The unemployed are punished with hunger - unemployment the worst crime

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jobless-are-being-punished-with-hunger-for-claiming-unemployment-benefit-say-churches-10000904.html

Two churches have launched a blistering attack on the Government for using hunger as a punishment for people claiming unemployment benefit, warning that using benefit sanctions to reprimand claimants who miss meetings or fail to look for jobs amounts to a policy of “deliberate destitution”.

 

In a joint written submission to MPs, the Methodist and Unitarian churches say the Government is presiding over a benefits system that places a harsher punishment on people who have the misfortune to be unemployed than those found guilty of committing a crime. The maximum penalty possible – removal of living expenses excluding housing benefit for three years – represents a loss of £11,000, while the largest fine imposed by the criminal justice system is £5,000.

 

In evidence to the work and pensions select committee published this week, they state: “The use of hunger as a penalty is simply unacceptable. It is extraordinary that the state would choose to punish lateness to appointments or sub-optimal job searching in such a way. The criminal justice system, when [it] fines or imprisons, ensures a person’s basic needs are met – there can be no argument, moral or utilitarian, that justifies a policy of deliberate destitution.”

 

The churches claim sanctions have left some people unable to buy food for more than a week, and have led to shoplifting, isolation and physical and mental health conditions. “The human cost of the sanctions system is extremely high,” the submission says. “One group we spoke with contained people who had received long (six-month plus) sanctions and who had considered taking their own lives.”

Unemployment has become the worst crime of all in our backwards society.

Instead of helping our fellow citizens get back on their feet and into long term paid employment, we have a system which is designed to trip them up and force them into destitution.

Many in our society are complicit in the evil that is forced upon some of society's most vulnerable. Those in government and the people who obey orders, especially those administering sanctions. Not all of these people are inherently evil, and not all of them commit evil actions willingly, they themselves often live in fear of sanction. But very few have stood up and said what they are doing is wrong.

I won't justify attacks on job centre staff etc., but I will say that attacks on them have risen for obvious reasons, and I think there should be extreme leniency for those attacking job centre staff due to the extenuating circumstances they face.

In many respects, attacking job centre staff is the most rational thing an unemployed person can do. Because there is then hope of prison, a place where one has a higher living standard, where one's basic needs are met. If you find yourselves unemployed, you must live in constant fear of sanction, in constant fear of destitution. In prison, human beings are treat like humans, they are fed and housed.

Sadly our society now treats the unemployed worse than murderers and rapists. Unemployed people are already statistically more likely to kill themselves, develop mental health problems and so on. And our system is imposing destitution on the unemployed, making mental health problems worse, and increasing the likelihood of suicide.

- In effect, we are killing the unemployed for being unemployed.

The human cost is intolerable, and it is no doubt financially reckless too, how can it make sense to spend so much forcing poverty on people, rendering them unemployable for life, when if we instead helped people by letting the access training and education we could help them to gain decent employment much more quickly, and for much longer.

Sanctions needed to be ended for good. And anybody who suggests we should ever bring them back, or use them should be ostracised for such evil intentions.

After watching some of the "unemployed" shows on TV, it seems to me that many of the unemployed are doing very well thank you.

Angel1

After watching some of the "unemployed" shows on TV, it seems to me that many of the unemployed are doing very well thank you.

 

Angel1

The ones that know how to work the system (after generations of practice maybe?) do alright. A lot get targeted. If you are sanctioning more than one person every couple of months they aren't doing their job right.

After watching some of the "unemployed" shows on TV, it seems to me that many of the unemployed are doing very well thank you.

 

Angel1

Cognitive dissonance and propaganda, are but the tools of the current class war.

Across the world a few men are kings, would you think everyone lives like a king if I were to show you a few. Perhaps, for it seems some think all the unemployed are particularly wealthy and rich after having seen one program where a few who are actually claiming tax credits and disability benefits, then represented as the unemployed are made to appear well off.

Is it so hard for someone to attend a pre booked meeting on time ?

Is it so hard for someone to try and get work by looking for job vacancies ? Afterall they have plenty of time on their hands to look for work .

Things were lax for unemployed people for years, there was next to no pressure to find work, and turning up late for signing on just meant you had to wait around a while. Nowadays things are too strict. But people need to realise that you cannot expect an easy life while on benefits. There has to be conditions set and people that fail to meet these conditions have to face sanctions.

Nearly felt guilty for eating a kebab. Nah.

Is it so hard for someone to attend a pre booked meeting on time ?

It is if they have to attend another meeting at the same time, fall ill, have a funeral to attend, if something crops up etc.

There should be some flexibility.

Is it so hard for someone to try and get work by looking for job vacancies ? Afterall they have plenty of time on their hands to look for work .

People do, but sometimes there aren't enough suitable vacancies, the vacancies are fake, they face an emergency of some kind that stops them from doing so.

---------- Post added 26-01-2015 at 00:28 ----------

Things were lax for unemployed people for years, there was next to no pressure to find work, and turning up late for signing on just meant you had to wait around a while. Nowadays things are too strict. But people need to realise that you cannot expect an easy life while on benefits. There has to be conditions set and people that fail to meet these conditions have to face sanctions.

The sanctions people face are totally disproportionate.

There could be room for small sanctions if we treat the unemployed better than prisoners for being unemployed.

why are unemployed/fat people always busy and big drama queen.

why are unemployed/fat people always busy and big drama queen.

Probaly because of lots of appointments and lots of drama, so much so it probably hinders them finding work!

After watching some of the "unemployed" shows on TV, it seems to me that many of the unemployed are doing very well thank you.

 

Angel1

Ever wonder why these programmes are made?

The propaganda works.

People watch the tripe the TV pushes down our throats and lap it up.

I grew up during the miners strikes and class opinion then was split with the lack of sympathy for striking miners from wealthier people.

Then others would rally round and help out, realising it could be them next.

Now it's easier to stick the boot in.