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Original poster

Benefit Busters

206 replies

BertieBotts · 20/08/2009 20:59

I have a feeling this is going to be awful actually, they are focusing on lone parents

Just starting on C4 now.

OP posts:
TheCrackFox · 20/08/2009 21:44

A lot of minimum wage jobs need you to work weekends. Weekend childcare (or evening)is as rare as hens teeth.

beanieb · 20/08/2009 21:44

I am loving the way the majority of the women are gaining new confidence and self esteem.

is no one else getting this from watching?

NervousNutty · 20/08/2009 21:44

Christ knows, 5inthebed. Their ad's do always say you need to be able to drive due to location, but I live near enough to walk, so I don't really understand it.

blissa · 20/08/2009 21:45

NervousNutty, that's bollocks

expatinscotland · 20/08/2009 21:45

Are these jobs temporary or perm?

That's the other problem.

You take this temp job.

They stop your benefits straightaway.

Then take weeks if not months sorting out the tax credits and housing benefit.

Then your contract ends.

So you have to re-apply for IS and the like.

Again, no money coming in for weeks.

LittleMissBliss · 20/08/2009 21:46

I like her too, she is very to the point and blunt. She isn't pandering to their needs and feel they will really benifit from the course.

radiohelen · 20/08/2009 21:47

Expat I'm not convinced. If you are on benefits the WEA courses are all free, the adult education courses are all free. They aren't unskilled - they run houses, they raise kids, they cook, they clean, they teach.
I fully understand the transport and childcare issues but you sort that out when you get a job. It's just as hard for someone with a highflying job to sort childcare out. The transport - well you either drive or you don't, if you don't you use public transport and learn to drive if you have to. It's the same if you work as a hedgefund manager or a cleaner.
All I see is women lacking confidence and a witch with green eyeshadow trying to beat it into them..... not a tactic that's ever worked as far as I am aware.

NervousNutty · 20/08/2009 21:47

Lone parent advisors actually advise LP not to take a job that is temp for very good reason.

There are two grants worth alot to a lone parent, that you are not entitled to unless your job is to last at least 6mths.

5inthebed · 20/08/2009 21:48

I do like the way the women are getting a bit more confident in themselves, but really, does she need to be so harsh with them like a drill sergeant?

coldasanewrazorblade · 20/08/2009 21:48

Christ, always fucking Doncaster. Glad I haven't watched it all.

Many jobs also give 0 hours, or 4 hour (for example) contracts, so even if you work 16, 30, 40 hours a week usually, if you're sick, or even on holiday you'll get nothing, or 4 hours worth of sick or holiday pay.

lisad123wantsherquoteinDM · 20/08/2009 21:48

i can see your confidence growing, so yes i guess she is doing some good. But I think it gives the wrong impression that working = better person

Shocked that woman said she was getting too much benifit. Brave lady.
I guess when you add up what you get paid for you in CT, rent ect it is alot to some. I was talking to someone about getting back to work and they worked out they have to earn over 15k to be better off by £10 a week

muggglewump · 20/08/2009 21:49

2 weeks unpaid

Well that's a nice scam.
Do they do that constantly and then not offer jobs I wonder?

BitOfFun · 20/08/2009 21:50

"pandering to their needs"? To get home safely at night when there is no transport etc, for example? She is away with the fairies.

expatinscotland · 20/08/2009 21:51

'you sort that out when you get a job. It's just as hard for someone with a highflying job to sort childcare out. The transport - well you either drive or you don't, if you don't you use public transport and learn to drive if you have to. It's the same if you work as a hedgefund manager or a cleaner.'

No, it's not! When you're a hedgefund manager you have the means to pay for non-traditional childcare like live-in nannies. You have a home large enough to accommodate such. You probably had the educational background to drive and own a reliable car.

You ever had to use public transport in a rural area?

Sometimes, there IS none. And don't say well then move because then you have to get social housing or help with housing because you don't have £1000 deposit+first month's rent.

And no, I'm not a lone parent and haven't been on IS or any of that. Only tax credits and partial HB as low wage-earner.

I had money when I got here. It still cost me about £500 to 'learn to drive'/get a license and I already knew how to drive!

5inthebed · 20/08/2009 21:52

Wow, they all got jobs. Well done ladies!

LittleMissBliss · 20/08/2009 21:52

The women are all dressing better more confident and have got jobs! Surely that's the whole point. I think having a reason to get up and out and getting money from working makes you feel allot better.

radiohelen · 20/08/2009 21:52

Yay they are getting jobs.... and they look completely different. So confident and on it!

I'd still burn the trainer at the stake though!

LittleMissBliss · 20/08/2009 21:54

By 'pandering' I ment be all softly, softly.

I like her blunt approach.

blissa · 20/08/2009 21:55

Well done to them for all getting jobs.

expatinscotland · 20/08/2009 21:55

They're getting 2 weeks unpaid work placement.

They've not been taken on yet.

beanieb · 20/08/2009 21:55

I don't think she's harsh. I think it's great that she doesn't patronise them.

I do hope their jobs are not just temporary though

lisad123wantsherquoteinDM · 20/08/2009 21:55

but hold on, if your on low wages you do get % of childcare paid for, which you dont get if you earn too much. Trust me I cant afford a nanny and yes i used to get 2 trains and bike to work too. Its hard sorting childcare in any place tbh

coldasanewrazorblade · 20/08/2009 21:56

Working crappy McJobs always made me feel worse about myself.

expatinscotland · 20/08/2009 21:56

People they didn't get a job! The company contracted with Poundland and these women worked for them for 2 weeks.

lisad123wantsherquoteinDM · 20/08/2009 21:56

think they have been diddled with taking 2 weeks unpaid work