Rise in unemployment: Ex store manager speaks of job struggle

Official figures show another rise in UK unemployment.

One of more than 2.6 million people now seeking work is former store manager Simon Milligan.

Mr Milligan, 27, from Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, earned a salary of about £18,500 managing a Thorntons branch in the town, but left after store closures were announced.

He was then offered a job by Coventry Building Society, but the firm withdrew its offer of a finance role due to a dispute.

During five-and-a-half months without work, Mr Milligan said he had discovered that anything less than 35 hours a week on roughly a minimum wage would not match what he receives on benefits.

The 27-year-old receives jobseeker's allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit. His housing benefit pays for a privately rented flat.

He said: "I've found personally that part-time roles do seem to have increased.

"But if I'm being actively discouraged from it because I'm going to be out of pocket... what's the benefit of working?"

Mr Milligan said, for example, £6 an hour over four weeks of 35-hour weeks would produce £840, compared to about £850 a month in benefits.

He added: "[A job centre adviser] said unless there's a guarantee that the part-time role could become full-time or develop into full-time work pretty quickly, there's no reason to take the part-time job role."

The Leamington resident said he was applying for at least four jobs a week and would have "taken anything", but had not had any interviews since becoming unemployed.

He added: "You tend to find you're lucky to get a reply even with a no.

"On two occasions I've got a thank you but no thanks via email within 15 minutes of sending my CV. It makes you feel really lousy.

"I did 12 months in the HM Revenue & Customs in an administration capacity in 2004.

"But I was told by the job centre any experience more than five years old may as well not count basically."

Mr Milligan said he was now on medication for depression, adding: "I've been fiercely independent since the age of 16.

"To now be in a situation where I'm relying on government money, it's a huge setback to my self worth.

"My social life has revolved around work... I've severed some of those links."

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: "We know the current system isn't working, and that's why we're introducing wholesale reforms, the likes of which haven't been seen before.

"Through the introduction of Universal Credit we're ensuring that work will always pay, even if someone can only work part time.

"A life on benefits, for those who are able to work, won't be an option - it's not good for them and their families, and it's not fair on the taxpayer."