Election 2015

[enaid]

The Conservatives are considering options for scrapping several benefits, Department for Work and Pensions documents seen by the BBC suggest.
The leaked files, commissioned by Tory officials, also suggest a regional benefits cap and taxing disability benefits as ways to help cut £12bn from the welfare budget by 2017/18.
The Conservatives insisted the proposals were not party policy.
Labour's Rachel Reeves said the public had a "right to know" the plans.
The shadow work and pensions secretary has written to the Conservatives demanding they explain what welfare cuts they intend to make.

The leaked documents were prepared by civil servants at the request of Conservative Party officials.
A spokeswoman for Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said: "This is ill-informed and inaccurate speculation.
"Officials spend a lot of time generating proposals - many not commissioned by politicians.
"It's wrong and misleading to suggest that any of this is part of our plan."
But Ms Reeves, who has written to Mr Duncan Smith, said the public had a "right to know" what welfare cuts would be made if his party was in government after May's election.
"If those are not the benefits that you're going to cut, are you going to make further cuts to benefits to children or benefits to working families?
"With less than six weeks to go to the election, the electorate have a right to know what those £12bn of cuts are going to look like and who are going to be the people who pay the price."

Liberal Democrat general election campaign spokesperson Lord Scriven said: "Conservative plans for £12bn worth of welfare cuts means £1,500 cut for eight million households.
"To build a stronger economy and a fairer society, the welfare system should be designed to help people get on in life.
"But, surprise, surprise the Tories are hell-bent on punishing disabled people and working families with crippling welfare cuts."
The BBC News investigation uncovered several benefits under consideration for change, including:

• Carer's Allowance - this could be restricted to those eligible for Universal Credit. Leaked documents suggest about 40% of claimants would lose out.DWP predicted saving - £1bn
• The contributory element of Employment and Support Allowance and Job Seekers Allowance - currently claimants who have paid enough National Insurance contributions can get the benefits with little means testing; DWP analysis suggests 30% of claimants, over 300,000 families, would lose about £80 per week. DWP predicted saving - £1.3bn in 2018/19
• Disability benefits - Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payments and Attendance Allowance (for over 65s who have personal care needs) would no longer be paid tax free. Possible saving - £1.5bn per annum(based on IFS Green Budget calculation )
• Industrial Injuries Compensation Scheme - could be replaced by companies providing industrial injury insurance policy for employees. Any that did not would become members of a default national industrial injuries scheme, similar to the programme for asbestos sufferers. DWP predicted saving - £1bn
• Council Tax Support - to be incorporated into Universal Credit. Possible saving - not known
• Child Benefit - Limiting the benefit to the first two children. Possible saving IFS estimates £1bn saving per annum in the long run but little initially
• Regional Benefit Caps - The £23,000 limit would vary in different parts of the country, with for instance Londoners receiving the top amount due to the higher cost of living. Possible saving - not known and dependent on where levels were set

Chancellor George Osborne refused to give details of how the Conservatives planned to save the £12bn when questioned last week following the Budget.
He has previously said the Tories would freeze the rate at which benefits are paid to people of working age, while PM David Cameron has discussed lowering the benefits cap - the maximum amount in benefits a household can receive - from the current £26,000 to £23,000.
The independent Institute for Fiscal Studies suggests those measures would save no more than about £2bn a year by 2017-18

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32084722

[enaid]

Re: Election 2015: Conservative benefit cut options leaked

Chancellor George Osborne refused to give details of how the Conservatives planned to save the £12bn when questioned last week following the Budget.
He has previously said the Tories would freeze the rate at which benefits are paid to people of working age, while PM David Cameron has discussed lowering the benefits cap - the maximum amount in benefits a household can receive - from the current £26,000 to £23,000.
The independent Institute for Fiscal Studies suggests those measures would save no more than about £2bn a year by 2017-18.

Well if they intend to save £12bn and the household cap will only raise £2bn, then how else can they achieve their goal without implementing the above cuts, I for one find the carers allowance an insult as it stands, to deprive any genuine carer of the pittance is disgusting.
They are denying any of this, simply stating it is just written ideas, ideas that they can and will implement if voted in, but too late for us to do anything about.

[MIKE770]

Re: Election 2015: Conservative benefit cut options leaked

History of the Tories repeating itself no change since the 50s

[sean5302]

Re: Election 2015: Conservative benefit cut options leaked

Rachel Reeves, eh?
A woman "parachuted" into a safe Labour seat here in Leeds, despite having no allegiance to Leeds at all.
A woman, along with her Labour colleagues, who has opposed every single Government policy over the past 5 years, despite offering no alternative.
Can anyone imagine Milimong as PM? No, me neither.
I cannot see why I should pay up to 45% of my income in tax, a further 12% tax disguised as NI, then 20% VAT on almost everything I buy except the fuel to drive me to work, taxed at 400%.
All this to keep 30 stone women in their hammocks, watching Jeremy Kyle.
Cuts, eh? Bring 'em on.

[Amethyst]

Re: Election 2015: Conservative benefit cut options leaked

I think. if we are going to continue on this thread you need to look at each of the suggested cuts separately. The wording of the article is extremely biased. The Conservatives have already said they were investigating different possibilities for cust and this is just the investigatory documents. The only actual cut is the reduction in the benefits cap from £26k to £23k. So remember that the rest is just theorising.

• Carer's Allowance - this could be restricted to those eligible for Universal Credit. Leaked documents suggest about 40% of claimants would lose out.DWP predicted saving - £1bn

So firstly - what is the eligibility criteria for Universal Credit, and why are 40% of those who claim Carer's Allowance outside of the eligibility criteria for Universal Credit ?

• The contributory element of Employment and Support Allowance and Job Seekers Allowance - currently claimants who have paid enough National Insurance contributions can get the benefits with little means testing; DWP analysis suggests 30% of claimants, over 300,000 families, would lose about £80 per week. DWP predicted saving - £1.3bn in 2018/19

Contributory ESA and JSA - who actually gets this, is there no means testing at all on it? Should people who have savings and other income receive ESA and JSA solely due to prior contributions ?

• Disability benefits - Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payments and Attendance Allowance (for over 65s who have personal care needs) would no longer be paid tax free. Possible saving - £1.5bn per annum(based on IFS Green Budget calculation )

Why should benefits not be accounted for as income in personal tax assessments ?

• Industrial Injuries Compensation Scheme - could be replaced by companies providing industrial injury insurance policy for employees. Any that did not would become members of a default national industrial injuries scheme, similar to the programme for asbestos sufferers. DWP predicted saving - £1bn

Would there be a contribution required from employees ?

• Council Tax Support - to be incorporated into Universal Credit. Possible saving - not known

As it should be.

• Child Benefit - Limiting the benefit to the first two children. Possible saving IFS estimates £1bn saving per annum in the long run but little initially

Disagree with this and really anyone who says people have more children to obtain more Child Benefit is an utter lunatic. Look at the actual amounts you get for Child Benefit for the third child, the fourth child .... it is rather a lot less than that child adds to the household expenditure. I do though completely agree with the means testing of Child Benefit recipients.

• Regional Benefit Caps - The £23,000 limit would vary in different parts of the country, with for instance Londoners receiving the top amount due to the higher cost of living. Possible saving - not known and dependent on where levels were set

Disagree with the entire concept of higher rates paid for people who chose to live in London.

[enaid]

Re: Election 2015: Conservative benefit cut options leaked

....

I think. if we are going to continue on this thread you need to look at each of the suggested cuts separately. The wording of the article is extremely biased. The Conservatives have already said they were investigating different possibilities for cust and this is just the investigatory documents. The only actual cut is the reduction in the benefits cap from £26k to £23k. So remember that the rest is just theorising.

• Carer's Allowance - this could be restricted to those eligible for Universal Credit. Leaked documents suggest about 40% of claimants would lose out.DWP predicted saving - £1bn

So firstly - what is the eligibility criteria for Universal Credit, and why are 40% of those who claim Carer's Allowance outside of the eligibility criteria for Universal Credit ?
.....
What is Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is a single benefit that will be paid to you if your income falls below a certain level. Universal Credit will eventually replace most existing benefits and tax credits. .

I would not have been entitled to Universal Credit because being married the finances of our household are put together, putting OUR income above the threshold. What that has do do with the amount I have to put into caring for my daughter I have no idea. I am no longer in receipt of carers allowance as I am getting my state pension and you can't have the 2 benefits. Needless to say I am still doing all the same things for my daughter.

• The contributory element of Employment and Support Allowance and Job Seekers Allowance - currently claimants who have paid enough National Insurance contributions can get the benefits with little means testing; DWP analysis suggests 30% of claimants, over 300,000 families, would lose about £80 per week. DWP predicted saving - £1.3bn in 2018/19

Contributory ESA and JSA - who actually gets this, is there no means testing at all on it? Should people who have savings and other income receive ESA and JSA solely due to prior contributions ?

Contributory is not means tested and as long as you have made enough Ni contributions over the last 2 yrs you will qualify, by saying their savings and other income should be included would take them out of both benefit criteria imo, leaving someone who has just lost their jobs for whatever reason with nothing from the pot they have paid into .

• Disability benefits - Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payments and Attendance Allowance (for over 65s who have personal care needs) would no longer be paid tax free. Possible saving - £1.5bn per annum(based on IFS Green Budget calculation )

Why should benefits not be accounted for as income in personal tax assessments ?

Attendance Allowance is to enable the elderly to cope with the extra costs of being over 65 and ill mentally or physically.It is entirely up to them how it be spent. It may well be to pay someone to do their gardening, cleaning, shopping etc. Take 20% off the £54.45 lower rate would leave £43.55 a big drop in any paid help they need.

PIP is a benefit to include all benefits in future I believe £21.55 to £138.05 per week depending on the nature and severity of your situation. If this benefits has been designed to give you just enough money to live on in your particular situation, what point is there in taking 20% away? that doesn't make sense to me.

• Industrial Injuries Compensation Scheme - could be replaced by companies providing industrial injury insurance policy for employees. Any that did not would become members of a default national industrial injuries scheme, similar to the programme for asbestos sufferers. DWP predicted saving - £1bn

Would there be a contribution required from employees ?

Employers since it was compulsory in 1969 must have Employers Liability Insurance and I can only assume that the above statement means the insurance will pay out larger lump sums or maybe weekly/monthly payments instead of the Government scheme doing so.
I do know lump sums paid by the Government are reclaimed when someone claims through the courts against company insurances and wins their claim.

• Council Tax Support - to be incorporated into Universal Credit. Possible saving - not known

As it should be.

• Child Benefit - Limiting the benefit to the first two children. Possible saving IFS estimates £1bn saving per annum in the long run but little initially

Disagree with this and really anyone who says people have more children to obtain more Child Benefit is an utter lunatic. Look at the actual amounts you get for Child Benefit for the third child, the fourth child .... it is rather a lot less than that child adds to the household expenditure. I do though completely agree with the means testing of Child Benefit recipients.

• Regional Benefit Caps - The £23,000 limit would vary in different parts of the country, with for instance Londoners receiving the top amount due to the higher cost of living. Possible saving - not known and dependent on where levels were set

Disagree with the entire concept of higher rates paid for people who chose to live in London.

[enaid]

Re: Election 2015: Conservative benefit cut options leaked

£12 billion is to be cut, but they won't say which benefits will be cut, only the cuts will be life changing, am sure he's right.

They will reveal the cuts as and when they see fit, which if are life changing I do hope they see fit before the election.

[wales01man]

Re: Election 2015: Conservative benefit cut options leaked

Spare a thought for their millionaire friends thay may lose a few bob IF the benefit bill is NOT cut they would have to pay for the country to fight wars and give money away to all and sundry

[sean5302]

Re: Election 2015: Conservative benefit cut options leaked

The Chinese have an appropriate proverb.
No worky, no eaty.
Benefits, eh?

[enaid]

Re: Election 2015: Conservative benefit cut options leaked

The Chinese have an appropriate proverb.
No worky, no eaty.
Benefits, eh?

So CAN'T worky because of illness or disability drop dead? well that would help the NHS crisis too wouldn't it?

[sean5302]

Re: Election 2015: Conservative benefit cut options leaked

So CAN'T worky because of illness or disability drop dead? well that would help the NHS crisis too wouldn't it?

Have you seen the number of folks claiming disability benefits?
I read that 92% of such people either refused to attend an Atos assessment or were found to be perfectly well.
I'm all in favour of vulnerable people being assisted but there are 5.1 million UK benefit claimants.
5.1 million.
Who do you think pays for them?
https://www.gov.uk/government/collec...ical-summaries

there were 5.1 million working age benefit claimants at August 2014 – a decrease of 351,000 in the year to August 2014
the number of working age claimants of ESA and incapacity benefits totals 2.51 million in August 2014, an increase of 67,000 in the year since August 2013
the number of lone parents claiming Income Support decreased by 27,000 to 471,000 in the year to August 2014
at August 2014, there were 2.24 million claimants of Pension Credit (2.71 million including partners)
at August 2014, the total number of people claiming Housing Benefit was 4.88 million
at the end of January 2015, the early estimate of working age lone parents on Income Support was 450,000
at the end of January 2015 the working age early estimates of ESA and incapacity benefits (ESA, Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance) claimants was 2.52 million (rounded to the nearest 5,000)

[Crazy council]

Re: Election 2015: Conservative benefit cut options leaked

Pentions are the eliphant in the room. 12bill could be saved there by means testing And making it claimable by uk domicile residence only..... Then u have nhs wastage

[MIKE770]

Re: Election 2015: Conservative benefit cut options leaked

Reduce number of MPs - what a saving

[wales01man]

Re: Election 2015: Conservative benefit cut options leaked

sean5302 are you standing as a candidate for the Im alright jack and stuff the rest of you party?

[sean5302]

Re: Election 2015: Conservative benefit cut options leaked

Are you standing for the "Let's spend someone else's money party?
Oh no, we already have that, don't we?
Labour.
You might think differently if you had to work to pay for all this nonsense.
Every single penny spent by the public sector comes from taxes on private sector workers.