Wage rates/benefit rates 2011/12

[connor7777]

As of April, jobseekers allowance is

£53.45 per week under 25s
£67.50 per week 25 and over

As I am 22, looks like am going another year without doing much train travel.

NMW as of october 2011, £6.08 age 21 and over
£4.98 under 20s.

What happened to the pay freezes we was warned about?

 

[Zoe]

When I've said that the minimum wage is too low, the response I often get is "get two jobs, get three jobs" this isn't my personal opinion at all though.

 

[GB]

I personally do not think its right that there is a tier system to the minimum wage. If your over 18 (at which point you are a legal adult) then it should be the same as those over 20.

 

[Zoe]

I personally do not think its right that there is a tier system to the minimum wage. If your over 18 (at which point you are a legal adult) then it should be the same as those over 20.

I think the argument is the same with benefits, if you are younger then you are more likely to still be living with parents so don't as much money.

 

[SS4]

I think the argument is the same with benefits, if you are younger then you are more likely to still be living with parents so don't as much money.

Essentially although it's "in someone else's household" rather than parents. The former of course means parents.
Frankly I think it's age discrimination, do this to older people and they'd be up in arms. Young people too all intents cannot afford to protest although it's largely irrelevant since the media has made anyone under 25 seem like a criminal

Of course for those young people lucky enough to be working there is no equivalent reduction in NI, I'd much prefer to see a cut in employer NI for under 25s as means to help mitigate youth unemployment

 

[strange6]

How anybody can live off either of those amounts of money (even with housing benefit and council tax benefit) is beyond me.

 

[connor7777]

the upper minimum wage age was lowered from 22 to 21 last october I believe, so we are getting somwhere.

 

[SS4]

How anybody can live off either of those amounts of money (even with housing benefit and council tax benefit) is beyond me.

By only ever going out to the Jobcentre when it's time to sign on usually. I've heard of people who visit family to get a cooked meal or a hot shower although it is impossible to tell if it's true or false

 

[connor7777]

How much a week do you think Job seekers allowance should be a week, dont forget that ESA benefit is the same rate.

under 25s £70
25+ £85 p/w

 

[SS4]

How much a week do you think Job seekers allowance should be a week, dont forget that ESA benefit is the same rate.

under 25s £70
25+ £85 p/w

Only the Assessment Phase of ESA, everyone gets the full rate in the unlikely event they pass the WCA

I would go for £75 flat rate, regardless of age

 

[Zoe]

The higher rate is what the law says you need to live on though and any reduction would not be welcome. From next January all under 35s will only be able to claim housing benefit for a single room in a shared house. The reason for this is I believe is they said under 35s that are working wouldn't on average be able to afford to rent or buy their own house/flat. How long will it be before the JSA under 25 rate is extended to under 35 on the same grounds?

 

[Tom B]

It does seem to be the case that if you discriminate against people because they're too old it's horrid and politicians cry blue murder - if you do the opposite, it's fine because it reflects the rest of the world...

 

[Zoe]

In the case of car insurance it could be argued that ii's fair though, statistics show that many under 25s are more dangerous drivers.

 

[connor7777]

ok so JSA should be atleast £75 a week, then it will still rise each year. The current rates are too low, i dont know how they work it out.

 

[bb21]

When I've said that the minimum wage is too low, the response I often get is "get two jobs, get three jobs" this isn't my personal opinion at all though.

Does have its merits though.

Earn £500 gross from each of your two jobs or £1020 gross from one job and you'll end up with more net pay in hand from the former.

 

[Greenback]

Does have its merits though.

Earn £500 gross from each of your two jobs or £1020 gross from one job and you'll end up with more net pay in hand from the former.

I doubt anyone on the NMW with two jobs could earn £500 a week!

 

[SS4]

I doubt anyone on the NMW with two jobs could earn £500 a week!

Opt out of the EU working time directives and do 80 hour weeks - who needs sleep
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

ok so JSA should be atleast £75 a week, then it will still rise each year. The current rates are too low, i dont know how they work it out.

It is decided by parliament. Presumably this means the DWP give a figure and parliament accepts it by a vote.

The increase is CPI (or whichever is the lesser of two inflation figures)