Benefits Cap

Yesterday the proposed £26,000 cap on benefits was rejected. 

This, one of the first policies the coalition has suggested that I can actually understand and get behind. I honestly believe the individuals that voted against the policy aren't even aware of the state of some parts of the U.K. Do they not realise that people on benefits can earn more than a newly qualified nurse? How has this become a reality?


Do they think these people are stupid? They know exactly what they are doing and how to do it. 


Frankly there are some parts of society now that will never work and why should they when the government is happy to house them, pay their living costs and then treat them for free in ill health when they haven't paid a penny into the tax system. And do these politicians think its going to end there? Of course not. They are going to raise their kids to do exactly the same and then their grand kids and so on.


In times of austerity why are we still funding the dregs of society? I watch the brilliantly depressing Channel 4 documentary 'Coppers' (Mondays, 9pm). In last nights episode following 'bobbies on the beat' they explained that the majority of their time was spent dealing with the same petty criminals which the police all knew by name. One such person was a 21 year old girl who was an alcoholic, regular cannabis and heroin user. She isn't in work obviously and is on benefits however she has a house that she doesn't pay for or take care of, it was vile. A drug den. 


I am now 22 and have always had a job from the age of 13 when I got my first paper round. Do I have a house? No. Do I pay tax? Yes. Why am I not rewarded yet she is for being a drain on society? The difference is I don't think the state owes me anything, she does. 


One police officer mentioned that when he was a child if you saw a person who was unemployed they were looked down upon. Now, when an employed person walks past the unemployed the employed person is considered a 'mug' by the unemployed.


The police in the programme know they are fighting a loosing battle and are begging for politicians to give them the okay for tougher policing to deal with this issue that is only going to get worse in the future.


I will graduate in May and I am currently looking for a grad job. They are few and far between at this time. I have only applied for three grad schemes so far and been rejected by all three with the usual "your not suitable at this time for this position. I'm sure you appreciate we are very busy at this time and cannot provide feedback" - cheers very much!


Am I a mug for wanting to get a good job and have to save tens of thousands of pounds before I'll have a sufficient deposit on a house that I'll then have to pay the remained of over the next 25 years? Maybe. Maybe I'll just develop a drinking habit and have it all paid for me.


I realise I am very privileged to have had the upbringing I've had, something many of these people weren't so lucky to get. But throwing money at them so they can survive is clearly not the answer and it clearly isn't working.

Final Thoughts

For a working person to take home £26,000.00 it would mean them having to earn £35,000.00 before taxation. 


The average wage in the U.K at this time is £24,000.00.