Guest Post “Better than benefits”…from Miss Lou
I’ve just read this brilliantly written, painfully honest account of what life is like on benefits within the UK benefits system. I know the redoubtable Miss Lou. She used to run one of the best cafes in Glasgow, UK’s West End. She is bright, talented, hard working , and possessed of a truly wicked sense of humour. Do Share this post on Facebook etc. Leave her a comment. She deserves it!
Writer and Friend at work…
Cartoon: Paul F Newman
Originally posted on The redoubtable:
The Job Centre, in the grand scheme of things, isn’t so bad.
The housing benefit office, on the other hand, is definitely inspired by Dante, but as I can never decide which circle it resides in (first? fifth? seventh? a combination?) I try not to think about it too much.
Anyway, once a fortnight I – like so many others – schlepp down to the Brew with my paper booklet of disappointment and present myself for assessment. My regular adviser is actually really nice, but I do occasionally have to deal with the office harridan who seems to view job seekers as workshy scroungers who are all ‘at it’.
Like the first time I went, arriving 25 minutes early. I couldn’t afford the bus fare and I was terrified of being late – having heard about draconian sanctions – so I speed-walked, wheezing my way into the building, only to…
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Filed under: 01 - new Posts: January 2015 onwards, A Writer's Life....(article archive) Tagged: Glasgow UK's West End, UK benefits system
