Benefits Britain. Are welfare benefits too generous?

51% of people in the UK do not believe that UK benefits are too generous

Those figures show that the nation is pretty much split down the middle regarding the UK Benefit system. My own take on it is that the media have often presented biased information that feeds on peoples worries and fears. The media have painted a picture that there are too many false claimants, defrauding the system. This has led to a belief that there are feckless people choosing a life on benefits that is a life of luxury is funded by hard working people.

That image and belief is sure to divide people and cause unease between workers and those not working. Yet I know that it is a very small number of people who are living off benefits by choice. I believe those that are most affected by the benefit changes are those low income young families. It seems that those relying on zero hour contracts and living on the minimum wage are those most affected and coping with the poverty line.

My Voucher Codes carried out research to see how the UK felt about the level of benefits people receive. They spoke to Helen Middleton, Head of Strategic Business Development at The Furniture Re-use Network (FRN), which is an umbrella organisation for over 300 reuse charities across the United Kingdom. Helen explained the impact of the benefit cuts has had on service users and also the charities that support those in vulnerable positions. I wrote last month about when I was a carer for my child undergoing major surgeries and it was hard. I cannot imagine how financially crippling it would be for many surviving on one low wage and going through this. The groups I really worry about amid the welfare cuts are the disabled and young families. Already vulnerable further cuts will hit these the hardest and surely they already facing life’s difficulties with disabilities both hidden and seen.

Helen explains that a reduction in state support on welfare will lead to an increase in other problems such as crime, physical and mental health problems, anti-social behaviour.

Charities often feel like they are being treated with contempt by government. Yet the Government then expect the charities to be there to pick up the pieces. The new lobbying laws are particularly worrying. Brought in with the aim to make things more open and honest, at the moment the only achievement seems to be stopping charities from campaigning.

How can you help?

The Furniture Re-use Network help people from all walks of life. People who have nothing, literally an empty room and they need a bed, a cooker, plates, knives, bedding and others who have items but can’t afford to have those items replaced. The charities that they are involved with support domestic violence refuges, young people leaving care for the first time, the homeless, ex-offenders, people leaving the armed forces, people on benefits, asylum seekers and currently the biggest ‘group’ the working poor and their remit is growing with many of these charities now working alongside their local food banks.

Therefore donating what you can to these charities really makes a difference. I gave my first car away to a charity because they could make use of it. We also give away furniture when we replace ours. It makes me sad to see people that just take useable items to a landfill site. I know some sort it from there but look at where you can help in your local community. We have a great local organisation, Emmaus, who work with the homeless. They collect unwanted furniture, restore it and sell it on. This gives skills to those looking for work and a real sense of joining in with the community.

You can read more of My Voucher Codes findings in Pocketful of Rye and do think about how you can help.