[Nedusa]

Originally Posted by Jack_

I'm really quite sick of stories like this appearing in red top tabloids and other trashy papers which give those who are welfare dependant a collective bad name. The demonisation of this group of people is really quite appalling, cases like this are few and far between and are vastly exaggerated and it's awful that they're used as means to target often the most vulnerable and needy people in society.

I agree there are too many stories like these appearing in tabloid newspapers for their shock value, they are in reality a very very small minority of a much larger socially deprived underclass who rely on a variety of benefits to survive.

I think we have seen recently an increase in these types of sensationalised articles which reinforce this lazy idle ignorant benefit claiming stereotype. I have to wonder if there is not a more sinister plot at work here. It's no secret the current Govt is desperate to overhaul the whole benefit system and needs public opinion onside so it has cover when the axe falls and thousands of recipients will find their benefits vastly reduced or stopped.

The current system is too complicated and is open to certain abuses but it does offer a safety net to the most disadvantaged members of our society so any reform has to measured, fair and should focus on helping the people who need help the most. Using the press to create a climate of fear and loathing for these people to justify savage cuts is not the answer...!!!