dole queue

English

Noun

dole queue (plural dole queues)

1. (UK) Historically a queue to receive the dole (unemployment benefit), now used in reference to the number of people who are unemployed and claiming state benefit.
   • 2021 September 8, “Network News: HS2 jobs boost - but skills shortage a concern”, in RAIL, number 939, page 16:

     It has taken people off the dole queue, and its online jobseekers board is updated daily.

   • 2023 March 22, Mike Esbester, “Staff, the public and industry will suffer”, in RAIL, number 979, page 38:

     Wadebridge area railwaymen were reported in the local press as "worried", while National Union of Railwaymen (NUR) Wadebridge branch secretary W J Hambly believed "the rail closures will mean dole queues at the Labour Exchange for many".

References

• “dole queue”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.