Going back to the 1950’s and 1960’s, our future was going to be filled with automation and no one would have to work much - more leisure and pleasure. Fast forward to present day and the unemployed are despised, guilt poured upon them for sponging money off the state.

Indeed, I live within a jealous society. That the unemployed should not go on holiday or buy large TVs. Apparently, their lives appear too lavish, they should suffer more to ease the pain of the hard working.

Let me tell you, I don’t see why people should feel guilty if a government builds a system which gives with one hand and complains with the other. Vulnerable groups are the only people that need long term support. For sure, the rest of us would survive without the groaning hand.

The unemployed are trapped by an overly complicated and rigid set of rules. These rules dictate the hours and pay allowed before being penalised - what they earn with one hand is quickly taken from the other. For the unemployed, the challenge is to break through the imposed ceiling without penalty. It’s an all-or-nothing proposition; less incentive to work or they work illegally in an attempt to break the cycle.

I dream that government money in England would only last 6 months, not perpetual. In return, people would be given the freedom to earn as they wish. Law abiding people should be free to do, or not do, as they please without prejudice or unfair penalty.

Cutting long term handouts would rid us of freeloaders and return large sums of money to the tax payer. Why is that too much to ask?