Things that one never sees in the news

[silverclaws]

Well, I have been away from here for a while, and that because I am trying to get out of long term unemployment and get a job, preferably working for myself, but it is not as easy as all the scrounger haters think, for there is many obstacles, one of which is the joke centre itself and I have and am getting very fed up with their abuse, insults and incompetance.

Anyway reports from the otherside, stuff perhaps cameron doesn't want you to see, for it will scotch his myth that the unemployed are just bone idle scroungers and the reason the UK is stuffed ;

http://www.newdealscandal.co.uk/fle...obcentre-plus-formal-feedback-are-complaints/

But as things are moving along, I bought a car, an old banger, but it runs, had an mot and tax and was faily good on petrol, but because I have not been driving for four years, I have lost my 17 plus years of full ncb entitlement, and a thousand quid for third party fire and theft at this point I cannot afford on a 17 year old Renault that cost £325 to buy.

So, in my attempts to get back to work, I am being met with dead ends upon dead ends at every turn, a job, well working for myself, i had the premises, I have the skills and I have the tools and a fairly sizable local interest without even advertising. It is as if the reality is the public whipping boy must remain as who else will there to be to blame for societies ills, or if not, you will be thoroughly abused and fleeced for having the audacity to want to work.

 

[TheGreenRabbit]

I am in the same situation as you at the moment, and am debating employment or self employment.

The jobcenter is a joke there are some good staff there, but 95% of the people who go in there are at unemployabule, it can't be easy dealing with that many *uckwits every day. Have you spoken to the guys at businesslink? They are very good and help you out with more infomation on starting your own business that you can deal with.

 

[MikeD]

I'd be amazed to find any substantial organisation to which nearly all formal feedback is a complaint. Unsolicited praise is incredibly rare.

Anyway. All the rest sounds pretty crappy, car insurance is mental. What's the hurdle to overcome with setting up your own thing? Sounds like you've got most things sorted.

 

[silverclaws]

Currently, I am going through MIND and that because I am technically unemployable due to Asperger's Syndrome, no employer wants a nut like me, especially one who is a depressive and has been out of work for four years. My doctor reckons I am not fit to go back to work, but I feel the threat from this government, I would rather jump than be pushed, whether employment is right for me is debatable, but I will only know if I actually attempt to work, but working for myself does appeal as I am most definately not a team player, and past experience has shown me, I am a pain in the ass to employers and tend not to last long in any particular job or be promoted despite the fact I work to a very high standard, I am exacting in my mentality.

But becuse of my transport issues, I have recently lost the place in the metals work shop I had gained to stary my business idea, as I simply cannot get there, aye, a bus runs that way once there and back at near on a tenner for the fare and I have to get two buses to get to that one, so public transport is not viable.

what I am discovering, is although the drive is to get the long term unemployed back to work, they are not taking the practicalities into consideration, but perhaps because the policy makers live or work out of the capital, they base everything on their own locale or are that wealthy the problems of running a car are not even considered.

Anyway for those who still do not understand the problems as faced by new claimants on the benefits system ;

Jobseekers allowance : the scandal ;

http://www.workprogramme.org.uk/201105171294/jobseekers-allowance-scandal-2011.html

But, what you suggest, I will also look into, as work is preferable, working for myself that is and doctor or no doctor I wish to do it, as doctors are not surviving on my income.

 

[highlandsflyer]

I bought a car, an old banger, but it runs, had an mot and tax and was faily good on petrol, but because I have not been driving for four years, I have lost my 17 plus years of full ncb entitlement, and a thousand quid for third party fire and theft at this point I cannot afford on a 17 year old Renault that cost £325 to buy.

That sounds incredibly costly for an old banger being driven by an 'older' driver.

Did you shop around?

How about getting a CBT and using a 125 instead?

 

[KeepItSteel]

aye, pick up and old Honda 90cc and scoot around at 90mpg+ all day long for about £150 insurance (for 0 NCB).

Reading between the lines, it sounds as though you should be putting your skills to good use doing private work, start yourself a small one man band cottage industry and see where it takes you.

Casing example, have a look at Troute lights: http://troutie.com/
Pretty much run from his shed, simple idea, simple (solid) engineering, great product, big prices...
But then im not sure of your skill set.

 

[highlandsflyer]

Crikey those lights are expensive!

Truly a low volume earner.

Who said cottage industry was dead?

Silver, have you thought about moving to get work?

 

[silverclaws]

Crikey those lights are expensive!

Truly a low volume earner.

Who said cottage industry was dead?

Silver, have you thought about moving to get work?

Yep, I have thought about moving away, but I am still in debt from moving down here to take up a job six years ago, relocation, costs, and at the time I like I am now was broke, but then I had just quit a ten year marriage and walked away with nothing, not even my old '92 Saracen Traverse Elite I had from new, my belongings and about £8k of Snap on, Britool and Elora tools, my livelihood.

The insurance for the car, anything I can pay in instaments seems to be near 1K or more, the stuff that is cheaper, they want paid in full, or in two instalments, a dolite, just doesn't have that kind of money. The car, is a mk1 Clio 1.4RT, low insurance group supposedly.

I have a motorcycle, a 125, a Pulse Adrenaline I rebuilt last year, but the insurance is high on that, as it is with Chinese bikes, now, it is up for sale to pay for the car insurance, as I need a vehicle that can carry tools and things to be fixed, as I am a multi skilled repair man and Metalsmith. I also cannot afford to do the part one cbt, it being over £100 in one go.

So you see, despite my wishes, the 'system' is making it bloody hard for me to get back to work, I expect others are finding similar and it is not really surprising the long term unemployed can't be bothered in some cases, as unemployment also saps any confidence out of you, and most of those I know suffer serious self worth issues, their confidence in themselves shattered, and even today I have heard of one who was at least volunteering to work has just been given notice to quit their home because of rent arrears.

The other thing, politically I was always erring on the side of the tories, but having been down in the bottom of society, my politics have changed, for I see the tories as out for those who make money only and those who don't, are worth every comtempt possible.

 

[highlandsflyer]

Are you working on a mobile basis?

If not, are you taking work pieces to your workshop?

Can't you get customers to deliver and collect for now?

I feel for your situation, but usually there is a way around things.

CBT is a necessary evil, I don't think we want to be letting people out without some training. Not really the system is it? More common sense.

Have you tried leafleting and placing ads advertising your skills?

I have a friend in London who works as a handyman, he has no transport other than public, yet takes on lots of jobs that would be easier with a van.

Where there is a will, there is a way.

 

[lumos2000]

i hope it works out for you, im back to work now after 6 months off. posabley the worst 6 months ive had in a long time.
if you want something badly enough it will come sooner or later.