Benefits vs minimum wage

Hey folks,

Found myself tapping away once again on my work lunch break. Really need to make this a more regular occurrence but hey ho…

So at work, a colleague/friend and myself have started tuning into LBC and (I must be getting old) I'm really enjoying the discussions. For those of you that don't know it's a radio station that doesn't play music *SHOCK* *HORROR* rather, is comprised of discussions and debates, primarily based on current events. Slightly right winged views but there you have it. 

Anyway they discussed the topic of minimum wage vs benefits and it gave me some food for thought for this blog post. So, with the benefits cap being enforced gradually around London and minimum wage going up a teeny tiny notch to £6.31 an hour, the debate begins…

Now if you are incapable of work, I’m 101% with you claiming your benefits. That is what they are for, helping those in need, a safety net when things aren't going right. In fact, I think if you are genuinely not able to provide for yourself or if you are disabled, in most cases (excluding those in which people are scamming the system and raking in unimaginable quantities of monies), I think in many cases, you don't get enough money and help. I love that I live in a country that assists those who need it, supplements any financial shortcomings so that everyone has access to the essentials. That, in theory, no one should be deprived of food and shelter. Having said that, it doesn't come without it's flaws.  

I’ve spoken to people in this position before and many, many times they are better off claiming benefits than surviving on working full time at minimum wage – THIS is what’s wrong with the system. The fact that making an honest living (after taking into account NI contributions, income tax, rent, bills and expenses – which are covered, at least to some degree when unemployed) is leaving you with less in your pockets than having it all given to you.  Blatantly, this is a problem. What is the incentive to work in this context?!

Of course it's easier to sit at home and await the fortnightly payments then trot of to the post office/bank, but where is the sense of achievement, the satisfaction, the CONSCIOUSNESS in that?

At this stage, it’s a question of morals… That’s one of the things I’m glad I was raised with, my dad really struggled with his health but worked hard every day to put food on the table. He wanted to provide for his family and I remember how on edge and desperate he was when he got made redundant and was between jobs, he’d just walk around the house, restlessly from one room to the next, looking for something to do with himself. He just hated not working. He didn’t earn very much and we didn’t have very much in terms of materialistic possessions but we had enough. Looking back (he’s now of retirement age), it makes me proud.

Then you have the benefits vulture. Ha, that’s a typo that I’m not eve going to bother correcting! Because thinking about it, that’s how many of those people are – granted that they may be in the minority. They take, take and take some more, then dream of new creative ways to claim and take EVEN more.  It’s just scavenging. I don’t understand how those who are perfectly fit to work would prefer to sit idle at home and not have it play on their conscious, especially if and when they have families to provide for... As if that’s not enough, they often want more than their basic entitlement too, and come up with reasons why they need more. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.  

It's simple really isn't it, you work hard, you get rewarded financially. You're able to work but choose not to, then why should you be making more than those who do?! In fact, if you can work and choose not to, why should you get ANYTHING?

Perhaps I’m a bit old fashioned, actually, I’ll openly say I’m an old soul, a granny in the making and the likes; but, I really think men ought to work.  (I’m all for women working too) but men who have chosen to be unemployed, particularly, when they have families are emasculate in my eyes. Working gives you a purpose and a sense of achievement, and men should long to provide… And I whole-heartedly believe that idle minds are the devil’s workshop. When you’re not working, you really do have too much time on your hands, and more often than not you’ll end up doing things you shouldn’t be. It's funny that even when most of these people have all that time on their hands, they rarely spend it doing the things that matter, things like spending time raising children... 

And then, you have those who are reaping in the rewards of “not working,” gaining their Job Seekers Allowance and Housing Benefits and Child Benefits… BUT are working on the side… Jobs that pay cash in hand, tutoring, driving a minicab, plumbers, working in many small retail shops with employers who are wishy washy with their taxation can often mean they are able to get away with it… It’s disgusting. How can you take, take, take and take some more without any inkling of guilt?!

It’s come to a point now that we have so many people claiming benefits around the city of London that councils are no longer able to house and cater to their needs. There’s talk of moving claimants out of London to cheaper areas. Whilst I agree that in many cases where there are young children and older pensioners who aren’t as able to deal with the uprooting, I understand the dilemma that councils face. Bit more information about this story here if you’re interested. 

Anyway, bit short on time so I'm gonna end this a bit short. I know I feel strongly about the value of work - not just for financial reasons but developing yourself as a person and your skillsbase. What are your opinions on the matter? 

Hope you're enjoying the sun!

-K