[Vicky.]

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/sc...obless-1480979

A civil service source said: “There is no target to get people in work but there is a target of 100,000 to put people into work experience.

“Employers have been told, “Don’t advertise jobs as vacancies. Let Jobcentre Plus supply you people on work experience.’

Now I know there is a 'workfare' thread already, but I feel this is worthy of its own tbh.

Does anyone agree with this? Effectively telling employers NOT to give people real jobs (thus taking them off benefits long term) and instead told they will be provided 'free' work (keeping the staff on benefits)

I cant make sense of this at all. Surely having even 1,000 people back in proper paid work (and contributing into the system) would be better than 100,000 people on the continous 'work experience' cycle?! DWPs research shows that these work placements dont actually help people get a job too...so theres literally no point to them. Shouldnt we be encouraging businesses to take on real employees rather than discouraging them from paying wages?

[I have to add though, that it seems not every company is exploiting this. Superdrug apparently employ the staff properly after the work experience, and 10% of poundland workfare people get a job at the end of it... but the message that this sends out is still ridiculous if companies have really been told that]

tesco seem to be talking **** though

'“We offer them the option to be paid by Tesco for the four weeks, or to remain on their benefit scheme, with the guarantee that a permanent role will be available if the placement goes well on either option.”'

Yeah...because surely people are going to CHOSE not to be paid for their work