http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-16714439
This is a shocking example of how broken the system is. Debbie and her husband are brave and dignified people and the system is badly letting them down. I am sure TJ said something along the lines of "work always leaves you better off!" ? Well clearly not.
nonsense. if i could be bothered i would explain why, but it really isn't worth my time.
Now if the story were backed up by a breakdown of their present income and what it would be with hubby unemployed I would take the story seriously. She's a serial media manipulator, treat with caution.
Of course what she claims to have been told has nothing to do with the fact that she is being prosecuted for not paying council tax and her protestations "I haven't got any money to pay a bit of the council tax". *rolls eyes*
And if they would be better off then why the hell is her husband still working and not looking after her ? There are almost 3 million unemployed, the problem isn't going to be helped by people with sick partners taking jobs when they should be at home caring. Jobs are precious - no point forcing the sick and carers into the few that exist.
I am sure TJ said something along the lines of "work always leaves you better off!" ? Well clearly not.
Who's TJ - a government minister ? I don't recognise the initials. Well whoever they are, they're talking nonsense - there are plenty of employers who offer crap jobs on crap wages which incur high expenses (travel costs etc)
And finally, if you think the 'system's broken' you wait until this shower of **** have finished screwing it up.
Who's TJ - a government minister ? I don't recognise the initials. Well whoever they are, they're talking nonsense
"this shower of **** have finished screwing it up."
Unless you're more precise, Ernie, I'm forced to assume you mean the leftward leaning civil servants that have tinkered the benefits system into the mess it is under every government since WWII.
Unless you're more precise, Ernie,
Well I insist that people occasionally try to think for themselves, so no, I'm not going to be more precise.
If you think that it is "leftward leaning civil servants" who are the ones which at present are 'overhauling' the benefit system, then I'm happy for you to carry on thinking it.
Surely its better that he looks after her than a 'carer'?
From a taxpayers point of view, probably cheaper too.
And since when was it 'her' council tax, its the 'household' council tax - it just happens that she either owns/rents the house or is the first-name on the bill.
There are almost 3 million unemployed, the problem isn't going to be helped by people with sick partners taking jobs when they should be at home caring
Yep, no point at all in people trying to make a living in a dignified way 
"And if they would be better off then why the hell is her husband still working and not looking after her ? There are almost 3 million unemployed, the problem isn't going to be helped by people with sick partners taking jobs when they should be at home caring."
But is there 3 million jazz violinists. Her husband, according to his website has the type of job that is a way of life. It isn't the case of him resigning and an employer taking on someone else.
"His time in England is split between playing, recording, teaching, writing & arranging, and caring for his wheelchair bound wife."
http://www.omarpuente.com/about-me/
It's only natural that as a musician he prefers to work rather than sit on the dole. But they should pay their council tax as well. I'd need to see all their income before being convinced about their claimed poverty.
Awaiting CHB's response with interest.
It isn't the case of him resigning and an employer taking on someone else.
Well he best negotiate better wages then, since in response to her being hauled before the courts his missus claims that she hasn't "got any money to pay a bit of the council tax". The fact that she is skint is hardly proof that the benefit system is overgenerous. Which is clearly what the OP was implying.
Yep, no point at all in people trying to make a living in a dignified way
So looking after a sick partner is now undignified is it ? Well I guess you're probably right - thanks to the daily poison spouted out by the tabloids.
And btw I have no issue with the guy working, if that's what the he wants to do. But I do object to people being forced to work when they are either sick or looking after someone else who is, specially as jobs are so scarce and there isn't exactly a labour shortage.
These constant stories alleging that the benefit system is too generous are designed to imply that rising unemployment has nothing to do with the government's failed economic policies, and everything to do with an overgenerous welfare state. Well I for one reserve the right to reject that bullshit, and point an accusing finger at the government - not the victims. There are plenty of countries with no benefit system, or very little benefit system, and they invariably have mind boggling levels of unemployment.
It's only natural that as a musician he prefers to work rather than sit on the dole.
Ahhh yes that famous musicians work ethic 
CHB - what exactly is the issue?
If the link you added is correct, the husband has not been told to quit work. They have been advised that they would be better off if he quit work. There is an important distinction. And why would it be reasonable for the benefits office to give then the wrong information - surely its their duty to give these people the correct advice regarding their circumstances?
i sure he came claim carers allowance and still go out to work, certainly one of the mums at school gets it for little 'billy' and hops off to work whilst he's at school( in the new audi.. disabled sticker on display)
Sorry for no reply all day, been at work.
I posted this as a few people were saying on the "£26000..." thread that individuals would always be better off working than on the dole.
Now I am not an expert in the welfare system, and perhaps I am guilty of assuming that the fact that because its on the BBC news that the bare facts of her case may be correct.
Debbie is clearly media savvy and turns the story to her situation, but as far as I can tell the facts are that she would be financially better off if her partner gave up work and became a carer. It seems a shame that the tapers or cut-offs for assistance are so brutal that they would be worse off by her partner working.
If the story is a crock of lies then please someone clear it up, but its from the BBC, not the Daily Wail.
totalshell - Member
i sure he came claim carers allowance and still go out to work, certainly one of the mums at school gets it for little 'billy' and hops off to work whilst he's at school( in the new audi.. disabled sticker on display)
You have to care for someone for 35 hours a week/earning less than £100/week to claim Carer's Allowance.
You stalking her or something? How do you know she "hops off to work" rather than going home and caring for someone? And what bearing does the kind of car she's driving have?
The thing about benefits is that all the information is readily accessible from DirectGov/NHS etc but even with the power of the internet people can't be bothered to check whether the stories are true.
CHB - and she is manipulation the media to try to make out she has done no wrong.
She will be worse off if the hubby gives up work - thats where thd long tapers on benefits come in.
WE are not getting the whole story here for sure
If the link you added is correct, the husband has not been told to quit work. They have been advised that they would be better off if he quit work. There is an important distinction.
Allegedly teamhurtmore, she alleges that her husband has been advised they would be better off if he quit work. The link provides no evidence of this being true other than that she claims this was what he was told. So it's not even first hand - it's hearsay. Which as far as I'm aware isn't even admissible in court.
But anyway, whatever the truth is, it is not the fact that they would be better off if her husband wasn't working which is "ridiculous" as she claims, it is the fact that he works and she says "I haven't got any money to pay a bit of the council tax. If we pay a bit of the council tax then we just don't eat" which is truly ridiculous. He must have a really crap job. My freely offered advice is that he chucks it and finds himself a proper job 
There is one thing in the link attributed to her which I don't doubt :
"I'm terrified of going to court but I'm excited that maybe somebody will listen"
Yup, so excited that she contacted the media even before getting to court.
She said if her husband was unemployed they would get further benefits including free council tax, free prescriptions and help paying the interest on their mortgage.
there are other reason why they will not be better off in work but I cannot be bothered explaining
Now I am not an expert in the welfare system
the facts are that she would be financially better off if her partner gave up work and became a carer
* its far more complicated than this due to the way they calculate it but I have simplified it as it would take days to explain the system but its not based on your actual interest rate of your mortgage....dont ask.
Hmm - wonder what type of MS she has and how it effects her. Doesnt look to ill in that photo.....
Surrounded By Zulus - Member
Hmm - wonder what type of MS she has and how it effects her. Doesnt look to ill in that photo.....
Neither does my mate in a photo of his face. But his leg could be spasming so much he can't stand up or he could lose all sensation in his hands and burn himself without realising it, or he could just be walking along normally and suddenly lose balance.
Disgusting comment btw.
Will be back to this thread very soon, only I have nearly finished the evening meal and I have to put it out.
Husband of wife who has secondary progressive MS (for over 21 years). I'm still working full time.
Lifer - it's not a disgusting comment. My wife's family has a hell of a lot of MS in it of all types, very very few of them claim benefits despite being severely impaired by their illness.
Lifer - it's not a disgusting comment.
Maybe not disgusting but suggesting a medical diagnosis ("Doesnt look to ill") from a photo is pretty dumb.
How is it dumb? And where is the suggested medical diagnosis? There is merely a subjective comment that in that picture she doent look ill. It is an opinion and is based on what I see in that picture.
Reading further she has had Primary Progressive MS since 1995. Wonder how far her illness has progressed in that time. Is she completely incapacitated, or is she relatively able - either or could be the case.
Yeah alright.
Are prescriptions not free anyway for people with ongoing medical conditions that require medication?
no
Certain conditions yes but not generally - however if you are on benefits they are - even in work benefits
How is it dumb? And where is the suggested medical diagnosis? There is merely a subjective comment that in that picture she doent look ill. It is an opinion and is based on what I see in that picture.
EDIT: Shades of grey TJ not all in work benefits give free prescriptions = working family tax credit for example [ depends on actual income iirc
So you give medical diagnosis of MS [ of which I am sur eyou are qualified to do] based on photos and you want to know why that is dumb...not even your trolltastic self is that dumb
EH? Have you read all the posts?
yes, now pin dance away for our delight ...you know you want to/need to far more than we want to read it
Nowt like wasting a good thread now is there JY...
I know junkyard should have read some in work benefits. I didn't say all in work benefits tho 
That is the kind of back pedalling pin dance SBZ needs to master. 
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