Unfortunately folks we are battling with human nature, whether we like it or not, if you make benefits available to people, a substantial number of them will take them, whether they need them or not. This is evidenced by these facts:
a) Some 800,000 people dropped their claims for disabililty benefit when faced with the requirement to undergo an assessment,
b) 10's of thousands are living in social housing as a lifestyle choice, because it is there,
c) Of the people thought to be affected by the benefits cap recently introduced in London (that is, people whose benefits would have exceeded £24000 per year) 8,000 appear to have gone and found work
In fact the people whose benefits would exceed £24000 a year represent a tiny percentage of the people claiming benefits, but take billions of pounds out of the economy each year! it is insanity, and it will deprive all of us of something , our healthcare, care for the elderly, perhaps our pensions, if it is allowed to continue....
Assessing and means testing benefits is an absolute must if it isn't to bankrupt us, in which case we all lose out, you, me, and most significantly those really in need. A benefits cap is not something I would generally support, some people in genuine need will be affected, but if where someone lives is driving a need for £2000 a month in benefits then there should be a programme in place to move them to a place where we (since we are paying) can afford for them to live.
Balance the books or go bankrupt..Greece style.