From graduation to signing on

This week sees the majority of my peers donning their scholar caps and graduating, after three years of hard graft studying towards their undergraduate degrees.

And the question on everybody's lips during the ceremony is that question most graduates dread to hear “So...what next?”

For a handful of my close friends the answer is signing on. I even have one friend who went to the job centre straight after her graduation ceremony still wearing her robes.

My friend who wishes to remain anonymous said, “My plan is to find any kind of job, then do a year of travel before I decide what I really want to.”

“However, I'm struggling to find even part-time bar work so I had to sign on for job-seekers allowance. I've got a £2000 overdraft and I'm desperate.”

According to The Higher Education Policy Institute unemployment amongst graduates under 24 has risen by 25%, which takes the gloss off the excitement of graduation and “What's next?” somewhat.

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On the subject of signing on, ousted Labour MP for Nottinghamshire Nick Palmer was reported to have received job seekers allowance after missing out on a seat to the Tories.

However, rather than actually needing the money Palmer was reported to have said he wants to “explore what it's like for myself” and is believed to be the first ever MP who has applied for unemployment benefits.

Jobseekers can claim up to £65 a week, but Palmer who earns money from working freelance as a translator will only claim around £5 a week.

Thus, Palmer will not really be exploring what it's like for himself, having previously earned £60,000 a year in the past.

On the whole, I believe Palmer's experiment is patronising to those who need and rely on the full £65 a week of jobseekers allowance.

For Palmer being on jobseekers allowance is just a temporary experiment, an extra bit of money that will make no difference to his income. The reality of being on jobseekers allowance is something Palmer will never fully see for himself.