Where is the UK headed?

[Starter]

Not able to comment on the details of England's system but we know they "the financial sector" has never been more entrenched, and more profitable than in recent years....In that respect England mimics America...
And as an example of what you say above we just voted in mid-term elections.......

.....complain, giving Boeing a 9 billion dollar break only costs each man, woman and child in this state just $1304....chicken feed to the CEO

Couldn't agree with you more in this case. Maryland, where I live, has a Democratic Governor and Legislature which does much the same thing. Doesn't seem to make much difference which party is in power, they all do the same thing. Then of course they raise everybody else's taxes to make up for the give away. The problem is the tax code no matter who writes it - they're all trying to buy votes. As far as corporations are concerned, I'd give them a flat, much smaller, tax rate and take back all the special exemptions and give aways. Everybody pays at the same rate and doesn't get to write anything off. The only problem with my plan is that the next batch of pols elected, from either party, will start the whole thing all over again.

[Lousada]

One of the great things the EU has done is to forbid the members states to give any kind of support to individual companies. If a government decides to give a taxbreak or a subsidy to a company, it must provide it to the complete branch of industry. And even then the EU investigates it completely to ensure the rulings are perfectly equal for everyone. The incentive to ask for handouts is much lower if you know your competitor will get the exact same deal as you. Of course there is still protectionism and favouritism in the EU, but you do not see the shameless bidding wars like those between US states vying for a factory.

If the UK leaves the European Union, one wonders how fast Cameron hands over billions to his CEO-Friends from the City.

EDIT: Here you can read it better explained than I did. http://ec.europa.eu/competition/stat.../index_en.html

[Brown, Jon Brow]

?? Where did I say to force anyone? I just suggested that if you want to get something then you need to do something in return for it. Other than taking up space and using air. If someone doesn't feel they want to work for a government benefit more power to them. They just wouldn't get the benefit. That's hardly slavery. There's what, some seven billion or so people in the world? No one is so special that if they don't want to try they should get a free ride.

Technically you're not forcing them, but if they want to eat or pay the rent while they search for a new job you're not giving them much choice are you?

[Starter]

Technically you're not forcing them, but if they want to eat or pay the rent while they search for a new job you're not giving them much choice are you?

They have a definite choice. Fend for themselves or do some sort of labor in return for food, lodging and healthcare while they look for a suitable position. In what world is that akin to slavery? By the standard you've brought up, everyone with a job they do for the money and not because they love it is one short step from slavery.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

They have a definite choice. Fend for themselves or do some sort of labor in return for food, lodging and healthcare while they look for a suitable position. In what world is that akin to slavery? By the standard you've brought up, everyone with a job they do for the money and not because they love it is one short step from slavery.

As I say, not much of a choice. Homelessness or forced labour.

What type of labour are you going to have them do exactly?

It would be more beneficial to the individual if in order to receive their benefits they had to attend workshops that gave advice on how to improve their C.V and how to approach job applications and interviews.

[airshifter]

As I say, not much of a choice. Homelessness or forced labour.

I think the point you are missing is that really for most this is a choice all of us have to make. How many people do you know that would continue to go to work if it didn't provide wages?

[driveace]

Nobody is forced to work
BUT if it was work and earn money to feed oneself and provide a home OR dont work ,and NO handouts ,then why would you not want to work ?
We have the situation where people will NOT take a job ,as it does not pay as much as dole and sitting on your arse all day is the chosen route taken .We all make a choice in life ,whether we work for ourselves as Self Employed,or have an Employer ,of not to work and life on the dole .IF i was unemployed I gamble that within 5 days ,if not sooner I would have found work .
Just as a matter of interest Jon how long do YOU think people should be allowed to claim unemployment benefit ? And i dont expect a silly answer Like" until they find a job "

[Brown, Jon Brow]

We have the situation where people will NOT take a job ,as it does not pay as much as dole and sitting on your arse all day is the chosen route taken .

I common myth. What we have is a situation where people needlessly like to blame and vilify the most vulnerable people in society.

Job Seekers Allowance = £72.50 per week

Full time work on minimum wage = £260 per week


As to how long you can claim your dole? Well it should depend on how long you were previously employed for and how much you put into the system.

[Mark]

There was a story today about an electrician in Glasgow made redundant but then told he needed to go back to the same company and basically do his old job in order to receive job seekers allowance.

[BDunnell]

What a surprise that those expressing right-wing opinions in this thread should either be (a) inarticulate or (b) American.

It is striking how spectacularly ignorant Americans are whenever they come to (try to) discuss matters relating to a country that's not their own, whereas others' opinions of America are generally far more informed.