[Luckypants]

I thought that income related 'dole' was phased out in the 70s because it was costing too much? I too agree that after paying in at 40% plus NI (not forgetting employers NI as a result of your working) then you should get more out. A phased reduction in benefit from say 75% of earning when made redundant to a basic level of benefit over 12 months would be fairer I think. This also acts as an incentive to work, if you have paid in something, you get more out than just the basic subsistence level.

When I was made redundant in 1994, I had paid in over £12K to the system the year before. Similar amounts for the 4 years prior to that. But I got nothing in terms of benefits because my then partner earned too much and that was not a huge salary. Penalised for working hard! I spent all my redundancy payment, all our savings and all my partners wages keeping our house and other bills paid. I was out of work for 9 months and not one iota of help.

The above is why I don't see why those who have never work should get anything.