Sponging on the state

I OF COURSE realise that what I write is somewhat out of your regime, writes Geoffrey Bland.

But as a fairly new boater and concerned about this matter I thought I would 'try my luck' as it were.

It was an article I read concerning the massive number of job vacancies yet with an estimated five millions claiming unemployment benefit, generally known as 'the dole'.

Bragging of 'fiddling it'

For the past year, as a continuous cruisers, cruising the western end of the Kennet & Avon Canal including Devizes and Bath I have encouraged conversations with many moored boaters, and discovered no few in their 20's and 30's claiming unemployment benefit, yet in some cases bragging of 'fiddling it'.

This I feel is a terrible thing to be pleased about, and so was glad to further read that those who do such and refuse to take up work will have their incomes slashed.

To idle to work

Personally I worked well into my sixties and paid all my taxes until just over a year since, and  I resent having paid to support what are healthy people who are too idle to work.  Yes, I mean you Joe, Andrew, 'Tiger' and those who gave no names, who I met around Bathgate.

The work is there, so stop sponging on the state, and go and get it.