There's nothing to report on the A4e front; no sign of the 2012/13 accounts, and no more information on what is obviously a precarious financial position.
I've bookmarked lots of articles featuring IDS and Benefits Street, which few people would want to read. One I recommend, though, is by Mark Steel on the Independent's website. It's titled: We've had ‘Benefits Street’, so how about ‘Bonus street’? A gritty look at the grim reality of life with an unearned £2m windfall". Or you could read Nick Cohen's piece in the Spectator, titled The Tories' hunger games. (But don't follow his link to Isabel Hardman's piece in the same magazine - The fight for compassionate Conservatism - unless you want to feel nauseous.) It's indicative of the way the programme has polarised people. For the Tories it continues to be splendid propaganda, not least for the drive to lower the benefits cap. As the Daily Mail reports, a particularly nasty MP, Philip Davies, used it to feed IDS the line in a debate in parliament. "Mr
Duncan Smith also revealed he thought the controversial Channel 4
show Benefits Street was helping to win the argument for reform. The
Tory minister said viewers were rightly 'shocked' by programmes such
as Benefits Street and On Benefits and Proud, featuring people who
spend their benefit money on luxuries such as cigarettes and
wide-screen TVs, but that they had enabled the Government to force
through measures, which he said would put an end to the abuse.
Conservative MP Philip Davies said the documentaries will leave
working people 'irritated' by the spending of those living on state
handouts." (Is that "compassionate Conservatism, Ms Hardman?)
For some constructive reading I recommend Guy Standing's book The Precariat, published by Bloomsbury in 2011. It's an excellent analysis, from a sociologist's point of view, of the plight of growing numbers of people around the world, including many who read this blog.
Here is the link to Davies's profile on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Davies.
ReplyDeleteOne word - bigot.
You make a valid point about how right-wing politicians like Davies are using TV stereotypes to condemn the unemployed and benefits. C4 executives should be ashamed of themselves.
ReplyDeleteLet's not forget the remit of C4 when it was formed was to offer an alternative view of the world and encourage independent film-making. 'Benefits Street' is in complete contrast to this ethos. It is a contrived, stereotypical, orthodox, right-wing piece of programming that shows nothing but contempt for those on benefits, hence its use by far-right bigots like Davies to condemn the unemployed.
As for Guy Standing's book. I haven't read it but the abstract only confirms what many on here have been saying for for a while now and that is the growing numbers of both the unemployed and UNDERemployed is ruining lives.
Channel Four changed in the 90s when the money it had from the government to set it up and half fund it ended, and automatically C4s whole income then came from advertising.
DeleteWhen this happened, C4 abandoned it's original and contractual remit. It became just another commercial channel with no obligation other than to make money and fill up screen time.
Ahhhh...the usual "Flat screen TV and Sky" nonsense again. Firstly, I have a widescreen TV. Hard not to these days as Samsung, Sony, Philis, LG, Toshiba, etc ceased manufacturing the bulky CRT types years ago.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, they have come down massively in price. You can get a 24" flat screen TV for a little over £120. And who's to say a jobseeker did not but their TV when working?
Thirdly, anyone looking at the outside of my property would immediately deduce that I have Sky TV as I have a satellite dish affixed to the outside wall. Not so. I have Freeesat that I got installed as par of the digital switchover. Cost of the dish, set-top box and installation? Just £20!
This MP Philip Davies is making all sorts of assumptions without bothering to check the facts too closely. Calling for a further benefit cap only seeks to massage many a Tory MP's basic ideology.
Looking at the top 20 areas the Mail says were targeted with benefit caps, most are in London and the South East. Just two outside this area and just on in the North. So what does this tell you? The obvious, which is London and the S.E. are over heated leading to crazily inflated house prices reflected in the rents people have to pay and subsequently the housing benefit paid out. It's not rocket science!
P.S. Another good book recommendation is "Hard Work" by Polly Toynbee which deals with the daily grind of existing on low pay in modern Britain. Although Toynbee has her critics, she at least has walked a mile in other peoples shoes, actually doing the low paid jobs described in the book over several months. Although written in 2003, most of what is written is still sadly relevant today a decade later and probably even more relevant really.
I loathe Hardman's shrill, modern Conservatism with a passion. She's also historically illiterate or deliberately disingenuous in the way she tries to equate even the mildest suggestion of straying from the neoliberal path with a lunge towards Marxism.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, another couple of book recommendations: Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich - similar to (and possibly the inspiration for) Toynbee's book. No less illuminating for being about a different country.
Closer to home and more contemporary is Poverty and insecurity
Life in low-pay, no-pay Britain by Shildrick et al. It paints a somewhat different picture of life in economically deprived areas and estates to that portrayed in Benefits Street. It should be required reading for anyone interested in welfare reform, poverty and social policy in general, but it appears that the media, the public and policy makers would rather source their opinions from gutter journalism of the worst and most exploitative kind. Credible academics who conduct serious, longitudinal research don't seem to appeal, for some reason.
It's available here, and isn't cheap for a relatively slim paperback, but I'd recommend it to anyone: http://www.policypress.co.uk/display.asp?K=9781847429100
There's always the library (if yours hasn't been closed) and I will get them there. Our library will buy books if they haven't already got them.
DeleteHas anyone seen the fact its harder to buy small screen tv's, Yes we have a widescreen TV, but we still rent it.. I get tired of it all. All the propaganda all the hate.. Have these tories actually ever had to live in the real world?..
ReplyDeleteNot to mention those people who bought a tv when in work, then lost their jobs.. should they be forced to sell the widescreen tv? Should they sell anything that brings a moment of joy because then they would only be applying for jobs.. Cant have anything nice because it will distract from applying for jobs..
DeleteA bit off subject,but hopefully this will help some people. About 9 weeks ago I applied for a Warm front discount/credit it took about 5 minutes(google) and even though I have a prepaid meter(Eon) the application was simple,about 5 weeks ago I received a letter saying I was approved and this morning a Post Office voucher for £135.00 which has to be applied to my electric...not a huge amount,but still very welcome,I urge all to apply as it ends in March.
ReplyDeleteIn need of advice,my JSA was not in today,after calling them I was informed that I had not filled in a form regarding where I live,I explained that I am sofa surfing and use a C/O address and that the JCP has had me fill this out 3 different times,it was then explained that they had the address,but the C/O had been removed,I explained that I use to use the JCP as a C/O address,but if I wanted training it could not be a C/O address and I am using a friends address,a bit confusing,tomorrow I have to report to JCP with 2 forms of ID and a utility bill in my name,I explained that I have No Fixed Abode so no bills,I also have to show proof of every place I have stayed over the past Month,how I am supposed to do this ? Any advice?
ReplyDeleteIt's very short notice for you to produce proof of accommodation, but could you get some of your hosts to send emails confirming dates and places? As for ID; a birth certificate is usually accepted, but they do tend to require the "original". (There's no such thing, really, but they mean the one issued when your birth was first registered.) That isn't always possible, I know. Driving licence and passport are also accepted, but that doesn't help many people. I suspect you need a lot of supporting statements from people who may not be able or willing to give them. Do try the CAB for advice.
DeleteThanks for the advice,this subject has been raised on several occasions by the JCP,I produced a document given to me by the council that stated"stay with family or friends as we have a shortage of available housing" I asked what advise they the JCP could give and the reply was "we are here to help you get a job,not housing" blunt,but honest. I had been offered private shared housing with 9 others £87 pw plus £17 pw service charge,which would of been tight,not to sound picky or judgemental,but it was being used as a pre release point for people with substance abuse problems,I am costing them basic JSA but they are determined to investigate where I stay,I had a camper van hidden on some scrub land that I gave the location to the JCP it had been there for months,but was towed within 2 days,coincidence?
Delete£87 p/w PLUS £17 "service charge" - Ouch (unless that is London rates).
DeleteI would strongly recommend contacting www.shelter.org.uk if you haven't already done so. The JCP should be atleast signposting you to local organisations that provide help with homeless issues. Without accommodation, it is difficult to find and retain a job, so that would put it within their remit.
Back from JCP,I had to fill out a form LT something(living with friends) it was sent out,but to the wrong address,after filling it out I asked if the JSA would be released funds,NO it has to be sent out and this will take up to 5 days,after that it will take up to an additional 5 days to make a decision,I am staying with friends that both work and claim no benefits,yet I was informed that they may have to be interviewed,I refused to give their date of birth(I don't know it) this received a tut tut,as I only claim JSA I am confused about why I am being investigated?
Delete"We are here to help you get a job, not housing".
ReplyDeleteIt's not my 'job' to give to charity or work as a voluntary teaching assistant or visit my eldery next door neighbour but I do it anyway. You know why, because I care and want TO HELP!!!
Callous.