| Interesting BBC 'In Depth' on Universal Credit 09:13 - Mar 31 with 507 views | WeWereZombies |
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/art
'Over subsequent years, working mainly through the CSJ, the think tank he founded, Duncan Smith devised a system that he believed would not just simplify the benefits system but, crucially, make work pay.'
'When the Tories won the 2015 election, they introduced a four-year freeze on working-age benefit levels, eroding the value of the payment. The difficulty that families have had in the past decade or so in making ends meet – evidenced most clearly by the huge rise in food bank usage – has long been blamed by anti-poverty campaigners on the value and design of Universal Credit.'
'By the end of this Parliament therefore, according to calculations by the Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank, the basic allowance will pay £427 (in today's prices) and £628 if they are in ill health (down from the current £823).'
'The new reality of there being increasing numbers of disabled people in the workforce is well illustrated by the story of a government programme called Access to Work, which helps people with either physical or mental health conditions into jobs, by paying for support or adaptations they might need. It was little used for years – once dubbed the government's "best-kept secret" for employment support – but is now in high demand.'
'Large numbers of people do struggle with many aspects of Universal Credit, from the self-employed to those needing childcare. Yet for many of its 8.3 million recipients, digitally savvy and good at budgeting, the system functions as intended.'
'Meanwhile, a poll published last month by the National Centre for Social Research showed that a near record high number of people, 42%, were opposed to the government spending more money on welfare.
And for the first time in a decade, a majority of British adults believed the generosity of the welfare system stopped people supporting themselves, despite academic studies showing that the UK has one of the least generous welfare systems among industrialised nations.' |  |
| |  |
| Interesting BBC 'In Depth' on Universal Credit on 09:21 - Mar 31 with 462 views | Libero |
This is another one of those realities that Farage and his bigoted chums like to profligate. Our welfare system is archaic and inhumane, especially for disabled people. |  | | |
| Interesting BBC 'In Depth' on Universal Credit on 09:27 - Mar 31 with 435 views | IP1Blue |
The fact there are 8.4 million people on universal credit is mind blowing.
Surely that’s not sustainable. |  | | |
| Interesting BBC 'In Depth' on Universal Credit on 09:31 - Mar 31 with 426 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
| Interesting BBC 'In Depth' on Universal Credit on 09:27 - Mar 31 by IP1Blue |
The fact there are 8.4 million people on universal credit is mind blowing.
Surely that’s not sustainable. |
In what way? That, as a society, we shouldn't have that level of poverty?
Or that the tax revenues raised cannot sustain looking after people in need? |  |
| |
| Interesting BBC 'In Depth' on Universal Credit on 09:40 - Mar 31 with 409 views | Libero |
| Interesting BBC 'In Depth' on Universal Credit on 09:27 - Mar 31 by IP1Blue |
The fact there are 8.4 million people on universal credit is mind blowing.
Surely that’s not sustainable. |
In terms of the amount of people in work that are essentially having to be subsidised by the government? No- it's not sustainable that people who work for major corporations like ASDA, Tesco, etc, also have to claim Universal Credit to survive.
In terms of the kind of attitude that is prevailing atm along the lines of, "we shouldn't be paying these people so much" - that's purely ignorance and the idea that people on Universal Credit are in some way living a luxury lifestyle/winning over working people is a complete fallacy based mostly on ignorance surrounding disability, disabled people and the additional benefits they receive to try and support them to live a meaningful life with dignity and their needs met.
I've seen even very reasonable posters on here talk total b0llocks about the benefits system and demonise those on it. | | | |
| Interesting BBC 'In Depth' on Universal Credit on 10:40 - Mar 31 with 341 views | Guthrum |
| Interesting BBC 'In Depth' on Universal Credit on 09:27 - Mar 31 by IP1Blue |
The fact there are 8.4 million people on universal credit is mind blowing.
Surely that’s not sustainable. |
Thing is, UC was originally intended to be a system similar to a cross between NI and the Welfare State. A combined system which could deal with everybody's needs from Child Benefit to State Pension, including unemployment and supplements to working income along the way.
That was until Osborne and the Treasury decided it should be a means to punish the poor and unfortunate.
Technically, once on UC it is quite difficult to get off unless earning a decent salary. Or just ignore until they go away, as I did following a brief and unsuccessful interaction with the system a few years ago (fell off a ladder and injured my shoulder, only to discover temporary sickness benefit no longer exists). |  |
| |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
