Perhaps I should clarify that JSA isn't the only thing they claim. What I was getting at is that people who are unemployed are out there, making ends meet, using a combination of various state benefits (and I'm not talking disability or child benefits, I'm talking the benefits allowed to even me if I were to be unemployed). And for what it's worth, there are people living with their parents who probably do get by on JSA alone.

I have a friend who recently got made redundant at our work (no severance package, they were contracting) who has informed me of how they were surprised just how much they could claim, and that they would be able to get by okay if they cut out a lot of costs and just remained unemployed. But that kind of living isn't for them nor would it be one for me. Not because they want to work (although I do), but because they want to be able to afford things that are taken for granted by many of us but are not technically neccessary to live your life.

I'm fairly sure Psy has more of a clue as to how these people manage than I do, though.