"The jobs our people won't do." - How this expression offends me! In times of greater health, the last two goverments have tried to hide unemployment figures amongst those drawing sick benefits - the best estimate is that this constitutes a million out of about 2.65 million. The problem is then left to the future to extricate the genuine from the lead-swingers.
The longterm unemployed consists of four identifiable groups: those who want to work and can't find work; those who would like to work but cannot afford to leave benefits behind; those who have become institutionalised 'on the dole' and are frightened of the prospect as well as those who want to continue avoiding work for their own reasons.
The problem is compounded by well-meaning but idiotic employment legislation which means that employers are terrified to take on extra workers as taking away those jobs becomes almost impossible in times of economic stress.
Add to this the fact that being able to sack wrongdoers, the terminally bone idle and malevolent influences is filled with pitfalls - a situation exacerbated if the person targeted is from an ethnic minority or is disabled in any way. No employer in such circumstances can go to an employment tribunal with any hope of winning - irrespective of what the sackee may have done.
The problems faced by employers are legion and so they are loathe to offer extra jobs.
Labour's solution has been to paper over the cracks by permitting massive immigration levels which brings myriads of other social problems.
Incidentally, the word 'unemployable' has become fashionable. I wonder how many people of similar ilk had to pull themselves around from such a state in the 1930s? Why do we simply accept this?
We really must make members of society become net contributors.
