Ok. So I'll get right to it. I was conversing with a (supposed) person from the UK and was told the following:
- He is 33 years old.
- He hasn't worked since age 15.
- He is an immigrant from Afganistan.
- He is on welfare.
- He receives free rent, $400 cash to spend per WEEK, and has "free tax council" (whatever that means).
- He seems to be able-bodied, but doesn't work because he feels that getting a job for the same amount he is getting now is pointless/not worth it.
Now, that being said, I am not from the UK and am wondering if this sort of thing is possible, or even commonplace in the UK. To me, this seems more than slightly ridiculous.
It is not entirely impossible ! Many people in the UK receive benefits which as you were informed cover the cost (or a fair percentage ) of thier rental costs plus a fixed living allowance per week, depending upon the number of children,circumstances etc and also council tax benefit. The latter being payable by all those in the UK who are not full-time students, over the age of 18 and in employment. For example if you own a house they are banded according to market value, and a house worth say 100K, would levy a council tax cost , per year, of some 800 pounds or thereabouts; depending on location in the UK. Yes, that's right ! You pay to live in your own home !!!!
But it doesn't end there... even if you rent, you often still have to pay this obscene tax ! .
So although this is only a rough guide and based upon my own knowledge/experience etc, as you can see it can be possible to some extent.
I guess you won't be moving to the UK then ? hmm, not surprised we see so few Americans, Canadians etc over here !
Originally posted by lioyankI'm coming over. How does he do it? Get me the details. I'm tired of working. Let the tax payers buck up.
Ok. So I'll get right to it. I was conversing with a (supposed) person from the UK and was told the following:
- He is 33 years old.
- He hasn't worked since age 15.
- He is an immigrant from Afganistan.
- He is on welfare.
- He receives free rent, $400 cash to spend per WEEK, and has "free tax council" (whatever that means).
- He seems t ...[text shortened]... s possible, or even commonplace in the UK. To me, this seems more than slightly ridiculous.
Originally posted by ROGER THE DODGERIf you own a house here, you have to pay property tax. Renters don't, though.
It is not entirely impossible ! Many people in the UK receive benefits which as you were informed cover the cost (or a fair percentage ) of thier rental costs plus a fixed living allowance per week, depending upon the number of children,circumstances etc and also council tax benefit. The latter being payable by all those in the UK who are not full- ...[text shortened]... moving to the UK then ? hmm, not surprised we see so few Americans, Canadians etc over here !
In Australia we have a welfare system originally copied from the UK, designed to enable the chronically unemployable to exist reasonably well without bashing up old ladies for their handbags. Most people use it as a survival method between periods of employment, but there are a few "professionals" who have worked out that with their six or seven dependants their total welfare payment is more than they could possibly earn at a fulltime job, given that only low-paid jobs are available to such people. We Australian taxpayers generally accept that it's our form of charity to the poor and underprivileged. There are a number of study/training/work welfare packages available designed to prevent people in this situation from passing welfare-dependency on to their children.
Very few people fall through the cracks here - our homeless population is small and usually short-term because of it, and most of our petty crime is drug-addiction related.
Even the unemployed and pensioners are expected to cough up council tax.[maybe only a percentage of the full rate but.....🙁🙁🙁 Some old ladies have even refused to pay and been put in jail for it.
If you are a foreign immigrant however you can look forward to many added benefits - even shoplifting is acceptable in many cases it seems.
Originally posted by lioyankA single person on benefits would receive £45 per week. So don't know where or how he would get £400??
Ok. So I'll get right to it. I was conversing with a (supposed) person from the UK and was told the following:
- He is 33 years old.
- He hasn't worked since age 15.
- He is an immigrant from Afganistan.
- He is on welfare.
- He receives free rent, $400 cash to spend per WEEK, and has "free tax council" (whatever that means).
- He seems t ...[text shortened]... s possible, or even commonplace in the UK. To me, this seems more than slightly ridiculous.