£45 brand new from most motor factors.

I could tell you how to fix ut but not allowed to as a saddo member goes wah wah wah every time I post!

Exactly Paul. Yes there will be a lot of opposition to this change from people currently on benifits. But I hope the normally silent majority like you and I make their voices heard too. Incidentally the £26k talked about is actually the total sum awarded after any tax deductions. So for you to be getting the same amount you would have to be earning circa £35k.

Not got a Mr Clark in mind there scania? lol

Dont talk to me about Vatman. Bob. Had our inspection last year. Looked into how many times a week I went for a crap just about. Make sure I wasn't claiming vat back on too many bog rolls! lol

I'm not sure your mechanic is as clued up as he should be. The cam belt is held in place by a tensioner. Now it either is working or it isn't. A new cam belt is always a good idea if you dont know the cars history. The rocker gasket is a cheap as chips part that can be fitted by an apprentice in 20 minutes on most cars. Your mechanic has no reason to strip the engine unless there is another fault. Re the seller. If the car really has got a major engine problem then you must let him inspect and repair it. You cannot get your mechanic to do it and invoice him without authorisation.

Just read that article on BBC again. I quote 'I see a family having to choose between eating and heating'. For crying out loud your spending £500 of the taxpayers money a month on enjoying yourself. Also go get some money off your ex wife for the upkeep of her 3 kids!!!

I totally agree wages are by and large low osdset. What I do disagree on is that benifits being seen as being anything more than a safety net if you land on hard times. Not to give a person the same standard of living as someone working.

Silverfox, Forgive me here but that example is a bit of an anomally from the 2.4 children I would consider to be the average. But just after a very quick look at it I'd say there are a number of issues needing addressed in that household. Firstly, why isn't the Mother of the 3 children from the first marriage not contributing to their upkeep. Next, OK the ideal job for the man doesn't exist. But he could theoretically do other work, be it stacking shelves in tesco. They then say they have a £60 a month subscription to sky- hardly one of lives essentials. They also smoke approx £60 a week in cigs and say £20 for the baccy. Added to the case of lager at £30. By removing these non essentials from the budget I could save that family £500 a month.

If that is being directed at me Martin, Can you please point out anything I have said which is insulting or untrue. I will try and reply to them and make myself clearer. Also any idea why I cannot use paragraphs or clcik on anything to adjust text in message box?

My point osdset, is that you brought up being a carpenter and inflation. Inflation affects all of us, on benifits or not. What example I am giving with that is that if a skilled person going out doing 40 hours work a week is getting £540 before tax, chances are he has a wife who stays at home raising the children so this is their sole income. Why then should a benifit claimant end up with substantially more a week to keep them than a skilled working man. by the time he gets his deductions taken off he is likely down to £400 a week in his pocket to pay all his bills.

Just did a quick search on london jobs on totaljobs. Carpenter in London is getting between £12-£15 an hour in most cases. So say he gets £13.50 an hour before tax. Thats £540 a week BEFORE tax!

So you don't think sadone, that if somebody else is footing the bill a person should move out of lovely kingston and their £400 a week rented house, and into something more affordable? What the new bill is saying is that if the average working class family can't afford to live in houses like the one you describe. In the interests of fairness why should someone getting their rent paid for them!

You genuinely think £26k take home a year as poor? Come on how many carpenters have you heard of on £78k a year?

Sadone I count £400 x 12 months as £4800.