The Conservatives are considering options for scrapping several benefits, the BBC has learned. An investigation by BBC News has uncovered several of the benefits under consideration for change: Industrial Injuries Compensation Scheme - could be replaced by companies providing industrial injury insurance policy for employees. Any that did not would become members of a default national industrial injuries scheme, similar to the programme for asbestos sufferers. DWP predicted saving - £1bn Carer's Allowance - this could be restricted to those eligible for Universal Credit. Leaked documents suggest about 40% of claimants would lose out. DWP predicted saving - £1bn The contributory element of Employment and Support Allowance and Job Seekers Allowance - currently claimants who have paid enough National Insurance contributions can get the benefits with little means testing; DWP analysis suggests 30% of claimants, over 300,000 families, would lose about £80 per week. DWP predicted saving - £1.3bn in 2018/19 Disability benefits - Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payments and Attendance Allowance (for over 65s who have personal care needs) would no longer be paid tax free. Possible saving - £1.5bn per annum (based on IFS Green Budget calculation ) Council Tax Support - to be incorporated into Universal Credit. Possible saving - not known Child Benefit - Limiting the benefit to the first two children. Possible saving IFS estimates £1bn saving per annum in the long run but little initially Regional Benefit Caps - The £23,000 limit would vary in different parts of the country, with for instance Londoners receiving the top amount due to the higher cost of living.Possible saving - not known and dependent on where levels were set. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32084722 Wow.
This is why we CANNOT have a majority Conservative Government,,,,The number of people relying on charity handouts from food banks will escalate and we will see families being cut adrift from the rest of society and become an "underclass". Yes, there are a small percentage that abuse the benefit system, but the vast majority claim because they have no other choice. To penalise carers and the disabled is callous and shouldn't happen in a modern, civilized country.
Well I saw Cameron last night claim that there would be 10 billion pounds cuts in the welfare budget, yet when he was asked by Paxman where these cuts would come from he refused to answer clearly.
They haven't decided their manifesto/plans for the next parliament yet?....there's only just over a month to the election.
Well for cuts to the disability and carers allowance to even be "under consideration" is bad enough in my opinion.
Incredibly premature, but I'm pricing things out for the next year or two. 750 GBP or thereabouts round-trip. Would be aiming for 10-14 days in country. Anyone with the knowledge to provide a rough estimate for basic accommodation in the southeast of England (not terribly picky where; I look more like a hobo than most hobos, so I'm not worried about luxury) on a per diem basis?
Vin . If you are ever in Dorset , take her to lunch at the piddle inn , piddletrenthide , then maybe for a stroll along the river piddle.......
**** the poor. Lazy sods. The rich and the middle classes need that money. They have the cost of their second homes, private school fees, tutors for their thick kids, city breaks, their three holidays a year (skiing, French Gite and Mexico), their two BMWs and eating out several times a week to meet. If the poor got off their backsides they too could find themselves having to face the same very difficult problems the middle classes and the rich face. The poor! Let them eat cake. You've got to vote Tory other wise how else will the bankers and the city retain their very privileged positions. I know my place and I will be voting for that nice Tory lady from Romsey who has probably never visited the part of Southampton where I live but why should that matter. Everybody knows the Tories were born to rule.
