Tories put 30k jobless at risk of exploitation
SNP anger over unpaid placements
MORE than 30,000 unemployed people have been put at risk of “exploitation” on unpaid work experience schemes since the Tories came to power at Westminster, the SNP warned last night.
They said claimants fear being penalised if they don’t take part in the voluntary placements, which can last eight weeks.
The official Department for Work and Pensions figure could be much larger because they don’t show locallyarranged posts.
Tom Arthur, an SNP MSP on Holyrood’s finance committee, raised alarm at the scale of unpaid work in the UK Government’s welfare system. He said: “Genuine work experience can be valuable but expecting somebody to work for up to two months, with set hours but without pay, could easily be viewed as exploitative.
“Some people could feel as if they have no choice as it’s either unpaid work experience such as this, or benefits sanctions.”
The Renfrewshire South MSP said people will be uncomfortable if jobless people are being sent for placements to help bosses through a busy time. He added: “The DWP repeatedly talk about making work pay and how work is the best route of poverty, yet the very same department is reaping the benefits of unpaid labour.”
Poundland was criticised in 2017 for employing jobseekers, without pay, under a deal with the Government.
Annual totals of those in Governmentsponsored work experience schemes increased from 834 in 2011, when figures began, and peaked at 7428 four years later. The number fell to 3292 last year.
Over the Tories’ time in office, the recorded total is 30,185. The figures show work experience rather than trials, which campaigners warn are sometimes used to mislead candidates into thinking they’ll get a job.
The DWP said: “Work experience is voluntary and can be a tremendous way for people to gain the valuable confidence and skills needed to get back to work.
“Scotland has significant powers, including areas of employability and welfare, and can top up existing benefits, pay discretionary payments and create entirely new benefits and employability schemes.”