[Mystic Mock]

Originally Posted by arista

Don't Let The System Get To you.

I can't help it, these snobby twats that are called the leaders of this country have never had to suffer anything, just once I would like them to have something bad happen to them and then they might see how we feel.

I know it's bad of me to want it to happen and I wouldn't want anything to bad to happen to them but something has got to be done as they are not down with the people at all.

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by The Mockinator

I can't help it, these snobby twats that are called the leaders of this country have never had to suffer anything, just once I would like them to have something bad happen to them and then they might see how we feel.

I know it's bad of me to want it to happen and I wouldn't want anything to bad to happen to them but something has got to be done as they are not down with the people at all.

I really have to say that no matter who is in power - no Government can please all of the people all of the time - and they never will.

What one Government fails on, another will succeed, and vice versa.

[Mystic Mock]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

I really have to say that no matter who is in power - no Government can please all of the people all of the time - and they never will.

What one Government fails on, another will succeed, and vice versa.

Both Governments can't seem to do anything right though, and the Tories have made a stupid law here, you can't help it if your house is to big for how many live in there.

[Shaun]

It sounds like a good idea on paper, but like too many issues this government are trying to tackle in order to try and present themselves as tough on benefit cheats, it's too complicated. Situations with joint custody, older children coming home from University for the holidays, rooms being renovated... all bear complications.

Personally my mum's just moved into a three-bedroom council house - strictly for her, my younger brother, and my niece (who she has guardianship over... there was a long and bitter custodial battle between her mother and my older brother, but they both still see her and get along now). My sister's just turned 18 and is expected to find her own housing, and I am too. So at the moment I'm sharing a bedroom with my brother (which isn't ideal but he sleeps downstairs a lot when friends are over anyway ), my sister has her own room (unfair ¬_¬ LOL) and my mum uses my niece's room when she's at her mother/father's (which is more often during the holidays than it is in schooltime).

I'm not entirely sure where I'm going with this but presenting myself and my sister (who is employed, but not making enough to afford rent on her own even for a flat, since South Devon housing prices are probably some of the highest of the country). Torbay's a total mess, really - the highest teen pregnancy rates of the country, and some of the longest waiting lists, so I shouldn't complain really.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Shaun

It sounds like a good idea on paper, but like too many issues this government are trying to tackle in order to try and present themselves as tough on benefit cheats, it's too complicated. Situations with joint custody, older children coming home from University for the holidays, rooms being renovated... all bear complications.

Personally my mum's just moved into a three-bedroom council house - strictly for her, my younger brother, and my niece (who she has guardianship over... there was a long and bitter custodial battle between her mother and my older brother, but they both still see her and get along now). My sister's just turned 18 and is expected to find her own housing, and I am too. So at the moment I'm sharing a bedroom with my brother (which isn't ideal but he sleeps downstairs a lot when friends are over anyway ), my sister has her own room (unfair ¬_¬ LOL) and my mum uses my niece's room when she's at her mother/father's (which is more often during the holidays than it is in schooltime).

I'm not entirely sure where I'm going with this but presenting myself and my sister (who is employed, but not making enough to afford rent on her own even for a flat, since South Devon housing prices are probably some of the highest of the country). Torbay's a total mess, really - the highest teen pregnancy rates of the country, and some of the longest waiting lists, so I shouldn't complain really.

By law, or by your mother?

I ask this because theres also talk of stopping any form of housing benefit for under 25s...as apparently the parents should house their children until this age if they cannot afford to live on their own

Under 35s will be expected to share rooms...though eactly where all these shared rooms for rent are, I dont know :S

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

By law, or by your mother?

I ask this because theres also talk of stopping any form of housing benefit for under 25s...as apparently the parents should house their children until this age if they cannot afford to live on their own

Under 35s will be expected to share rooms...though eactly where all these shared rooms for rent are, I dont know :S

Law - my mum wants to keep her

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Shaun

Law - my mum wants to keep her

Well thats ridiculous then

By law you need to move out at 18, but also by law you cant recieve any help towards housing costs until 25 year old? The government gunna guarantee ever 18-25 year old a fulltime job upon leaving home then? Enough wage to cover rent and basic living expenses at least? Really doubt it :S

Edit. I should have quoted a source for that rather than just springing it out of the blue, but http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/20...er-25s-welfare

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Well thats ridiculous then

By law you need to move out at 18, but also by law you cant recieve any help towards housing costs until 25 year old? The government gunna guarantee ever 18-25 year old a fulltime job upon leaving home then? Enough wage to cover rent and basic living expenses at least? Really doubt it :S

Exactly, with these unemployment rates it's just daft. Council tax is really high around here too (I'm just trying to put off anyone moving to Devon now )

[Shaun]

Let me rephrase: I'm not allowed my own room here because I'm only home for the holidays, and...expected to sleep on the sofa I guess but my sister isn't supposed to be here, no. Obviously forcibly evicting everyone staying with their mum after 18 in council housing is ridiculous and unrealistic, so nothing's been done yet, but she's expressed an interest in sharing a flat with some workmates in the future anyway (was saving for a deposit, but then spent it on driving lessons & tests IIRC)

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Shaun

Let me rephrase: I'm not allowed my own room here because I'm only home for the holidays, and...expected to sleep on the sofa I guess but my sister isn't supposed to be here, no. Obviously forcibly evicting everyone staying with their mum after 18 in council housing is ridiculous and unrealistic, so nothing's been done yet, but she's expressed an interest in sharing a flat with some workmates in the future anyway (was saving for a deposit, but then spent it on driving lessons & tests IIRC)

I'm still shell shocked that this is the Law?

If so, the Law most definitely is an ass.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

I'm still shell shocked that this is the Law?

If so, the Law most definitely is an ass.

Heh, you only just realising this?

[Tom4784]

When I was on JSA it was like being in a factory line, you'd sit down they'd glance at your booklet and sign it and then you'd be off with nary a word said. It just wasn't very helpful. apparently it's worse now though, I was talking to a mate about it the other day and basically you just hand in a letter at the front desk now and then they send you on your way without giving you any guidance or support.

How's that meant to be helpful?

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

When I was on JSA it was like being in a factory line, you'd sit down they'd glance at your booklet and sign it and then you'd be off with nary a word said. It just wasn't very helpful. apparently it's worse now though, I was talking to a mate about it the other day and basically you just hand in a letter at the front desk now and then they send you on your way without giving you any guidance or support.

How's that meant to be helpful?

It's not helpful, not at all.

When you experienced this ... did you raise it with anyone in a senior capacity - if so, what was their reaction? (after watching that documentary I mentioned earlier: I don't' think I'd be surprised if the reaction was 'nil', certainly from what I saw on that programme, as well as what I'm reading here).

[Tom4784]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

It's not helpful, not at all.

When you experienced this ... did you raise it with anyone in a senior capacity - if so, what was their reaction? (after watching that documentary I mentioned earlier: I don't' think I'd be surprised if the reaction was 'nil', certainly from what I saw on that programme, as well as what I'm reading here).

I never did since it seemed pointless but my friend did and he just got pushed aside. Our Job Centre is pretty bad though, they won't help you very much and after 1 or 2 sign ins they'll just refer you to this education place which apparently you aren't meant to go to unless you've been on JSA for a very long period of time. They just wash their hands of you really.

I'm glad I took myself off it, I'm earning more then I did when I signed on and I'm only applying for jobs I have a chance of getting instead of being forced to apply for ones I'd never get to satisfy a bureaucratic tyrant.

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

I know, I disagree with sanctions in the first place. JSA is worked out as the 'minimum amount the LAW says you need to live on', and lets be honest, 70 quid a week or whatever is an absolutely pitiful amount when you have heating costs and that to pay aswell as feeding yourself...but the law is the law. I'm not disputing the amount JSA is...

What I have a massive problem with, is that people can be threatened with getting LESS than the amount the law says you NEED to live on...sometimes even recieving nothing at all for months at a time, for little things such as missing an appointment, or failing to apply for a job. While I agree that jobseekers should do everything they can to find work, the idea that they can just strip you of any money at all on a whim is barbaric to me tbh.

I know one guy who was sanctioned for 2 weeks (a relatively short sanction) for being late for his signing time. The bus he gets did not turn up, and they were only one an hour, so he was about an hour late. But apparently that wasnt a reasonable excuse, he should have gone for the bus 2 hours before his appointment was due to avoid possibly being late. Its pure bullcrap at times.

On a brighter note, he did appeal this sanction, and won, however by the time the appeal went through, he had already gone a fortnight with no money at all anyway, so it wasnt of much help.

That's unbelievable. (not as in ''I don't believe you''.... unbelievable that the guy went through all that - the amount of time and money involved in setting up the appeal, hearing it, decisions being made, replying to him..... would have most probably have amounted to more than he was due).

Originally Posted by Dezzy

I never did since it seemed pointless but my friend did and he just got pushed aside. Our Job Centre is pretty bad though, they won't help you very much and after 1 or 2 sign ins they'll just refer you to this education place which apparently you aren't meant to go to unless you've been on JSA for a very long period of time. They just wash their hands of you really.

I'm glad I took myself off it, I'm earning more then I did when I signed on and I'm only applying for jobs I have a chance of getting instead of being forced to apply for ones I'd never get to satisfy a bureaucratic tyrant.

Shocking, absolutely shocking.

Part of hearing all this stuff going on - does make me wonder how the actual DWP/JSA staff feel - in reality if they were able to speak up truthfully I mean without reparcussion: are these things happening as they themselves are being put under too much pressure - and this is the knock on effect?

Something's far wrong - that's for sure. It's sad to read of all this kind of stuff going on.

[Vicky.]

I know, I disagree with sanctions in the first place. JSA is worked out as the 'minimum amount the LAW says you need to live on', and lets be honest, 70 quid a week or whatever is an absolutely pitiful amount when you have heating costs and that to pay aswell as feeding yourself...but the law is the law. I'm not disputing the amount JSA is...

What I have a massive problem with, is that people can be threatened with getting LESS than the amount the law says you NEED to live on...sometimes even recieving nothing at all for months at a time, for little things such as missing an appointment, or failing to apply for a job. While I agree that jobseekers should do everything they can to find work, the idea that they can just strip you of any money at all on a whim is barbaric to me tbh.

I know one guy who was sanctioned for 2 weeks (a relatively short sanction) for being late for his signing time. The bus he gets did not turn up, and they were only one an hour, so he was about an hour late. But apparently that wasnt a reasonable excuse, he should have gone for the bus 2 hours before his appointment was due to avoid possibly being late. Its pure bullcrap at times.

On a brighter note, he did appeal this sanction, and won, however by the time the appeal went through, he had already gone a fortnight with no money at all anyway, so it wasnt of much help.

[Tom4784]

The whole system needs an overhaul. I'm just lucky that I've found some good sources of cash in hand work while I look for something more permanent, I'd have hated being in the system for any much longer then I was. The whole time I was on JSA was the most depressing period of my life. I was just made to feel completely useless.

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

The whole system needs an overhaul. I'm just lucky that I've found some good sources of cash in hand work while I look for something more permanent, I'd have hated being in the system for any much longer then I was. The whole time I was on JSA was the most depressing period of my life. I was just made to feel completely useless.

The whole time i was on JSA i felt pressured to find a job quickly. I had one interview, where i was told to get a job so i wouldn't be on benefits. Honestly. I finally got the help i needed from LEAP. It's a charity that helps you to find work. They showed me what i was doing wrong and i finally got the job i was after.

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

The whole system needs an overhaul. I'm just lucky that I've found some good sources of cash in hand work while I look for something more permanent, I'd have hated being in the system for any much longer then I was. The whole time I was on JSA was the most depressing period of my life. I was just made to feel completely useless.

It's lousy if that's been your experience - but the one thing I will say Dezzy - is that you yourself have managed to find an alternative in the interim - proving that you are far from useless.

On that note on the 'cash in hand' situ: one of the most lucrative ways is the fast food home delivery drivers: lot of money to be made there (plus a free meal every night just never goes wrong!).

[thesheriff443]

so many posts!
why dont the goverment fine house owners that have several houses or flats and let them sit empty, and beacuse of the lack of houseing people have to go into bed and breakfast.

[Kizzy]

This bedroom tax as far as I am aware is applicable only to social housing stock, the private renters have a benefits cap to reduce housing benefits payments.
This has caused its own problems such as the fragmetation of whole communities and family units.
It seems that social cohesion has been put on a back burner for the time being....

Although that is a different issue, I feel that this will impact on the council housing lists further north as those who due to the cap are forced from their private rented properties in london and surrounding areas.

One point the government could make that would help everyone concerned would be to target underperforming local councils...
Those who do not adequately maintain their housing stock, here in leeds and i'm sure there are in towns and cities up and down the country 1000's of council properties becoming derelict.
Why is this allowed to happen?

At one time this was given media attention and now it all appears to have fizzled out, and who are left to make all the sacrifices?...The tenants and residents of these neglected boroughs.
In my local area the maintainance of council housing and other services has been outsourced, unfortunately they have mismanaged the budget from central government and therefore any improvement works to be done to maintain housing stock are not being carried out.
It is just another example of central government being so out of touch with the rest of the country... i'm not sure they even know if anywhere outside the capital exists!

This is the programme which first made me aware that the problem was not localised, but countrywide.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t...4-preview.html

[Vicky.]

Unsure how reliable this source is, but just found this while looking about at random stuff

http://www.clockworkcontent.com/blog...-benefit-caps/

Apparently ex-offenders and OAPs are exempt from this new tax. OAPS I can understand, but why give favour to ex-offenders

from that link

'The DWP (Department of Work and Pensions) have approved exemptions for ex-offenders if claimants might present a risk of causing serious harm to the public'.

Surely if they are at risk of harming the public, they should still be locked up, not given priveleges

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Unsure how reliable this source is, but just found this while looking about at random stuff

http://www.clockworkcontent.com/blog...-benefit-caps/

Apparently ex-offenders and OAPs are exempt from this new tax. OAPS I can understand, but why give favour to ex-offenders

from that link

Surely if they are at risk of harming the public, they should still be locked up, not given priveleges

That is absolutely baffling. Essentially "playing nice" to ensure they don't kick off or something. The legal system is so backwards it's not even funny.

[Irene Pearson]

Originally Posted by Marshmallow

That is absolutely baffling. Essentially "playing nice" to ensure they don't kick off or something. The legal system is so backwards it's not even funny.

Well there is the answer lets all go out and indulge in a bit of law breaking. So glad I am old.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Unsure how reliable this source is, but just found this while looking about at random stuff

http://www.clockworkcontent.com/blog...-benefit-caps/

Apparently ex-offenders and OAPs are exempt from this new tax. OAPS I can understand, but why give favour to ex-offenders

from that link

Surely if they are at risk of harming the public, they should still be locked up, not given priveleges

Omg... Is student accomodation classed as self contained or shared acc?