I'd just like to reiterate something andythepieman said on page 3
It sort of got mixed up in all his other not so useful ways of fixing the world but is probably the most sensible, achievable thing that has actually been suggested on this qotw.

Instead of giving out benefits give them food/electricity/gas/transport coupons so they can't go and spend it on Sky tv, fags and Special Brew therefore giving them an incentive to get a job but still giving them the means to live
(wehttamman via B3ta for microwave, Fri 23 Sep 2011, 6:33, 7 replies)

I think it would be too difficult to administer coupons fairly.
6 years ago I was unemployed for 4 months before I found a new job. Lets see how coupons would have worked for me. I don't need to use public transport because I have a bike. I assume I get more of the other vouchers if I don't use travel vouchers. My old clapped out flat has an immersion boiler to heat hot water so I need more electricity vouchers than gas, infact I might even need more energy vouchers than the average person. My career is such that I need a portfolio of work to show. This needed updated and cost quite a bit to put together. Can I have more art materials vouchers please.

I see what you are getting at but I think the benefits system has to be as flexible as possible to cater for everyone.
( spitsticker is not working on, Fri 23 Sep 2011, 7:23, closed)

There would only be one kind of vouchers that can be used on food/energy/transport as you see fit. Of course you'd still get your housing benefits cos that's paid direct to the landlord. Tbh, I just want to stop people on benefits wasting all there money
on booze, fags and entertainment for themselves cos it gives them no reason to want to go back to work
(wehttamman via B3ta for microwave, Fri 23 Sep 2011, 10:05, closed)

Great idea
I'll start the black market for coupons right now!
( argyleblanket The man on the roof works for me, Fri 23 Sep 2011, 7:44, closed)

Maybe there could be some sort of
Book of Rations, where their monthly allowance of food etc could be noted down in a book.
Just a thought
(Bonzodog29 is an unemployed sponge of the worst kind, Fri 23 Sep 2011, 8:23, closed)

hmm
like in the states then? Where if people try to pay with their look-at-me-I'm-poor vouchers everyone treats them like shite?
not everyone on benefits is loser scum!
(teasus likes tea, Fri 23 Sep 2011, 9:28, closed)

Hey ho
I thought they were useful
Especially the one about Jeremy Kyle.
And Mistafeesh I didn't say everyone on benefits was loser scum. I am all for a benefits system.
(andythepieman Is surfing the waves of indifference on, Fri 23 Sep 2011, 12:19, closed)

Your other ones were more humorous
This one seemed like a genuinely plausable idea
(wehttamman via B3ta for microwave, Fri 23 Sep 2011, 20:05, closed)