OK... Now a word from some of the youth...
I have been on JSA three times in the last six months and can safely say that most of the staff are utter well, I can't use the word on this forum.
Let me point out though, that job opportunities do exist, but people can't be bothered looking for them, applying for them, and get de-moralised when they don't get the jobs.
I have just started an 'as required' contract with a large entertainments company, they only employed 5% of their applicants. I can see how youths get stuck in the endless loop of unemployment and the 'pepole' at the Job Centre don't do anything to help you find work.
Another massive problem nowadays is that the semi and unskilled forces that take on green staff, retail, customer service etc. don't take on full time staff, employing more part time staff is cheaper in Employer's national insurance contributions and other insurance and tax issues. So many jobs simply mean you'll be on less money than you would on JSA and H&CT Benifit.
The main, main problem with the current system though is that benifits don't start properly until you reach the age of 25.
If I was 25 or over, I'd be able to receive about £240/month in benifits in addition to my wage because of my working pattern. I would also be able to recive part housing and council tax benifit. But as I'm under 25, I can only apply for LHA (Local Housing Allowance) the cost of a bedsit/roomshare. And can't claim income support, tax credits, working tax credits, or any other benifits.
Now I'm quite peeved off about this, especially since people who have nothing better to do than continuously drop sprogs get their mitts on the masses of tax I pay. And before I decend into wanting to join some of the rioters I'll stop.
Either way, there are jobs there, but the chances of these pepole getting them for a combination or reasons (not least that it's cheaper to employ 3 p/t staff than 1 f/t staff, and reduces risk) so that no-one wants full time staff any more. Not to also mention that younger pepole pay higher insurance costs for everything, and get no form of discounted travel or utilities to counter this.