Unemployment figures not true reflection?

kennyboy66_2

PasturesNew wrote: »

I am registered as self-employed, because I have an online income keeping me going. And I wouldn't get any benefits because I have savings. So I am off their radar, even though I am looking for full-time permanent work.

I thought that Job seekers allowance (NI contribution based) was NOT means tested, so savings are not relevant.

SingleSue

I had a look into that Kennyboy, apparently savings are still counted. I know I had to live off my savings for a while before I could claim anything and I had paid ample stamp.

Sorry, answered when it was to PN.

Masomnia

thriftybabe wrote: »

A report on timesonline saying that jobless total at 1.97 million below what was expected. However, i know of lots of self-employed who are not working at the moment and cannot claim unemployment benefit due to them not paying a Class 4 stamp. Would I be right in saying that they are not included in this figure? The cynic in me says that the figure is definitely a lot more.

I think the person you are referring to would be counted. The number on JSA is, officially at least, 1.23 million.

agent_orange_2

For the peace of mind of the posters on this board, let's call it 10 million. That should keep you chomping for a while

Rochdale_Pioneers

You can't count anyone not working as "unemployed". If you're out of work and looking for a job then fine, but there are millions not working who are not on benefits and are not wanting or needing to work. Women as full time mothers are not unemployed as they're not looking for a job.

PasturesNew

kennyboy66 wrote: »

I thought that Job seekers allowance (NI contribution based) was NOT means tested, so savings are not relevant.

Unfortunately, I've been living in an area where there wasn't work for the last 5 years, so I was in/out of work - and often working self-employed because that's what the employers wanted.

Contributions based JSA only applies to somebody who has just left an employed position and has been employed for the last two tax years (has enough of the right NI contributions). In the last 3 years I've been classified as employed on two occasions: one for 6 months, one for 3 months.

A lot of employers have work to do but they say "you'll be self-employed". It happens to a lot of people. So, once you've taken that job on and it gets to the end, you just keep finding bits/bobs to do to bring money in. There are thousands like me I bet.

And, I have an income from online, so still count as self-employed.

I don't actually sign on because there is no point in me doing so just to declare I am jobseeking.

thriftybabe

OMG I might need to sign on myself. Will that mean that I wont get anything if it is means tested. Does anyone know what the rate is? Both myself and other half will be signing on at same time as we will be paying ourselves off shortly if no work comes in! How depressing!

ad9898_3

I've read somewhere recently that the true unemployment figure before the Nu Labour liars get hold of it is around 4 million, and set to rise to 6 million.

[Deleted User]

kennyboy66 wrote: »

I thought that Job seekers allowance (NI contribution based) was NOT means tested, so savings are not relevant.

Correct......

[Deleted User]

thriftybabe wrote: »

OMG I might need to sign on myself. Will that mean that I wont get anything if it is means tested. Does anyone know what the rate is? Both myself and other half will be signing on at same time as we will be paying ourselves off shortly if no work comes in! How depressing!

If you qualify for JSA as a couple its £95 per week,for more help see the mse benefits forum(we dont bite)