Unemployed And Let Down

The unemployed are being "let down" by the Government, which is wasting billions of pounds on Jobcentre Plus, according to a report by a think tank. Jobcentre Plus is part of the Department for Work and Pensions. It says it aims to promote "work as the best form of welfare" as well as help people with their benefits.

Think tank Policy Exchange has said the agency is acting more like a benefit office than a support service. A report said claimants' underlying problems are not being diagnosed and suggested a new, smaller organisation should be created. It said this could concentrate on helping people find long-term employment rather than handing out benefits.

"The current system of employment support is both unfair and ineffective.

"It is letting unemployed people down, as job centres don't provide a personalised service," said Matthew Oakley, co-author of the report.

"If we target support better, then we can afford more help for those who need it, and avoid wasting money on those who do not."

The report was published in the same week an increase in unemployment was announced. The figures from the Office for National Statistics showed the number rose by 80,000 in the three months to the end of July.

Adapted and edited from Yahoo/Sky News here.

Sadly unemployment is a necessary part of capitalist society and no matter government's say, they know it is needed. High numbers of unemployed people keep wages in check and the spectre of unemployment, especially in a recession, also keep those who are in work in line. No amount of tweaks, initiatives, rhetoric or other distractions will alter this fact.

However it is worth noting that there are others without jobs who aren't considered as unemployed...the owners of the means of production, the capitalists. They do not need to work, as others work for them. Unemployment is never something they worry about. Under socialism, everyone will have access to the means of production and the outdated 'world of work' with dead-end jobs, the misery unemployment and all that goes with it will end.

SussexSocialist