Jobless Scum

[The Spartan]

None, because if you are receiving JSA you have declared yourself fit to work.

I'm gathering this guy in JSA if so that settles it he's fit to work

[fullyautomatix]

If you're utterly skint and on benefits then getting a minimum wage job is probably the worst thing you can do as you'll lose a whole heap of benefits.

If I had to redesign the benefits system then rather than simply cutting off some benefits when someone got a job I'd look to reward the effort. As a first thought, I'd reduce benefits by 50p for every £1 earned, giving at least some financial incentive to work, taper it down to 75p benefit cut per £1 earned after 1 year and altogether after 2.

The harder line approach is to simply put everyone to community service if they're on benefits for > six months. Even 95%+ of those on invalidity benefits can do some work, even if it is just envelope stuffing at home or sitting at a charity shop counter.

WHS

The fact is Labour have increased benefits to the same level or even more than a minimum wage worker. Its all about their socialist vision of providing everybody the same standard of living. This has had the adverse affect of a lot of people just sitting on the dole milking the benefits. Any change to benefits is met with the usual "kids will suffer" cliche by the MP's and others. What is needed is a change so that being on beneifts provides for short term and for a limited time only.

[KimberleyChris]

WHS

The fact is Labour have increased benefits to the same level or even more than a minimum wage worker.

Good fact that. Where did you get it from??

If I divide my wife's and my combined JSA by 70 hours (2 x 35) it equals £1.54 / hour.

[petergriffin]

If I had to redesign the benefits system then rather than simply cutting off some benefits when someone got a job I'd look to reward the effort.

I don't know if this scheme still exists but, back when I was unemployed, I used to quote in my emails to perspective employers that they could receive up to £1000 for hiring me because I had been unemployed for more that 6 months.

Guess what: nobody gave a sh1t, and when I followed my applications up by phone they told me that either they were not intested in the money or it sounded too tacky.

We should go back to the old Jobcentre, the one with real officers who phoned the employers and arranged interviews themselves on behalf of the jobseekers.

[SimonMac]

some people might think you are being an irritating little sh!t tick today,

but not me

Only today?

I must try harder

[Catatonic]

What percentage of the 2.67 million are classed as depressed or unable to work due to illness or disability

Depression is a serious illness. Have a quick read of the book by Sally Brampton 'Shoot the damn dog' and has affected prime ministers, footballers, cricketers, etc.

However, admittedly, on the other hand all the spongers should have their benefits withdrawn. Successive governments have tried to address the issue with no success.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

Amen!! This has been my thinking aswell for many years. Picking litter off the streets, anything. Earn your JSA!!

I genuinely don't understand why the government don't implement it

Because anyone brighter than an epsilon minus semi-moron can see what an inane and unworkable piece of stupidity it is, mainly.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

They must have worked for a least 12 months before they can claim benefits

No, this has recently been reduced to 3 months.

WTF? What "benefits"?

You can get JSA based on previous NI contributions - or if you don't qualify via that route, based on (lack of) income or savings - and you have to (at least pretend) to be looking for a job.

[AtW]

Because anyone brighter than an epsilon minus semi-moron can see what an inane and unworkable piece of stupidity it is, mainly.

What exactly wrong with it?

Fresh air, no special training required, streets always have some rubbish on them.

Being at home watching Sky tulip should be out of question during working hours even of somebody is unemployed.

[DodgyAgent]

WTF? What "benefits"?

You can get JSA based on previous NI contributions - or if you don't qualify via that route, based on (lack of) income or savings - and you have to (at least pretend) to be looking for a job.

Why is it you people seem to think that not working is so god for people and refuse to countenance any idea that gets people working. It is as if you seem to think that not working is somehow helpful. Not working is the worse thing that human being can do.