Quote:
Originally Posted by Toy Soldier
I've always said I'm not necessarily against people working to keep JSA except that;
- 6 months is currently not long term unemployed, depending in where you live it can take much longer at the moment. I was unemployed for 5 months after leaving University and that was with applying constantly, every day, and (not to blow my own trumpet, but) near-flawless school grades and a University level education. And no, I wasn't being picky. I was turned down from all of the major supermarkets (Morrisons outright told me at interview that there had been 900 applicants for 5 positions), dodgy warehouse based call centres, and fast food outlets (didn't even get an interview). So for people less able and less qualified... I don't think it's a unreasonable to suggest that one year is more appropriate for being considered "long term" unemployed.
- it should only be work that would otherwise not be being done. Improving towns (god knows they need it), parks, helping others who need but can't afford help, etc... No roles for companies that should be PAYING, for Christ's sake, it's ridiculous. They might as well fire everyone and then get them back in to work for free! Race to the bottom.
- finally, and this one is important to me, it should NOT, ever, be for less than minimum wage!!! Current JSA for an adult is 70 - 75 pounds a week. That's 11 to 12 hours of minimum wage work. People should NOT, EVER be doing more than 12 hours a week for that money. Full 35 hours for £75 works out as £2.15 an hour. It's disgusting.
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What a reallly great and appropriate post Toy Soldier. I was about to comment then I read your post and now don't need to say a thing since I agree with it all completely, as to what you have said above.
Another very poorly planned measure and one that does in my view only reflect in the main,a 'punishment' of sorts for being unemployed rather than serious targetted and understanding assistance as to getting people back into work that can work that is.
This is not the way at all it should be done for me.
Great posts too from Vicky and Josy,(as always on these subjects) too, in my opinion.
Far more compassion and understanding needs to be the order of the day not these half baked 'disciplinarian' measures.