GC8

Long term unemployed people arent the real problem. Its the benefit families who are the real drain on resources. These people (and I concede that there may one person in the family who could work, though theyre frequently single parent families) would be able to argue that they couldnt attend any 'work scheme' due to their care responsibilities: the very concession that allowed the situation to develop in the first place.

We seem to have a problem thats developed without any cure, because we still have to protect the vulnerable: but this allows the feckless to take an easy ride on our backs...

The Zohan

I think we are talking about the same people

StickyMicky

Like community service?


Cracking idea IMO

Leslie

Quite right.

Les

MJW

There's a government scheme which puts long-term unemployed on placements with local companies. Basically if you've been out of work for more than a year, in order to continue receiving your benefits you have to do a 14-week work placement (unpaid). I've got 2 people working for me on this scheme & think its a brilliant idea. Keeps my costs down & I get to pick the wheat from the chaff. Surprisingly the 2 people we've had on this scheme aren't the feckless layabouts I was anticipating : I have one with no skills but is eager to get stuck in, and one skilled guy who I can't for the life in me figure out why he's out of work. If trade picks up, we'll set him on.