A number of websites providing information on experiences of unemployment and courses have closed down.  It's sad to see them go as they did provide useful information on how to deal with benefit issues.

I reach state pension age in just over three months time so not long to go before I can say goodbye to signing. At the moment I'm still on legacy benefits so I will be interestedi n the outcome of the high court case being held next week. If the claimants win the case regarding the twenty pound a week they didn't receive.  Of course, if they win it will still be up to the dwp if they pay up or not.

Eventually everyone unemployed will be on universal credit and conditions will be tightened to make it much tougher than beinv on legacy benefits.

With the Labour party under Keir Starmer refusing to stand up for the unemployed it won't matter what party are in power,, the unemployed will be forced into some sort of training or volunteering. Even Rachel Reeves the shadow chancellor said in 2015 that labour will be tougher on benefits than the tories.

Over the last few months a lot has been said about the delay in state pension claims. My own personal experience was exceptionally good. In fact it was perfect and I would like to say whoever handled my claim dix a great job.  I received a letter inviting me to apply for a state pension. It was dated just short of four months before my retirement date.  I immediately went on the website and typed in the verification code.  I then typed in my full name, email address,phone number and banm details. The site stated that I might be contacted by text and no later than a fortnight before my retirement date. I received an email confirmation that I had applied for a state pension. To my surprise, I received a letter less than a week later and dated the day I had applied stating that I will receive a payment two weeks and two days after my retirement date and then a payment every four weeks.  My experience has been a very good one and maybe having enough national insurance years made it easier and the fact that all my details match my jsa claim.