"Then in 1981, aged 27, he left the Army and signed on the dole for several months."
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/why-iain-duncan-smith-should-look-1400558
Maybe he did but can he do it now for "several months", he could easily have used savings or help from his family. IDS really should think before he opens his rather pompous mouth.
As a family of 5 back in the late 60's or might have been early 70's when my husband was laid off the ferries during the winter months we really struggled on his dole money and family allowance, thank goodness I did not have to buy new clothes during that period we would never have managed.