Thirty-second loop introduced in 2006 to obtain a ‘cost-effective solution’ replaced by 20-minute mix Da da-da-da da da-da … Vivaldi’s Four Seasons is no longer the soundtrack to millions of people’s frustrated interactions with welfare bureaucracy, after the Department of Work and Pensions decided to drop it as the hold music on its telephone helplines. A 30-second loop of the “Spring” section of the Italian composer’s classic concerto has for over a decade kept callers company – and often driven them to distraction – during their often almost interminable waits to speak to a DWP adviser about a benefits problem. Continue reading...