date: 22 October 2008

embargo: for immediate release

TUC calls for Government u-turn on workfare schemes

The TUC has slammed Government proposals for workfare that force unemployed people to work on community service schemes in return for their benefits in its submission to the welfare reform Green Paper today (Wednesday).

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'Proposals that force unemployed people to work or lose their benefits are a mistake.

'There are already more than adequate sanctions to deal with benefit claimants who are cheating the system, and the majority of people on low incomes want decent work but are struggling, particularly in the current economic climate.

'People who lose their jobs need help in getting new skills and new paying jobs, not schemes that provide no pay, no prospects and no time to search for a new job.

'Workfare policies do nothing to benefit wider society. The economy needs more people in real jobs with real wages to spend, boosting the economy and creating more jobs. And workers in low paid jobs could well be replaced by workfare claimants leading them to lose their jobs in turn.'

The TUC also criticises Government plans to contract out Job Centre Plus services to the private and voluntary sectors.

Brendan Barber said: 'Politicians and newspapers assume that the private sector will be more efficient than the public sector, but we are waiting to see any evidence that proves this is the case. All the research suggests that there are good reasons for being worried about the private sector taking over Job Centre Plus.

'We are also worried that this is not in the interests of the voluntary sector, who by getting involved with running Government services may find their ability to be fully representative of their clients compromised.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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Media enquiries:
Elly Brenchley T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: ebrenchley@tuc.org.uk

Press release (400 words) issued 22 Oct 2008