Claimants are being “exploited” by offers of unpaid work through a UK Government scheme.
Glasgow South MP Stewart McDonald has said he was “staggered” by a Department for Work and Pensions project offering claimants unpaid work trials, which can lead to a paid job vacancy.
Claimants get benefits but no extra cash, meaning they are working for below the minimum wag e on placements lasting up to 30 days.
The MP, who has campaigned against unpaid work by interns and others, is angered that the Government department appears to be encouraging businesses to take advantage of the scheme.
McDonald said: “I find that staggering that JobCentres are actively helping create unpaid opportunities for claimants that could last from around a week and up to 30 days.
“I have previously been told by Government ministers that unpaid work trials are exploitative and against the law and I see clearly that this is absolutely not the case when the Government’s own departments are helping create such unpaid work trials.”
McDonald highlighted that on the minimum wage a full-time worker would typically earn £2138 a month, whereas claimants working for nothing on the trials would earn less than a quarter of that sum.
He added: “For claimants, the standard allowance for those still receiving benefits and taking part in Work Trials whilst claiming Universal Credit would be £344 a month for someone single and under 25, and £411.51 a month for someone single and 25 or over – that is still well below the minimum wage despite being asked to work full time for up to 30 days. That is appalling.”
He added: “Jobseekers and those on benefits participate in these programmes out of good faith, sometimes for up to 30 days at a time, and it is not right should they receive no wage and no guarantee of a job at the end of it.”
McDonald has raised the issue with the DWP in a letter to Work and Pensions
Secretary Therse Coffey.
A DWP spokesperson said: “Work trials are voluntary, and a claimant’s benefits will not be affected if they finish early or turn down a job they’re offered. If a customer volunteers for a work trial, the Jobcentre will first ensure the employer is offering a genuinely worthy opportunity that could lead to employment.
“Work trials can be up to 30 days and customers who volunteer are financially supported throughout by the jobcentre.”
