The Cost of Cuts

I think Labour should be targeting some of the route causes of young peoples mental health issues, and be asking why are so many having to claim sickness benefits? I'm not saying for a minute they're playing the system, maybe a very minor few are, but more should be done about social media companies and the use of smart phones in schools. It's not good for their mental health to be on their phones constantly, and having an unrealistic view of the world, unable to properly socialise or engage when they come to finding work etc. I do agree more needs to be done to help them find meaningful work, but not to force them into low paid, dead end jobs. More money should be invested in mental health services inside and outside of school to help them cope with their problems, not just to be able to leave school at 18 then claim sickness benefits and be stuck in a horrible benefits system feeling there is no hope for them.

I really don't think Labour will punish every single disabled/sick individual, just the younger ones who could benefit from having more training or going to college, the benefits system should be a more fairer, less stressful, and more helpful experience,and be there for those who need it the most.

GB news again about cutting welfare. If she decides to do it, will we have no money at all ?

ah the good old days

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14469761/Reeves-benefits-NEETs-targeted-tax-hikes-business-Labour-Budget.html

In the daily mail

I know it's tempting but best not to watch it Andi. I've turned off many times recently, it's been so blatantly reactionary

Think you're wrong there Michael, there's nothing inherently bad about stopping on until your 18. When we were kids + the school leaving age was 16, it was no better, Thatcher was in command + there weren't any jobs. My old Dad left at 15, the only way he and many of his generation "got on" was because the war was starting + jobs were created for the war effort.

I don't think kids nowadays are any more lazy because they stay on until 18. If they give them work training as part of the school curriculum, like the young lad helping out with the builders next door to me, so much the better. I think as others have said, the real problem has been all the smartphone stuff + kids being alienated from society, compounded by all the isolation during covid.

you could try getting compensation for delayed trauma seems the norm nowadays

Does anyone think the Labour plans are going to be watered down in the long term?

https://www.itv.com/news/2025-03-07/government-to-make-6bn-welfare-savings-with-benefits-shake-up

So people are going to be punished for being ill or disabled. Lovely government we have here.

The radical package of reforms will see:

• £5bn in savings by making it harder to qualify for Personal Independence Payments - a benefit not linked to work that is meant to help people with the additional costs of their disability.
• Further savings by freezing PIP payments next year, so they do not rise with inflation
• Raising the basic rate for Universal Credit paid to those searching for work, or in work, while cutting the rate for those who are judged as unfit for work.
• A billion pounds of savings ploughed into a major investment for employment support for those who are looking for a job