[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by idi banashapan

I think you're absolutely correct, but I also think this is the issue.

Some people (whilst not the 'target'), fall into the part-time category that will fall foul of policy changes, not becuase they don't want to work more, but because they can't. Childcare prevents them from working full time, perhaps. Being an unpaid part-time carer for a loved one, maybe? Not everyone has 37.5 hours a week to give to a job, and it isn't choice. They might really want to work full time. It's just no possible for them to do so.

The second point you make is also true. They (government) are not talking about highly skilled workers. But again, it's not because all of the low skill workers can't be bothered to be highly skilled - some people (and this may be controversial), are just not able to be highly skilled. There are many people out there, for whatever reason, simply do not have the capacity to get into a highly skilled or cognitively demanding job. They physically and/or mentally cannot do it. Perhaps it's down to a psychological disorder, a physical disorder, developmental problem, maybe even just 'global delay' as it is now referred to in education (for those not familiar with the term, it is a polite way of saying 'a bit slow').

The issue is the policy does not seem to acknowledge those people who cannot, for whatever reason, work more or work at a higher level. And whilst those people have not been 'targeted', they will unfortunately become victims in this situation.

You make some good points, with which I do agree. But these are the legitimate cases. It does not detract from the point that there are a lot of very lazy or job shy people out there who simply want to lounge around and take their income from taxpayers. These are the people we are talking about, not those lone parents with childcare or elder care responsibilities or those with severe disabilities. These are the people requiring state support, not the other troggs who can’t be bothered to lift a finger.

---------- Post added at 20:39 ---------- Previous post was at 20:38 ----------

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Indeed. Even the pittance in tax cuts being given to low paid workers will be clawed back via Universal Credit. For every £1 they pay less in income tax, they will lose 55p in Universal Credit.

As outlined above, if these tax cuts take any carers, sick or disabled people over the cut off limit, they will have to reduce their hours or face a complete loss of the relevant benefits.

It now pays you to work rather than to stay at home, which is how it should be.