It's a wonderful mix of hilariously funny (the dancing in the Jobcentre queue, as keberoxu says) and the men trying on the red posing pouches etc.
But also some scenes I found tragic and which brought tears to my eyes. The chap not telling his wife he no longer had a job for six months, until the Bailiffs arrived; the lack of respect for Carlyle's character from his ex-wife, and the way his son is confused by the situation, but loyally encourages his dad. And the couple where the husband is impotent due to his shame at being out of work. I also found it terribly sad watching the 'audition' of the tough ex-steel worker trying to do striptease and failing miserably.
It was heartening to see all the Police officers at the back of the venue watching the performance at the end.
I like complex films like this - one's emotions are on a roller-coaster.