Oh, well, that's help enormously...

[DanaC]

Originally Posted by Urbane Guerrilla

On the surface, it looks like a measure to say to those affected, "Actions have consequences. And bad actions have consequences to match."

On the surface yes that's what it looks like. It may even be what's intended. But benefits cuts only affect a part of society. They did the same thing over the rioters (by they, I mean The Authorities ;p) when they started threatening the families of people caught rioting with eviction if they live in social housing.

Again, only affects the one class of people. Doesn't reflect the socio-economic mix of the rioters themselves. Those who riot and whose families own their own home aren't facing the same set of sanctions.

It is grossly unfair, in my opinion, for the law to be different for different socio-economic groups.


It's also entirely counter productive if what's wanted is to bring those kids and families on board and into the mainstream of society. Families living on benefits are already, opften facing extreme hardship. Start docking money and it will place even greater pressures on those struggling families, possibly precipitating further breakdown. Especially if they're families with 'problem' kids. The parents themselves might be at their wits end. Shoving their faces further into the dirt isn't going to help.