Fraser Stewart: What my job in a UK job centre told me about today's benefits system

[blacksunday]

CommonSpace columnist Fraser Stewart recalls why he left the "best job" he'd ever had in a UK job centre

I WORKED in the job centre, in a previous life.

To this day I maintain it was the best job I've ever had, as short-lived as it was. After just 18 months, I handed in my notice and left a workplace that had, until that point, felt like home.

I left for one reason and one reason alone – the coalition government taking office in 2010. In a matter of what seemed like seconds my role had changed from getting people into work, to cutting the welfare bill by any means: from merciful to mercenary; helping hand to hired gun.

As orders began to trickle down from the new regime we were given a series of targets, one of which I couldn't swallow with any amount of sugar. I was told I had to sanction a certain number of benefit claimants per month. Sanction. Not "get in to work". Sanction.

I handed in my notice immediately and the following week was my last. This was never supposed to be a badge of honour. I do not write this out of indulgence or self-righteousness, but as a person with experience on both sides of the desk.

Quitting my job was the right thing to do. It was the right thing to do because people should not be treated as targets - nor should they be unjustly tarred as lazy and subjected to universal and indiscriminate suspicion.

There are remarkably few people in this country who don't want to work. My own claimants ranged from joiners and cleaners to neurobiologists and architects and beyond: of the thousands of people I met within various capacities in the job centre, not one struck me as being proactively idle.

To label such a diverse group of individuals as parasites is to dehumanise millions of our own citizens with a repulsive ignorance. Of course, anecdotal evidence will only take any argument so far.

There exists no coherent evidence to support a "culture of worklessness". Collating research carried out by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and TUC, The Guardian reported that roughly 80 per cent of JSA claimants are off benefits and into work before becoming "long-term" unemployed.

Less than one per cent of all UK households had two generations of the same family who had never worked.

This contrived notion of "Benefits Britain", then, is founded on a series of hyperbolic falsehoods, forced relentlessly at us by a seedy and sensationalist media intent on demonising out of context those who cannot reasonably fight back.

commonspace.scot/articles/1887/fraser-stewart-what-my-job-in-a-uk-job-centre-told-me-about-today-s-benefits-system

Oswin ...'we', is that the royal 'we', as this post in what, 10-days old, and the first one of yours on this thread appeared about 40 minutes ago.

The OP covers several matters, other posters have brought up other subjects e.g. tha banks, YOU or anyone else don't get the board to yourself to DICTATE what is discussed.

I will not discuss my personal circumstances, but I'd bet one pound to a penny, I've had more bad experiences with jobs centres and benefits over my life than you have - so don't try that bull squirt on me.

there's been loads of posters over the years who suddenly appear on MN and make themselves heard, very loudly...isitmebut is just the next one in a long list....they have very unique posting styles and they're easy to spot, and ignore....when a poster hasn't came up against them before they cant quite believe the vitriol and one sided argument they spout and therefore feel obliged to answer back, but sooner or later most posters get their measure and carry on the discussion without giving them airspace...I don't think you'll last much longer on MN isitmebut, then you'll have to find another unsuspecting site to launch yourself upon and sort the idiots out....

in the meanwhile enjoy your 15 minutes of MN fame.....

anyway. back to the discussion, the media and government have really does us up like a kipper, if so many people think the economic problems today have been caused by lazy workshy scroungers and benefit cheats, all getting rich at our expense...it used to be single parents who got the hard time, now its the unemployed or the working poor, the lazy bastards...

"when a poster hasn't came up against them before they cant quite believe the vitriol and one sided argument they spout and therefore feel obliged to answer back, but sooner or later most posters get their measure and carry on the discussion without giving them airspace...I don't think you'll last much longer on MN isitmebut,"

FACTS make an argument, and I don't begin with "vitriol" I just respond to bullies that have clearly been on here much longer than me and had success doing it.

The 'stop shouting', the 'you give me a headache', the 'we don't want links' that qualify a point, the 'are you English' etc etc etc...whereas I NEVER criticise another poster/style (other than claig, but we have form lol) and make it personal, I just concentrate on the facts and wish others would do the same..but not bothered if they need to whinge to censor the truth, I can handle it.

P.S. ssd... "in the meanwhile enjoy your 15 minutes of MN fame....."

You realise that your last post was full of false accusations and threats...I guess you didn't like my answer on 'the banks' and that's all you're good for.

you manage to close down any political discussion here isitmebut, I hope you are satisfied.

actually, that's your aim, isn't it

"“Rachel Reeves vows to cut welfare bill and force long-term jobless to take up work offers or lose state support”

And? I've got no problem with that, obviously taking individual jobseeker requirements into account. There will be very few people who will not work when offered employment, especially in the current climate; however, this needs to be a real job and I don't count apprenticeships in that. What I do not agree with are sanctions and working full time merely for social security entitlement of £72 a week. If the workfare/work programme job is available then it should be paid at minimum wage.

Yes, tired of the anti-Labour rhetoric. They've got a better economic record than the Tories for anyone who cares to google and they introduced all the progressive work-related legislation that we have eg minimum wage, equal pay, health & safety (which has nothing to do with conkers and everything to do with people not losing limbs) etc.

I was going to contribute, but having read the whole thread, I think I might just slam my head repeatedly against an unrelenting surface instead.

For anyone who's interested there is a petition doing the rounds calling for a debate on a vote of no confidence on IDS "For denying the existence of, and refusing to publish data on the deaths of claimants of incapacity benefit and employment and support allowance between November 2011 and May 2014. This is despite the rulings of the Information Commissioner and public pressure resulting in a 200,000 strong petition."

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/104436

Hello,
Sorry I was away. I was chasing the Tour de France in my VW Camper. Then came back to find Jeremy Corbyn impromptu speeches were worth chasing do I started following him in my VW Camper...

Anyway,

From an anti-austerity perspective it is always relevant to point out that the benefit sanctions we are seeing, and system of blaming the poor for everything are part of the establishment system to keep things in order so to benefit the top 10-01% of wealthiest.

So one thing to remind people like Isitme and others posting, who harp on about this budget deficit and subsequent austerity being the fault of a labour government, Gordon Brown etc etc is to remind how the budget deficit before the financial crash was no worse than it had been during early 90's conservative rule.

So please do not tell me this is some leftist mantra when facts show the truth.

I never say anything that it not 100% truth, and this sanctioning and punishing of the poor we are witnessing day-to-day is not the fault of Labour or any government, it serves to benefit those with capital, this top 10-01% wealthiest who run our government and our country with no repent or accountability.

Anyway so for the millionth time here is one of many graphs that show a budget deficit no worse than in previous conservative years until the 2008 banking crash. (yes OK nit-pick to your hearts content as to Labour's management of the crash, why were all banks not nationalized I have no Idea but this takes a PHD)

The city need to pay it back. The Highest, Not the lowest earners. This is truth.

Notechnologicalbreakdown I have signed already one add.

squidzin .... no one is "blaming the poor for everything", we are blaming the politicians who in 2000 agreed amongst themselves they wanted more non EU 'diversity', right before the 2004 'swarm' began - as reflected in the immigration numbers earlier - and left the indigenous workers on a benefits scrap heap, but ensuring with the dilution of the workforce and higher benefits, for many work didn't pay, to ease the blow.

Which of those facts above are incorrect?

You say "the budget deficit before the financial crash was no worse than it had been during early 90's conservative rule"

The annual budget deficit under 2010 Labour was £153 bil, the 'Conservative rule' began in 1979, but the National Debt in 1990/1 was £190 bil and after the 1991 recession, in 1996/7 the National Debt was £403 bil.

So please explain if over several years the 'accumulating' budget deficits saw the whole National Debt from 1991 to 1998 go up £213 bil, how on earth was Labours 1-year £153 bil deficit/overspend smaller?

The point was by 2001/2 the Conservative had budgeted for a balanced UK budget, and Labour not content with the tax receipt proceeds windfall of the bank financial bubble they helped create, also started borrowing £30 bil a year IN STEAD of starting to pay off the National Debt that increased from 1991 DUE TO THAT RECESSION - leaving nothing to ease the UK's pain after their 2008/9 great recession, losing 7% of GDP/output, which I believe was more than during the Great Depression 80-years earlier.

The fact is, Labour built a high tax, high benefit, high debt economy that was going to collapse on the first major recession, and it did, and they knew what had to be done but knowing the trade unions funding their 2010 election campaign, wouldn't allow it - they did NOTHING to fix their own mess other than start to put up taxes e.g. National Insurance, a tax on jobs.

Labour go beyond economic incompetence, Corbyn takes them beyond even that.

ssd ... re your "actually, that's your aim, isn't it"

Far from it, it was an individuals personal opinion and attack on the coalition without any of the facts, so apart from those peddling leftie propaganda who don't want facts/links, I've added to the debate.

If you want Labour good, Tory bad boo hoos, add some facts to enlighten women on Mumsnet, or I'll do it.

Hi isit. Thanks for the reply in your typical bamboozlement of selective-memory stats. You've missed my point somewhat, and consequently actually proven my point.

Re-read as my point is, people in Westminster - the establishment - YOU, keep harping on about how austerity (benefit sanctions re OP) is necessary and is the fault of a previous Labour government.

This is untrue in 1000's of ways.

It is the fault of Westminster in it's malleable entirely. It is how Westminster itself (labour tory whoever) is governed by the wealthiest elite top 1% Virgin whoever.

You and your ilk fail to admit the narrative perpetuated by mainstream media, blaming benefit scroungers and immigrants for the problems caused by The Establishment. The capitalists. The Finance industry. The wealthiest.

Exploitation and "Austerity" benefits YOU. YOU LOVE IT.

Just admit it and we can all go home.

PS CORBYN FOR LEADER

"Thanks for the reply in your typical bamboozlement of selective-memory stats. You've missed my point somewhat, and consequently actually proven my point."

Errrr not really, as apart from your rubbish math, you fail to distinguish between the economy in 1979 Labour handed to the Conservatives, and the one the Conservatives past back, which could not have been more different - even to those who see the 1970's as 'the Golden Years' when Europe dubbed the UK as 'the sick man of Europe', and don't want to know in 1997 the UK was 'balanced' and the fastest growing economy in Europe.

As to the rest of your post, it seems a re-run of an episode of 'Citizen Smith' quoting a Wolfie speech to the Tooting Popular Front, and just about as dated.

It matters not to you that under Labour, with massive parliamentary majorities and a decade to mould society for the better, inequality increased.

It matters not that there is no 'money tree' when every wealth creator/business either leaves the UK or contracts, as in France with their 75% tax rate.

It matter not that a Conservative government looks to lift the poorest to help themselves via a better education and job creation, rather than decide they'd park their citizens on welfare/benefits while bringing in a global workforce to do the new government jobs 'created'.

It matters not to you that under the Conservatives the wealthy are paying far more taxes than under Labour, who gave their rich friends a Capital Gains Tax of a 10% tapered low - why way that, and did Corbyn object?

It matters not Labour (with Corbyn) in power built half the homes on average (per year) than the previous Conservative government as Labour had the tax receipts from the financial bubble boom to spend on ... fat inefficient, unreformed government/themselves, instead.

Labour's recent record under socialist Brown's economic stewardship shows that it no more represents the interests of the UK indigenous masses, than Westminster fixated Farage/UKIP does - and all they are good for is protesting against the policies to fix their own financial, economic, and social mess.

Unfortunately for you, you live in this bubble where the financiers and capitalist top percentage global tax dodging corpotates tell you exactly what to think and what to say.

We are sick of hearing it.

Yes Labour under Blair was pure evil. A continuation of thatcher capitalist money grabbing bankers paradise. Didn't i already mention the Westminster Oxbridge elitist system?

You can blame labour and the past as much as you like. The Tory solution will not work. It still belongs to Westminster force of evil.

There is enough money flying around between the top 10% of wealthiest tax dodging profiteering financiers to fix all of the worlds problems.

Socialism is rising.

There is enough money flying around between the top 10% of wealthiest tax dodging profiteering financiers to fix all of the worlds problems.

Even if that statement was 100% true, how would that be realised?

What if this top 10% are already paying their share in accordance with the same law that applies to everyone else?

If you want them to pay more, and they feel that is not fair or they just don't want to they can leave this country can't they?

Or retire, and their entrepenueral skills are ended.

Loss of wealth for the "worlds problems" to be fixed, and a dwindling pot with which to fix them. Epic fail.

Not talking about paying more tax. It's about confronting a system of exploitation that pays the bare minimum in wages and the absolute maximim in price that people in power can get away with.
The cost of living needs to be overturned and wages need to reflect value.

This requires intervening in the free market with things like regulation and legislation. At present most legislation is lobbied for and created by big business for big business.

Avoidance of responsibility by big budiness and the wealthiest Plutocrats is enabled and practicality encouraged by our pro-capitalist government through fear-mongering and self interest.

A big leftist upsurge is what's needed.

If I had a budget of £4m a year (aka oil industry) specifically to lobby the government I'm sure I could make an impact too.

A Global union could have this sort if budget, to lobby governments to move legislation closer that which works for the people.

In America (and similarly the UK) over 30 years all of the economic growth and rise in gdp etc that you csn measure has fallen directly into the hands of it's wealthiest top 20% and the income in real terms for the remaining 80% has fallen considerably.

currydemocrats.org/american-pie/

The wealthiest don't make their money from thin air, they take it from the surplus value left from those they exploit to get it.

"We need a 10% payrise to deliver this program of austerity"

Sound familiar?

squidzin ... "the wealthiest exploit people" yada yada yada ... like the shareholders of companies right, mainly held by large pension funds trying to get a return for the masses - that don't have government final salary pensions, paid for by the taxes of those trying to put money by for THEIR old age.

There is no fixed wage differential between those who may chose to piss away their expensive state education behind the bike sheds to those who do extra studies leaving education with £20k+ of debt, or risk their own families home using it to finance a business start that will hire people without those worries - so GET OVER IT.

1970's slogans don't pay the governments bills or provide welfare/benefits/state pensions, it working WITH businesses that does it and bringing in policies of balance, without screwing the investment/job creation pooch.

What "austerity", the cutting of a £153 bil government annual overspend having had an unprecedented spending splurge for 13-years?

No £££££££££££££splurge, no "austerity", simples.

????

squidzin ...may I ask how old are you, like were you a teen upwards filling out a tee shirt in the 1970's?

Mine read "70's and fcuked" - I was also ahead of a fashion trend. lol

I'm twelftie. And my dad is better than yours.