The state benefits system mega-thread.

[Julian]

Originally Posted by Hugh

If your business model can't afford a living wage, the model isn't right.....

To be fair Hugh, not all businesses operate on a high profit basis.

A lot of small businesses will be hurt by this.

Those that have majority low hours workers so pay very little in NI, therefore unable to recover any of the enforced pay rise.

[nomadking]

Originally Posted by Hugh

I call out your 'straw man' argument.

We are talking about £9 per hour, not £30 per hour (your £60,000 figure) - you are moving the goalposts to deflect discussion.

The argument is that the salary should be enough to not need state aid in the form of tax credits, benefits etc. From the Tax credits website you can be earning that sort of figure and still be eligible. Even the official "living wage" calculations say a salary of £53,890 for a couple with 4 kids with childcare.

The 2014 hourly rates range from £5.70 to £21.10. The assumption is made that in a couple, both are working. That ends up with the slightly perverse situation where a single person with one child is said to need around the same as a couple with 4 kids. The 2014 figures give a "required" salary of £41,254 for a single person with 3 kids. Even just single person with just one child is said to "require" £13.88/hour, £27,141/year. The rent levels used seem to be a bit low, ie £100/wk for a couple with 4 kids. All these figures are for outside London which will be even higher.

In 1980, you were given and additional £365 on your tax allowance for each child. The 2014 calculations say that you "require" £173.10 each week just for childcare.

The "living wage" calculations may use 9 different household set-ups to come up with a single figure, but even within each set-up there will be differences in requirements, eg a single person with one child needing childcare is different to where the child doesn't need childcare to the tune of £173.10/week. The "living wage" cannot begin to represent the various combination of set-ups, but a tax credits and benefits system can. It is having children that is really being "subsidised". Good luck with getting £21.10/hour because you may or may not have 3 kids.

[Ramrod]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Why shouldn't businesses, whose profits (which are a good thing) are at their highest point in two decades, pay their employees a living wage?
We are talking about people, not 'resources' - I treat those who work with me how I would I would like to be treated if I were in their shoes; with dignity, and paid a fair wage.

If your business model can't afford a living wage, the model isn't right.....

Damn right

[Taf]

The amount asylum seekers and their children receive in state support is to be cut by the government.

There will be a payment of £36.95 per week for each asylum seeker, whether they are adults or children.

A single parent with one child will get £73.90, compared to £96.90 now.

A single parent with two children will receive £110.85, compared to £149.86.

A couple with two children will receive £147.80. They currently receive £178.44.

The changes will take effect from 10 August.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33547767

[Kursk]

I hope a further cut follows if the subject has not secured a productive role in their adoptive home within 6 months.

[Gary L]

A Home Office spokesman said asylum seekers requiring support were provided with an essential living allowance in addition to free accommodation, including all utility bills and Council Tax, and access to free healthcare and schooling.

They get free gas and electric?
Virgin and Sky are classed as 'utilities'
they get that free too?

land line.
free international calls?

what about an iphone 6 and a mobile contract?
that free too?

Yes, no, no, no, no, and no.

[Gary L]

You sound unsure.
We'll take it all as yes till someone says otherwise.

free gas and electric?
no wonder there's loads of cables coming out the windows!

[papa smurf]

so we buy our gas and electricity supplies from foreigners and give them it back for free what a wonderful system

[Kursk]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Yes, no, no, no, no, and no.

That's one 'yes' too many.

Since they are not allowed to earn money, how would you suggest the gas/electric is paid for by the asylum seeker?

[Gary L]

Out of their benefits like everybody else has to?

[Escapee]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Since they are not allowed to earn money, how would you suggest the gas/electric is paid for by the asylum seeker?

Thank you, that has certainly provided an answer to a niggling question I had.

On Newport road in Cardiff, near Lynx House (Asylum centre) there are a number of large houses that have been converted into flats housing asylum seekers. During the coldest spell of last winter when passing 2 or 3 of these premises it stood out like a sore thumb that despite the very cold weather, the front doors of these properties were left wide open. I guess if you are getting something for free from an over generous benefactor you don't concern yourself with how much you use or waste.

[Kursk]

Originally Posted by Gary L

Out of their benefits like everybody else has to?

If they are not allowed to earn money, what about some voluntary, unpaid community work like collecting litter so that their taxpayer patrons get something practical back (other than the wunnerful- fuzzy-warm-feeling of bailing out others)?

Originally Posted by Escapee

Thank you, that has certainly provided an answer to a niggling question I had.

On Newport road in Cardiff, near Lynx House (Asylum centre) there are a number of large houses that have been converted into flats housing asylum seekers. During the coldest spell of last winter when passing 2 or 3 of these premises it stood out like a sore thumb that despite the very cold weather, the front doors of these properties were left wide open. I guess if you are getting something for free from an over generous benefactor you don't concern yourself with how much you use or waste.

It beggars belief. Old people are getting hypothermia whilst this lot are having a BBQ.

[Ramrod]

Originally Posted by Kursk

If they are not allowed to earn money, what about some voluntary, unpaid community work like collecting litter so that their taxpayer patrons get something practical back (other than the wunnerful- fuzzy-warm-feeling of bailing out others)?

Much like my father and uncles were when they were refugees after the war. They were given a place to live and jobs to do.
Two years before they allowed live and work where they wanted.