Heroes

right things to do, nice debating with you gaz and good thread sarah ty

nah gaz basic survival is the same for everyone on a general scale, the sick, disabled and old obv have different needs but then they are catered for with additional benefits, i am a smoker :oops: but if i was unfortunate enough to be out of work would not expect to get enough to fund that habit, but i do understand ur point on making choices to perhaps do something different like u say on xmas or for a special reason but i dont think benefits should fund any kind of regular payment or habit for ourselves or others beyond the absolute basics no, now i really must get on sshhh now lol x

I don’t think providing for your family should make you a hero? Basically isn’t that what Harman is patronisingly saying about immigrants? Why did she need to make a such a statement? It was a publicity stunt which only goes to show the high number of immigrants in London she is pandering too, which brings up issues of the benefit system being overstretched by mass immigration.
She has given out the wrong message that it is ok to claim benefits (wether you are entitled to legally Gaz) and what they are for. Hard working citizens of this country are fed up with people coming into this country and being able to claim benefits without having paid into the system.
You can imagine the message being interpretated abroad that the Government is giving you money to send back home from the UK.
I also agree with Gaz however, that if you wish to make a sacrifce with certain things and use the money other ways then it’s up to the individual. But, we are constantly told its very difficult to survive on benefits, so dare I say it? Are these immigrants working illegally for extra money to send back home? I would stick my neck out and say alot probably are.

@andymcnabb wrote:

I do not think Politics was every saying that it is not up to the individual what they sacrifice to meet the needs that they see as critical. Rather I interpret her comments, that giving up anything on benefits would not be an option. Because the benefit in this question, should be enough to eek out hand to mouth existence for the period of it. Whether that be weekly, bi weekly or monthly. I have no problem with anyone native to a country or immigrant, drawing down benefits that they have PAID into the system, those that have not yet achieved that status (again native or not) should serve a qualifying period whereby they are not able to draw benefits, use the health system etc…..

Andy

I agree with you in principle Andy, but what if the people concerned cannot secure work? What if they have children, do we see them starve? That’s the dilemma, with no obvious solutions, in some states in the USA they pay benefits in the form of food stamps maybe we could try that. As for Harmen she was just securing votes that’s for sure… call me cynical

Teapot :?

I’ve seen people using food vouchers in the supermarket.