Young Britons could lose the right to claim some benefits for four years

DD2 had DGD when she was 20. Both she and her partner worked but were in low paid jobs and had been working since they left school. They needed housing benefit and tax credits to break even. Under the proposed system they wouldn't qualify. Why should hardworking young people be penalised simply because Cameron let his mouth run away with him regarding
re-negotiations.

... and back to the topic. If you do believe there should be a pause between initially paying in and being able to draw out of your insurance (national) how long do you think it should be?

Hardly likely that he forgets...

My healthy and fit 21 year old granddaughter worked her way through university and left with a ten thousand pound debt. She's one of the lucky ones.
I am not looking at it from a purely personal point of view; I am looking at it from the point of view of the 30% of young people who cannot get work because there are no jobs for them, not even minimum wage.

Cameron and his friends did not expect British youngsters to be caught in his no benefits for 4 years for EU citizens wheeze. He forgets we are in the EU.

Healthy 18 year olds can do something , it may not be a dream job, but there will be something they can do, and they should do.For people this age without any parental help or home, no doubt there will be some kind of help available, but as a society we should never condone healthy young people sitting around all day.Not good for us, or them.

This can't be thought of from a purely personal perspective Djen.

They are not allowed housing benefit any more.

I hope what this government is bringing in does not affect any of your children or grandchildren.

I left school at 17 and was immediately entitled to some benefit, I don't remember how much.
Luckily I got a job very quickly and haven't claimed benefits since.

I don't think David Cameron wants to leave the EU.

I doubt if any of us got benefits at 18 unless we went to university and it seems young people can get social housing these days too which would have been impossible for us. I do think a line needs to be drawn somewhere but have no suggestion where. I would never have thrown mine out so they could claim benefits and do think parents have a responsibility to help their youngsters but what happens if the parents are on benefits, do they get benefits for their over 18s? It all looks very complex to me.

Quite agree Ana.

As regards the four years, there are likely to be many bored, penniless, very unhappy young people.
That is not good for them or for society.
I would expect there to be riots and an increase in crime.

If Cameron has to go to the people in the referendum and show them how little power he has to change things because of his stance on the EU, it might make people realise we are better staying in and changing things slowly from within, rather than grandstanding.

On the other hand, it may make people realise we'd be better off out of the EU altogether. 'Changing things slowly from within' hasn't worked very well so far, has it?

I do hope the government realises how ridiculous this is, and gives up on the idea.
I also hope that the EU does not give in to pressure.
If Cameron has to go to the people in the referendum and show them how little power he has to change things because of his stance on the EU, it might make people realise we are better staying in and changing things slowly from within, rather than grandstanding.

I agree with you about insurance. When my husband fell off a ladder and had to claim on insurance for money to live on, it was six months before it kicked in. During that six months all we had to live on was sickness benefit, which did not pay the mortgage, and savings. An 18 year old will not have much savings. Not having benefits until they are 22 not only denies them money but also the chance to feel a worthwhile member of society.