I was unemployed for about a year
Living in a hostel, going through the jobcentre, New Deal - who told me "a lot of people sign off and back on the dole to avoid this, so now if you do that, you'll be sent straight here" - and pretty much a low point in my life. New Deal just pressured you into sharing about 5 computers with 29 other people. Writing out CVs that I could have done at home; putting your name on god knows how many sites (though signing up for the TPS was out of order, they said') and learning to use computers (cheers, already qualified in IT). They even had a qualified LAWYER in there, telling her to apply for McDonalds! IMO, there are few people who are truly desperate, that are 'too good' for McDonalds... but a qualified barrister?!

The hostel that I lived in had £11 a week rent, but if I got a job, it'd go up to £75, even if it was just part-time. Where was the motivation to work there? No money to spend on anything but rent.. great.

Anyway, I applied for a student loan, went to university 320 miles away, quit, and have worked ever since. I want to get back into fulltime education but cannot do so without being unemployed again... fuck that.

Apparently, my job is pretty much safe so long as I do it right and don't lose the ability to type or talk, but I do sympathise with all of the unemployed who are willing to work.

There is hope eventually. Apparently, if you're on the dole, you can go to college part time. My friend did that and it's the best thing he ever did.
( Methylene Blue - electrohead, Mon 6 Apr 2009, 18:00, Reply)