Blow to youngsters (From York Press)
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Blow to youngsters
10:41am Friday 12th October 2012 in Letters By Reader's letter
IT IS clear the Coalition Government does not think through its announcements, this time to remove housing benefit for under- 25s who only receive a room rate for a shared house if single.
The impact of this needs to be understood. City of York Council supports a number of care leavers each year and provides accommodation at the Howe Hill Hostel for those who cannot live at home due to complex reasons.
These young people are trying to rebuild their lives and need support. The consequence of not providing this benefit, while they gain training and employment, will cost more than the maximum benefit they receive, around £78pw, if they become homeless. While the Government continues to believe all young people live in “ideal family units”, cuts will continue.
These young people cannot go home in the future if they lose their job, as often there is not one to go to. Then to consider is the young family who lose employment or those escaping from domestic violence. What is their future without support?
Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, Labour councillor for Acomb ward and deputy leader, City of York Council.
Magicman! says...
2:33am Tue 16 Oct 12
We already have ATOS, a private company hired by the government to go to disabled people's houses and say "your benefit has gone, you have no legs and no arms but you must find a job as our computer says you are fit to work"... a company that is being paid MILLIONS to cut a few hundred thousand pounds off the benefit bill.
The next stage is jobseekers, with new laws coming in saying the government can force you into work if they deem you suitable for the position or you lose 6 months work of benefit which includes housing benefit.
The young are next with the cuts to housing benefit as mentioned above.
The next likely stage will be lone parents, who will find their benefits cut unless they go out to work and leave their kids to be looked after by somebody else, only to be critisised a few years later once the kid has grown up to become an antisocial chav due to not having enough parental influence.
The elderly and those in care homes are also on the governments hit list.
Meanwhile, tax for the top 5% of earners was lowered a few weeks ago.