Thousands of youngsters are growing up in jobless homes
THOUSANDS of young people from jobless families across North East Lincolnshire could be destined to join their parents in the dole queue, according to new research.
Of the 50,000 working-age households in the borough, 19.7 per cent – or 10,000 homes – are workless, meaning all of the adults living there are unemployed.
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There are also 13,000 homes in the region with at least one working-age person out of work.
The study, carried out by the Prince’s Trust, shows that young people from workless families are more likely to struggle to find employment themselves.
According to the report, based on interviews with 16 to 24-year-olds, 18 per cent expect to end up on benefits because other people around them have.
Michael Humphrey at home in Duke Street, Grimsby, with his children Harry, left, Ryan and baby Freddie-Joe.
But father-of-three Michael Humphrey, 38, of Duke Street, Grimsby, who spent 12 months unemployed, says he used the time to show his children the importance of working hard.
Mr Humphrey, who was made redundant from Thompson Plastics in Hessle in February last year, said: “Because I was out of work it meant I couldn’t afford to treat the kids to anything.
“I had to explain to them that we couldn’t go to the shops because there wasn’t any money.
“The positive thing is that it made them realise that you have to work hard to get a good life.”
Mr Humphrey, who is now employed by Auto Trail in Europarc, added: “Unfortunately a lot of people live comfortable lives on benefits, which doesn’t set a good example for their kids.
“It’s so important to encourage them to chase their dreams, but be realistic at the same time.
“My eldest wants to be a footballer and I tell him to go for it, but have a back-up plan in case it doesn’t work out.”
Mr Humphrey and his partner Lisa Russell, 34, have three children – Ryan, 8, Harry, 6, and Freddie-Joe, six months.
Martin Vickers, Conservative MP for Cleethorpes and Immingham, said young people must be given opportunities to break the cycle of unemployment.
He said: “Evidence suggests that in families where parents are out of work, the trait is often inherited by their children.”
23 Comments
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by Pete Brown, Hull
Saturday, August 14 2010, 8:55PM
“Absolutely Scandalous!!!!
The article and the morons who have posted derogatory and unfounded remarks against Mike and his family,
you should all be ashamed of yourselves.
I have known Mike for approx 18 years and all this time I have never met a harder working, self motivated, multi skilled individual in all my years of working.Mike was very unfortunate like many others to find himself out of work for the first time in his career.To put things into perspective and give you an insight into this guys work ethos.This guy used to cycle from his home in Grimsby to his work place in Hull daily .Having been made redundant the first thing he did was broaden his skill sets, investing his hard earned cash and redundancy money by enrolling onto a electrical course, self funded I wish to add.Mike should be seen as a role model to most not be ridiculed and have his work ethic questioned without knowing the facts.”
by local, Gy
Thursday, August 12 2010, 4:38PM
“In my opinion, you should be entitled to claim whatever you have contributed. If these people havent worked, and therefore not put anything in, then they should get food tokens, not money, and should be made to volunteer their time in order to get these. If you have been working for so many years, whatever you have put in, you should be entitled to claim back in your genuine time of need.
From a personal point, i have worked almost continuously for the last 11 years (since i was 17), and at times, i worked two jobs. When i have been out of work, (through business closing, so not through fault of my own,) i have been told i am not eligible for benefits. So i ask, how can people that have never worked a day in their lives be entitled?
I would also like to add to the point of these people that seem to have children as a money making scheme, that the surestart grant is available for those on income support or income based job seekers. So, myself and my husband are not entitled because he works full time!!!
Where is the incentive for the next generation?”
by me, down here
Thursday, August 12 2010, 12:54AM
“Stop moaning Dawn and get a job, your just being lazy. There are always jobs at the County or Lock inn”
by dawn, immingham
Wednesday, August 11 2010, 10:33PM
“Also, do you know how heavy a 43 yr old man weighs that is virtually a dead weight? We don't have hoists etc as we don't have the room for them we still manually lift him, when my partner is up numerous times in the night and myelf for that matter do you think it's ok to go to work absoluteley knackered cos you have been up all night with someone choking on their own spitt, and if you do work you get called out most days because he's sent home from day services because he's had a seizure completly messed himself and the one person cannot lift him alone?? How many emplpyers do you think are gonna give me a job knowing i have to repeatedly leave half way through a day or can't go in at all because he's ill and at home? Is that enough for you or is that still me being a worthless non job wanter.”
by dawn, immingham
Wednesday, August 11 2010, 9:33PM
“lucy were not both on bennefits, the carer's allowance is splitt between 2 of us thats my point read properly”
by The Devil's Advocate, Hades
Wednesday, August 11 2010, 8:04PM
“Thank you Telegraph. Now we are able to comment with the full facts to hand.”
by Jen, Bristol
Wednesday, August 11 2010, 7:49PM
“What a terrible article! I know the family in the photo very well and Mike works harder than anyone else I know.
The article thankfully has been amended to be more honest but is a good example of why you can¿t believe everything you see in the newspaper.
I'm disgusted at the original article, and
I can't blame the viewers for the negative comments when they don't get a truthful story. I¿m not sure I want to read this paper again.”
by Andy, back home
Wednesday, August 11 2010, 5:16PM
“Do people have to apply for work if there are no jobs that pay as much as their benefits?
My neighbours are awful people. The female (also unemployed) frequently shouts the F and S words at her little kids. They keep a dog in the back garden, but I've never seen them take the poor thing for a walk. I imagine they just sit on their backsides watching Jeremy Kyle.”
by Steve, Grimsby
Wednesday, August 11 2010, 4:08PM
“Well put Advocate. That was my initial point, what was the significance of the photo with no reference.
When you read a news article online in a News section you do not expect to have to purchase further documentation to explain the article.
I apologise to Mr Humphrey was misreading and asuming he was smiling for being unemployed as the article mislead.”
by The Devil's Advocate, Hades
Wednesday, August 11 2010, 3:45PM
“The Telegraph are being a little unfair with the method of reporting this item. We are led to believe (quite wrongly as it turns out) that Michael Humphrey is out of work. If you want to know all the facts you HAVE to buy the paper itself. A lot of contributors on this forum do not live in Grimsby, and a such are unable to purchase the paper.
Grimsby Telegraph, please could we be given more of the story to enable us to make a better informed comment. (some will continue to be in denial however much information they have). At least two posters today seem to have assumed things entirely due to your lack of the whole story.”