A VETERAN soldier has lost his jobseeker’s allowance – because he was selling poppies instead of “actively seeking work”.
Mr Taylor had his allowance withdrawn for selling
poppies [CASCADE]
The decision to take away the benefit from
father-of-four Stephen Taylor, 60, who served in Cyprus, Kenya and Northern
Ireland, caused outrage last night.
He admitted when he signed on at his local Jobcentre that he had spent 24 hours over a two-week period selling poppies to raise charity funds for veterans.
His honesty was rewarded by staff deeming he was in breach of rules governing benefit payments and his £71.20-a-week allowance was withdrawn.
The former pub manager has been out of work for a year and has now missed out on four weekly payments for selling the poppies outside an Asda store in Bury, Greater Manchester, in the run-up to Remembrance Day.
He admitted when he signed on at his local Jobcentre that he had spent 24 hours over a two-week period selling poppies to raise charity funds for veterans.
His honesty was rewarded by staff deeming he was in breach of rules governing benefit payments and his £71.20-a-week allowance was withdrawn.
The former pub manager has been out of work for a year and has now missed out on four weekly payments for selling the poppies outside an Asda store in Bury, Greater Manchester, in the run-up to Remembrance Day.
The town’s Armed Forces Veterans Champion, James Frith
was 'astonished' by the news [GETTY]
Mr Taylor spent 16 years serving with the 1st
Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, and the Territorial Army.
While on active service he lost an Army friend who was shot dead in Ulster.
He said yesterday: “The allowance is not very much, but when you don’t have much, it means a lot.
“It is all wrong. You volunteer and sell poppies to remember people and friends you have lost.
“I was stunned when they said by doing just that I had broken the rules.”
While on active service he lost an Army friend who was shot dead in Ulster.
He said yesterday: “The allowance is not very much, but when you don’t have much, it means a lot.
“It is all wrong. You volunteer and sell poppies to remember people and friends you have lost.
“I was stunned when they said by doing just that I had broken the rules.”
He said he had applied for a series of jobs,
including one at the Asda store where he sold the poppies, but has only received
one reply in 12 months.
He added: “I have tried all sorts but there are just no jobs. It is impossible. You can apply for every job that is going, but it is another thing actually getting one because there are that many people applying.”
Mr Taylor, who has now fallen behind with the rent on his home, is currently receiving financial support from the Bury Armed Forces Covenant group.
He added: “I have tried all sorts but there are just no jobs. It is impossible. You can apply for every job that is going, but it is another thing actually getting one because there are that many people applying.”
Mr Taylor, who has now fallen behind with the rent on his home, is currently receiving financial support from the Bury Armed Forces Covenant group.
Mr
Taylor sold the poppies outside an ASDA in Bury, Greater Manchester
[GETTY]
But Councillor James Frith, the town’s Armed Forces
Veterans Champion, said: “I find it astonishing. Every time I speak with Stephen
I can tell he has been searching for work.
“He has served his country throughout his life and for me this is an issue of applying discretion and leniency.
“To treat somebody who has put himself in harm’s way for the people of his town and his country like this is unacceptable.”
“He has served his country throughout his life and for me this is an issue of applying discretion and leniency.
“To treat somebody who has put himself in harm’s way for the people of his town and his country like this is unacceptable.”
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said:
“We make it clear to people what the rules are and that they risk losing their
benefits if they don’t play by them. Sanctions are only used as a last
resort.
“If someone disagrees with a decision they can appeal.”
“If someone disagrees with a decision they can appeal.”
...
ConDemNation Comment:
This man is 60. Why isn't he getting his pension? Shame!
