1 in 4 living off benefits

Lampman · 28-08-2007, 15:58

The news in the LET that one in four people of working age in East Lancs are either shunning work or on benefits surprised me.
In my walk around Accrington centre the sights I espy led me to believe it was far higher than this.
Has somebody found a hole in the trawl net?

Lilly · 28-08-2007, 16:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lampman

The news in the LET that one in four people of working age in East Lancs are either shunning work or on benefits surprised me.
In my walk around Accrington centre the sights I espy led me to believe it was far higher than this.
Has somebody found a hole in the trawl net?

That sounds a lot to me. One in four people of working age are shunning work in favour of benefits? They can't all be genuine, can they?

Lampman · 28-08-2007, 16:14

1 In 4 Living Off Benefits (from Lancashire Telegraph)
Well it's in the ' Telegraph so it must be true!

MargaretR · 28-08-2007, 16:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lampman

1 In 4 Living Off Benefits (from Lancashire Telegraph)
Well it's in the ' Telegraph so it must be true!

It includes students and early retirees - statistics can be distorted to say whatever you want them to say.

I saw government statistical methods changing often
The answers you get depend on the subtle way the questions are asked

cashman · 28-08-2007, 16:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by [email protected]

It includes students and early retirees - statistics can be distorted to say whatever you want them to say.

I saw government statistical methods changing often
The answers you get depend on the subtle way the questions are asked

got it in 1,lol statistics are distorted to give the public a false impression,which happens to suit a particular agency/ gov minister etc etc, and the ones who fall for it are more than likely the ones who think " Coronation St","Eastenders" is real life.

MargaretR · 28-08-2007, 16:57

This could be a prelude to an announcement that it is 'anti social' to be sick (heaven forbid

)

Lampman · 28-08-2007, 17:22

That reminds me how are Albert and Ena,not forgetting Bobby the Cat?

bullseyebarb · 28-08-2007, 18:36

[quote=Lampman;464836]The news in the LET that one in four people of working age in East Lancs are either shunning work or on benefits surprised me.quote]

Doesn't surprise me.

cmonstanley · 28-08-2007, 18:44

if you read it properly it says 1 in 4 in east lancashire 1in 3 in hyndburn thats where all our taxes go

Margaret Pilkington · 28-08-2007, 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by [email protected]

It includes students and early retirees - statistics can be distorted to say whatever you want them to say.

I saw government statistical methods changing often
The answers you get depend on the subtle way the questions are asked

I retired at 55 (5 years ago) but I didn't draw any benefits at that time....I have an occupational pension.....I have just recently become eligible for state pension...does that count as benefit even though I paid into it for all of my working life?

cashman · 28-08-2007, 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

I retired at 55 (5 years ago) but I didn't draw any benefits at that time....I have an occupational pension.....I have just recently become eligible for state pension...does that count as benefit even though I paid into it for all of my working life?

should imagine it depends who is doing the statistics!!

lindsay ormerod · 28-08-2007, 19:04

Only 1 in 3 ?? Yet strangely they all have lots of "disposable income" for 2 ltr bottles of strong cider and endless pasties and roll ups but never quite enough for the kids nappies or babyfood !!!

Margaret Pilkington · 28-08-2007, 19:08

Lindsay, they have a warped sense of financial prioritising.

BERNADETTE · 28-08-2007, 20:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lampman

1 In 4 Living Off Benefits (from Lancashire Telegraph)
Well it's in the ' Telegraph so it must be true!

It also includes people on Incapacity Allowance and Disability Living Allowance as well as Students and people who have taken early retirement. Anybody can see that this article was written to provoke people who are working into thinking that everyone who is on benefits is just trying to cheat the system. This sort of reporting makes me so angry

Stanaccy · 28-08-2007, 20:34

The figure isn't any higher than it has always been. It includes none working childcaring parents, students, people who are lucky enough (and wealthy enough) not to need to work, early retirees and people who just are below the radar. (black economy). The unemployed and incapacity figures are minimal in comparison to this.

As Mark Twain said, there's lies, damn lies and statisitics.