5000000 Number of unemployed in Britain? are people work shy or Brits are now sponging the system?

Answer 1

Lastest figures as of August 2006. The unemployment rate was 5.5 per cent, up 0.3 over the quarter and up 0.7 over the year. The number of unemployed people increased by 92,000 over the quarter and by 243,000 over the year, to reach 1.68 million.
Check your figures????

Answer 2

I don't think this figure is truly accurate. 5 million.

I actually think the real figure is a lot higher and also prone to fluctuation by as much as a quarter of a million.

The reason why I think the figure is higher is due to the non inclusion of false claimants of other benefits not being included in the assessment.

Also we have a very real issue of glossing over the rise of a fourth class of people in Britain today. Most articles contend that the class system is narowing or non existent, when in fact it couldn't be further from the truth. So who are the fourth class whose existence is known only to the DHSS?, These are the Brits who have never worked, whose parents have never worked and who are following in the footsteps of those whose communities are full of those who have never worked. It is so strong that it is a way of life. Careers and jobs are unheard of with these isolated groups, who have dropped out of mainstream society. This is the fourth class and whilst some within it are genuinely poor and find it difficult to make ends meet, some aren't.

It would be very wrong to label these people immigrants because this is a myth, these vast numbers who are unemployed are Brits.

Immigrants when they come in to Britain are not work shy and will work for whatever wages they can get, they work all hours and are generally very hard workers. A small percentage will be unemployed but the welfare state and a free health service is not the attraction that Britain has to offer. The attraction here is that by comparison to the working economy and wage scales of our foreign neighbours being offered 5 pounds an hour or slightly more is rich takings, when this may have been a days wage in their country of origin. Also even what we consider to be slum housing is still better than some ramshackle over crowded building without basic amenities in a foreign homeland.

So why are Brits work shy? Brits are work shy because they have had it to good for to long. The tax payer supports to many and it is time people started contributing via work into the system that is abused. The day will arrive when the welfare state may have to create jobs and make people work for benefits.

Answer 3

5 MILLION unemployed? Surely not signing on the dole though...that was under Thatcher. You're probably too young....and I think your figures are wrong and include those not registered unemployed. We don't have child labour anymore, remember.

Unemployment has gone up. A lot of that has to do with comapnies trying to make bigger profits and sending work abroad which is why we no longer have a manufacturing sector in the UK. and a lot of service industries managed by phone have gone abroad as well.

And as for "sponging the system"! I don't know if you've had to live on the dole for any length of time but I can assure you that it does not give you very much money at all and you are far better off working. It's not just the grinding poverty but also the lack of self-respect etc. Not being able to afford new shoes when your old ones are worn out; not being able to look smart when you go an interview because you can't afford new clothes; having to turn up to your first day at work in tatty clothes because of poverty. It's bloody awful. Having to beg from your family; no carpets on the floor just tatty floorboards even though you've got a toddler; not being able to afford to eat decent food; having to ration your pennies against emergencies. I have no wish to do all that again even though my present work is not brilliantly paid, at least we have our self-respect.

Even many people who are on incapacity benefits would rather work. Just today I was representing a woman who (following a major op) should be off work for another 3-4 months. She is DESPERATE to get back to her work as hanging around at home is driving her up the wall.

Answer 4

You must be an intelligent person because you have been reading the "Sunday Business". Yes, they are sponging the system, and are being encouraged to do so. If you read that article in SB, then you will understand how the figures have been manipulated to hide the real level of unemployment. In doing their sums I think that even the SB missed the fact that there are considerably more students in further/higher education compared with the past. They also missed the fact that there are considerably more people in part time jobs than there used to be, but they will still count as a job. The real question for me is "why aren't we being told the truth"?

Answer 5

Probably a combination of both. I know I have heard a number of Brits sound off against the Labour Party because they have made benefits so easy to get. In that case, I am sure there are many sponging off the system. I mean enough sponge off the system in the USA because, as usual, programs monitored by big government do not work without enormous abuse. So, do not be critical of the Brits until we get our own house in order.

Chow!!

Answer 6

some are work shy some are sponging some genuinely cant get jobs

we also have so many immigrants in this country so they push the numbers up either by claiming themselfs or taking jobs that are then not available to our own people

also dont forget some people are claiming fraudulently they are working or claiming under more than one name this will also push the numbers up

Answer 7

I am british i am not working and i am not sponging of the tax payers either. I do not receive any benefits as my hubby works I stay at home and look after the children/house actually this question is perfect timing. i am actually looking for a job this week. I want to work and I will. LOL

Answer 8

Probably most unemployed are so because they have lost jobs because of immigrants being used as cheap labour. Also they are not GIVEN all the things immigrants are even though they have paid taxes in Britain.

Answer 9

mabey a good number of that figure are junkies, idiots who can't spell, dole wallers and meaningless, pointless and hopeless, pathetic losers who think its easier to have money handed to them by the 90 year old post mistress on a monday morning, whilst feeding little chardonnay & Buster Joe a greggs pasty, than it is to get a good, honest & clean living job - where you sometimes struggle - but your proud & get a good neck rub at the end of your day by your eaqually hard working, loving hubby - aah bliss!!!!! and a lot of those figures will be disabled & unabled people, stay at home mums - doing the country good by hopefully bringing the youngsters up to show respect & good manners, eat meals with daddy at the table when he comes home from a hrd days graft & read a story before bed time. Obviously i feel strongly about this cos i hate people with an absoloute stomache ache when they just don't care about taking a nice big chunk of my hard earned wage, which i've had to work 45 hours a week for - time away from my hubby & kids, from bloody taxes. Best of luck to people looking for work, good on the mothers at home, thanks to the pensionners who are now enjoying their hard earned years of rest and best wishes to the students fresh out of college and Uni - don't let us hard workers down - and to the rest of you SCUMBAGS who i haven't praised - get a job or move abroad where you don't get petty state handouts for being a dosser - my dad included!!!!! ;-)

Answer 10

Theonlytexas, what planet are you on? I work in IAG and cannot believe the amount of Brits who are unemployed, they are far better off sponging off the state and that's why they won't go to work.

Answer 11

Well if you break the numbers down into Immigrants, unemeployed brits etc... youd find that there arent many unemployed Brits!