Unemployment benefits?

I'm over on a HSMP/Tier 1 visa. As the possibility that this sinkhole of an economy will render me redundant, I was wondering about unemployment benefits. I hear that as a visa holder I'm not eligible.

However, I was just wondering if anyone could give me a reasonable explanation for why I'm expected to pay in for the NI tax if I'm not allowed to receive the benefits it's meant to be allocated for. Seems like a huge percentage of my paycheck being flushed away!

Thanks for that. I was informed incorrectly

giblet, did you read Vinny's link in sufficient detail? You appreciate that income-based JSA is within the definition of Public Funds?

But did you realise that contribution-based JSA is not! So absolutely no problem, if you have paid sufficient NI contributions, in you claiming C-B JSA!