No-one's ever come up with a citizen's basic incom...

2008-12-12T12:19:00.000+00:00

No-one's ever come up with a citizen's basic income plan that works, in both it gives people who need it enough to live on, whatever their circumstances, and is in anyway affordable.

It sounds too good to be true because it is too good to be true. I suspect that's why the Worstall's and Adam Smith Institute's like it so much - they know it'll never be implemented.

What's especially cruel about ESA is how the crite...

2008-12-12T09:06:00.000+00:00

What's especially cruel about ESA is how the criteria for having Limited Capability for Work (which is the new criteria for receiving it instead of Incapacity for Work) will be measured.

In a twisting of English words, it is harder to meet the test of Limited Capability for Work than the old test of Incapacity for Work.

One of the key points of this reform was supposed to be recognising that people who have been out of work for a long period need extra support to rebuild their confidence.

One of the main problems with incapacity benefit, as the only way people can avoid losing their benefits, and if they have mental health problems perhaps their life, is to stay as seriously ill as possible at all costs. It's a massive disincentive to ever getting better.

This was meant to be one of the main points of this reform, but it has actually been made even worse. Once you are found not to have Limited Capability for Work, no matter how unwell you are (it's all or nothing), you are kicked off ESA the same day and straight onto JSA and required to be available for instant work at 40 hours a week.

The moment you start getting better there's no 'what you can manage', no support, you're just kicked off ESA.

Comments on Obsolete: Fudged.

No-one's ever come up with a citizen's basic incom...

What's especially cruel about ESA is how the crite...