Pub giant J.D Whetherspoons has been given the task of cashing giros in a mass shake up of Job Centre Plus. Iain Duncan Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions announced the bold proposals move in a government white paper, with a government spokesperson saying that it will ‘slash public sector bureaucracy, cut the budget deficit further and enhance Iain’s floundering political career’.
The proposals will see Job Centre Plus staff join the very jobseeker’s they currently serve. The radical idea of a ‘prominent backbencher’ gives details of how jobseeker’s will have an account credited at their nearest Whetherspoons once a fortnight, which they can either redeem against a range of bland meals and a selection of budget beers, wine and spirits, or simply walk away with the cash amount.
Outlining the scheme, a disinterested member of bar staff took time away from chatting to one of their equally disinterested mates to talk about the scheme. ‘It’s a great idea. At present, jobseeker’s are forced to attend a job centre once a fortnight to be harassed about a series of jobs they have no intention of ever applying for. With this scheme, we cut out the middle man and save the jobseeker having to attend the job centre before cashing their giros and heading straight here’. John Smith, regional manager for the popular chain explained further; ‘J.D. Whetherspoons is delighted to provide a service that has traditionally been the preserve of the public sector. It is our vision to force independent pubs out of existence by 2015. By joining the government in this scheme, it helps to achieve our business aims and objectives. By forcing all the unemployed to attend our pubs, we can achieve our vision together and improve the service the unemployed currently receive by allowing them to blow their giro at source, without suffering the indignity of pretending they’re genuinely seeking gainful employment’.
The scheme is proposed to start by 2011 and if successful, shall be further rolled out to pensions later the same year.
