The Welfare State

Thought we already were

Said it countless times, we live in a welfare dependant culture. From the older generation who believe it is the States duty to provide, to kids that refuse to do menial jobs because they can earn the same on benefits. Until we break this generation crossing cultural cycle of dependence, we are doomed.

Welfare should be a total last resort, the safety net that catches the vulnerable and those with a genuine need.

I still can't get my head around the healthy eating bonus all new parents got, which has since been stopped. Just one minor example of countless wasted benefits. To be fair the coalition is trying, but for every benefit that is cut or reformed, there is a national outcry and media driven hysteria, with the ever present extreme hardship case paraded around to show what a disaster stopping xyz benefit is.

But the average person in the street sees welfare and benefits as a god given right. Paying for it is someone else's problem

No idea what the answer is. Maybe education? Is it the decline of our social fabric? Dysfunctional families, lack of family support networks? Lack of discipline, self worth, pride?

Maybe we should look at some of the Asian cultures that are centred around the family, with the family acting as a self help group, providing support, finance etc.

Maybe if they gave out vouchers instead of cash payments it couldnt be wasted on smoking and drinking. Also if there was a voucher system instead of cash it might change peoples attitudes, I would find it quite shamefull to stand in a supermarket queue and pay for the shopping with a voucher........

hmmm, a dedicated till just for vouchers, I like it The queue of shame. Not very PC, but worth a try.

And if you did need welfare support, the vouchers would much diminish the very inadequate amounts you'd been allocated to pay for food, transport, heating, light bulbs and the rest of it ...

Shopping around, getting the best deals from markets, best buy small shops and supermarkets, is absolutely necessary when state benefits are less than 80% amount required to fund a basic lifestyle.

Most of those claiming are in one or more of the following caetgories:-

- people who've worked and paid into the system and who now need to draw on it for reasons beyond their control (illness, redundancy, the Osborne factor, etc)

- people who will work and pay into the system in the future when the politicians finally come up with an economic plan that works for the whole country; and

- working people who earn too little to pay the inflated costs of housing.

In theory, the extra people are cost-neutral. There's no reason to suppose they're not paying into the system, assuming the extras aren't too young or too old to work.

I wouldn't get it and nor would many others, if you go to work and your income from that employment does not cover your basic living standards, then either the minimum wage tariff is set to low or you are in the wrong job or living above your means. If you are in full time employment your income from it, should not have to be topped up with benefits. Unless people attitudes change about what they can realistically afford i.e. flat screen tv's ipads, xboxes, cars, holidays, sky packages all of these are luxuries and not necessites then forever will there be a problem. Life today is all about keeping up with the neighbours, very few people take responsibility for their own finances / demands. Nobody has the right to have children and then expect the taxpayer to pick up the tab! It makes me furious, that people balance their finances i.e. loan applications and mortgages on how much tax credits and child benefit they can get. It's wrong and in my eyes always will be wrong. When William Beveridge wrote his report on the creation of the welfare state some 70 odd years ago, it was soley to help the poor out of poverty, thankfully we do not have poverty in this country any longer, healthcare is also freely available to all, although technically not free. Even the person living in the street who you may think is in poverty can find a hostel or b and b if they so choose. Slum housing, poor sanitation, no healthcare and no work are the causes of poverty. Not having the latest iphone 4 is not....

It's a highly controversial and emotive subject, which is the reason why successive governments over the years have failed to address it, just adding more layers of bureaucracy and complexity.

I've got family members on part and full benefits, also living in what I would class as sub standard local authority accommodation, literally existing rather than living. It's also hard to spot house or flats on the same estates without a satellite dish, a family without a dog, and very few without at least one car. I've no doubt there are lovely communities, I can only comment on what I know.

But for the rundown look of the area, some obvious lack of parental control over children, the lack of neighbourly courtesy, and general lack of respect to each other, every property has an indoor toilet, bathroom with running water, and each occupant has access to medical facilities.

So welfare over the last 70 years has definitely improved for the better. Whether quality of life has improved is debatable. Unfortunately I think we took a wrong turn somewhere, and welfare has now gone beyond addressing the genuinely needy, and is trying to be all things to all people.

The only thing everyone has to agree on, the country can no longer afford it

With 60 million plus people, dismantling and rebuilding a sustainable welfare system is going to be a mammoth job, with controversy and counter argument at every turn. I only pray a government, current or future is brave enough to see it through...

Not sure how many working people it takes to support a family of 4 on 100% welfare but it would be interesting to know. What I find is disgusting, is that the pensioners of today who were born in the 30s, 40s, 50s and possibly 60s were led to believe that if they worked hard, paid into the welfare system and saved their money that they would once retired be looked after and this would be paid for by the following generations. Any tax breaks that were given in, investing in a pension have been eroded, any savings are taxed, homes are reposessed to pay for care homes, the good old home help is a thing of the past. These pensioners have been mugged off by successive governments over the last 20 years. And now the upcoming new pensioners are going to be required to work into their 70s for any clear thinking person there must be something morally objectionable to a 70yr old going out to work to support a feckless unemployed 20 something...

Actually your and my family got "welfare" when we were kids via Child Benefit and we'll certainly be getting "welfare" (the state pension scheme) when we're retired. Depending on age, self-employed people are also entitled to state-funded sick pay when ill or injured; and some (all?) income replacement private insurance schemes work on the basis they'll top up what you get from the state.



Agree with you that's how it should work ... but it doesn't. There's a drive on to get employers to pay the "Living Wage for London" (around

Unemployed people on welfare benefits should be made to work for their benefits. Community projects starting with the disgusting rubbish and mess humans leave in the countryside and urban areas.

People unemployed for over 12 months and in receipt of welfare benefits should be made to wear orange jump suits and chain ganged when they do the work. The embarrassment and disgrace should focus their minds and improve their attitude.

If they refuse to work then they get no benefits. People are responsible for themselves and their families. The government is not responsible.

There is plenty of work available if these useless people get off their backsides and show some initiative and get up and go. Why don't they go freelance and self employed?

Welcome to Little Britain.