PCS paper on welfare benefits

The union’s view:  http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/lfi/DNWA-8K6HJV

That’s an excellent booklet, spot on.

Yes, I think the PCS should be congratulated. This booklet deserves wider circulation.  As a country, I think we are sleepwalking towards the US model in terms of welfare support. The demonisation of the unemployed and sick (as highlighted by the W&P Select Committee) is a classic example of manipulation. How long will it be before groups of NHS patients are referred to as ‘freeloaders’?

As we all know, the people who take the least interest in the welfare system are the ones who will suddenly find they need to use it, but are then shocked at what they will actually receive despite having paid national insurance for the last 30 years or so. 

We ought to have a ‘National Insurance Day’ each year when the the public are asked to look at their P60s to see how much they’ve paid , together with an accompanying publicity campaign explaining just how little they would actually get if they were out of work or sick (and that’s before you even get to the WCA).

Maybe it should be called the Wel-Un-fare State Day?