Thankyou for your replies folks. You all assume that I am claiming, unfortunately I'm not claiming a penny off the state, and living off my savings at present.
I know I could perhaps claim some dole, but pride stops me, and WRT the comment on top-ups, the wife works so we wouldn't get anything in the way of top ups. We are still arguing with th Working Families Tax people about 3 years ago, they seem very good at getting figures wrong.
The refernece to �5.25 an hour, I saw a job the other day for a 7.5 tonner driver, working local and nights out, at that rate. Thats supposed to be a semi skilled job, or at least a job with responsibility. Now I know that depending on which part of the country you are in rates vary, but I just wonder how many ABers would do that job for that rate.
Also my reference to Polish people, some of my neighbours are Polish, very nice lads, and a few days back one was telling me he tiled a bathroom for �25. 24 metres of tiling, probably 3 days work for �25. But then again he's probably getting rent paid by the state.....
The old adage of 'it's easier to get a job when you're in work' maybe applies, but it's much easier to check jobcentre when you are not at work.
Thanks for the replies.