General Chat

Minimum wage jobs are fine, 5 hours 1 or 2 days a week jobs are plentiful alright in my local jobcentre but could anyone live on the wage! There are very few 'proper jobs' and most of them are in the Care sector.

The job centre fails miserably to target the youngsters who'could' work fewer hours , those still single and living at home and instead targets the older ones who have a mortgage and family to support..

I was in there on Tuesday, listening to the advice (as I waited for 40 minutes), being given out to a bricklayer... late 50s...as to how he should suddenly move from a life time career of building into 'care' .. how hard can it be the man behind the desk asked ( presumably rhetorically) to use a hoist to lift the disabled without training...FGS he didn't even know what the abbreviations on the job description meant and yet he was prepared to put someone forward for the job who knew less than him...

the job centre have target figures to meet...they are desperately hanging on to their own jobs by scrabbling to place people in unsuitable jobs.

I would happily do community work, but I really think it should first go to the young unemployed, it is them who could be 50 year taxpayers after all, and who need the start into work, PROPER jobs most.

Why do we hand over money for doing nothing?

Why can we not expect some kind of community project to be carried out for the benefits paid?

The benefits system is suppose to be a safety net not a career choice which for some it has become. There are jobs that go unfilled because they are minimum wage, or not what one would choose to do so maybe theses should be matched up with the unemployed and if they don't take them then benefits cut or suspended.

The benefits system lowers self esteem and stifles initiative. It is better to do something than nothing and also better for our children to see that we as a nation are prepared to do what it takes(as long as it is legal) to be self sufficient.

And what exactly is the plan for single mothers and fathers? Do they leave the kids in school till 5.30 ?

Actually I'd much prefer litter picking to working in a shop lol, even in the rain...the litter is easier to deal with ;)

Like Uggers this does make me uneasy.

Why only manual work?

Why not office/shop work for example. Really if they want people to work for their benefits then they should offer a wide range of jobs. It could enable people to pick up skills they didn't previously have and enable them to find a job that pays a living wage.

Prisoners have always had 'pocket money', so if they are now expected to work for it, all for the best.

This is dated 1995
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/pocketmoney-rewards-in-jail-1585677.html

**Offenders can earn money - usually from pounds 6 to pounds 10 a week - in the prison workshops. Any money left over from their allowances is put into a savings account.**

With inflation, £20 is probably the same now as the earings was then. But it is unfortunate that this package is being proposed when other law abiding people are expected to tighten their belts

DET

"The Department for Work and Pensions plans to contract private providers to organise the placements with charities, voluntary organisations and companies"

Contracting private providers to organise this?
I wonder how much that will cost the rest of us?

Does it really help the unemployed?
Will litter picking really create new skills?

Surely a 'proper' job would be the best help they can get, and as there are more unemployed than their are jobs, it strikes me as a waste of time and money.

The unemployed won't get any extra money for this 'work', but of course will have to fund themselves to get there.

Did you know, moves are afoot for prisoners to be entitled to the minimum wage - which is over 3 times what the unemployed (over 25) get. True the unemployed get their rent/mortgage paid, but they have to pay bills & food from their £64 (approx) a week benefit.
Prisoners, on the other hand are housed & fed by us - and aren't they lucky to be able to work.

"Much of the money they earn will be withheld by prison governors. Some money will be used for a new Victims' Fund and some could help pay for the prison system.

The average working prisoner might keep about £20 for a 40-hour week, they said."

I would also like to point out that education is considered 'work' in prison. so they will be paid to take GCSE's and 'A' Levels.

£20 to spend on what they want is a lot more than any unemployed person I know has!

Perhaps that's what makes me feel uncomfortable, DET :s

It does smack of the old Workhouse rules, doesn't it?

DET

I'm not sure I can come up with a decent argument against it but it just feels a little bit sinister to me.

Brilliant in theory as it would encourage motivation and self worth. Hopefully they would also include 'sitting down jobs' for those who are incapable of standing all day or have difficulty doing manual labour. Not everyone is capable of being a Navvy.

DET

about time fantastic , im doing a few hrs volluntree work if it wernt for my health i would love to do more i think voluntree work to me is so rewarding and it lifts my self esteem that im doing something too xx

I'm in favour of this as this will promote self motivation and the learning of new skills.

Something has to be done
To try to help the unemployed So lets see what happens

The unemployed are to be made to do community work.

"Work & Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, who will outline plans for four-week placements, said: "One thing we can do is pull people in to do one or two weeks' manual work - turn up at 9am and leave at 5pm, to give people a sense of work, but also when we think they're doing other work."

This is also 'To get them used to a working day'
Those who refuse will have their benefit suspended.

'Long term' refers to those who have been unemployed for a year or more.

What are your views?