This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-politics-17200688

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 11 Version 12
Ministers drop work experience scheme sanctions Ministers drop work experience scheme sanctions
(40 minutes later)
Ministers have dropped the threat of sanctions for unemployed youngsters on a controversial work experience scheme.Ministers have dropped the threat of sanctions for unemployed youngsters on a controversial work experience scheme.
It follows a meeting with dozens of firms with concerns, after criticism it amounted to "unpaid forced labour".It follows a meeting with dozens of firms with concerns, after criticism it amounted to "unpaid forced labour".
Some employers had pulled out of the scheme - in which 16- to 24-year-olds on jobseeker's allowance do up to eight weeks' unpaid work but keep benefits.Some employers had pulled out of the scheme - in which 16- to 24-year-olds on jobseeker's allowance do up to eight weeks' unpaid work but keep benefits.
It is voluntary but those who dropped out after the first week risked having their benefits docked for a fortnight.It is voluntary but those who dropped out after the first week risked having their benefits docked for a fortnight.
Following Wednesday's meeting with firms, the government said that rule would be dropped - although sanctions would still apply in cases of gross misconduct. The government says that only 220 cases out of 34,200 people taking part between January and the end of November 2011 received a benefits "sanction".
But following Wednesday's meeting with firms, it said that rule would be dropped - although sanctions would still apply in cases of gross misconduct.
Employment Minister Chris Grayling said the change would help companies but insisted that opponents of the scheme were "completely misguided".Employment Minister Chris Grayling said the change would help companies but insisted that opponents of the scheme were "completely misguided".
Critics say the scheme amounted to "unpaid forced labour" for many young unemployed people and the Right to Work campaign group had led protests - including a sit-in at a Tesco store.Critics say the scheme amounted to "unpaid forced labour" for many young unemployed people and the Right to Work campaign group had led protests - including a sit-in at a Tesco store.
'Trotskyites''Trotskyites'
The work experience programme is one of a range of work placement schemes run under the government's "Get Britain Working" policy - it allowed youngsters on benefits to accept short-term work experience placements, which were unpaid but could include travel or childcare expenses, and keep their benefits.The work experience programme is one of a range of work placement schemes run under the government's "Get Britain Working" policy - it allowed youngsters on benefits to accept short-term work experience placements, which were unpaid but could include travel or childcare expenses, and keep their benefits.
But those who dropped out of the scheme after a probationary period of one week could have faced having their benefits docked. The government says that only happened in 220 cases out of 34,200 people taking part between January and the end of November 2011. But those who dropped out of the scheme after a probationary period of one week could have had their benefits docked for two weeks.
During Prime Minister's Questions, David Cameron said 200 small- and medium-sized companies had expressed an interest in joining the scheme in recent days.During Prime Minister's Questions, David Cameron said 200 small- and medium-sized companies had expressed an interest in joining the scheme in recent days.
He urged firms to "stand up against the Trotskyites" protesting against it.He urged firms to "stand up against the Trotskyites" protesting against it.
And Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said protesters were "completely out of touch" and the scheme was "brilliant", adding: "People volunteer to do it and we have a queue of kids desperate to do it."And Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said protesters were "completely out of touch" and the scheme was "brilliant", adding: "People volunteer to do it and we have a queue of kids desperate to do it."
Chief executive of Barnardo's Anne Marie Carrie, who was at the meeting on Wednesday, told BBC Radio 4's World At One: "We discussed frankly what has gone wrong in public perception about this scheme.Chief executive of Barnardo's Anne Marie Carrie, who was at the meeting on Wednesday, told BBC Radio 4's World At One: "We discussed frankly what has gone wrong in public perception about this scheme.
"Work experience is a vital lifeline for some of the most disadvantaged young people in this country. They've been failed by the education system, they've been failed by the care system and they cannot easily find employment in this tough climate.""Work experience is a vital lifeline for some of the most disadvantaged young people in this country. They've been failed by the education system, they've been failed by the care system and they cannot easily find employment in this tough climate."
'Absolutely degrading' 'Wider fight'
She said she was "delighted" at the news that the sanctions would be dropped as she was worried that they could threaten the future of the scheme, which was a "valuable lifeline for some of the most vulnerable". She said she was "delighted" at the news that the sanctions would be dropped as she was worried that they could threaten the future of the scheme.
Mark Dunk, an activist from the Right to Work campaign, said: "The dropping of sanctions for the work experience scam is one battle won but the wider fight goes on.
"Forced unpaid work still continues in the form of the mandatory work activity and community activity programme. We demand that the government immediately drops not just one of its forced labour schemes, all of them.
"There should not be any young person anywhere forced to work for no pay. Everyone on any training scheme should receive minimum wage or above."
Burger King, bookshop Waterstones and electrical retailer Maplin have left the scheme, while Sainsbury's says individual stores which took part are no longer doing so, as it is not company policy.Burger King, bookshop Waterstones and electrical retailer Maplin have left the scheme, while Sainsbury's says individual stores which took part are no longer doing so, as it is not company policy.
Tesco says it will start to pay those on work experience and guarantee a job when placements go well, and baker Greggs says it does not want people to lose benefits if they fail to complete their placements.Tesco says it will start to pay those on work experience and guarantee a job when placements go well, and baker Greggs says it does not want people to lose benefits if they fail to complete their placements.
Fashion chain Matalan has suspended its involvement pending a review.Fashion chain Matalan has suspended its involvement pending a review.
Mark Dunk, an unemployed activist with the Right to Work group told the BBC: "If you go and do work you're making money for those companies, why can't they pay? It's absolutely degrading to... do exactly the same job as someone else but not be paid."
For Labour, shadow employment minister Stephen Timms said he backed the theory behind the scheme - but said there was a "complete muddle about whether this is a voluntary scheme or not because job centres are telling people it's compulsory".For Labour, shadow employment minister Stephen Timms said he backed the theory behind the scheme - but said there was a "complete muddle about whether this is a voluntary scheme or not because job centres are telling people it's compulsory".
The CBI employers' group said business support for the scheme was "hardening" but had called for greater "clarity" over the possible removal of benefits.
Have you been affected by any of the issues raised in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Have you been affected by any of the issues raised in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.