Month of November

[wight1984]

Diary: Social Stuff

Comments

[wight1984]

I think everyone is aware that there are people who attempt to abuse the system. I think what some people are wary of is wrecking the system for those who aren't trying to abuse it in order to address benefit fraud. Whatever we implement has to work well for people who genuinely need some help; I don't think the priority is to exclude those who don't.

As I've said elsewhere, I do have sympathy for the idea that an out-of-work accountant/whatever, especially when in long-term unemployment, shouldn't really be able to justify not working/doing community service on the basis that they're 'too good for the job'. I can see the argument that it seems like a waste of job skills but if the work isn't there then it isn't there.

I'm not sure that I'm a big fan of the idea of compulsory community service as a solution however. I do definitely think that people on benefits should be rewarded for such things (and they certainly shouldn't be blocked from doing them) but I think it kind of misses the point of a welfare system (which is essentially about entitlements, not earnings).

Mind you, I'm still sympathetic to the idea of just having a flat citizens income and being done with it. Little bureaucracy, little opportunity for benefit fraud and doesn't reduce the appeal of working. Not going to happen any time soon though.