Reform of Jobcentre Plus

UKParliament

Hi MSEs

On Tuesday 7 July at 4.30pm, MPs will be debating the reform of Jobcentre Plus.

This debate has been proposed by Chris Evans MP.

Watch the debate live or via catch-up on Parliament TV.

What has been your experience of Jobcentre Plus?

Fireflyaway

My only comment is - as a recruiter I receive many many useless CV's. People who live miles away o can't do the job or are not qualified for it at all or even provide fake contact details or blank applications etc.

Why does the job centre not check properly that people are actually looking for work and not just pretending in order to sign on?

yenool

Fireflyaway wrote: »

My only comment is - as a recruiter I receive many many useless CV's. People who live miles away o can't do the job or are not qualified for it at all or even provide fake contact details or blank applications etc.

The Job centre puts pressure on people to apply for jobs, any job. It is actually a bit embarrassing to apply for something you know you aren't qualified or suitable for. The signing on rules meat claimants are supposed to commit to travel up to 90 minutes for work - each way. So they expect you to apply for a minimum wage job and travel up to 3 hours a day.....

Perhaps understandably people don't want to do that and perhaps supply fake details as a result?

I would like to know what they plan to do to offer genuine help and training to the long-term unemployed; rather than just sanctions and more draconian rules which do nothing but reduce the short term benefits bill.

[Deleted User]

Fireflyaway wrote: »

Why does the job centre not check properly that people are actually looking for work and not just pretending in order to sign on?

Because the Jobcentre needs to inflate the vacancies number and at the same time pressurize jobseekers into applying for unsuitable jobs, so that they can be later sanctioned if they quit.

red_devil

I dont see their purpose anymore.

They must cost alot of money to run also in wages and rents for the buildings.

[Deleted User]

red_devil wrote: »

I dont see their purpose anymore.

To pay G4S millions a year in security.

youngbuck2

As someone who is currently unemployed, looking for part-time work whilst I study for a degree part-time, I have mixed feelings about Jobcentre Plus, but overall a positive view.

I'm in a fortunate enough position financially where I don't need the £73 or so a week they pay you to sign on, but as I am genuinely looking for a job, I sign on anyway.

There are a lot of people who go that are desperate and work hard to fulfill the requirements of the Jobcentre. Those that think that people can stroll through, apply for a couple of jobs and sign on for their money are wrong.

Before I became unemployed, my view was that it was people scrounging off the state, turning up to sign on then going back home and sitting on the sofa all day.

It's not like that at all.

They require 35 hours (approx) time per week invested in actively looking for work. If you don't put the effort in, they will find you out and stop your payments. This is near enough the equivalent amount of commitment to a full time job. You have to evidence your job searches in a workbook or online (Universal Jobmatch). You are encouraged to go out and hand your CV in, check all the normal job sites (Monster, Reed, Indeed).

They also require you to come in for regular work search reviews, attend courses and talks (which are aimed at a very low level i.e. how to be presentable in an interview etc, but get you to commit the time).

I found it quite a bit more than I expected.

On the other side, I do feel there is an unfair expectation in terms of the type of employment they expect you to gain.

I don't currently have a car and rely on public transport. The expectation of me was that for a part-time job working 24 hours a week or less was that I should be applying to jobs up to an hour and a half's travel away (3 hours round trip each day). Considering the cost involved and distance, they were effectively expecting me to travel an hour and a half to work in a warehouse for 24 hours a week which would affect my study levels as well as having a not inconsiderable cost involved with season tickets/passes.

Overall, I would say Jobcentre Plus operates well and certainly more than encourages individuals to find work. With an expectation of 35+ hours a week of looking for work and being paid £73 a week to do that, it obviously pays a lot better to be employed.

[Deleted User]

UKParliament wrote: »

What has been your experience of Jobcentre Plus?

Exceptional as long as you allow access and play the game
Unlike certain g4S guards who like to wind you up for no good reason (seen that happen)


Couple of years back, but it has taken me all this time to understand when JCP+ used to say don't blame us, blame the employers, really, probably sadly quite right in many respects


Last appointment they were all for trying to get me to apply for civil servant posts!! - I don't think they liked what I applied for even, definitely a ladies powder the nose moment! hee hee


Nice lady, who I did want to ask why work at the Jobcentre? though I think I know the answer!

red_devil

ciaccino wrote: »

To pay G4S millions a year in security.

Ues i forgot that all the security guards wages too:eek:

pmduk

In my case, I found them very helpful when I first signed on. After a few months one adviser was asking me for advice on job-hunting as he was so unhappy with the latest regime. There were others whose only interest was in trying to sanction me. The Gov't needs to decide what they want - is it an organisation to pay benefits, or someone to help getting jobseekers into work? So far it appears they aren't capable of doing both.

SailorSam

I've only been signing-on a short time and was dreading the thought of it having read all the reports in the press which gives the impression the only thing they want to do is sanction and stop your benefits. But everyone has been friendly and given my age (62) have not put to much pressure on me.