James O'Brien's shocking call with a benefits officer | LBC

James O'Brien asked after this Universal Credit worker's wellbeing as he described the 'pitches of misery' he hears from people seeking advance payments.

#JamesOBrien #EnergyCrisis #LBC

LBC is the home of live debate around news and current affairs. We let you join the conversation and hold politicians to account.

Watch more here:

Like, follow and subscribe to LBC!

This is not your ordinary talk radio stream. LBC is the leading YouTube channel for live debate around the news and current affairs. We have live interviews and debates and you can even phone in to join in the conversation.

[wyrmie]

I'm glad this guy is doing that job - too often people needing help are talked down to an disrespected by the very system supposed to be helping them. I have total respect for this guy !!

[jolindley]

The lack of empathy with some of these comments, exhausts me. Let me tell you a story...A few years ago, being a lone parent of my 7 year old daughter, working full time on minimum wage (I have many qualifications but beggars can't be choosers if jobs are in short supply) I had to, yet again cobble something together for the evening meal and go without. The next day I got a flat tyre and had to use money that was supposed to be for shopping that week. The next day I didn't have enough money to put petrol in my car - not even £5 worth, so I rang in work sick because I was too embarrassed to explain why! My manager gave me grief on return of taking time off, I had no money, limited food and a daughter who had no idea this was the situation. This was not a "one off". My mental health declining and robbing my daughter of a mum. Now let me tell you, I worked hard! Hard! To get myself out of that. Harder than most of you who declare "just get a job", "you're scroungers", "get on with it". Poverty no longer means a workless household, it is a working household! I am not in that situation anymore but believe me, we are all a few pay cheques away from poverty if we hit the perfect storm of circumstances. I am unapologetic on this. Those who are quick to judge those who have not, keep it to yourself. You look foolish otherwise!

[johngalvin]

Respect that man, he's doing a heartless job with a heart.

[nigelbaker]

What a thoroughly decent, caring, young man. A real credit to himself, his family and the wider community!

[abcollier]

That's the most thoughtful intelligent and compassionate benefits officer I've ever heard. A system can only be changed from the inside.

[HowDeepIsYourJesus]

Having worked in the tax office for a number of years, I was disgusted at the leniency shown to corporation tax customers when compared to our ruthless nature with working customers, paying self-assessment or PAYE. This isn't the fault of the civil service, they can only act on policy; it is the fault of a government who have spent the last 12 years ****ing the people of this country to death and stealing our money to pay their mates with. It's time to start getting angry, and not at the asylum seekers down the street, but at the monsters who have corrupted the soul of this country.

[andrewf]

Very brave to speak out against this moral corruption.

[merlino]

that this is happening in a so-called 'advanced' economy is disgracefull...

[fairydonuts]

I’m also a benefit officer working for universal credit & the sad thing is if he gets identified from this he will be in trouble, possibly lose his job, we are forbidden from talking about our job to this degree & encouraged to back the government in power & their processes regarding benefits etc.

[karlmoss]

I’m a colleague of this gentleman, we’re destroyed every day by this and our mental health is constantly on the brink.

[UKLeonie]

I totally understand this guys professional experience, it's heartbreaking working in public service. The benefits system is awful.

[anxiousmindmusic]

This guy underestimates how compassionate he is even. I've been on the phone to these guys and 90% of them are utter a_holes and this guy really gets it. More politicians from benefits backgrounds required.

[neregion]

I don't know if it is just me but I feel a sense of shame that this country has been allowed to get to this point.

[davidmurphy]

I think what often gets missed in the discussions about being on benefits (which I have been myself in the past) is anyone can cope with a month or two of scrimping, and going without the odd meal or nicety. What really gets to you is the existential dread of not knowing when it will end, and the mounting mental and fiscal pressures that are put upon you as a result. No one is under any obligation to give you a job in a free market, so you can spend a full-time working week looking and applying for work with no success or income - and most crucially, no end in sight - over and over again.

[alanrobinson-orr]

I worked in the DWP and I can tell you that doing the job has its affect on your mental health because of the fact that you're perpetually dealing with people who are utterly desperate. I left in 2005 (so 16 years ago) and it _still_ affects my mental health and, aside for a couple of years as a photographer, i havent worked since. It's also true that some, but by no means all, staff enjoy the sense of power that they have over claimants and demonise them, or should I say 'us'. These people are then the ones who then get promoted to management roles (I was never one of those), and then make life difficult for those they manage. It's the culture in the DWP to be strict on benefit claims and, even, their own staff.

[TheBridge-Q]

I remember Cameron saying that if poor people are cold in their homes, they should wear hat's. It's hard to believe any of them have a moral compass.

[backlip]

Remember £8, 000, 000, 000 + wasted on PPE alone yet the middle and lower class are expected to foot the bill just like the last financial crash.

[LaurenBies]

This is killing the soul of the people.

[hailstone]

What a very genuine young man you could feel the compassion. What a contrast with the people who sit in the CABINET.

[Josealespoetry]

The real scroungers in this country can be found in Westminster. Ridiculous salaries that are in no way comparable to the people whom they claim to represent. Frankly disgusting expense claims tendered from almost every single politician. Flipping second homes. Back handing government contracts to their associates. Yet the media will attack the poorest within our society. Absolutely sickening that most of the population get wrapped up in the rhetoric from Fleet Street etc. Full credit to the gentleman on the line here. Bless u sir