Make no mistake that a lot of people living on benefits are seriously short of a bob but equally there are some on a nice little earner - especially when the landlord is a family member and silly amounts of housing benefit are involved.
It strikes me that plans to put a cap on the amount of benefit that can be paid to families were eminently sensible but they appear to have been scuppered in the lords as a result of the bishops saying neh.

What do we think of unelected clergymen having a say in the political process of our parliamentary democracy ?

Barry,

Tongue in cheek, - - - if you wish to put the children first you wouldn't eliminate sugar.

(I don't disagree, the idea has some intellectual merit.)

Phone

Beleive it or not phone there was a news item last week regarding sugar as a poison if taken to excess.

and quote Now there's a right un. : @ Barry --- I cannot see how your system will ensure children are better looked after?

A miserable parent who feels worse than nothing is hardly an example for the child.


This orgional item clearly stated the needs of the parents, i.e. fags, beer, telly and phone(pun) however, no one needs to be a misery guts because they have given up the above. I'm not, i'm very happy to call myself a non-smoker. So that argument won't wash. And it was the bishops who used the reason that kids will suffer with the cap, well, again, these parents need a bit of education to put their kids needs first, if they can't or won't then food coupons sounds a lot more sensible than fag/beer money don't you think.

This post has been edited by barry luxton: Feb 6 2012, 03:29 PM

I understand now.

However, if you introduce coupons they could still be exchanged for Fags[Cigarettes for the benefit of our American viewers], Beer, Telly[Television] and phones via the blackmarket or unscrupulous retail outlets. I knew a few who exchanged the old Milk Tokens for Cigarettes without a problem, mainly Asian shopkeepers in my area.
There is no guarantee that this would not happen with this.
Also, who is to say that if coupons are in force retail outlets won't just increase their prices?
Coupons mean extra work for retailers as they have to be exchanged for currency do they not?
Unless the banks are in on this too.