Do the Govt enjoy Giving State Benefits?

[chouglez]

I have experienced in the past 5 years I have been in the UK that the salary standard differ massively between the South and North [what am I stating new?]

I worked in Birmingham prior to working in London City and the salary difference is a staggering 30-35 percent.

I also noticed that people are hunky dory on 16K and 21K salaries with absolute no six months contigency plans whatsoever in case of difficult times and they proudly say that they get state benefits etc. [No offence to anyone - Just pure observation]

My question is Do Govt. enjoy giving away these state benefits to numerous population in the UK? Why not simply raise the salary standards and let the employees be self sufficient rather than feel like getting alms from the Govt.

 

[Tazmaniandevil]

My question is Do Govt. enjoy giving away these state benefits to numerous population in the UK? Why not simply raise the salary standards and let the employees be self sufficient rather than feel like getting alms from the Govt.

Possibly. There must be some job satisfaction from being totally benificent.
The welfare system in this country is seriously flawed, on that we all agree. It is however much preferred to what we see in other countries around the world with no welfare system.
Personally, if I were made redundant tomorrow, I'd rather have state benefits than having my home reposessed and having to live on the local tip.

 

[Steve Smith]

Are you talking about unemployment benefit or tax credits?

Obviously unemployment benefit is needed. There is no point having homes repossed and people going into state paid temporary housing when they lose their jobs.

As far as tax credits are concerned though, it seems a bit stupid to me to take income tax off of you then give some of it back again if you fill in the right form. The details you put on the form are details they have already.

They should take income tax, council tax, national insurance, tax credits, child allowance and child tax credits and combine them into one tax (probably about 35%). It would make an easier to understand system with less beurocracy.


Steve.

 

[seriousrikk]

Other countries have a system where you have to actually have worked at some point in your life to be entitled to unemployment benefits. I approve of that.

My mother in law works in a post office where the majority of people who frequent the place are on unemployment benefits of some sort or other. Many have been on unemployment benefit all their life and have no intention of working.
This is not right and yet the sate welfare system lets in happen - in fact many of the rules etc seem to encourage it.
<cynic>There are a lot of voters on benefits...</cynic>

 

[hepburn]

My question is Do Govt. enjoy giving away these state benefits to numerous population in the UK? Why not simply raise the salary standards and let the employees be self sufficient rather than feel like getting alms from the Govt.

Ever wondered why this state of affairs continues? Call me paranoid if you wish but I reckon it's so the government continues to have a hook into our personal affairs. Want some kind of benefit or tax credit? just fill in a form giving us a bucket load of your personal info we might otherwise find hard to obtain, and that will do nicely sir...

 

[whiteflyer]

They should take income tax, council tax, national insurance, tax credits, child allowance and child tax credits and combine them into one tax (probably about 35%). It would make an easier to understand system with less bureaucracy.

Steve.

It's called Flat Tax, Germany had a think about bringing it in recently.

Never get it in this country too many Civil Servants would have to leave the gravy train they're on.

 

[sportysnaps]

i have worked full time for over 25 years with one short period of being out of work after a company i worked for went bust...

if i loose my job - i EXPECT the government to help me out, as i have paid a lot of tax and NI in those years.

I don't think that those who have never worked (or very little) should get the same - unless they have a good medical reason

I also think that those that have not paid their dues i.e those that have not lived and worked in this country long enough should not get anything - nothing at all - zip - if you are not coming to UK to help contribute(and work) then don't come here at all.


why is the UK becoming such a soft touch - it is not as if we (the UK) can afford it...

Yep this is politics (as is the thread about g20) - but i did not start the thread...guess it will be locked soon