One benefit to be axed

Published: 7 January, 2011

• EDUCATIONAL Maintenance is certainly one “benefit” that deserves to be axed.

Jobseekers’ Allowance is paid at the lowly rate of just over £65 per week. Why should pupils receive half of this when they have contrib­uted nothing to the system? 

What is wrong with obtaining some form of work or enterprise to avail themselves of funds instead of expecting the taxpayer to stump up? 

When I was at school I did a paper round and the reward from such activity came in very handy. 

There must be an abundance of opportun­ities, for example, giving out leaflets, doing survey work, etc. Much of this is already done by students and others prepared to do “anything” rather than expect “hand-outs”. Many already do some form of work which will stand them in good stead when they truly enter the workplace. It is typical of the Labour Party to make political capital out of this especially when it is their reckless spending policies which have led to the present financial debacle. Labour leader Paul Dimol­denberg argues (Letters, December 17) that “because of the foolish government cuts, the lives of many local young people will be blighted”. 

Nonsense! It is possi­ble to study in one’s own time. There is no shortage of libraries in which to learn and do research. What about evening study – or would that conflict with social activity?   

No doubt the excuse will be trotted out that the withdrawal of this “benefit” will exacerbate anti-social behaviour, rather than the real reason which is one of at­titude and self-discipline.

I WALKER
Dalgarno Gardens, W10