MP Jake Berry raises internet question (From Blackburn Citizen)
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MP Jake Berry raises internet question
4:02pm Wednesday 7th November 2012 in Darwen
DARWEN MP Jake Berry has asked Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith if there are any plans for cheap internet access for social housing tenants.
Mr Berry raised the issue during a question and answer session with the minister in the House of Commons.
He said: “With 70 per cent of social housing tenants having no access to the internet, will the Secretary of State update the House on what progress he is making for a low or no-cost social housing tariff to be overlaid on the existing BT Basic package to enable social housing tenants to access universal credit online?”
Replying, Mr Duncan Smith said: “In fact, many more people access the internet daily than a lot of people think. Some 78 per cent of all benefit recipients access the internet, and about 48 per cent do so on a daily basis.
“Obviously it is our job to try to get that figure up, because if people cannot access the internet, that affects their employment prospects given that 92 per cent of all jobs require some computer skills.
“We are looking...to make sure that those who need the money get it directly.”
Comments(15)
DGower
says...
4:17pm Wed 7 Nov 12
. go there.
Why should the government provide a luxury item for social tenants for free?! If it is hampering employments opporunities then go somewhere where it is provided for free and browse jobs there. BWD has loads of places where people can get employment help but it does mean having to get up off your backside and go and access it.
midas
says...
4:18pm Wed 7 Nov 12
gutterpress
says...
4:20pm Wed 7 Nov 12
grumpyoldlady
says...
4:47pm Wed 7 Nov 12
davemcb
says...
7:40pm Wed 7 Nov 12
Mothernature
says...
9:14pm Wed 7 Nov 12
As for Jake Berry, maybe he should actually do his job properly and fight for the poorest in our society. Maybe he was one of those who voted in favour of penalising the poor whilst taking taxpayers money to fund his career.
Paul The Octopus Lives!
says...
9:33pm Wed 7 Nov 12
There is plenty of free internet access available at the library. It just means getting off your fat ar5e, walking outside, getting in your FREE brand new £20K Ford S-Max (because Lord knows you are too fat to drive a FREE Fiesta on mobility). And then driving there and parking for FREE with your blue badge!
Unfortunately you will struggle to watch internet **** at the library which is all it will get used for in people's home anyway. Not sure how this improves one's job prospects or eyesight for that matter!
Come on Jake - EARN your money and immoral expenses!
DEO VOLENTE
says...
9:48pm Wed 7 Nov 12
Deus Vobiscum
Deus Vobiscum
english rose 1
says...
1:36am Thu 8 Nov 12
DEO VOLENTE wrote:The scheme you refer to was a trial scheme in the Whitebirk area of Blackburn - and not just tenants qualified - private householders did too.
Strivers First! Look after the hard working people of the country who contribute. Any one who is able to contribute and does not should be heavily penalised. Why should people work hard to support the work shy. IDS is right to overhaul the abuse taking place within the benefit system. It is an utter disgrace. I applaud the Conservatives for changes to the benefit system. My only fear is that the changes may not go far enough. I would add however that as well as the idle poor, the government needs to put more effort into taxing the rich, whether they be private individuals or companies engaged in tax evasion.If A mansion Tax would be a good start on properties worth more than a million pounds. That would indicate and emphasise fairness by the government across society. As for free computers they were given out to social housing tennants in Blackburn with Darwen when "New Labour" were in power. Thank god theat "New Labour" are in the political wilderness, god rest their souls.
Deus Vobiscum
Deus Vobiscum
*
Amazed you agree with the Tories benefit changes which hit the WORKING poor. There are MORE benefit claimants now because of the extra unemployment created by this Govt + because of the decrease in living standards, therefore more qualify for benefits. Bring back Labour ('new' or 'old' if you want less benefit claimants !
*
I agree with exposing benefit fraud & tax avoidance too. And agreed re a 'mansion tax'.
rggraham1947
says...
1:05pm Thu 8 Nov 12
eastlancslad wrote:I agree entirely; let's have an end to "free" this and "cheap" that! They can shop around for their internet like everyone else.
Why stop at social housing? Why not give it to old folks homes, as well? Why not give it to everyone who is unemployed, or on benefits? Why not give them a free computer as well? They could then Google 'Jake Berry', and see what other daft ideas he comes up with! Go to the library, go on line, simples.
DEO VOLENTE
says...
10:00pm Thu 8 Nov 12
Oh and by the way I am not sure that this "Rose" would smell as sweet by any other name.
Deus Vobiscum
english rose 1
says...
2:56am Fri 9 Nov 12
DEO VOLENTE wrote:The 'gravy train' is getting BIGGER under the Tories DEO ! More folk are claiming due to unemployment increasing and living standards decreasing.
I agree with the Conservative led Government entirely and I am proud of the fact. As stated free computers were given out in Blackburn with Darwen to social housing tennants when New Labour were in power. This was not a scheme that was limited to Highercroft although it was limited toi "certain" areas of the borough. This is a fact. The Conservatives have the good sense to put a stop to the benefit gravy train that is sucking the U.K. dry. I applaud them, as stated my only fear is that the proposed benefit overhaul will not go far enough. Means testing should be employed forthwith! Bring back "New labour" god forbid. Of course this will never happen under the leader that the trade unions chose. The longer "Red" Milliband is leader the better. I do hope that his cold gets better though he sounds all bunged up and upset! One nation? more like "none nation" under the politically disorientated policies of the spend thrift, champagne socialist "New Labour" debacle.
Oh and by the way I am not sure that this "Rose" would smell as sweet by any other name.
Deus Vobiscum
You actually mean that you fully support the ''benefit gravy train'' DEO !!
The trial scheme of free internet wasn't in Highercroft - it was in Whitebirk and was fully supported by all parties at the time, - precisely because it was a TRIAL. (which was actually stopped under the Labour Govt).
If you want more people on benefits DEO carry on voting Tory !
rggraham1947
says...
12:48pm Fri 9 Nov 12
english rose 1 wrote:Nobody wants more people on benefits; we just want benefits for the right people.
DEO VOLENTE wrote: I agree with the Conservative led Government entirely and I am proud of the fact. As stated free computers were given out in Blackburn with Darwen to social housing tennants when New Labour were in power. This was not a scheme that was limited to Highercroft although it was limited toi "certain" areas of the borough. This is a fact. The Conservatives have the good sense to put a stop to the benefit gravy train that is sucking the U.K. dry. I applaud them, as stated my only fear is that the proposed benefit overhaul will not go far enough. Means testing should be employed forthwith! Bring back "New labour" god forbid. Of course this will never happen under the leader that the trade unions chose. The longer "Red" Milliband is leader the better. I do hope that his cold gets better though he sounds all bunged up and upset! One nation? more like "none nation" under the politically disorientated policies of the spend thrift, champagne socialist "New Labour" debacle. Oh and by the way I am not sure that this "Rose" would smell as sweet by any other name. Deus VobiscumThe 'gravy train' is getting BIGGER under the Tories DEO ! More folk are claiming due to unemployment increasing and living standards decreasing. You actually mean that you fully support the ''benefit gravy train'' DEO !! The trial scheme of free internet wasn't in Highercroft - it was in Whitebirk and was fully supported by all parties at the time, - precisely because it was a TRIAL. (which was actually stopped under the Labour Govt). If you want more people on benefits DEO carry on voting Tory !
Twicki1
says...
1:56pm Fri 9 Nov 12
!!!!!!!!!
eastlancslad says...
4:14pm Wed 7 Nov 12
Why not give it to old folks homes, as well?
Why not give it to everyone who is unemployed, or on benefits?
Why not give them a free computer as well?
They could then Google 'Jake Berry', and see what other daft ideas he comes up with!
Go to the library, go on line, simples.