2 stories...and both in the (right-wing) Daily Mail perfectly illustrate what I have been saying that massive cuts will be wound back quietly, not for idealogical reasons but because they will not work.ie: practical reasons.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1323327...bs-experts-warn.html

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1323447...storic-shake-up.html

The housing benefit cuts will decimate the property market. You cannot impose such a massive change on society without dire consequences : a massive move of population to cheaper areas-where there are no jobs which means those areas will become ghettoes (aren't there enough ghettoes already ?).

Plus add in the affect that will have on property prices in all sorts of ways..some shooting up in these newe ghettoes..the mass of people who have invested in property knowing that housing subsidy subsidises their investment..on and on it goes including shifting problems from one council to another.
( and all those Tory voting property investors are yet to be heard from)

The sensible policy of increasing all payments to one simplified payement (pensions, disability, unemployment benefit) will save billions in administarion and instead of means testing is controlled via taxation.

This isn't the Conservatives brilliant idea-it's one nicked from New Zealand that has had it for over 30 years (introduced by a Labour government) where it works without a hitch and the only squabble that happens at general elections is the auction between competing parties offering more to claimants.

Story 1 - Why should these people live in houses that working people cannot afford ? On yer bike !!!!

Story 2 - The "plan" is not set to be introduced for years, not UNTIL we have got rid of the tossers !

I earned nearly £30,000 a year for ten years, before my breakdown middle of last year. Since finally leaving that place 'of work' attempting to get benefits - particularly disability ones - has been an utter nightmare. I've paid into this system and when I finally needed at, after never being unemployed at all during my working life, it wasn't there for me. My final wage cheque lasted me nearly 4 months before I finally got some 'payment' from the government.

steveimp wrote:
I earned nearly £30,000 a year for ten years, before my breakdown middle of last year. Since finally leaving that place 'of work' attempting to get benefits - particularly disability ones - has been an utter nightmare. I've paid into this system and when I finally needed at, after never being unemployed at all during my working life, it wasn't there for me. My final wage cheque lasted me nearly 4 months before I finally got some 'payment' from the government.

Sorry to hear that, Steve ... but thats JUST what I have been saying.

There are SO MANY people now "dipping into the pot" that there is now nothing left for genuine and deserving cases.

In The Know wrote:
steveimp wrote:
I earned nearly £30,000 a year for ten years, before my breakdown middle of last year. Since finally leaving that place 'of work' attempting to get benefits - particularly disability ones - has been an utter nightmare. I've paid into this system and when I finally needed at, after never being unemployed at all during my working life, it wasn't there for me. My final wage cheque lasted me nearly 4 months before I finally got some 'payment' from the government.

Sorry to hear that, Steve ... but thats JUST what I have been saying.

There are SO MANY people now "dipping into the pot" that there is now nothing left for genuine and deserving cases.

Sadly steveimp what was once a great tenents of the Welfare State-National Insurance -has now taken on a different meaning synonymous with 'srounging' and so on when it is an insurance policy and should pay out as required.

I reject ITK's claim there are SO MANY- but obviously there will be many rorting but that doesn't mean the majority.

The system is definitely broke as your case demonstrates.

ITK-where are these people (tens of thousands) going to live then ? In your street in the gutter ? (driving down your house value)

The obvious solution is massive government housing but succesive governments have been reducing that, unlike everywhere else in Europe, the USA and much of the world-increasing government housing.

I had an Employment and Support Allowance medical. I had to change it from one city as the office was NEXT DOOR to where I worked, so attended a different one. This medical was a farce. They were only interested if I could stand up and bend my legs. Didn't matter that the chemicals in my brain aren't working properly, no, according to them, fit for work! The whole system is a farce. So many people get away with it, others in real need, don't get it at all.

And you've hit the nail on the head Steve; the bigger the system gets, with the best of intentions, the less well it works. I watched this ten years ago in my case. Across the board, society has ceased to function properly. I suspect the coalition cuts, whilst not solving this problem, will temporarily improve things.

veritas wrote:
ITK-where are these people (tens of thousands) going to live then ?

I've been waiting for this one, veritas !

After considerable thought .... South Shields !

They will have their choice of housing (once they have taken down the boards from the windows).

They will be amongst like-minded people (ie Idle)

They won't need to worry about the neighbours up all night playing loud music - because they too will be up all night playing loud music.

There are plenty of chips shops .... so their dietary and culinery tastes are catered for, and

There is nothing to spend your money on in South Shields - so the dole will go much further !

===

Seriously ... it is absurd that people are living in houses that they simply cannot - and will never be able to - afford (totally subsidised and funded by the State) - whilest those who actually work could never afford these properties.

They must live within their means ... or increase their means (heaven-forbid ! I'll be hinting that they get a job next !!! LOL).

The "balance" between tose (fewer and fewer) payin-in ... and those (more and more each year) drawing-out, is at tipping point.

How about the many prisons which should now be closed down?
Affordable housing; en suite toilet facilities - unashamed luxury for the homeless masses.