I'm not a man who likes to complain, but i sometimes wonder what has become of this once fine land. Nowadays, old people who default on their council tax are quickly jailed but hoody gang members who carry knives are given community service or an ASBO. Cancer patients die because they can't afford to buy their own drugs but people who stuff themselves with lard-pies get gastric band operations because they have no will power. Prisoners get legal aid to sue the government because they dont have cable TV in their cells whilst OAP's in hospital die of malnutrition. And don't even get me started on those parasitic MP's !!
Anyway.... the other day i stumbled across an article in a newspaper comments section [damn those new slippers]. It sums up this country to an absolute tee.
My 25 years of tax count for nothing
'' I was born and bred in this country and used to be proud of being British but my faith is waning.
Being employed for the last 25 years and paying tax, NI etc, i assumed that if i was made redundant, i would be entitled to some benefits.
How wrong could i be, especially as i was in a high tax bracket.
First the Jobcentre tried income-support but i was not eligible because my wife works part-time.
They have managed to get me Jobseeker's allowance at £65 per week for six months.
I applied for tax credits only to be told i am not eligible unless i remained unemployed until the new tax year starts as i earned too much last year. The fact i have no income now does not matter.
I then applied for free school meals for my daughter. I think you have probably guessed what they said. I was turned down. The Jobcentre refused to sign the application form as i am on contribution-based Jobseeker's allowance and not on income-based Jobseeker's allowance, but in six months i will be eligible. In the meantime i will have to pay £40 a month from my Jobseeker's allowance.
Also, i am not entitled to help with my mortgage payments for three months.
I even asked to go on a CAD training course. A local firm had been advertising for months wanting designers [which is my trade] but, you guessed it, i am not eligible for six months.
About 18 years ago, i was in a similar position and tried to get on a training course, but i was told i could not go on it for six months. there were exemptions though, if you were disabled, an immigrant or just out of prison. Also the maximum training costs you can apply for are £500, so when training costs £300 a day, i won't get much training.
The Jobcentre has said an adviser will contact me about training courses but i'm not holding my breath.
When i tell people that after paying tax etc for 25 years, i am not entitled to anything they don't believe me. I wish i could opt out of paying these contributions.''
THE END.
Don't we all mate . . . Don't we all.
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