I
finally got a letter recently confirming my registration as an ‘approved casual
worker’ where I can work with children who have had ‘difficult’ childhoods and
struggle with their behaviour.
Notwithstanding
the joy at being paid to do something that I enjoy there is an even more
existential reason for celebrating.
Anyone
unfortunate enough to be unemployed and/or on ‘benefits’ will be able to
identify; those that have no experience of being in such a degrading situation
will, perhaps, have their eyes opened to how the system works.
Let
me first say by paradox that it is not degrading per se to actually BE
unemployed. However, the treatment meted out to me (and I can only share my
experience) was, for me, both degrading and humiliating.
Some
background: I have worked for (at the time) the world’s biggest corporation
(American Home Products) which owned such brands as Anadin, Anne French, 3 in 1, and Preparation H (yes, that one!). I was, for want of a better
expression, a salesman.
I
then worked for Allied Breweries, a local catering company and then for Guinness GB
(which became Diageo) for almost 10 years. Latterly I was responsible for the Guinness Irish Pub
Concept in GB and represented the company in Boston, USA presenting the
findings of a study we did in conjunction with the University of Geneva.
I
bought a country pub (the lease of) which was sold at the end of 2005. So far,
so very whatever. I only mention this to ensure viewers of ‘Benefits Street’ or
Daily Mail readers that I am no long-term ‘scrounger’.
*
I
returned to Scotland in 2007, after a period of unemployment, (just as my
sister was emigrating) to be near my ailing mum who was displaying worrying
signs of dementia. My mum died in 2010.
These
are only a tiny window into my ‘life on the dole’ experiences.
-
Having separated from my wife in early 2006
(living separately in rented accommodation) I was informed by Job Centre
Plus after a year of red tape that I
did not qualify for any benefits as I was officially still married and my wife
had a job. I also had some savings (from pub sale) and therefore did not
qualify for any support. I used what I had and sold possessions to get by.
-
Moving to Scotland, I was told I did not
qualify for a council home as I had ‘voluntarily’ made myself homeless –
actually, I could no longer afford my rent, didn’t want to get evicted or in
debt and needed to be near my mum. So, I couch surfed. After a while I got a
council flat.
-
I was denied any support whilst caring for my
mum who at times didn’t even know who I was. All my ‘dole’ money went on bills and
petrol for taking her out and when she ended up in a secure hospital ward going
to visit. Friends gave me food. Eventually, I could no longer afford a car.
-
I sold my car and self-published my book.
-
My heating system at home was ‘so old and
outdated’ according to gas engineers who came to service it that out of my £72
a week around £50 went on gas and electric. I went to bed in my coat and woolly
beanie. The council finally updated my heating system (which is fantastic and
much cheaper now) but in the process damaged carpets. I now have no carpets as
there was no budget to replace them or redecorate the plastering where the fire
used to be; minor inconvenience I know but these things all affect one’s
psychological wellbeing.
-
I often waited around the bin outside the local
chip shop to grab any throw-away food. Eventually the bin was removed and so a
source of food for me. Friends, again, gave me food, although often I would eat
only once or twice a week.
-
I had to walk the (roughly) eight-mile
round-trip to the Job Centre as I live in Kinghorn and it is in Kirkcaldy. I
was once asked to leave and stand outside the Job Centre as I was 20 minutes
early for ‘signing-on’. A month or so later I was given a verbal warning (and
told my benefits would be stopped) because I was 5 minutes late.
-
The cheap boots I got once cut my heels so
badly one day that I had to walk home barefoot.
-
When my mum died she was to be buried on a
Tuesday whilst I was to ‘sign-on’ the next day. I asked if I could be excused
from coming in the day after my mum’s funeral. The request was refused as ‘the
funeral’s not on that day; it’s the day before’. With my phone on silent, but
vibrating furiously in my pocket, I watched my mum’s coffin disappear through
the crematorium’s stage curtain; it was Job Centre Plus reminding me I had to
come in tomorrow as I had been refused leave of absence and that if I didn’t
attend I would be sanctioned.
-
I was given a 13 week placement at a youth
club café as ‘work experience’ whilst I also did an HNC Counselling part-time.
I argued that I should be given ‘relevant’ work experience but was told if I
did not attend I would be sanctioned.
-
I contacted a local foodbank and was told I
lived in the ‘wrong’ postcode.
-
Throughout this whole sorry episode and for
over three years I managed to do 3 years of voluntary work one night a week
although I was ever careful as to who knew because I was often told at the Job
Centre that if I was doing voluntary work I was not ‘actively seeking work’ and
my benefits would cease.
-
After at time, I felt suicidal, was unkempt,
isolationist, and could see no future. The Doctor diagnosed me ‘unfit for
work’. I was sent to ATOS who disagreed. I appealed. And after about a year on
reduced benefits my appeal was seen by three independent doctors and another
professional (can’t remember what her job was) and was told that I was indeed
unfit for work.
My
long-winded ramble is purely to show how one’s mental state is affected by
being unemployed even whilst truly wanting to be in work. And the thing is, my
treatment is virtually ‘nothing’ compared to the way many people are being
abused (not treated, for it is indeed abuse) on a daily basis.
I
also aim to demonstrate that, nowadays, egged on by a compliant Right-Wing
media, parts of society see those on benefits as sub-human and undeserving of
help.
It
truly feels degrading and humiliating to be in such a position.
And
people wonder why I get angry at politicians; why I abhor Westminster; and why
it saddens me that people will vote for a Party as evil as the Conservatives
and think that Labour (who brought in ATOS, remember) bear no responsibility
either.
God
forbid anyone reading this ends up unemployed.
It is the single most degrading
experience I have ever had.
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