I Got A Letter Back From Chris Row Today Regarding The Changes.

[bigmarco]

Well my immediate thought on this is if the government doesn't feel you can survive as a couple on less than £18,600 per annum, why are the benefits for the unemplloyed not set at this level.

[imagine]

Well my immediate thought on this is if the government doesn't feel you can survive as a couple on less than £18,600 per annum, why are the benefits for the unemplloyed not set at this level.

agree, and may i add it should also be the minimum wage

[lastlid]

Well my immediate thought on this is if the government doesn't feel you can survive as a couple on less than £18,600 per annum, why are the benefits for the unemplloyed not set at this level.

The perfect answer.

[malchard888]

Well my immediate thought on this is if the government doesn't feel you can survive as a couple on less than £18,600 per annum, why are the benefits for the unemplloyed not set at this level.

State pension as well me thinks

[KeithD]

Well my immediate thought on this is if the government doesn't feel you can survive as a couple on less than £18,600 per annum, why are the benefits for the unemplloyed not set at this level.

You're not supposed to find obvious holes in May's ideas ..... and where does the £18,600 come from? This is not much money in London, and it as hell of a lot for someone in Newcastle

This will at some point go to court and the government will lose, and as with Labour's '21' rule the UKBA will then have to go through all the back cases!!

[andy222]

Like I have said before If they wont let my wife and kid come here. Give me my state pension that I have paid into for 37 years and I will go and live with her there.

[somebody]

You're not supposed to find obvious holes in May's ideas ..... and where does the £18,600 come from? This is not much money in London, and it as hell of a lot for someone in Newcastle

This will at some point go to court and the government will lose, and as with Labour's '21' rule the UKBA will then have to go through all the back cases!!

Nail on head how can you have one amount.

I do in practise agree you should have some sensible rules in place to stop both the country or either party being affected.

So yes you should prove you can support your other half and also demonstrate if possible they should have skills and experience they can use in the UK if they so chose to work.
The Applicant who wants to come to the UK should be of a certain Age so they can both deal with the situation and make a informed decision i feel also.

But what you might need to survive in London in a certain area is going to be way way different to what a person in other areas will need.

But is this where it gets complicated as to use this method you would need to bring back regional pay differences officially (London Weighting seemed to go around 2000 from most places i noticed) and also benefit differences.

To bring in regional variations is a massive step which would have huge knock on implications. So it looks like they are stuck with a stupid wage which down in London might make some sense although i know of families i am guessing do not earn this in the area but would not for elsewhere.

[gWaPito]

Well my immediate thought on this is if the government doesn't feel you can survive as a couple on less than £18,600 per annum, why are the benefits for the unemplloyed not set at this level.

Why not indeed ...I guess its something to do with giving the unemployed an insentive to do something about there situation.

Bearing in mind the 18, 600 is gross so, taking out tax and ni it wont be far off the unemployment benefit amount. Also you need add the saving the unemployed have like non payment of council tax and social housing rent to name but two.

Yeah, excellent idea about setting unemployment benefits same as minimum wage .....an even bigger insentive to sit on one's thumb all day

[yellowcloud]

I don't think it is that they are saying that any less than 18,600 is not enough to live on, but are saying that any less than 18,600 a spouse can claim benefits in some form as 18,600 is the threshold.

[gWaPito]

I don't think it is that they are saying that any less than 18,600 is not enough to live on, but are saying that any less than 18,600 a spouse can claim benefits in some form as 18,600 is the threshold.

[Arthur Little]

.....an even bigger insensitive to sit on one's thumb all day

... presumably you mean incentive? There's certainly plenty of insensitivity doing the rounds - on the Government's part!

[Arthur Little]

... presumably you mean incentive?

, mate ... no offence intended!

[lastlid]

Why not indeed ...I guess its something to do with giving the unemployed an insensitive to do something about there situation.

Bearing in mind the 18, 600 is gross so, taking out tax and ni it wont be far off the unemployment benefit amount. Also you need add the saving the unemployed have like non payment of council tax and social housing rent to name but two.

Yeah, excellent idea about setting unemployment benefits same as minimum wage .....an even bigger insentive to sit on one's thumb all day

You are 'avin a larf. You just pointed out that the money is gross and would be less than £18600 as one would have to deduct tax. Of course and then that individual would be paying tax and national insurance. Hardly sponging off the state.

[gWaPito]

You are 'avin a larf. You just pointed out that the money is gross and would be less than £18600 as one would have to deduct tax. Of course and then that individual would be paying tax and national insurance. Hardly sponging off the state.

Correct lastlid ...just going through my rabble rousing routine...