Should they be allowed in the bedroom?

[anotheoldgit]

The latest measure in the war to combat benefit cheats.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-104407 3/Town-hall-snoopers-want-bedroom-access-check -tax-discount-pensioners-living-own.html

Agree or not?

[rov1200]

Ludwig I think the discount should be 50% not 25% then we could resurrect the poll tax which although discredited was very fair.

[pastafreak]

Errmm..ludwig -the single occupancy property will produce less rubbish,therefore the binmen will spend less time at said property,as opposed to one occupied by say-2 adults and 3 kids,with multiple bins. The single occupancy house would also have less income....whether pension or salary,so paying the full rate is penalising them.
The binmen would then move on quickly to the next....thus costing the taxpayer less at that property for relevant Council expenses I.E....salaries,petrol etc.
Well...that is one way to look at it.

[Ethel]

I've had the council inspector at my house as I live alone.

I wasn't bolshie, it was not an unpleasant experience and I think it is a fair trade if I want to claim single person's discount.

He gave me information about other things I am entitled to, such as cavity heating and so on.

Of course, the alternative is not to claim it.

[anotheoldgit]

Another good reason to introduce ID cards, we would know where everyone lives.

Must agree with littleoldme's criticism of the Daily Mail's emotive ante regarding pensioners. There must be others who live alone, single mothers for example (on second thoughts not so in many cases). There is always a partner around somewhere, to share benefits.

Truly, In A Pickle

I suppose this is another of the DM's fantasies that never comes to anything?

This is not something the Daily Mail has fantasised over. The following is an extract from a form, produced by Thurrock Council in Essex.

It reads: 'To be completed and returned immediately if you wish to continue to claim single person discount...

'I authorise the Council or its agents to make enquiries to corroborate this claim. I will permit the Council or its agents to inspect the property on request...(that could of course include the bedroom)

'If you do not do so, we will have to cancel your discount and send you a revised bill for the increased amount.'

[ludwig]

Sorry pastafreak but that's just wrong. Two people living in two houses is always going to give a higher 'footprint' on resources than two people living in the same house.

If they want to target the discount at pensioners and hardup lone parents they should ..er.. target the discount at pensioners and hardup lone parents, not target it at people living on their own.

[Coobeastie]

I should imagine that this letter gets sent when the council already has good cause to believe that fraud is taking place and where does it exactly say that they are going to snoop in your bedroom?

[anotheoldgit]

Coobeastie

I will permit the Council or its agents to inspect the property on request...(that could of course include the bedroom)

[Coobeastie]

I know it says inspect your property but I'm probably right in thinking that what that actually means is you'll have somebody in your living room having a chat over tea and biscuits rather than csi thurrock searching for hidden compartments in your wardrobes.

This was higlighted by the Conservatives....but Thurrock has no controlling party so its hardly a labour/lib dem conspiracy to pry into our homes.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/73760 57.stm

[anotheoldgit]

On the other hand Coobeastie, where does it say,

you'll have somebody in your living room having a chat over tea and biscuits

Assumptions on both sides, best to lock that Bedroom door, but leave the window open, for any escapees.