A 27-year-old masters graduate has sparked a fierce debate online after describing his experience of claiming benefits as “a full-time job” and alleging that the UK benefits system is overly bureaucratic and mentally draining.
Joshua Bishop, from Edinburgh, Scotland, hoped his higher education would help him escape life on a council estate and secure a job in sales, marketing, or HR after completing his course in October 2024. However, he says he has struggled to find a role related to his qualifications and has been relying on Universal Credit to get by.
Joshua, who receives £400 per month and lives in a council flat, claims he spends around two hours daily fulfilling the requirements to receive his benefits. This includes providing detailed evidence of his job-seeking efforts, exchanging emails with his career coach five times a week, and attending weekly meetings at the job centre.
In a viral TikTok video, Joshua labeled the system a “humiliation ritual,” alleging that job centre staff use “guilt and shame” to push claimants into accepting jobs unrelated to their education or career goals. He says the additional administrative demands have left him feeling burned out and demoralized.
A Polarising Debate
Joshua’s TikTok post has attracted significant attention, with over 900 comments—many of them critical. Critics labeled him a “lazy scrounger” and a “wet wipe,” accusing him of not wanting to work. One commenter wrote: “Comparing a full-time job to attending one meeting a week is insane,” while another added: “There are plenty of jobs out there. Your attitude stinks!”
However, some commenters sympathized with his struggles. One user said: “I claimed benefits for a month, and it was such a hassle I questioned if it was worth it. I was lucky enough to find a job, but I was contemplating bad things otherwise.” Another wrote: “Hope you get better soon. To all the haters, jot down how you would live on £400 per month.
Joshua’s Perspective
Joshua argues that the system prioritizes bureaucracy over meaningful support. “They’re giving me constant homework,” he said. “I know what field I want to be in, so just let me pursue that. Instead, I’m burned out, and the meetings feel like psychological manipulation.”
He also hinted at a backup plan of earning money through TikTok, saying: “Maybe this TikTok thing will work out, and I won’t need a real job anyway.”
Government Response
A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions defended the system, saying: “We support millions of people through Universal Credit payments and Jobcentre support every year, which is designed to incentivize moving into employment and progressing in work. All requirements are tailored to the claimant’s circumstances.”
The government has emphasized its efforts to reform Jobcentres and provide additional support to help claimants find meaningful work.
Moving Forward
Despite the backlash, Joshua remains hopeful for the future. He continues to search for roles in his field while sharing his experiences on TikTok to raise awareness about the challenges faced by job seekers on benefits.
The debate around his post has highlighted the divide in public opinion about the UK’s welfare system, with some viewing it as overly burdensome and others arguing it provides necessary support and accountability.
