20th June, 2020.
(Pt 2: The Unemployed)
Foreword.
Just so you know?
This is the second in a set of pieces I’ve done on digital poverty*.
~≈†≈~
Job Seekers.
My last post about digital poverty briefly covered schools.
And includes a statement from Essex County Council.
It doesn’t necessarily cover everything I wanted to look at.
This part?
Concentrates on people like me.
There are quite a few people like me, out there.
We’re job hunting, receiving what’s called Universal Credit, and we’ve been lucky enough to be able to set up an internet connection when we’ve been working.
And get a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone.
And get a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone.
There’s many more job hunters who aren’t so lucky: who don’t have the cash for an internet connection, nor for a cheap refurbished laptop.
That leaves questions.
Where do we go online for free?
How do we get a cheap internet connection?
How do we get a cheap internet connection?
Where can we get a device to use?
~≈†≈~
Here in the UK, most libraries have public computers that can be used for free.
For those with no connection at home, or computer of our own, that’s good: we’ve somewhere we can go online.
Library users can also take their own laptop, phone or tablet to a library: and use the library’s wi-fi to get online.
We could use the library’s connection: or a guest connection in a coffee shop or pub.
Assuming those coffee shops open, assuming we have the money for a coffee.
And assuming we have a laptop, tablet or smartphone.
Most job centres also have computers, and an internet connection, that clients can use.
However?
Under the various shades of lockdown, coffee shops haven’t been open: the few that are, are open for takeaways only.
You can’t sit there, and drink the coffee you can’t afford.
Libraries have been shut, under look down.
In theory, some libraries in Essex — Brentwood included — have re-opened, as they house the local registry office.
In practise, Brentwood Library will only open for people who’ve made an appointment with Brentwood’s Registry Office.
As I’ve already said, job hunters could use the computers at our local job centre.
Here in Brentwood, that’s an issue.
The old job centre, around the corner from me?
Had several computers that we could use to search for jobs online: we could hunt on specialised job boards, social media and the government’s own Find A Job page.
However?
When the Job Centre moved to its new offices in Brentwood Town Hall this year, their computers had not been connected to the ’Net, by the start of Lockdown.
It wasn’t much of an issue, as clients could use Brentwood Library’s computers.
When lockdown started, however?
The Library shut: as did the Job Centre.
Both options were denied to us.
Our only viable option would be some sort of internet connection at home: along side a device to use.
That?
Presents problems.
Both in finding a reasonably priced connection, and a reasonably easy to get laptop.
6 comments:
Yes, that has been a generalised problem, and all very valid points. And, of course, in smaller places, people might not have a job centre and they have to travel elsewhere to get there (the town I used to live in didn't have a job centre), and many small libraries have closed, so access might be an issue even then. Here, in Barcelona, there are many points of free Wifi on the streets (you only need to have an e-mail address to be able to access it, and they don't send you anything either, it seems to be for their records), although it is not a great solution if you have to work or engage in lengthy searches, but it is something that might prove useful in an emergency.
Nowadays, although you tend to have the option of phoning as well, most places where you have to deal with paperwork or process any requests require that you book an appointment in advance, and they direct you to their webpage, so it can make life more difficult (even when not in a health crisis) for those without access to internet.
Thanks for this. I hope you get a great response.
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People (mostly Conservative voters) scoffed when the Labour Party included free access to broadband connections for all in their manifesto because they don't understand the reality of living without one. Sadly, most people, unless they have really experienced poverty, have no clue ☹️
An interesting and thought provoking article Paul. A lot of job applications are only available online these days through company employment portals, so if you are not able to go "digital" for any reason or you don't have access to free wi-fi or a computer/laptop or Smart Phone you are at a greater disadvantage. As someone over 55 who has been out of work since last year, these things also become more difficult to pay for once you have limited or no income. It's a catch 22 situation a lot of the time....and libraries shutting down due to austerity and council cutbacks hasn't helped matters.
Wow, Paul! I'm impressed the effort you've put toward researching and writing this.
Keep up the good work!
BTW, that library entrance. Of course, I recognized it. :)
Also, love your remark about the closed cafes and their overpriced coffee. :) Or words to that effect. Dry humor is always a plus.
It certainly helps, Debbi!
Oh …
There’s a part three …
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