Before you permanently move to the US

[TracyTN 237]

I was expecting there to be more hateful ones. Maybe the angry people are still at work.

I agree she is an idiot. It's hard for me to take her seriously with that huge grey streak at the front of her head. Every time I see her picture it makes me think of Donald Trump the birther.

Looks like they closed the article to comments for some reason!

[rocks 494]

Looks like they closed the article to comments for some reason!

Oh that would explain it. How odd!

[Captain Oates 911]

re co sponsors

No need

You simply borrow the capital sum from a loan shark

OR

Get a contract from a relative/friend to employ you as a Coronation mug seller at 20k and give him the money back when you see him in the pub

Problem solved

It really is that easy to get round and the people who this legislation was REALLY aimed at, have already figured it out - you can be sure of that

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I love this comment from the DM article:

I am British with a dual nationality son, living in the US with my American wife. We are considering returning to the UK but this is making us think again. I earn well over the amount here, and did when I worked in the UK but now, they would want me to return, get a job that pays the amount - because for some reason they assume that my wife, an accounts controller for a multi-million dollar firm of architects will be content to sit at home, twiddling her thumbs watching 'Loose Women' before hot footing it down to the benefits office.

[Captain Oates 911]

I love this comment from the DM article:

I am British with a dual nationality son, living in the US with my American wife. We are considering returning to the UK but this is making us think again. I earn well over the amount here, and did when I worked in the UK but now, they would want me to return, get a job that pays the amount - because for some reason they assume that my wife, an accounts controller for a multi-million dollar firm of architects will be content to sit at home, twiddling her thumbs watching 'Loose Women' before hot footing it down to the benefits office.

I reckon anyone with a good job abroad and small pot of money should be able to pass the entry test with that, rather than the income test.

iii.

Cash savings above £16,000 (the level generally disqualifying a person from income-related benefits) can be used to meet all or part of the financial requirement, if they have been held by the applicant’s partner or the applicant for at least six months prior to the application and are under their control. The cash savings can have originated from a third party as a gift, but they must not be a loan.

[rocks 494]

I reckon anyone with a good job abroad and small pot of money should be able to pass the entry test with that, rather than the income test.

iii.

Cash savings above £16,000 (the level generally disqualifying a person from income-related benefits) can be used to meet all or part of the financial requirement, if they have been held by the applicant’s partner or the applicant for at least six months prior to the application and are under their control. The cash savings can have originated from a third party as a gift, but they must not be a loan.

£16,000 is more than enough for a couple to live on, there are families who live on less! As they can't claim any benefits they have no choice but to find employment.

The only good thing that has come out of this is my dad, who has been a staunch conservative voter all his life, has been converted! I never thought I'd hear him say that he won't be voting conservative again. I will hold him to this when election time comes around.

[Captain Oates 911]

£16,000 is more than enough for a couple to live on, there are families who live on less! As they can't claim any benefits they have no choice but to find employment.

The only good thing that has come out of this is my dad, who has been a staunch conservative voter all his life, has been converted! I never thought I'd hear him say that he won't be voting conservative again. I will hold him to this when election time comes around.

When I was unemployed for a year in 1995 , my food budget was £5 per week - easy.

My point is that the government can't prove it isn't a loan

Most people from the 1st world will be able to raise 16k as a 'gift' from their family - and the third world too if they use loan sharks

[rocks 494]

When I was unemployed for a year in 1995 , my food budget was £5 per week - easy.

My point is that the government can't prove it isn't a loan

Most people from the 1st world will be able to raise 16k as a 'gift' from their family - and the third world too if they use loan sharks

Exactly. Remember the baked bean "war"? It was possible to live on about 15p a day!

£5 isn't a lot these days, if you are resourceful you can get by on that. Living on that would give anyone the incentive to find a job!

The government can't prove it, all you need is "uncle dave" to say you are employed at £20,000 a year for washing his car. All this does is keep out the honest people who don't want to get caught lying. Apparently the conservatives want to encourage people to lie and be dishonest.

[Captain Oates 911]

Exactly. Remember the baked bean "war"? It was possible to live on about 15p a day!

£5 isn't a lot these days, if you are resourceful you can get by on that. Living on that would give anyone the incentive to find a job!

The government can't prove it, all you need is "uncle dave" to say you are employed at £20,000 a year for washing his car. All this does is keep out the honest people who don't want to get caught lying. Apparently the conservatives want to encourage people to lie and be dishonest.

That is a very American concept - cherry trees - hands on heart - oaths

The Brits don't mind lying at all if they think they are entitled to whatever - and they are

If I didn't lie about some of the emails I get from ex girlfriends, I wouldn't be here to contribute to VJ

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

£16,000 is more than enough for a couple to live on, there are families who live on less! As they can't claim any benefits they have no choice but to find employment.

The only good thing that has come out of this is my dad, who has been a staunch conservative voter all his life, has been converted! I never thought I'd hear him say that he won't be voting conservative again. I will hold him to this when election time comes around.

But it's not just £16K. That's the minimum you must have before they count funds above it.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

I love this comment from the DM article:

I am British with a dual nationality son, living in the US with my American wife. We are considering returning to the UK but this is making us think again. I earn well over the amount here, and did when I worked in the UK but now, they would want me to return, get a job that pays the amount - because for some reason they assume that my wife, an accounts controller for a multi-million dollar firm of architects will be content to sit at home, twiddling her thumbs watching 'Loose Women' before hot footing it down to the benefits office.

Yeah that was my favorite one too!

[rocks 494]

But it's not just £16K. That's the minimum you must have before they count funds above it.

I know, it's just ridiculous!

[Captain Oates 911]

I know, it's just ridiculous!

Basically, for them to ignore income and assuming you had no income (zero) , you would need 18,600 minus zero --

times 2.5 = gbp 46,500

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Basically, for them to ignore income and assuming you had no income (zero) , you would need 18,600 minus zero --

times 2.5 = gbp 46,500

For a total of £62,500

[Captain Oates 911]

For a total of £62,500

correct - its the calculated excess plus the base amount of 18,600

Have to sell a few 'big issues' to raise that - or a kidney

That's a lot of curry but I reckon the regs will be circumnavigated by those motivated to do so - and who have semi-literate victims to exploit

Trapping people into these debt circumstances promotes human trafficking

Edited June 29, 2012 by Ashud Cocoa