Caller Tells Eddie Mair She's Happy To Stay On Jobseekers Allowance Until Retirement

9 August 2019, 17:10

A caller told Eddie Mair she's ready to stay on Jobseekers Allowance until she retires, and said "the majority of people can't make a living out of what's around now."

A 63 year old caller told Eddie Mair:

"I'm on Jobseekers Allowance. For the next two years I'm quite happy to stay on that to be honest, until I retire."

She added: "But then they've put it [retirement age] up again to 66."

The caller explained that the job centre sent her for an interview for an administrator job in an office, but she struggled in the application stage as she couldn't use Microsoft Excel.

Speaking about the need to learn new technical skills for the current job market, she said:

"I love the Internet, but I'm not brilliant, and I think anybody born after say 60s, 70s - I think they have got a big problem."

She added: "The majority of people can't make a living out of what's around now" but also commented that Microsoft Excel is taught in schools nowadays.

Eddie Mair said: "You're never too old" and encouraged her to give learning a new skill a go.

The caller stressed: "I don't see this economy and everything you're talking about as being brilliant, I really don't."

Watch the full exchange in the video at the top of the page.

More Eddie Mair

Eddie Mair's heated row with Sir Iain Duncan-Smith on cost of living measures

Eddie Mair's heated row with Sir Iain Duncan Smith on cost of living measures

Where to seek help if you're impacted by the cost of living crisis

Where to seek help if you're impacted by the cost of living crisis

Eddie Mair scrutinises Tory MP who backs Liz Truss over her stance 'on woke'

Eddie Mair scrutinises Tory MP who backs Liz Truss over her stance 'on woke'

Furious caller clashes with climate scientists over 'pointless' net-zero targets

Furious caller clashes with climate scientists over 'pointless' net zero targets

Eddie Mair lists Ministers with the power to oust Boris Johnson

Eddie Mair lists Ministers with the power to oust Boris Johnson

'Horrific': LBC listeners reveal chilling experiences of stalking

'Horrific': LBC listeners reveal chilling experiences of stalking

'Scotland is inept': Scottish caller furious over idea of IndyRef 2

'Scotland is inept': Scottish caller outraged at idea of IndyRef 2

Texas Republican: Ensuring doors work properly will stop school shootings

Texas Republican: Ensuring doors work properly will stop school shootings

'You don't need a crystal ball!': Furious Eddie Mair corners Tory MP on cost of living crisis

'You don't need a crystal ball!': Furious Eddie Mair corners Tory MP on cost of living crisis

Exclusive
Kremlin chaos: Putin 'constantly surrounded by doctors' as illness throws regime in disarray

Putin 'constantly surrounded by doctors' as illness throws Kremlin into chaos

Tory MP: 'Oil companies have a cartel monopoly' over consumers

Tory MP: 'Oil companies have a cartel monopoly' over consumers

Jack Monroe slams Tory MP's 'abhorrent' food bank comments

Jack Monroe slams Tory MP's 'abhorrent' food bank comments

Tory MP accuses peer of 'hyperbole' over anti-protest bill concerns

Tory MP accuses peer of 'hyperbole' over anti-protest bill concerns

'Prime Minister in waiting!' Starmer saluted after Covid fine resignation pledge

'Prime Minister in waiting!' Starmer saluted after Covid fine resignation pledge

From Covid infection to being fined: Eddie Mair's painstaking timeline on partygate and Boris

From Covid infection to the fine: Eddie Mair's painstaking timeline on partygate and Boris

Partygate fines: Eddie Mair grills Tory MP Sir Roger Gale over PM future

Partygate fines: Eddie Mair grills Tory MP over PM's future