Originally Posted by Alan2005

There was a channel four documentary last year that you should watch if you can. It's interesting viewing, especially seeing how the companies contracted to "help" unemployed people turn out to be just cash grabs from the tax payer.

Originally Posted by Alan2005

There are also couple of people shown where the marginal benefit of working meant was such that it just was not worth it for them. Would you put in a 40 hour week to be 10 quid better off?

Originally Posted by BristolUK

Actually a huge part of the problem is that one doesn't lose all one's benefits but people keep repeating this myth.

Now it can sometimes be a little fiddly in the transition from Housing Benefit based on JSA/Income Support to HB based on low earnings, but extended HB - which continues to pay rent for a month after other benefits stop - should help until that's done and there are other grants and incentives available.

People can still qualify for HB if income is not sufficiently above benefit levels to pay rent.

It's not a fortune but it does leave you with more unless you had high expenses getting to work.

Dental and Optical benefits are still available too.

It keeps you in the job market and something better may come of that. Even overtime.

Much of it is a mindset. Quite often the move from benefits to work isn't that much of a gain. People might be getting their £90 rent paid and have £60 spare on JSA. Then a job comes along that gives them a take home pay of £220, leaving them with £130 after rent and they think they're only working for £70 more than on benefits.

It's true, of course, but there are plenty earning that same £220 and doing reasonably well (I was one) but not thinking they're only working for an extra £70.

Originally Posted by snowdogs

I can't speak about anywhere else from experience, but I don't here of many countries putting people up in 1 million plus pads at tax payers expense.