No thanks, I think my quote said it all really. I'm sensing a lot of misdirected aggression on this thread. I'm not the enemy and I apologise if I pointed out any uncomfortable truths. You all give wonderful advice and I wish you all well. I'm out. x

"Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they’re yours. – Richard Bach" x

I agree totally. But why are polemic rants by people like sad one tolerated, but the moment someone posts something that says "hang on a minute, let's look at the reality here", then it's belittled and pigeon-holed as UKIP, etc? Double standards much? And before any of you go clutching at your pearl necklaces in self-righteous indignation, be honest - I'm sure you've taken out far more from the system than you've ever paid in in tax! (I know that's certainly true for me). Anyway, I've no wish to get involved in a he-said-she-said thread, life's too short. There seems to be some amazing advice offered here. More power to you. All I'm saying is let's not pretend that any of us have a god-given right to money from those around us.

I think you've kinda proved my point sad one x

I blame Channel 4/5 for all their benefit programming. I think the difficult area is when it comes to Mental Health issues. If someone's got a broken spine no one would expect them to work as a postman. But if you suffer from anxiety, depression, OCD, etc, then ironically (as someone who has suffered from all three) the WORST thing you can do is just throw money at me in an ultimately condescending way, saying "there, there, never mind, here's some money, just wibble away in your own mental fantasy for as long as you want". It's not helpful. The best thing is to show tough love and say "get over yourself, the state will no longer indulge you". The Welfare state has only been around for about 60 years. Human society has been around for 20,000? I'm not a Tory or Labour, but I don't like the way all these threads become so politicized as if the "Tory's" are undoing 20,000 years of good work? The woman who had arthritis on that BBC news report, who still managed to look after children and drive round town quite happily and became indignant when told she might lose money given to her, never earned? I honestly don't get it? I'm grateful for my HB and JSA at the moment. I don't see it as a right. I don't have kids because I can't afford them, I don't have a car because I can't afford to run it. The Left-wingers here will say "Oh, you're an idiot, it's divide and conquer" - Erm, no it really isn't. Go to anywhere outside of western Europe and see how those without jobs or with disabilities are treated. THAT is reality. We'd still live in a wonderfully generous country even if all benefits were cut by 50% overnight! It's not "government money". It's the people's money paid through tax doing jobs they mostly despise. And it would seem the people have spoken. Deal with it. x

Wow! That's fantastic. Cheers pal x

Hi, Any advice really appreciated. I moved into a flat in June 2013 with a prepayment meter. I told EON and they sent me a new keycard. I used the card to top up at local newsagents every time I needed electricity. I moved out the flat in June 2014 after a 12 month tenancy. All good with the landlord, agent, council tax, etc. Now July 2015 I've had a snotty phone call from EON saying I owe them £250 in unpaid electricity. I've checked my online account with them from my time in that flat, and sure enough if shows unpaid £250. I'm minded to tell them to go forth and prosper but am worried there might be comeback on me? Thanks. Ed