Editor's Opinion: Has the penny dropped with regards to tackling unemployment?

“shofgy, thank you for acknowledging that this problem exists. Not every unemployed person in the area is a workshy layabout. This person I know has worked long and hard to get the qualifications, took years paying off their student loan, is trying to show their children the "work ethic" and to try and acheive in life and has indeed done unskilled, minimum wage jobs previously. Why, if one has tried all their life to work, sacrifice, educate themselves and achieve in life, are they then treated like the generations of workshy scum that also reside here?
The truth is that if there are no or very few "sustainable" jobs out there and employers like the popular huge supermarkets make life harder by offering x5 posts of 8 hours instead of x1 post of 40 hours because it's profitable for them. It's a fallacy to think only 200 people apply for each post, the number is significantly higher I think.
If looking further afield in neighbouring cities and towns for work, this is made harder by the fact that the employment advisor companies quibble about refunding expenses for interviews (approximately £20 a go for someone on benefits set below the breadline), the communication between the employment advisory companies and the Jobshop is pretty much non-existent (so don't know how the Editor can make such a statement about apparent joined-up working - multi-agency working that would be???), public transport is appaulling (the trains and bus timetables run every hour or so) and they then have the competition that city or larger towns bring too.
I acknowledge and know families where generation after generation are workshy and lazy, making money from illegal means, pretending to be disabled except when they are drug running or fetching tinnies for the football. Please though don't have the impression that all unemployed are illiterate, uneducated, unmotivated, lazy scum that have no pride or wish to work, there are plenty of people like this out there who deserve to at least be addressed correctly, be treated civilly and actually provided with positive, productive, correct and actual support.”

“Chixxey. I work locally in the sector and this type of thing really winds me up. I hear this a lot. I often have to rebuild people's confidence after being told to dumb down CVs etc. People look at me oddly at me when I suggest they should maximise their potential and aim high rather than just for what they can get. This is lazy advice giving and just done to get a quick fix and a tick in the box to get there payment from the government.”

“Dear Ed,
I disagree and have yet to find an organisation that "tries its best" to help unemployed folk find work. I know someone who has only ever been able to secure temporary work which gives no financial security at all for themselves or their family. They have been advised by Jobcentre staff to "dumb down" their CV and omit qualifications and responsible posts that they have done and achieved and happen to feel very proud of. They have been told by numerous employment advisors that there is nothing they can do to help or support them. They can send people on a course to learn how to write a letter however! They have been supplied with letters with their name spelt incorrectly, their e-mail address incorrectly provided, incorrect advice and pre-arranged (supposedly supportive) phone appointments that last less than 150 seconds! No-one at the Jobshop asks for proof of jobs applied for, nor do the vast majority of them appear to care. I therefore fail to see how anyone can be "impressed" with the service provision by employment advisors, whether government funded or not, in this region. The service appears instead to be inefficient, unprofessional, dis-empowering and disheartening.”

“Ed wrote: "Those working at a local level cannot change national government policy, all they have the power to do is work within it and try their best".

(And THAT is the scandal which should be addressed!).

But with the already held perception that the GT is just a conduit for Council propaganda was it really a wise thing to write about?

Sometimes, you do yourself absolutely no favours Madame Editor.”

“Editor here - I actually agree with The Wrangler but you are missing the point I was trying to make.
Those working at a local level cannot change national government policy, all they have the power to do is work within it and try their best. In this area we do have a number of people and organisations that are trying to do that more than most, and they are making some inroads.”

“Don't be too hard on the editor chaps.
Perhaps she was on some form of medication when she wrote that.”

“You beat me to it Malcolm.
I despair .. I truly despair.”

“Sorry Ed, got to agree with Malcom, what a load of drivvel!

Seriously, did you really pen that report? Or has some Council PR numpty hacked your account?

Again, what 'joined up thinking'?

Besides the question should be "...and are the jobless doing enough to help themselves?"

Just the other day, we hear reporst of 1000's of seasonal jobs being filled by non UK workers, simply becase none on the UK applicants last more than a week because its too hard work for minimum wage and its not worth coming of benefits for for a seasonal job.

The government should make it easier to come in and out of benefits, but should also make it compulsary to take jobs if you are able to. But a lot of that could be resolved if benefits were EARNED at minimum wage rates, rather than just given, for all but those that are diasbled and unable to do any productive work of any kind.”

“What on earth are you talking about? Please describe said joined up thinking.”