Why not find the Unemployed something useful to do?
Discussion
The cuts are on the way. Welfare benefits are a major slice of govt expenditure. So why do we pay fit & able people to be idle? I understand that there may be no real employment, but why cannot the Country find something useful for them to do?
I am thinking of maybe 4-5 hours activity a day: Street cleaning; litter collection; dog-walking, whatever.
Yes I can see that HASAW could find 101 objections, but idleness is a killer.
Whilst there are a bunch of scroungers out there, I'd reckon that there are more than a few who would welcome something to do.
Is it right that the unemployed were required to clear the snow in the winter?
I am thinking of maybe 4-5 hours activity a day: Street cleaning; litter collection; dog-walking, whatever.
Yes I can see that HASAW could find 101 objections, but idleness is a killer.
Whilst there are a bunch of scroungers out there, I'd reckon that there are more than a few who would welcome something to do.
Is it right that the unemployed were required to clear the snow in the winter?
NailedOn said:
The cuts are on the way. Welfare benefits are a major slice of govt expenditure. So why do we pay fit & able people to be idle? I understand that there may be no real employment, but why cannot the Country find something useful for them to do?
I am thinking of maybe 4-5 hours activity a day: Street cleaning; litter collection; dog-walking, whatever.
Yes I can see that HASAW could find 101 objections, but idleness is a killer.
Whilst there are a bunch of scroungers out there, I'd reckon that there are more than a few who would welcome something to do.
Is it right that the unemployed were required to clear the snow in the winter?
Two reasons I'd say.I am thinking of maybe 4-5 hours activity a day: Street cleaning; litter collection; dog-walking, whatever.
Yes I can see that HASAW could find 101 objections, but idleness is a killer.
Whilst there are a bunch of scroungers out there, I'd reckon that there are more than a few who would welcome something to do.
Is it right that the unemployed were required to clear the snow in the winter?
Firstly, there's no work.
Secondly the unemployed are better off languishing in their homes. If they all get out, they'll organise. Then they'll riot. Then they'll loot the wealthy, who only spend money on themselves. This is the real problem when a large proportion of the unemployed are well educated!!!
dilbert said:
Secondly the unemployed are better off languishing in their homes. If they all get out, they'll organise. Then they'll riot. Then they'll loot the wealthy, who only spend money on themselves. This is the real problem when a large proportion of the unemployed are well educated!!!
Dilbert, yesterday:
TuxRacer said:
dilbert said:
Firstly, there's no work.
I'm sure they could find some potholes to fill!Government officials have previously considered the approach of grinding up ex-speed cameras to fill them in, and found that there aren't actually enough speed cameras.
Due to pressure from the wealthy, the government is now considering grinding up the unemployed and using them to fill in the holes.
More news soon.......
V8mate said:
Unemployed people need to be unemployedto give them time to find work.
Couldn't we reinstate projects like the A14 widening using prison labour though?
A couple of heavy lorries and you'll need to reline the banks with new prisoners, although i guess after a while, they'll form a bone rich crust.Couldn't we reinstate projects like the A14 widening using prison labour though?
EDLT said:
NailedOn said:
I am thinking of maybe 4-5 hours activity a day: Street cleaning; litter collection; dog-walking, whatever.
But then the street sweepers, litter pickers and dog walkers would all be out of a job.All it would mean is that the streets would be swept quicker, litter would be picked prior to hitting the deck, and dog walkers could have others picking up their pooch's s
t.Happy days.
V8mate said:
Unemployed people need to be unemployed to give them time to find work.
Why (hopefully I'm reading your answer right)?I'm working, if I don't like my job and want to move on, then I have to find a new job in my own time. If I hate my job and/or need to move fast, then I have to go out of my way to find one. If that means finding work at weekends and evenings then so be it. Why should this be different for somebody out of work? If I can't find a job that suits then that's my problem and I have to deal with it.
If an interview for a job arises or other issues need to be sorted out etc then they should be allowed the time to attend.
Pothole said:
I'm well in favour of this idea, provided I am also paid a decent wage for it.
Why ?Effectively a person is unemployed and being subsidised by the state, not employed by the state or employed by the private sector.
If people want a decent wage then they should find a job where they are employed and not subsidised. If they refuse to do anything, then sorry, no subsidises.
I was unemployed for around a year, I wanted to work and would have had no problem sweeping roads, picking litter etc.
Maybe I'm looking at it in a too simplistic way, but when I see people sitting on their arse all day long sprouting out kids left right and centre, taking more money than somebody in work, then it rather boils my wee wee.
Edited by Westy Pre-Lit on Thursday 17th June 23:36
Westy Pre-Lit said:
V8mate said:
Unemployed people need to be unemployed to give them time to find work.
Why (hopefully I'm reading your answer right)?I'm working, if I don't like my job and want to move on then I have to find a new job in my own time. If I hate my job and/or need to move fast, then I have to go out of my way to find one. If that means finding work at weekends and evenings then so be it. Why should this be different for somebody out of work? If I can't find a job that suits then that's my problem and I have to deal with it.BUT YOU ALREADY HAVE A JOB WHICH MAKES DEALING WITH IT JUST A LITTLE EASIER
If an interview for a job arises or other issues need to be sorted out etc then they should be allowed the time to attend.
Pothole said:
I'm well in favour of this idea, provided I am also paid a decent wage for it.
Why ?Effectively a person is unemployed and being subsidised by the state, not employed by the state or employed by the private sector.NO, I AM GETTING BACK SOME OF WHAT I HAVE PAID IN FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS PURPOSE
If people want a decent wage then they should find a job where they are employed and not subsidised. If they refuse to do anything, then sorry, no subsidises.
I was unemployed for around a year, I wanted to work and would have had no problem sweeping roads, picking litter etc. FOR THE SAME £60 ODD QUID A WEEK? I DOUBT IT VERY MUCH.
Maybe I'm looking at it in a too simplistic way, YES, I THINK YOU ARE but when I see people sitting on their arse all day long sprouting out kids left right and centre, taking more money than somebody in work, then it rather boils my wee wee. PLEASE FIND ME A CITE FORT THIS FRANKLY RIDICULOUS ASSERTION...
Edited by Westy Pre-Lit on Thursday 17th June 23:34
So by that very virtue, paying someone £60 a week to sit on their arse is too much... therefore how about halving it - you get £30 a week to lounge about on your arse or £60 to sweep the streets.
That way you have a choice, sit on your arse but not as cushy as you were, or get off your arse and work for your benefits... Even if you do 5 hours a day, 3 days a week - that's still 4 days of sitting on the arse, and essentially £4/hour for your 'wages'
If you want more money, you get a job that pays minimum wage.
That way you have a choice, sit on your arse but not as cushy as you were, or get off your arse and work for your benefits... Even if you do 5 hours a day, 3 days a week - that's still 4 days of sitting on the arse, and essentially £4/hour for your 'wages'
If you want more money, you get a job that pays minimum wage.
Edited by Frederick on Friday 18th June 00:30
Many years ago, I had what is - frankly - a potentially revolutionary idea that would solve unemployment, obesity and global warming all in one. So brilliant was this idea that until recently I was actually quite privy about it. However, reality has hit and I can't really see this working in today's 'liberties blah blah' conscious environment 
Anyway, in power stations the fossil fuels are only burnt to make steam to turn the turbines for the generator things. In my new breed of power stations, all of the terminally unemployed (say, those who've been unemployed for more than 12 months) are plonked on exercise bikes. A big belt comes out of where they pedal, and is attached to some form of electricity generator. In each site there will be thousands of the terminally unemployed, all powering along. Every hour, a twenty minute break will be allowed (Or possibly ten minutes every half hour). Anybody failing to comply loses their benefits, whereas those who do comply voluntarily get minimum wage or so.
Sorry, but if that isn't inspired genius then I don't know what is. It's just a shame about the whole 'work ethics' side of things. One day, I WILL rule the world
Anyway, in power stations the fossil fuels are only burnt to make steam to turn the turbines for the generator things. In my new breed of power stations, all of the terminally unemployed (say, those who've been unemployed for more than 12 months) are plonked on exercise bikes. A big belt comes out of where they pedal, and is attached to some form of electricity generator. In each site there will be thousands of the terminally unemployed, all powering along. Every hour, a twenty minute break will be allowed (Or possibly ten minutes every half hour). Anybody failing to comply loses their benefits, whereas those who do comply voluntarily get minimum wage or so.
Sorry, but if that isn't inspired genius then I don't know what is. It's just a shame about the whole 'work ethics' side of things. One day, I WILL rule the world
vit4 said:
Many years ago, I had what is - frankly - a potentially revolutionary idea that would solve unemployment, obesity and global warming all in one. So brilliant was this idea that until recently I was actually quite privy about it. However, reality has hit and I can't really see this working in today's 'liberties blah blah' conscious environment
Anyway, in power stations the fossil fuels are only burnt to make steam to turn the turbines for the generator things. In my new breed of power stations, all of the terminally unemployed (say, those who've been unemployed for more than 12 months) are plonked on exercise bikes. A big belt comes out of where they pedal, and is attached to some form of electricity generator. In each site there will be thousands of the terminally unemployed, all powering along. Every hour, a twenty minute break will be allowed (Or possibly ten minutes every half hour). Anybody failing to comply loses their benefits, whereas those who do comply voluntarily get minimum wage or so.
Sorry, but if that isn't inspired genius then I don't know what is. It's just a shame about the whole 'work ethics' side of things. One day, I WILL rule the world
You may inadvertently create a new generation of athletes as well. Happy days.Anyway, in power stations the fossil fuels are only burnt to make steam to turn the turbines for the generator things. In my new breed of power stations, all of the terminally unemployed (say, those who've been unemployed for more than 12 months) are plonked on exercise bikes. A big belt comes out of where they pedal, and is attached to some form of electricity generator. In each site there will be thousands of the terminally unemployed, all powering along. Every hour, a twenty minute break will be allowed (Or possibly ten minutes every half hour). Anybody failing to comply loses their benefits, whereas those who do comply voluntarily get minimum wage or so.
Sorry, but if that isn't inspired genius then I don't know what is. It's just a shame about the whole 'work ethics' side of things. One day, I WILL rule the world
vit4 said:
Many years ago, I had what is - frankly - a potentially revolutionary idea that would solve unemployment, obesity and global warming all in one. So brilliant was this idea that until recently I was actually quite privy about it. However, reality has hit and I can't really see this working in today's 'liberties blah blah' conscious environment
Anyway, in power stations the fossil fuels are only burnt to make steam to turn the turbines for the generator things. In my new breed of power stations, all of the terminally unemployed (say, those who've been unemployed for more than 12 months) are plonked on exercise bikes. A big belt comes out of where they pedal, and is attached to some form of electricity generator. In each site there will be thousands of the terminally unemployed, all powering along. Every hour, a twenty minute break will be allowed (Or possibly ten minutes every half hour). Anybody failing to comply loses their benefits, whereas those who do comply voluntarily get minimum wage or so.
Sorry, but if that isn't inspired genius then I don't know what is. It's just a shame about the whole 'work ethics' side of things. One day, I WILL rule the world
And there I was....Anyway, in power stations the fossil fuels are only burnt to make steam to turn the turbines for the generator things. In my new breed of power stations, all of the terminally unemployed (say, those who've been unemployed for more than 12 months) are plonked on exercise bikes. A big belt comes out of where they pedal, and is attached to some form of electricity generator. In each site there will be thousands of the terminally unemployed, all powering along. Every hour, a twenty minute break will be allowed (Or possibly ten minutes every half hour). Anybody failing to comply loses their benefits, whereas those who do comply voluntarily get minimum wage or so.
Sorry, but if that isn't inspired genius then I don't know what is. It's just a shame about the whole 'work ethics' side of things. One day, I WILL rule the world
I thought that people were genuinely choosing the people that secretly run the country when they voted on X Factor and Strictly!
Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff