to think that this is economically stupid. Tories to announce full and permanent WORKFARE.

[Darkesteyes]

next week according to the Mail.
So how is anybody going to afford to buy anything while working for benefits then.
Even less incentive for companies to take people in proper employment if the workfare workforce is going to increase.

twitter.com/SkyNews/status/383342225926524928/photo/1

Totem, i was one of those people they booted off IS to JSA, I havent worked in 6 years after my DD was born and they are scratching their heads as to why its been a year on JSA.

I just want a bloody job.

Ezio, I know, some of the staff just don't get it.

Are you on the work programme yet?

About to say my life away to them next week.

Can you feel my excitement.

I can't understand how anyone can think this is a good idea. As stated above: why will employers pay someone when they can get them to work for nothing. If there is a job that needs doing the employee should be paid for it; otherwise it all looks a lot like indentured servitude.

Do you have a lone parent adviser?

The job centre I attend is huge. I'm astounded they don't have dedicated advisers for lone parents. You need someone who understands all the issues.

Minimum wage for over 25's was £6.19 when I checked earlier this year.

Totem Pole it's kind of a "perfect storm" situation, but it happens to people.

What happens is that someone applies for something, either because

1. the hours aren't clear on the advert, so they don't realise it's unsuitable, or;
2. Because they need to make up their job numbers for that week (some advisors give their clients really high targets- I've heard of 27 a week) 3)Or their advisor spotted an unsuitable vacancy, and told the client they had to apply for it or be sanctioned.

After that, of course, you're in a position to be sanctioned for actually turning down a job! Never mind the short-termist thinking involved.

I am lucky, because I have quite possibly a really nice bloke (nicest advisor in my town- I've heard his colleagues to my fellow unemployed), and he knows I'm genuinely looking for work, and he is really positive about my studies meanwhile.

I have an advisor, my previous was very understanding, my new one just couldnt really give a shit and shes my sodding neighbour.

Ezio, fingers crossed you get someone helpful. The advice and help you get really does depend on how the person on the other side of the desk does their job.

I did the MWA back in Feb, i got a certifcate for that, i need decent references, i dont mind doing workfare, if it gets me the experience i need.

TheBigJessie, that's the sort of thing I'm worried about. I'm already applying for jobs that I know I haven't hope in Hell of getting an interview for. There just aren't that many vacancies out there for me.

Realistically, I am going to end up on the work programme. The majority of vacancies around that time will be temporary as it's coming up to Christmas.

Something does have to be done though - the system as it is stinks and needs changing....

Was a SAHM - I applied for a job (in retail) and got it.

6 others were invited for the same interview... I was the ONLY one who turned up - the others were all "required" to apply for so many jobs by their advisor...

would have made for a fun "joint activity task" at the interview....would have had to include myself, not be dismissive of myself, ask myself for ideas - etc... if the interviewer had not departed from the corporate script..

How can this be legal?

Tbh I don't really have much to add to the debate as I'm just so amazed that it could possibly happen.

Someone near the beginning of the thread said you won't get a balanced discussion on here because there are too many lefties on here.

No. You won't get much of a discussion on here because no right minded person is going to agree that this scheme is fair.

If the large multinational corporations have jobs available for the unemployed they should be made to pay them the going rate, not be sanctioned by the government to get even fatter by exploitation.

Made, if they didn't turn up then they get sanctioned though don't they - unless they have already managed to get a job.

I think that every company that has jobs should be made to put them on a massive job database, anyone can use it, you go on see a job you like, you apply, its not hard to do that.

Totem It sucks, doesn't it?

I just wish they could have set up the workfare so it actually benefited us poor sods with a CV gap!

It would take care to formulate, but what are civil servants for?! In half an hour, MNers have refined my proposal with a bit of thought!

YouTheCat.... Apparently not.... not if you know how to play the system....

Aw thank you. I'll pop them in water.:)

A lot of people are having to claim JSA after being booted off ESA by ATOS. Still experiencing health problems but having no choice but to claim to get some money coming in These people will end up being sanctioned when they are too ill to attend placement.
Ditto those on ESA in the Work Related Activity Group (WRAG)

So people on both JSA and ESA are being affected.

made I have turned up for every single interview I have ever got (although I did once get threatened by a potential employer with being reported to the job centre for not being a genuine job-seeker, because I asked if I could have an earlier interview, due to prior commitments- another job interview). I can't imagine who wouldn't- you can lose your JSA for months for doing that!

How can you avoid the sanction if you haven't turned up?

I don't know how they haven't worked out that people on benefits aren't paying tax and national insurance.
or that they don't have disposable income.

it makes no sense whatsoever.

government - people who have jobs pay tax and NI. That means that they earn money and put money back into the system. which pays for the stuff the country needs

I know, Nickle. It is a really really simple concept but George doesn't quite seem to be able to grasp it.

And also the fact that the benefit bill will go up because more people are having to claim because they cut so many jobs.

I know, Nickle. It is a really really simple concept but George doesn't quite seem to be able to grasp it.

That made me lol!(sorry I know it's not a very MN term)

By the way, if you have childcare in place for awkward shifts (6am onwards or between 6pm and 10pm) and you're physically fit, consider checking Royal Mail's christmas jobs. They're recruiting now.