90 Years on Benefits

I know someone who has never worked in her life and she is 74!

I was a student nurse

This is either an interesting shift or you are not the same GabriellaG54. You made it very clear previously that you were a solicitor and "knew" about the behaviour of those you wanted to attack because of the time you spent in court. This is very strange that you have now become an ex-nurse. Not impossible of course but "I have my reservations ..........^

How long ago would a student nurse be on £11 a month?. I am in my seventies and in my youth £11 a week might have been nearer the mark.

I too couldn't find channel 5star so I googled it -

5Star
FreeviewChannel 30 Channel 55 (+1)
Satellite
FreesatChannel 131 Channel 141 (+1)
Sky (UK only)Channel 128 Channel 228 (+1)

and I still can't find it.

Circa. Mid 1980s student nurses tended to be paid around £325 per month if that helps at all.

I'm talking about 1962 as a student nurse CherryCezzy. Ok? I know what I'm talking about and I have a good memory. The thing is, it's easy to remember the truth. Liars often forget what they said and to whom they said it. That's why I'm an advocate for the truth.

My first job aged 15 was at JL and I was paid £1.17s.6d pw. That was 1960.

GGK3 It’s got to something when you imply another member is a liar! I’m sure Gabriella doesn’t need to bend the truth to make her point although I’m sure some do.

GracesGranMK3
Always trying to find fault...I wonder why?
I was a 17 yr old student nurse at the time mentioned in the post you refer to,
the emphasis being on the word student.
I didn't study for my law degree until I was married, several years later.
Is it unheard of to have had more than one job in a lifetime?
I have mentioned this in previous posts since joining GN and my 'story' hasn't changed. One cannot change facts.

I can tell you the names of the theatre sisters, matron and many of the nurses and consultants who were there at the time and even point out which room I had when living in (as one had to do for the first 12 months)
I can recite the names of some staff at the JL branch where I worked and even where the judo club I went to ( for JL employees) was situated.
Why you want to doubt me, I've no idea.

GabriellaG54 please do not let the doubters get to you.

I can't watch those programmes, they make me sooooo cross. On the other hand, my 40 year old daughter who was left as a single parent 15 years ago with no support from her husband. She lost the house they had bought with her income. She has worked and worked as a legal secretary but this resulted in her living hand to mouth with the occasional food bank visits as she is not entitled to the vast majority of benefits, because she has enough self esteem to continue working part time. But, like I said to her, at least you can look in the mirror each morning and think "I made it by myself and don't owe anyone anything". Makes me sad though I try and support her and my granddaughter financially when I can.

Hetty58

That's a very good point about tax dodgers/evaders.

What happened with Google, Amazon, Starbucks etc that have been found to be paying very minimal taxes in the UK? That whole scandalous business seems to have been ignored by the media.

What about the hundreds or maybe thousands of other big companies that we haven't heard about that do their accounting 'creatively'?

I bet they take 1000X more from the Treasury in 1 year than benefits cheats do in a couple of decades.

It's about perspective - and the agenda and psychology behind the very regular production of these type of programmes. Which, of course, help to maintain the Tories in power.

My first job at age 15/16 (apart for the various Saturday jobs I had from the age of 13) was for the Ministry of Housing and Local Government in Westminster later to become Dept of the Environment. My wage was £8 17s 6d and I thought I was rich!

GabriellaG54
Do governments deliberately make it hard for the most disadvantaged to receive benefits?

I would say yes, they do. It may be that you're looking too kindly on those that get into power?

One example I know about from a disability support worker is the disabled allowance. Only 20% of first applications would be awarded the benefit. When the failed claims went to appeal, 80+% of those applications were awarded.

That says to me that someone, somewhere deliberately and systematically made the initial hurdles hard.

Then there's the application forms themselves. A huge amount of paperwork and all using special terms. You have to know the way the disability benefits people use language to know how to fill them in. Well over the heads of many claimants.

Such confusion amongst claimants that a whole training
and support industry sprang up: support workers actually went on training courses (and refreshers about new regs etc) to learn how to fill in these forms correctly on behalf of claimants! Perhaps they still do, I'll have to check with my friend the support worker.

That has to be deliberate. In face, it was widely assumed amongst support workers that it was deliberate.

I'm not sure that the architects of these very difficult application systems actually think about the claimant, still less do they enjoy causing suffering. I just think they're obsessed with their party's manifesto pledges and, 'saving taxpayers' money' so the Daily Mail and The Sun can print glowing stories about them 'saving money'.

Thing is, it's all a false economy. People who don't get the benefits they are due get ill, they have to visit doctors more, they have to have more hospital treatment. Then they have to have the support of support workers ....who are paid for by...the taxpayer!!

I did not see that programme KatieK but I did see two programmes about Universal Credit about six weeks ago. 1 man had not worked for 10 years and he had had his benefit stopped twice in the past. They made him go to job centre every day and sit there in front of computer from 9am until 5pm every day until he got a job. They said they would stop his benefit if he did not go every day. He was going mad and kept complaining. He did find a job cleaning trains. He smartened up and was still working 3 months later.

Another lady had to give her job as a nurse to look after her Mother. After her Mum died she was a bit depressed and went to job centre to find another job. She did not want to go back to nursing. She could not live on her Universal credit she found a pt job cleaning a pub and they topped her money up with UC. She found another cleaning job in an office and so was doing 2 jobs but total hours was about 24 each week. Job centre was trying to make her get a third job to make up hours.

Another lady, who did not seem too bright, got an advance of her UC and spent it all in a week. She bought a new phone, trainers, clothes, cigarettes and other things. Then she was upset because she had to pay back some of this advance every month. She kept spending all her money in first 2 weeks then getting upset as she had none left and she had a daughter and they had to go to food back. The daughter seemed more sensible than the mother.

I think they ought to give education about how to budget at school in PHSE as the third lady clearly had no idea. I don't think the people at the benefits job centre made it easy for anyone not working. This was filmed when Amber Rudd was in charge of Dept of W and P.

I have absolutely no doubt there are many people who would be entitled to pension credit but either are too proud to claim it or otherwise do not know how much you can have and still be able to claim it.

There are others who know exactly how to claim the most benefits possible and how some doctors can sign to say a person is to sick to work, when they clearly are not is beyond me. There are those who claim what they are not entitled to and then there is less in the pot for those who genuinely need support.

GGK3 It’s got to something when you imply another member is a liar! I’m sure Gabriella doesn’t need to bend the truth to make her point although I’m sure some do.

It also comes to something when you talk to me like that tickingbird. It appears my memory serves me right and it was an "interesting shift." Perhaps you've forgotten more than others remember but you don't need to be so rude because you lack the memory. I called no one a liar.

Always trying to find fault...I wonder why?

Not always. Only when I comment on your disdain of others.

GrannyIggle
No. I certainly do not look too kindly at all on those who get into power so you can forget that angle.
I'm only interested in the results of their machinations. Deeds not words. Words are cheap.

GracesGranMK3
I wonder who I look down on ?
Only those shorter than I ? otherwise no.
Now, how about easing off the digging and find someone else to stick your pins in. It would be a miracle if you ever agreed with me or said anything nice, and I make plenty of nice comments but you never look for those.
You and I may disagree but be assured, I will never stoop to questioning the veracity of any comment you make nor will I seek to derive satisfaction from rebutting your fancies about my previous employments.
I think this has strayed too far from the OP so I will not be drawn further.

'Scroungers'?

I have taught literacy (along with CV creation, interview and job application skills) to the long term unemployed.

They were sent by the Jobcentre and had to attend - or lose benefits. My class were not lazy, not 'scroungers'.

They were ordinary decent people with various disadvantages - through no fault of their own.

Some had mild to moderate learning disabilities, others mental health problems or personality disorders.

It was plainly obvious that most would never be able to get a job. Some were volunteers, some stayed at home looking after children, some cared for others. Quite a few were in poor health.

Incredibly, all had been declared 'fit for work'.

It's such a shame that those of you who resent those claiming benefits will never meet them. They were all good people.

'Dodgers'

A nearby taxi driver is pleasant enough to chat to - but always braggs loudly about how little tax he pays. He looks down upon the honest 'fools' who pay their dues.

When the 80% was promised to the employed, he complained (loudly again) 'What about us, the self--employed? What will we get?'

I must admit I was secretly rejoicing when I replied 'Don't worry, I'm sure they'll base it on your last year's tax return' He didn't look too happy!

GGMK3 Don’t call me rude. You are too quick to jump in with your insults and condescending remarks and react badly when challenged. You implied Gabriella was lying - fact.

newnanny it’s been a long time since getting sickness benefits simply relied on a doctor signing a sick note.