Jobseekers Benefits - unemployed - NEWS

At long last – after much waffle by all of the main political parties over many years – it seems that something is actually going to be ‘done’ about the ‘layabout’ unemployed.

This is NOT saying that all unemployed people are layabouts. However; many are such, and they are draining the UK of much needed resources, together with spreading a culture of getting something for doing nothing, whilst the majority of UK residents pay for it!

With the new measures being suggested at the present time – March 2011 – those who are on Jobseeker’s Allowance will be ‘placed’ in a position of work - of some kind or another – for a period of around four weeks. No responsible citizen could argue with that action – provided that safeguards are in place to protect the position of those who are actually physically or mentally unable to ‘work’.

Compulsory Work Placement

Jobcentre Plus Advisors will have the power – obligation – to refer jobseekers to various ‘work activities’ lasting up to four weeks. The ‘working day’ is yet to be determined, but a total working week of ‘up to’ 30 hours, will – it is hoped – give encouragement to those who thus far have managed to stay outside the ‘work’ environment.

It is not simply a one-off exercise, for those who are so placed in work environments, will also be ‘required’ to seek proper work. One wonders if there is a hidden motive to ‘remove’ some unemployed from their ‘spare time’ activities, which are often quite lucrative!

Withholding JSA is an option!

Thoughts are circulating as to what penalties can be imposed upon those who either fail to comply, or otherwise do not enter into the scheme in good spirit. The withdrawal of Jobseeker’s Allowance for a period of not less than three months seems to be the consensus. It will need stout hearts to enforce this, with all its possible ramifications. Watch this space!

In the UK, there are around five million claiming some form of ‘out-of-work’ benefits - many of whom have been in this situation for around nine years! The UK is the ‘proud’ holder of the record for having the larges rates of households - where no-one works – in Europe. The real sad thing about this statistic is that nearly two million of our kids live in a home where no-one is employed!

The plan seems to be directed at those who have been out of work for several years – presumably targeted for some reason or other. For the government, it is a soft option. No reasonable person could object to such a scheme, providing as stated, there are safeguards for those who are genuinely affected in some way.

The whole basis – so they say – is to give those who need it, that extra little bit of incentive to get off their butts and out of their sleeping pits in the morning, to do what the majority of people do each working day. Get up – and get out!