BBC: Setting the People Against the ‘Undeserving Poor’.
This week the BBC has joined in a new sport: setting the “deserving” against the “undeserving” poor.
This is only one example (13th of March).
In the debate on welfare changes, the government has championed hard working families against those it says are “sleeping off a life on benefits”.
The BBC’s Graham Satchell reports from one of the most deprived parts of the UK, the Falinge estate in Rochdale, on whether its residents feel there are ”deserving” and ”undeserving” poor.
This by coincidence whatsoever ran parallel to the Daily Mail’s own campaign (13th of March),
Dole cheats who are convicted twice in three years face the prospect of having
their benefits withdrawn in a crackdown on the so-called “black economy”.
And the long-standing Daily Express campaign – samples,
Britain’s farcical benefits system was exposed yesterday after a cheating mother was told she can now claim twice as much rather than go to jail.
Are you fed up with taxpayers forking out for benefits cheats?
Is Britain’s benefits culture a shambles?Should workers be forced to provide for the unemployed?Are you fed up with taxpayers forking out for benefits cheats? JOIN THE DEBATE AND HAVE YOUR SAY NOW… (Here)
BENEFITS CHEAT TAKES 41 HOLIDAY IN 13 YEARS!
The BBC seems to think that you can have a ‘debate’ between those peddling these stories and the truth – the utter poverty of those on benefits.
We imagine the BBC in Germany 1933 (just before Hitler comes to power).
Are there deserving or undeserving Jews?
We ask the public.
Herr Göring thinks that Jews are cheating the public. The daily Völkischer Beobachter is full of stories about abuses of our generous welfare state.
We visit the Berlin Estate of Prenzlauerberg to gauge opinion.
Meanwhile politicians are concerned that new immigration rules will allow migrants from Eastern European Shtetls to come and take advantage of our German public services.
The BBC asked Aaron Goldfar how he defended Jews who are profiting from the system.
“Herr Goldfarb, what do you say to those who reveal cases fo Jews enjoying a luxurious life at honest folks’ expense? Is it true that there really is some kind of ‘conspiracy’ organised by your Elders from a Prague cemetery? When will you stop mixing gentile blood in your matzos for Passover?”
Let’s be clear on this.
The Liberal-Conservative Coalition is built on hate and fear.
Hate against the poor, and using fear to win support.
It’s up to us to get rid of them.
Ipswich Unemployed Action. 
I have complained to the BBC three times. They don’t ever do anything. Local radio is just as bad. I’ve discussed it on my blog. Their phone in guy is a complete twat.
Ghost Whistler
March 15, 2013 at 5:48 pm
[Rewritten after it crashed and deleted everything I wrote] The UK government led debates against the Jews/for the Nazis, from Hitler’s rise to power till after the start of WW2. Top politicians, many of the royal family, aristocrats, and other influential powerful public figures, were believers in eugenics. They had ideas of an Aryan ‘master race’, solidarity with rightwing people across Europe, and some kind of a Nordic/Germanic ’empire’. The West backed Hitler because governments didn’t want socialists, communists and other leftwing people getting into power. The UK government blocked the asylum applications of many Jews who wanted to escape, including some of the Jews trying to leave the country on the Nazis’ time-limited ‘offer’ of ‘leave all your possessions and we might let you leave Germany’.
Uk people campaigned to stop Jews from being allowed in.
The Daily Heil wouldn’t know a ‘leading question’ if it bit them on the bum.
something survived...
March 15, 2013 at 7:30 pm
🙂
Auntie Beeb
March 15, 2013 at 8:10 pm
The bedroom tax an obscene ideological Govt attack on the vulnerable
* contains strong language 🙂
Taxi Driver
March 16, 2013 at 10:43 pm
Well said Taxi Driver. I totally agree with you.
A. Ellis
March 17, 2013 at 3:00 pm
** BIG PRIZE **
As a mark of appreciation for your support, loyal readership and by way of celebration as we reach yet another milestone in this blog’s history I am pleased to announce that I intend to award a *Big Prize* of 4 weeks Jobseekers’s Allowance* (£284) for (unemployed) visitor number 400,000 to this blog.
4 runners-up as well as the overall winner will receive a crate of Abbot Ale 🙂 (Suffolk’s finest 🙂 )
Good luck!
and
Thank you for visiting Ipswich Unemployed Action
Andrew Coates
* not subject to sanction or retrospective clawback 🙂
Andrew Coates - *Big Prize*
March 17, 2013 at 4:52 pm
I drink Abbot, though I prefer Adnam’s Broadside, so be careful my sons!
Andrew Coates
March 18, 2013 at 11:03 am
Yes be ”WHERREY WHERREY” careful. it’s got the kick of a ”SPITFIRE”
glug
March 18, 2013 at 11:36 am
Adnam’s Broadside? That’s 3 units for £1.99!
http://www.tesco.com/groceries/Product/Details/?id=250621372
You can buy a 2 litre bottle of Crofter’s Cider for that price (10 units) 😀
http://www.tesco.com/groceries/Product/Details/?id=268607379
Lumpenprole
March 18, 2013 at 4:24 pm
The competition is now closed.
Congratulations to the lucky winners! You will be notified soon and receive your prizes shortly.
A big thank you to all who took part and a special thank you to our sponsor, Abbot Ale 🙂 , Suffolk’s finest 🙂
Stay tuned for more great prize give-aways.
Andrew Coates
Ipswich Unemployed Action
Andrew Coates - *Big Prize*
March 17, 2013 at 10:00 pm
????
-----
March 18, 2013 at 9:37 am
“GEAB N°73”
http://www.leap2020.eu/GEAB-N-73-is-available-Global-systemic-crisis-2013-The-Huge-Statistical-Fog-makes-it-necessary-to-change-from_a13601.html
Annos
March 18, 2013 at 2:04 am
It is never a debate when there is only one side emphasized and that side has full media coverage. Hate, ignorance and prejudice is always an easier way to get people buying news papers and watching TV programs. One day these people these viewers will become unemployed and find out the truth the hard way, then they will become the ‘undeserving scrounging poor’ who no one will care about and unable defend them selves. Perhaps I should start a web site to help expose the truth to those who would rather live in an ‘us and them’ world?
Philip Warrillow (University degree)
Philip Warrillow
March 18, 2013 at 8:24 am
Shortly into the 6th year on not paying the tv licence,another scam operated by capita plc shortly to attack the disabled over their disability allowance.
capita a shitbag company whose tactics are well known with their doorstep deception tactics’ and deceit and are well suited to the government.
while the bbc are quick to launch attacks on benefit claiments’,they stiil take their money for their rubbish broadcasts’.
stop paying them and ignore thir tripe and dorrstep visits.
ken
March 18, 2013 at 12:44 pm
I’ve just received my council tax bill, so I may have to take your advice Ken! (I now have to pay about 30% of it).
Lumpenprole
March 18, 2013 at 4:29 pm
the council in aylesbury have been very cagey about all of this,the council tax bill has yet to arrive here and they are not helpful only
saying blame the government,its very shady and a total disgrace that they are seen to be robbing the poor of meagre benefits with court threats.
ken
March 20, 2013 at 3:06 pm
Indeed Ken, and non-payment of council tax doesn’t seem like an option when you’re claiming benefits because they can deduct both the arrears and the court costs from your benefits!
Lumpenprole
March 20, 2013 at 3:51 pm
I’m thinking of requesting my local library to desist from stocking reactionary rags such as the Mail and Express in these austere times; don’t expect I’ll have much luck though if some of the less than progressive utterances of certain librarians are anything to go by. (Guess they’ll change their minds pronto when branches are shut down and they experience firsthand the joys of signing on.)
And while I’m on the subject why is a) Desmond’s comic allowed to title itself “the world’s greatest newspaper” and not have alarm bells sounding at whichever government department deals with the Trade Descriptions Act? And b) why hasn’t this foul publication been prosecuted for incitement to hatred against the jobless, immigrants, the poor, trade unionists et al?
Trevor
March 18, 2013 at 3:46 pm
Well folks, I have been trying since 1981 to tell people where were heading, very few would listen, even these people in the link below didn’t listen, they now know, better late then never I suppose. You all think that it couldn’t get any worse ?, you have seen nothing yet…
“The preparations for a police dictatorship in the United States are well advanced and include the drawing up of lists of citizens and residents to be detained, or worse.”
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/03/19/surv-m19.html
The UK/EU is going the same way, it was planned out to be this way long before 1979. I don’t think we have very long to find out…God help us all.
Annos
March 19, 2013 at 12:10 pm
“Will the UK and USA also go for the automatic seizure of money from accounts? My guess is they have been quietly planning on it but will now think twice about admitting to it. Preferring to keep it quiet until the next collapse when ‘circumstances call for desperate measures’ etc etc.”
“The reality is the banks are still bust – even the ones making huge profits – and when – not if – when the next bubble bursts and one bank starts to bring down another – they will all come for your money and we will all be collectively punished in order to make sure the wealthy and the powerful stay that way.”
http://www.golemxiv.co.uk/2013/03/plunderball-the-new-euro-banking-game/
Annos
March 20, 2013 at 9:37 pm
“…they will all come for your money…”
What money? Many of us are long-term unemployed. We don’t have any money 😦
Lumpenprole
March 21, 2013 at 10:21 am
WHEN U GOING TO TELL US THE COMPETITION WINNER MR COATES?? OR IS IT AS FAKE AS YOU AND YOUR SITE OR DID YOUR IMMIGRANT WIFE WIN IT ENJOY YOUR ABBOT ALE AND 4 WEEKS GIRO MR COATES
a police officer
March 20, 2013 at 7:59 am
They are getting ready for what is to come, they planned it to be this way, they are going to take it all…
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10872361
Annos
March 20, 2013 at 6:45 pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21884615
looks like these cash croppers r ruining out of cash fast haha 🙂
super ted
March 21, 2013 at 10:22 pm
got a letter this week from my provider 2 days after i was meant to be there, not got a fucking time machine pmsl
on the 2nd page it now says this.
if this letter relates to undertaking work experience whilst receiving job seekers
allowance:
as part or you participation in the work programme , you have agreed to take part
in work experience on a voluntary basis to help you gain work skills and
experience:
not even got a contract with them wtf r they on so im a slave now on the wp cus they say so on a letter.
so i have a mandatory activity notification saying ill do work experience on a voluntary basis.
super ted
March 21, 2013 at 11:05 pm
Thanks to ‘Watching A4E’ for this:
Jobcentre WAS set targets for benefit sanctions.
• Inquiry launched after league tables revealed.
• Leak shows pressure on staff to refer claimants.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/mar/21/jobcentre-set-targets-benefit-sanctions
Obi Wan Kenobi
March 22, 2013 at 12:01 pm
UKIP plans to stop benefits claimants buying tobacco & alcohol. Speculation that the Sun may support the party.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/mar/22/ukip-benefits-claimants-tobacco-alcohol
Lumpenprole
March 22, 2013 at 7:41 pm
I actually watched the said “Special Report” on the BBC about unemployment in Rochdale. They picked one guy not working who had refused a warehouse job as he was a Carpenter or something such. They didn’t ask why he refused, what the hours were, how much was the pay or his personal circumstances.
To compound this they then only showed the views of a couple of people in a “street survey” who believed unemployed were all lazy.
He then went on to mention there were 5,000 jobs available in a 2 mile radius. Didn’t say where he got this figure, didn’t say what these jobs were, and more importantly not once did he mention how many people were unemployed in that area only a percentage ? percentage of how many ? I am pretty sure there was also more than one estate in that area.
Alan
March 24, 2013 at 4:40 pm
Jobcentre sanctions: ‘Your money is stopped, you go into freefall’ – video
Record numbers of jobseekers are being ‘sanctioned’ – losing all of their benefit for weeks or months if they are deemed to be not trying hard enough to find work. Here we find out what happens to claimants when this happens, and reveal the pressure on jobcentre staff to cut off people’s money
The Guardian
March 25, 2013 at 7:36 am
On Wednesday, our Secretary of State for Welfare will sneak across the Border.
He has agreed to meet with some MSPs behind closed doors before addressing a private sector conference in the capital. His many victims will be absent from both events.
Once viewed as patrician but with well-meaning intent to address poverty and inequality, it’s clear now this was just a masquerade, as Iain Duncan Smith is the architect of the biggest assault on the poor in living memory. Whatever credibility he received from his visits to Easterhouse is forgotten. He fronts the Bedroom Tax and the Work Programme – two central parts of a plan to make life tough for people who need the support of welfare.
On April 1, at least 80,000 Scots will either have to move house by downsizing to a non-existent alternative or find up to 25% of their rent from their poverty-level income. Most have no real choice and many will stop paying up at all, with disastrous social consequences for the families involved and big financial consequences for our much-stretched public services. Housing associations and their tenants will not make the guest list to meet the Secretary of State for Welfare, but I expect the private sector Work Programme contractors might be there to receive encouragement and further lashings of public money despite their abject failure to help unemployed people.
The real Work Programme plan is to harass unemployed people with a spike in the number of people receiving no benefits. It’s on the back of such misery that savings are made.
We’re in the midst of austerity so the poor have to pay just like everyone else. Only that’s not true. The top rate of income tax is being cut on April Fool’s Day and the new childcare vouchers plan will support families earning up to £249,000. Cutting taxes for the rich and reducing benefits for the poor seems part of the plan.
Meanwhile, a perfect storm is brewing in our most deprived communities. The 1% cap on benefit uprating is really a cut in what is meant to be a minimum income. It will remove £2.5 billion from the pockets of the poorest in Scotland. This translates into stagnant economies, collapsing local businesses and reduced demand. You don’t have to be a Nobel Laureate in economics to denounce such a plan – but at least two of them think it’s the wrong way to go.
But Iain Duncan Smith is sticking to his guns. All that matters is that people get the message that this Government is tough on welfare. All the myths about scroungers and layabouts are central to this strategy.
Being told you are useless and a drain on the state diminishes your self-esteem and reduces someone’s chances of getting out of the system.
IDS really ought to take time out to meet Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer and learn about the success of asset-based approaches, building on the skills and competences that people have in order to progress.
There ought to be a law against all this. Actually there is. A recent Appeal Court ruling upheld a claim that making unemployed people work (in Poundland) to receive benefits was unlawful. The Government’s response was typically arrogant – an immediate change in the law and much media bluster about how the state was paying people’s wages. There was no mention of the free labour, the minimum wage or the shelf-stacking jobs forgone.
Margaret Thatcher would surely be proud of IDS. Or would she? Much alarmed by the Brixton riots, she spent billions on what was called the Community Programme whereby unemployed people got paid to do useful work in the community. At its peak, more than 40,000 jobs were created in Scotland. Now, in similar circumstances, the UK Government has decided to blame people without work, allow private companies to make millions and help wealthy individuals to pay less tax.
In an ideal world, IDS would not be allowed to escape without being called to account by those he parodies and makes impoverished.
An honourable politician would meet the people affected. Failing that, he should go home and think again because it’s a miserable and defeatist future that he is pedalling.
My charity colleagues south of the Border think the welfare state is in terminal decline, that political change won’t make one iota of difference. We shall see whether such gloomy predictions ring true in Scotland, but until he faces up to the suffering caused by these policies we should make it clear that IDS is most unwelcome here.
Herald Scotland
Herald Scotland
March 25, 2013 at 7:39 am
I mentioned this matter back in early March. It is good to have a reminder though!
Here is the earlier report about it:
http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/bloggers/isociety-committee-to-benefit-from-rare-sight-of-welfare-minister.2013034866
Of course, most of the public will be none the wiser. I wonder how many visible signs of civil unrest will have to erupt before the wider public waken up to the savagery of these heartless welfare cuts. But by then, it might be too late.
Tobanem
March 25, 2013 at 10:29 am
THIS SO CALLED CONSERVATIVE / LIBERAL COALITION, LIKEN,S IT,S SELF TO THE NAZI PARTY, AND IN MY OPINION IS A DISGRACE TO THE HUMAN RACE. “THEIR MOTO IS SEPARATE AND DIVIDE” AND SHOULD BE REMEMBERED, THEY ARE NOT FIT TO GOVERN IN BRITION EVER AGAIN, WHEN THEY SPIT ON THE POOR AND THE VULNERABLE AND THE UNEMPLOYED OF THIS COUNTRY, AS MOST OF THE UNEMPLOYMENT IS CAUSED BY THEM CUTTING PUBLIC SECTOR FUNDING. BELIEVE ME I WOULD USE STRONGER WORDING TO SAY HOW I REALLY FEEL ian duncan smith SHOULD HOLD HIS HEAD IN SHAME BUT HE DOES,NT KNOW HOW, THE ARROGANT TWO FACED BASTARD THEY SHOT TRAITOR,S MAYBE HE,LL DO THE HONOURABLE THING. ALL I CAN SAY TO THE FOLK,S IN WORK LOOK AROUND YOU,YOUR JOB COULD BE NEXT AND YOU,LL SEE WHAT THE REAL WORLD BEING UNEMPLOYED IS TRUTHFULLY LIKE, AND NOT THE PROPAGANDA BEING FED BY GOVERNMENT POPULAR MEDIA SOURCE,S THIS IS A VERY VERY UNTRUTHFUL COALLITION GOVERNMENT NOT TO BE TRUSTED AT ALL, THEY HAVE ALREADY GOT IN PLACE PROVISION FOR CIVIL UNREST AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT IT IS NOT FAR FROM COMING……
philip Black
March 29, 2013 at 4:15 pm
Its such as you learn my mind! You appear to know so much approximately this,
like you wrote the e-book in it or something. I think that you simply could do
with some % to power the message home a little
bit, however other than that, that is magnificent blog.
A great read. I’ll definitely be back.
marjoriepritchett
September 3, 2013 at 3:38 am
The Daily Mail
The paper that championed Hitler!
Nice to see these bastards haven’t changed…. (and the Express are bastards too!)
Man In The Iron Mask
February 17, 2014 at 3:40 pm