Stupid UC changes

[daimbarsatemydogsbone]

So now you have 4 weeks to get a job you could actually do - then you just have to apply for anything/everything.

Every time we have a thread on here about recruitment, the HR wonks pop up and complain about all the "dross" applications from people not qualified for their wonderful opportunities - how will this help?

Rather than punishing people for lack of suitable vacancies it is time the goverment tried to help employers to offer more and better jobs.

Neither is getting our workforce bussed from cheap countries in Europe!

We have an aging, low skilled workforce, there are not the numbers unemployed to do the amount of work required in the UK.

Its holding back economic growth as employers cannot recruit and even worse, our sick and elderly are not being cared for.

I quickly realised when I became a single parent that the only job I could do that fits around my kids without it costing me an arm and a leg in childcare or transport costs was self employment
That was me. I worked FT and after all childcare, transport and meals, was left with no more pennies than if I'd been on benefits.

But I had the foresight to appreciate that this wasn't permanent. That my income was likely to grow whilst my costs would reduce in time.

I did cry at times with exhaustion ad frustration, until the time came and I got promoted twice whilst the kids started secondary and didn't need childcare any longer.

I had single parenting friends telling me then how lucky I was and even more so when their kids go to college and they had to contemplate losing all child related benefits and maintenance.

They had the same options that me at the time. They opted fir what was better for them and the kids then whereas I decided to invest for the future.

You can't have both most of the time and we been to accept the choices we make.

I have found generally , if you pay enough people want the job. Zero hour contracts and paying people a pittance means that employees are forced to claim benefits and tax payers are subsiding businesses. I have a friend who did caring for 1 day - forced to take public transport to peoples homes at her own cost/ then didn’t get paid for travel time. The job was minimum wage but you didn’t get paid for the whole day becouse of travel. It’s no wonder nobody wants the job. This is where legislation is needed and that is governments job. As for being forced to look for work whist on UC - too right. There are plenty days I don’t want to work - but do anyway.

@Mumofsend my situation happened just before Covid hit, so not long ago. I had a morning 4 our shift at Primark, and afternoon / evening at Nandos. Primark offered me fixed hours Mon to Friday. Nandos required a bit of flexibility but I could state from the beginning what days I definitely didn't want to work. We had women who only worked Mon to Fri, we had women who only worked evenings - because they were waiting for their husbands to get home to look after kids. Nandos offers plenty of different shifts, and they don't mess you about, because you have a proper contract, not zero hours one. Same as Primark, by the way. So it is very possible to find a shift work to fit around your responsibilities. Might be not easy, but doable. Definitely harder though than complaining here.

@D1n0F0uraus

TV programme, pre Brext, where a person travelled by coach a very long distance across countries to the UK. This person worked in retail. This person earned considerably more in the UK than their home country. Their young child stayed with their grandparents in their home country.This was a good example of someone willing to work.

Versus

People in the UK who don't want to work !

Secondly, I know someone who recruits & they receive lots of applications & organise the interviews. However, people don't always turn up for the interview or don't want the hours. It is very frustrating, because it takes a long time to fill the vacancies.

I have worked in lots of different industries & my current job involves a mixture of days & nights. I have also done zero hours in the past.

The economy is not sustainable with high unemployment

so you are advocated not parenting your own children, how pleasant, you are also ignoring a stampeding herd of elephants passing thru your room most notably.

who is paying for the child (and possibly the grandparents) if there is no considerably cheaper home country?

what of those who's grandparents work full time, are ill or indeed dead?

how are you to sustain yourself on nmw and zero hours without benefits (remember 7 million workers get UC)?

and I know plenty of jobs that lie about the hours, location etc in the job advertisements, or dont mention them at all, in fact I had a phone call about a job I applied for a few weeks ago and the first thing they said is do you know where the job is as the recruitment company keeps telling people its in London when it isn't. so what exactly is your point? Benetton are still advertising a P/T sales assistant I applied for in November (I know that because it sates as such on the webportal and wont let me reapply for it) never heard a peep out of them about my application in the 3 months they have been advertising.

bully for you some of us have kids and cant do nights or we would be done for neglect.

the economy is absolutely sustainable with high unemployment its called supply and demand and it helps push wages down, what the economy cant sustain is poverty caused by such tight fisted greed.

@D1n0F0uraus

As a tax payer myself, I want other people to work if possible (not including poor health) Work is not just about money, but social interaction too

I've walked or cycled to work, when I had no transport

I've worked 3 different jobs at once

no you did not work 3 jobs at once.

I walk to my sons school in the afternoon it takes 45mins, train takes 10mins, imagine how much money you lose when you have restricted hours you are available to work because you have children.

and then people wonder why women are putting off having kids later and later and having less children, its because we know we will be screwed over by the world of work once we become mothers.

YANBU. It would be much better for the DWP to help people find secure, suitable, long term work than just force people to take the next zero hours, minimum wage shite that will have the government propping up their wages with benefits/ back in the dole queue in a few weeks. It's short term thinking.

Ask the older generation and they will tell you of a time when the job centre actually shock HELPED you find a job. Not just applied sanctions to people for being unemployed.

@Acidburn

So much outrage, it's hilarious. Do people actually realise that lots of other countries don't even have benefits enough to survive? That if you are disabled / single parent / carer and have legit reasons not to work - you are on your own? It is absolutely tragic, but it is a reality for many. And here you've got thousands of people who think they are entitled to any state help just because they would have to properly rearrange their life in order to facilitate working. I once lost my high paying job and the next one would only start in 4 months time. So meanwile I had to work 2 minimum wage jobs, one from 7am to 11am, and another from 12am to 10pm. And I have a Masters degree from a prestigious uni. But I had to do it, because I needed money. Meanwhile in the restaurant where I worked - there was a 24 year old girl with a kid, who only worked 16 hours a week so they don't cut her benefits. Her mum was watching the kid everyday, plus her boyfriend lives with her pretty much the whole time, in her lovely 2 bed council flat - but of course she never declared that. So on paper - she was a poor single mum who hardly gets by, but in practice- she had a great secure housing, free childcare, minimum work and money coming into her bank account weekly. Why would she want to work more?

No they think they are entitled to state help because that is how our system has worked for over 80 years and is what we and our parents and grand parents before us both voted for and pay our taxes for.

as they say if you dont like it, leave.

and its not state help, its social security, the state works for us, thats how its meant to be, thats how its written up.

A few years ago I was made redundant at the end of my maternity leave. I signed on to contributory JSA. At my last appointment, I told them I had a job lined up in 10 days time and was asked 'what are you doing to find work in the meantime?' Errr. Nothing? I'm spending the next 10 days settling my child into childcare and trying to scrape together a work wardrobe before I start my new job (that you cunts did nothing to help me get).

I was told that I had to look for temporary work during this 10 day period or I would lose my benefits!

I've been working full time ever since in my full time, stable, civil service role, claiming no benefits! The only reason I coul get such a role is because I had a whole 5 months to look for something suitable rather than taking the first job I saw!

Plus - you have a category of people who just don't want to work full stop. And they never will.
This always gets trotted out.
It must obviously have a grain of truth - but in reality how prevalent is it?
All I ever see are sketchy stories about "someone I know" or "people around here" - I personally don't believe there are significant numbers of people doing this.

@VelvetChairGirl I have no intention of leaving, I'm quite good here actually. Also I am not complaining about UC being cut, because I am not claiming any. You, however, are free to go and live elsewhere for a few years just for comparison - just to realise how lucky you are to be born in this country where you have at least some help.

This 'change' has not been reported well. Hardly any people have a 13 week permitted period to look for a particular job. It only applies to those with a strong work history in a niche sector really.

People are indeed expected to apply for anything they can do but this includes working around barriers such as health and childcare if after school and nursery can't be used.

I don't think it's unreasonable to be asked to make finding a job your main focus if being out of work and able to work is why you claim public money . Get a job then look for a better job is surely what you do if needing to earn.

A good number of posters are talking as if most jobseekers were single parents with no family to help and/or children with SN that can’t use school clubs or childcare.
Whilst this might be the case for some (and would definitely limit the jobs they could do), I truly believe that most people could work around their partners / ex / parents etc so for example working nights when your partner works days. Or weekends. Or weekdays and your DC go to breakfast club and afternoon club.
A lot of working parents have to juggle childcare and find last minute solution for sickness, appointments etc.

As to the jobs available, a huge number of shops/restaurants are advertising vacancies, as soon as someone recommends a cleaner on Nextdoor they have 10+ people saying they are looking for a good cleaner (£12/h), same for handymen.
I really think you should take whatever is available even if it means sacrificing your evenings / weekends and continue looking for a job in your field at the same time.

@LovelyLovelyWarmCoffee i agree with every word. If people look for reasons why they can't do something - they will always find them, that is a fact.

Let's face it some people are lazy !
Not everyone has caring responsibilities

I know people that don't work, for whatever reason

It is always easier to get another job, when you are already employed or are flexible

@daimbarsatemydogsbone are you expecting people on the anonymous forum to let you know the names and home addresses of people who dodge the benefit system? If you never met them personally- it doesn't mean they don't exist. Its just they don't broadcast that to everyone. I personally know the following people:

• a family on benefits here in the Uk, he works, she is a stay at home mum. They are immigrants. In 10 years they lived here - they managed to buy 2 properties in cheap Eastern Europe and renting them out now
• a lad who is a self employed kitchen installer, who does not declare his money in full and takes home approx 5k a month. Also lives at his wife's property, while renting out his own house room by room, making approx 3k a month. While his mortgage doesn't allow that. Also he's got a Blue Badge due to his mum being disabled, but he drives the car without her most of the time and obviously parks at Disabled space
• another self employed lad, he is a plummer. He makes approx 60k a year, but he dodges his taxes in a way that he barely pays any tax return.

All these people brag to me about these things, because I know them closely for years, but obviously not so many people do.

[quote Acidburn]@daimbarsatemydogsbone are you expecting people on the anonymous forum to let you know the names and home addresses of people who dodge the benefit system? If you never met them personally- it doesn't mean they don't exist. Its just they don't broadcast that to everyone. I personally know the following people:

• a family on benefits here in the Uk, he works, she is a stay at home mum. They are immigrants. In 10 years they lived here - they managed to buy 2 properties in cheap Eastern Europe and renting them out now
• a lad who is a self employed kitchen installer, who does not declare his money in full and takes home approx 5k a month. Also lives at his wife's property, while renting out his own house room by room, making approx 3k a month. While his mortgage doesn't allow that. Also he's got a Blue Badge due to his mum being disabled, but he drives the car without her most of the time and obviously parks at Disabled space
• another self employed lad, he is a plummer. He makes approx 60k a year, but he dodges his taxes in a way that he barely pays any tax return.

All these people brag to me about these things, because I know them closely for years, but obviously not so many people do.[/quote] And where the examples of people who don't want to work in nay of that? Sure people are fiddling - but none of those are sitting on their arse claiming benefits all day dodging work which is the claim I was actually talking about. You're talking about different issues.

@daimbarsatemydogsbone what difference does it make if they work or not as long as they find a way not to contribute into the system?

@Acidburn I'm very happy it worked out for you. Bit tricky though if you live in a town where neither of those companies operate and where, on a good day, it will take you at least 45 minues each way (and a heck of a lot of pennies) to get to the next nearest town of any size? Still, we've lots of care homes. What could possibly go wrong with forcing people unsuited to care work to take up a post in that industry, I wonder...

@daimbarsatemydogsbone - you have a category of people who just don't want to work full stop. And they never will.
^This always gets trotted out.
It must obviously have a grain of truth - but in reality how prevalent is it?^

There are plenty of them strutting round Westminster at the moment (in the physical or virtual workplace), that's for sure...including the "Honorable" member for Suffolk Coastal....

Having been sitting pretty for the last 12 years with her big fat MP's expenses account she just may not have a particularly clear grasp of the issues facing, y'know, ordinary people...like most frothing-at-the-mouth-poor-people-loathing readers of the Daily Mail/Daily Express (hard to choose between them, they both use the same press agencies anyway).

And anyone who'd like to see what the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions thinks of us peasants only needs to look at her voting record www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24771/therese_coffey/suffolk_coastal/votes

Personally I miss the days when you could study a City and Guilds or other vocational course at FE colleges to help better yourself, as my dad did - oh look, something else the Tories got rid of. God knows, I loathed Thatcher with a passion, but I'm coming to the conclusion that this lot, and their devoted supporters, must be a bunch of aliens, they seem to hate the rest of humanity so much.

[quote Acidburn]@daimbarsatemydogsbone what difference does it make if they work or not as long as they find a way not to contribute into the system?[/quote]
It's still cheating and wrong - no argument from me on that.

What is not is evidence of people sitting around on benefits not working.

[quote Acidburn]@VelvetChairGirl I have no intention of leaving, I'm quite good here actually. Also I am not complaining about UC being cut, because I am not claiming any. You, however, are free to go and live elsewhere for a few years just for comparison - just to realise how lucky you are to be born in this country where you have at least some help.[/quote]
very tory of you, when you run out of worse places you can compare us to will you start looking up and trying to improve stuff or continue circling the gutter telling people it could be worse, be grateful your not dead etc.

@LovelyLovelyWarmCoffee

A good number of posters are talking as if most jobseekers were single parents with no family to help and/or children with SN that can’t use school clubs or childcare. Whilst this might be the case for some (and would definitely limit the jobs they could do), I truly believe that most people could work around their partners / ex / parents etc so for example working nights when your partner works days. Or weekends. Or weekdays and your DC go to breakfast club and afternoon club. A lot of working parents have to juggle childcare and find last minute solution for sickness, appointments etc.

As to the jobs available, a huge number of shops/restaurants are advertising vacancies, as soon as someone recommends a cleaner on Nextdoor they have 10+ people saying they are looking for a good cleaner (£12/h), same for handymen.
I really think you should take whatever is available even if it means sacrificing your evenings / weekends and continue looking for a job in your field at the same time.

You cant just walk into a job, stop talking as if people are not trying.

[quote Acidburn]@daimbarsatemydogsbone are you expecting people on the anonymous forum to let you know the names and home addresses of people who dodge the benefit system? If you never met them personally- it doesn't mean they don't exist. Its just they don't broadcast that to everyone. I personally know the following people:

• a family on benefits here in the Uk, he works, she is a stay at home mum. They are immigrants. In 10 years they lived here - they managed to buy 2 properties in cheap Eastern Europe and renting them out now
• a lad who is a self employed kitchen installer, who does not declare his money in full and takes home approx 5k a month. Also lives at his wife's property, while renting out his own house room by room, making approx 3k a month. While his mortgage doesn't allow that. Also he's got a Blue Badge due to his mum being disabled, but he drives the car without her most of the time and obviously parks at Disabled space
• another self employed lad, he is a plummer. He makes approx 60k a year, but he dodges his taxes in a way that he barely pays any tax return.

All these people brag to me about these things, because I know them closely for years, but obviously not so many people do.[/quote] All the more reason to stop attacking the unemployed and to focus of corporate/business fraud then.

Brexit has impacted.
Schools locally are desperate for support staff - admin, cooks, teaching assistants, cleaners, caretakers. My key staff have returned to Poland.

Wage rises to attract employees can't happen. It is a catch22. These school support jobs are public sector jobs. Tory government is cutting funds to local authorities. School budgets are in deficit. (2/3 schools in my LA). Wages can't rise because the government isn't providing any more funding.

@BringBackThinEyebrows I don't know exactly but she's skilled in Media and Public relations, before she was made redundant she was junior management level. She's just waiting for the jobs that go with her degree to open up again.