General Discussion

Why are cafes now filled with single parent mothers and doleys?

In the old days they used to be filled with old people relaxing & reading the news etc.

Is it because only doleys can afford they prices of coffee these days?

Which cafes are these and how do you know that someone is jobless?

Bow windows and the ones near to harrisons, we all know people that haven't had a job in years.

"we all know people that haven't had a job in years" You mi

You might know people who haven't had a job in years but I don't. Therefore it isn't the case that "we all know.......

Bit of a sweeping statement on your part 007?

(and why do you seemingly presume they are single mothers. They might be, they might not be. And in case you hadn't noticed there's a bit of a problem on the ol' jobs front at the moment it's called an economic recession. Brings a lot of unemployment with it or had you missed that?)

Well, I know a few that just sit in cafes or walk their dog. Surely they should be doing something to pay for themselves.

If you know them, then why don't you ask them, instead of tarring all with the same brush. I don't disagree that there are a lot of workshy 'professional' benefit takers around the kingdom, but not everyone in a cafe or walking a dog during the midweek daytime is a 'doley'!! What of those of us that have a day off during the week but work Saturdays? Do you look down your nose at us as if we're something you've stood in? Meh.

Not back to the white dog poo are we.

How ridiculous! Perhaps 007 would like a law passed forbidding single mothers and those without a job from drinking coffee.

And what would you suggest a single mother actually do "To pay for themselves"? Any idea how much child care costs? Probably more than a local unskilled wage. Well said Nelson.

By the way, how do you know these people are in the cafes? Surely you're too busy working to see them yourself. And in case you're wondering, I am neither a single mother nor a 'Doley' as you so insultingly call them.

Well anyway, for those that don't pay for themselves, I think they should be given vouchers for necessary needed items, and not be given money, so that they can't enjoy themselves on the rest of us.

It has always amazed me how some people (ThomasTheRymer included it seems) actually think that it is the duty of the state to fund benefit lifestylers.

"And what would you suggest a single mother actually do to pay for themselves?" - well get a job for starters. So what if she has to pay money to a carer? At least she will be contributing to and supporting the economy. Then there will be 2 jobs + handouts rather than 0 jobs + handouts.

I would not want to tar all single parents with the same brush but we do know there are those that simply choose this way of life. I heard some (reliable) gossip recently about a sixteen year old in dawlish that has just been given a house for her and her new baby. Although it is biologically natural to have a child at this age and I have nothing against this aspect of it, I still do not think it should be up to the state to pay for it.

Overheard a girl of 17 proudly saying to her mate she was pregnant and when she left school she had no qualifications at all and she couldnt get a job. It doesnt matter though she said. I get benefits. I noticed a top of the range mobile in her hand. How things have changed!.. at least she can do something lol.

Everyone seems to have the best of 'everything' yet so many moan about the state the country is in. How do you think she will bring her child up and with with what standards?

As long as the system supports it , it will happen. There are some in this area that have never worked and have more than 1 child, this is the ones that Cameron should be targeting but unfortunately it doesnt happen.

Looking at Thomasthe Rhymer's post I don't think he was saying that it is "the duty of the state to fund benefit lifestylers". However, a civilised society should be responsible for ensuring that those requiring support in times of need do receive that support - whether that's because of illness, unemployment, abandonment by fathers etc. When it comes to use of taxpayers money I would prefer that it is used for the benefit of those most in need in society rather than funding bankers' bonuses.

So according to 007 anyone unfortunatley enough to have been made redundent or lost thier job, and under the present ecomonical climate have little chance of finding another, should be given vouchers.

I was in that situation two years ago, and used to sit and have a coffee in a cafe or two in town. I had been in employment all my working life (10 of which was with HM Forces and included 3 tours of Northern Ireland) until being layed off. Had 007 given me vouchers I think I would have shoved them up his...............................................

I'd never wish unemployment upon anyone, but perhaps I have changed my mind now, there are certain people that need to see what its actually like not to have a job.

Well said Lazlo. I'm fortunate to have been 'between jobs' for just one week of my entire working life, but I'd like to think that I'm human enough to say that those who want a job deserve better. Those that don't want a job though, they should be made to do community work for their hand outs.

Hi, lazlo. i was in the Forces. can you say what you were in and when?.

Thinking about this Workfare idea (see Nelson's post above). Whilst I can hear an argument for it, I am concerned that another effect could be that there may be no or very little incentive for employers to create real jobs. Why should they when they can take on labour for free (free for them that is). The labour will actually be paid for by us, via JSA or ESA.

I understand that those on Workfare will just receive their £1.78 per hour JSA or ESA; less if they are young.

Why create jobs and/or pay a decent wage when you can get what you need (as an employer) for free?

Just like the tax credit scam - we, the taxpayer, will be subsidising low (or in the case of Workfare, totally absent,) pay. So, who will benefit from this? The unemployed and those at the lower end of the income stream or those at the top?

Workfare is a bad idea if it means subsidising businesses. The best thing would be for people to do community work, such as clearing up litter, restoring church buildings, etc. Unfortunately, this is seen as 'punishment' in this day and age. When you think about it, it is a screwed up system when a Judge can sentence someone to work! Is work really punishment? If so, I may put in an appeal.

What do single mothers look like 007? Our daughter is a single mother (age 27, son 13 months, she works, pays for childcare, pays her mortgage, pays for her car, takes enormous care of, and cherishes her baby) but she LOOKS exactly like a married mother as far as I can tell - and she might be in a Cafe having a coffee with a friend for all you know.