Would you choose a government job or private job?

Job Seeking. Why did the government replace 'New Deal' with the exploitative and unfair Work Program?

• Labour's 'New Deal' scheme for job seekers was far more successful and fair compared to the Tories controversial Work Program. I was on New Deal in 2002 and it was a billion times more fair than the rubbish the tories have introduced. With New Deal there were several options for Job Seekers. 1) Voluntary Work Placement of the Job seekers choice. 2) Work based training 3) Return to full time education 4) Conservation work 5) Help with becoming self employed/ setting up a business In addition to your chosen option you got an extra £15 per week in addition to JSA and travelling expenses paid luncheon vouchers etc. Of course you lost benefits if you did not participate. I did a course in IT and got several certificates and a job with my local council. Its no wonder that Unemployment fell to its lowest levels under labour! The Tory Scheme There are no choices Jobseekers are forced to do an unpaid voluntary role chosen by the provider There is no extra allowance in addition to JSA The work is often degrading An example A friend of mine worked for 8 years as a financial advisor in his local council education dept. He lost his job in 2011 due to the tory cuts. He had to claim JSA and housing benefit. A few months later he was placed on the compulsory tory work program. Knowing he would have to do some voluntary work on his own initiative he asked the local library if he could do unpaid work in the library. The library agreed. He went to his work program advisor and told them about the library work. He was told abruptly that "He did not get the idea of the scheme!" He was told (without ever being consulted) he had been placed with a Clean up program which involved Graffiti removal, cleaning a dog fouling hotspot area, Sunday morning clean up outside the towns pubs and clubs etc. It seems that the tories are not really interested in giving the Job seeker any relevant work experience. They hope to make the claimants life so miserable that they quit claiming benefits and become homeless. ( at least then they will be off the electoral register and unable to vote the tories out). How can any progress come from his cruel plan? If its meant to target the die hard claiments then the scheme is only going to lead to resentment against the providers and insubordination. Nobody wants to be forced into doing something they did not choose and definitely not treat like dogs dirt! Labours New Deal gave Job seekers choices and in most cases the jobseeker was content with that. Many New Dealers ended up in jobs, some got qualified as mechanics, artists, admin work or eneded up going to university. Why did they get rid of New Deal? The scheme now is un-constructive and set to be a failure resulting in the unemployed becoming very alientated by a government that treats them with such disrespect. What people need to consider is if your in work today then tomorrow you could be on the dole and end up being treat like dirt. Do you agree this scam is unfair and wrong?

• Answer:

  yes, it is unfair and wrong, i agree