Theresa May

I would also add that, although the term 'modern slavery' has quite a narrow focus, there are a number of people living 'on the edge' with insecure housing, zero hours contracts, periods on JSA, benefit sanctions, etc. Some of these people get sucked into prostitution, theft, drug dealing, etc. They often have handlers, who treat them like slaves and once they're in that situation it can be very difficult to escape. The comparison with 'modern slaves' isn't inappropriate, as they are often living with the same level of fear and helplessness.

Ididn't expect everybody to understand.
The point is that Theresa May seems concerned with one type of modern slavery, but not another one she can most definitely do something about.
Slavery is being made to work for nothing, as daphne describes.

' The Tory government has been forced to reveal a vast list of firms that hoovered up free labour from benefit claimants after spending four years trying to keep it a secret.

Poundstretcher, Tesco, Asda and Morrisons are among more than 500 companies, charities and councils named as having used Mandatory Work Activity.

Others on the list from 2011 included payday loans firm Cash Converters, chicken diner Nando’s, WH Smith, Superdrug and DHL.

More than 100,000 jobseekers were put on the hated ‘workfare’ scheme, which forced them to work 30-hour weeks unpaid for a month each or have their benefits docked.

Yet the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) mounted an astonishing and costly legal battle to keep the firms’ names a secret.

Officials claimed revealing those involved would hurt their “commercial interests” because protesters would boycott them.

The DWP stood its ground for nearly four years despite being overruled by the Information Commissioner (ICO) watchdog in August 2012.

The saga finally ended at the Court of Appeal on Wednesday – where a trio of top judges threw out the DWP’s argument by a 2-1 vote.

Campaigners and Labour condemned the vast cost of the cover-up – in which taxpayers had to fund lawyers for both the DWP and ICO.

Source: DWP forced to reveal vast list of firms using benefit claimants for unpaid work after 4-year legal fight – Mirror Online '

It's taken 4 years for this to surface because the DWP has been hiding it, and going to court to keep it hidden.
Why?
You've been paying the bills, along with me, jingl.

Of course not all unemplyed on benefits are lazy smell work shy. We all know that and have great sympathy for those like DD and others who want to work. But let's not deny the other kind exist nor trot out the old chestnut 'but they're a small minority'.

Yes, they may be a minority but it's not that small a one. I know many, many who are fiddling the system, many claiming 'bad backs' or 'stress' and quite a goodly few of these are ex-professionals too, who seem perfectly able to swing a golf club with a bad back.

Where did that 'smell' come from? Should read 'lazy and work shy'

The vast majority of people claiming JSA have worked, according to the ONS and that's consistent with the people I used to meet at the Jobcentre. And, no, I'm not denying that there are people who play the system, although they won't be claiming JSA if they've convinced somebody they're ill. By the way, Anya, I was suffering from stress so badly I was hospitalised - that's how I lost my career and home.

If I had been in some other countries, such as Germany, unemployment benefit would have been paid automatically based on my contributions. I wouldn't have had to have gone through the farce called the Work Programme.

Unless you can produce reliable statistics proving otherwise, I stand by my claim that it's the minority. I really find it offensive when people talk about the smelly, workshy and lazy.

You are too easily offended then DD as that was a typo which I immediately corrected. But never let the truth get in the way of a snide remark ...eh??

I does make me cross when those who are claiming genuinely try to defend those who are playing the system. I wonder why they do that? It only means that sympathy is being given to those who are taking from those who are in genuine need.

Then comes the 'produce your evidence' arguement. My deductions are based on those fair few people I knew who openly played the system and admitted they did. My exHT's wife, the next door neighbour, the 'friend' who could hoist a bale of hay single handed with the 'bad back' ...I could name a dozen I knew personally.

Did I report them? No. But perhaps I ought to have.

I know of nobody who claims benefits and who are not entitled. I do however and have known hundreds and hundreds who play the tax systems. And to the tune of millions and millions in some cases.

Maybe you should be more discerning with your friends, Anya.

It's not my fault you have lead very sheltered lives WW and DD and yes, I know those who play the tax system too.

Sadly I don't have 'hundreds and hundreds' of friends and certainly not more than a couple who pay the tax system.

You must move in very exalted company WW

I'm afraid my work did bring me in contact with quite a few people you would probably not approve of DD and I suppose some of them did morph into a type of friendship.

Not necessarily anya But some knowledge stems from my working life.

I think you're right about Gononsuch Gg, silly of me to rise to what are clearly idiotic posts! Won't happen again!
Anya I did smile at the word 'smelly'! It was quite obvious that, like me, your keyboard has a mind of its own which needs checking endlessly for rogue words!
I don't think, apart from DH that I've ever discussed tax returns with anyone! Mind you working for social services and the then (still?) pitiful pay structure, didn't really open the door to tax fraud!!! As for friends, like money, it was a subject none of us talked about.

Hmmm... 'Smelly'....?

Nope! The 'certain young feller I spoke of was never that. Far too fond of his long hot showers. And my best shower gel.

Ought to add, he is now doing well on a career path just right for him. There were times though......

I think that was a well meant scheme that went sadly wrong.

Btw, the Chinese are putting finance only into Hinkley. The technology is French.

A well meant scheme, to threaten people with having their £75 a week benefits taken away if they did not work for companies like Tesco and WHSmith for nothing?
If you look on the work programme website, it's all about how much these companies get paid for having someone work for them. It can go up to £13,000.

www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/aug/01/theresa-may-will-not-block-camerons-cronies-honours-list

She will not block Cameron's cronies list as it will set a precedent.
Another way she could show us she is on the side of ordinary people.
She lied.

No, jings the Chinese are supplying parts and workers (as well as one third of the finance). Ed Davey who was Energy Minister at the time is reported to have been overruled by George Osborne on the security issues. Vince Cable has already confirmed Osborne overruled TM's concerns. Latest article in today's Guardian

Guardian Hinkley Point

The deal also includes the possibility of the Chinese building a new reactor at Bradwell. The real problem is Osborne inviting Beijing to control parts of the UK infrastructure without the safeguards other countries have negotiates with China. For example, no other country except the UK, has allowed China to supply part of its telecommunications network.

Oh, not the 'she lied', 'he lied' refrain again...

Did anyone seriously expect her to block the list?

And of course these were dream workers that firms were offering work experience to in all cases.

Those with a great work ethic, amazing attendance and records and people skills second to none.

And guess what, those that did exhibit some of these qualities might well be taken on full time.

I haven't read or heard anything anywhere that suggests China will supply anything but a third of the finance as an investment. That's not to say that they won't want to build plants in the UK in the future.

[[oh yeah. You may be right]

Oh God! I can't spend all the morning sorting out Hinkley Point!

I forgot he bloody link! here

the

jing