A lot of this in the news at the minute.
Something needs to be done, don't know what the magic solution is but there are too many people taking the p@ss.
https://news.sky.com/story/the-english-town-where-almost-a-third-of-working-age-people-are-economically-inactive-13331129
Quote from: LC on March 18, 2025, 07:22:49 PMA lot of this in the news at the minute.
Something needs to be done, don't know what the magic solution is but there are too many people taking the p@ss.
https://news.sky.com/story/the-english-town-where-almost-a-third-of-working-age-people-are-economically-inactive-13331129
I'd agree, but it's very un-Labour! I take it this wasn't part of their manifesto.
I have no particular struggles with mental health and I'm not neurodiverse as far as I know, so I struggle to relate to the girl interviewed, but being skint and taking Ubers absolutely everywhere is insane.
Is there any good reason why the number of people on disability has doubled in the past few years. That's the story.
Well on Universal Credit you get twice as much a month if you have been found to have limited capability for work (the sick) as those that are job seeking. There's your incentive right there.
Quote from: Tony Baloney on March 18, 2025, 07:37:21 PMIs there any good reason why the number of people on disability has doubled in the past few years. That's the story.
Covid undoubtedly a big part of it, gives an easy excuse to play the mental health card which can't really be questioned
Quote from: Brendan on March 18, 2025, 07:58:21 PMQuote from: Tony Baloney on March 18, 2025, 07:37:21 PMIs there any good reason why the number of people on disability has doubled in the past few years. That's the story.
Covid undoubtedly a big part of it, gives an easy excuse to play the mental health card which can't really be questioned
Almost all assessments are now telephone based too
Like to see the comparison of money lost against this, against not taxing big corporations and not addressing immigration/refugee costs. Cutting the heating grant, cutting bck farmers inheritance tax threshold. This Labour party nearly worse than the last tory party. Plus head in the sand about Gaza.
To be honest I never been well since covid, still work but there's days am fit for nothing. I couldn't do a job where they be any serious sort of manual labour now. B4 hand i could.
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on March 18, 2025, 08:01:26 PMTo be honest I never been well since covid, still work but there's days am fit for nothing. I couldn't do a job where they be any serious sort of manual labour now. B4 hand i could.
That's just being from Derry ;D
I always got the impression over the last number of years that many benefits help big business owners more than the poorer in society. Yes there are plenty taking the p**s. However, who benefits when those working also need universal credit to live. Businesses in many of these cases are underpaying their workers knowing they can get this benefit. The businesses then make more money to pay out in bonuses or dividends. In effect as much as they are helping the poorer in society these policies are filling the pockets of the richer.
Quote from: LC on March 18, 2025, 07:22:49 PMA lot of this in the news at the minute.
Something needs to be done, don't know what the magic solution is but there are too many people taking the p@ss.
https://news.sky.com/story/the-english-town-where-almost-a-third-of-working-age-people-are-economically-inactive-13331129
Of course there is, all over radio Ulster too... A case of 'don't look at us, look over there!!' The bogeymen never seem to be those really emptying the coffers
So, they want to save money ...
How many DLA's would £1.6 billion cover?
But no, let's screw the vulnerable. The usual story
Quote from: AustinPowers on March 18, 2025, 09:23:01 PMSo, they want to save money ...
How many DLA's would £1.6 billion cover?
But no, let's screw the vulnerable. The usual story
It's not though. It's screwing the cheats. NI now spends more on welfare than health for the first time ever. Almost as much as every other department combined. Nearly half of new cars in NI are sold through the motability scheme. It is insane. What level does it need to get to before people wake up and realise this is completely unsustainable?
I think not enough is support is given to help kids with ASD or neurodivergence and the businesses that could take them on.
There are a number of jobs that they could thrive in that require good attention to detail/strong organisational skills and given the proper support they could slot into the workforce and have value in their lives again.
Maybe a taskforce or special initiative to really focus on it could help but there are definitely jobs out there that could suit them.
Quote from: screenexile on March 18, 2025, 10:12:03 PMI think not enough is support is given to help kids with ASD or neurodivergence and the businesses that could take them on.
There are a number of jobs that they could thrive in that require good attention to detail/strong organisational skills and given the proper support they could slot into the workforce and have value in their lives again.
Maybe a taskforce or special initiative to really focus on it could help but there are definitely jobs out there that could suit them.
I think anything like that needs to be run in conjunction with health services. There is no province wide strategy to deal with child autism or adhd. Each trust applies its own policies and the lack of funding is catastrophic. 5 year waitlists in Belfast that kids can't get on until they are 7. No triaging so kids in real need are behind those whose parents are chancing the arm to get more benefits. It's a real issue
Big multinational companies make billions every year on profits and the governments could do more to dip into those to help the exchequer
That said the amount of people pulling moves is fecked up.
Money is being wasted that's evident, I don't think the NHS is fixable, ever, unless people pay more taxes!
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on March 18, 2025, 10:41:49 PMBig multinational companies make billions every year on profits and the governments could do more to dip into those to help the exchequer
That said the amount of people pulling moves is fecked up.
Money is being wasted that's evident, I don't think the NHS is fixable, ever, unless people pay more taxes!
More money can't be the only answer. You pay your taxes and keep yourself in good nick but go into any hospital and you'd find a large proportion of people in A&E and on the wards are there directly or indirectly from lifestyle illnesses from smoking, boozing or overeating and a sizeable proportion of those people wont have worked a day in their life. Get people off the DLA, out working, exercising and living a healthy lifestyle and you fix the NHS. Simple! ;D
No I want my taxes to give me a better health service (should I need it) it should reflect what you've put in, the incentive can be to contribute more and you'll be given a 'fast pass' to seeing your GP or further up the list ;)
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on March 18, 2025, 11:13:26 PMNo I want my taxes to give me a better health service (should I need it) it should reflect what you've put in, the incentive can be to contribute more and you'll be given a 'fast pass' to seeing your GP or further up the list ;)
Won't work. Pouring water into a leaking bucket. It needs a full overhaul for spend to be efficient. No government will ever achieve it. You may as well just put your money into private medical insurance and bypass the NHS (or see the NHS consultants on their downtime!)
The NHS is a truly extraordinary conundrum to resolve.
And like most of the public sector, it hasn't got a bat shit in hell chance of improving whilst the cost of living (housing, mainly) makes a vocational career such an impractical choice.
Quote from: screenexile on March 18, 2025, 10:12:03 PMI think not enough is support is given to help kids with ASD or neurodivergence and the businesses that could take them on.
There are a number of jobs that they could thrive in that require good attention to detail/strong organisational skills and given the proper support they could slot into the workforce and have value in their lives again.
Maybe a taskforce or special initiative to really focus on it could help but there are definitely jobs out there that could suit them.
Perhaps some of the funding could be redirected to providing that support in companies. The message should be that every citizen is expected to make a contribution and that contribution is welcome. Saying that is fine to opt out is not really a help to people.
Quote from: armaghniac on March 19, 2025, 12:37:30 AMQuote from: screenexile on March 18, 2025, 10:12:03 PMI think not enough is support is given to help kids with ASD or neurodivergence and the businesses that could take them on.
There are a number of jobs that they could thrive in that require good attention to detail/strong organisational skills and given the proper support they could slot into the workforce and have value in their lives again.
Maybe a taskforce or special initiative to really focus on it could help but there are definitely jobs out there that could suit them.
Perhaps some of the funding could be redirected to providing that support in companies. The message should be that every citizen is expected to make a contribution and that contribution is welcome. Saying that is fine to opt out is not really a help to people.
This only works if you fix the issues of waste, would you be prepared to contribute more taxes to a system that is being drained on a generational basis by benefits cheats.
I for one would be uncomfortable with that.
We know there are genuine cases that need help and support and it should always be there for them, but this entitlement attitude that you should be given a house a car and paid to lay about doing nothing your whole life, while others around you are working poor and really struggling needs to come to an abrupt end.
Quote from: thewobbler on March 18, 2025, 11:37:20 PMThe NHS is a truly extraordinary conundrum to resolve.
And like most of the public sector, it hasn't got a bat shit in hell chance of improving whilst the cost of living (housing, mainly) makes a vocational career such an impractical choice.
I agree, can not help but think in the future there will be a serious shortage / if not already worser than in relation to social workers, child pyschologists, special needs assistants and possibly even Doctors. You can build all the facilities you need but without staff there is no point.
There's a whole load of issues going on that would need to be solved. There are no doubt plenty of people gaming the system. Theres also a lot of waste. I do work for NHS England and the GP practices literally rush to spend their excess cash round this time of year to make sure they get it next year. Tens of thousands just gone. Stuff like that needs handed back into the pot
Quote from: NAG1 on March 19, 2025, 08:32:25 AMQuote from: armaghniac on March 19, 2025, 12:37:30 AMQuote from: screenexile on March 18, 2025, 10:12:03 PMI think not enough is support is given to help kids with ASD or neurodivergence and the businesses that could take them on.
There are a number of jobs that they could thrive in that require good attention to detail/strong organisational skills and given the proper support they could slot into the workforce and have value in their lives again.
Maybe a taskforce or special initiative to really focus on it could help but there are definitely jobs out there that could suit them.
Perhaps some of the funding could be redirected to providing that support in companies. The message should be that every citizen is expected to make a contribution and that contribution is welcome. Saying that is fine to opt out is not really a help to people.
This only works if you fix the issues of waste, would you be prepared to contribute more taxes to a system that is being drained on a generational basis by benefits cheats.
I for one would be uncomfortable with that.
We know there are genuine cases that need help and support and it should always be there for them, but this entitlement attitude that you should be given a house a car and paid to lay about doing nothing your whole life, while others around you are working poor and really struggling needs to come to an abrupt end.
What I said was that paid should not be paid for doing nothing, but that money might be spent on facilitating their working. Let's say that you provide grants to companies to widen their doors and install ramps so that physically disabled people can work there. The approach should always be what do you need so you can work, not here's some money so that you can opt out.
Armghaniac most of the rapid rise in claims are for mental health conditions. Difficult to disprove you could say
Quote from: Deerstalker on March 19, 2025, 12:19:24 PMArmghaniac most of the rapid rise in claims are for mental health conditions. Difficult to disprove you could say
Harder to prove, but still people should be expected to contribute. For instance, nowadays you can work from home in many jobs.
Quote from: armaghniac on March 19, 2025, 12:22:04 PMQuote from: Deerstalker on March 19, 2025, 12:19:24 PMArmghaniac most of the rapid rise in claims are for mental health conditions. Difficult to disprove you could say
Harder to prove, but still people should be expected to contribute. For instance, nowadays you can work from home in many jobs.
I agree with you 100%
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on March 18, 2025, 08:01:26 PMTo be honest I never been well since covid, still work but there's days am fit for nothing. I couldn't do a job where they be any serious sort of manual labour now. B4 hand i could.
I'm exactly the same. Joints and muscles really reducing mobility - but not to the point I can't work as I have a primarily desk based job. But I know a guy who took a reaction to the vaccine at the time, and he has been really unwell since. He still works as self employed, but he struggles a lot.
Quote from: tbrick18 on March 19, 2025, 02:04:44 PMQuote from: Wildweasel74 on March 18, 2025, 08:01:26 PMTo be honest I never been well since covid, still work but there's days am fit for nothing. I couldn't do a job where they be any serious sort of manual labour now. B4 hand i could.
I'm exactly the same. Joints and muscles really reducing mobility - but not to the point I can't work as I have a primarily desk based job. But I know a guy who took a reaction to the vaccine at the time, and he has been really unwell since. He still works as self employed, but he struggles a lot.
Are you sure the joint and muscle business is not related to sitting at your desk? Sitting at desks is slowly ruining us.
Quote from: Tony Baloney on March 19, 2025, 03:16:38 PMQuote from: tbrick18 on March 19, 2025, 02:04:44 PMQuote from: Wildweasel74 on March 18, 2025, 08:01:26 PMTo be honest I never been well since covid, still work but there's days am fit for nothing. I couldn't do a job where they be any serious sort of manual labour now. B4 hand i could.
I'm exactly the same. Joints and muscles really reducing mobility - but not to the point I can't work as I have a primarily desk based job. But I know a guy who took a reaction to the vaccine at the time, and he has been really unwell since. He still works as self employed, but he struggles a lot.
Are you sure the joint and muscle business is not related to sitting at your desk? Sitting at desks is slowly ruining us.
It could well be and possibly coincidental that it started post covid. It certainly doesn't help anyway.
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on March 18, 2025, 08:01:26 PMTo be honest I never been well since covid, still work but there's days am fit for nothing. I couldn't do a job where they be any serious sort of manual labour now. B4 hand i could.
Is it more a fatigue thing? Or pains and aches?
The Government coming after the poorest in society, while trying to catch a minority who are abusing the system, is an attempt to appeal to a class of voter who regard the poor as layabouts and scroungers. The current Labour Party are no different from the tories. They will take away as much as possible from the poorest, and never go after the wealthy who make use of the tax loop holes to avoid paying their fair share. Getting companies and wealthy individuals to pay more tax should be the aim of any labour government to raise money and fund the HHS and welfare programs.
Quote from: Windmill abu on March 19, 2025, 05:36:14 PMThe Government coming after the poorest in society, while trying to catch a minority who are abusing the system, is an attempt to appeal to a class of voter who regard the poor as layabouts and scroungers. The current Labour Party are no different from the tories. They will take away as much as possible from the poorest, and never go after the wealthy who make use of the tax loop holes to avoid paying their fair share. Getting companies and wealthy individuals to pay more tax should be the aim of any labour government to raise money and fund the HHS and welfare programs.
Would say its more than the minority. Would imagine the scale of benefit fraud is off the charts. Everyone knows people at it, the number of parents getting benefits for kids diagnosed with autism and adhd is ridiculous these days.
Quote from: tyrone08 on March 19, 2025, 06:47:02 PMQuote from: Windmill abu on March 19, 2025, 05:36:14 PMThe Government coming after the poorest in society, while trying to catch a minority who are abusing the system, is an attempt to appeal to a class of voter who regard the poor as layabouts and scroungers. The current Labour Party are no different from the tories. They will take away as much as possible from the poorest, and never go after the wealthy who make use of the tax loop holes to avoid paying their fair share. Getting companies and wealthy individuals to pay more tax should be the aim of any labour government to raise money and fund the HHS and welfare programs.
Would say its more than the minority. Would imagine the scale of benefit fraud is off the charts. Everyone knows people at it, the number of parents getting benefits for kids diagnosed with autism and adhd is ridiculous these days.
Almost half of new cars sold in the 6 counties are Motability.
Quote from: armaghniac on March 19, 2025, 06:49:06 PMQuote from: tyrone08 on March 19, 2025, 06:47:02 PMQuote from: Windmill abu on March 19, 2025, 05:36:14 PMThe Government coming after the poorest in society, while trying to catch a minority who are abusing the system, is an attempt to appeal to a class of voter who regard the poor as layabouts and scroungers. The current Labour Party are no different from the tories. They will take away as much as possible from the poorest, and never go after the wealthy who make use of the tax loop holes to avoid paying their fair share. Getting companies and wealthy individuals to pay more tax should be the aim of any labour government to raise money and fund the HHS and welfare programs.
Would say its more than the minority. Would imagine the scale of benefit fraud is off the charts. Everyone knows people at it, the number of parents getting benefits for kids diagnosed with autism and adhd is ridiculous these days.
Almost half of new cars sold in the 6 counties are Motability.
Some people would have this absurdity continue.
Quote from: RedHand88 on March 19, 2025, 07:34:02 PMQuote from: armaghniac on March 19, 2025, 06:49:06 PMQuote from: tyrone08 on March 19, 2025, 06:47:02 PMQuote from: Windmill abu on March 19, 2025, 05:36:14 PMThe Government coming after the poorest in society, while trying to catch a minority who are abusing the system, is an attempt to appeal to a class of voter who regard the poor as layabouts and scroungers. The current Labour Party are no different from the tories. They will take away as much as possible from the poorest, and never go after the wealthy who make use of the tax loop holes to avoid paying their fair share. Getting companies and wealthy individuals to pay more tax should be the aim of any labour government to raise money and fund the HHS and welfare programs.
Would say its more than the minority. Would imagine the scale of benefit fraud is off the charts. Everyone knows people at it, the number of parents getting benefits for kids diagnosed with autism and adhd is ridiculous these days.
Almost half of new cars sold in the 6 counties are Motability.
Some people would have this absurdity continue.
Then I daresay the arse would fall completely out of the new car market with this happening.
That's a whole new set of economic problems.
The world is complicated.
[/quote]
Then I daresay the arse would fall completely out of the new car market with this happening.
[/quote]
It already has.....a local car dealer has just got a £5 million tax bill from HMRC. Ooooops. ;D
The current Government proposals are for the living component of the PIP award. The mobility component won't be affected,so the number of Motability cars probably won't be reduced.
"Would say its more than the minority. Would imagine the scale of benefit fraud is off the charts".
About 20-25 years ago, I was payroll manager with a local public sector pension fund. The Social Security Agency used to send me hundreds of requests for pension details, belonging to people who inadvertently forgot to declare their pension when claiming benefits. I had one fecker who cashed his deceased relative's pension cheque each month in one of those cheque cashing shops in North Street. Every 2 years, I had to order up bucketloads of death certificates, after the National Fraud Initiative was run, as lots of people "forgot" to tell me about a parent's death & continued drawing their pension. Whoever reported the death on the certificate got hammered for it, as first port of call. I could go on, but I daresay it's now far worse than it was.
Universal basic income will eventually roll out in western countries. A lot of warehouse and factory work is already being taken over by automation. I think future generations will be even less likely to be able to hold down jobs because of decreased attention spans and internet addiction.
I have read discussions on Reddit that a rule for 'Universal basic income' could be that you can receive it but you have to agree to not have children.