Letter: Benefits for whom?

Letter: An increasing number of people seem to be bragging that they have never worked because the state pays them more to stay at home than they could ever hope to earn in an honest job.

My son-in-law lost his job at the beginning of November and has been told he has to get a job as he is to lose his £63-a-week dole money in May, yet he spends hours every day looking for work.

He and his wife have worked full-time since finishing their education and have never claimed benefits. In fact my daughter, who had a baby last week, worked full-time until two days before the birth and is only taking minimum maternity leave. They also have a five year-old.

This is a proud, professional family which has paid its way, yet the dole office has talked to my son-in-law as if he is a skiving layabout, even though he is registered with 14 employment agencies and has applied for hundreds of jobs.

I would like to know why he has been threatened with the loss of his unemployment pay while layabouts and their families, many of whom who have never worked, are allowed to claim indefinitely. Many seem to maintain an excellent standard of living.

And what about immigrant families who make no effort to contribute to the economy but are housed, educated, fed, clothed, get medical treatment and in many instances can afford to run a decent car? Why aren't they told after six months they have to get a job?

Something is badly wrong with a system that allows those who have contributed nothing to claim enough in benefits to maintain an idle lifestyle in comfort, while hardworking folk are made to feel guilty about being forced to claim their meagre dole entitlements.

Name and address supplied