Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap

The government faces a battle in the House of Lords today over its controversial benefits cap, with bishops joining Liberal Democrat peers – led by former leader Paddy Ashdown – in opposition to the plans that will push 100,000 children into poverty. In 2012. Under this cabinet of millionaires.

Iain-Duncan-Smith This morning, the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) have exposed the six myths of work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith’s regressive reforms.

Here they are:

Myth 1: The cap is just for out of work claimants of benefits

Ministers have fostered the impression that this is about ensuring working families get a fair deal compared to those who don’t work. However, ministers confirmed in their impact assessment document that any couple working up to 23 hours a week will still be affected by the cap when it is introduced.

That means that many families not in receipt of any out-of-work benefits (e.g. jobseekers’ allowance (JSA), income support (IS) and employment support allowance (ESA)) and receiving just earnings, tax credits and in work benefits (e.g. housing benefit (HB) and council tax benefit (CTB)) will be hit by the cap too.

Source: For the government’s confirmation that Working Tax Credit - with its 24 hours of work requirement – will be used as indicative of being in work for the cap policy, see the impact assessment (pdf).

Myth 2: Claimants have more money than working families

Most of those hit by the cap will be in private rented households. It is the landlords that get the cash - often paid directly to them - meaning the families are really left struggling to pay for basic costs like utility bills, food, clothes, transport etc. The root problem of rising housing benefit costs is the failure to maintain sufficient supplies of social housing, and the runaway inflation of private rents due to the bubble in the housing market.

The cap does nothing about the root problem and the crisis in the supply of affordable housing is predicted to worsen by housing experts.

Source: For more information on affordable housing crisis, see Shelter’s web page.

Myth 3: Families with a disabled member will not be affected

Disability living allowance (DLA), then the personal independence payment (PIP), will be used as a proxy to identify households that will be excluded from the cap on grounds of disability. However, many disabled people do not qualify for DLA - and even fewer will qualify for PIP.

The government has admitted they expect half of the households hit by the cap to have a disabled person, using the Disability Discrimination Act 2010 definition. Poor decision making for DLA claims with high rates of successful appeals will also mean many families going in and out of the cap unfairly, causing chaos, debt and homelessness.

Source: For the government’s statement, see answer to PQ 68034.

Myth 4: There will be no behavioural changes and social impacts

The government’s impact assessment has assumed that there will be no behavioural changes, and states that there will be no social impacts. However, the measure introduces a couple penalty that will mean some families may be able to receive twice as much in benefit payments if they separate.

A couple with at least two children who are subject to the £500 cap could claim up to £1,000 in benefits if the parents separate and divide the residency of their children between two homes. The incentive for families to break up will not just be financial, as it may also mean that they are able to remain living in the same area so that they can avoid their children changing schools and continue living in the same neighbourhood as networks of friends and relations.

Source: For more information, see the impact assessment (pdf).

Myth 5: The cap will deliver fiscal savings

The cap is likely to reduce benefits spending by £240 million per annum, but it will lead to costs elsewhere in the system that may surpass those savings. Warnings from within government suggest there will be a net fiscal cost.

The private secretary to Eric Pickles, the communities secretary, wrote to the private secretary to the prime minster last year and said “we think it is likely that the policy as it stands will generate a net cost” as a consequence of the homelessness and migration that will be caused, and the costs this will place on local authority services.

Source: You can read the full warning letter here.

Myth 6: This is a new policy

This policy has in fact been tried and failed once before. The ‘wage stop’ in force during the 1970s was a similar policy which aimed to cap benefits at the level of average wages. It proved unfair and unworkable and was eventually abolished.

Source: For more information on the wage stop, see this speech by Robin Cook who successfully campaigned for its abolition.

There’s more on the horror of the reforms in today’s Guardian, which looks at the case of Daniela Pereira:

Last year Daniela Pereira, 28, moved from Kensington to Peckham in order to reduce her rent before the changes but now is having to move again because her age – under 35 – means she can only get housing benefit if she is living in shared accommodation.

“I have a disability, so it’s a bit difficult for me to live in shared houses. I can’t use stairs or do things like the dishes or cleaning up ,so it really impacts on what I can find.”

Pereira worked in catering until developing psoriatic arthritis which makes it difficult for her to walk.

“I was living in Cornwall, but I came to London because I thought it would be easier for me, finding a job, accessing doctors and physio appointments. Peckham was about the cheapest I could find, and I can just about afford food too, but nothing else. I don’t know where to go.

“I’m not being supported to find work. It’s as if they want me to be stuck on benefits for the rest of my life. I don’t want that.”

As CPAG chief exec Alison Garnham said:

“The household benefit cap policy is built on a foundation of myths, but the 210,000 children affected will face harsh realities of severe poverty and homelessness.

“The Bishops in the House of Lords will be putting forward some sensible proposals today that will protect children and families. We hope a government that promised to be the most family friendly ever will prove it today by following their lead.”

Once again, the government of the one per cent are balancing the books on the backs of the poorest… all in it together?

See also:

• Children’s commissioner slams welfare bill – Alex Hern, January 11th 2012

• Five reasons to oppose the welfare bill – Daniel Elton, December 12th 2011

• Cameron’s benefit cap rewards family break-up – Sam Royston, September 5th 2011

• Pickles letter to Cameron reveals inconvenient truth on benefits cap – Pete Challis, July 3rd 2011

• One and half cheers for Lib Dem opposition to Osborne’s benefit cap – Declan Gaffney, May 17th 2011

http://twitter.com/sdbast/status/161388867767902208 sean bastable

Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap: http://t.co/qpxqB18W by @ShamikDas @CPAGUK
http://twitter.com/speyejoe/status/161390721558003713 Joe Halewood

Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap: http://t.co/qpxqB18W by @ShamikDas @CPAGUK
http://twitter.com/isdancing/status/161391016983805952 Mabel Horrocks

Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap: http://t.co/qpxqB18W by @ShamikDas @CPAGUK
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Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap: http://t.co/qpxqB18W by @ShamikDas @CPAGUK
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Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap: This morning, the Child Poverty Action Group have exposed the six … http://t.co/tyn9PCZD
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Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap: http://t.co/qpxqB18W by @ShamikDas @CPAGUK
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Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap: http://t.co/qpxqB18W by @ShamikDas @CPAGUK
http://twitter.com/hovellinghermit/status/161392314865025025 Hovellin’ Hermit

IDS – top myths & lies + bonus best pic of his nasty scheming mug you'll see today! http://t.co/hCqdV0wV #IDS #WRB
http://twitter.com/paul_trembath/status/161392356648689665 Paul Trembath

Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap: http://t.co/qpxqB18W by @ShamikDas @CPAGUK
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IDS – top myths & lies + bonus best pic of his nasty scheming mug you'll see today! http://t.co/hCqdV0wV #IDS #WRB
http://twitter.com/arthritrelief4u/status/161392398616887297 Rolf Rasmusson

Breaking News: Exposed: The six myths of IDS's benefits cap: Pereira worked in catering until developing psoriat… http://t.co/5EzmSSEy
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.@leftfootfwd uses the phrase "cabinet of millionaires". Forgetting the #Labour shad cab is made up of err,millionaires http://t.co/lZz1CFbF
http://twitter.com/mikef45/status/161392605777768448 Mike Fraser

IDS – top myths & lies + bonus best pic of his nasty scheming mug you'll see today! http://t.co/hCqdV0wV #IDS #WRB
http://twitter.com/klousummerside/status/161392800619966464 Kate Summerside

Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap: http://t.co/qpxqB18W by @ShamikDas @CPAGUK
http://twitter.com/lucylepchani/status/161392887962140672 Lucy Lepchani

IDS – top myths & lies + bonus best pic of his nasty scheming mug you'll see today! http://t.co/hCqdV0wV #IDS #WRB
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http://twitter.com/mrsborderreiver/status/161393094846197760 Fiona

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Julian

I, like most people responding to the surveys reported at the weekend, find it difficult to understand why any family should get more than £26,000 in benefits. To get that from a job, you need to earn nearly £36,000 in salary. Why should workers who earn less than £36,000 (most workers, presumably) pay for others to receive in benefits, more than they earn?
Anonymous

How can an income of 33,300 pounds a year before tax put you in the poverty category?

That’s 25,000 a year after tax, the same as the cap.

On top of that there is free schooling, free prescriptions, free pensions because they aren’t contributing, …, so the benefits of being on welfare are even higher.
Guest

If you read any of the above you’ll note that the majority of people who get benefits are in work. Their wages are topped up by IN WORK BENEFITS such as tax credits and housing benefits. Housing benefits especially benefits private landlords. If there were a cap on rents charged that would be better but blaming the poor for not finding cheap accommodation is ludicrous. If people can’t earn above minimum wage what are they supposed to do? Force employers to pay more? The govts doing exactly the opposite by a) threatening to abolish the minimum wage and b) supplying large and profitable companies such as Tesco with labour they don’t have to pay for via workfare and paying taxpayers money to these companies that can well afford to pay a living wage. Workfare undermines everyone’s terms and conditions – why would companies pay for labour when they can get it free or even be paid to exploit. Come on, really do your homework and realise the problem is at the top not the bottom of the economy.
http://twitter.com/g_parolalista/status/161402069817888768 George Parolalista

Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap: http://t.co/qpxqB18W by @ShamikDas @CPAGUK
http://twitter.com/1957ajb/status/161402982259363841 Andy Birss

Benefits actually subsidise low-wage employers on the backs of taxpayers http://t.co/EHykqyis
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IDS – top myths & lies + bonus best pic of his nasty scheming mug you'll see today! http://t.co/hCqdV0wV #IDS #WRB
http://twitter.com/jwking23/status/161404526212030465 James King

The Child Poverty Action Group exposé six myths of Ian Duncan-Smith's Bill http://t.co/PZ37M6ct
http://twitter.com/jintyg51/status/161405366582771713 Janet Graham

Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap: http://t.co/qpxqB18W by @ShamikDas @CPAGUK
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Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap. http://t.co/9OKuIAgj
Redisbleu

Because, once again, most of that money never actually goes into the pocket of the benefit claimant – where it goes is to the landlord, and only the landlord. The person in receipt doesn’t actually get any of it. So once the rent is paid, hurrah, wonderful, but where is the food money? The money for bills, transport, etc?

Everyone gets “free” school, that’s part of being in England so doesn’t just apply to people on benefits. “Free prescriptions” is also for people who are working, such as myself, and have a disability. My prescription bill alone if I didn’t have this cut would be about £150 a month, and sorry but I can’t just “make do”. I need that medication to live. “Free pensions?” Sorry, where? I must have been standing behind the door because as a self-employed person in a market which is crumbling I never had the money for a pension.

I know it’s handy and a great argument to fall back on to quote whatever the BBC is saying, but such things aren’t exactly based on fact. People only assume I’ll be “fine” from where they’re standing, but they don’t actually have to live this…and I do.
Julian

You make relevant points but don’t address my question. Why should taxpayers earning far less than £36,000 a year pay tax so that others can receive more than £26,000 a year in benefits? A lot of those taxpayers would probably like to live in better accommodation, but they can’t afford to.
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2012/01/why-child-benefit-must-be-removed-from-the-benefit-cap/ Why child benefit must be removed from the benefit cap | Left Foot Forward

[...] also: • Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap – Shamik Das, January 23rd [...]
Where are mine?

I work on average 30 hours a week, i earn an average of 10k a year.
I have been online and checked with benefit advisers. I am entitled to NOTHING!!
If i quit work i am entitled to NOTHING!!
There are people earning twice as much as me and not working, not paying tax, not paying for their own homes!
But I AM PAYING FOR THEM!!
I understand some people are entitle to benefits, and do need them and agree it should not be taken from them . People who are truely ill, or living in poverty. But there are also people who are taking advantage, who exploit this system, and therfore, exploit ME!
M90R

I am absolutely aware that we, as a society, must look after the least well off. I am in favour of decent support for carers, the disabled etc. I recognise that paying them decent support actually saves the state money in the long term. But, as a full time worker, I fail to see why someone’s income should be greater than mine simply because they A) have children, and/or B) live somewhere expensive. I work full time and I am in charge of feeding, clothing, housing, and paying all other bills from within my salary. I also pay into a private pension so I know I can provide for myself in the future. I am still paying off student loans. All from within my salary. I do all of this whilst earning LESS than £26,000 BEFORE tax. Its called budgeting, or cutting the cloth to suit the budget.
As Julian says, why should a chunk of my earnings from LESS than £26,000 be redistributed to someone else so that they can earn MORE than £26,000? I Especially do not understand this argument in relation to families who also DO have at least one full time worker. I bear no ill will, I just don’t understand why I am giving my salary to someone else who is also working. I am happy to support those without work (up to a point), and those who will never be able to work (carers, the disabled, the elderly), but not those who just happen to earn less than me.
Yunis Malik

Another myth is that too much of British taxpayers money is going to unemployment welfare. I have posted this many places already and am going to do it here again:

http://issuu.com/janus777/docs/uk_unemployment_benefits_compared
Nick Leaton

Money goes to the claimant, who may or may not forward it on to the landlord.

Now if you keep shoveling money that direction, don’t be surprised if rents go up.

On, education, you need some education. Where do you think the money for ‘free education’ comes from? The tooth fairy? The money comes from taxpayers. It does not come from benefits claimants, unless they are comitting fraud.

So should the state fund people to live better than working people who are in poverty?

The answer is no, and the majority have made that decision.
Blarg1987

I agree with what you are saying however in the grand scheme of things which would you focus your resources on if you were in goverment:

A small number of people who exploit the benefits system that cost the tax payer possibly tens of millions of pounds a year.

Or

A small number of people who exploit the tax system that cost the tax payer tens of billions of pounds a year.

I do not disagree that the beenfit system needs reforming but the current goverment seems to be focusing more time energy and resources into something which would be more time and cost effective to spend in other areas and then slowly work their way down the list.

Let us not loose fact that there are people at both the top and bottome of the social ladder who share the same idea of taking as much as they can and do as little as possible.
Blarg1987

It is hard to disagree with your point, on the flip side though say you worked hard for a company and where you lived the state helped top up your housing benefit.

Over your working life you still work for the same company and the state keeps topping up your housing benefit which grows and grows as the area improves but your wages stay the same.

Then you are told you must find cheaper accomidation however the extra travel time and distance means that it would be unviable to go to that work place what would you do?

Granted this is not everyone in reciept of benefits but I can see this being one of the big issues.

Although goverment needs to legislate against high rent changes if the benefit cap is to work long term as landlords will play chicken for as long as possible hopping teh next boom will off set any short term losses.
http://twitter.com/ishhphotography/status/161576382835597312 IshhPhotography.co.u

From this morning, Exposed: The six myths of IDS's benefits cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR
http://twitter.com/bgokay/status/161598868855848962 Bulent Gokay

Excellent summary by @ShamikDahair the myths surrounding IDS' benefits cap: http://t.co/NIFP8SpP These r the points #Labour shd be arguing..
http://twitter.com/samscharf/status/161602413193732096 samuel

Exposed: the 6 myths of IDS's benefits cap | Left Foot Forward http://t.co/ih0ajIc1 #wrb (via @wheresbenefit)
http://twitter.com/siancarala/status/161607200165470209 Sian

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http://twitter.com/latentexistence/status/161614102052085760 Tentacle Sixteen

@claireOT I don't know about five but @leftfootfwd have got six! http://t.co/n3dpG9So #wrb
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http://twitter.com/interuncut/status/161616078533967872 InterUncut

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http://twitter.com/Newsbot9 Newsbot9

But you ARE bearing ill will. You are supporting social cleansing. You are calling for splitting up families, and punishing people who get ill. These are called “consequences”.
http://twitter.com/Newsbot9 Newsbot9

Mm-hum. You’re entitled to tax credits.

And that’s right, you’re a member of a society. So bad.
http://twitter.com/Newsbot9 Newsbot9

Not sending to the landlord is of course illegal.
And rents rise because of scarcity, not because of LHA…

And of course, you want to end state education. And where’s your “majority”. Where’s the referendum? Otherwise, you’re simply another far-right troll.
http://twitter.com/Newsbot9 Newsbot9

So disabled kids should lose out? People living in large houses with several generations of people should lose out?

They’re not Human, after all, and can afford not to eat.
http://twitter.com/unite785/status/161694601487462400 Brnch Sec Ruth H

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http://twitter.com/wubeyonekenobi/status/161718730722783232 Darth Badass

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Julian

“Then you are told you must find cheaper accommodation however the extra travel time and distance means that it would be unviable to go to that work place what would you do?”

This applies to working people who are not on benefits if they are in rented accommodation. If the rent goes up and they can’t afford it, they have to move. It isn’t very pleasant for the people affected, but what’s the alternative? You can control rents but that is a completely separate issue from the benefit cap.

The problem with increasing benefits to keep up with rents is that it just encourages landlords to increase rents.
Julian

Are you prepared to pay any amount of money in benefits with no limit? How much extra in tax are you yourself happy to pay (if you are working) so that others can live better than you do?
Blarg1987

I do partially agree with your points especially about landlords being encouraged to increase rents, thats why I think the goverment should put a cap on rents but also introduce the living wage to offset the benefits cap which would make these reforms more credible.

With regards to private renters, I agree it is not pleasant but I think enough of these people are in well eniugh skilled employment that their employers value their talents enough to give them pay rises etc to keep the talent.

Where you have say London and an unskilled job such as an office cleaner it will be harder for them to ask for a pay rise.

I think long term this could shoot the goverment in the foot not only with the electorate, but with also their financial supporters who would have to pay more for employees to do the unskilled jobs to cover travel costs etc.
Redisbleu

One has to define what “better than you” means, because believe it or not, I can spend £500 a month just on my disabled son’s needs because it doesn’t get covered anywhere else. Not NHS, not Social Services. That’s what these “benefits” are for, and hello, I was WORKING too, and still had to top up. These “benefits” as keeps getting lumped together to make it sound like we’re all on the take can mean housing benefit (which I have no control over, it goes right to the landlord) to Council Tax (straight to Council, basically government is paying ITSELF), to buying food and clothing (which has tax on it, so guess what I’m a taxpayer too!), all my bills which includes higher heating due to disability, a computer so I can order food as I am housebound and can’t drive – and also helped me do what little work I could do at home. Anything I have goes to my son. His clothes, his shoes, his diet, his transportation, his care, his needs. And that isn’t optional – it’s necessary.

If I was living “better” than you, I’d have my health back. My son wouldn’t be disabled. I’d be working again full time and an athlete again. But if you think this is “better”…I’ll happily trade places with you.
http://twitter.com/owenjones84/status/161774952956166144 Owen Jones

@Thrashdanny If you have a family of four, or your landlord is charging extortionate rents? Read: http://t.co/ISgPBQAf
http://twitter.com/johnny_wheelz/status/161780538884104193 John McGovern

Myths busted! Take action against the Welfare Reform Bill with disabled and elderly activists this Saturday.http://goo.gl/wyzgH #ukuncut
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RT @UKuncut Myths busted! Take action against wrb this Saturday.http://goo.gl/wyzgH #ukuncut
http://twitter.com/blank_mik/status/161785408315867136 mik blank

Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap http://t.co/218Ic5ge
http://twitter.com/creativecrip/status/161794860855209984 TheCreativeCrip

Myths busted! Take action against the Welfare Reform Bill with disabled and elderly activists this Saturday.http://goo.gl/wyzgH #ukuncut
http://twitter.com/sdbast/status/161795640651812865 sean bastable

Myths busted! Take action against the Welfare Reform Bill with disabled and elderly activists this Saturday.http://goo.gl/wyzgH #ukuncut
http://twitter.com/camdengp/status/161796417940234240 Camden Green Party

Myths busted! Take action against the Welfare Reform Bill with disabled and elderly activists this Saturday.http://goo.gl/wyzgH #ukuncut
http://twitter.com/psychvictim/status/161798013612855296 MARY HALL

Myths busted! Take action against the Welfare Reform Bill with disabled and elderly activists this Saturday.http://goo.gl/wyzgH #ukuncut
http://twitter.com/catherinbrunton/status/161798572638085121 Catherine Brunton

Myths busted! Take action against the Welfare Reform Bill with disabled and elderly activists this Saturday.http://goo.gl/wyzgH #ukuncut
M90R

No, I’m not. The sick, the elederly, and carers are all entitled to as much support as they need. You are willfully misreading what I said. Read my comments again, and you’ll see I support full benefits for people who cant work, whether through illness, age, or because they are full time carers for others. But the complex system of benefits and credits given to people just because they happen to have children? TOUGH. Dont have kids if you cant support them on your own income. Learn to live within your means. Please answer one simple question for me. Why should I, who earns less than £26,000 before tax, give some of my salary to someone else, so they can earn more than £26,000 after tax? Thats all I am asking. If I want to live somewhere nice, and near a school or workplace, I have to WORK to gain enough money to afford it. Why should someone else be handed the money on a plate? Money I earned?
M90R

Also, has it occurred to you, that there are sick, elderly people out there who should be getting a hell of a lot more benefits, but we cant afford to give them that level of support, because we are too busy paying everyone so much more? Has it occurred to you, that by lowering the amount we are guaranteed to give to everyone, we can actually afford to give MORE to those who are most in need, at the very bottom of the scale? The people who will never be able to work? Why is this so unreasonable and impossible for you to grasp? No one is arguing to stop every single benefit, just to moderate the maximum amount, to make it fairer and more fairly redistributed. That’s the very definition of fair.
http://twitter.com/Newsbot9 Newsbot9

I am reading it. Your hatred of the lower classes is palpable.

Why should people eat after all, they’re poor, it’s not like they’re Human.
http://twitter.com/Newsbot9 Newsbot9

No, I would cap rents.

There goes all but a FEW HUNDRED exceptional cases of people getting 26k or more.

Moreover, living on the miserly UK benefit system is not “living better than I do”.
http://twitter.com/Newsbot9 Newsbot9

No, what encourages Landlords to increase rents is a shortage of housing, and high BTL mortgages.

You CAN’T separate the issues, they’re the same one. You’re choosing one over the other.
http://twitter.com/Newsbot9 Newsbot9

The reason only single, young foreigners are willing to do those jobs is because they’ll live here very cheaply for a few years then leave.

Then the far right whine about the dirty immigrants taking the jobs. Never mind it’s not economic for the VAST, VAST majority of British jobseekers to take them.
http://twitter.com/blacktriangle1/status/161847237356429312 Black Triangle

Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap | Left Foot Forward http://t.co/8GzzqQtD
http://twitter.com/lisakef/status/161847684309860352 lisa lou

Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap | Left Foot Forward http://t.co/8GzzqQtD
http://twitter.com/virginiamoffatt/status/161847841885667328 Virginia Moffatt

Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap | Left Foot Forward http://t.co/8GzzqQtD
M90R

“My hatred of the lower classes”? What precisely does that mean? You know my own social background do you? Exactly where do I come from and what did my parents did for a living?

YOU STILL HAVENT ANSWERED MY QUESTION.

I earn LESS than £26,000 BEFORE Tax. You are arguing that I should give my money to another working person so that they can earn MORE than £26,000 AFTER Tax. HOW IS THAT FAIR?!?!

If I can house myself, clothe myself, pay all my bills, and student loans, feed myself, ALL ON LESS THAN £26,000 BEFORE Tax, how the hell do you justify me giving some of that money (more of that money?) to someone else, because they claim to not be able to live on MORE than £26,000?

Stop imagining that I am some lah-de-dah posh Tory, and answer the question. If you simply insult me again, then I will know that you have no answer.
http://twitter.com/simon_watkins/status/161865939778928640 Simon Watkins

The arguments that Labour should be making about the benefit cap – but now fall to all of us to make instead: http://t.co/ISgPBQAf
Leon

One thing is for sure the Government is winning in what they set out to do, divide the nation that is very clear from these comments so much jealousy.

Everyone one will be affected by these reforms can you not see that, Cameron cares for nothing except big corporation’s. I also do not buy into this taxpayer thing because we are all taxpayers whether you drink, smoke drive a vehicle it is all taxed then there is VAT even I pay vat on my disability aids because I cant be bothered to claim it back.
http://twitter.com/hidden_homeless/status/161880067016888320 Gary Staniforth

read and share! http://t.co/g4F6WI2r
http://twitter.com/patteamfareham/status/161880843500003328 Patteam Fareham

http://t.co/0XUat3C2 its a shame us public aren't more tuned into #government and media lies…Gray
http://twitter.com/patteamfareham/status/161881078129369088 Patteam Fareham

read and share! http://t.co/g4F6WI2r
http://twitter.com/patteamfareham/status/161881484968460288 Patteam Fareham

@danlobb http://t.co/0XUat3C2 have a butchers at this then Dan…Gov and media BS..Gray
http://twitter.com/britishroses1/status/161912798832635905 BevR

RT @leftfootfwd: Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap http://t.co/cOSp393r #spartacusreport
hindle-a

“I am absolutely aware that we, as a society, must look after the least well off. I am in favour of decent support for carers, the disabled etc. ”
I totally agree.I take it that you therefore repulsed by the fact that receivers of Carers Allowance(many who also work) are included in the cap thus risking at least 5,000 disabled/ill people receiving such help;the proposed time limiting of any mortgage relief or a death tax with interest to help them and their caree stay in their(in many cases adapted) on the basis that it is a “temporary condition) if their savings have been reduced to a means tested level after reducing their hours/giving up work.I am afraid ideological misanthropy and economic illiteracy(as you quite rightly allude to) frame the Government’s policies as regards Carers and their loved ones/friends combined with a rather distasteful(“burdensome”,”something for nothing”"mainly responsible for the deficit” etc) call to the prejudiced and “handy” scapegoating to divert attention.
hindle-a

“I am absolutely aware that we, as a society, must look after the least well off. I am in favour of decent support for carers, the disabled etc. ”
I totally agree.I take it that you therefore repulsed by the fact that receivers of Carers Allowance(many who also work) are included in the cap thus risking at least 5,000 disabled/ill people receiving such help;the proposed time limiting of any mortgage relief or a death tax with interest to help them and their caree stay in their(in many cases adapted) on the basis that it is a “temporary condition) if their savings have been reduced to a means tested level after reducing their hours/giving up work.I am afraid ideological misanthropy and economic illiteracy(as you quite rightly allude to) frame the Government’s policies as regards Carers and their loved ones/friends combined with a rather distasteful(“burdensome”,”something for nothing”"mainly responsible for the deficit” etc) call to the prejudiced and “handy” scapegoating to divert attention.
http://twitter.com/oilywaters/status/162110659151142912 H. O.

RT @leftfootfwd: Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap http://t.co/iey40fS7
http://twitter.com/funnyguytom/status/162149816724500481 funnyguytom

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/frdragonspouse/status/162149872194166784 Jill Hayward

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/siobhanmcs/status/162149922056048640 Siobhan McSorley

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/poutingpou/status/162150396968710144 Kyron Hodgetts

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/xugla/status/162150606985900032 Kanjin Tor

Lies and more lies http://t.co/zCrErwG7
http://twitter.com/jphimister/status/162150752872169472 Joseph Burnett

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/atosvictims1/status/162151100781314048 Atos Victims

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/tdwright/status/162151415291183105 Thomas Wright

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/theboymurray/status/162151666647437312 Keith Murray

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/emmanusquelle/status/162152484125671424 Emmanuelle

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/hersouldesire/status/162153590746648576 Rianna Jade

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/martinjguest/status/162199001377161216 Martin Guest

RT @leftfootfwd: Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap http://t.co/ITpsdOZ7
http://twitter.com/martinjguest/status/162199001377161216 Martin Guest

RT @leftfootfwd: Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap http://t.co/ITpsdOZ7
http://twitter.com/johnny_wheelz/status/162202043694587904 John McGovern

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/johnny_wheelz/status/162202043694587904 John McGovern

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/the_noosphere/status/162207389397950464 Nikki Patterson

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/the_noosphere/status/162207389397950464 Nikki Patterson

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/sammaloneuk/status/162207691182321664 Sam Malone

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/sammaloneuk/status/162207691182321664 Sam Malone

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/nicky2806/status/162216121733353472 Nicky

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/nicky2806/status/162216121733353472 Nicky

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/mattkirkham/status/162248113740984320 Matt Kirkham

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/mattkirkham/status/162248113740984320 Matt Kirkham

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/creativecrip/status/162269487582810112 TheCreativeCrip

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/creativecrip/status/162269487582810112 TheCreativeCrip

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/govmanslaughter/status/162269876784869376 Gov Manslaughter

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/govmanslaughter/status/162269876784869376 Gov Manslaughter

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/judgemenot69/status/162270867072614401 Neil Courtman

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/judgemenot69/status/162270867072614401 Neil Courtman

Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/uDK9DVHR #PMQs
http://twitter.com/digitalvoice1/status/162273557336956929 digital voice

RT @leftfootfwd Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/8gSV3SP0 #PMQs
http://twitter.com/digitalvoice1/status/162273557336956929 digital voice

RT @leftfootfwd Cameron bigging up the benefits cap again… Here we expose the myths of the cap: http://t.co/8gSV3SP0 #PMQs
http://twitter.com/politicalukcat/status/162519453370822656 Jas UK political cat

RT @leftfootfwd: Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap http://t.co/IRcbHO8I
http://twitter.com/cllrpaul4cowick/status/162561034580787200 Cllr Paul Bull

@LonWon There's much of interest in Left Foot Forward's blog on myths surounding Benefit Cap http://t.co/rgBJmvBF
http://twitter.com/cllrpaul4cowick/status/162561736799551488 Cllr Paul Bull

@LonWon Esp Pickle's view that families w/4 children in benefits not be able to live in London and SE. http://t.co/rgBJmvBF
debs8081

The thing that i don’t get is why £26,000. Fair enough this will target people who are abusing the sysem and going in for really high amounts of rents that the housing benefits will pay for when a lot of people who work wouldn’t be able to afford it and I really think that is unfair , and I totally agree with the cap, but I think that it should be set at seperate amounts dependant on you circumstances. For example someone who is on benefits and has 2 kids and 2 adults could end up getting the same amount of benefits by private renting somewhere that is expensive as what someone with 2 adults and 5 or 6 kids and 2 or even more would get living in a council house. The larger family would be struggling because they have more people to provide for where the smaller family would obviously have less. So personally I think that there should be a cap on each individual circumstance. I really feel for people who have large families, these people struggle enough as it is on benefits. And not all of them had the children whilst they were on benefits.
The other point I would like to say is, where are the jobs? My husband was laid off october 2011 and we have not managed to find anything yet, and it is not through lack of searching.
Ed’s Talking Balls

You’ve summed up the frustrations and genuine anger that most of us feel about this.

Good for you. You work hard and pay your way. People who do this are the lifeblood of this country.

You will not get an answer to your question but there isn’t one.
http://twitter.com/grahamemorris/status/162943238183976960 Grahame Morris

RT "@latentexistence: Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap | Left Foot Forward http://t.co/mqE7WijS via @Quinonostante #wrb"
http://twitter.com/xraypat/status/162944469635829761 Patricia Farrington

RT "@latentexistence: Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap | Left Foot Forward http://t.co/mqE7WijS via @Quinonostante #wrb"
http://twitter.com/merseynorthbm/status/162944669368590337 William Shortall

The 6 myths of IDS’s welfare policy http://t.co/rzuTgO61 inc pic of IDS looking angry too #labour social housing
http://twitter.com/cathy_tri/status/163226604548538368 cathy t

RT @leftfootfwd: Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap http://t.co/ulybBmyW
http://twitter.com/spartacustweets/status/163579968247431168 Cat

RT @leftfootfwd: Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap http://t.co/Bt8xqZVC
http://twitter.com/edwinmandella/status/163744623313960961 OccupyRedheads

http://www.leftfootforward.org/2012/01/exposed-six-myths-of-the-benefits-cap/
http://twitter.com/nobiggovduh/status/163827099076005888 NoBigGovDuh

http://www.leftfootforward.org/2012/01/exposed-six-myths-of-the-benefits-cap/
http://twitter.com/nechildpoverty/status/163942098259816448 NE CP Commission

RT @leftfootfwd: Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap http://t.co/q0gYSuwH #ukpoverty @cpaguk
http://twitter.com/hutch1975/status/163967793732128768 Michael Brown

RT @leftfootfwd: Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap http://t.co/3yGBsBAH
http://twitter.com/marziagitto/status/163968458890035202 Marzia Gitto

RT @leftfootfwd: Exposed: The six myths of IDS’s benefits cap http://t.co/q0gYSuwH #ukpoverty @cpaguk