British Politics Thread.

[Mr Mystery]

Finances now on the English curriciulum.

And about time too. Working where I work, and considering myself relatively clueless about finances even then, it's constantly worrying to me just how many people don't understand how basic products like credit cards, loans and mortgages work.

There's even an entire industury charging up to 30% (plus VAT of course) of any redress you get to file your complaint. And despite subtlely trying to hint you need them or they improve your chances - it's a totally unnecessary industry on the scale we see it. Most of the time they're just writing two or three letters anyways!

So yes. I fully endorse this addition to the curriculum. No matter how basic it might turn out to be, Finances need to be taught from a young(ish) age!

[Mr Mystery]

[url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29414565]Pre-paid card to be introduced to benefits[/url].

Well, if we have a Tory government next time (not guaranteed).

I'm largely in favour of this. Welfare State's original intent was to provide a roof over your head, food in your belly, and wood in the hearth - literally the basics to keep you going whilst you found work. And it was initially used as such, albeit in a time of high employment figures.

Now? There's people using their bennies to buy ciggies and booze - and frankly I object to that, especially as a smoker and drinker myself. They're little perks I can do because I have a job. You want nice things, even self destructive nice things? Time to get a job matey.

[AirHorse]

I'm definitely in favour of an overhaul of the benefits system of that kind of nature!

Just dropping cash into someone's account is open to an awful lot of abuse! Having the benefits restricted to essentials as they are intended will be a good change in my opinion!

[Wolfshade]

Having said that discretionary spending is good for the economy.

Though I do have to fall down in favour of this.

[Mr Mystery]

I just feel their should be some kind of demarkation between the lifestyle of a working spod, and the lifestyle of a bennies spod.

Should it be massively and obviously pronounced? Nah not so much - don't want workhouses back like. But it does seem daft that anyone living on state support could have sufficient disposable income for luxuries. I know the flatscreen TV thing is often trotted out, and I don't mean that - that's a long hard save that is. But Ciggies and Booze? Meals out? Harsh, but no.

We need to make work look more desirable, and this is certainly one way of going about it.

[Wolfshade]

Lower wage inequality leads to higer satisfcation.

But generally, those on income support or benefits should not be better off than someone working full time. Whether that means that wages should track inflation, and have a "decent" living wage or that benefits are reduced I don't really mind which. Actually I do, reduce it so I don't have to pay as much tax...

[Mr Mystery]

Needs both if you ask me.

Get wages rising, and then reduce down the Benefits, or even just freeze them. Soon enough, people are better off in work.

[40kGamer]

[url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29414565]Pre-paid card to be introduced to benefits[/url].

Well, if we have a Tory government next time (not guaranteed).

I'm largely in favour of this. Welfare State's original intent was to provide a roof over your head, food in your belly, and wood in the hearth - literally the basics to keep you going whilst you found work. And it was initially used as such, albeit in a time of high employment figures.

Now? There's people using their bennies to buy ciggies and booze - and frankly I object to that, especially as a smoker and drinker myself. They're little perks I can do because I have a job. You want nice things, even self destructive nice things? Time to get a job matey.

Following this thread from the other side of the pond, I have to note that the most informative thing is that British issues are almost identical to US issues. Same party line political nonsense, same financial challenges, same fundamental class system for wealth... makes you wonder if the countries really split in 1776 at all.

As for the Welfare card system, what it accomplished here was the creation of a nice black market where people sell there cards at a discount for cash. Also, unscrupulous merchants allow them to purchase non-approved goods at inflated prices to pad their own pockets. the welfare safety net is a great concept and a much needed service to protect the most vulnerable members of society but it is rife with abuse.

[Mr Mystery]

Create any system, and it's open to abuse.

All you can do is make it harder for that abuse to pay off to the point it's worth abusing.

So these cards? First up, ciggies are not cheap in the UK. Knocking on for £10 a pack of 20, or £20 for 50g of loose tobacco (far better value!). Nobody that is capable of work, but isn't, should be able to afford these.

Black Market? They just try to undercut the legitimate market. Now....if you can't buy legitimate, Black Market prices will shoot up, and you'll need a reliable supply....

Most people on benefits, as in 'vasy majority' most aren't scumbags or parasites - they're just in a bad place, often through no fault of their own. The key is to make being on benefits relatively unpleasant, so people are encouraged back into work.

As for those who refuse to work? Sod them. Keep on cutting away, and reducing what they can spend State money on. There is a difference after all between State Support, and State Dependency.

And also amusing? Many of those in the EDL and other right wing racist organisations are on benefits, and yet complain about immigrants taking all the jobs....erm.....

[Wolfshade]

Yeah, I think if you are in a position whereby a "fresh off the boat" immigrant can take your job, that says more about you than the immigrant.

The exception being fruit & vegetable pickers, you can pay them below UK minimum wage if they don't work over here long enough...