So once again, the dole bludgers are receiving freebies once again, all because most of them are too lazy to find/keep a job. And the ones who can be arsed are paying for it :rolleyes:

 

A government scheme that offers disadvantaged families access to PCs and the internet is to be rolled out to 270,000 families.

 

The Home Access Scheme, which was announced in 2008, has been successfully piloted with 20,000 families in Suffolk and Oldham, will see homes earning less that £15,500 per year, or those on income support, provided with a free laptop and a broadband connection for a year.

 

After the year is up, the disadvantaged families will be allowed to keep thae laptop, but will have to fun the internet connection themselves.

 

Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, said: "We want every family to become a broadband family, and we want every home linked to a school".

 

"For those finding it difficult to afford this... I can announce the nationwide rollout of our home access programme to get laptops and broadband at home for 270,000 families. It will mean all families can come together, learn together and reap rewards together."

 

"It will mean all families can come together, learn together and reap rewards together."

 

"So the mother who's worried about her son struggling with his reading can find out more about how she can help."

 

"Or the dad who works long hours and can't make a parents' evening can keep in touch with his daughter's progress, at whatever time of the day or night that he's free."

 

Brown also revealed that the government would provide £300m to fund the scheme and children in care or those with special educational needs would be made a priority to receive the laptop and internet access.

 

http://www.macworld.co.uk/digitallifestyle...ype=allchandate

Edited January 12, 201015 yr by LiamM

So once again, the dole bludgers are receiving freebies once again, all because most of them are too lazy to find/keep a job. And the ones who can be arsed are paying for it :rolleyes:

http://www.macworld.co.uk/digitallifestyle...ype=allchandate

 

That is outrageous

 

I had to work bloody hard to get my laptop and other things that I saved up for so seeing people getting stuff given on a plate to them for free like this really is grating

 

Sometimes I wonder why I bother working :rolleyes:

That is outrageous

 

I had to work bloody hard to get my laptop and other things that I saved up for so seeing people getting stuff given on a plate to them for free like this really is grating

 

Sometimes I wonder why I bother working :rolleyes:

 

Totally agree with you, less than a year and I'm 18 and can move back to the UK and claim like mad... unfortunately the Australian government aren't as stupid and tolerant as the British one :lol: JK, I couldn't be a doley, I'd be too bored...

Edited January 12, 201015 yr by LiamM

I'm usually quite liberal with a small l in my views but I totally disagree with this. I think if the relevant agency actually check, they'll find that many of their target group living on benefits actually have far more up to date gadgets than most of the population.

This is old news. It was discussed in a long thread on DS last week and many said it won't happen as Brown makes promises and doesn't keep them!! I pay the same as everyone else, £13.95 a month for 4 years, for my daughter's laptop under her school's laptop scheme. The parents on Income Support or JSA were allowed to pay less monthly by the head-teacher as she said at the meeting that she didn't want them to not have one through not being able to afford it. She wouldn't allow any reduction for IB though. :(

Edited January 12, 201015 yr by Victor Meldrew

I'm usually quite liberal with a small l in my views but I totally disagree with this. I think if the relevant agency actually check, they'll find that many of their target group living on benefits actually have far more up to date gadgets than most of the population.

 

It actually makes sense... their bills are paid for them, they have no taxes to pay etc. etc... they can actually afford to soend more on their gadgets since they have more spare change than most workers.

I'm unsure about this but has anyone who is against it ever tried living on the minimum benefit, Income Support or a very low income when you've several kids? I've heard that it's very hard. Kids want nice clothes and gadgets like their mates and have to be fed and outings. Before you all say that they should get jobs, well there aren't any as we're in a recession!!! What if they really can't afford a laptop, should the kid be the only one without one in his or her class?

 

Oh I see it not just for those on benefits but poorly paid working families too!

Edited January 12, 201015 yr by Victor Meldrew

I'm unsure about this but has anyone who is against it ever tried living on the minimum benefit, Income Support when you've several kids? They want nice clothes and gadgets like their mates and have to be fed and outings. Before you all say that they should get jobs, well there aren't any as we're in a recession!!!

 

My cousin's daughters boyfriend lives in a council house and when I went there over xmas period for a few hours it was like a branch of Comet, 50" plasma tv, laptop, Sky HD complete with movie and sports channels and a desktop comp, his dad hasn't worked in over 10 years and sponges off the state yet the guy has more luxuries than me, and I doubt he is alone, the number of satellite dishes attached to council houses etc is staggering so if they can afford this sort of stuff then they don't deserve free laptops and broadband

My cousin's daughters boyfriend lives in a council house and when I went there over xmas period for a few hours it was like a branch of Comet, 50" plasma tv, laptop, Sky HD complete with movie and sports channels and a desktop comp, his dad hasn't worked in over 10 years and sponges off the state yet the guy has more luxuries than me, and I doubt he is alone, the number of satellite dishes attached to council houses etc is staggering so if they can afford this sort of stuff then they don't deserve free laptops and broadband

 

 

Then he must be working on the side too or his partner working and not declaring it as I can't see how they can afford that, unless they don't eat. We declare what my wife earns so I don't get the spouse or child increase.

Edited January 12, 201015 yr by Victor Meldrew

Then they must be working on the side too or his partner working and not declaring it as I can't see how they can afford that, unless they don't eat. We declare what my wife earns so I don't get the spouse or child increase.

 

Possibly but I didn't ask but even still I would say 3/4 of the houses in the estate had a Sky dish and these are the type of families that the free laptops and broadband are going to

I can't see 3/4 of the people on any Council estate claiming benefits though B.A. Many are probably working. Council estates just have this repuitation that no-one living there has jobs. Many do. I wouldn't have Sky even if they gave me it free as there's sod all I'd watch on it. :rolleyes: Freeview's fine.

Edited January 12, 201015 yr by Victor Meldrew

I'm unsure about this but has anyone who is against it ever tried living on the minimum benefit, Income Support or a very low income when you've several kids? I've heard that it's very hard. Kids want nice clothes and gadgets like their mates and have to be fed and outings. Before you all say that they should get jobs, well there aren't any as we're in a recession!!! What if they really can't afford a laptop, should the kid be the only one without one in his or her class?

 

Oh I see it not just for those on benefits but poorly paid working families too!

 

The recession is coming to an end - things aren't nearly as bad as they were. And btw, the recession is "short term" if you like, not an eternal problem that's lasted since before we can remember and will last forever. Chances are, those affected by the recession already have a computer or laptop because they bought it before the recession started, or will buy one when they get a job. Some people have no intention of ever getting a job, and they're the ones who will get the freebies. And about kids being the only ones in their class without laptops etc. if their parents knew they weren't financially stable enough to give children luxuries once in a while then they should've made sure they hasn't had a baby - whether it was planned or not, contraception is there if you decide to use it. I know it's unfair on the chuldren but it's only a lesson in life to start earning their OWN money when they're older instead of claiming minimum benefit from the government so they can have the luxuries in life (and keep taxes low for everyone when the government don't have even more dole bludgers on their hands). The government aren't being harsh enough if you ask me - it's way too easy to survive your whole life without paying a penny or giving anything to the government (ie taxes).

I can't see 3/4 of the people on any Council estate claiming benefits though B.A. Many are probably working. Council estates just have this repuitation that no-one living there has jobs. Many do.

 

Maybe so but it is not just going to those on benefits, people earning under 15,000 a year qualify

 

 

Maybe so but it is not just going to those on benefits, people earning under 15,000 a year qualify

 

 

So then this shouldn't be another anti-benefit thread! People might find it hard on a low income.

The recession is coming to an end - things aren't nearly as bad as they were. And btw, the recession is "short term" if you like, not an eternal problem that's lasted since before we can remember and will last forever. Chances are, those affected by the recession already have a computer or laptop because they bought it before the recession started, or will buy one when they get a job. Some people have no intention of ever getting a job, and they're the ones who will get the freebies. And about kids being the only ones in their class without laptops etc. if their parents knew they weren't financially stable enough to give children luxuries once in a while then they should've made sure they hasn't had a baby - whether it was planned or not, contraception is there if you decide to use it. I know it's unfair on the chuldren but it's only a lesson in life to start earning their OWN money when they're older instead of claiming minimum benefit from the government so they can have the luxuries in life (and keep taxes low for everyone when the government don't have even more dole bludgers on their hands). The government aren't being harsh enough if you ask me - it's way too easy to survive your whole life without paying a penny or giving anything to the government (ie taxes).

 

I agree with this

 

John Lewis our most upmarket High St chain has said it had a RECORD xmas this year

 

The British Retail Consortium said that High St sales were the highest for 10 years

 

When I phoned Trailfinders the other day to pay for the rest of Dubai it took 25 mins to get through

 

Recession ? what recession ?

 

Those that go on about the recession as an excuse not to find work are doing exactly that, making excuses

So then this shouldn't be another anti-benefit thread! People might find it hard on a low income.

 

It is a waste of money, if Brown has £300m to throw away hand it to hard working people in the form of tax cuts

So then this shouldn't be another anti-benefit thread! People might find it hard on a low income.

 

Yep but there's a difference between actually bothering to work and earning so little and being a doley and getting it easily. I really admire those who CAN take the easy way or claiming benefits but have more morale and would rather earn their own money. I'm not saying all people on benefits are capable of working as I know for a fact that some aren't due to problems in which they can't control. But I also know for a fact, after living on a council estate for 5 years (and before you call me "benefitter" my parents actually OWNED the house and work full time) that there are people who are perfectly capable of working who choose to live the easy life and claim.

It is a waste of money, if Brown has £300m to throw away hand it to hard working people in the form of tax cuts

 

And just to add, if there actually IS still a recession, then why doesn't Brown put that £300m towards creating more jobs for those who claim benefits, to buy their own things? Oh wait, I forgot they had no intention to work so he'd still be throwing the money away... maybe he CAN treat working-class taxpayers who work damn hard for their money that goes to other things such as bills and taxes to something, such as more public amenties they can use like you said?

Edited January 12, 201015 yr by LiamM

I'm unsure about this but has anyone who is against it ever tried living on the minimum benefit, Income Support or a very low income when you've several kids? I've heard that it's very hard. Kids want nice clothes and gadgets like their mates and have to be fed and outings.

 

you cant have what you cant afford, you cut your cloth according to what you can afford... thatcher used those lines and i agree with her/them. if you are on minimum wage/benefit and want more...you HAVE to work for it... clare was holding down 2 jobs, even now whilst at uni she has a part time job. theres loads of work for anybody who REALLY wants to work.. but they are just too bone idle and wont work in menial jobs. and why should they when they get freebies from the government? <_<

 

 

you cant have what you cant afford, you cut your cloth according to what you can afford... thatcher used those lines and i agree with her/them. if you are on minimum wage/benefit and want more...you HAVE to work for it... clare was holding down 2 jobs, even now whilst at uni she has a part time job. theres loads of work for anybody who REALLY wants to work.. but they are just too bone idle and wont work in menial jobs. and why should they when they get freebies from the government? <_<

 

THANK YOU! Post of the year! :cheer: :cheer: