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£500 to spend.

(150 Posts)
annsixty Mon 06-Jul-20 12:56:28

It is my day for starting threads so be kind to me.
I saw in a few newspaper reports over the last 2days, suggestions that the Chancellor should give every adult in the country £500 to spend to kick start the economy.
If this were to happen, how would you spend yours?
I have absolutely no idea.

annab275 Tue 07-Jul-20 11:04:28

I would go and stay at a hotel near the sea in Wales for a night or two.

GagaJo Tue 07-Jul-20 11:09:31

I'd use it to either pay some Council Tax or Water Rates. Or I'd use it on getting some repairs done on my house.

rowyn Tue 07-Jul-20 11:11:03

And is this money ( our money in the first place actually) going to be given to every adult, including millionaires and the like?

gillybob Tue 07-Jul-20 11:18:34

Not allowed apparently GagaJo . Apparently you have to spend it on something frivolous . wink

Scottiebear Tue 07-Jul-20 11:28:31

Weekend away at a nice hotel as soon as it feels safe sounds like bliss. No cooking! Yay.

antheacarol55 Tue 07-Jul-20 11:41:34

This would cost Billions and I think the money should be spent more wisely.
So they have money for this yet are treating the test for C19 for staff as a benefit and NHS staff have TO Paid Tax on it to get tested madness

GrannyfromWilmslow Tue 07-Jul-20 11:46:45

I’d think about giving it to my hairdresser to cover haircuts for the next year or so

Mealybug Tue 07-Jul-20 11:51:25

I love my garden but can't afford to buy the plants and planters I would like so I would spend a lot of on the garden, plus a nice comfy recliner for me to sit outside and enjoy the fruits of my labour.

Jane10 Tue 07-Jul-20 12:17:17

Giving it directly to us cuts out the various committees and middle men which cost a fortune to set up and run who would otherwise have to work out how to disburse it.
Maybe it could just be given to lower tax bracket payers and miss out the very wealthy?

GagaJo Tue 07-Jul-20 12:24:45

I’m not sure I know how be frivolous gillybob!

lucyanne Tue 07-Jul-20 12:40:31

If one has income or savings £500 is pocket money so you should be out spending anyway to support businesses, For those less fortunate £500 would go a long way to buying items they cant afford. If on benefits a TV, radio, mobile phone, computer, car, hair cut, travel to visit family are all classed as none essential items! How are the housebound or permanent sick going to get to the high street to spend a voucher? Time for us all to revalue the importance of life sharing what we have and making a stand for those that live in poverty.

HillyN Tue 07-Jul-20 13:06:44

I was about to say that, GrannyfromWilmslow. That's exactly what I would do too.

Georgesgran Tue 07-Jul-20 13:13:45

I’m sure a lot of small businesses would welcome an influx of cash/vouchers or whatever we (might, perhaps) get. I wonder if there would be any security checks on them - I’d gladly buy them from DDs to give them cash for essentials/nursery fees.

FarNorth Tue 07-Jul-20 13:19:57

I don't want to go for an expensive meal or hotel stay, where I might be risking my health, even if the government tries to bribe me to do so.
I'd be happy to use a voucher to pay a business to supply some food to a foodbank.

micky987 Tue 07-Jul-20 13:22:00

Sys2ad2
“ it will only be given to unemployed, furloughed and non workers so i will not be eligible. Crazy idea they will go to the beach and pubs stopping locals going out again”
Wow! Do you actually believe that people who’ve been furloughed by the company they work for will suddenly become irresponsible? I work for a very large company who had no choice but to go into ‘hibernation’ and furlough nearly all 1000 employees. This option was out of our hands. I stayed home, i DID NOT go running to the beach and pubs!!!

GagaJo Tue 07-Jul-20 13:27:31

I’m partially furloughed. Taking NO unnecessary risks. I’d order a takeaway but not going into restaurants, pubs, cafes.

Riverwalk Tue 07-Jul-20 13:31:07

it will only be given to unemployed, furloughed and non workers so i will not be eligible. Crazy idea they will go to the beach and pubs stopping locals going out again

Do you have evidence for this claim Sys?

Daftbag1 Tue 07-Jul-20 13:45:32

FABRIC, FABRIC AND MORE FABRIC lol!

sharon103 Tue 07-Jul-20 13:46:49

I can't find any evidence of that Sys
I can't do links but copied
The Government is 'considering' plans drawn up by a think tank to give all adults £500 and children £250 in vouchers to help to spend our way out of the Covid crisis.

According to reports in the Observer, the Resolution Foundation idea would see vouchers issued that could be spent in sectors of the economy hit hardest by the coronavirus.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is set to outline policies aimed at dealing with Britain’s recovery from the outbreak on Wednesday.this.

glammanana Tue 07-Jul-20 13:48:03

I just can't see this happening and if it does I can see so many under the counter deals being done illegally,if paid out to personal bank accounts it should be to pay for bills which have occurred from having no income but I feel a lot of people would just fritter it away.
If it does happen can I please order a new shed for my garden and a nice garden recliner in case we have some sunshine.

Nicolaed Tue 07-Jul-20 13:52:42

Gin!

Starblaze Tue 07-Jul-20 14:03:05

It's actually a dream of mine to have £500 just to spend on myself on a trip to town.

Even when I get birthday money/vouchers etc younger, I'd end up buying things for my children every time so doubt it would actually be any different lol

EthelJ Tue 07-Jul-20 14:06:06

If it happens I think the idea is fur the money to be in voucher form rather than cash to ensure it is spent in those areas of the economy that are struggling, to kick start them again So probably things like hospitality, leisure and non essential retail. People won't be given cash in their pockets to use any way they want to unfortunately.

EthelJ Tue 07-Jul-20 14:11:29

And the idea is not to help the people receiving the vouchers it is to benefit the economy as a whole.

Joesoap Tue 07-Jul-20 14:20:13

What a wonderful idea to help the areas most affected by the pandemic, it will be such a boost for them,and such a good idea to get advise where the vouchers should be spent, ensuing it is going to the right places, businesses who need the money.The best idea the Government has come up with for ages.