3 ms·

This seems like an excellent system - you are getting productive output from more people than we do. This sort of contradicts the impression I have of the UK, n

This seems like an excellent system - you are getting productive output from more people than we do. This sort of contradicts the impression I have of the UK, namely council flats full of people who haven't worked in years. (Admittedly, I lived in the UK less than a year and don't know the stats.) In the US most of our poor folks don't work - do you have stats showing differently in the UK? I'm very curious now.

saiya-jin 11y ago
I find it very difficult to describe that as an "excellent" system... A GOOD system is the one which helps hard workers to lift themselves from being poor in any meaningful way (less bureaucracy, more help with kids, less taxes, more subsidies etc.) rather than one that prevents an easy improvement. What OP described ain't that good, unless your primary goal is to have nice low stats for unemployment.
- dazc 11y ago
  This is true. Someone in a low paid job used to be able to work overtime (often at a premium) or get a second job. The current system disincentives old fashioned hard work as any extra money earned equates to a drop in benefits received.
dazc 11y ago
According to the ONS (May 2015) the 'employment rate' was 73.5% However, the 'unemployment rate' was 5.5% http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/lms/labour-market-statistics/may-2015/statistical-bulletin.html http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/lms/labour-market-statistics/m... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10604117 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10604117 * A person is classed as unemployed if not only out of work, but also actively looking for work and available to start work within a fortnight. * The unemployment figure is higher than the claimant count as many job seekers do not or cannot claim JSA (Job Seekers Allowance)
- s73v3r 11y ago
  Keep in mind that the other ~27% of people who are not "employed" also includes retired persons, students, stay at home parents, disabled people who are not able to work, in addition to people who have just given up on job seeking.

saiya-jin 11y ago

I find it very difficult to describe that as an "excellent" system... A GOOD system is the one which helps hard workers to lift themselves from being poor in any meaningful way (less bureaucracy, more help with kids, less taxes, more subsidies etc.) rather than one that prevents an easy improvement. What OP described ain't that good, unless your primary goal is to have nice low stats for unemployment.

dazc 11y ago
This is true. Someone in a low paid job used to be able to work overtime (often at a premium) or get a second job. The current system disincentives old fashioned hard work as any extra money earned equates to a drop in benefits received.

dazc 11y ago

According to the ONS (May 2015) the 'employment rate' was 73.5% However, the 'unemployment rate' was 5.5% http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/lms/labour-market-statistics/may-2015/statistical-bulletin.html http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/lms/labour-market-statistics/m... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10604117 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10604117 * A person is classed as unemployed if not only out of work, but also actively looking for work and available to start work within a fortnight. * The unemployment figure is higher than the claimant count as many job seekers do not or cannot claim JSA (Job Seekers Allowance)

s73v3r 11y ago
Keep in mind that the other ~27% of people who are not "employed" also includes retired persons, students, stay at home parents, disabled people who are not able to work, in addition to people who have just given up on job seeking.