[onion2k]

People on "the dole" here in the UK make up about 5% of benefits claims[1], and the proportion who are on it voluntarily is smaller still. It's a tiny number. Even if they are proud of it, there are significantly bigger problems that are easier and cheaper to solve than worrying about people who are voluntarily unemployed.

[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47623277

[drapred7]

That's my point. Thanks, I didn't know dole meant a small part of benefits. I thought it just meant any kind of welfare.

[onion2k]

I thought it just meant any kind of welfare.

It's a slang term for unemployment benefit. That's somewhat confused these days because there isn't such a thing as unemployment benefit in the UK any more. There's "jobseeker's allowance", "income support", "housing benefit", "universal credit", and a few others, all of which can be claimed by people who are currently looking for work, or in work but on a low income, or who are unable to work. It's a confusing minefield designed to put people off claiming what they're legally entitled to.