It is the stuff only buffoons could make up. "Hmm, who can we get to get to run our superb new job site, storing the data of millions of people's personal data" said the government minister. "I know" said the DWP IT specialist "Monster" with a helpful little smile. "What the one that got hacked, excellent idea...." http://metro.co.uk/2009/01/27/monster-job-site-hit-by-biggest-hacking-theft-in-british-history-388749/

The middle class man replies "Could you keep an eye on my cookie? I will be back in couple minutes" "Of course" replies the billionaire. While the middle class man is out of sight, the billionaire quickly scoffs the last remaining cookie. On the return of the middle class man, the billionaire, points once again at the benefit claimant, then presides over the ensuing carnage.....

Yes psychology, or mind numbing drivel as I refer to it. Sucking eggs springs to mind, having been both blue eyes and brown eyes in my career.

Picture the scene at a local WP office, I say to my latest WP advisor, one of many.... "I can write a C.V and search for jobs online, look in papers, visit local employers, write spec letters, heck I can even do the rubiks cube" after the advisor has a cursory look through my C.V, checks my spec and job application's..... I ask (insert drum roll here) "How exactly can you help me?" what follows, everyone has experienced (the usual mind numbing drivel)

That is good, at least you tried

I am not blaming anybody, but the simple truth is in the capitalist ideology, supply and demand. There is an oversupply of labour so employers would get staff anyway, so net gain is zero. I do however object to people pontificating and trying to justify a useless exercise in wasting tax payers money. If a bank teller came on here justifying futures, swaps, derivatives in a wall of text disguised as doing me a favour, then yes I would give them a reality check.

@Bullpoofilter I just wonder.....how does it feel to have done a job for however long you did it for, then realise that more people would have found work even if you did not exist? Sorry but it is the truth. Maybe get a manual job, at least you will be creating something?

Thank you for your advice, I will bring it up at his annual review and see if they can point us in right direction. It is an eventuality, I would just like to get things into place before my mum is completely burnt out. I just think the scenario we are pursuing is better for everyone, my brother will have someone younger around him, he and myself have similar interests etc. My mum will be able to pursue other things ie granchildren etc. I am under no illusion how difficult it is going to be having seen my mum struggle, but I am determined to see she gets at least some downtime in her later life. thanks again beezley

Hi, thanks also for replying, yes my mum needs to get away from the situation. I have seen a rapid decline in my mum's mental state over the past few years. I have previously been a carer and I just know my mum, I am frightened to say anything to upset the applecart, simply because of her fragile state. She suffers with nerves quite badly and isn't getting any younger. She does get respite care, but I can just see the fear in her when it gets close to my brother having to come home. I know my brother will be perfectly happy for me to look after him, I do look after him some weekends and when ever my mum asks. I do feel pretty helpless towards the situation, which is why I seek some advice. I have mentioned your suggestion on many occasions, I think she is worried of me having to give up my life to look after my brother. I have already committed myself to doing that as I could not live with the thought of him being in a home. My mum just wants some independence back in her later life, which I don't think anyone should deny her, which is the other reason why I would like to become his carer. thanks beezley

thanks for replying, swap what with my mum? her house for my flat? hmm do not think that would work, she would not do that, her house is her only security. The house and looking after my brother are too much.... financially, physically and emotionally. The house would be too much financially for me to take on anyhow. The inevitable outcome if things continue will be that my brother will have to go into a home, my mum is getting to breaking point. I am trying to arrange things so it does not get to that point. thanks though

Hi YorkyLad, On the ico website ico.gov.uk/Global/faqs/data_protection_for_the_public.aspx#f5EED57A6-1B5C-4032-A7A3-22ECBBF66D3D Q: Which Act allows me to get my personal information? And can they charge me? The Data Protection Act 1998 gives you the right to apply for a copy of your personal information. You will need to put your request in writing, by letter or email, and send it to the person or organisation you believe holds this information. Make sure to put your name and address and keep a copy. It is a good idea to make clear you are asking for the information under the Data Protection Act 1998. Yes, under the Data Protection Act they can ask for a fee of up to £10.00 for each request made. so what is writing in an email not writing? Maybe they think it's hieroglyphs email should be sufficient

Hello I hope somebody can give me a bit of advice. I will try to be as brief as possible, so bear with me.... At present my mother is the full term carer of my older brother, he had a car accident 10 years ago is paralysed down one side and severely brain damaged so needs 24 hr care. A year and a half ago I moved closer to live by so I would be on hand to help. This has been in knowledge that I would eventually have to take care of my brother as my mum got older. Well that stage is coming closer and I had a chat with my mum today. The present situation is; 1. My brother lives with my mum and I live close by. 2. I live in a first floor flat with no disabled access (only 1 bedroom so the flat is in no way suitable for both my brother and me) the situation we would hope to be able to come to is that; 1. My mum gets a small flat of her own (she has capital from the house she lives in at the moment to be able to do that) 2. My brother and myself find a small 2 bed ground floor flat and I begin to take full-time care of my brother (I do not have the capital to do this) I am obviously a little nervous as I want to do the right thing, but I will be honest I don't even know where to begin with regards the authorities. Where would be our best first port of call, the local council? My brother is having his annual review under the community care act in a couple of weeks, would it be something that we could en-quire about there? Is this outcome achievable and possible? Thank you for your help, beezley

hello YorkyLad, personally I would send a letter recorded delivery or in person and get somebody to sign for it, then they have no way of ignoring it. I do think they have a time frame to reply (somebody on the board with more knowledge will be able to help you probably) good luck beezley

Hello Backatcha, Thank you very much for your reply Just to reply, no I am not looking to start a war with my previous employer, i just wanted to clarify where I stand legally, as should the employer and so hopefully is aware of the data protection act Thank you for all the other information and link I have to say I have found the experience so far very sinister and a great intrusion of privacy. I will post my experiences as they develop.... Thanks again beezley

Hello all it's my first post here and as such would like to thank all responsible for posting such useful information. I was referred on to the work programme last year, fortunately enough I found work before my first appointment with ingeus. Unfortunately for me my contract ended a couple of months back (the contract was 6 months), after a bad bout of depression I have managed to pick myself back up and have been seeking work again. I did not claim any assistance during my depression apart from doctors help (tablets turned me into a zombie) although my mum said I should, i guess I was just hoping all the problems would go away. Last week I applied for jobseekers allowance and was greeted by an advisor who made it perfectly clear she was going to look for ways to get me sanctioned, while I look for ways to find work Anyway I am sure enough of you all have similar problems (And I am sorry) but I do have a few questions. Ingeus have constantly called me and harassed me during the last year by way of telephone call and email and under duress I verbally gave them the name of the company i worked for. I would like to add I did tell them that I would prefer not to contacted and give any information, not because i have anything to hide just that I like my privacy (my business is my own and i should be free to tell who i choose) 1. Would they have been legally allowed to contact my previous employer without my consent? (i have not signed any forms or even had an in person meeting with ingeus) 2. Would my employer have been legally allowed to provide information on me? (without my consent) 2. Would they have been able to get payments for my employment (I don't see how they could as they did not find the employment for me) 3. Do I have to withdraw consent?..... even when i have never given consent. 4. As previously said I have resisted contact so far with ingeus, although now will have to be compliant. (will this be cause for me to be refused JSA?) I would like to reiterate I have nothing to hide, just want my privacy and have such been wary about posting on this forum. I have been told that ingeus will be contacting me and as mentioned earlier could be sanctioned if I do not comply, I replied I would do the minimum legally required of me regarding Ingeus. (I am perfectly capable of applying for jobs, creating C.V etc...... having been on previous boot camps coerced and lied too, feel there is nothing they can offer me) I have worked 25 years of my adult life, ran my own business and have never felt so humiliated in my life they are making me feel like a criminal. Could anyone answer the questions i have raised? any helpful advice would be gratefully accepted. Thank you once again everyone beezley