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Original poster

To think cycling isn't free and job center should pay milliage

164 replies

feellikeahugefailure · 07/03/2016 16:24

I have to sign on every week. Every other week they pay expenses. It's several busses to get there, so is 14.60 return.

They will pay this bus fare or pay 25p a mile but if you use your bike you get nothing.

When you are on such a limited income ware and tear on the bike does happen and is a big expense also the calories used are an expense. Even just something like 5p a mile should be possible imo.

I was going to use my bike on nice days and I would end up saving the country money and be fitter. But seeing as they pay for the bus fare I would never bike there. Its a reasonably long way and I would need alot of calories after doing the return journey.

OP posts:
OutToGetYou · 07/03/2016 19:55

I think a bike mileage allowance would be fine (and could be used to provide snacks).

But surely job centres should be doing phone/Skype/other online appointments in rural areas so there is far less cost to everyone? Even if you still had to go in once a month or something.

Scholes34 · 07/03/2016 19:58

What is very unreasonable is the amount of money the OP has to pay in bus fares to get to somewhere that should be "local". I don't think people in London realise quite how well off they are when it comes to public transport.

My DS cycles just over three miles each way every day to sixth form college and can claim £40 a term from the local authority, so that works out at about 10p a mile. The £40 goes a long way towards new tyres, brakes, lights, a water proof coat, etc.

My bike's used daily and serviced regularly and it's not cheap. The car, meanwhile, sits in the drive.

lorelei9 · 07/03/2016 19:59

OP, many replies do suck. Rest assured we are not all like that on here. I've never been unlucky enough to be out of work but I am acutely aware it's sheer bloody luck. (I've been made redundant but always found work right away).

Best of luck to you Flowers

ilovesooty · 07/03/2016 20:02

I work with people who are out of work and it's horrible being on JSA but I don't think you can expect to get a thread deleted because you didn't like the answers.

limitedperiodonly · 07/03/2016 20:03

surely job centres should be doing phone/Skype/other online appointments in rural areas so there is far less cost to everyone? Even if you still had to go in once a month or something.

That would make it easier for people to stay registered unemployed. That's not what they want.

AliceThrewTheFookingGlass · 07/03/2016 20:08

to sign on for the JSA, its every 2 weeks, not every week as PP are suggesting.

When I claimed JSA for a few months last year it was every week. My cousin has to go in every week too.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 07/03/2016 20:09

I lived somewhere rural and we didn't get help with bus costs. It cost £22 a fortnight to get to the job centre and back, but if I wanted to get paid again, I had to spend it.

I'm only 25 so it wasn't that long ago. At least they are paying some expenses now, even if only the mainstream ones at the moment.

rightsaidfrederickII · 07/03/2016 20:09

YANBU - given that (a) they are paying for other forms of transport, and (b) cycling most definitely isn't free - my last service with replacement parts cost me £180 for a bike that's really nothing special!

I work in the public sector, and we are paid 20p per mile for cycling (or 45p for driving, or 24p for motorbikes) - which is entirely reasonable in my view, as it both saves the organisation money against any other forms of transport, and recognises the cost to you.

Wombatinabathhat · 07/03/2016 20:15

You can't reclaim bus fares where I live (major city)
Suggesting you should be able to claim for spent calories Shock

HelenaDove · 07/03/2016 20:16

And being under 25 Anchor you would have been on the lower amount of JSA too.

lorelei9 · 07/03/2016 20:24

I'm confused
So public sector workers get money towards their commute if they drive or cycle...? And not if they use public transport?

ilovesooty · 07/03/2016 20:25

I don't think anyone gets expenses to and from a fixed place of work.

Wombatinabathhat · 07/03/2016 20:27

Nope. I work in the public sector and do not get paid anything towards my commute why would I?
I think there is a cycle to work type scheme where you get a subsidy on the initial outlay of a bike, if you intend to use it to tavel to/from work, but that's it.

ilovesooty · 07/03/2016 20:30

I get mileage if I travel outside my normal commute to and from my regular Base.

VoldysGoneMouldy · 07/03/2016 20:31

You should be able to claim travel expenses. Your comment about snacks is a bit silly, but I do agree with your comments about how harsh things are on this thread.

AKissACuddleAndACheekyFinger · 07/03/2016 21:02

I work for a training company and when I can get to my destinations on a bike I can claim 20p a mile (government rate I think) AND my employer will reimburse up to £6 for sustenance but only on the days I've ridden a bike. They actually do it to save parking spaces not to replace calories though.

OP, keep at it, I hope you find something soon xx

Gabilan · 07/03/2016 21:09

If you can claim car mileage, you should be able to claim bike mileage. I've worked for companies that allow both. For cars, the money is wear & tear and fuel. For cycling, the fuel happens to be food. I took the OP's comment about snacks just to be a point that it's part of the cost, not that she literally wants 50p for a flapjack.

ForalltheSaints · 07/03/2016 21:11

I think that bike mileage should be paid, even if only a small amount. Encourages exercise which for many jobseekers would be a good thing.

LoopiusMaximus · 07/03/2016 21:24

Am I missing something?? Your saying the job centre should pay if you choose to use your own vehicle instead of public transport. I didn't even know they paid for transport. That's shocking

Gabilan · 07/03/2016 21:34

Loopius as has been explained, under some circumstances, when you're on jsa you can claim travel. At the moment, they will pay bus or car but not bike. The OP's point is that there are associated costs with cycling. Therefore, in a situation where other forms of travel are subsidised, it makes sense to pay bike mileage.

She can claim £14.60 bus fare, or 25 p per mile for driving. Cycling, though not free for her, would be cheaper than either of those two. So why can't she claim?

6cats3gingerkittens · 07/03/2016 21:43

I worked in local government they offered one and a half pence per mile for cycling. I claimed it once and the jobsworth who put the claim into the system thought I was joking and binned the form. On average I cycled sixty miles a week on business and neb

6cats3gingerkittens · 07/03/2016 21:47

Whoops!....and never had a puncture,but did get run over by a bus inspite of hideous Day-Glo clothing, a clear road, good weather and clear hand signals.

AyeAmarok · 07/03/2016 21:49

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

6cats3gingerkittens · 07/03/2016 21:58

Oh Aye, bit nasty with the biccies aren't you? No need.

mogchothra · 07/03/2016 22:01

"Why the hell should the taxpayer pay you to go and collect your free money?

It's not like you're taking time out of a busy working day."

That's just nasty. I signed on last year for 3 months and was miserable the whole time. Everyone else looked just as depressed. Believe me, no one was skipping in happily "collecting free money".