Strivers versus skivers: real life's not like that at all

[LeftishBrit]

As welfare changes kick in, the cautionary tale of "strivers v skivers" is meant to sugar the pill. "Where's the fairness" asked George Osborne in his conference speech last year, "for the shift-worker, leaving home in the dark hours of the early morning, who looks up at the closed blinds of their next-door neighbour sleeping off a life on benefits … We speak for all those who want to work hard and get on … They strive for a better life. We strive to help them."...

It is a seductive story and it is pure fiction.

First, people hardly ever choose to be in or out of work. They get jobs if there are jobs available and they are able to work. The vast majority of those who are not in paid employment are unable to work because they are disabled or have caring responsibilities, or because there are no jobs around. Sometimes, two or more of these conditions apply at once. At least four people on jobseeker's allowance are chasing every unfilled jobcentre vacancy in the country. In some areas there are more than 20 jobseekers per vacancy. Even in the best of times, it is harder for disabled people and carers to find suitable employment.

There's no evidence that claiming benefits traps people in long-term dependency. Less than half claim jobseeker's allowance for more than 13 weeks and only 10% of all claimants claim for more than a year. The JSA pays only £71 per week or a meagre £56 per week for those under 25...

(Much more at link):

Does http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/apr/11/strivers-v-skivers-divisive-notion