Inside Britain's 'worklessness capital'

3 December 2024

Kevin Shoesmith

BBC News

Reporting fromGrimsby

John Burns, who sleeps under a bridge near Grimsby Dock Tower, is sceptical about plans to get people working again

Kevin Shoesmith/BBC News A side view of homeless man John Burns, who is wearing a grey woollen hat and a blue coat and has a pensive look on his face — John Burns, who sleeps under a bridge near Grimsby Dock Tower, is sceptical about plans to get people working again

Grimsby is Britain's "worklessness capital", figures suggest. With the government setting out plans to "Get Britain Working", BBC News visited the town to find out what locals think.

Father-of-one John Burns tells me he spent last night sleeping under a bridge near the Grimsby Dock Tower – and he has a stark message for Sir Keir Starmer "in the other tower".

"It's all right for you, in your ivory tower. Come and live with us in an alley or under a bridge for a week. See what we have to put up with," he says.

I am on the East Marsh estate which, according to data collected by The Telegraph columnist Fraser Nelson for an Channel 4 documentary, is Britain's "worklessness capital".

The data shows that 53% of working-age people here claimed benefits during the first quarter of 2024.

More than half of people in Grimsby's East Marsh and Port ward claim out-of-work benefits, according to new figures

Kevin Shoesmith/BBC News A view of Freeman Street in Grimsby. Shops such as a butcher's and a bakery can be seen beneath a grey sky — More than half of people in Grimsby's East Marsh and Port ward claim out-of-work benefits, according to new figures

Mr Burns has been homeless for three months – a consequence, he says, of his 14-year relationship ending.

It is raining hard and the 54-year-old is sheltering in a doorway. He has 15 minutes before the food bank, which is run by The Rock Foundation, opens its doors to the hungry.

Sir Keir, through his "Get Britain Working" White Paper, wants people such as Mr Burns back in the workplace rather than relying on charities such as this.

The government has said its plans will boost the size of the workforce with the "biggest employment reforms in a generation".

It wants to get about two million more people into work and has set out plans to expand mental health , tackle obesity, overhaul job centres and improve opportunities for young people, among other measures.

But Mr Burns sees a problem.

"It sounds good, but it's not plausible," he says. "Of course I want to work. But my problem is I don't have a roof. Every employer wants an address."

Gesturing towards the 309ft (94m) tower, which dominates the North-East Lincolnshire town's skyline, Mr Burns adds: "You can't work after spending a night sleeping under a bridge over there.

"If it wasn't for this place, I'd be on the rob – I'd have to, just to eat. Or dead."

Samantha Palmer, a food bank co-ordinator, says more needs to be done to help people with mental health conditions

Kevin Shoesmith/BBC Samantha Palmer, a food bank co-ordinator, wearing a cream-coloured pullover and black tros, crouches down next to dozens of carrier bags full of donated food — Samantha Palmer, a food bank co-ordinator, says more needs to be done to help people with mental health conditions

Samantha Palmer, food bank co-ordinator at The Rock Foundation, is also sceptical about the government's plan.

"Is this White Paper going to take into all the factors that people are dealing with as human beings":[]}