Lord Tebbit: Unemployed youngsters should pull up roadside weeds for benefits

Mr Joshua said:
I'd be interested in seeing an analysis of the costs comparing the two to see if it's cheaper to have people on benefits perform certain tasks that the council currently undertake. If it is cheaper to use claimants for these sort of basic tasks then why not use them?
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Because creating a fair society isn't about putting money before morals.

People employed to do it have dignity, job security, employment rights, promotional opportunities etc and their employers have some control over the quality of their work. Someone only doing it because their benefits will be removed if they don't have none of that.

You may see cleaning the streets as a 'basic task' but it isn't something everyone can do and it does require motivation. I work alongside those that do I couldn't get up at silly o'clock every morning in all forms of weather to stay on my feet for 9 hours plus a day like they do.

There is also the matter that council workers are paid by local people through their council tax as opposed to benefit claimants being "paid" out of general taxation that the whole country pays. If a council has a low need for street cleaning services, why should its residents pay equally for the streets of less well cared for areas to be cleaned up?

Mr Joshua said:
I agree but how is this any different to the current systems that instills the attitude that people can drop litter, spray graffiti and let their dogs foul the pavements knowing some guy on the council will be frog marched out to clean up after them?
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Fair point.
 
estebanrey said:
Because creating a fair society isn't about putting money before morals.

People employed to do it have dignity, job security, employment rights, promotional opportunities etc and their employers have some control over the quality of their work. Someone only doing it because their benefits will be removed if they don't have none of that.

You may see cleaning the streets as a 'basic task' but it isn't something everyone can do and it does require motivation. I work alongside those that do I couldn't get up at silly o'clock every morning in all forms of weather to stay on my feet for 9 hours plus a day like they do.

There is also the matter that council workers are paid by local people through their council tax as opposed to benefit claimants being "paid" out of general taxation that the whole country pays. If a council has a low need for street cleaning services, why should its residents pay equally for the streets of less well cared for areas to be cleaned up?
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I do agree with you, especially about putting the people before money.

My point really was that I'd rather they were doing a job which benefits their local community and themselves than to be free labour to organisations making (in some cases) massive profits.
When I say basic tasks I meant jobs which most (fit) people would be able to manage, I don't think anyone would expect untrained people to operate plant machinery etc.

If money and time was saved performing the more basic jobs perhaps the council could invest in repairing the terrible state of the roads too so perhaps offering employment opportunities in other areas.

It would be nice if people took enough pride in their area to keep it nice and tidy, I can well remember the days when people would sweep the path and street outside of their homes.
 
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Housey said:
I'll bung 100K in if you join me, we can pay someone to inject the people....and then of course themselves. Might need to dig some holes too, so will need to hire a digger or some dynamite and some ear plugs.
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Sounds like a Kickstarter campaign or a visit to the Dragon's Den.
 
Mr Joshua said:
I do agree with you, especially about putting the people before money.

My point really was that I'd rather they were doing a job which benefits their local community and themselves than to be free labour to organisations making (in some cases) massive profits.
When I say basic tasks I meant jobs which most (fit) people would be able to manage, I don't think anyone would expect untrained people to operate plant machinery etc.

If money and time was saved performing the more basic jobs perhaps the council could invest in repairing the terrible state of the roads too so perhaps offering employment opportunities in other areas.

It would be nice if people took enough pride in their area to keep it nice and tidy, I can well remember the days when people would sweep the path and street outside of their homes.
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Who owns the roadsides? Last I knew it was local councils, the highways department and the government... He didn't mention private companies did he?

People having to do something community based for one day a week if on benefits isn't the end of the world. In fact it could help them get employment by providing them more experience in working. They can find a job (or "apply" for two jobs a fortnight) in the 6 days they have spare...
 
Amp34 said:
Who owns the roadsides? Last I knew it was local councils, the highways department and the government... He didn't mention private companies did he?

People having to do something community based for one day a week if on benefits isn't the end of the world. In fact it could help them get employment by providing them more experience in working. They can find a job (or "apply" for two jobs a fortnight) in the 6 days they have spare...
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I was comparing a scheme such as this to the likes of workfare.
 
OldCoals said:
Should you earn your benefits, yes. Move along now.
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Yup... really don't see an issue. If you're capable of working and expect job seekers allowance when you're too young to have made meaningful contributions then it isn't unreasonable to get you to work for say 1 day a week in return for your £50 or whatever the JSA ***** get paid.

If people are bleeting about these suggestions now just be thankful we don't have a Tory/UKIP govt who will actually push things like this through parliament. Every bat **** crazy Tory back bencher right wing idea could potentially get through and the Tory's core supporters will love it... they can just point at UKIP and just blame the them/the coalition with them... just as David Cameron currently has to pass his neo-liberal policies by pretending they're partly due to the coalition with the lib dems...
 
Mr Joshua said:
I was comparing a scheme such as this to the likes of workfare.
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Which was a stupid scheme. The guy has made what is essentially an off the cuff remark with no substance and people are not even contemplating it, instead putting up non existent barriers as their argument against.
 
I'd be somewhat supportive if it wasn't taking jobs from anyone else and was limited to say 5 hours a week or something.
 
Housey said:
I'll bung 100K in if you join me, we can pay someone to inject the people....and then of course themselves. Might need to dig some holes too, so will need to hire a digger or some dynamite and some ear plugs.
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I'll do the injecting if you both bung me 100k each.

Swerves the culling.
 
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