Mr Miliband will say only people who pay in to the system for more than two years should get jobseeker's allowance.

Mr Miliband's speech appears to represent a further move by Labour away from so-called "universal" benefits, awarded to all, irrespective of income.

Earlier this week, shadow chancellor Ed Balls said the party would end winter fuel payments for pensioners on high and top-level income tax rates.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22785282

Of course, Balls-Up's plan is only a first step to removing such benefits altogether.
Despite what they say (in public - to their work-shy voters) they secretly admit that THEIR debt must be paid off.

In The Know wrote:
Mr Miliband will say only people who pay in to the system for more than two years should get jobseeker's allowance.

Mr Miliband's speech appears to represent a further move by Labour away from so-called "universal" benefits, awarded to all, irrespective of income.

Earlier this week, shadow chancellor Ed Balls said the party would end winter fuel payments for pensioners on high and top-level income tax rates.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22785282

Of course, Balls-Up's plan is only a first step to removing such benefits altogether.
Despite what they say (in public - to their work-shy voters) they secretly admit that THEIR debt must be paid off.

It is a bit rough for people who were students, housewives, volunteers or carers isn't it?

I think the most important thing is to adjust the system so that people who are in desperate need get help immediately. A back payment eight weeks after the claim is pointless.

I have been following the story about a family who got one of those "pay day loans" (i dont know the details) and the company has taken their entire wages two weeks on the trot,
The child hasn't eaten for almost a week, and they have been refused help from a food bank because they are not on benefits.
I cant see how some people have room for a pony and others are left to starve.

Loony ITK kant even speel 'coalition'.

Nowadays, there are few real differences between the policies of the Conservative, Labour and LibDem parties; those that remain relate to emphasis and priorities.

This is why it is difficult - for individuals - to be fanatical about any of these mainly right-wing parties and, also, why so many people are switching off and not voting.

Undoubtedly, the EU has had an influence - and, undoubtedly, this apathy is the main reason for the gains of the smaller/fringe parties, with only extreme alternatives.

we are all Thatcherites now.

honey!oh sugar sugar. wrote:
I have been following the story about a family who got one of those "pay day loans" (i dont know the details) and the company has taken their entire wages two weeks on the trot.

I dont see how they people can be "helped".
If they are foolish enough to borrow at astronomical interest rates then what do they expect?

If they cant afford to live (give up the mobile phone / Sky TV maybe ?) without the loan then they certainly cant afford to live AND pay back the loan AND the interest.

Unfortunately we cannot legislate against stupidity !

Ben 8 wrote:
Nowadays, there are few real differences between the policies of the Conservative, Labour and LibDem parties; those that remain relate to emphasis and priorities.

Quite true ... but then again there is only ONE way to do things properly, so why should this be a surprise?

Labour have finally admitted that their borrow / spend (and worry about the debt tomorrow) policies have been a total disaster.

Their dimwit supporters will still be hoping that the cuts can be reversed by borrowing even more !

hedda wrote:
we are all Thatcherites now.

... and what a good thing that is !

Under Thatcher prosperity increased throughout the UK (for those that made an effort) ... home ownership UP, share ownership UP etc etc

Labour just drives everyone down to the lowest common denominator.
(They are all "equal" - equally poor, and in debt !)

Yes we're in a strange era and I'm a great believer in supporting and helping those who need it; indeed, I'm a fan of totally open borders. I just think our finances could and should be far better managed.
But I do remember the 80s as a hell of a good decade for me and others trying to prosper and build - making good TV shows, writing interesting columns (in papers with 5 million circulations - as opposed to half that now).

JK2006 wrote:
Yes we're in a strange era and I'm a great believer in supporting and helping those who need it; indeed, I'm a fan of totally open borders. I just think our finances could and should be far better managed.
But I do remember the 80s as a hell of a good decade for me and others trying to prosper and build - making good TV shows, writing interesting columns (in papers with 5 million circulations - as opposed to half that now).

for us baby boomers the 70s and 80s were a golden era.