It's not their money. It's taxpayer money. It's quite nice to hear these things said aloud again...
BBC Radio 4 Today
@BBCr4today
Sep 24
"Isn't it patronising? To tell people how to spend their own money?" @bbcnickrobinson asks shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately, as the Conservatives promise to prevent benefit claimants from spending their welfare payments on alcohol, cigarettes and gambling.

Sep 24, 2026 · 11:52 AM UTC

201
119
1,325
127,395
Sort replies: Relevant Recent Liked
Replying to @MerrynSW
That’s fair, but there is quid pro quo, provide job oppos for the working class. Successive governments have abandoned the bottom 20% in our society to live of those sink estates like the one in Middlesbrough recently int news. There needs to be some carrot, not all stick.
1
3
269
That's also fair
2
234
Replying to @MerrynSW
Should the state send welfare recipients weekly parcels instead of money? Hello Fresh but for benefits?
6
12
2,019
I suppose that would be one way of doing it. How would you propose that worked?
8
3
3,333
more replies
Replying to @MerrynSW
Helen is a public servant, she lives off public money. I want a say on how she spends it.
3
11
253
And all public sector workers? Or just MPs? The key here is contribution and potential contribution. The whole card thing wont happen but a reminder that someone always pays is useful.
4
3
241
Replying to @MerrynSW
Using your logic the money paid to Badenoch and Whatley is taxpayer money and they should not use any of it for alcohol or any purposes that the Conservatives don’t think people receiving benefits should use their benefit for.
1
8
110
All taxpayer money must be carefully accounted for. But there is of course an obvious difference between being employed by the tax payer and not being employed by the taxpayer.
2
2
120
Replying to @MerrynSW
Have you all been told to say the same?
2
37
1,023
Oh gosh yes. An order went out earlier today with the cheques. That's how it works.
10
11
1,032
more replies
Replying to @MerrynSW
Let’s do the same then for others getting taxpayer’s money? Teachers, doctors, nurses, MPs, civil servants, etc …. About 20% of all working adults. Perhaps not, then?
1
1
41
Is there not an obvious difference betting employed by the taxpayer and being supported by the taxpayer?
56
Replying to @MerrynSW
Assume you’d be happy applying the same logic to the state pension?
1
17
1,204
I suppose it depends how you look at it. The state pension is to a large degree contribution based - you work your 30 years to get it in full. The question is whether we should apply that same logic to benefits?
15
13
1,250
more replies
Replying to @MerrynSW
We all pay tax. I bet you weren't complaining when 'the taxpayer' had to bail out the banks, when their greed and irresponsibility crashed the global economy. But Disabled people should be humiliated to access food? Get in the bin
2
9
187
Yes. I was. All old columns available.
1
2
184
more replies
Replying to @MerrynSW
So I’ve worked for 40 plus years and you want to tell me how to spend my hard earned benefits should i unfortunately become unemployed? Get lost.
2
13
391
And have a public sector nursing pension?
4
300
more replies
Replying to @MerrynSW
We are all taxpayers.
1
1
77
Net taxpayers?
1
88
more replies
Replying to @MerrynSW
So you can just steal money from someone on benefits because it’s taxpayer money?
1
4
246
Steal?
1
250
more replies
Replying to @MerrynSW
MP's wages? It's not their money. It's tax payers money.
1
2
121
It is. Although there's a conversation about contributions. Someone always pays. So all public spending must be watched.
2
132
Replying to @MerrynSW
That take is so embarrassing, I'm losing respect for Bloomberg for hiring you.
1
6
255
All staye spending is taxpayer money. It's important this is recognised across the board. All the benefits, the public sector pay, the foreign aid, the defence spending, the gift aid to charities... etc. it's taxpayer money. How it is spent matters.
4
3
270
Load more