Benefits Street

[Rincewind]

Thanks for the update in media practice Mr Murdoch.

anytime.my pleasure.

[midland_red]

I didnt see this...don't really doC annel 4 sensatonal TV.

But...

we're not in the shite because of some lumpen scum in one street overclaiming on benefits.

We're in the shite because of

a) the bankers who have wrecked the economy,

b) the multinationals who do not pay their taxes,

c) and the crooked polticians (from both parties) who have connived at these two above evils.

A few lowlife in Birmingham arent really the point here, however annoying they are. It is worth noting though that inner Brum has the highest unemployment in the country (worse than Liverppol,  Newcastle etc and official figres always understate unemployment).

No prizes for guessing why C4 doesnt want to look at the real villans..but let's not be distracted

[Alf Bentley]

Never has one man typed so much but contributed so little to the discussion. I'd love to see you venture a real opinion. Something you actually believe. You criticise others but have very little to say for yourself. Why not make 2014 the year you form your first opinion?

 

Thanks for taking the time to respond. Much appreciated, given your busy and successful life, and the time you have to devote to making 30,000+ much-appreciated contributions to FoxesTalk.

 

- "Typed so much"? Hands up to that - I'm verbose and need to curtail it.

- "Contributed so little"? Matter of opinion.

- "Criticise others"? No, I agreed with others, disagreed with others, made separate points - and only criticised you and your fellow traveller for supporting sterilisation policies applied by the Nazis - a matter of historical record. I did also criticise you for misspelling "sterilisation", but had assumed that you were a troll and had done this deliberately (I clearly over-estimated you).

- "No opinions"? Come off it, you buffoon!

 

Still, you said you'd love to see me venture some opinions, TPZ. So, here are a few I've expressed recently, which you missed:

- Lloyd Dyer could still be an asset if we are promoted;

- Economic growth based on burgeoning credit and a housing bubble is unsustainable in the long-term;

- We need a boost to demand, whether from exports, public spending, real wage rises or a boost in business investment;

- Nigel Pearson is a very clever manager and a very funny man;

- 75% of the deficit was caused by the financial crash/unregulated capitalism, only 25% by Labour policies & the Tories supported the lot;

- Burton Bridge can be relied upon to brew exceptionally tasty ales;

- Gary Taylor Fletcher may well make a significant contribution to our season;

- I now believe that nuclear power constitutes an essential element in our energy mix as climate change is much more dangerous than nuclear waste/potential Chernobyls;

- Despite being a Republican in the long-term, I'd vote to retain the monarchy rather than risk President Blair/Cameron;

- Noosha Fox was an exceptionally sexually enticing woman;

- Kermo was indeed decent;

 

Although you didn't answer my question as to whether or not you were a troll, I have formed a provisional opinion about that, too.

My impression is that you are not a troll. Rather, my impression is that despite apparently having a great job, relationship, family and social life, you have some fundamental unhappiness that causes you to post 33% immaturity, 33% narcissism and 33% venom against the disadvantaged. I hope that you find happiness soon and are then able to make a more positive contribution.

 

"Good morning, Smithers-Jones; How's the wife and home; Did you get the car you've been looking for? .... We could have some good times; All this worry will get you down; I'll give you a new meaning to life - I don't think so" 

[Alf Bentley]

could be more lost through tax evasion due to more people being eligible to pay tax that claim benefits. 

 

Fair point, but I doubt that's where the big money is going missing with tax evasion/avoidance....

[Rincewind]

As soon as you stop claiming JSA the housing etc are informed and they stop your benefits even though the change can mean lower income. I have lost count of the times the job centre have informed them of a change of circumstance but not said why. I am lucky I can read, do not have dyslexia and am able to walk to the council building and wait 4/5 hours to have a statement from my bank photocopied and hope that they amend things within 3 months. This is one reason why I have decided to volunteer the role of sub-editor rather than be on the payrole. My income is the same without the risk of being short several weeks in a row.

Now think how it is for a mother with a young child who has a part time job pays for child care and a portion of Council tax and rent.

Once you start paying tax the DWP stop any benefits. If your wages are below the living wage determined by law your benefits continue.

[stix]

As soon as you stop claiming JSA the housing etc are informed and they stop your benefits even though the change can mean lower income. I have lost count of the times the job centre have informed them of a change of circumstance but not said why. I am lucky I can read, do not have dyslexia and am able to walk to the council building and wait 4/5 hours to have a statement from my bank photocopied and hope that they readjust things within 3 months. This is one reason why I have decided to volunteer the role of sub-editor rather than be on the payrole. My income is the same without the risk of being short several weeks in a row.

Now think how it is for a mother with a young child who has a part time job pays for child care and a portion of Council tax and rent.

Once you start paying tax the DWP stop any benefits. If your wages are below the living wage determined by law your benefits continue.

Surely trolling........

[The People's Hero]

Thanks for taking the time to respond. Much appreciated, given your busy and successful life, and the time you have to devote to making 30,000+ much-appreciated contributions to FoxesTalk.

- "Typed so much"? Hands up to that - I'm verbose and need to curtail it.

- "Contributed so little"? Matter of opinion.

- "Criticise others"? No, I agreed with others, disagreed with others, made separate points - and only criticised you and your fellow traveller for supporting sterilisation policies applied by the Nazis - a matter of historical record. I did also criticise you for misspelling "sterilisation", but had assumed that you were a troll and had done this deliberately (I clearly over-estimated you).

- "No opinions"? Come off it, you buffoon!

Still, you said you'd love to see me venture some opinions, TPZ. So, here are a few I've expressed recently, which you missed:

- Lloyd Dyer could still be an asset if we are promoted;

- Economic growth based on burgeoning credit and a housing bubble is unsustainable in the long-term;

- We need a boost to demand, whether from exports, public spending, real wage rises or a boost in business investment;

- Nigel Pearson is a very clever manager and a very funny man;

- 75% of the deficit was caused by the financial crash/unregulated capitalism, only 25% by Labour policies & the Tories supported the lot;

- Burton Bridge can be relied upon to brew exceptionally tasty ales;

- Gary Taylor Fletcher may well make a significant contribution to our season;

- I now believe that nuclear power constitutes an essential element in our energy mix as climate change is much more dangerous than nuclear waste/potential Chernobyls;

- Despite being a Republican in the long-term, I'd vote to retain the monarchy rather than risk President Blair/Cameron;

- Noosha Fox was an exceptionally sexually enticing woman;

- Kermo was indeed decent;

Although you didn't answer my question as to whether or not you were a troll, I have formed a provisional opinion about that, too.

My impression is that you are not a troll. Rather, my impression is that despite apparently having a great job, relationship, family and social life, you have some fundamental unhappiness that causes you to post 33% immaturity, 33% narcissism and 33% venom against the disadvantaged. I hope that you find happiness soon and are then able to make a more positive contribution.

"Good morning, Smithers-Jones; How's the wife and home; Did you get the car you've been looking for? .... We could have some good times; All this worry will get you down; I'll give you a new meaning to life - I don't think so"

What about the other 1%?

I had you down as somebody who could probably add up, but I'd obviously overestimated you (something I thought barely possible).

[Jimothy]

What about the other 1%?

I had you down as somebody who could probably add up, but I'd obviously overestimated you (something I thought barely possible).

I'll openly admit I haven't read Alf's post, I was just skimming through before getting ready for work, but if his argument is so poor you should be able to rip it apart quite easy, if he made some good points you should be able to counter them, but picking on spelling or mathematical mistakes is usually the last resort of someone who has no argument, or is out of their depth. For all your bitching and moaning on here, I was of the impression you were somewhat intelligent and not a troll.

[ADK]

It's obvious he means 1/3 as well. It's not even a mistake, and I couldn't write posts of Alfs length without making several. If you ever needed proof that TPH is a waste of server storage space then this is a great example.

[Alf Bentley]

What about the other 1%?

I had you down as somebody who could probably add up, but I'd obviously overestimated you (something I thought barely possible).

 

1% pedantry? 1% ennui? I'm getting bored with this now, TPZ.

 

 

 

Have a nice day! 

[Rincewind]

Surely trolling........

I have changed that word although I checked and it was spelt correctly. Do you have any point to make other than grammar and spelling?

[Harry - LCFC]

Wow, picking up on the 1% thing. That really is childish in the extreme. What makes it more amusing is that you honestly seem to have thought it would stand up as a good counter.

[purpleronnie]

Thanks for taking the time to respond. Much appreciated, given your busy and successful life, and the time you have to devote to making 30,000+ much-appreciated contributions to FoxesTalk.

 

- "Typed so much"? Hands up to that - I'm verbose and need to curtail it.

- "Contributed so little"? Matter of opinion.

- "Criticise others"? No, I agreed with others, disagreed with others, made separate points - and only criticised you and your fellow traveller for supporting sterilisation policies applied by the Nazis - a matter of historical record. I did also criticise you for misspelling "sterilisation", but had assumed that you were a troll and had done this deliberately (I clearly over-estimated you).

- "No opinions"? Come off it, you buffoon!

 

Still, you said you'd love to see me venture some opinions, TPZ. So, here are a few I've expressed recently, which you missed:

- Lloyd Dyer could still be an asset if we are promoted;

- Economic growth based on burgeoning credit and a housing bubble is unsustainable in the long-term;

- We need a boost to demand, whether from exports, public spending, real wage rises or a boost in business investment;

- Nigel Pearson is a very clever manager and a very funny man;

- 75% of the deficit was caused by the financial crash/unregulated capitalism, only 25% by Labour policies & the Tories supported the lot;

- Burton Bridge can be relied upon to brew exceptionally tasty ales;

- Gary Taylor Fletcher may well make a significant contribution to our season;

- I now believe that nuclear power constitutes an essential element in our energy mix as climate change is much more dangerous than nuclear waste/potential Chernobyls;

- Despite being a Republican in the long-term, I'd vote to retain the monarchy rather than risk President Blair/Cameron;

- Noosha Fox was an exceptionally sexually enticing woman;

- Kermo was indeed decent;

 

Although you didn't answer my question as to whether or not you were a troll, I have formed a provisional opinion about that, too.

My impression is that you are not a troll. Rather, my impression is that despite apparently having a great job, relationship, family and social life, you have some fundamental unhappiness that causes you to post 33% immaturity, 33% narcissism and 33% venom against the disadvantaged. I hope that you find happiness soon and are then able to make a more positive contribution.

 

"Good morning, Smithers-Jones; How's the wife and home; Did you get the car you've been looking for? .... We could have some good times; All this worry will get you down; I'll give you a new meaning to life - I don't think so" 

And a jam lyric to boot.

[Guest MattP]

Some interesting stats here regarding the money wasted through benefit fraud:

http://blogs.channel4.com/factcheck/factcheck-qa-benefit-fraud-perspective/15796

 

Official figures suggest that £2bn is lost through benefit fraud, compared to a total benefits bill of £194.3bn

 

That compares to £32bn lost through tax evasion and avoidance. Why isn't 16 times more attention paid to tax evasion and avoidance than to benefit fraud, I wonder?

 

That £2bn lost to benefit fraud also compares to £12bn in benefit entitlements that goes unclaimed, apparently.

 

Such stats have to be estimates, of course, but are very interesting.

 

Probably because its more sickening watching someone try to steal off the taxpayer rather than hide money they have earnt themselves.

 

Both should be clamped down upon of course, but morally a millionaire trying to hide a few quid because of an extortionate tax rate is still way above a scumbag lying to get free money because he can't be bothered to contribute anything to society in my eyes.

[Guest MattP]

If benefits were abolished, I wonder how many 'disabled' people would make a miraculous recovery?

 

Loads would, you only have to do a bit of basic travelling to poorer countries to see what people manage to do when you stop giving them free money.

[bovril]

Loads would, you only have to do a bit of basic travelling to poorer countries to see what people manage to do when you stop giving them free money.

 

You see some of them begging in the street.

 

Yep, that's definitely something we should aspire to in the UK.

[Guest MattP]

ell a lot of it is done by going out and talking to people, researching in areas other media does not and done by people that have knowledge and experience of the issues. So I'd say it is above 50/50

 

lol

 

Coming from a a organisation that printed a front page story about a guy who had decided to wander around the country as he had been made homeless after coming from war and then thrown off benefits when in fact he was a hotel manager who had sold it and quit his job to actually do the walk for charity?

 

Keep that superb 'at least 50/50 research' coming, go underdogs! All the mainstream media obviously got the wrong end of the stick.

[Guest MattP]

You see some of them begging in the street.

 

Yep, that's definitely something we should aspire to in the UK.

 

And you see some of them doing anything to earn, from waiting on you hand and foot to selling sugar in the street off one leg.

 

The best guy on the whole show was the '50p black guy', I'd employ him like a shot. He's really trying to earn and he's actually thinking how to do it, his main problem seemed to be they didnt know how to handle him, he was doing all these weird things alien to them like saying please and thank you, explaining to them what things were and probably most bizzarly actually engaging in the weird practice of making some effort to try and get some money. You can't blame them for being suspicious.

 

Can't wait for next weeks when this lot get racist, no wonder the Owen Jones's of the World are trying to get the show pulled before then, it's going to be very uncomfortable for people like him and how they defend these people when this inconvenient truth wanders in.

 

The best bit about the show was seeing these people moaning their money is being cut after "not having a problem for years". What does the hell does that tell you about the Labour Party? Sickening.

[Rincewind]

Because other countries have extreme poverty does not mean that we also have to. The UK is one of the most progressive countries in the world. We should be going forward not backwards.

[Guest MattP]

Because other countries have extreme poverty does not mean that we also have to. The UK is one of the most progressive countries in the world. We should be going forward not backwards.

 

Paying people to do nothing is not taking a country forwards.

 

Force these people to stay at school until they are competent in Maths and English, stop engaging in political unions that make it harder for our unkilled young to find work and will make wages lower, giving financial support is one thing, paying for thier whole life is another and gives them no motivation to better themselves.

 

one of the best things the coaliation has done is take everyone who earns under 10k out the tax bracket to incentivise working.

 

It's pointless even talking about it though because whenever someone actually tried to suggest educating people all the usual excuses will be trotted out ie re tape, job centre fights, not enough staff, im more disabled than you, he has mental issues blah blah blah from the people like Ed Miliband, Owen Jones who actually benefit from people being poor and reliant on the government to exist.

[MooseBreath]

The funniest/weirdest people are the champagne socialists on their £400 day rates talking as if they actually know the first thing about what underclass Britain currently looks like.

To still believe in Labour's welfare policy you have to be one of three types of people:

1) a labour politician who stands to gain from keeping people down

2) a guilt ridden or otherwise messed up high earner who gets satisfaction from pretending to be a caring sharing lefty

3) someone who stands to gain directly ie the benefit claimants themselves

For everyone else it's surely nothing more than basic common sense that getting people hooked on welfare isn't ever going to help them.

[Guest MattP]

The funniest/weirdest people are the champagne socialists on their £400 day rates talking as if they actually know the first thing about what underclass Britain currently looks like.

To still believe in Labour's welfare policy you have to be one of three types of people:

1) a labour politician who stands to gain from keeping people down

2) a guilt ridden or otherwise messed up high earner who gets satisfaction from pretending to be a caring sharing lefty

3) someone who stands to gain directly ie the benefit claimants themselves

For everyone else it's surely nothing more than basic common sense that getting people hooked on welfare isn't ever going to help them.

 

Add Labour member/supporter in there as well, they know their audience and realise the more people poor and vulnerable the better.

 

How many rich succesful areas do Labour control?

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

Too soft still, on benefits, and too many people taking the piss, thinking it's the right way to live, especially among the younger long term scroungers, who never work and never will, through choice. Weed the b------s out, and don't pay them a penny.

[Captain...]

The funniest/weirdest people are the champagne socialists on their £400 day rates talking as if they actually know the first thing about what underclass Britain currently looks like.

To still believe in Labour's welfare policy you have to be one of three types of people:

1) a labour politician who stands to gain from keeping people down

2) a guilt ridden or otherwise messed up high earner who gets satisfaction from pretending to be a caring sharing lefty

3) someone who stands to gain directly ie the benefit claimants themselves

For everyone else it's surely nothing more than basic common sense that getting people hooked on welfare isn't ever going to help them.

 

Not as funny as the fact that it still gets to you, this is twice now recently you have brought my earnings into a thread, one started by you to expose your own bitterness at your inadequate earnings. Does it really bother you that much, it's been about a year since I revealed, roughly what I what I was earning, has it really been eating away at you all this time? You are a sad little man, and your obsession would be creepy if it wasn't so pathetic. Now instead of bitching and moaning about what other people earn, why don't you stop wasting your time on here, get out there and better yourself.

 

I've asked you to stop trolling me and put me on ignore as you find me so offensive, you are seemingly incapable of that, so well done you got a reaction, enjoy it.

[Rincewind]

I was going to do a post in reply to moosebreath but i can't see the point.

 

Not having a go at anyone so please don't take offense but what kind of job do people have that allows them to post on a message board all day during their companies business hourswhilst at the same time criticising those doing low paid manual work who may be claiming some benefits or those doing manual work?

 

Just something I have wondered about. I was able to do it myself when doing night security but would not be able to do so if on piece work in a factory.