Friday 22 March 2013

Charities shouldn’t make people poorer – day 5 in the workfare week of action

 Some charities have adopted an ethical position on Workfare. Let’s make the others follow!

Given today’s evidence that there are targets to increase sanctioning people’s social security at all costs, it is time to put the charities who help that happen on the spot.

In the last month, thanks to your action, five charities have said they will no longer take part in Workfare Schemes: Sense, PDSA, Capability Scotland, Sue Ryder and the Red Cross. The Children’s Society has also pledged not to use Workfare.

This means the Workfare Schemes which rely on charity placements are on the rocks! Already before the latest withdrawals, the government complained: “The high profile withdrawal of placements from a number of larger charities meant a sharp reduction in placements.”

One in five people sent on mandatory work activity in charity shops face destructive sanctions (benefit stoppages) of three or six months. The charities still involved are profiting from making people poorer. Let’s tell them it’s time to pull out!

Contact details for Workfare charities including TCV and the British Heart Foundation here:

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