Big Brother UK (Government) will be watching you soon..

I read on this site lots of conversation, talk and wild discussion about how the American Government is looking at ways to take away it's people's freedom and everything. I also notice the sheer fury of those who disagree with that...

Well for our American Cousins I have a story for you regarding the UK and the NEW coalition Government' attempt at reducing deficits and reducing the benefit burden we have over here.

The latest plan is to use Credit agencies and companies, like Experian to' snoop' on what people are spending their money or dare I say benefits on..............

www.bbc.co.uk...

If I'm honest I agree in principle with this idea, why should some of society 'take advantage' from the system at MY expense ???

That said where does this lead ?? The Government having the ability to observe, collect and analyze my spending data....... hmmm that starts to worry me now....

I'm interested in thoughts ....

Oh and ATS please don't SHIFT this to BTS because I don't understand why you started to do that with some of my threads ??

Regards

PurpleDOG UK

Well there goes me charging my You Porn Subscription to my card again. Back to western union then!

reply to post by sassyncute

sassyncute

You joke (tongue in cheek) but I wonder how many really do that ??

and I bet the Government would love to know that data as well.......

Also could this be a precursor in time to moving away from 'cash' into 'Credits'???

Regards

PurpleDOG UK

We have an "anti crime" camera in my st, got little police flyers about a concern about theft from cars, a couple of grow houses were burgled in an aggravated manner then whomp we have a camera in the street, omnidirectional black dome lens. I'd been wondering how long it would take before the cams left the red light district and town centre, well they've arrived and I'll be moving within 2 months

reply to post by Thepreye


Thepreye

It's more like Minority Report each day... It's also funny how technology is sold to us Daily as making our lives easier, ie Bluetooth & wireless devices (smartphones et al) which can also be used as we know to follow and track etc etc...

I personally live out in the stix and have no camera worries but I would not like an Omni-directional Black dome watching me so I can understand your viewpoint..

Regards

PurpleDOG UK

As someone who receives benefits, I'm not very happy about this at all. I havn't got anything to hide, but I dont see how people can find this acceptable. It's easy to target those disenfranchised by the system. Wasn't it the MP's who were recently exposed as comitting fraud against the UK tax payer through their expenses. Would they like to have their accounts checked by credit rating agencies.

And seeing as we are all going through the hard times together I assume, we will be looking into the tax evasion committed by Tory voters and supporter that costs the nation 15 billion a year.

we love kicking the man at the bottom in this country, makes us feel better about our selves. We dont mind having the disabled accounts being checked and monitored I mean what are they going to do about it.

The whole point of benefits is that the government give aid to those who need it. Unfortunately there are a lot of people at the moment who don't need it and are abusing the system. You know, the kind you see on the Jeremy Kyle show.
I don't understand why there could be a potential threat to our freedoms here, seeing as they are only looking into benefit claimant's spendings and not the spendings of those who earn their money.
That isn't to suggest everyone on benefits is a criminal, of course not. There are people who genuinely need it and aren't breaking the rules. They'll need to tread carefully and only look into those who give cause for suspicion.

Originally posted by woodwardjnr
we love kicking the man at the bottom in this country, makes us feel better about our selves. We dont mind having the disabled accounts being checked and monitored I mean what are they going to do about it.

I can't help but find this true as well though. When we hit hard times it's always those at the bottom that the government inflict punishment upon.
Why aren't the frauds who cheated the expenses system locked up yet? Because they're "special". It's a complete sham.

[edit on 10/8/10 by The Empty Skies]

Star and Flaggy!

I saw this on the news this morning. What I wonder is what does the government deem to be unlawful spending of benefits? What items exactly will be excessive. I think it is counterproductive on their part as well to make the announcement public (although necessary). As people *taking advantage* will alter their spending habits accordingly.

The question you posed as well was where does it end? I can see this moving from tackling benefit fraud into other areas too, having a snoop on the spending habits of those with a past criminal record, or even a family member.

Perhaps having a snoop on the credit rating of employees to see what they are spending their hard earned cash on. Who knows? What I do believe though is that if they have made this public, then there are most likely similar developments already occurring which we have yet to hear about. But that is just what my paranoid mind comes up with.

*Edit

Also woodwardjnr you are spot on, the pot calling the kettle black. Lets face it the sleaziest and biggest cheats are in government. Only we're not talking peanuts, it's thousands of pounds.


[edit on 10-8-2010 by Big Raging Loner]

I agree with you both ' bigrangingloner' & 'woodwardjnr'...

The Government and MP's of ALL parties seem to think that the expenses thing has blown over !!!! Well I can tell them quite clearly - "NO IT HASN'T" and the public, who pay their Flipplin salaries are still NOT happy with the situation.......... it just appears to have dropped off the media's agenda !!

As I said in my original post, I want A FAIR system.. I am not opposed to helping those who need a little assistance but I am against those who take advantage..... call me old fashioned !!!

But like you said woodwardjnr, it is easier for the people in power to kick those furtherest from power than TAKE ON those who control the purse strings and who hold the wealth !!!!!

I am happy to pay taxes to help BUT not to a system which is unaccountable and not to a bunch of greedy beureacratics in Government (whichever) who refuse to do the right thing !!

Regards

PurpleDOG UK

reply to post by PurpleDog UK


Hey PurpleDog and other folks, just had a thought while I was at the petrol station. I paid in cash?...

Cash maybe is the way to avoid credit companies keeping accurate tabs on you. They can see withdrawals but not the eventual outcome. May as well use cash while we still have it.

reply to post by Big Raging Loner


will they be able to check things like bank transfers , subscriptions and the like?

Originally posted by The Empty Skies
The whole point of benefits is that the government give aid to those who need it. Unfortunately there are a lot of people at the moment who don't need it and are abusing the system. You know, the kind you see on the Jeremy Kyle show.
I don't understand why there could be a potential threat to our freedoms here, seeing as they are only looking into benefit claimant's spendings and not the spendings of those who earn their money.
That isn't to suggest everyone on benefits is a criminal, of course not. There are people who genuinely need it and aren't breaking the rules. They'll need to tread carefully and only look into those who give cause for suspicion.

All the intrusion is of course necessary because of the total collapse of UK society in the 70/80's when there was very little oversight of the benefits system. Not.

For years left wing politics was called the politics of envy, wrongly I believe, however I don't believe I've heard the expression politics of bitterness and anger which I feel captures the sentiments of nearly all social right wingers or right whingers I hear.

Cut the dole and experience the social collapse into crime and chaos that Rome experienced whenever they tried to curtail the welfare system.

reply to post by Big Raging Loner


Big Raging Loner

Interesting you say that as I have started using Cash for the past four / five months now.. I tend to carry 'more than the average' and I always find it funny when cashiers in shops give me a strange look for using 'money/cash' as opposed to a card...... I get into lots of conversations about the fact that I use Credit / debit cards alot less than I used too...

Cheers

PurpleDOG UK

reply to post by Thepreye


The coalition government actually said, well it was Cameron that said he will stop the cctv snooping on people for no reason and having the operators use lame excuses, so this is just one of there lies to get into power...

Also why do they not go for the tax evaders too?? also some people's benefits come to more amounts then someone in a paid job would get!! which encourages benefit fraud.

I think from now on, I will draw money out from my bank and buy things in the stores instead of using my card...

Dont like the idea they can snoop into anyones bank account!!! but its good they are clamping down on the thieves!!

reply to post by woodwardjnr


I'm pretty sure they can check that. Say for example you had a sky TV subscription with a monthly payment arrangement. The credit companies get this information, with particular attention on whether or not you have missed payments and alike.

This then affects your credit score, so that when you go somewhere to request a loan, mortgage, or even to set up a new renters agreement, they check your credit score, and then decide whether or not you are high risk, and therefore ineligible for finance. So basically the government will have all this information now too.

PurpleDog do you remember the anti terror ads recently in the UK? I think there was a thread on it here. Basically it was a public announcement to attempt to get civilians to police themselves.. Anyway so in this ad it says something like, "the man at the end of the street has his curtains closed everyday, he likes to keep himself to himself, and anytime he is out at the shops he only carries cash. It might be nothing, but it might mean you have suspicions."

Evil cash.

Slightly off-topic but there is a bank in ireland that is in the process of going "cashless". Personally, it makes no sense to me. The only time I ever use banks is when I want to lodge cash or I need to withdraw more cash than the ATM will allow.

National Irish moves to cashless banking
PAUL CULLEN
Consumer Affairs Correspondent
IT MIGHT sound like a contradiction in terms, but for the first time one of the main Irish consumer banks is moving to cashless banking in all its branches.

National Irish Bank has written to thousands of its customers this month informing them of a “new style of banking” in which branches will not handle over-the-counter cash transactions.

The letter says branches will no longer handle cash withdrawals and lodgements, night safe lodgements and foreign currency cash. Branches will continue to lodge cheques, drafts and postal orders and issue drafts.

Source

reply to post by Big Raging Loner



How do they know where I live ?? How do they know I had my curtains closed ? They Know I carry cash ?

When was I on TV in that advert, I wish i had recorded myself for posterity !!!

I from now on will aim to use MORE cash than before (gotta help the economy) and only essential, no other choice purchases for my Credit card......Unless as Yossarian has indicated I am visiting Ireland... in which case I take over some tradable items for currency instead...

Cheers

PurpleDOG UK