Comments on: Money is only funny, in a rich man’s world http://www.rodneyedwards.co.uk/blog/2008/05/01/money-is-only-funny-in-a-rich-mans-world/ e-mail: info@rodneyedwards.co.uk Fri, 18 May 2012 23:35:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 By: Phil Franco http://www.rodneyedwards.co.uk/blog/2008/05/01/money-is-only-funny-in-a-rich-mans-world/#comment-1749 Phil Franco Wed, 07 May 2008 21:48:19 +0000 http://www.rodneyedwards.co.uk/blog/2008/05/01/money-is-only-funny-in-a-rich-mans-world/#comment-1749 Recently in the news and media their has been a lot of talk about ending child poverty, getting people into work and reforming incapacity benefits. In this world not everyone has the same opportunity or is born into the best of circumstances. Disabled people and those with genuine long term health problems and even the unemployed often want to work and earn a living to at least provide some support for themselves however sadly, because of rules produced by a government of people who really don't seem to know what is happening at the cutting edge, work even part time work for these people is extremely difficult to achieve. Employers often do not want to give people a chance as many do not understand about disabilities or don't want to risk giving opportunity to anyone from a difficult background for fear of things not working out . Disabled people and those who have been sick not only have the added pressure of health problems they are also faced with archaic benefit rules that only allow them to earn £20 per week before housing benefits are affected and the spectre of homelessness looms. When there is any change in circumstances the official paperwork that has to be completed is overwhelming and decision makers are too slow making any payments. This leaves housing costs unpaid. Landlords who must pay a mortgage or need the money cannot wait. Very often disabled people and the unemployed have no savings what so ever and cannot cover expenses to carry them through intermittent periods of financial change caused by part time or irregular work often the only jobs on available .This therefore makes it difficult for them to get out of the poverty trap. Some say get the money from relatives or borrow from the bank it is a fact that to be able to borrow money one must be able to show one can pay back or may have a prospect of being able to pay back. Many people do not have relatives who are able to help them out as people live longer and need more support themselves often parents and other relatives cannot manage to help out. Life on benefits is not a "high life" it is not a "cushy number" as some people think it is a bare living the rates of benefit are supposed to increase with inflation but in recent months inflation has gone through the roof and benefit increases can barely match this increases are only made once a year. Even if one is receiving the highest levels of benefit due to severe disability it is still very difficult to meet basic needs such as winter fuel only the over 65s get help with this whilst the sick have to try and cover all this cost from very little and often their health deteriorates during cold weather. I believe this leads to more hospital admissions and more expense for the taxpayer. At this time of credit crunch, and frequent oil price increases, even basic food items are becoming unaffordable for many. Healthy food and meat are very quickly becoming a luxury and many are forced to buy cheaper junk foods. There is talk about spongers and yes I would agree that there is probably a small number of people who have let some degree of laziness creep in but this does not apply to the majority of people who find themselves unwell or in difficult circumstances and must rely on support from the social welfare system. I believe that the welfare system does need an overhaul but what really is needed is a support package designed to support the vulnerable in society as much as they need to improve there circumstances and to be able to use the abilities they do have to enable a productive life enabling them to contribute to society. Only when a person is able to support themselves and any dependents at a reasonable level according to their needs should support be withdrawn gradually to enable them to become self sufficient. Fermanagh people have the added difficulty of the rural location and infrequent public transport in many places. Many people who are unemployed or need benefit cannot afford to run a car or get driving lessons. This further hampers them from getting work. The government takes at least 50p per litre in fuel duties from the cost of fuel and this amount increases the more oil prices go up. Recently I signed a petition against this on the 10 Downing Street website. I received an email reply stating that there was no intention to decrease fuel duties as this was in line with the government's current environmental policies. If the government wants to protect the environment why are they not using the billions they must be raking in to provide better public transport? Everyone should also be entitled to an education and be given a chance in particular those who have not had opportunity before due to difficult circumstances they should get the opportunity of being able to better themselves or make up for lost time and so be able to make a greater contribution to society. Some students do waste the opportunity that is given to them and I feel these students also hold back the workers to a certain extent. I feel that educational establishments should have stricter discipline regarding behaviour, attendance and work expectations and should have the power to reduce student allowances where necessary or expel those that are not willing to make an effort in order to bring back into line the slackers so that those who want to work can. Phil Franco, Ballinamallard Recently in the news and media their has been a lot of talk about ending child poverty, getting people into work and reforming incapacity benefits. In this world not everyone has the same opportunity or is born into the best of circumstances. Disabled people and those with genuine long term health problems and even the unemployed often want to work and earn a living to at least provide some support for themselves however sadly, because of rules produced by a government of people who really don’t seem to know what is happening at the cutting edge, work even part time work for these people is extremely difficult to achieve. Employers often do not want to give people a chance as many do not understand about disabilities or don’t want to risk giving opportunity to anyone from a difficult background for fear of things not working out . Disabled people and those who have been sick not only have the added pressure of health problems they are also faced with archaic benefit rules that only allow them to earn £20 per week before housing benefits are affected and the spectre of homelessness looms. When there is any change in circumstances the official paperwork that has to be completed is overwhelming and decision makers are too slow making any payments. This leaves housing costs unpaid. Landlords who must pay a mortgage or need the money cannot wait. Very often disabled people and the unemployed have no savings what so ever and cannot cover expenses to carry them through intermittent periods of financial change caused by part time or irregular work often the only jobs on available .This therefore makes it difficult for them to get out of the poverty trap. Some say get the money from relatives or borrow from the bank it is a fact that to be able to borrow money one must be able to show one can pay back or may have a prospect of being able to pay back. Many people do not have relatives who are able to help them out as people live longer and need more support themselves often parents and other relatives cannot manage to help out. Life on benefits is not a “high life” it is not a “cushy number” as some people think it is a bare living the rates of benefit are supposed to increase with inflation but in recent months inflation has gone through the roof and benefit increases can barely match this increases are only made once a year. Even if one is receiving the highest levels of benefit due to severe disability it is still very difficult to meet basic needs such as winter fuel only the over 65s get help with this whilst the sick have to try and cover all this cost from very little and often their health deteriorates during cold weather. I believe this leads to more hospital admissions and more expense for the taxpayer. At this time of credit crunch, and frequent oil price increases, even basic food items are becoming unaffordable for many. Healthy food and meat are very quickly becoming a luxury and many are forced to buy cheaper junk foods. There is talk about spongers and yes I would agree that there is probably a small number of people who have let some degree of laziness creep in but this does not apply to the majority of people who find themselves unwell or in difficult circumstances and must rely on support from the social welfare system. I believe that the welfare system does need an overhaul but what really is needed is a support package designed to support the vulnerable in society as much as they need to improve there circumstances and to be able to use the abilities they do have to enable a productive life enabling them to contribute to society. Only when a person is able to support themselves and any dependents at a reasonable level according to their needs should support be withdrawn gradually to enable them to become self sufficient. Fermanagh people have the added difficulty of the rural location and infrequent public transport in many places. Many people who are unemployed or need benefit cannot afford to run a car or get driving lessons. This further hampers them from getting work. The government takes at least 50p per litre in fuel duties from the cost of fuel and this amount increases the more oil prices go up. Recently I signed a petition against this on the 10 Downing Street website. I received an email reply stating that there was no intention to decrease fuel duties as this was in line with the government’s current environmental policies. If the government wants to protect the environment why are they not using the billions they must be raking in to provide better public transport? Everyone should also be entitled to an education and be given a chance in particular those who have not had opportunity before due to difficult circumstances they should get the opportunity of being able to better themselves or make up for lost time and so be able to make a greater contribution to society. Some students do waste the opportunity that is given to them and I feel these students also hold back the workers to a certain extent. I feel that educational establishments should have stricter discipline regarding behaviour, attendance and work expectations and should have the power to reduce student allowances where necessary or expel those that are not willing to make an effort in order to bring back into line the slackers so that those who want to work can.

Phil Franco, Ballinamallard

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