Left penniless

150 applications not enough to find employment
AN unemployed Oldham man has been left penniless by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Officials decided Andy Walsh hasn’t looked hard enough for work and stopped his benefit.

Andy was devastated when he was told he wasn’t sticking to the rules by actively looking for work.

But Andy, jobless for six months, says he has applied for more than 150 mostly book keeping and accounts jobs since January.

He is now worried he will be without food and power in his house in Bower Street, Derker, until his benefit is restored.

“It is absolutely ridiculous,” he said. “I’ve been applying for jobs constantly online, probably about four or five a week. It is only recently that I have struggled as my computer broke.”

The 41 year old admitted he hasn’t applied for jobs in recent weeks because of his technical problems.

He added: “I would have been able to fix the computer and search for jobs with the benefit money, but when I explained they told me it wasn’t their problem.”

Andy said he was told to visit the library instead but doesn’t have money to get there — also the reason why he couldn’t take up a part-time job offered in Manchester.

He said: “The Government just doesn’t seem to care any more about the people who are out of work.

“How can I look for work at the library or succeed in a job interview if I have no money to get there?”

The Department of Work and Pensions argues the case should serve as a warning to others.

“It’s only fair to expect people to do everything they can to find work. The agreement they sign states they must be available for work and actively seeking work.

“We always make it clear to people at the start of their claim that they risk losing benefits if they don’t fulfil their part of the agreement.”