I was claiming working tax credits until that claim was stopped by the DWP (Department of work and pensions) and all payments to me were stopped, they didn't put me on a different benefit just simply stopped all payments (16 weeks later I have still not received one single payment from them.) This meant I was forced to a start a claim for the new and fascist like Universal Credit. Universal Credit means that I have to be actively looking for work 35 hour per week, write it all down and show the Jobcentre the evidence that I have been actively looking for work 35 per week, "treat job searching as a job" they advised. To look for work we are forced to sign up to Universal Jobmatch the Jobcentre ask for permission to enter our account so that they can see what you are doing on Universal Jobmatch but you are NOT legally obligated to comply with their request. I recommend that you do not give them permission to access your Universal Jobmatch because the Jobcentre do NOT use it to help people, they use it to catch people out and sanction their benefits.
I have been forced in to using their Universal Jobmatch website and applied for a few jobs on there. Only one job has contacted me back, I don't believe that most of the "jobs" on universal Jobmatch are even real jobs! I believe there are companies that use Universal Jobmatch as a personal information collection point.
Think about it like this; what is the best way to make people give you their personal information over the Internet? Pay them, but that costs money. Job openings? When it comes to job openings people will give you all their details including past employment.
Many of these "potential employers" that advertise on Universal Jobmatch take you to a whole different site (their own website) and request much more information from you than you would ever put on a C.V.
The Jobcentre and the British government are forcing people in to taking jobs, not good longterm jobs but zero hour contract jobs that allows the employer to use you when they need you and get rid of you at will.
For me this is forced labour and forced labour (no matter how much they try to sugar coat it) is slavery. This is a form of fascism, the Jobcentre enforcing their will on people and some of the staff know it.
This weekend is a bank holiday weekend this means that we do not have to attend the Jobcentre Monday (they make us attend every week day usually.) I was struck by the language used by the Jobcentre staff as she explained "Monday you're pardoned" she was joking but within that joke was a hint that she recognizes the fascism and dictatorship like tactics being used by the Jobcentre.
Last point when it comes to the Jobcentre, they claim to be trying to save money and the costs of the benefits system but how much does it cost them to have us there everyday of the week, listening to their lectures and telling us their scripted catchphrases? The latest catchphrase is piss poor they tell us numerous times "finding a job is like ABC!" no it real isn't "first you find A job, then a Better job, then a Career!" LAME..
They also pay traveling expenses (buses, trains, taxis in some cases, five days a week) to make sure we can attend every day of the week! How much does that cost? I'm guessing its not cheap.