Rishi Sunak pledges to remove benefits for people not taking jobs after 12 months

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

The prime minister announces a raft of reforms to the welfare system as he insists it "must change". But Labour lays the blame at the government's handling of the NHS, leaving people "locked out" of work.

More on the story here: https://news.sky.com/story/rishi-sunak-pledges-to-remove-benefits-for-people-not-taking-jobs-after-12-months-13118419

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Reply 1

Gazpacho.

This is up there with Boris Johnson pledging to recruit 20,000 new police officers after 20,000 frontline police roles were cut by the Conservatives as an example of Conservatives attempting to address a mess they created.

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 2

StriderHort

Just another entry in the recent list of desperate pleas for headlines and distraction. He knows it's almost over for him.

Reply 3

Talkative Toad

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by StriderHort

Just another entry in the recent list of desperate pleas for headlines and distraction. He knows it's almost over for him.

Might as well get rid of the “almost” bit.

But agreed.

Reply 4

StriderHort

Original post by Talkative Toad

Might as well get rid of the “almost” bit.
But agreed.

Yeah I added 'almost' just because he'll try and cling on as long as possible without giving a date, because has no dignity or shame.

Reply 5

Talkative Toad

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by StriderHort

Yeah I added 'almost' just because he'll try and cling on as long as possible without giving a date, because has no dignity or shame.

Yes much like Boris.

Reply 6

Surnia

Life & Style Forum Helper

The system definitely needs overhauling. I've always said they should get people who are unemployed and capable doing community work, if nothing else: litter-picking, cleaning up graffiti, painting, charity work etc. Everyone should get a 'benefit', whether that's a payment or a nicer environment!

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 7

StriderHort

Original post by Surnia

I think something like that sounds good in theory but breaks down at the detail. My issue with that is is that we already use these tasks as a criminal punishment, so a bit tricky to use the same for people who have presumably paid their NI and made no mistake of their own beyond bad luck. Are you going to mix the two groups or create multi tiered community service? I've never liked the idea that your 'boss' in these deals owes you pretty much nothing and can go over your head to a 3rd party with any issues and cause issues for your benefit claim (if I remember right the worker doesn't get to effectively defend themselves), which again is a bit too close to the the criminal side where the 'boss' gets to mess with your release licence or refer you to court if you look at them wrong. Treatment that contract employees would certainly balk at.

I'm a believer that if this community work needs done you should be hiring and meeting the minimum wage at least rather than relying on cutting corners and exploiting people who can't say no. I think it would work great if everyone was honest, but the people running the scheme will be vindictive and treat workers like crap and the people forced to do the work will mostly resent it It's not like we haven't tried these sort of schemes before but it ends the same, the provider and the DWP get too pally and the 'workers' get exploited.

Reply 8

Rakas21

More than half of those who are off work since Covid are on long term benefits due to depression.

While Sunak’s measures are well meaning, the threshold for mental illness is questionably low and needs reform.

Reply 9

anarchism101

"The introduction of a new fraud bill to treat benefit fraud like tax fraud, with new powers to make seizures and arrests."

I'm going to bet this will most likely cost more to maintain than whatever crumbs they can actually claw back.

Reply 10

anarchism101

Original post by Surnia

If that's what you want them to do, then why not just, you know, employ them to do that?

Reply 11

Little pecker

This country is falling apart.

Reply 12

TheStupidMoon

The problem is the genuinely sick and disenfranchised are stuck in with all the wasters,illegal immigrants and chancers.

Reply 13

Quady

Original post by Talkative Toad

The prime minister announces a raft of reforms to the welfare system as he insists it "must change". But Labour lays the blame at the government's handling of the NHS, leaving people "locked out" of work.
More on the story here: https://news.sky.com/story/rishi-sunak-pledges-to-remove-benefits-for-people-not-taking-jobs-after-12-months-13118419

The pensioners wont like that.

Reply 14

McGinger

It doesnt matter what any of these Tory numpties promise - because they won't be in power in 6 months time.

Reply 15

Quady

Original post by McGinger

It doesnt matter what any of these Tory numpties promise - because they won't be in power in 6 months time.

So you're saying the election will be earlier than 28th October?

How comes?

Reply 16

McGinger

Original post by Quady

So you're saying the election will be earlier than 28th October?
How comes?

July.

They will hold it mid summer to avoid the fiasco of conference season as a failing g'ment.

Reply 17

Quady

Original post by McGinger

July.
They will hold it mid summer to avoid the fiasco of conference season as a failing g'ment.

July, right-o.

So before the BoE cuts rates, before more tax cuts in September and whilst England are getting pumped at the Euros.

Sure thing.

Reply 18

EmilyJade24

Original post by Quady

July, right-o.
So before the BoE cuts rates, before more tax cuts in September and whilst England are getting pumped at the Euros.
Sure thing.

I would disagree.

The economy is plainly starting to adjust to a higher rates of interests positively.

Since August of 2023, the UK has managed to maintain base rates of 5.25% with growth of above 0%.

In order to shift from an economy of 'high taxes' the burden, at least over the next 3 years, needs to be shifted to the economy as a whole.

Evidence shows that with high levels of inflation, tax revenue also increases. Therefore, in order to reduce tax rates, across the board, the UK economy needs two 'self induced' shocks. The first in the form of a radical reduction in the base rate, from 5.25% to near 0% again in order to stimulate the economy and unleash a sharp but swift wave of inflation, 20% being the target. This would provide the space for the government to engage in a radical program of cutting tax rates, providing public spending, apart from in certain key areas, was frozen for at least 3 years.

Then, in order to help ease the inflationary burden, the next stage of the tax cutting program would involved the government increasing interest rates, over a period of 6 months, from near 0% to 8.95%, although, this program would be combined with more tax cuts. Stimulating the economy, although to such a degree that with the higher rates of interest inflation would reduce.

Then, once the UK gets to year 3, interest should remain at around the 2% mark again, meaning the government can start to reduce base rates to more 'normal' levels, around 1-2% and tax rates would be radically reduced, providing the space for 2 years of public spending increases (above inflation) in order to provide the best of both worlds.