Government's work-for-benefits scheme ruled illegal

[lalalonglegs]

Cait Reilly, the woman who objected to being made to work for free at Poundland, has won her case (sort of). The judges have ruled that the DWP didn't give enough information to unemployed "workers" about their rights before they were made to "volunteer" at these stores and other places of work story here.

The government has now released new guidelines but people made to work since the scheme began, or denied benefits if they refused, could get a rebate.

Result!

Good. Maybe now the government will realise they can't treat people unlawfully, can't refuse to tell them about their rights, can't force them to stop work experience/volunteering that might actually help them get a job... and can't force them to undermine other people's jobs by providing free labour for multi-million pound corporations.

Good!

:)

I'm not sure it is good though - it's not a result on principle that it is unfair to make people work for nothing in jobs that aren't going to serve them any purpose. It's more one of those loophole victories and the government has already closed that particular loophole so it won't stop others being pressured into joining these schemes.

I'm glad she won, but afraid lalalonglegs might be right.

I'm glad she's won and the man too. But I wonder if the DWP will just change the rules.

It's a popular policy amongst lots of people who believe everyone on benefits is a scrounger who deserves to be punished.

When they pop up on these threads I always ask them to explain how the Work Programme creates jobs and saves taxpayers money because it does exactly the opposite.

I've never had an answer but it doesn't stop them.

I'm sure they will pop up on this thread soon.

usualsuspect it can only be a matter of time.

BTW I used your name on another thread to describe these people. It's nothing personal

Good news, but not nearly good enough. The principle of forced unpaid work was upheld.

www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/02/workfare-ruled-illegal-only-narrow-terms

Although not given leave to appeal, the dwp intend to go to the supreme court. This means this could drag on for years, and they have stated, no financial redress until all legal avenues are exhausted. So, no monies owing to those who were illegally penalised.
Unfortunately, it looks as though they agreed with the principal of workfare, but not the way in which it was conducted, so slave labour still exists.

Good for cait and co. Glad about this ruling. One of them has popped up on the thread thats in Chat.

Good!