Should we pay social security money to the airport protesters?

Question

Does it seem fair that we should pay these protesters social security from our taxes and yours to disrupt our travel,

Answer 1

NO! They chose to be there instead of working, and their stupid protest is not going to impress the authourities or anyone else. It certainly won't change anything. If there is going to be action against climate change, it will be decided at G8 level by powerful elected representatives, not by a bunch of scruffy unwashed neo hippys camping in a field. They should be told, no jobs, no money!

Answer 2

Don't forget that it's not just 'scroungers' and 'crusties' protesting against the new runway. It's also middle aged, middle class people who object to having their homes demolished to make way for it. They are making a legitimate  protest but with a different angle from climate change, which, let's face it, is going to affect us all - wait till your food bills go up due to the flooding and then have a re-think.

Answer 3

A dangerous Q if the powers-that-be are reading this Q&A.  Yes we should because in their own way those guys and girls are defending the right to freedom of speech which is being eroded in other areas of today's society.

Answer 4

NO they are idiots or layabouts

Answer 5

Who says they are on benefits?  maybe they are using some of their holiday allowance to go there have you thought of that or they may be retired.  Not all environmentalists are unemployed!

Answer 6

are you saying that unless someone supports the government wholeheartedly they should be forced to do so by taking away their benefits? A lot of the ppl there were from university and someone from my sociology class was arrested for being there. Why do u seem to assume that these ppl are on benefits anyway? most ppl who protest and have political beliefs are well educated and not on benefits.  And btw the airports are jam packed regardless of protesters its not really their fault the airports are too small anyway and often delays are because of incompetance by planning staff they may have told you it was the protesters fault to pass the blame and because they didnt like them being there

Answer 7

burn the *******

Answer 8

yes.

we should stop payiny mp`s.

Answer 9

We should remember that there is no proven link between environmental pollution and climate change.  We seem to forget that we emerged from the last ice age (and previous ice ages) without human induced pollution.

Those at Heathow need to go home and get a hobby, maybe have some s*x, but generally get a life.

Answer 10

Being an airport protester should not bar anyone from being paid benefits. With a mobile phone, anyone is 'Available for work' at any time within 24 hours wherever they are in UK.

   As far as incapacity benefit is concerned it may be well possible to be too sick to work but possible to attend a protest.

     If you are asking whether Social Security should be paid on moral grounds to protesters, then ask yourself do we want to get into a situation where the Government can cut off anyone financially who indulges in peaceful protest that they disagree with? This would not be good for democracy.

Answer 11

Yes we should be paying them.  This is a democratic free country that is the last time I checked.  

If anything we should be applauding them and thanking them for bringing such an important point to the news attention.  We should be supporting these people, as they are looking out for all our environment - I mean we all breathe the same air, unless it becomes taxed.  

Environmentalists and scientists have long spoken out about the amount of CO2 released by planes etc but nobody has listened.  It isn't the car that needs to be culled it is the plane.

L

Answer 12

Oh yes and give them a house a car a free holiday free medical bills and whatever else they want. NO NO NO NO NO!

Answer 13

Who said that they were claiming benefits?  For all you know, they could be working.

Never make assumptions - you could be wrong.

Answer 14

i think we should have joe pesci pay them a visit.

Answer 15

I don't use Heathrow.  Neihter do I live anywhere near it.  Now if they was to be at Dover.  And i needed to catch a ferry ... it would be a different story.

Answer 16

NO!!!

Why are they not getting calls to attend interviews and go for jobs. I thought if you are unavailable you lose your benefits. Or is that just for normal, hard working tax payers?

Answer 17

NO WAY,we should bomb them

Answer 18

Not all are claiming benefits. Two of my full-time colleagues have taken annual leave to go down to London as part of the protests. I am sure countless others will do the same. I am happy to pay taxes if it helps to highlight a growing concern. Vast tracts of greenbelt are being lost due to airport expansion. I protested when I lived in Manchester, when Ringway was expanded a few years ago.

Airport expansion should stop in my honest opinion. We are becoming a island of tarmac and concrete, instead of a green and pleasant land! keep the UK economy booming, have a holiday here, keep planes for freight!

Answer 19

Of course not.

I do respect their freedom to protest but it shouldnt be at anyone elses expense.They are obviously not seeking work and the welfare payments are usually besed upon one actively seeking employment.

I also suspect,that most of the protesters,as is often the case,are in fact jobless bums looking for any old leftist cause to give meaning to their lives without actually making an effort.