Working for benefits

[IVFNewbie]

Could there be an argument made to make people that are eligible for work to do some community based work in return for their benefits?

If I'm going to work I want to be properly paid. JSA isn't even minimum wage.

Not to mention the amount of time it takes to actually apply for jobs knocks that on the head.

I'm guessing you've not done that lately have you.

We still have plenty of litter and graffiti, so clearly there aren't enough of these people doing this work

Why not create more litter picking jobs then? Jobs that pay a fair wage.

It's hard enough work being on benefits. You don't just sit back and wait for the money to roll in, you know. People who are eligible for work and receiving benefits have to apply for a high number of jobs every day, log it, and attend any interview offered. Where do you suggest they find the time for unpaid litter picking amongst this?

They employ people to do these jobs already

Labour ain exchange for money, isn’t that called having a job?

Most people on benefits already have jobs.

Benefits certainly aren't enough to live on.

no. don't be ridiculous unemployed people have to actively look for work to get paid their benefits low earning families have top ups to earnings and sick and disabled people well they are sick and disabled. again don't be ridiculous.

@IVFNewbie yes but as the council budgets have been stripped to the bone, proven by the number in administration or as risk of it, do you really think councils will use this labour ON TOP of the current workforce, particularly as it will cost to administer it?

The answer is no they won't. They will reduce their costs by replacing the existing roles, not creating new ones.

There is still litter and graffiti because councils cannot afford to keep on top of it, they won't find more money to organise a workhouse scheme.

@kikilaw are they not? Because it seems like a general bash the benefits thread to me. And most others too by the looks of it.

So basically you want people on benefits to be treated on par with people (who committed a crime) doing community service!?

But I guess that would help, right? The council still give the benefits and still have the litter/graffiti issues- it's a win/win/win surely? The recipients get to make a meaningful contribution to society and get work experience, council/society have less graffiti and litter.

Is it benefits bashing day on MN today? This is the second thread started today,

Christ is it benefit bashing day on here or something?

It's dehumanising to force people to work for less than a living wage

So what you are saying is make more low paid jobs available so that people would not need benefits and at the same time solve a lot of other societal niggles

The best way to get people off benefits and into work is to simply improve pay. Loads and loads of people work full time and still have to claim UC. Others would be no better off (or even more poor) if they came off benefits and got a job once you've factored in travel and childcare. This makes it a completely rational decision not to work.

@IVFNewbie replacing paid jobs with unpaid ones may help the council budgets, it doesn't help those made redundant as the council has replaced them.

Not to mention lost tax revenue and additional benefit recipients.

Work experience cleaning graffiti? In what world would that work experience be useful, unless you really wanted a job as a graffiti cleaner (in which case the council could just employ you anyway)?

Yes most definitely!

so now they are being forced to contribute to society!

Work experience cleaning graffiti?

With chemicals. power tools in an outside environments and possibly at height ?

We really are blessed with the shining lights of UK intellect today, aren't we ?

People should be paid minimum wage or above for work.
Say you’re a council who pays a litter picker minimum wage. Wouldn’t you prefer central government to send some benefit claimants who are paid less than minimum wage ?
You’ve not considered why people aren’t in work. For example to work in retail or hospitality you often need to be fully flexible including weekends and evenings. What childcare is available at 11pm on a Saturday night ? After you get in from night shift and need to sleep, who is going to look after your child when they wake ? Even if you had childcare, that parent is paying someone while working and sleeping so double. I’d guess that the childcare (even if available) may charge double as nights are antisocial hours.

There is definitely a lack of critical and forward thinking on this thread.

Thankfully most posters seem to be able to think about the problem more holistically and realise what a bad idea it is.

OP your username suggests that you’re embarking on IVF. Is that the reason you’re suddenly so annoyed with people who don’t work? Because you’re undergoing IVF and see people having babies who claim benefits and you don’t think it’s fair? Last year my adult son had his PIP stopped because of a Capita assessor who was economical with the truth. For about four months I, as his carer, could not claim carers allowance. Fortunately my work coach recognised that I could only realistically work from home and I had to start attending the jobcentre for my paltry 70 odd quid a week. I applied for dozens of jobs, but because of my age not one company got back to me. It was literally a pointless box ticking exercise and it slowed down my YouTube channel where I film crochet tutorials, which is finally successful after about a year. I should add that it cost me £10 in return bus tickets to attend the Jobcentre each time and there was talk I might have to attend twice a week if I didn’t find work. Luckily my appeal succeeded and my son’s PIP was restored. Being on benefits isn’t some sort of jolly, you’re highly under pressure to find work and the money is nowhere near enough to live on. I was lucky because I ran a small business (interestingly you’re expected to earn £250 a week from a business before you can be signed off JSA… that’s bonkers) so made a few pounds extra. Nobody wants to live like that. It’s not a lifestyle choice. People on JSA are the worst off in the entire country because they literally have to live on less than £100 a week. Could you do that?

I don't think that was the plan ....