The Express's disgusting hate campaign against the unemployed continued today with a story which has so many holes in it that not even the editor should have believed it. Read it carefully before continuing.
Do you see what I mean? This bloke has a job agency in Worcester. Now, the idea of these agencies is that they sign up people onto their books so that, when a company contacts them for personnel, they've got clients who they can contact and use, even at short notice. The agencies then get paid for supplying the labour. This chap, Danny James, hadn't done that. When he got an urgent order for 50 people to man a food packing line that same night, he went to the Jobcentre. (Would James have given the agency commission to JCP?) The Jobcentre, obviously, couldn't help. A spokesperson said, "The very short timescale given by the agency and the need for jobseekers to be available to work the night shift, that same day, meant that we were unable to help on this occasion." So Mr James had to fall back on doing what an agency is paid to do in the first place - phone his own contacts. He could only find ten. Now he's ranting on Facebook about people "scrounging from us taxpayers". And the Express has deliberately misrepresented people who were unwilling to do a single shift at a few hours' notice; people who would lose money by doing so, because the system penalises them for signing off, doing one shift and signing back on again.
But facts don't matter to the Express, or to its owner, Richard Desmond.
Can't add too much to what Historian has typed to be honest. However, if this Danny James could not even be bothered to advertise the vacancy well in advance to give enough prior notice, then what sort of fly-by-night, two bit operation is he running? And if he could only find ten bodies out of the required 50, he is not doing his job as an agency. Perhaps this shows his business is in trouble. If so, then I have no sympathy. The man sounds like a complete chancer.
ReplyDeleteI really do hope his clients read this article if only to see what a shoddy operation he runs. They really need to look elsewhere if his agency does not have enough people on his books and cannot be bothered to give potential applicants enough notice to apply. It shows contempt for them as well as the jobseeker.
I also read the article(X2) "What a Plonker" It sounds like his piss poor prior planning is being visited on the JCP/unemployed,he was probably counting his commission already,if he had any business sense he would of made prior contact with both the JCP and WP started working with people in advance rather than trying to pull a Rabbit out of his £ss at the last minute. I may be unemployed,but it still amazes me that we are considered "Lazy" if we have prior commitments and are unavailable,yet try and get travel expenses if an interview pops up suddenly,no chance as "We don't operate that way"
ReplyDeleteThis creature has threatened to get the unemployed guy, unfortunately scapegoated, in the article and have his benefits stopped.
ReplyDeleteSomething needs to be done about this vile filth. As someone else has commented, this isn't his first time in the Express moaning (and the Mail). Let's have his twitter and his facebook and let's show him what people really think of scum like this.
Covered in the Mail too. This bloke is clearly a chancer who isn't able to run his business with any degree of competence. Let's hope his desperation for media exposure will come back and bite him - local employers now know that he doesn't keep staff on his books, will agree to unrealistic demands, will pass requests on to a 'free' public service and has an appalling attitude to boot.
ReplyDeleteI wonder whether the Express intends to copy the Mail by recounting the tale of the Tory MP who is alleged to have bullied a one-legged man in a wheelchair?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/10/21/daniel-kawczynski-tory-mp_n_4135201.html?utm_hp_ref=uk
The story of Mr James insulting the unemployed is old hat, after all, but the story of the allegedly bullying Tory MP is new. I believe.
The story was reported far more fairly in today's Metro - a very good newspaper and it's FREE.
ReplyDeleteFunny how Danny James' employment agency is called 'Consistent Personnel' when they are anything but. They have inconsistent numbers of staff for a start!
ReplyDeleteYet another example of the Tory papers continued attack on anyone who is unfortunate to become unemployed under this shameful government. Weak politicians and their Tory backing tabloid papers pick on the poor yet shy away from tackling the real sharks in our society, e.g. bankers, utilities companies etc.
ReplyDeleteClearly this Danny James idiot comes from the same school of thought as this government - blame everyone else for your failures because some fellow idiots will believe you if you say it enough.
The tide is turning against media propoganda.
DeleteI see no sign of that.
DeleteThe Tories are starting to cop more flak for their policy failures. In just the last few days they have been criticised over energy prices (by former Conservative PM John Major) and the rising cost of living (ONS), the bedroom tax (intial report by a London housing association) and charities have questioned their role in Workfare.
DeleteTrust me, when the dust settles and the Tories are booted out of office in May '15 the knives will be out and this govt will get an almighty kicking from displaced Tory MP's, the right-wing press and historians.
I cannot think of a more ineffective govt in a 1000 years of British history. They have done absolutley ZERO to improve either the economic condition of the country which is still in recession (in my opinion) or the National Debt, which is still rising.
Also reported here
ReplyDeletehttp://money.aol.co.uk/2013/10/21/recruiter-advertises-50-jobs-no-one-applies/?ncid=webmail4
Comments appear to be near 100% against him.
It seems this Danny James is not too bothered about disclosing his employees details to any news source that wants it. Has he not broke any data protection laws.
ReplyDeleteIt's not clear to me that the people named were his employees.
DeleteI have made,I think a big mistake,during my last WP appointment we discussed the fact that I would be leaving shortly and I filled out a form,one of the questions related to Drug/Alcohol intake,I stated that if funds were available that I did enjoy a pint of Bitter,but this is a rare occasion and thought no more about it. I have now been referred to a Drug and Alcohol programme "As this could be a barrier to work" after the 1st appointment (it is a charity) I was released as they were more confused than myself as to why I was there,has this happened to anybody else? and will this follow me back to the JCP?
ReplyDeleteI suppose it's possible that it could be included in your exit report (link below), although it would clearly be ridiculous and you would entitled to challenge it.
DeleteMy suspicion is (and this is something I've seen a lot of) that rather than spot-purchase, that charity is working as a Tier 1 or end-to-end (or thereabouts) subcontractor, and the prime or main subcontractor thought they could get away with getting another organisation to bear the cost of providing your 'support'. The charity presumably has recognise that it's being used inappropriately and doesn't want to play ball.
Many specialist Tier 1 subs have seen this - large numbers of referrals (unlike Tier 2 or spot-purchase subs) with a range of support needs they're not necessarily equipped to meet, the only common factor often being that they're all some distance from employment. Not suggesting at all that that's the case with regard to you, just a general observation of how primes and larger subs have sought to manage their costs and risks.
Work Programme exit report template is here: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/work-programme-memo-106.pdf
what a great opportunity mr james was offering his potential staff... start work in 5 hours time [after already being up all day]... work the graveyard shift for minimum wage on a zero hours contract, sign off all benefits [my most recent jsa claim took 8 weeks to be processed and paid so if the hours dry up rent arrears and debt await]...
ReplyDeleteamazing! not to mention the fact that public transport is, in most places, non-existent after midnight and nobody can afford to run a car on minimum wage [or benefits, for that matter]. where do i sign up?
on a more serious note, whilst the reporting of this case in the mail, express and other fish and chip papers has been predictably vile, i have found the comments posted below the articles to be more encouraging- i would say a good 85% take the view that Danny James is a bit of a chancer and the fact that he thinks he has the right as a proud taxpayer to 'stop the benefits' of anyone who didn't sign up to his tinpot agency laughable... [and for anyone that's interested I would recommend checking out his linkedin page- the picture is a keeper!!]
The WP and JCP are finally on the same sheet of music,is this a good thing? After visiting both on the same day the questions were the same "Why have you not found Employment yet?" and "We can only offer so much help,it really is up to you to find Employment" On the first question,I replied that although I have applied for hundreds of positions through UJM,I have only had 3 interviews and felt that lack of real jobs combined with outdated skills and lack of support from both the WP and JCP were also factors. The reply from both was "Are you sure you are really trying?" What would you suggest? I have followed what little advise that I have been given and requested training,set up my own work placements(denied) ..."We are here to help,but you must first help yourself" What do you suggest? "Find a job" and other than applying,what help do you offer? "Once you are employed we will offer continued support,to ensure that you remain in employment and we will help you overcome any barriers that you may encounter" How about support now? "We are here to motivate you,answer any question that you may have,but if you fail to meet your agreement you may be subject to sanctions,the old ways will no longer be allowed" What training is available? "Under the new Programme once you leave/arrive the WP/JCP you will be assigned to Community Work/Daily signing on/Training" I understand that the Claimant will have a choice of what they will do,what Training is available?(DWP guidance) "The Programme has not been rolled out yet,you will be assigned what ever task we deem fit,you have no choice" .....Great can't wait!
ReplyDeleteIt is no longer about helping the unemployed find work or skills,the main priority is sanctions.
ReplyDeleteDoes there not have to be a debate in Parliament before Workfare becomes law? What evidence does the govt have that it will work? What is the Liberal Democrats position? How will it be implemented? What are its goals? What criteria will the Job Centre use to select punishment?
ReplyDeleteI use the term punishment deliberately because that is precisely what Workfare is. It is no different than the way convicted criminals were treated in 19th C. prision when they were forced to use treadmills - an exercise with no other point than to break the spirit of the prisoner.
Workfare is no different. It is designed to break the will of the unemployed; 'signing on' every day will not help someone find work, therefore it is simply a punishment.
Workfare (or the Work Programme) in no way addresses the real problems that the long-term unemployed have in finding work, e.g. a lack of relevant skills. There is nothing to be gained for the unemployed by 'signing on' every day. The govt's objective is to make the process of 'signing on' and being on JSA so severe and humiliating that people will sign off benefits. I know of four people who have 'signed off' with currently NO guaranteed means of income.
"I know of four people who have 'signed off' with currently NO guaranteed means of income."
DeleteHmm. If they genuinely have no other source of income, then that is a reckless act. Of course the government wants people to sign off, but it's targeting those who are earning in the black economy.
The "black economy"? how can that be in a system based on fraud?
DeleteThere is a very strong black economy where we deliver the Work Programme and we have many individual's who do not attend their work programme appointments but are still signing on to claim Housing/Council Tax benefit. Whatever way you look at it, there is not enough resources to look at all the occurences of fraud.
DeleteHow does that work? How do you claim HB or CTB while not claiming anything else?
DeleteThere is much more going into pursuit of fraud than there used to be, but much of it depends on informers.
When a client/customer fails to attend their Work Programme appointment, we always follow DWP Procedures. If the client is sanctioned, they can claim a hardship payment of £40 per week whilst their claim for HB and CTB is kept open. The client/customer is then able to work PT and hopefully fit their PT working hours around the signing time. We report benefit fraud regularly but nothing happens due to the relatively small amounts involved. The only ones that getting investigated involve many thousands of pounds of benefit fraud. There is not enough resources to investigate everyone.
DeleteSigning on everyday would hopefully prevent a lot of the black economy in today's job market.
No, it wouldn't. People who are currently working cash-in-hand will continue to do so if it pays them, and sign off. Others who are punished for not turning up on time or something will have no choice but to look to the black economy. The 2006 New Deal programme required people to attend every day for 13 weeks. It was inconvenient for some people who did have jobs on the side, but they coped.
DeleteI don't support this. It's fraud, pure and simple. But the current measures will do nothing to shrink the black economy.
PIP,my understanding is that this is a part of UC,and has failed to come on line,same system,different application but still the same core system..."On Time and On Budget" IDS "Believes" when are they going to jettison this IDIOT!
ReplyDeletePIP replaces or would replace DLA but a face-to-face assessment would be carried out. In most cases I believe this would be ATOS - um, same old names coming up again and again eh, freinds.
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