Your dole system sounds basically like what NZ has, with the same problems. I guess I could live with education being subsidized, and I agree that welfare in general is a bad idea due to abuses.

Anyone wanna start a topic on the purpose of government? I haven't got time

Welfare is a good idea, but since the abuse is so widespread and easy , that it should really have been abandoned a long time ago in the United Kingdom. Only recently are people on the dole now being forced to do community service (picking up litter, painting benches, repairing shit)... And god knows, that many of them still try and get out of doing this service.

We have a thing called Job Seekers Allowance, which is basically the dole, applicable to anyone who can prove they are looking for a job. This is the fundamental flaw in the system since all you have to do is visit the office (agency that handles welfare) twice a month, and fill out a form saying that you looked for jobs here, there and applied for these two. Then, they give you your check and say 'better luck next month'. Seriously. It's a joke. But, for those who really need it - my brother, for example - works down in London as an artist. He lost his last job due to the financial crisis and cuts were being made across the art sector. And, well, it's pretty damn hard to find a job as good as his last one and he genuinely was trying to find something to work at. London living is expensive and he couldn't exactly afford to be without a job, so he signed on.

So for those who genuinely need Welfare it is a good thing. But the sad fact is that the majority of people do not need it and therefore abuse it.

Well that legislation was passed today. All the British kids are mad now.

Not as mad as the Italians.

What I'm interested in is whether the new tuition fees will affect all students (including current students) or only the ones who start their course after 2012.