Is it true that job seekers will have to be willing to travel 1 1/2 hours to work and back for minimum wage?

[ipadquietly]

DM link, so wondered if this was exaggerated:

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2283162/Commute-hours-day-lose-benefits-jobseekers-told-tough-new-Universal-Credit-plan.html

If true
Don't they realise how much travel costs these days?????

[JaquelineHyde]

It has always been around that as far as I know.

When we were in the unfortunate position of DH having to sign on he was expected to travel at least an hour each way on public transport so the half an hour extra wouldn't suprise me.

[dikkertjedap]

What do you expect? Do you know who Lord Freud is? Look into his background and you will understand the man. He comes from a very privileged background, always used to having all doors opened for him, obviously privately educated away from plebs.

[expatinscotland]

Twas ever thus. As if an employer is going to hire someone from that far away for a min wage job.

What did you expect from the likes of 'Lord' Freud?

[SchroSawMargeryDaw]

It's always been around that though.

[scaevola]

There's always been a requirement like this.

Bit silly to try to appear 'tough' whilst changing neither policy nor its application.

[noddyholder]

So you will be working so no housing benefit and a shit load of fares to pay! How are people on minimum wage expected to live once they have taken those out?

[scarlettsmummy2]

It takes 90 mind to travel about five miles across Edinburgh during rush hour by bus! That's life and not unreasonable.

[expatinscotland]

They're not, noddy, you see, it's their fault they have jobs paying this amount, if only they would strive harder, like those in power, of course, they would have more to live on.

[Roseformeplease]

Not that far for us, given the nearest town is 50 miles away. It seems reasonable as there may not be jobs any closer but 1.5 hours would take most people to a city or area of greater population and, possibly, more jobs. I think it is right to have rules for where and when you have to look for a job.

[expatinscotland]

Are you on min wage, Rose? Our nearest city is 1.5 hours away. It costs a bare minimum of £16.50 round trip to get there and back, and is weather dependent due to the rural location and geography. Move? On what, brass buttons? Find a LL who will take housing benefit and/or kids? Deposit (many councils don't do the loan/bond scheme)?

[SchroSawMargeryDaw]

Is it not like 50 miles they expect you to travel? I'm sure that's what DP was told at the JC.

That would be like travelling from Glasgow to Edinburgh everyday, not that far but would cost a fortune.

[expatinscotland]

And honestly, who is going to hire someone from Glasgow for a NMW job when there are plenty in Edinburgh to do it?

[SchroSawMargeryDaw]

Probably no one.

[expatinscotland]

It's a moot point with unemployment being the way it is and so many zero hours contracts, part-time, temp and seasonal work.

[Roseformeplease]

Our nearest TOWN is 1.5 miles away and you get the bus which goes both ways every day. You can cross Edinburgh for less than £2 each way. People have to be flexible. Minimum wage jobs can lead to better jobs with more money. You have to start somewhere.

[expatinscotland]

'You can cross Edinburgh for less than £2 each way. People have to be flexible. Minimum wage jobs can lead to better jobs with more money. You have to start somewhere.'

That's great, if you're in Edinburgh. You can't get across here for less than a tenner round trip. That includes driving and foot passenger. Min wage jobs can lead to better jobs with more money, but not when you don't have the money leftover to pay rent and wind up homeless.

[Mrsdavidcaruso]

Well good luck to them trying to impose that where I live on the Isle of Wight,
the weekly fare to Pompey or Southampton by ferries is possibly more then a person on min wage earns after food, rent etc

[expatinscotland]

Exactly, Mrs, as on most islands or many rural areas.

[expatinscotland]

Had a look at the rents in Edinburgh last weekend, having not been there in a while. Wow! Staggering. And the LHA cap for a family needing a 2-bed (before you say, then rent a one-bed, let's see how many private LL's will be happy to let that out to a family of say, 4 or 5) is £115-odds/week. And then there's finding one to take LHA. Finding a deposit and first month's rent.

[expatinscotland]

That's a cap for EH4, one of the so-called cheaper postcodes.

[SoggySummer]

The last 3 job interviews I have attended I have been asked how far away I live the commuting time.

When I called for feedback as to why I didnt get one job (after I thought I did well in an interview) they told me the only other strong candidate lived alot closer and was there for more likely to be able to be called in at short notice when required. I lived an hour and 15 minutes away though, so a fair distance.

I dont think there are many employers that would be keen to employ someone that far away (for a min wage job). There are too many things that could prevent them getting to work on time.

[NC78]

I live in a Devon city, but I don't know how they expect me to travel out to some of the rural areas when the bus services are practically non-existant, or for people in these areas to get to the city unless they have a car.

And the cost of bus fares in this city is ridiculous. We have to different bus companies and it could mean me needing two different bus passes.

And then there is the cost of petrol and running a car, which is getting harder and harder on a low wage.

[expatinscotland]

And if the duty on petrol rises in April, it will cost even more! Even to eat.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

For any job, as an employer you're going to worry that the candidate who lives far away will be actively looking for something nearer to home and leave again as soon as they find something, which is obviously very sensible from the employee point of view.

[NC78]

not to mention the cost of gas and electric set to soar -yet again.

I am truly frightened.