"Work is the Best Medicine" Says Paul Flynn MP
- Thread starter Udo Erasmus
- Start date
lewislewis
Lumumba Cymru
Loads more countries than Sweden are more equal, wealthier and fairer than the UK. Social democracy works, it's the UK's bizarre Anglo-American unequal economy that doesn't work (well it works for the rich, the ordinary people get fucked over on a massive scale though). Most countries in Europe that aren't 'social democracies' are also more equal than the UK. Even the Republic of Ireland, where capitalism has had very few obstacles and has had a very easy ride, is slightly more equal than the UK.
In a small country like Wales it's perfectly feasible to have far more equality than we do now. We don't need to be spending on nuclear weapons and defence for starters. I read that Wales' contribution to the UK's Trident replacement will be £1billion. Why does a country of 2.9 million people need any kind of involvement in nuclear weapons?
Here are some interesting graphs re; Military expenditure
The UN's entire budget (aid agencies, administration, emergency relief funds, etc) is equivalent to just 2% of the world's military expenditure.
I think the global picture of what we spend on welfare systems is paltry compared to nukes, tanks and guns. I don't know how Wales can change the world but opting out of the arms race would be a nice start. Our £1billion contribution to Trident is enough money to resolve most of Wales' problems with the welfare system.
How come New Labour are saying we can't afford a welfare state, but we can afford one of the largest military budgets in the world?
In a small country like Wales it's perfectly feasible to have far more equality than we do now. We don't need to be spending on nuclear weapons and defence for starters. I read that Wales' contribution to the UK's Trident replacement will be £1billion. Why does a country of 2.9 million people need any kind of involvement in nuclear weapons?
Here are some interesting graphs re; Military expenditure
The UN's entire budget (aid agencies, administration, emergency relief funds, etc) is equivalent to just 2% of the world's military expenditure.
I think the global picture of what we spend on welfare systems is paltry compared to nukes, tanks and guns. I don't know how Wales can change the world but opting out of the arms race would be a nice start. Our £1billion contribution to Trident is enough money to resolve most of Wales' problems with the welfare system.
How come New Labour are saying we can't afford a welfare state, but we can afford one of the largest military budgets in the world?
Udo Erasmus
Well-Known Member
The next phase is rolling back on housing benefit for unemployed people:
http://harpymarx.wordpress.com/2008/10/01/review-of-housing-benefit/
Traditionally if you are unemployed or sick, you get some money towards your rent as a separate housing benefit. It is rather logical that people who have no source of income will need help paying their rents. But now the government is moving towards statements that 'Housing Benefit could be a disincentive towards work" etc.
The housing benefit system has always been a rather odd system, rather than pay the full amount, the Council decide what is the "fair rent" which is usually between 10 or 20 quid less than you pay.
(the concept of 'fair rent' only exists in the paying of benefits, as central gov and councils no longer do anything to force private landlords to charge a fair rent)
http://harpymarx.wordpress.com/2008/10/01/review-of-housing-benefit/
Traditionally if you are unemployed or sick, you get some money towards your rent as a separate housing benefit. It is rather logical that people who have no source of income will need help paying their rents. But now the government is moving towards statements that 'Housing Benefit could be a disincentive towards work" etc.
The housing benefit system has always been a rather odd system, rather than pay the full amount, the Council decide what is the "fair rent" which is usually between 10 or 20 quid less than you pay.
(the concept of 'fair rent' only exists in the paying of benefits, as central gov and councils no longer do anything to force private landlords to charge a fair rent)
I hear what you say. I happen to think that housing benefit is a disincentive to work but the answer isn't to clamp down on HB but to make it overlap with employment for about a year to allow people to get back on their feet.
