I'm on my last week of MWA.

[NotDave]

Sorry for coming to this a bit late but I'm on my last week of MWA. Three months ago I was working full-time and with a few holes in my CV of a few weeks here and there, I have a full work history of more than 25 years.

 

I have done a lot of reading on the MWA and it may be too late now, but I don't think I was ever supposed to be put on it. I'll save you the story but my PA got spiteful after I asked the JC manager if I could see someone else after I complained about her attitude towards me and her tone.

 

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I'm almost finished, I'll suffer it until the end but I have a question..

 

I live in London and I've considered doing the London knowledge to drive a licenced black cab. I will be out on a scooter for anything from 2-3 hours to maybe 10 hours a day and this could be for anything up to four years, depending how I get on.

 

So, the question is, if I can show that I'm doing work-based training, can I prevent myself from going onto another scheme like MWA and what can I do with regard to JSA because technically speaking, I won't have time to look for a job unless it's a quick flit through the online sites and if I did find a job, this would put my taxi career back by quick some chalk.

 

If I'm not looking for work because I'll be training, how would I support myself if the DWP decide to stop my JSA, HB and CTB?

 

I realise I'm late to the party but this is the best and most relevant thread I've seen that comes quite close to where I am. I'm not ill and not unable to work, I just want to be able to support myself while I get myself through a period of training that may take some time.

 

Many thanks.

[maroondevo52]

Hello and Welcome,

 

I've started a new thread for you.

 

Regards,

 

Scott.

[NotDave]

Thanks, I noticed shortly after posting I may have hijacked another thread that was similar in nature and appreciate you fixing it for me.

 

I have some questions for TFl as well but getting them to answer the phone is a chore. Despite being number one in the queue for 10 minutes, I decided they must've been on their lunch and hung up.

 

I appreciate any help I can get here.

 

Regards.

 

ND.

 

P.S. Hello to you too.

[NotDave]

Can anybody tell me where I might find the information I need? I have a signing day this Thursday and I'd like to be able to have my facts straight before I politely decline any other measures without risking my benefit.

 

Thanks.

[Mr.P]

If you are engaged in 16 hours or more of "training" then you wouldn't be entitled to JSA. You'd need to ask about training allowances, but I don't think they would be paid unless you were enrolled on a recognised course.

 

I suspect that if you told the JCP that you were riding a scooter around London to learn the roads and taxi routes, you'd get signed off. If you didn't declare and you were found out at a later date, you could be subject to a fraud investigation.

 

Have you thought about signing up with a courier company ?

The pay is crap (on a self employed basis), the work high risk, insurance is steep, the hours & pay is not regular... But you'd gain a knowledge of local streets & routes.

[NotDave]

Been there, done that. I'm at a stage now where I just can't take any more crap from inept (mis)management and I think the only way I'm goig to make any money is to work for myself. When I say "been there, done that", I've previously worked for several courier companies and for several years combined- including motorbikes, vans and lorries. I thought this might give me a head start. Obviously I don't know where all the schools are, pubs, restaurants and police stations etc but I spent a good 50-60 hours a week for about 6 years pounding the roads for a pittance and in the end working just to keep my bike on the road so I know the direction of places, I just don't know the names of the roads or many of the points but I think I've got an advantage over many people as 60-70% of my work was in the square mile and I know where some of the big city firms are.

 

I'm going to give it some more thought.