New Threats to Claimants and Public Services.
The reality of the recent cut to benefits – that is for those who got the Top Up, which did not include Legacy Claimants – is sinking in.
One thing that strikes you, and it is a long time since this writer was under 25, is the pitance single young people have to live on: £321.84 a month. You can easily pay £70 a month in gas and electricity alone (Flat). In fact that’s around what I pay. It’s a hefty chunk of any low income. My Bill, like everybody else’s, is set to rise.
Then here is this:
What is now worrying local councils is this:
The ‘I’.
Council services such as social care, bin collection, sport centres and road repairs are likely to be cut following real-term reductions in funding to councils in Rishi Sunak’s Spending Review, the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) will warn.
Analysis by the IFS shows that despite sharp rises in household council tax bills and £4.8bn of new grant funding for local authorities up until 2025, any additional revenue will be wiped out by rising costs, and councils will be forced to slash at least some essential services.
The IFS found that the expected average rise in council tax bills across all councils equates to 2.8 per cent increase each year until 2025. With the average council tax bill currently about £1,428, three consecutive years of rises would mean the average household would pay £39.92 more from next April, and £123.13 more from April 2024 than they paid this year.
These are the kind of things that do not register with people, until they are affected. Things at risk include very visible services libraries and the Citizen’s Advice bureau (in Suffolk a couple of years ago the Health Trust had to step in when the Tory Council Council halved their funding for them, except that kind of thing to happen again).
For all the claims to back public transport a look at the reality shows the reality:
Councils reacted with anger, warning that unless local authorities increase council tax bills by 3 per cent – thereby forcing a referendum in which local residents will vote on the rise – then services are likely to be cut.
Sam Chapman-Allen, chairman of the District Councils Network and Conservative leader of Breckland District Council in Norfolk said: “The Spending Review does not deliver the firm financial foundation district councils need to continue delivering essential frontline services and supporting local economies to grow.
“We cannot see how the £4.8bn new grant funding announced by the Chancellor will come close to addressing the financial pressures district councils and the rest of local government are under.
“Councils face a triple whammy of rising inflation, higher wage costs from the lifting of the public sector pay freeze, and continuing pressures from the impact of Covid. This leaves councils with an unpalatable choice between increasing council tax for hard-pressed local residents or cutting services that every local resident and business relies on.”
Don’t forget that people on benefits will begin again to pay Council Tax Relief/Reduction next year, which in some parts of the country is already unfairly high.
Still somebody’s happy:
Ipswich Unemployed Action. 
I wish one day that somebody would publicly ask Boris Johnson whether food bank usage would be higher at the end of his first term as prime minister or fallen and be lower? And when food bank usage would plateau and then begin falling rather than rising exponentially, year on year, first under the LibDem/Tory coalition and then even more so under subsequent Conservative governments? Surely over a decade of growing food poverty while, at the same time, substantial social security and tax cuts were made, with most of the tax cuts distributed amongst better off citizens predominantly, signifies great complacency and neglect on the part of any UK government tantamount almost to a crime against humanity?
Stephen
October 31, 2021 at 7:04 pm
The Weekly distribution of food to the homeless, mainly people in temporary accommodation, round the corner in Ipswich, at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, only began at the start of the Pandemic.
“Food for the homeless (packed lunch).”
Available for collection every Sunday 12pm – 1pm.” They get other provisions.
There were plenty there at lunch time today.
“Several churches in the South England Conference are operating as ADRA community hubs during the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis. They are providing food, provisions and assistance in their area under ADRA’s, I AM Urban initiative.”
Andrew Coates
October 31, 2021 at 7:33 pm
Hmm. And that’s with support via the furlough, protection from eviction, and a £20.00 p.w., uplift in universal credit which recently was withdrawn. So what happens next year when essentials like food go up in price and gas and electricity costs rocket? And also when council tax contributions levied from benefit claimants, which no person eking out an existence on UC/JSA should be charged, also get hiked next April? I could go on but it’s too depressing for a Monday morning.
Stephen
November 1, 2021 at 7:51 am
The Tories like to pretend that food poverty is a result of people not knowing how to budget properly, or because they spend their generous Benefits on booze or drugs.
trev
October 31, 2021 at 9:53 pm
And even now Labour can’t seem to make any political headway out of this. It makes you wonder just how bad things will have to get before people stop voting Tory.
Jeff Smith
October 31, 2021 at 8:28 pm
As a legacy JSA claimant I receive £300 every four weeks, but my Housing Benefit is another £320 paid directly to the landlord, and I qualify for a Council Tax Reduction. So all in all I get approx. £680 every 4 weeks. Do those figures quoted also include the rent?
trev
October 31, 2021 at 8:45 pm
No they do not include Local Housing Allowance(private renters), or Universal Credit, housing costs.
“If you pay rent to a local authority, council or housing association you will get your full rent as part of your Universal Credit payment. This will be reduced by 14% if you have one spare bedroom, or 25% if you have 2 or more spare bedrooms. This is known as Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy.
Andrew Coates
October 31, 2021 at 8:54 pm
So the 300 quid jsa I get over a 4 weeks period (but paid fortnightly) is on a par with the UC for a single person aged 25+ . I don’t how younger folk manage on less than that as I struggle to make ends meet (as I’m sure we all do).
trev
October 31, 2021 at 9:48 pm
to this day i still dont get why you get less benefits if you are a couple not like the bus fair or food ect is any cheaper is it, it is more like a sanction to be in a relationship and dare claim benefits.
i mean they save 400 quid a month on rent as only need 1 home and not 2 the system is totally fucked it is always rigged against you at every turn of the screw and set you up to fail.
superted
October 31, 2021 at 9:25 pm
It’s a bit cheaper to live as a couple as you can share the bills and share food.
trev
October 31, 2021 at 9:50 pm
yeah if that person shares the money as only paid in to one account and both need to play ball with the dwp.
superted
October 31, 2021 at 9:54 pm
Andrew Coates
November 1, 2021 at 8:12 am
So many Tory voters thought sanctions on Universal Credit was a myth. But now they are all waking up that sanctions on Universal Credit are real & not a myth. People have had almost 12 years to wake up.
Stepping Razor Sound Plate System
November 1, 2021 at 8:57 am
@Stepping Razor Sound Plate System- Very true Stepping, a lot of working-class Tory voters have now seen the benefits system from the inside. Many for the first time. But how much this will change their behaviour remains to be seen.
Jeff Smith
November 1, 2021 at 3:49 pm
To plan B or not to B, that is the question
With cases of infection on the uptick still according to data despite even more than pre vaccines levels of people remaining uninfected/asymptomatic, what route do you think the country needs to take ?
With the household (including visiting), education settings, eating out and supermarkets the largest areas most likely to contract the infection, does the passport go far enough and is it even worth the effort as it is currently being used.
Is plan B even worth considering now the floodgates of travel are opened up like a gaping wound.
According to data while the 30s to 59s are recorded with the highest level of cases (more than 2.5 times that of 60 to 80 plus), still the latter group are more likely to be admitted to hospital and or die.
Is our governments acceptance of hospitalization and or death built on what a person contributes as they strive and drive to build back better and is the great leveling up just a contingency to replace the expects, most of whom are well into their 40s and 50s who may fall this infection or the next by sharing the knowledge to a larger group.
What do you think is the road forward and what losses are you willing to accept to secure your future.
Doug
November 1, 2021 at 9:02 am
The Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Amendment) Regulations 2021
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-jobseekers-allowance-and-employment-and-support-allowance-amendment-regulations-2021
jj joop
November 1, 2021 at 11:04 am
nsjsa is only for 6 months yet they now want to sanction these ppl as well that could have paid tax there hole life only to be shat on buy the dwp with sanctions.
superted
November 1, 2021 at 2:48 pm
Press release
Over a million jobseekers to benefit from new training opportunities
Over a million jobseekers could benefit from extra training following the latest changes to Universal Credit, helping fill vacancies from the care sector to the engineering industry.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/over-a-million-jobseekers-to-benefit-from-new-training-opportunities
superted
November 1, 2021 at 2:46 pm
The extension to DWP Train and Progress means those receiving Universal Credit who are in the intensive work search group can take advantage of more sector-specific training – from digital skills to social care and engineering – while continuing to receive financial support.
In England, customers can also take part in the free Department for Education Skills Bootcamps for up to 16 weeks, and will be able to access the planned HGV Bootcamps.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/over-a-million-jobseekers-to-benefit-from-new-training-opportunities
Skills Bootcamps offer free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks for adults aged 19 or over and who are either in work or recently unemployed. Some Skills Bootcamps have additional eligibility criteria.
They give people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and fast-track to an interview with a local employer.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/find-a-skills-bootcamp/list-of-skills-bootcamps
Andrew Coates
November 1, 2021 at 3:12 pm
From what I understand following a phone call I received a while back from the jobcentre, the training courses available are intended to take people who don’t have any FE/HE qualifications up to Level 4. Anyone who is already at or above level 4 is not covered by the available funding so can’t be referred to such training.
Here are the education levels:
https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/qualifications-what-different-levels-mean
trev
November 1, 2021 at 3:31 pm
As I understand it, there are significant safety concerns about these fast-track HGV courses? You’ve got people with ordinary car licences, ex-taxi drivers etc. doing a quick course, and then hammering down the motorway in an articulated truck.
Jeff Smith
November 1, 2021 at 3:42 pm
Trev
The proposed level is 3 but dont get caught up in that as its far from gain a level3, hey presto qualification equals higher wages.
The whole drive here is centered around making local governments more solvent by way of having more bums in higher paid jobs. Joke is this central and these local governments are the ones responsible for creating a low to no skilled environment by attracting businesses on the basis of cheap staffing, Allowing businesses to hire people for as least hours as they wish (ZHC) and poorly paid self employment.
Anyway based on a medium sized authority,
a localised model could lead to additional fiscal benefits for a local area of £280 million per year, with a benefit to the economy of £420 million. This would be associated with an additional 8,500 people leaving benefits, an additional 3,600 people achieving Level 2 skills, and an additional 2,100 people achieving Level 3 skills.
They have no intention of helping every person into a higher paid job because its not that simple and i will explain why.
Level 1 is what is a hammer as so to speak.
Level 2 is an incite only into a specific trade
Level 3 is the bar at which a person begins to ply a specific trade but is often supervised in the initial stage, can need further coupling qualifications and registration and association oversight.
The majority of people unless prior holding a relevant level 2, they take out an advanced learners loan or the employer funds it will not get to take a level 3.
So if you dont hold a level 3 already, you are instantly a candidate to be steered down this road and will in all likelihood not rise more than one level above your current level.
700,000 16 to 24 year olds are neets, 9 million adults lack literacy and numeracy skills meaning 15% of the country isnt even ready to take a level 1.
Half of all unemployed people do not claim an out of work benefit or receive job search assistance from Jobcentre Plus. This point probably explains why DWP are coming for the disabled and ill in a big way
In the last decade just one in six low-paid workers (17 per cent) permanently escaped low pay, while a quarter remain stuck and just under four million people (or one in nine workers) are in insecure work
Conor D’Arcy, Senior Policy Analyst at the Resolution Foundation, said:
Britain has one of the highest proportions of low-paid work in the developed work. And while three-quarters of low-paid workers did manage to move into higher paying roles at some point over the past decade, the vast majority couldn’t sustain that progress. This lack of pay progress can have a huge scarring effect on people’s lifetime living standards.
The Rt Hon Alan Milburn, Chair of the Social Mobility Commission, said:
Britain has an endemic low pay problem. While record numbers of people are in employment, too many jobs are low skilled and low paid. Millions of workers – particularly women – are being trapped in low pay with little chance of escape. The consequences for social mobility are dire.
Britain’s flexible workforce gives us global economic advantage, but a 2-tier labour market is now exacting too high a social price. A new approach is needed to break the vicious cycle where low skills lead to low pay in low-quality jobs.
https://www.local.gov.uk/parliament/briefings-and-responses/levelling-agenda-house-commons-15-june-2021#contact
Doug
November 2, 2021 at 9:48 am
The woman who rang me from the Jobcentre mentioned some training being available and asked if I have a level 4 qualification, or any City & Guilds or BTEC. I told her that I have a BTEC qualification in warehousing that I did with Standguide and said that my highest qualification is a Bachelors Degree with Honours, and I have a BTEC Diploma and an Access certificate. She quickly made her excuses and hung up. I’ve heard nothing more about it.
trev
November 2, 2021 at 11:33 am
Sounds like WORKFARE to me Ted. No thanks.
Cloverleaf
November 1, 2021 at 3:10 pm
It’s all completely one-sided with this Tory government. They ignore the brutal cruelty of their £20 Universal Credit cut, and try to divert attention from this, by going on about training courses. People need an adequate income now, on benefits, not some pie-in-the-sky rubbish about jobs in the future. It is poverty today that needs to be addressed, by raising benefits to a decent level.
Jeff Smith
November 1, 2021 at 3:59 pm
Jam tomorrow
trev
November 1, 2021 at 4:10 pm
Black cherry 😋
trev
November 1, 2021 at 4:43 pm
I’m single on JSA privately renting and I saved £1000 last year (and bought a big TV for all the lockdowns, don’t usually watch much TV), I’m on course to save another £1000 this year but I’ll spend some for Xmas so probably save another £1000 by February. I’ve never eaten so well and get large shopping deliveries every few weeks never been near a food bank.
NoOneInParticular
November 1, 2021 at 4:56 pm
I’m on JSA privately renting, I saved £1000 last year (and bought a big TV for the lockdowns), I’m on course to save another £1000 this year. My diet lifestyle etc has never been better (apart from not going anywhere with all the lockdowns etc), never been near a food bank either.
NoOneInParticular
November 1, 2021 at 5:01 pm
Am I the only one who finds that hard to believe? On JSA your total annual income is about £3,900 .
trev
November 1, 2021 at 5:11 pm
Having spent my time on JSA walking to Lidl or Aldi to save a few quid on basics like pasta, porridge, cheese and the rest, and knowing everybody who was on it, and people now on Universal Credit, stony broke by the time the new payments are due, I imagine this chap gets his bish bash for new televisions and deliveries from Waitrose, from working on the side as a right-wing Troll on the Internet.
Andrew Coates
November 1, 2021 at 5:36 pm
I once saved up enough to buy a Rolls out of my JSA. Two vegetarian sausage rolls from the Pound Bakery.
trev
November 1, 2021 at 5:44 pm
Trev
If your on UC its totally possible if you work coupled with the uplift. Its still possible even if you dont on UC with the uplift if a person budgets. Also dont forget this person may have savings/assets less than £6,000 and or an owned property and made a saving that would have normally come out of their savings.
Its hard to say as the poster is vague in the explanation department.
A sensible person would have saved it for a rainy day anyway so it should tell you something about the poster does it not.
Its rather irrelevant though in the mist of the millions on UC all struggling even with the addition of the uplift.
Doug
November 2, 2021 at 8:24 am
If you want to hide your wealth one or several Rolex watches can be good investments because the HMRC don’t check such purchases as per money laundering unless you go over £10,000. If you buy gold every purchase and purchaser’s details (can’t buy bullion in cash any more) are logged and can be scrutinised by HMRC and details shared with other government departments (like the DWP) meaning that you could get caught if your try to salt money away in gold sovereigns, Krugerrands, American eagles, Chinese pandas etc., and even have your gold confiscated if the government one day decided to do so for some reason.
Midas King
November 2, 2021 at 6:51 pm
I WORK and I can’t afford the lifestyle your describing No one in particular
kattyrehman
November 1, 2021 at 6:43 pm
Living rent free with your mum then, son? Using her electric, gas, phone, water, food, drink, TV, eating her cooking gratis and borrowing her car while keeping all yer dole are ya? Gotta be ain’t ‘cha? Or doing a hooky job on the side in the black economy while claiming? Must be ain’t ‘cha? Gotta be an no mistake and due for a spanking by the sound of things if you ask me.
Alexei
November 1, 2021 at 6:52 pm
Ha ha ha good joke 😂
Cloverleaf
November 1, 2021 at 6:55 pm
I was replying to no one in particular not you kat.
Cloverleaf
November 1, 2021 at 6:56 pm
@NoOneinParticular: Is your name Therese Coffey ?
George M
November 1, 2021 at 9:24 pm
Boris farting C02 omissions if a huge pollution problem. It is worse in confined spaces like his personal jet jetting around the world. Personal meeting with Boris are difficult at the best of times.
Stepping Razor Sound Plate System
November 1, 2021 at 5:57 pm
Climate Change – What’s for dinner!!!
Stepping Razor Sound Plate System
November 1, 2021 at 5:58 pm
I blame Brussels
trev
November 1, 2021 at 6:16 pm
well i tried to find a course and anything any good costs thousands and 12 months long
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/find-a-course/page?searchTerm=&distance=10%20miles&town=GL2%204PX&orderByValue=Relevance&startDate=Anytime&courseType=&courseHours=&courseStudyTime=&filterA=true&page=1&D=1&coordinates=&campaignCode=LEVEL3_FREE
the only free stuff i can find is doing the same old crap down a providers office pmsl
superted
November 1, 2021 at 7:55 pm
The latest catchphrase; “Tailoring Up”
https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2021/november/dwp-test-new-conditionality-policy-focussing-what-disabled-claimant-%E2%80%9Ccan-do-not
Related, the New Labour origins of WCA
https://beastrabban.wordpress.com/2021/11/01/private-eye-on-blairs-privatisation-of-the-government-service-examining-disabled-claimants/
trev
November 1, 2021 at 10:55 pm
But she then adds that:
“However, she The Tailoring Up approach does not remove the option to apply mandatory conditionality. The approach is tailored to each individual dependent on their personal circumstances.
Many people will have a blend of commitments, some voluntary and some mandatory, and we retain the mandatory requirement for claimants to attend any interviews set.
All commitments are agreed in advance with the claimant and Tailoring Up reduces the likelihood of any sanction referrals by applying a voluntary first approach where applicable.
However, claimants may still be set mandatory commitments if the work coach feels it is appropriate; and should the claimants fail to comply without a good cause, they could be subject to a sanction.
well buy law you can only be mandated to a providers office for induction and buy law and dwp rules and regs you can refuse to sign any of there paperer work and not let them process your personnel data per the gdpr you can say no on this point alone.
3rd party company’s need your permission to processes your data, how many jobs have you got and not entered in to a contract being signed, never.
the reality is these provider based 3rd party company’s courses were never mandatory and all the dwp can do is mandate you attend induction on said date and time via a job seekers direction and make it like you have no choice.
and i gave sam a paper copy of my cv as demanded in paper format, they cant keep this on record as need my permission.
i was dumped to another work coach that then tried to sanction me for not giving them a cv only to find the stupid cow did register it as received on the lms and forgot about it 2 weeks later as put it in the bin.
superted
November 1, 2021 at 11:24 pm
@superted: It makes you think Superted about all the people who went on the Work Programme. What if they really didn’t have to do it, and it was all a con by the DWP after all ?
George M
November 2, 2021 at 12:37 am
they sent me on the first wp i did not sign anything but did attend induction as required and did not hear anything foe a year and half and learn direct took over and then the mwa letters started to roll in and then sanction doubts for not attending.
and on every reply back to the dwp i simply stated i do not have a contract with this company and did not go anywhere.
after 2 years was up i attended my exit report review and all they had on there system was my name address and ni number.
when i went back to the jcp it was hit squad adviser time but without the exit report they was screwed as did not what buttons to press to get me aggravated so ended up in a screaming match with me sat there smiling at them.
i have not had to stay at any provider since as wont sign anything because buy llaw i am not required to and up to me who processes my personnel data and can not be mandated i give them this permission and must be given of free will.
superted
November 2, 2021 at 1:26 pm
Ireland say NO to Cashless Society.
Cloverleaf
November 2, 2021 at 3:27 pm
I don’t like using cash, I prefer to pay for things in gold and silver nuggets in little velvet bags.
trev
November 2, 2021 at 4:03 pm
Ha ha ha ha 😀
Cloverleaf
November 2, 2021 at 5:03 pm
Government’s winter support a ‘drop in the ocean’, council claims
https://www.barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk/news/council-calls-for-more-government-support-for-vulnerable-8457690
superted
November 2, 2021 at 4:08 pm
Noticed this in the print edition of the ‘i’, a daily (65 pence), that is both not costly and a serious good read:
Andrew Coates
November 2, 2021 at 7:38 pm
Incredible. But typical.
trev
November 2, 2021 at 8:28 pm
Andrew Coates
November 3, 2021 at 7:16 am
The idea of making profit out of the disabled, and New Labour’s role in what became the Work Capability Assessment:
https://beastrabban.wordpress.com/2021/11/01/private-eye-on-blairs-privatisation-of-the-government-service-examining-disabled-claimants/
trev
November 3, 2021 at 10:00 am
“””A DWP spokesperson said in statement: “Our condolences remain with the Day family. We cannot comment on active legal proceedings.” It is not clear to which legal proceedings they refer to as Leigh Day has confirmed Capita’s settlement means no further legal action is outstanding regarding the Philippa Day case.”””
The DWP are still being charged as the DWP. So of course the DWP cannot comment on active legal proceedings. Yet again the DWP with a gagging order.
Stepping Razor Sound Plate System
November 3, 2021 at 2:06 pm
I received a brown envelope last thursday and feared the worst but it was good news. The letter invited me to apply for a state pension. It’s just under four months to go until I reach retirement. I immediately typed in the website on my phone and typed in the verification code. It asked me for mg email and phone number and my bank details. All this information the jobcentre already have so I guess would make it easier to check. I confirmed the information and received an email to confirm that I had applied. On the website it stated I might be contacted by text and no later than two weeks before I reach retirement. Today, just six days after applying I received another brown envelope stating that to get me on a regular payment cycle I will receive my first payment for two weeks and two days of £410 which will be 15 days after I reach my birthday and then every four weeks I will receive £718.
The day a person receives their pension is based on the national insurance number.
With all the problems concerning claiming state pension my experience has been perfect. An excellent job done by a member of the dwp staff. Maybe as all my details were easy to confirm with my ongoing jsa claim it was straightforward but still a very efficient job well done.
Rob
November 3, 2021 at 10:53 am
The last few DWP letters I’ve received (in my case about a Budgeting Loan) have been sent in white envelopes as was announced fairly recently.
trev
November 3, 2021 at 10:59 am
It’s all done by a DWP computer system, Rob, not by individuals. Unless something goes wrong the invitation letter, application process and confirmatory letter of acknowledgement are all handled automatically by machines.
Stephen
November 3, 2021 at 12:32 pm
A swift transfer to your pension gets you off the unemployment figures. One less for the DWP to be concerned about.
Jeff Smith
November 3, 2021 at 2:12 pm
@Rob: Neighbour of mine just retired from JSA, he had to give passport details and everything ? He was complaining about it the other day. Then there was a delay as well.
George M
November 3, 2021 at 2:17 pm
@trev.
I remember receiving a white envelope from the dwp.
I noticed that these two brown envelopes don’t mention the dwp but on the back they just say if undelivered return to undelivered mail receipt section and a postcode.
I just noticed that this letter confirming my pension dates is dated last thursday, the day I went online and applied. That really is efficient.
Rob
November 3, 2021 at 11:17 am
They must have a pile of old stock brown ones to use up on Pensions.
trev
November 3, 2021 at 11:45 am
State pension: Hundreds of pensioners waiting for first payments after DWP missed own deadline
Hundreds of pensioners have continued to wait for their first state pension payment despite reassurances from the Government that the backlog would be cleared by the end of October.
i can reveal that nearly 400 payments will be completed by the end of 2 November while a further 4,900 more complex claims are still processing.
Financial experts said any delay to the state pension would be distressing for millions who rely on it as their main source of income
https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/state-pension-hundreds-of-pensioners-waiting-for-first-payments-after-dwp-missed-own-deadline-1280223
my mum should have got hers 8 months ago and still on benefits so 400 a month down.
superted
November 3, 2021 at 2:30 pm
They should be sanctioned for this. If a claimant missed their deadline, there would soon be enough said.
Jeff Smith
November 3, 2021 at 7:26 pm
You’re labouring under the mistaken belief that there is justice in the world.
trev
November 3, 2021 at 7:31 pm
Andrew Coates
November 3, 2021 at 5:47 pm
@George M.
I guess someone who is retiring from a job would need to provide identification but maybe in my case it is more straightforward. The invitation letter with the verification code is sent to the address that is on my jsa claim. All the contact details and bank account details regarding my jsa are exactly the same for my state pension application.
In a way it’s a bit like a rapid reclaim after being put on a course.
Rob
November 3, 2021 at 6:27 pm
@Stephen.
It still requires someone to input the information. The letter I received today states how much and when I will receive it.
It’s still a few months away so hopefully I will live long enough to receive it.
Rob
November 3, 2021 at 6:32 pm
Good luck, mate, you’re nearly in the clear and can soon put the DWP behind you forever. Enjoy a long, happy and peaceful retirement for all of us.
Stephen
November 3, 2021 at 6:36 pm
@superted.
Your mums pension must be one of the complex ones.
Eight months can’t just be down to understaffing.
Rob
November 3, 2021 at 6:39 pm
I’ve just seen a very short tv advert for Indeed “Flexi”, whatever that is. Sounds like it’s for short notice casual work, zero hours, temporary, jobs requiring flexible staff willing to work flexible shifts under flexible terms and conditions, but flexible for whom, the companies or the workers? Universal Credit will love it. Or maybe I misunderstood and they were advertising shampoo.
trev
November 3, 2021 at 6:58 pm
I don’t like the sound of this:
https://indeedflex.co.uk/
trev
November 3, 2021 at 7:02 pm
@trev- Yeah, this is the future the employers want. A vast army of low-cost workers on zero-hours contracts. All just a quick phone call away. Start and stop, hire& fire, as the employer dictates. Total flexibility for the employer. Low costs, and no commitment whatever required from them.
Jeff Smith
November 3, 2021 at 7:32 pm
I don’t like all this “start tomorrow” business. I need a week to think about it, just to psyche myself up, and often a fortnight to get the bus fare together.
trev
November 3, 2021 at 7:35 pm
This was one of the ideas behind universal credit, i.e., to generate a pool of temporary labour, especially in respect to working age benefit claimants, which could be booked by employers completely flexibly for as little as one hour to forty-seven hours, or more if agreeable, and dispensed with at an employer’s whim. Hire, fire, pay lowest rates possible and incur no responsibilities. No worries about holiday pay, maternity pay, sick pay or absences due to illness because only “work ready” and “fit” people would be recruited; basically a capitalist’s wet dream as far as a resource like workers are concerned. Lord David Freud used to refer to such people as “stock” in much the same sense as farmers call their animals “livestock”, which kind of gave the aim away if only people had noticed.
Stephen
November 4, 2021 at 7:49 am
Hmmm work where you want where you want…. But only if you are fully jabbed.
Cloverleaf
November 3, 2021 at 7:38 pm
looks like company’s post shifts on this site and if no one internally can fill it then goes external to get filled buy anyone available.
so if you sign up to the restart programme and they register you on this site for work and a shift becomes available in your area then off you go.
superted
November 3, 2021 at 7:54 pm
But I won’t be able to go because I’m unjabbed it says on the ‘flex’ site you have to be fully jabbed. They can stick their zero hour rubbish where the sun don’t shine.
Cloverleaf
November 3, 2021 at 8:35 pm
well 60.000 care workers could be sacked next week for not getting the jab and another 120.000 next year when the nhs staff will also need the jab or face the sack.
most care homes are private company’s if they not got enough staff they can not operate for health and safety reasons and will have to close and will dump the customers on the street!
superted
November 3, 2021 at 10:37 pm
If I was a care worker or NHS staff I would not go to work unless I had been vaccinated and would bloody well make sure I was first in the queue! If they sack them all they’ll have to open the doors to Europe and get all the immigrants back. Brexit wasn’t quite thought through properly was it lol
trev
November 3, 2021 at 11:28 pm
it is not a vaccine it is a treatment and does not stop you getting it or transmitting it or it killing you no matter how many jabs you get.
https://odysee.com/@hugotalks:8/2-Kids-DIE-From-Same-School-Within-A-Week-Hugo-Talks–lockdown2:7
Yellow Card reporting trends
A report of a suspected ADR to the Yellow Card scheme does not necessarily mean that it was caused by the vaccine, only that the reporter has a suspicion it may have. Underlying or previously undiagnosed illness unrelated to vaccination can also be factors in such reports. The relative number and nature of reports should therefore not be used to compare the safety of the different vaccines. All reports are kept under continual review in order to identify possible new risks.
Up to and including 20 October 2021, the MHRA received and analysed 124,530 UK Yellow Cards from people who have received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. These reports include a total of 350,870 suspected reactions (i.e. a single report may contain more than one symptom). The first report was received on 9 December 2020.
Up to and including 20 October 2021, the MHRA received and analysed a total of 235,341 UK reports of suspected ADRs to the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca. These reports include a total of 835,090 suspected reactions (a single report may contain more than one symptom). The first report was received on 4 January 2021.
Up to and including 20 October 2021, the MHRA received and analysed a total of 17,039 UK reports of suspected ADRs to the COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna. These include a total 54,555 suspected reactions (a single report may contain more than one symptom). The first report was received on 7 April 2021.
Additionally, up to and including 20 October 2021, the MHRA received 1,164 Yellow Card reports where the brand of vaccine was not specified by the reporter.
In the week since the previous summary for 13 October 2021 we have received a further 1,988 Yellow Cards for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, 459 for the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca, 118 for the COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna and 16 where the brand was not specified.
It is important to note that Yellow Card data cannot be used to derive side effect rates or compare the safety profile of COVID-19 vaccines as many factors can influence ADR reporting.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-adverse-reactions/coronavirus-vaccine-summary-of-yellow-card-reporting#yellow-card-reports
per adr and deaths this has been the worst vaccine roll out in history that still does not work and causes more damage than its worth same as every other drug for profit.
why not give care workers and nhs staff proper equipment in the first place?
https://www.mirasafety.com/collections/featured-products/products/cm-7m-military-gas-mask
but that is not the agenda is it as it is all about control via the media and it will fail 😉
superted
November 3, 2021 at 11:57 pm
Of course it’s a vaccine, and the official medical experts advice is to get vaccinated so that’s what I did.
trev
November 4, 2021 at 12:02 am
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccine
it is a virus that mutates there is no cure and never will be
superted
November 4, 2021 at 12:23 am
I don’t think vaccines are supposed to cure people, ted, after all they are given to people before they get infected not after they become ill to make them better. As far as I know the corona jab is only supposed to make infection less bad, keep people out of hospital and reduce the number of fatalities for a majority of people who get them and statistically that’s exactly what’s happened as far as I can see.
Stephen
November 4, 2021 at 7:53 am
You do know Cloverleaf that you are risking your life by being unvaccinated ?
Jeff Smith
November 4, 2021 at 2:07 pm
Blah blah blah.
Cloverleaf
November 4, 2021 at 5:05 pm
Because the Tories are not in the real world of reality, which is 99.9% of the population, a huge oversight has been made in what & who’s reality is for the 0.1% which make up the rules which they used to be called policies. Why is the 99.9% of it going all wrong the 0.1% say.
Stepping Razor Sound Plate System
November 3, 2021 at 11:16 pm
Since Captia have taken responsibility over a DWP Death, should not the DWP have taken responsibility !!! No the DWP are back in court again. Criminal DWP – DWP State Sponsored Murder. Now DWP go & get your Criminal lawyers.
Stepping Razor Sound Plate System
November 3, 2021 at 11:19 pm
No hiding behind Corporate Manslaughter DWP.
Stepping Razor Sound Plate System
November 3, 2021 at 11:20 pm
So Corporate Manslaughter is politics !!!
Stepping Razor Sound Plate System
November 3, 2021 at 11:21 pm
superted
November 3, 2021 at 11:33 pm
superted
November 4, 2021 at 12:39 am
Rona at a glance
According to the Johns Hopkins University, life expectancy has fallen as a result of covid as we mark around 5 million deaths world wide.
Well a global population of 7.9 billion says 0.06% is a very tiny number indeed even if the number was larger as suspected it might be. Double, treble even quad the 5 million and its still only 0.25%.
Hmmm, 28 million years of lost life. wonder what 7,895,000,000 of life comes to.
Need a university kids to shape that all important career, create that wealth then choose one curing cancer instead of one built on suppositum.
Moving on Blair and his crony institute of the criminally insane, no wait, global change reckon vaccine passports can provide “reassurances” and limit spread in a crowded or enclosed environment.
Its good to see the spin doctor spreads the love and created a whole army of him while the logical mind rests on “hold on a moment”.
Vaccine passports would be a good idea if they actually proved the person holding it WAS NOT INFECTED at the time of USE.
You just cant legitimately reassure someone/anyone on this basis unless that fully vaccinated person can rest on the notion they may have infected some people who will go on to infect other, possibly cause death of someones loved one but its alright, they tried their best. Words spoken like a true prime minister at heart whose never accountable for anything bad and knows it.
Fact check says a vaccinated person at any level of vaccination can still become infected, still carry it and still pass it on with the viral load almost indistinguishable to an unvaccinated person.
The only way to assure a venue does not become a spreading event is by testing everyone at the door with a test that actually works while carried out by people not capable of contaminating the test sample.
Well thats all for now so this is johnny go lightly signing off, thanking you for watching and hoping to see you next time when we look at more spin from our overloads
Doug
November 4, 2021 at 9:25 am
The Poor Side of Life
https://thepoorsideof.life/2021/11/04/the-conservative-party-gangsters-in-all-but-name/
trev
November 4, 2021 at 11:10 am
Andrew Coates
November 4, 2021 at 2:17 pm
What about his four-year course in American Pole Dancing ? For which the public paid, was it £120,000 ?
Jeff Smith
November 4, 2021 at 2:23 pm
@Jeff Smith; You can learn a lot of American Pole Dancing in four years. Depends whose instructing of course.
George M
November 4, 2021 at 6:05 pm
4 November 2021
Delays in state pensions payments due to DWP staffing shortages
Thousands of pensioners are missing out on pensions payments as a result of staff shortages in the DWP.
It is totally unacceptable that pensioners should be experiencing stress and financial insecurity as a direct result of DWP’s failure to staff their operations adequately.
PCS has consistently argued for extra staff across all areas of DWP, but issues in the pensions services have become more acute since the government initiated the ‘state pension correction exercise’ to address £bs in underpayments owed to pensioners.
At a time when the need to invest in its staff is so acute, DWP are planning to close the Pensions and Benefits Centre in Cosham putting over a hundred staff at risk of redundancy most of whom have many years’ experience of processing pensions claims.
DWP group president Martin Cavanagh commented: “Our members have gone above and beyond to deliver vital services to the public in the most difficult of circumstances, yet despite their best efforts, pensioners are being placed at risk of real hardship due to staff shortages. PCS have argued for more permanent staff to be recruited to deliver vital services to some of the most vulnerable in society. Without that investment services will suffer, payments will be delayed and the vulnerable number in society will increase.”
PCS calls on the Department to urgently recruit staff to ensure that they are able to deliver vital services to the most vulnerable people in society, because pensioners and benefit claimants deserve better.
superted
November 4, 2021 at 1:55 pm
‘I lost four stone waiting for my state pension to start’: DWP says it has now sorted delays on new claims – but are YOU still affected?
Older people report grave hardship as they wait for state pension to start
One man in Wales says he lost four stone while living on food parcels
An Essex woman was at her wits’ end as she feared losing her home
A DWP spokesperson says it is sorry: Read its full statement below
Webb says ministers should also make ‘a proper public apology’
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/pensions/article-10157927/State-pension-delays-DWP-says-sorted-backlog.html
Andrew Coates
November 4, 2021 at 2:07 pm
so you pay in to a system all of your life and when you get to 66 you will be lucky not to stave to death b4 you get your pension lol.
superted
November 4, 2021 at 2:12 pm
Everyone of these DWP staff should be sanctioned from their own pay for this pensions delay.
George M
November 4, 2021 at 2:45 pm
And a DWP Pilgrimage of Repentance to the shrine of St.Thomas a Beckett in Canterbury. Where the staff of Caxton House walk barefoot and wearing the white robes of penitence.
Jeff Smith
November 4, 2021 at 2:50 pm
White robes? sackcloth and ashes might be more appropriate.
trev
November 4, 2021 at 4:06 pm
There was once a pointless union,
It was called the PCS,
It did nothing for its members,
And never saw success.
It was quick to call for changes,
To tell government what to do,
But when it came to action,
It never quite came through.
The union of protest,
But without any teeth,
The skin from the rice-pudding,
With nothing underneath.
A union in the shadows,
Made of hollow men,
Who come to the brink,
And then pull back,
Over and over again.
Random Poet
November 4, 2021 at 2:35 pm
Serwotka’s alright but he’s no Arthur Scargill.
trev
November 4, 2021 at 3:59 pm
@Random poet – Nice one Random, especially the suggestive bit at the end !
George M
November 4, 2021 at 4:06 pm
Just been to sign on, WC wasn’t in so saw a different one,all she had to do is give me my next appointment instead she decided to waste time looking for kickstart opportunities for me even though I’m in my thirties.
after 20 minutes she realises I’m too old for her scheme,so decides to waste more time by looking for jobs on find a job for me to apply.
She couldn’t find any jobs and asked me for my email address apparently she wants to send me jobs to apply for, even though she couldn’t find me any whilst I was there. I told her you don’t need my email address to contact me,send them in the post, WC couldn’t wait to get rid of me then and gave me my next appointment..
They really drag the day out with there games
Big bird
November 4, 2021 at 3:46 pm
Blimey what a job’s worth. I don’t get any of that sort of shit.
trev
November 4, 2021 at 3:56 pm
I have just had a call from coach and pimp about restart, it’s with maximus, got an appointment with them in 2 weeks face to face so I’ll be expected to sign their 3rd party contract but I’m not going to they can go swivel 🤩
Cloverleaf
November 4, 2021 at 4:16 pm
Let us know how you get on, thanks.
jj joop
November 4, 2021 at 5:47 pm
DWP Workshop on self esteem:
trev
November 4, 2021 at 5:24 pm
Restart providers data protection obligations and participants information rights
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/restart_providers_data_protectio#incoming-1908710
jj joop
November 4, 2021 at 5:46 pm
If they can do this in Southern Ireland, a small country and not a wealthy one, why can’t we here in Britain ?
( For comparison, 203 euros is £173.73, 134.70 euros is £115.28, and 34 euros is £29.10 )
Rates of Unemployment Benefits in Ireland in 2021
There are two types of welfare payments for unemployed people in Ireland. (They are both sometimes informally known as”the Dole” in Ireland)
1. Jobseekers Benefit : JSB
Jobseeker’s Benefit is a weekly payment from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) to people who are out of work and covered by social insurance (PRSI). In other words – you must have been previously in a job and have paid a certain number of PSRI contributions. It is paid for a maximum of 9 months. Full Rules Here
Maximum Weekly Rate : €203 plus €134.70 for a dependent adult plus €34 for each child under 12 and €37 for each child aged 12 or over.
For example: : A couple with 2 children (11 and 13) would get a maximum of €408.70 a week ( €21,252 a year)
2. Jobseekers Allowance : JSA
Jobseekers Allowance is payable to claimants who have not paid enough PSRI contributions (or any). The top rates of payment are very similar to Jobseekers Benefit – but under 25’s get a lower rate.
You go on to Jobseekers Allowance after you have used up your entitlement to Jobseeker’s Benefit.
Maximum Weekly Rate JSA : €203 – Plus €134.70 for a dependent adult. Plus €34 for each child under 12 and €37 for each child aged 12 or over.
People under 25 will get the full rate of €203 if they have dependent children
People under 25 without children will only get the full rate of €203 if they are living independently and getting a state housing support such as Rent Supplement, RAS or HAP.
If they are living with parents or not getting housing support they will get a lower rate of Jobseekers of €112.70 a week with €112.70 for a dependent adult.
The main differences between Jobseekers Benefit and Jobseekers Allowance – are:
Jobseekers Benefit is not means-tested
The income of your partner is not taken into account for Jobseekers Benefit.
Jobseekers Benefit is only paid for 12 months.
Jobseekers Allowance is subject to a means test – . A means test is when your income is calculated to find out if it falls below a certain level. If it falls below a certain level you can get Jobseeker’s Allowance. The income of your partner will be taken into consideration too.
Jeff Smith
November 4, 2021 at 6:18 pm
Apparently Eire has a far greater GDP than the UK due to companies like Amazon and Facebook etc. being registered there for tax purposes. But I’ve travelled around Ireland and there’s fuck all industry going on apart from farming, agriculture, tourism. Most of the country is uninhabited bogland and the population is less than 5 million.
trev
November 4, 2021 at 6:39 pm
And you go on to annual signing from age 62 or 63, and are then exempt from attending any more employment schemes. They could certainly implement that here.
trev
November 4, 2021 at 6:44 pm
So basically if you’re on the Irish version of JSA / Universal Credit it’s £173 per week instead of £74 !!
£99 quid a week more !! Fucking hell !! I’m moving to Dublin…
George M
November 4, 2021 at 10:32 pm
And nothing to spend it on apart from Guinness
trev
November 4, 2021 at 10:52 pm
BUT, you do come across this type of thing in Ireland, which is what makes it so unique, i.e. the people, their culture, the Craic.
trev
November 8, 2021 at 6:06 pm
Bye bye have a lovely time in Dublin.
Cloverleaf
November 5, 2021 at 12:42 pm
First the Owen Paterson scandal now this, Sunak bunging Millions £s to his Banker mate who also happens to be a Tory donor….
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/bank-owned-top-tory-donor-25365541
trev
November 5, 2021 at 6:56 am
What do you expect when we are living in a thugocracy Trevor.
Cloverleaf
November 5, 2021 at 12:46 pm
Staggering incompetence or killing disabled people by design?
A wrong disability benefit decision is overturned every minute of every working day
https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2021/november/disability-benefits-one-wrong-decision-overturned-every-minute-every-working-day
trev
November 5, 2021 at 10:32 pm
it is all profit for there corporation pals if they are allowed to get away with it but even if you win they still get paid for there wrong decision there is no accountability for there actions and just carry on.
and the dwp piss tax payers money down the drain trying to defend theses corporations and loose over and over again.
maybe if these company’s was made to pay for there actions it would not happen in the first place but not the government’s agenda and will bail them out with tax payers money either way and not pay a penny in tax.
you either fight for your rights or you wont have any please sign here, and here, and sign this, and that and this and we are done.
superted
November 5, 2021 at 11:22 pm