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Oh my goodness. That's shocking!
I do hope I can come up with a genius self-employed idea over the holidays where I can employ my 15 year old...
I do think that's awful though.
Hello harissa
What seems to be even more worrying than what happened is the "randomness" with which these new regulations appear to be being applied.
Laura is not around for a little while, she will be back on 1st August, I will email her a copy of this thread and she can answer it when back, Ok? 
That is really awful! Glad your friend stood up for herself. It does seem as tho the JC are trying to 'get' people - but as we all know - there're just aren't the jobs to be had anyway. I'll be really interested to find out what the legal position on that is.
At my last signing on, the advisor (I never see the same one twice these days) told me to list all the sites I use to job search for each entry on my seekers form. I have been told from another source that this has been used as an excuse to apply sanctions in other job centres. And still no phone call from CDG about the appt they cancelled.
Hi everyone, it is very worrying, one thing I would like to know, what happened to the national minimum wage in this country? It seems that if we are all forced onto this work programme then if we are doing 30 hours it will come nowhere near minimum wage will it? I am certain that they would get far more from people if they were to say to everyone that they are expected to do 10 hours voluntary work in order to receive their benefits, this way it would keep people motivated, it would also mean that they were interacting socially with other people and possibly there would be less depression.
What does everyone else think?
Hi TiredMum,
i agree 10 hours voluntary would be a useful and purposeful way of keeping people motivated and for charities to benefit also. How can anyone be expected to work over 30 hours (they state over not 30 hours on the work programme!!eek) and jobsearch, be available for interviews. Its punishment. Don't fret at least the bankers and their cronies got off scot free after bringing the country to its knees....
Hiya all
Yes that would be fab. I've applied for vol work (doit.org.uk), but never heard anything back from any of the charities, which is a bit disheartening. Called a local hospice and they're having an open day in Sept which would be great, so looking forward to that. But as you say, it'll be impossible to do 30hrs under min wage, plus vol work, plus jobseeking... Reckon we'd all be happy to do something really worthwhile but that's tory rich boys in la la land for you.
Finally managed to speak to someone at CGD today - I'm told that the WP not fully up and running yet, so appts are only once a month for now. Which means I'll get 1 re-booked for the cancelled appt in Aug (I mentioned childcare & the lady was very reasonable about it) and nothing else till after they go back in Sept. This is a HUGE relief. Not sure if this is just in my region, but if you're on the scheme think it's a good idea call your provider and check. Going to lie down now lol!
Hi J6767,
I've my my appointment on Monday with Ingeus (formerly Work Directions I've been told now)..
I've two interviews now this week, one tomorrow and one Friday. Maybe someone is throwing me a life line. If I get one of the jobs it's all systems go to start my new business too, need a wage whilst its early days.
I don't think Cameron or this government will weather this hacking scandal, I smell a Profumo style topple. ;o)
O I hope so... sorry the evil laugh coming up again lol
Fab news re interviews, good luck!
Wishing you all the best with those interviews Helly13!
Hi J6767 and Harissa,
I've had the interviews. The last one was today at 12pm, was in more than 45 minutes than the 30 minutes alotted. I'll know by Monday if I have got the job. I hope something comes from them, I really cannot face being told how to find a job, when in all honesty I am more than perfectly capable of finding one myself, I've had two interviews this week, proof of this! The lady in question who interviewed me said that out of 200 applicants I was one of 5 interviewed. she had piles of C.V's and admitted that she hadn't even opened some the envelopes. It's crazy how competative it is!!
That's really good, so hope you get it!
You're right - we don't need to be to shown how it get a job... we need jobs to get, but are many! And so many people going for them, because more people are losing their jobs every day. A friend of mine has a neighbour (a single parent) who tried to commit suicide last night because of redundancy.
Good weekend everyone x
Laura, I was wondering if you could please check something for me.
One of my friends (not a lone-parent), who is a 60 year old grandmother, is on JSA. Last week her new adviser tried to force her to sign a contract saying she was available for work 8am to 6pm Saturdays and Sundays. She refused as her original available hours of 8am to 6pm weekdays are really when she is available for work. She has family responsibilities at the weekend.
The new adviser threatened her with loss of JSA and told her everyone is obliged to be available for work at the weekends. My friend held her ground and was marched upstairs as the adviser had never had anyone stand up for their rights before and needed to check how to discipline her. Fortunately my friend is well known to most of the original Job Centre staff and has a good reputation of being a committed and very motivated jobseeker. They were horrified at her treatment by their colleague and a formal complaint of bullying has now been submitted on her behalf.
I am concerned by the suggestion that jobseekers are expected to be available for work 7 days a week and can be disciplined for arguing that they have family obligations. I think you can see this could well affect single parents if it turns out to be the case. And, is it my imagination, or are the jobcentres taking on new hard-line staff and deliberately moving the established staff, who have built up an understanding of, and possibly sympathy for, the clientele, away from the front line?