£1,000 fine for Covid rule breaking over the top?

I think it's is necessary to have some form of punishment for those who do not abide by the rules, otherwise people are just going to ignore it. Here in Australia the fines for breaching isolation or quarantine vary from state to state, here in Queensland it's generally up to $13,000 dollars but can be up to $50,000 in some cases for corporations and even a custodial sentence. Maybe those who don't/can't pay should get a custodial sentence. There are also fines for breaching social distancing and restaurants etc can be fined substantially for breaching their Covid safe plan.

I am with MissAdventure, I think the solution is groups of police, possibly 10-20 at a time, descending on a different local shopping centre or supermarket each day and stopping everyone without a mask and anyone without a provable reason for not wearing one would be fined £10.00 on the spot, going up by £10 for each further offence up to £100.

Large extreme fines are a sign that the government is out of control. It happened during the Roman empire, when it was falling apart, emperors kept making punishments more harsh, but nobody took any notice, and the emperor could not enforce his edicts. The same in the 18th century when the crimes you could be hanged for, grew in number but became more and more trivial - you might as well be hung (for stealing) for a sheep as a lamb - .

Boris may preen himself on his knowledge of the classical world, but somethings he clearly hasn't taken on board.

No problem if the fine is 5p or £5,000 - since people are not fined. So, who cares? If people were genuinely hit in their pockets each time they broke the law, and they knew that this would absolutely happen, this might enourage them to focus on not breaking the law. There's a novel approach.

I wonder if a £5 on the spot fine would be easier.
Perhaps the marshalls could issue them?

Yes, Jaxjacky.

growstuff I'm just as cynical about people actually getting it, but I suppose it's something that the idea has been thought of.

Yes, Maw - what a good idea!!

How about not breaking the rules - or is that a silly suggestion?

Septimia

And people who are on low incomes and would find it hard to self-isolate are entitled to a financial incentive.

I hope you realise that virtually nobody will be eligible for the £500, as the threshold for working people claiming Universal Credit is so high. Almost no self-employed will be eligible, so some of them will just carry on and not get tested.

The £10k for recidivists is unbelievable. Well, the whole thing is unbelievable. Does the Govt have the powers to introduce such draconian measures on the hoof and without consultation? If it does, very unwise to use them.

Septimia not sure if this is what you meant: £500 for those on low incomes who have to self isolate and punishment for employers who force them to work.

And people who are on low incomes and would find it hard to self-isolate are entitled to a financial incentive.

Thanks, biba70 ?

Maizie, 1st fine £1000, and for recidivists, 10.000

They've got to claw it back somehow. Isn't there about £50 million + lost in fraud during the furlough ?

I wouldn't worry too much about it. It's just another dead cat.

The problem with £1000 or even £10000 is that that poorer offenders couldn’t pay and richer ones couldn’t care less.

It’s us middle of the roaders who are the type to pay up - except we’re not breaking the rules!

Have to fine them for not turning up, then...

Whilst I agree community orders would be a better idea - how many would abide by those orders. I know someone who has received several community orders over the years - he has never turned up for any of them, always has an excuse and they were never enforced.

The Observer says it's £10,000! Which one is the typo, £1,000 or £10,000 ?

Whichever one it is, it's ridiculous, many people won't have that sort of money.