Watching Panorama tonight it was all about the Gov'ts (UK) attempt to get a million people off Incapacity Benefit in the next 7 years.

They highlighted several couples, most had their problems but their was one couple who had made a conscience effort to get off benefits, something they achieved with a little help and guidance, fair play to them, but what has slightly agitated me is part of the assistance, she was given £80.00 to make herself presentable for an interview. I will give her credit she spent it wisely and she got the job, but £80.00 flaming pounds!!

My wife is going for her first interview since giving up her Nursery Assistants job on Thursday, so we went out to buy her a new outfit and we didn't spend £80.00's, simply because we have better things to spend the money on and it is also quality and experience rather than who looks best, monetary assistance, you are having a laugh.

It is a day for a whinge it would appear.

Moss

Whinge away!

Unfortunately not looking ones best (or at least making an effort to) often reduces the chance of the interviewee to present their "quality and experience" as first impressions may have already prejudiced their chances.

Having said that, £80.00 does seem a bit excessive for a new outfit in these circumstances.

Wish i could that programme, sounds interesting. Maybe i can find it on the net later.

£80.00 does seem a bit much, even if it means they finally get off benefit (although only if they get the job of course). I do recall prices in the UK being pretty steep, but you say you went shopping and spent much less, so I guess it depends on how shopping savvy people can be. The cynical side of me wonders if some people who take advantage of the system will think of it as an opportunity to buy new clothes but not have any real intention of finding work..but im a bad girl for thinking that!

Anyway, as tig said "Whinge away!" and best of luck to your wife on her interview.

What does that have to do with Thailand?

£80? To look one's best! Darling I couldn't even buy a pair of designer boxer shorts for that. I'd simply have to do the interview naked.

What does that have to do with Thailand?

80 Pounds buys a lot of clothes in Thailand.

cheers

onzestan

Having spent some time in the UK on benefits (£55 pw jobseekers) I will just say any benefits paid are taken towards your taxable income once you do get a job. When I finally came off the dole the letter I got didn't even say congrats on getting a job just advised me that my effective "earnings" that year was subject to tax.

Not that it bothered me, 12 months later I left the country and declared myself non resident.

Even though £80 sounds a lot for an interview outfit it is only 1 1/2 weeks jobseekers allowance (assuming the person wasn't claiming other benefits) so if it gets them back in employement I guess it aint a bad deal. At least the person made the effort to get a job, what about the hordes that do fack ull but collect their weekly cash. I have no problem with people who genuinely can't work for medical reasons, nor those who make every effort to find work nor those who are in unemployement black spots where there is no work to be had. But it does bug me seeing the professional spongers who live in areas where work is available but do nothing about it.

I am enjoying these rant threads, very therapeutic.

Wish i could that programme, sounds interesting. Maybe i can find it on the net later.

TheBox and UKNova both have it.

I look good with shorts on and no top. In Thailand I can look goot for 150 baht

Whinge away!

Thank you Tigs, I'll take that as a Green Light then

Unfortunately not looking ones best (or at least making an effort to) often reduces the chance of the interviewee to present their "quality and experience" as first impressions may have already prejudiced their chances.

Having said that, £80.00 does seem a bit excessive for a new outfit in these circumstances.

I do actually think it is a good idea, as the couple highlighted had been long term unemployed, interestingly it ws the female who kicked his arse into getting a job because she didn't want their new born to grow up into a culture like the one they were practising. But as eek says, as long as it is not another route for abuse.

and best of luck to your wife on her interview.

Thank you, it is for a Nursery Assistant that she requires for her Level 3 child care course content, so quite important really.

Moss

What does that have to do with Thailand?

you don't come here often do you?

£80? To look one's best! Darling I couldn't even buy a pair of designer boxer shorts for that. I'd simply have to do the interview naked.

what about the hordes that do fack ull but collect their weekly cash. I have no problem with people who genuinely can't work for medical reasons, nor those who make every effort to find work nor those who are in unemployement black spots where there is no work to be had. But it does bug me seeing the professional spongers who live in areas where work is available but do nothing about it.

You should have seen some of the couple higlighted, unbelievable!!

Wish i could that programme, sounds interesting. Maybe i can find it on the net later.

TheBox and UKNova both have it.

I look good with shorts on and no top. In Thailand I can look goot for 150 baht

Were you on the programme by any chance?

Moss

What does that have to do with Thailand?

The OP is a Farang living in Thiland and whinging.....ain't that enough?

Government aid in any country gives room for questions.