I heard Julian Cope on The Radcliffe and Maconie show, and thought I'd drop in on Julian's site, Head Heritage, (always worth a visit) and see what he's up to. I found this piece I'd like to share with you.
Here's some extracts, the full version is well worth a read and can be found at:
http://www.headheritage.co.uk/uknow/features/?id=105
Iain Duncan Smith - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and founder of the supposed Tory conscience the Centre for Social Justice - has set forth his plans for welfare-to-work. People unemployed for a year will do four weeks full time work for no wage, or else lose benefits.
The plan is backed by Conservative leader David Cameron. These two men live in multimillion pound mansions thanks to their wives' fortunes, and from these grand platforms they tell us how important it is to work for your money rather than living on handouts.
To be fair, this isn't a Tory initiative. All the elements and more were laid out by Labour two and a half years ago:
As I said back then, that - just the bonus, before the firm's standard fees - is equivalent to over 16 years of Job Seekers Allowance. Do we really think that’s value for money? Or does the government just feel better giving the benefits budget to wealthy private firms instead of poverty stricken individuals?
Given there are already people who remove graffiti and pick up litter but who'll now be unneeded, we can sack them, put them on the dole, then re-employ them on unemployment benefits at a third of the price.
This is, by any measure, slave labour. Those who have no other option are forced under threat of destitution or other punishment to do menial work in exchange for basic food and shelter, with no prospect of improving their conditions or of leaving.
This affects more than those on the scheme, as the new pool of dirt cheap labour drags down wages and conditions for the properly employed.
The plan is backed by Conservative leader David Cameron. These two men live in multimillion pound mansions thanks to their wives' fortunes, and from these grand platforms they tell us how important it is to work for your money rather than living on handouts.
To be fair, this isn't a Tory initiative. All the elements and more were laid out by Labour two and a half years ago:
After a year on unemployment benefits, claimants will have to undertake at least four weeks compulsory work in the community. This becomes full-time voluntary work after two years. It is hoped that this will push people back into paid work as they will have to work at least 30 hours a week unpaid simply to claim benefits. They may also have to sign on daily.
Firms successfully returning people to the workforce for the long-term will receive bonuses of up to £50,000.
Firms successfully returning people to the workforce for the long-term will receive bonuses of up to £50,000.
As I said back then, that - just the bonus, before the firm's standard fees - is equivalent to over 16 years of Job Seekers Allowance. Do we really think that’s value for money? Or does the government just feel better giving the benefits budget to wealthy private firms instead of poverty stricken individuals?
Given there are already people who remove graffiti and pick up litter but who'll now be unneeded, we can sack them, put them on the dole, then re-employ them on unemployment benefits at a third of the price.
This is, by any measure, slave labour. Those who have no other option are forced under threat of destitution or other punishment to do menial work in exchange for basic food and shelter, with no prospect of improving their conditions or of leaving.
This affects more than those on the scheme, as the new pool of dirt cheap labour drags down wages and conditions for the properly employed.
And that is the system I walked out on........
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