then the state would also see them as employed.

My gripe is that this thread (and many other rants) is aimed in part at the unemployed which is pretty unfair.

well anyone fiddling JSA and paying tax and NI will be caught very easily . I know there are stupid people in the world but there can not be that many doing that

[Bentex]

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

My gripe is with the fact that some people are swanning about enjoying the life on benefit, knowing that they could work, but are taking the p***.

Problem is that everybody on benefit now has a bad name. No thanks to the Jeremy Vile show. As soon as you mention you are on benefit you are labelled as a 'chav' and a 'scrounger'.

Just last September they re-tested people claiming sickness/disability benefit and the exam was one big joke. A tick box test that passed you fit for work if you could do certain stuff. Nowhere on there it mentions the stuff that STOPS you from working.

As a person who has seen over 10 doctors and all of them say I cannot work. One idiot with a tickbox questionaire has been given the job to reduce money spent on benefits....and now I have to go without. My doctor of 15+ years sends a detailed letter that it's impossible for me to work "through no fault of my own" and yet that's not good enough.

I think it's time to give people on benefits a break. They are the most vulnerable members of society. Yes there are people who cheat the system! ....but there are cheats everywhere. There is millions and millions of pounds lost every year from foriegn people using NHS services. Why not go after these people to pay hospital charges? Or charge people who make themselves ill through drug abuse.

Time to give people on benefits a break.

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

This has got to be a first: An Arthur post that I am in total agreement with.

You only have to go to my local Toby carvery in the afternoon: People carriers turn up with the full family in all going in to eat. Work? don't think they've ever heard of it. And it's MY taxes.

think of all the dead in Iraq and Afghanistan your taxes paid for that too. Bankrupt countries in the EU IE Iceland your taxes paid for that too. The Jubilee foreign visits MPs wages and expenses and the list goes on all paid for by your taxes

[Bentex]

Originally Posted by tizmeinnit

well anyone fiddling JSA and paying tax and NI will be caught very easily . I know there are stupid people in the world but there can not be that many doing that

The 'problem' is people who claim benefits also work 'cash in hand jobs'. There are many immigrants who also do this and don't pay tax.

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

Yes and there's no way to vote against it as all the mainstream parties seem to be signed up to the appaling waste.

UKIP Want out of the EU

I agree totally

Let's try not to drift from the topic, folks.