Unemployed earning more than working households

Why shouldn't migrants who came to the UK to work, have worked here a long time but are now being made redundant through no fault of their own not have at least as much right to unemployment benefits as a person born in the UK who has never worked?

I don't know if we *do* have a higher level in terms of buying-power.

Several reasons. The foremost is the probability of being sent back to the country they are escaping from. There is obviously no point in emigrating to a closer country if you are likely to be deported from it.

Another reason is the presence of relatives or at least fellow countrymen to make the transition easier.

And of course there is the probability of getting work in the new country - again, no use to emigrate to a country where the prospect of employment is lower than the country you are leaving. One thing that makes the UK desirable is the fact that the native citizens are unwilling to do certain types of work for a wage that is fair for the type of work, leaving holes in the employment market that immigrants can exploit.

Define 'a long time'!

My wife's sister and her husband emigrated to Spain seven years ago. Three years ago their son joined them. He tried to find work over there but apart from the occasional part time labouring job there was nothing. He looked into claiming Spanish unemployment benefit but found that a) the amount was low, and b) in order to claim it he had to be prepared to undertake public work such as cleaning the streets. He decided not to bother (and sponged off his parents instead - which is another story!).

Ret.

Fair in your opinion, but too low to sustain a lifestyle that the majority enjoy. Employers will always exploit lower wages, normally sending their bases abroad, they now have the option of importing slave labour into the UK. When do you call it slavery?

It is simply a question of economics. If it becomes more economical for an employer to buy and maintain a machine, outsource or change their methods instead of employing a labourer, they will do so. If cheap labour disappeared, it does *not* mean that people will be employed at higher wages - it means that most such jobs will disappear.

Consider that you can employ a person to cut your grass. If that person asks for £10 for each grass-cut, you may well pay him to do it. If however he demands £100 to cut your grass, you will probably do without his services - either buying a lawnmower and doing it yourself, or getting rid of your lawn.

It is not slavery unless a person is *forced* to work against their will. As we have unemployment benefit, that position does not exist in the UK

I do not believe that the rules in the UK are a lot differerent. Would a young Spanish person be able to come to the UK and immediately claim a high amount of benefits?

But let's suppose you desperately want someone to cut your grass because you are unable to do so due to infirmity. Let's suppose you offer £20 for each grass cut which, due to the size of your lawn, is an eminently fair payment. Now let's suppose that no-one wants to cut your grass because they can get benefits in excess of that payment for doing nothing. What do you do then? You can either pay over the odds in order to 'beat' the benefits payment or get some immigrant to do it!

Ret.

TBH, I have no idea - but SFAIAA, there is no requirement for our benefit claimants to undertake any form of public works - mores the pity.

Ret.

Yes i believe he would be able to claim the same as an english claimant (or whatever they are called now)

No point, they would'nt get out of bed in time or be too hung over from the night before after drinking a load of booze that they can't afford because they have no money (so they tell you)

Best get an immigrant, we use one he arrives on time, handles any job around the garden including fencing and concreting he is very polite and clears up after his work, he is a pleasure to talk to over a cup of tea or coffee and never tries to add extra time to the job, if he is not in when i phone him he will return my call on his return, a few english could learn from his attitude to work and customer service

Or you pay a one-off amount for a contractor to tarmac over your lawn.

Yes, that's exactly how it works. The immigrants are not (for the most part) "stealing our jobs". They are doing jobs that would *not exist* if their cheaper labour were not available.

I agree with you. It's not just that many Brits are reluctant to come off benefits and go out to work - it's also the case that many British tradesmen are appallingly bad - not just in terms of workmanship, but also in their constant effort to do as little as possible for the maximum payment.

Ret.

Bird by name, bird-brained by nature.

WM

Or if too-generous benefits did not provide a disincentive to work? !

Ret.

Too generous benefits?

Have you tried to live, not survive, on 60 quid a week?

WM

Too generous benefits?

Have you tried to live, not survive, on 60 quid a week?

WM Were you never a student? I survived on about that for years.

That may have been enough to keep you in food and drink, pencils and paper, and jeans and T shirts, but I'll bet you didn't fund your accommodation from that as well.

How about for life (which is what I said)?

WM