Upcoming elections

[RetroPug]

I think we should adopt the German system, whereby if you have not worked in the UK for 3+ years you cannot claim unemployment benefits. Theoretically, you've come to a country to work and contribute, so if you haven't done so yet clearly something's up.

This would create a much larger barrier to people coming here solely to claim without being unfair, and also remove most of the reason for people to complain about people coming over and taking our benefits.

To add to this:

I also think that those on unemployment benefits (out of work but able to work) should be put on a roster for volunteer work in their local councils. They will likely not work 5 day weeks but they will be called upon to do things in the local council like tidy up, maintain shrubbery, cut back bushes/hedges, remove/paint over graffiti, marshall sports and charity events etc.

None of this is horrific slave labour, it would be fair to work 2-3 days a week IF NEEDED to recieve a living allowance if you are out of work and those who are genuinely unable to find work are glad of the opportunity to be able to contribute.

This would remove the culture of being able to claim benefits and sitting on your arse doing nothing and potentially encourage people to go and get private jobs in order to earn more if they're going to work anyway.

Crucially, this would also foster a sense of community in more socially disadvantaged areas which I think is very useful and important.



Secondly, I believe that a cash payment for child benefit shouldn't exist. I feel that instead of incentivising having more children by paying out more cash for having them, we should spend the same amount overall on the child benefits scheme, but give them out in different ways. Things like free childcare so that single mothers can work a couple of days a week to supplement some of their benefits or stay in education. This would prevent single parents in tough economic situations becoming 100% dependant on their benefits for well over a decade, or would help single parents to stay in education and training so that as their kids grow up they are learning skills and staying sharp, instead of raising kids for 16 odd years and then suddenly being at a total loss and having no work experience and no education.


I don't think any of these policies are overly harsh, and I think they all encourage the people they affect to live their lives rather than trying to destroy them/keep them down. In a fair society, all people should get the opportunity to be a part of it and contribute in a positive way.