To not have issues with the dole as a lifestyle choice

[pinksaltlamp]

It's hardly a life of Riley at 72 quid a week but I think it would allow people some time out to develop themselves creatively. It's probably why the UK has and still does punch card above its weight in the arts, especially music. Some of the greatest musicians of the country have spent significant amounts of time on the role that allowed them to create music. Especially as there is a lack of jobs in this country. Maybe inflation, especially house prices, would be less if people had the security to leave jobs and try other things with a guaranteed safety net.

I do think there is a good argument for the citizen wage. Would allow people time out of work, at a very basic level of existence to educate, train and develop themselves. Let's face it most people hate going in to work for a job they don't like but are scared to make a change as most people are only a few pay packets from being g wiped out. I'm rambling on a bit but I do think something like the citizens wage would benefit the country and individuals long term.

Is the OP Morrissey?

I remember watching him on the One Show or similar a few years ago, and he started spouting off about how people should be less obsessed with 'the rat race' and just 'be creative, write poetry and just.......paint'. And whoever the presented was said 'well, very easy to say but many people have a mortgage to pay....anyway.......'

I don't think anyone with REAL choices would choose a life on the Dole.
There are many many reasons that some people do not have the ability or the belief they can have or deserve any better.
I get sick of smug gits moaning that they have pride and self esteem and could never live like that - THAT is the point, some people have neither.
I feel sorry for them. It is usually a limited depressing life.

Why should I pay for them to choose to do sweet FA except watch TV and smoke

Because that is what they all do??.... They ALL watch TV and smoke,..because,..who says so?

I am actually quite sad you can't volunteer while on the dole anymore. I work in a creative industry and I think it has directly contributed to the industry completing losing any working class incomers in the last few years. And yeah, I know in theory you can work on a film set during the day and wait tables at night and sleep in a suitcase but realistically, especially with student debts, people largely don't and the people who do the internships, who make their passion projects, who write on spec scripts are kids being funded by a generous allowance from mum and dad. And I think that's a shame.

Is the OP Morrissey?

I can actually imagine Morrissey mnettering.

YANBU OP and this is why...

There are far, far fewer jobs than there are jobseekers. That is including minimum wage, zero hours contract jobs. Therefore there will always be at least a million people who are able and willing to work but for whom no jobs are available. 'The Taxpayer' is going to be paying for that million plus no matter what. It isn't negotiable for them.

That being the case, provable by a quick flick through current statistics, how can it not be a good idea for the people who would rather not work to claim basic benefits without any major hassle, freeing up their jobs for people who would love to be working?

If in the future, we end up with a job surplus and check-out assistants are being offered 50k plus company car due to the lack of workers, restrictions can be put back in place. But while there is a huge job deficit, why choose to make things so difficult and miserable for those at the bottom of the heap?