‘Forcing people to work for free won't tackle unemployment crisis', says TUC

date: 12 June 2012

embargo: For immediate release

Responding to the ministerial statement today (Tuesday) that the government is to extend the mandatory work activity scheme, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'Forcing people without paid jobs to work for free won't tackle the UK's unemployment crisis.

'Instead of punishing people without jobs, the government should focus on getting our economy out of recession and providing good quality employment support for the 2.6 million unemployed people across the country who are desperate to move into paid work.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The ministerial statement is available at www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-vote-office/June_2012/12-06-12/13.DWP-Mandatory-Work-Activity.pdf

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

- Congress 2012 will be held at the Brighton Centre from Sunday 9 September to Wednesday 13 September. Free media passes can be obtained by visiting www.tuc.org.uk/mediacredentials and completing an online form. Applications must be in by noon on Wednesday 29 August. Any received later than that will be processed in Brighton and will cost £50. Please note that the Brighton Centre requires 60 days' notice for telephone line facilities. Details available on the link above.

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Elly Gibson T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: egibson@tuc.org.uk