Fiddling the job figures?
Tuesday 21st July 2009, 8:08AM BST.
LETTER: This summer I left college after finishing my exams. While others chose to go straight to university I opted to wait a year in order to earn some money so that I will be less reliant on my parents and my student loan.
I told my parents that I would not expect them to let me live in their house for free any longer. I knew finding work during the recession would be tough, but I also trusted that the Welfare State would look after me.
However, having failed to find work I phoned the Job Centre to claim Jobseekers Allowance.
Half an hour later, having given them virtually every single detail on me, I was told to report to Telford Job Centre for an interview. Here, I was informed that in the eyes of the Welfare State I was still in college until the start of September.
This sounds fair, but why then did I receive a letter a few weeks earlier telling me that I would no longer receive my Education Maintenance Allowance after my exams as I was no longer enrolled at college?
Is this a case of the state trying to avoid paying citizens what they’re entitled to, or is it just an attempt to fiddle unemployment figures by keeping college and school leavers off the dole for as long as possible?
Even without the contradiction of the EMA, I was told that due to my parents receiving £20 a week in Child Benefit until the end of August I couldn’t sign on.
But the best bit is that when my mum asked if they could cancel the payment so that I could sign on she was told no, but then informed that if I get a job before the benefit stops she has to call them immediately!
Tom Wright (Age 18)
Randlay
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Sorry about your problems Tom but welcome to the real world.
As an ex civil servant i know that manipulating figures throughout government institutions is a way of life.
I am currently unemployed and have had to move job centres.My record of unemployment started again from scratch ie not long term unemployed – magic!!
My only suggestion is to learn to play the government at its own game there’s always a way if you look hard enough,know the ropes, good luck
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Sorry Tom about your problem I can see where your coming from, my partner was made redundant 3 months ago and is struggling to find work, he does claim Job Seekers Allowance but he cannot claim any payment towards Council Tax because I work full time (Not fantastic paid job), I became very annoyed at this if he lived on his own he would get the full amount paid, I wasnt asking for them to pay the full amount just 25% single persons allowance, because im the only person earning!!!! Its a struggle and I have never been employed and pay our taxes and we dont get any help, but their are plenty of people out there claim for anything and never paid tax in there life!!!! very annoying!! The system never helps people like us
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Sorry to put a downer on this but their are loads, of yes i admit it very low paid jobs out their and you do not need to sign on if you take them.
I am aware you have been to college and you are waiting for your results and then you can look for a job in which to use them. As it is now you are a college leaver do not be a college leaver waiting to go on the dole or on the dole , any job is better than benefits until you can get a job of your choice.
Lets face it their are 4 million unemployed out their yes 4 million as recent guidlines show over 1 million should not be on incompacity benefit they will be taken of it and put on job seekers as they are seen as fit to work hence the 4 million.
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As this recession has been going for well over 9 months now, did you not think about going on to further education, therefore avoiding the need to get a career for 3+ years?
BTW i started a part time job in a supermarket 3 days prior to my last exam, and was still there 4 years later until taking a break for the final year of my degree. I took the same job, on completing my degree and 6 months later found a careeer to take forward.
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This all sounds like the nanny state to me. Do you really expect the rest of the community to pay your way Tom? Get yourself a job, save whatever you can and then go back to school.
Better still take on an apprenticeship (marketable skills put bread on the table) …. go back to school or university when you can pay your own way.
The more complaints of British people I read the less sympathetic I become!
I guess it’s that nanny state of yours that’s the problem.
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