The Universal Credit system. The great shakeup to Britain's benefit system. It's aim seems to be primarily, from what those talking heads propose, a simpler system. It does look simpler. I have always preferred working on the internet, and if you are stuck on the temping plateau, it's easier than calling up every time your situation changes - this I'll admit.
I also understand the logic behind monthly payouts and the need to manage your own rent payments. Having the same monthly payment system both in and out of work makes sense and it's likely that it'll make people a little more ready for that system.
Of course not everyone has the luxury of a constantly buzzing, ultra-fast broadband connection, and most libraries are closing down, so where people are supposed to go to sort out their claims is a bit of a conundrum. It also seems distracted by the minor fiddling with sums, rather than tackling major issues - and the major issues are not with the benefit system itself.
The real issue - the glaring issue - is that none of this is really on the side of people who want to work. For the government to be on the side of those who want to work they would need to force businesses to adhere to a living wage. This would be a wage that can realistically sustain a person. This is a wage that we, as tax payer do not need to subsidise. In effect, without a living wage, our tax money goes toward supporting a corporation/businesses, some that make billions in profit every year. So how does changing up the way benefits are claimed fix this issue?
The argument is that if we meddle with companies they won't want to set up here. They won't want to set up offices, outlets or operations here, and so won't bring work here. But the question is, do we want them here if ultimately a percentage of wages they create are coming from taxes - taxes which evidently a fair few companies neglect to pay.
The argument continues that companies provide higher paid jobs too. True, but why is the gap between rich and poor growing so quickly. It's because those at the top earn far too much and those at the bottom earn far too little. So, by ignoring this issue on pay, we not only up the tax bill, we promote inequality and promote businesses that act as, at least in part, a drain on society.
So, don't just play around with the benefit system, since that's simply cosmetic. Instead, introduce and force on business a living wage. They can afford it. It's hard to argue that those multi-billion pound enterprises can't, especially when companies like Tesco make it painfully obvious through a blasé failed attempt to take on the American market and casually tossing away £1. To be honest, if needs be they can take the money from those at the top. Those at the top tend to sit on their money which is part of the reason economy is stagnant. Those that tend to spend more (the middle and lower) are blighted with far less.
We shouldn't bend to business, because it's pointless if their setups do nothing to promote growth. Get tough, but not with the poor and the powerless who bear none of the means to create wealth. Businesses should not treat the world like their own personal playground. For this system to work, there needs to be responsibility, and if responsibility no longer exists, then there must be rules.
Despite the current claims of the right wing press, it's not the fault of the poor. Unless businesses actually operate to bring wealth to a country, not simply to amass wealth for a select elite, the fault falls at their feet. Our politicians should remember it's their job to represent us, not the corporate member's only club.
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