Benefits System??

[R1Geezer]

In the light of the French Mayor's comments about our soft touch system, is there a more generous system anywhere? What is the answer? how do we stop the benefits culture being millstone round the necks of ever fewer taxpayers? How do we make it less attractive to asylum seekers etc?

[123everton]

Asylum seekers are'nt the problem, economic migrants disguised as asylum seekers are.
The reality of it is, is that many (if not all) want to work.
The problem quite naturally is that we can't accomadate everyone or all views.
My main concern is the lazy good for nothings who claim benefits whilst refusing to do the jobs that the immigrants do as it is in some way beneath them.
Get them to work and the economics sort themselves out along with much of your anti-social behaviour.

[VHG]

It does annoy me when this government (and the tories to be honest) always say they need to raise taxes to pay for the current credit crunch situation.

But how about reducing benefits, or at least making them harder to get.

We all know, including the politicians, that there is MASSIVE fraud in the benefit system, as well many many people who say they cannot get a job or are too ill to work.

Just go into Google, search on Benefit Fraud, then select the News tab and there is page after page of people prosecuted for benefit fraud.

While it is good that these people are caught, how many thousands of others are not caught and are getting away with it.

I would vote for any party that said they would come down much harder on benefit fraud.

Reduce benefit fraud and you make this country less attractive to immigrants.

As an example, see this illegal immigrant who got away with �20,000 in illegal benefits.

http://tinyurl.com/coow8p

[rov1200]

I cannot understand how a person enters the UK as an asylum seeker. To come here from Europe means that they pass through countries before getting here so it's their responsibility. The few that manage to fly in must have visas or passports checked before their arrival. So why do we waste time processing a non viable claim costing us a small fortune in legal fees? Now is the time to repatriate them before they can make their own way to Croydon to be processed.

[LucyThomas6]

If you refuse to work, your benefits should not exceed the wages of people in employment. Weekly benefits should be 30 times the minimum hourly wage. You then create an incentive for people to get off their asses and look for work because benefits will no longer be greater than wages.

It is a scandal that the workshy can earn more on benefits than someone working full time.

Cut the benefits and they will be clambouring for jobs so that they can continue to enjoy their new cars, plasma televisions and foreign holidays.

[gelda]

Another good post Lucy!

[Julnar]

If people on benefits are earning more than full time workers then surely the problem lies with the tight fisted bosses not rewarding their workforce adequately in a modern society, not on the benefits claimants, who I might add, for the most part, do not break the law and are genuinely unable to work through sickness or unemployment. I do however agree, the punishments for benefit fraud should be tougher, as such fraud is an insult to both workers and genuine claimants and a drain on the nations resources.

[LucyThomas6]

I know of someone aged about 40 who has never worked, has bred like a rabbit but who still expects life's luxuries. When he and his woman had their last child, he demanded, and got, a bigger house. For all those in employment, try that and see how far you get.

I don't blame the people personally, it's the system that allows them to get away with it that needs changing.