[SilvaFish]

Originally Posted by purple vonny

I spent 15 years helping those on benefits to be indepent financially, build up self-esteem, and become motivated.

It's not a case of slagging off a whole group, there are some that want to, and do, get back to work. But, for me, it became a losing battle. Asessing people psychologically, physically and socially showed that a lot of long term unemployed (and "sick") had enormous problems, not only with health and low confidence, but mainly with financial aspects of returning to work.

What is the point of minimum wage when you can get more in benefits? With all the extras on top, many of my patients and clients were netting more than I was working full time to help them. I got to the point where I thought, "well, I can't blame you".
It is only during the last few years that the govenrment started to come up with ideas like Pathways to Work. But people are not going to go to work unless they feel motivated to do so. Increasing motivation is possible, we ran courses to do just that. But many people failed to turn up for the classes!!!

I have my own ideas about what should be done. But for some, who have been unemployed for a long time, it is too late to change the mind set.

It is interesting that long term sickness and disability (particularly from back pain, and more recently minor mental health problems) has risen exponentially, year on year, for 20 years. Yet as a nation, we are no sicker generally.

I do have a degree of sympathy for many of those stuck in the benefit trap.
As for alcoholics and drug abusers, there but for the grace of God go I. But we really need a major shake up of government policy to help those who can work to get work and STAY in work. And those who truly can't work, for whatever reason, will still be taken care of by a fair system.

Well said Vonny, and agree with it all, especially the bold bit. What incentive is there for someone to go to work for the minimum wage, especially those that don't have a great education or skills, to go to work?

As for benefits system, yes, it's a good idea - of course it is. There will always be a few that cannot work for geniune reasons, but unfortunatley on the flipside, there will be those that will take the mickey.

It's those that take the mickey that really wind me up.