Where is the incentive to take up employment?

From Ray McCredie.

YOUR report (JEP 9 January) stated that ‘Basic Income Support for a single person aged over 25 living in a one-bedroom flat is worth around £300 a week’.

I was obliged to read this article several times to get my head around it. Where is the incentive for any person in these circumstances to seek employment?

I understand that unemployed people on Income Support must apply for two jobs a week, otherwise their benefit stops. That is not a problem for anyone. But, as jobs are so thin on the ground the likelihood of obtaining one is remote.

However, in the unlikely event that a job was offered, for example, 40 hours a week at £7 per hour (well above the minimum wage), who indeed would apply as accepting such employment would mean a reduction in income?

In any case, any person even forced to attend an interview for such a position would obviously find it a simple task to present such an unacceptable attitude and appearance that any potential employer would consider the applicant to be virtually unemployable. Therefore, Income Support will continue.

Many married OAPs live in one-bedroom flats on the pension for both in the region of £290 a week. Are we then to believe that both live as easily as one person on £300 a week?

I have a friend in his mid-50s who has been placed on a computer course by the Social Security. Refusal to do so would affect benefits. When this course is complete, the chances of finding a Yeti behind a bush in the Town Park are greater than his securing employment. A complete waste of money.

Assuming the figures given to us are accurate, perhaps the unfortunate people with five years’ residency who will lose their jobs when play.com no longer trade will not suffer such a great loss when Income Support kicks in. Some, in fact, may be better off.

One figure given to us, 1,800 unemployed, is totally inaccurate. Every man and his dog know the figure is much higher. Many unemployed register with agencies, others, for their own reasons go nowhere near La Motte Street. Economic Development Minister Alan Maclean expects more job losses this year, but how long will Income Support payments be sustainable?

Immigration is a major issue. Immigrants are blameless. The real villains are the politicians. Although necessary, immigration must be controlled. Our leaders have ignored this and must accept responsibility for the present situation.

The States have agreed to debate this important issue later this year. Why not later this week, and with urgency?

Sometimes I feel that our politicians have had their brains surgically removed and replaced with cash-flow implants.