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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Government bids to ease work experience scheme concerns | Government bids to ease work experience scheme concerns |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The government will meet companies later as it attempts to draw a line under controversy surrounding its unpaid work experience initiatives. | The government will meet companies later as it attempts to draw a line under controversy surrounding its unpaid work experience initiatives. |
| Employment Minister Chris Grayling will hold talks with dozens of firms. Some want a threat to withdraw benefits from those leaving placements early removed. | Employment Minister Chris Grayling will hold talks with dozens of firms. Some want a threat to withdraw benefits from those leaving placements early removed. |
| Public concern has prompted firms such as Sainsbury's and Burger King to quit. | Public concern has prompted firms such as Sainsbury's and Burger King to quit. |
| Critics call the schemes "slave labour" but ministers insist they help prepare jobless young people for employment. | Critics call the schemes "slave labour" but ministers insist they help prepare jobless young people for employment. |
| In recent weeks, campaigners have argued that the initiatives are not voluntary amid concerns participants can lose benefits if they quit their placement before it ends. | In recent weeks, campaigners have argued that the initiatives are not voluntary amid concerns participants can lose benefits if they quit their placement before it ends. |
| Supermarket Tesco changed its policy within days of a protest at one of its stores, saying it would start to pay those on work experience and guarantee a job when placements went well. | Supermarket Tesco changed its policy within days of a protest at one of its stores, saying it would start to pay those on work experience and guarantee a job when placements went well. |
| 'Not clear' | 'Not clear' |
| Baker Greggs has offered 40 placements since June, with 14 of the participants going on to secure permanent jobs. | Baker Greggs has offered 40 placements since June, with 14 of the participants going on to secure permanent jobs. |
| Its chief executive Ken McMeikan said his firm still believed in the scheme but the benefits penalties had created concern and confusion. | Its chief executive Ken McMeikan said his firm still believed in the scheme but the benefits penalties had created concern and confusion. |
| But he added: "If... somebody decides they don't want to complete the placement, we don't feel they should lose their benefits. It's still not clear just how many people have been penalised for not completing their placements." | But he added: "If... somebody decides they don't want to complete the placement, we don't feel they should lose their benefits. It's still not clear just how many people have been penalised for not completing their placements." |
| The government is running a series of work placement schemes for unemployed people - including the "work experience" programme, aimed at 16-24 year olds which allows those on jobseekers' allowance to do an unpaid placement for up to eight weeks without losing their benefits. They may also get travel or childcare expenses. | |
| But anyone who cuts a placement short after more than a week may have their benefits stopped for two weeks. | But anyone who cuts a placement short after more than a week may have their benefits stopped for two weeks. |
| The Department for Work and Pensions says between January 2011, when the scheme started, and the end of November 2011, 34,200 people took part, of which 220 had their benefits docked. | |
| Mark Dunk, an unemployed activist with the trades union-backed Right to Work group which campaigns for alternative job creation policies, told the BBC placements must not amount to "unpaid forced labour". | Mark Dunk, an unemployed activist with the trades union-backed Right to Work group which campaigns for alternative job creation policies, told the BBC placements must not amount to "unpaid forced labour". |
| "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." | "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." |
| Fast-food chain Burger King has pulled out of the schemes. | Fast-food chain Burger King has pulled out of the schemes. |
| 'Wanted experience' | 'Wanted experience' |
| It said it had registered to take on youngsters at its Slough headquarters six weeks ago but withdrew due to "public concerns", without having recruited anyone. | It said it had registered to take on youngsters at its Slough headquarters six weeks ago but withdrew due to "public concerns", without having recruited anyone. |
| Supermarket Sainsbury's said the small number of its stores that took part in the scheme had since ceased participation, as it was not company policy. | Supermarket Sainsbury's said the small number of its stores that took part in the scheme had since ceased participation, as it was not company policy. |
| Fashion chain Matalan said it had suspended its involvement pending a review, while bookseller Waterstones and electrical retailer Maplin have already left. | Fashion chain Matalan said it had suspended its involvement pending a review, while bookseller Waterstones and electrical retailer Maplin have already left. |
| However, Daniel Kelly, 19, who was taken on permanently in Greggs' payroll department after his placement, said: "I never signed up for a wage. I signed up primarily to get experience." | However, Daniel Kelly, 19, who was taken on permanently in Greggs' payroll department after his placement, said: "I never signed up for a wage. I signed up primarily to get experience." |
| And former Marks and Spencer chief Sir Stuart Rose told the BBC if he had a child who was long-term unemployed, he would put them into the scheme. | And former Marks and Spencer chief Sir Stuart Rose told the BBC if he had a child who was long-term unemployed, he would put them into the scheme. |
| Permanent jobs | Permanent jobs |
| He said it would: "Give them the chance of finding work by giving them skills that they haven't got, by giving real life work-experience, by building their confidence, by adding to their CV... which meant they had a better chance of getting a job." | He said it would: "Give them the chance of finding work by giving them skills that they haven't got, by giving real life work-experience, by building their confidence, by adding to their CV... which meant they had a better chance of getting a job." |
| Mr Grayling has defended the scheme, saying half of those who joined had found a job, often with the company that placed them on work experience. He has blamed a "small number of activists" for targeting "jumpy" firms. | |
| The programme is aimed at 16 to 24-year-olds unemployed for more than three months but less than nine months. | The programme is aimed at 16 to 24-year-olds unemployed for more than three months but less than nine months. |
| Participants have an unpaid placement for two to eight weeks, working 25 to 30 hours a week. | Participants have an unpaid placement for two to eight weeks, working 25 to 30 hours a week. |
| A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman stressed the work experience was voluntary. | A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman stressed the work experience was voluntary. |
| "We are offering young jobseekers the opportunity to get invaluable work experience which plays a vital part in helping people get into the jobs market." | "We are offering young jobseekers the opportunity to get invaluable work experience which plays a vital part in helping people get into the jobs market." |
| 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. |