Seeking spot in workplace

9:56am Tuesday 1st July 2008

I SYMPATHISE with Linda Swan's views on New Labour's record regarding representing her (indeed, us) and her/our best interests. I sometimes find myself wondering whether NL is merely somewhat to the right of Margaret Thatcher (whose policies it has done so much to further), or rather, a good step to the right of Attilla the Hun!

However, if Mrs Swan is of working age, the most likely benefit available would be Jobseekers' Allowance, I should think (though not if she voluntarily gave up her job). Our state pension is acknowledged to be just about the lowest in Europe, and Jobseekers' Allowance runs out at half that amount. Easy money, to pick up on G Peters' letter, it most certainly is not! In fact, particularly if one is trying to find work and therefore having fares to pay or a car to keep in tax, insurance and petrol (to enable job searches farther afield than Redditch itself), it simply isn't enough to live on.

As for getting the laziest members of society back to work' - I sympathise with the frustration which leads to such a comment; but despite Government claims, it may not be easy to find work.

Fork lift truck drivers, HGV drivers, and MIG and TIG welders are always in demand, with bailiffs and their assistants sometimes coming in not far behind. However, for every PA and admin role, one finds oneself, however skilled and experienced, competing with between 10 and 30 other people.

To be willing and eager to be an honest, working taxpayer, but unable to find anyone to employ one, is quite as frustrating as anything Mr Peters endures.

Val Gaize

Redditch

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