UK Unemployment Benefit

There are a few threads on welfare reform but this one i think needs addressing now. The government is addressing incapacity benefit quite strongly (and rightly so) but unemployment benefit is an absolute joke. I bring this up because a few days ago i met someone who had been on unemployment benefit for 11 years according to him.

Eleven years of wasting around and contributing nothing to this country at all, there is no excuse for this. He was perfectly healthy, mentally stable (from what i could tell) and seems to just be lazy. It's time we stopped these people from taking advantage of the hard work of others so here is my opinion of this scurge.

Anyone on unemployment benefit should be offered a job as they are already. If they turn it down or take it and then lose it say within 3 months then another job is found for them. If they turn a job offer down 5 times, or they lose 5 jobs, or a combination of the two (for example turning down 3 jobs then losing 2), then their benefit should be stopped. They would of course be offered another job but no benefit and maybe then they would have a true bit of incentive to get off their lazy, out of shape, worthless backsides.

I'm tired of people taking advantage of our truly wonderful benefit system. Whatever you think of our welfare state at least it does take care of the genuinely vulnerable (when it's used correctly). It helps those in need, who have been forced into a bad situation or become unwell. I love our welfare system and i don't want to see it destroyed by a lazy few.

So i have written to my MP, i hope others here will do the same. I therefore provide you all with a link that you can type your post code into and find your local councillors and MP. You can write an email into the form and it's posted to all of them (or just your MP if you choose).

www.writetothem.com...

Write now and maybe we can get some immediate action! Don't just sit here and complain, it will take you 10 minutes to write a letter, 10 minutes at most and i provided the website to find your MP.

I live in the US, and the most unemployment you may draw at this time in my state of residence is 12 weeks. No extensions. During that 12 weeks you must turn in proof of your job hunt, written, and take classes to help you with your job search. In 12 weeks if you don't have a job yet you are just SOL.

Originally posted by space cadet
I live in the US, and the most unemployment you may draw at this time in my state of residence is 12 weeks. No extensions. During that 12 weeks you must turn in proof of your job hunt, written, and take classes to help you with your job search. In 12 weeks if you don't have a job yet you are just SOL.

That is what we need in the UK.

We do not want to see the state becoming a hand out to individuals who have no desire to go and find work.

i totally agree. It makes my blood boil with some of the stories that are in the newspapers nowdays.

It seems that the people in charge just dont want to listen to the people who put elected them because its easier to just let it be and pay for the lazy people to do what ever they want while we pay for everything

reply to post by scepticsRus


Tories policy is after three months and no job, the government will give you a job and if you refuse, benefits are stopped.

Come on guys, let's keep it real; this is the sort of nonsense that some want......but only when it applies to others & when it's not them caught by a recession or stuck in an unemployment black-spot or disabled (but not so badly that they qualify for any disability benefits) and naturally it's perfectly OK for someone else to be told to get on their bikes leaving friends and family behind.



Not only is UK unemployment historically low right now but it was acheived without this kind of totally unnecessary vindictive & punitive measure.

This is nothing new, it's just same old same old blaming the poor for being poor and holding up the tiny fraction who don't want work as entirely typical of those without work.

It's been going on centuries.

You'll be asking for the return of the workhouse next.



[edit on 14-4-2008 by sminkeypinkey]

Originally posted by sminkeypinkey
Not only is UK unemployment historically low right now but it was acheived without this kind of totally unnecessary vindictive & punitive measure.

Only because immigration is filling the jobs because certain people within our society are too lazy to work.

My Dad was on unemployment benefit during the last recession and he said signing on is the worst thing for a man to do, yet people now have no problem doing it.

It's been going on centuries.

Doesn't mean we should ignore it

You'll be asking for the return of the workhouse next.

I doubt it, my great grandmother was sent to one in Ireland under British rule. So don't think I'll be asking for it

We have a similar system to the UK. Debates about "work for the dole" schemes, welfare reforms always spring up. "Dole bluggers" are also a favourite of Tabloid "News" programs and stories perpetuating the stereotypical selfish and lazy bum that rips of the system at our( the hard working taxpayer) expense. While there will always be people taking the "pi$$" we have to be careful in using this stereotype to justify a political agenda of social reform that reduces the well being of those who cannot gain long term employment due to chronic illness or disability, lack education, etc. I think someone said once that a to measure any society you need only look at how it treats its less fortunate......and i doubt the person who said that was on welfare......they were probably writing the cheques.

I was made redundant nearly five years ago, and was only offered 'job seekers allowance' which was about £50 per week for thirteen weeks, and then nothing at all to this day. I continued trying to find a half reasonable job wthout success for about three years, being over 50, no one wants to employ you, so I gave up and tried to make it self employed, but with so many thousands/millions of illegals working for minimum wages, it is virtually impossible to find work self employed or otherwise. So I finally gave up, and just manage to survive on my tiny pension.
I would be fascinated to hear how someone could be receiving 'unemployment benefit' as far as I know it does not exist anymore.

I wonder what obama thinks of the british working class, lol. What are they are bitter with, seeing britain guns are illegal, and its one of the most secualer countries out there.

I wonder what obama thinks of this place, lol.

On topic, each case needs to be judged on its merits, and you cannot stereotype all those on benefit the same.

What they should do, is have home work. I am on benefits, and they could make these people do homework, work they could do from home. There must be a market for government work, from home.

That could be an answer, because not everyone, fits in, if i put it like that.

On the 2 occasions that I have been made redundant over the last few years, I have tried to apply for benefits whilst I was looking for work. Both times I ended up telling the buggers where they could go poke their benefits due to the red tape and blinkered thinking of the benefits staff.

For example:

Benefits officer - You haven't filled in this section listing the work you are looking for and and what days of the week / hours you are prepared to work.
Me - I haven't got a job and need to pay bills / rent. I'll do just about anything and I'm available 7 days a week, day or night shift.
Benefits officer - But you need to tell us specifically what work you are looking for and when you are available.
Me - I just told you, I'm not looking for a career. I haven't got a job so I'm available 7 days a week any hours.
Benefits officer - But on the form you need to say specifically what work you are looking for and what days / hours you are available.
Me - Ok, I'm holding out for Chairmanship of ICI, available Tuesday - Thursday, 10AM - 3PM.
Benefits officer - You are not taking this seriously Mr. X
Me -

Seriously, as someone who prides himself on paying his own way and has worked bloody hard since the age of 16, it irks me no end to see people gaming the system and those with a checkable work history treated like idiots and potential spongers. From my example above, it became abundantly clear that the people charged with carrying out the interviews have no clue about the real world. The documentation they use MUST be completed to their satisfaction, no matter how ambiguous or senseless it seems.
My younger sister married an older guy years ago who fits the bill of "workshy waster" completely. Always able to play the systems, always got a doctors sick note and always seems to have money.

I know there are people who genuinely are trying to seek work but, due to a depressed job situation locally may not be successful. There is also the fact that the immigration issue has helped to depress wages as many from the immigrant population are prepared to work for much less than we are. I am sure that's by design too, cynical bugger that I am

[edit on 14-4-2008 by Britguy]

I agree that there should be an enforced maximum claim-period, say 3-6 months, but during that period, the amount that you are eligible to recieve from the state should be increased by £20 a week.

I've had to use the welfare system once or twice, and the hardest aspect is the sheer meagreness of what you are expected to live on, even when you discount all life's luxuries, its still a real struggle to pay utility bills, buy a smart-but-cheap set of clothes for interviews, travel costs to interview, and buy half-decent healthy ingredients to cook good food.

It's a real tough career choice to be a 'dole slacker' as if you slip up on your reasons for not having found employment in an official interview, you can be 'sanctioned' and lose half your welfare for up to 6months

reply to post by Britguy


Britguy I've been to claim before, and let me tell you I HATE going to the jobcentre. You know why? Because they treat you like crap. They talk to you like your dumb or something, they are not very helpfull, and most of them look pissed off with life or something lol.

Also a lot of the people that go there appear like that too, so I really hate the atmosphere there, it's really depressing there. That's why I look for a job without claiming benefits, because I hate it there, even going once in 2 weeks is too much for me haha.





[edit on 14-4-2008 by _Phoenix_]

I think you'll find that the vast majority of people who won't work Is because that Minimum wage leaves them worse of than If they were picking up JSA, Housing benefit and Council tax benefit. I lost a job a couple of years ago. I was being paid £18500 per year plus overtime. As I was single with no kids or debt I lived a very comfortable life. When I left my job, obviously I had to find somewhere else to live which would support my housing benefit claim.

I found a nice little one bedroom flat which was £80:00pw plus £20:00pw council tax. I made my claim and thankfully all my rent and council tax was paid in full to my landlord.

I also received an additional (£57:00pw) which was my weekly expenses. This Is paid under the guise of JSA.

O.k, so far I've got benefits totaling £157:000 pw. This doesn't take Into account dentist fees and doctors fees which are honored by our state.

My estimation of all incoming benefits whilst I was stuck In the abyss were about £170:000 pw.

Now every time I went to sign on, the JSA advisor's would be ramming crappy jobs down my throat! Totally ignoring all my qualifications and experience. They were simply forcing me to work In any old grubby job.

I refused to be forced Into any old job. I told them so as well. I stated that finding the correct job could take time and patience. Something the unemployment office don't have I'm afraid.

They stated In the meantime you should go and work one of these jobs whilst you seek your normal trade. I stated It wasn't possible for me to live On Minimum wage.

If I worked 40 hours a week on £5:35 ph I'd pick up about £180 a week.

Ok, so now I deduct my rent and council tax and I'm left with £80:00 to last me the week.

Out of this £80:00 I need to spend £30:00 on food.
Now I'm left with £50:00. I now have to deduct £15:00 for water, gas and electricity.

This leaves me with £35:00 to spend for the whole week.
I have to get to work and this Is going to cost me at least £10:00 In doing so.

So now I'm down to £25 quid! I forgot the Tv License! That's another £5:00!

Ok, So I've got a twenty pound note left to do as I please with!

I need a prescription every week which Is going to cost me roughly £7:00.

So that leaves me with a "tenner"! With this I'm supposed to buy toiletries, clothes, socialise now and again, get my teeth done.

Basically If I'd took up a minimum wage job I'd have been working solely to survive . Nothing more than an existence.

I wasn't prepared to lead this life and spent the next 15 months taking £170:00 per week of our government.

In this 15 months of being a idle dole dosser I attended various college courses which of course were free due to me being on benefits. If I'd been working none of these courses would have been available to me.

So what am I saying? I'm saying It's more beneficial to be on the dole than Minimum wage.

Who's to blame for this? It's not the people.

And for any person to tarnish all people on benefits as scum and idle Is beyond me. Nobody's job is completely safe. So next time you start judging people without even knowing their full circumstances, think again.

You could be In that line next being asked to sweep the bus shelters.

reply to post by paul76


I agree with you completely...especially the educational opportunities that are available through the waiving of tuition fees if you claim.

However, as I found out during my own experiances, the DSS can and will force you to quit a course of study if they so choose to, even if you only have a month or two before graduating, or having letters of support of academic achievement from the college.

The best thing you can do with your spare time whilst on the dole is to work as a volunteer for the Citizens' Advive Bureaux...the dole officers will suddenly treat you with courtesy and be very wary of what they say to you in interview

I have been disabled since 1994 (according to the government), and get DLA , i was told i could never go back to work because doctors said it was too dangerous, i got sooo tired of this that i went to work abroad because the government here wouldnt let me, it was only when i became critically ill when working in the USA that i had to return home, this was after id paid over $14,000 for treatment and realised if i didnt return home i would never be able to alive,

I would give every penny ever given to me to go back to work tomorrow, i cant bear others making decisions for me and me having to rely on handouts, health and safety laws they tell me exclude me from work for the safety reasons, i can understand others being at risk with certain jobs, but to exclude me for good has helped me lose some of my self respect, ive earned money in the past having several careers and mostly working alone as a Geologist which i loved doing, now my life is nothing but medication and hospital visits. but yep i would go back to work in a second if i had the chance not like some people i know who just want to sit around drinking all day and doing nothing.

Now i just got myself all depressed damn..

This is not about the long term ill, this is about the long term unemployed. I myself recently became ill and have to claim benefit which i find sickening and have the same view as you.

We are not talking aobt the short term unemployed who lost their job and are looking for another one. We are talking abot the long term unemployed, people who havn't had a job in over 2 years. They simply don't want to work.

Sminkeypinkey

Please do NOT twist what i have said, i usually love reading your opinions snimkey but i'm angry about this. Work houses of course not, again i am not about people who were caught in recession. The guy i told you abot at the start coudl easily work and hasn't been ina recession all this time has he, and he isn't alone.

We are not talking about the temporarily out of work, we are not talking about people claiming unemployment benefit whilst they're waiting to get disability because of illness (something i had to do). We are talking about the chronically unemployed.

Again i am going to make it clear, i am not talking about people on disability and incapacity benefits, i am talking abot healthy people out of work for more than 2 years, who consistently turn down jobs offered or lose them as soon as they get them.

The point i was trying to make is that if people like us who are deemed disabled and unable to work, but willing to go to work non the less, and others like us who would do anything to go back to work, there is no reason why these people who want to sit at home all day doing nothing and claiming benefits, shouldn't be forced to go and seek work, our benefits system is set up wrong when these people can do this and get away with it, esp when pensioners are struggling to keep themselves warm in Winter or any time for that matter.

the budget for welfare benefits needs to be readdressed and directed at those who need it most,

I agree there should be a lid put on time claiming unemployment benefit or at the very least proof provided that they are actively seeking work, there are to many spongers fleecing the system, and if they don't want to work then tough, they wont think like that for long once the Ale money goes away.

A good example of this injustice is, carers who look after family members full time who are sick, they get paid £50.00 per week and don't have an option to go to work by their own choice, yet if they didn't do this the government would have to fork out billions IMO to do the same job when they have to go and stay in Hospital or a nursing home, a better deal for the carers would be a good start with the funding saved from spongers.

Originally posted by azzllin
A good example of this injustice is, carers who look after family members full time who are sick, they get paid £50.00 per week and don't have an option to go to work by their own choice, yet if they didn't do this the government would have to fork out billions IMO to do the same job when they have to go and stay in Hospital or a nursing home, a better deal for the carers would be a good start with the funding saved from spongers.

An even worse thing about the carers is that if you havea family member claming carers benefit it can reduce any disability or incapacity benefit payments. It's quite sickening.

Yes people claiming unemplyment benefit is lower than ever, but it could be said that's because many are instead claiming incapacity benefits and disability benefits. The point i am making is that even if one person is claiming unemploymet benefit long term, then they should be given every opportunity to get back into work. If they keep refusing or losing jobs then we start reducing their benefit. They will work when they start having trouble buying all the things they buy (which on benefits is a limited amount).

Maybe they could learn that work is hard yes, but it also gives you more money than benefits. Maybe their children (if they have any) would then learn that you have to work in our society if you're healthy.

Each case needs to be judged on its merits, and we shoudln't penalise anyone who is claiming benefit for less than two years, anyone can hit a rough patch afterall. I am talking about the serious abusers of our system, years of hopping on bnefit and staying as long as they possibly can, losing any job the job centre finds them etc.

I'm just tired of it, i've been il a whle now and i just want nothing more than to get back to work, to see these people sitting on their backsides when they're perfectly healthy makes me sick. I was at a supermarket the other day, i saw two notices for jobs, one a job on a til the other stacking shelves. I woud happily do either of those jobs over taking benefit any day of the week, i just wish some of the lazier ones would do the same.

There are approximately 2.7 million people claiming INCAP.

I'm one of them and I've never been so cheesed off in my life.

After never being on benefits of any kind (apart from a grant at college) I have to put up with being labelled a scrounger just because I had the misfortune to get injured.

Doubtless there are many people who are not genuine - but blame the government for that, they're the ones who wanted to manipulate the figures so that it looked like they were getting people off the dole and back to work, when they just changed the way the numbers were presented.